v2.4.0.6
Investments, Loans and Long-Term Receivables (Details) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Equity method investments and joint ventures          
Equity interest before Sinopec share subscription 42.50%   42.50%    
Loss from dilution $ 118,000,000 $ (260,000,000) $ 1,641,000,000 $ 388,000,000  
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment 5,700,000,000   5,700,000,000   5,223,000,000
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]          
Project Finance Facility 7,500,000,000   7,500,000,000    
Export-Import Bank of the US [Member]
          
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]          
Project Finance Facility 2,900,000,000   2,900,000,000    
Export-Import Bank of China [Member]
          
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]          
Project Finance Facility 2,700,000,000   2,700,000,000    
Australian and International Commercial Bank Syndicate [Member]
          
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]          
Project Finance Facility 2,900,000,000   2,900,000,000    
APLNG Credit Facility [Member]
          
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]          
Project Finance Facility 8,500,000,000   8,500,000,000    
China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec) [Member]
          
Equity method investments and joint ventures          
Volumes in APLNG Sales Agreement 3,300,000,000   3,300,000,000    
Equity interest of others 25.00%   25.00%    
Equity interest before Sinopec share subscription 15.00%   15.00%    
Origin Energy [Member]
          
Equity method investments and joint ventures          
Equity interest of others 37.50%   37.50%    
Equity interest before Sinopec share subscription 42.50%   42.50%    
Kansai Electric Power Co Inc [Member]
          
Equity method investments and joint ventures          
Volumes in APLNG Sales Agreement 1,000,000,000   1,000,000,000    
Australia Pacific LNG [Member]
          
Equity method investments and joint ventures          
Equity interest of ConocoPhillips 37.50%   37.50%    
Loss from dilution     133,000,000    
Maximum Capacity     4,500,000,000    
Reduction in book value due to dilution     453,000,000    
Reduction in foreign currency translation adjustment due to dilution     320,000,000    
Book value of investment 10,444,000,000   10,444,000,000    
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment 3,438,000,000   3,438,000,000    
Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited (3) (QG3) [Member]
          
Loans to Related Parties          
Loan balance with affiliated company 1,092,000,000   1,092,000,000    
Freeport LNG [Member]
          
Loans to Related Parties          
Loan balance with affiliated company $ 579,000,000   $ 579,000,000