XML 59 R49.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.7.0.1

Price Risk Management Activities, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location (Details) - Cost of Sales [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2016
Economic Hedging [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] |  |
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and OCI |  |
Gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives | $ (97) | $ (139)
Economic Hedging [Member] | Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] |  |
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and OCI |  |
Gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives | (6) | (3)
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] |  |
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and OCI |  |
Gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives | $ 1 | $ 41

X
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value of derivatives recognized in the income statement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5618551-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (a),(c),(d),(e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Effect of Derivative Instruments on Statements of Income [Abstract] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vlo_EffectOfDerivativeInstrumentsOnStatementsOfIncomeAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | vlo_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=vlo_EconomicHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_CommodityMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |