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Operating segments - additional information - Summary of non-current assets other than excluded items (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
--- | --- | --- | ---
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Non-current assets other than excluded items | $ 65,198 | $ 64,655 |
Deferred tax assets | 3,102 | 3,137 | $ 3,137
Other financial assets | 635 | 814 |
Quasi equity loans to equity accounted units | 113 | 129 |
Tax recoverable | 5 | 8 |
Trade and other receivables | 1,446 | 1,304 |
Total non-current assets | 70,499 | 70,047 |
Non-current assets [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Investments in equity accounted units | 3,858 | 4,170 |
Quasi equity loans to equity accounted units [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Quasi equity loans to equity accounted units | 113 | 129 |
Non-quasi equity loan [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Investments in equity accounted units |  | 38 |
Australia [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Non-current assets other than excluded items | 27,944 | 28,592 |
Deferred tax assets | 698 | 796 |
Canada [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Non-current assets other than excluded items | 14,644 | 13,775 |
Deferred tax assets | 492 | 545 |
Mongolia [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Non-current assets other than excluded items | 9,187 | 9,912 |
Deferred tax assets | 704 | 703 |
United States of America [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Non-current assets other than excluded items | 5,459 | 4,815 |
Deferred tax assets | 920 | 932 |
Africa [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Non-current assets other than excluded items | 3,583 | 3,476 |
South America [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Non-current assets other than excluded items | 2,652 | 3,047 |
Europe (excluding France and the UK) [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Non-current assets other than excluded items | 193 | 50 |
UK [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Non-current assets other than excluded items | 158 | 59 |
France [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Non-current assets other than excluded items | 64 | 79 |
Deferred tax assets | 0 | 0 |
Other countries [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items] |  |  |
Non-current assets other than excluded items | 1,314 | 850 |
Deferred tax assets | $ 288 | $ 161 |

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