Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Valero Energy Corporation stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1,200,000,000	1,200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	673,501,593	673,501,593
Treasury stock, common shares	120,526,015	116,689,450