INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009 gal
Deferred tax benefits		$ 109	$ (13)	$ (1,257)
Gallons of black liquor - cellulosic biofuel					238,000,000
Potential cellulosic biofuel producer credits				240
Provision related to cellulosic biofuel (per gallon)				1.01
Cellulosic biofuel producer credit		0	0	149
Net operating loss carryforwards		187	162
Valuation allowance		(144)	(139)
Change in our valuation allowance		5
Foreign tax credits		0	(76)	0
Foreign undistributed earnings		22
Unrecognized tax benefits		177	251	180
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest		15	33
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest		15	33
Reduction in tax provision	7
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect our effective tax rate		159	140
Unrecognized tax benefits, decrease estimate due to the lapse of applicable statutes of limitation		1
Foreign losses
Change in our valuation allowance		4
State net operating loss carryforwards and state credits
Change in our valuation allowance		1
Medicare Part D subsidy charge
Deferred tax benefits				32
Unrecognized tax benefits
Unrecognized tax benefits		185	24
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest		15	33
With expiration | State and foreign
Net operating loss carryforwards		858
With expiration | State and foreign | Minimum
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates		December 31, 2013
With expiration | State and foreign | Maximum
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates		12/31/2032
Without expiration | State and foreign
Net operating loss carryforwards		$ 111