This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 13
-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 18
-Paragraph 19

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the amount of net sales proceeds received on disposal of an equity method investment.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNetSalesProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount of the entity's equity method investment which has been sold. This item should be used only for purposes of disclosing the calculated gain or loss on disposal of the subject equity method investment and not for reporting the carrying value of equity method investments as presented on the entity's balance sheet. For reporting the carrying value of equity method investments presented on the entity's balance sheet, the EquityMethodInvestments (Equity Method Investments) element should be used.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSoldCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Investing Activities Textuals Abstract.

+ Details

Name:	wmb_InvestingActivitiesTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	wmb
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of installment payments

+ Details

Name:	wmb_NumberOfInstallmentPayments
Namespace Prefix:	wmb
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of after tax discount rate included in weighted discounted cash flow analysis.

+ Details

Name:	wmb_PercentageOfAfterTaxDiscountRateIncludedInWeightedDiscountedCashFlowAnalysis
Namespace Prefix:	wmb
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Investing Activities (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Oct. 31, 2010
Investing Activities (Textuals)
Percentage of after-tax discount rate to reflect the risk associated with operating in Venezuela				0.00%	20.00%
Dividend and distributions received from companies accounted by equity method				$ 193	$ 291	$ 167
Equity method investment sold carrying amount			107
Payment received from Equity method investment sold	$ 11	$ 30	$ 13
Number of installment payments							6