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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

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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