Accumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's Increase or Decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e653-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6887037&loc=d3e80784-113994

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 130

-Paragraph 26

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e681-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The expense charged against earnings for the periodic recognition of capitalized costs related to purchasing power, fuel, or emission credits. These items may be purchased in one accounting period but are deducted from earnings over time through amortization.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmortizationOfPowerContractsEmissionCredits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6887037&loc=d3e80748-113994

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents disclosure of all significant concentrations of credit risk or market risk arising from the subject financial instrument (as defined), whether from an individual counterparty or groups of counterparties.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 65

-Paragraph 21

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 107

-Paragraph 15C

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 107

-Paragraph 15A

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 107

-Paragraph 15D

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph i

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 6

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 15

-Paragraph 83

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6913464&loc=d3e34841-113949

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueConcentrationOfRiskDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net gain (loss) relating to components of the gain (loss) on the cash flow hedging instrument excluded from the assessment of cash flow hedge effectiveness. Recognized in earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (d)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624171-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossFromComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfCashFlowHedgeEffectivenessNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net gain (loss) relating to components of the gain (loss) on the fair value hedging instrument excluded from the assessment of fair value hedge effectiveness. Recognized in earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossFromComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfFairValueHedgeEffectivenessNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of net gain (loss) recognized in earnings when a hedged firm commitment no longer qualifies as a fair value hedge.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossFromHedgedFirmCommitmentNotQualifyingAsFairValueHedgeNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of net gain (loss) reclassified into earnings in the period when cash flow hedge is discontinued because it is probable that the original forecasted transactions will not occur by the end of the original period or an additional two month time period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(4)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6887037&loc=d3e80748-113994

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnDiscontinuationOfCashFlowHedgeDueToForecastedTransactionProbableOfNotOccurringNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when foreign currency exchange rate derivatives mature or expire.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MaturityOfForeignCurrencyDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of price risk derivatives for instruments with notional amounts expressed in nonmonetary units.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579245-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NonmonetaryNotionalAmountOfPriceRiskDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of foreign currency derivatives to purchase a foreign currency. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativePurchaseContracts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Obligations not otherwise itemized or categorized in the footnotes to the financial statements that are due within one year or operating cycle, if longer, from the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6743817&loc=d3e1243-112600

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 43

-Chapter 3

-Section A

-Paragraph 7

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Current Liabilities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6509677

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherSundryLiabilitiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	vlo_PriceRiskManagementActivitiesTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	vlo_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	vlo_VolumeOfOutstandingContractsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	vlo_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Price Risk Management Activities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended																																																											12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Refining Industry [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Refining Industry [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial Services Industry [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Financial Services Industry [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Forward Contracts [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Fair Value Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Fair Value Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Fair Value Hedging [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Swap [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Swap [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Emission Allowances [Member] Mg	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Swap [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Swap [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Swap [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Swap [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Options Held [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Options Held [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Economic Hedging [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Natural Gas In BTUs [Member] BBTU	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Natural Gas In BTUs [Member] BBTU	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Natural Gas In BTUs [Member] BBTU	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Natural Gas In BTUs [Member] BBTU	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Future [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Swap [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Swap [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Swap [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Swap [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Swap [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Swap [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Swap [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Swap [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Grain In Bushels [Member] Mbushel	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Options Held [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Options Held [Member] Sales (Short) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Options Held [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Options Held [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Two [Member] Natural Gas In BTUs [Member] BBTU	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Options Held [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Crude Oil In Barrels [Member] MBbls	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading Derivatives [Member] Options Held [Member] Purchases (Long) [Member] Maturity Year Three [Member] Natural Gas In BTUs [Member] BBTU	Dec. 31, 2011 Biofuels Blending [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Biofuels Blending [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Biofuels Blending [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Minimum Inventory [Member]	Jul. 31, 2011 Minimum Inventory [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Minimum Inventory [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Emissions Allowance [Member]	Jul. 31, 2011 Emissions Allowance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Emissions Allowance [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives									35,708,000	15,398,000	20,310,000	36,637,000	38,201,000	5,961,000	5,961,000	1,564,000	65,339,000	49,565,000	0	780,000	70,211,000	18,530,000	68,000	0	0	67,040,000	0	67,862,000	0	10,000	0	20,377,000	833,000	50,133,000	400,000,000,000	2,310,000	825,000	0	0	50,126,000	400,000,000,000	2,510,000	825,000	0	0	14,968,000	3,355,000	2,000,000	0	15,128,000	1,050,000	2,000,000	0	600,000	0	300,000	2,000,000,000,000	0	0
Price Risk Management Activities (Textual)
Compliance program costs																																																												$ 231	$ 66	$ 96	$ 4			$ 2
Compliance program liabilities, current																																																																0	0		0	0
Notional amount of foreign currency derivative purchase contracts								751
Foreign currency commitments maturity date								January 26, 2012
Net receivables related to derivative instruments from counterparties				2	4	0	21
Gain (loss) from components excluded from assessment of fair value hedge effectiveness, net	0	0	0
Gain (loss) from hedged firm commitment not qualifying as fair value hedge, net	0	0	0
Gain (loss) from components excluded from assessment of cash flow hedge effectiveness, net	0	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income, cumulative gains on cash flow hedges	19
Gain (loss) from cash flow hedges to be reclassified to cost of sales within 12 months	19
Amount reclassified into income due to discontinuation of cash flow hedge accounting	$ 0	$ 0