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Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]        
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments $ (144)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments [1] $ (134)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments [1] $ (111)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments [1]  
Laurel Mountain [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]        
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 69.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= wmb_LaurelMountainMidstreamLlcMember		      
Caiman Energy II LLC [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]        
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 58.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= wmb_CaimanEnergyIiLlcMember		      
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Cash and cash equivalents [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets 113us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 130us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Accounts receivable [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets 52us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 0us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Other current assets [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets 3us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 0us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Property, plant, and equipment, net [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets 2,794us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 1,113us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Goodwill [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets 103us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_GoodwillMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 0us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_GoodwillMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Intangible assets, net [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets 1,493us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 0us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Other noncurrent assets [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets 14us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 0us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Accounts payable [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities (48)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_AccountsPayableMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 (146)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_AccountsPayableMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Accrued liabilities [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities (36)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 (3)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Current deferred revenue [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities (45)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 (10)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Asset retirement obligation [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities (94)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 0us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Noncurrent deferred income taxes [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities (13)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 0us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Noncurrent deferred revenue associated with customer advance payments [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]        
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities (395)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 (115)us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		 [2]    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Gulfstar One [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]        
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage 51.00%us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= wmb_GulfstarOneMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		      
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Gulfstar One [Member] | Estimated Remaining Construction Costs For Variable Interest Entity [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]        
Estimated remaining construction costs 150us-gaap_OtherCommitment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= wmb_GulfstarOneMember
/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis
= wmb_EstimatedRemainingConstructionCostsForVariableInterestEntityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		      
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Constitution Pipeline Company Llc [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]        
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage 41.00%us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= wmb_ConstitutionPipelineCompanyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		      
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Constitution Pipeline Company Llc [Member] | Estimated Remaining Construction Costs For Variable Interest Entity [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]        
Estimated remaining construction costs 628us-gaap_OtherCommitment
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= wmb_ConstitutionPipelineCompanyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis
= wmb_EstimatedRemainingConstructionCostsForVariableInterestEntityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		      
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Cardinal Gas Services LLC [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]        
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage 66.00%us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= wmb_CardinalGasServicesLLCMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		      
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Jackalope Gas Gathering Services LLC [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]        
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage 50.00%us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= wmb_JackalopeGasGatheringServicesLLCMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		      
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Bluegrass Pipeline Company Llc [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]        
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage 50.00%us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= wmb_BluegrassPipelineCompanyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		      
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount       0us-gaap_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= wmb_BluegrassPipelineCompanyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments       67us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= wmb_BluegrassPipelineCompanyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Moss Lake [Member]        
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]        
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage 50.00%us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= wmb_MossLakeFractionationLlcMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		      
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments       $ 4us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= wmb_MossLakeFractionationLlcMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
[1] Items also included in Segment profit (loss). (See Note 19 – Segment Disclosures.)
[2] Amounts presented for December 31, 2013, include balances related to Bluegrass Pipeline. See discussion of the subsequent deconsolidation of Bluegrass Pipeline below.