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Financial instruments - Natural gas forward contracts (Details) - Natural gas forward contract
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
$ / MMBTU
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
$ / MMBTU
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]    
Hedge ineffectiveness $ 0  
Cash flow hedges    
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]    
Notional amount 473,000,000 $ 484,000,000
Negative fair value $ 90,200,000 $ 61,900,000
Cash flow hedges | Geismar 2 Facility    
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]    
Percentage of gas requirement for forward contracts that will be managed for changes in prices 40.00%  
Average contract price (in usd per mmbtu) | $ / MMBTU 3.74 3.68
Remaining term 8 years  
Cash flow hedges | Medicine Hat Facility    
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]    
Average contract price (in usd per mmbtu) | $ / MMBTU 1.96