v2.4.0.6

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Open Interest Rate Swap Derivative Positions) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative [Line Items] |
Notional | $ 850
Average Fixed Rate Received | 3.65%
August 2012 [Member] |
Derivative [Line Items] |
Notional | 100
Variable Rate Paid | Federal funds rate
Fixed Rate Received | 1.90%
Expiration | August 2012
July 2013 [Member] |
Derivative [Line Items] |
Notional | $ 750
Variable Rate Paid | Federal funds rate
Fixed Rate Received | 3.88%
Expiration | July 2013

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- Definition Maturity Of Interest Rate Derivatives + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | dvn_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Average fixed interest rate related to the group of interest rate derivatives. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The reference rate for the variable rate of the interest rate derivative, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Fixed interest rate related to the interest rate derivative. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Aggregate notional amount of interest rate derivatives, which relates to the currency amount specified in the interest rate derivative instruments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1B -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5580258-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Notional Amount -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579245-113959 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant