Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	Stock-Based Compensation Plans Repurchase Program [Member]	Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member]	Parent [Member]	Parent [Member] Stock-Based Compensation Plans Repurchase Program [Member]	Parent [Member] Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Stock-Based Compensation Plans Repurchase Program [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Stock-Based Compensation Plans Repurchase Program [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning 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									2,083		(3)
Dividends on common stock	(360)			(360)									(360)
Stock-based compensation expense	57			57				57
Tax deduction in excess of stock- based compensation expense	29			29				29
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock issuances	59			59				(260)		319
Stock repurchases		(153)	(118)		(153)	(118)					(163)	(118)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	44														44
Other									10
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12			12										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									2,720		8
Dividends on common stock	(462)			(462)									(462)
Stock-based compensation expense	64			64				64
Tax deduction in excess of stock- based compensation expense	47			47				47
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock issuances	59			59				(243)		302
Stock repurchases		(236)	(692)		(236)	(692)					(236)	(692)
Separation of retail business	(479)			(479)				(9)		9			(320)	(159)
Net proceeds from initial public offering of common units of Valero Energy Partners LP	369														369
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	46														46
Other	6			6				6
Other comprehensive income (loss)	401			401										401
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	19,946			19,460			7	7,187		(7,054)			18,970	350	486
Increase (Decrease) in Equity Roll Forward
Net income (loss)	3,711			3,630									3,630		81
Dividends on common stock	(554)			(554)									(554)
Stock-based compensation expense	60			60				60
Tax deduction in excess of stock- based compensation expense	47			47				47
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock issuances	47			47				(178)		225
Stock repurchases		(128)	(1,168)		(128)	(1,168)					(128)	(1,168)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	12														12
Distributions to public unitholders of Valero Energy Partners LP	(12)														(12)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(717)			(717)										(717)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 21,244			$ 20,677			$ 7	$ 7,116		$ (8,125)			$ 22,046	$ (367)	$ 567