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Debt - Debt (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Other $ 23us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt $ 7us-gaap_OtherLongTermDebt
Total debt 3,166us-gaap_LongTermDebt 3,150us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Less current portion 152us-gaap_DebtCurrent 1us-gaap_DebtCurrent
Long-term debt 3,014us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent 3,149us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Senior Notes, Interest at 6.125% Payable Semiannually, Principal Due on August 15, 2015 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Notes 151us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= nov_SeniorNotesOneMember
151us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= nov_SeniorNotesOneMember
Senior Notes, Interest at 1.35% Payable Semiannually, Principal Due on December 1, 2017 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Notes 500us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= nov_SeniorNotesTwoMember
500us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= nov_SeniorNotesTwoMember
Senior Notes, Interest at 2.6% Payable Semiannually, Principal Due on December 1, 2022 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Notes 1,396us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= nov_SeniorNotesThreeMember
1,396us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= nov_SeniorNotesThreeMember
Senior Notes, Interest at 3.95% Payable Semiannually, Principal Due on December 1, 2042 [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Notes $ 1,096us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= nov_SeniorNotesFourMember
$ 1,096us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= nov_SeniorNotesFourMember