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v2.4.0.8

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event [Member]) | 0 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Apr. 01, 2014 Segment Business | Apr. 01, 2014 Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Number of reportable segments | 4 |
Number of business units |  | 15
Rig Systems [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Number of business units | 2 | 2
Rig Aftermarket [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Number of business units | 1 | 1
Wellbore Technologies [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Number of business units | 6 | 6
Completion & Production Solutions [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Number of business units | 6 | 6

X
- Definition Number Of Business Units + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nov_NumberOfBusinessUnits
Namespace Prefix: | nov_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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