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Provisions, including post-retirement benefits - Summary of Provisions, including post-retirement benefits (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |
Remaining lives of operations and infrastructure present closure obligation | 20 years | 16 years |
Remaining lives of operations and infrastructure | one to over 50 years |  |
Close-down and restoration costs and environmental clean-up obligations | $ 9,983 | $ 8,722 |
Risk free interest rate on provisions | 2.00% |  |
Provision | $ 14,642 | 13,794 | $ 13,066
Non-current provisions | $ 13,367 | 12,479 |
Bottom of range [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |
Risk free interest rate on provisions | 0.50% |  |
Top of range [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |
Provision | $ 1,102 |  |
Other employee entitlements [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |
Provision for long service leave | 292 | 317 |
Provision for redundancy and severance payments | 24 | 59 |
Provision | 389 | 450 |
Non-current provisions | 112 |  |
Close down and restoration/ environmental [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |
Provision | 9,983 | 8,722 |
Non-current provisions | 9,349 |  |
Provisions relating to insurance recoveries and other financial assets held | 75 | 110 |
Close down and restoration/ environmental [member] | Pre 2021 [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |
Non-current provisions | 336 | 366 |
Close down and restoration/ environmental [member] | More than 5 years [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |
Non-current provisions | $ 839 | $ 727 |

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- Definition The amount of non-current provisions. [Refer: Provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 54 -Subparagraph l -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_54_l&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 + Details
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- Definition The amount of provision for costs related to decommissioning, restoration and rehabilitation. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Section D Examples: disclosures -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=37&date=2016-03-30&anchor=sect_DExamples:disclosures&doctype=Illustrative%20Examples -URIDate 2016-03-31 + Details
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- Definition The amount of liabilities of uncertain timing or the amount recognised when: (a) the entity has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event; (b) it is probable (ie more likely than not) that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and (c) a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2016-01-13 -Paragraph 54 -Subparagraph l -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_54_l&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2016-03-31 + Details
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- Definition Provision for long service leave. + References No definition available. + Details
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