Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating revenues (a)	$ 125,987	$ 82,233	$ 64,599
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	115,719	74,458	58,686
Operating expenses:
Refining	3,406	2,944	2,880
Retail	678	654	626
Ethanol	399	363	169
General and administrative expenses	571	531	572
Depreciation and amortization expense	1,534	1,405	1,361
Asset impairment loss	0	2	222
Total costs and expenses	122,307	80,357	64,516
Operating income	3,680	1,876	83
Other income, net	43	106	17
Interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest	(401)	(484)	(416)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	3,322	1,498	(316)
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,226	575	(43)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	2,096	923	(273)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(7)	(599)	(1,709)
Net income (loss)	2,089	324	(1,982)
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders	2,090	324	(1,982)
Net income (loss) attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders:
Continuing operations	2,097	923	(273)
Discontinued operations	(7)	(599)	(1,709)
Total	2,090	324	(1,982)
Earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$ 3.7	$ 1.63	$ (0.5)
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	$ (1.06)	$ (3.17)
Total	$ 3.69	$ 0.57	$ (3.67)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in millions)	563	563	541
Earnings per common share – assuming dilution:
Continuing operations	$ 3.69	$ 1.62	$ (0.5)
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	$ (1.05)	$ (3.17)
Total	$ 3.68	$ 0.57	$ (3.67)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution (in millions)	569	568	541
Dividends per common share	$ 0.30	$ 0.2	$ 0.60
Supplemental information:
(a) Includes excise taxes on sales by our U.S. retail system	$ 892	$ 891	$ 873