Retirement Plans (Schedule Of Projected Benefit Obligation And Accumulated Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets) (Parenthetical) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Accumulated benefit obligation not in excess of plan assets	$ 690

Defined benefit plan, plan with accumulated benefit obligation not in excess of plan assets, accumulated benefit obligation.

No definition available.

Name:	dvn_DefinedBenefitPlanPlanWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationNotInExcessOfPlanAssetsAccumulatedBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	dvn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant