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Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Reclassification of debt balance to leases | $ 229

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- Definition Prior period reclassification from debt balance to leases. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | nov_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration