XML 17 R55.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Acquisitions and Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Aggregate purchase price of acquisitions | $ 2,397 | $ 1,767 | $ 1,008
Intangible assets |  |  | 273
Weighted average life | 5 years |  |
Goodwill [Member] |  |  |
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets |  | 1,000 |
Other Investments [Member] |  |  |
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Aggregate purchase price of acquisitions | 19 |  |
All Other Acquisitions [Member] |  |  |
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Share holder received in cash per share | $ 60.00 |  |
Aggregate purchase price of acquisitions | 2,378 | 2,880 | 1,038
Acquisitions completed | 5 | 17 | 9
Intangible assets | 894 | 981 | 273
Weighted average life | 19 years | 18 years | 16 years
Customer relationships [Member] |  |  |
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets | 635 | 473 | 119
Weighted average life | 18 years | 20 years | 14 years
Patents [Member] |  |  |
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets | 170 |  |
Weighted average life | 20 years |  |
Trademarks [Member] |  |  |
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets | 86 | 159 | 39
Weighted average life | 20 years | 16 years | 35 years
Other Intangible Assets [Member] |  |  |
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets | $ 3 | $ 348 | $ 115
Weighted average life | 1 year | 17 years | 12 years

X
- Definition Business Acquisition Cash Per Share Paid To Shareholders + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nov_BusinessAcquisitionCashPerSharePaidToShareholders
Namespace Prefix: | nov_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Assets + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nov_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix: | nov_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16265-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of businesses acquired by the entity during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration