Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	Shares Purchased Related To Stock-Based Compensation Plans, Cost [Member]	Shares Purchased Under Programs, Cost [Member]	Parent [Member]	Parent [Member] Shares Purchased Related To Stock-Based Compensation Plans, Cost [Member]	Parent [Member] Shares Purchased Under Programs, Cost [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Shares Purchased Related To Stock-Based Compensation Plans, Cost [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Shares Purchased Under Programs, Cost [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Shares Purchased Related To Stock-Based Compensation Plans, Cost [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Shares Purchased Under Programs, Cost [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Shares Purchased Related To Stock-Based Compensation Plans, Cost [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Shares Purchased Under Programs, Cost [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member] Shares Purchased Related To Stock-Based Compensation Plans, Cost [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member] Shares Purchased Under Programs, Cost [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Shares Purchased Related To Stock-Based Compensation Plans, Cost [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Shares Purchased Under Programs, Cost [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 15,025			$ 15,025			$ 7			$ 7,704			$ (6,462)			$ 13,388			$ 388			$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	2,089			2,090			0			0			0			2,090			0			(1)
Dividends on common stock	(169)			(169)			0			0			0			(169)			0
Stock-based compensation expense	57			57			0			57			0			0			0
Tax deduction in excess of stock- based compensation expense	22			22			0			22			0			0			0
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock issuances	49			49			0			(287)			336			0			0
Stock repurchases		(359)			(359)			0						(349)	0		0			0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	23			0			0			0			0			0			0			23
Recognition of noncontrolling interests in Mainline Pipelines Limited in connection with Pembroke Acquisition	5			0			0			0			0			0			0			5
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests in Mainline Pipelines Limited	(5)			0			0			0			0			0			0			(5)
Other											(10)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(292)			(292)			0			0			0			0			(292)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011	16,445			16,423			7			7,486			(6,475)			15,309			96			22
Increase (Decrease) in Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	2,080			2,083			0			0			0			2,083			0			(3)
Dividends on common stock	(360)			(360)			0			0			0			(360)			0
Stock-based compensation expense	57			57			0			57			0			0			0
Tax deduction in excess of stock- based compensation expense	29			29			0			29			0			0			0
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock issuances	59			59			0			(260)			319			0			0
Stock repurchases		(153)	(118)		(153)	(118)		0	0			0		(163)	(118)		0	0		0	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	44			0			0			0			0			0			0			44
Other											10
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12			12			0			0			0			0			12
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	18,095			18,032			7			7,322			(6,437)			17,032			108			63
Increase (Decrease) in Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	2,728			2,720			0			0			0			2,720			0			8
Dividends on common stock	(462)			(462)			0			0			0			(462)			0
Stock-based compensation expense	64			64			0			64			0			0			0
Tax deduction in excess of stock- based compensation expense	47			47			0			47			0			0			0
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock issuances	59			59			0			(243)			302			0			0
Stock repurchases		(236)	(692)		(236)	(692)		0	0		0	0		(236)	(692)		0	0		0	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	46			0			0			0			0			0			0			46
Separation of retail business	(479)			(479)			0			(9)			9			(320)			(159)
Net proceeds from initial public offering of common units of Valero Energy Partners LP	369			0			0			0			0			0			0			369
Other	6			6			0			6			0			0			0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	401			401			0			0			0			0			401
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 19,946			$ 19,460			$ 7			$ 7,187			$ (7,054)			$ 18,970			$ 350			$ 486