v2.4.0.6
Segment Information (Condensed Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings And Balance Sheets Of Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Sep. 30, 2010
Jun. 30, 2010
Mar. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Oil, gas and NGL sales                 $ 8,315 $ 7,262 $ 6,097
Oil, gas and NGL derivatives                 881 811 384
Marketing and midstream revenues                 2,258 1,867 1,534
Interest expense                 352 363 349
Depreciation, depletion and amortization                 2,248 1,930 2,108
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 794 1,538 1,378 580 668 699 613 1,588 4,290 3,568 (4,526)
Income tax (benefit) expense                 2,156 1,235 (1,773)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 521 1,040 184 389 478 429 352 1,074 2,134 2,333 (2,753)
Property and equipment, net 24,774       19,652       24,774 19,652  
Total continuing assets 40,964 [1]       31,505       40,964 [1] 31,505  
Reduction of carrying value of oil and gas properties                     6,408
Capital expenditures                 7,820 7,114 4,683
Assets held for sale 153       1,400       153 1,400 1,900
U.S. [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Oil, gas and NGL sales                 5,418 4,742 3,958
Oil, gas and NGL derivatives                 881 809 382
Marketing and midstream revenues                 2,059 1,742 1,498
Interest expense                 204 159 125
Depreciation, depletion and amortization                 1,439 1,229 1,498
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes                 3,477 2,943 (4,961)
Income tax (benefit) expense                 1,958 1,062 (1,894)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations                 1,519 1,881 (3,067)
Property and equipment, net 16,989       12,379       16,989 12,379  
Total continuing assets 22,622 [1]       18,320       22,622 [1] 18,320  
Reduction of carrying value of oil and gas properties                     6,408
Capital expenditures                 6,112 5,007 3,584
Canada [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Oil, gas and NGL sales                 2,897 2,520 2,139
Oil, gas and NGL derivatives                   2 2
Marketing and midstream revenues                 199 125 36
Interest expense                 148 204 224
Depreciation, depletion and amortization                 809 701 610
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes                 813 625 435
Income tax (benefit) expense                 198 173 121
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations                 615 452 314
Property and equipment, net 7,785       7,273       7,785 7,273  
Total continuing assets 18,342 [1]       13,185       18,342 [1] 13,185  
Capital expenditures                 $ 1,708 $ 2,107 $ 1,099
[1] Total assets in the table above do not include assets held for sale related to Devon's discontinued operations, which totaled $153 million, $1.4 billion, and $1.9 billion in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.