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Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (Robbins and Myers [Member], USD $)		3 Months Ended
	Feb. 20, 2013 Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 DOJ [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 BIS [Member]
Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement expense		$ 1,033,000	$ 600,000
Alleged violations involved in goods 2005 and 2006	$ 75,000

X

- Definition

Alleged violations involved in goods

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nov_AllegedViolationsInvolvedInGoods
Namespace Prefix:	nov_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	nov_CommitmentAndContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	nov_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of litigation expense, including but not limited to legal, forensic, accounting, and investigative fees.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration