Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Income
Operating revenues (a)	$ 35,167	$ 26,308
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	33,035	24,568
Operating expenses:
Refining	964	744
Retail	166	162
Ethanol	87	95
General and administrative expenses	164	130
Depreciation and amortization expense	384	365
Asset impairment loss	611	0
Total costs and expenses	35,411	26,064
Operating income (loss)	(244)	244
Other income, net	6	17
Interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest	(99)	(117)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense	(337)	144
Income tax expense	95	40
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(432)	104
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	(6)
Net income (loss)	(432)	98
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders	(432)	98
Net income (loss) attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders:
Continuing operations	(432)	104
Discontinued operations	0	(6)
Total	(432)	98
Earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$ (0.78)	$ 0.18
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Total	$ (0.78)	$ 0.17
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in millions)	551	566
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
Continuing operations	$ (0.78)	$ 0.18
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Total	$ (0.78)	$ 0.17
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution (in millions)	551	573
Dividends per common share	$ 0.15	$ 0.05
Supplemental Information [Abstract]
(a) Includes excise taxes on sales by our U.S. retail system	$ 234	$ 214