Rendering

Component: (Network and Table)
Network
164 - Disclosure - Debt - Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)
(http://www.NATIONALOILWELLVARCO.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtDebtParenthetical)
TableSchedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table]
Slicers (applies to each fact value in each table cell)
Reporting Entity [Axis]0001021860 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]Period [Axis]
2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31
2015-01-01 - 2015-12-31
Debt Instrument [Axis]Debt Instrument [Axis]
Senior Notes, Interest at 1.35% Payable Semiannually, Principal Due on December 1, 2017 [Member]Senior Notes, Interest at 2.60% Payable Semiannually, Principal Due on December 1, 2022 [Member]Senior Notes, Interest at 3.95% Payable Semiannually, Principal Due on December 1, 2042 [Member]Senior Notes, Interest at 1.35% Payable Semiannually, Principal Due on December 1, 2017 [Member]Senior Notes, Interest at 2.60% Payable Semiannually, Principal Due on December 1, 2022 [Member]Senior Notes, Interest at 3.95% Payable Semiannually, Principal Due on December 1, 2042 [Member]
Senior note face amount
500,000,000  
1,400,000,000  
1,100,000,000  
500,000,000  
1,400,000,000  
1,100,000,000  
Senior notes interest rate
1.35%  
2.60%  
3.95%  
1.35%  
2.60%  
3.95%  
Senior note due date
2017-12-01  
2022-12-01  
2042-12-01  
2017-12-01  
2022-12-01  
2042-12-01