XML 47 R76.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9

Common Shares - Additional Information (Detail) (CAD) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		228 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Normal course issuer bid share repurchase shares authorized	1,000,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased		1,000,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
Normal course issuer bid share repurchase programs	19imo_NormalCourseIssuerBidShareRepurchasePrograms		19imo_NormalCourseIssuerBidShareRepurchasePrograms
Normal course issuer bid share repurchase term, months	12 months
Exxon Mobil Corporation's ownership interest in Imperial	69.60%imo_MajorityInterestOwnershipPercentage		69.60%imo_MajorityInterestOwnershipPercentage
Cumulative purchases to date, shares	2,000us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares	2,776,000us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares	906,543,000us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares
Cumulative purchases to date, value			15,708us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue

X

- Definition

Majority interest ownership percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	imo_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Number of 12 month bid share repurchase programs undertaken, since 1995.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	imo_NormalCourseIssuerBidShareRepurchasePrograms
Namespace Prefix:	imo_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of shares that have been repurchased and retired during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased and retired during the period. The excess of the purchase price over par value can be charged against retained earnings (once the excess is fully allocated to additional paid in capital).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30, 31

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The number of shares authorized to be repurchased by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Period which shares may be purchased under a stock repurchase plan authorized by an entity's Board of Directors, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration