Income (loss) before income taxes Syncrude portion of Income before income taxes, through dispositon date Income before income taxes Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income taxes and minority interest, and including equity in earnings of affiliates. Total Costs and Expenses Total Costs and Expenses Total costs and expenses, including operating expenses and non-operating expenses. Accretion on discounted liabilities Accretion on discounted liabilities Amount recognized for the passage of time, typically for liabilities, that have been discounted to their net present value, including accretion associated with asset retirement obligations, decommissioning, environmental, and other contingencies. Taxes other than income taxes Taxes other than income taxes* Taxes other than income taxes, if not included elsewhere, that could include, payroll tax, property tax or other selling and distribution-related taxes. Also includes excise taxes. Production and operating expenses Production and operating expenses Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations, excluding DD&A; Selling, General and Administrative Expense; Accretion; and Exploration Expense. Total Revenues and Other Income Total Revenues and Other Income Aggregate revenue recognized during the period, including Other Income and Equity in Earnings of Affiliates. Diluted Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Diluted Diluted Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Net income attributable to ConocoPhillips Basic Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income Net Income Attributable to ConocoPhillips Consolidated net income attributable to ConocoPhillips Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Syncrude portion of Net income, through dispositon date Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net income Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax Interest and debt expense Interest and Debt Expense, Total Interest and Debt Expense Consolidated Income Statement [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Income Statement Sales Revenue, Net Syncrude portion of Sales and other operating revenue, through dispositon date Consolidated sales and other operating revenues Sales and other operating revenues Equity in earnings of affiliates Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Other income Other Nonoperating Income Purchased crude oil, natural gas and products Cost of Purchased Oil and Gas Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Total Selling, General and Administrative Expense Exploration expenses Exploration Expense Depreciation, depletion and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs Asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs Non current portion of the carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation, as well as the carrying value of an obligation (known or estimated) arising from requirements to perform activities to remediate one of more sites, payable after twelve months or beyond the next operating cycle if longer. Employee benefit obligations Employee Benefit Obligations Current Total of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for obligations related to services received from employees, such as accrued salaries and bonuses. For classified balance sheets, used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer); for unclassified balance sheets, used to reflect the total liabilities (regardless of due date). Accounts payable Accounts Payable Excluding Related Parties Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. For classified balance sheets, used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer); for unclassified balance sheets, used to reflect the total liabilities (regardless of due date). Also excludes Accounts-payable related parties, which is presented on a separate line item. Investments and long-term receivables Investments and long-term receivables Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Also includes the aggregate of amounts due from customers or clients more than one year from the balance sheet date, for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business and an amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Company (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date more than one year from the balance sheet date, reduced to their estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the Company of the amount it deems uncertain of collection and net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder, respectively. Excludes Related party loans and advances that are shown on a separate line. Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Sum of the amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expensed with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Also included is the aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of current assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer.) Accounts and notes receivable (net of allowance of $77 million in 2010 and $76 million in 2009) Accounts And Notes Receivable Net Of Allowance The aggregate of amounts due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer), for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business and an amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date within one year of the balance sheet, reduced to their estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection and net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder, respectively. Also excludes related party receivables. Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Accounts and notes receivable-related parties Due from Related Parties, Current, Total Due from Related Parties, Current Inventories Total Inventories Inventory, Net Total Current Assets Assets, Current, Total Assets, Current Loans and advances-related parties Due from Related Parties, Noncurrent, Total Due from Related Parties, Noncurrent Net properties, plants and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Intangibles Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total Assets Assets Liabilities Liabilities [Abstract] Accounts payable-related parties Due to Related Parties, Current, Total Due to Related Parties, Current Short-term debt Debt, Current, Total Debt, Current Accrued income and other taxes Taxes Payable, Current, Total Taxes Payable, Current Other Liabilities, Current Other accruals Other accruals Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Liabilities, Current Long-term debt Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Total Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Joint venture acquisition obligation-related party Due to Related Parties, Noncurrent, Total Due to Related Parties, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities and deferred credits Other liabilities and deferred credits Total Liabilities Liabilities Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Common stock (2,500,000,000 shares authorized at $.01 par value) Issued (2010-1,736,403,629 shares; 2009-1,733,345,558 shares) Par value Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued Capital in excess of par Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Grantor trusts (at cost: 2010-37,798,903 shares; 2009-38,742,261 shares) Grantor trusts (at cost: 2009-39,835,639 shares; 2008-40,739,129 shares) Common Stock Issued, Employee Trust, Deferred Treasury stock (at cost: 2010-215,241,501 shares; 2009-208,346,815 shares) Treasury stock (at cost: 2009 and 2008-208,346,815 shares) Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income Unearned employee compensation Unearned ESOP Shares Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total Common Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total Equity Beginning Balance Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total Liabilities and Equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Grantor trust, shares (at cost) Grantor trust shares Number of shares of common stock held in a trust that has been set up specifically to accumulate stock for the sole purpose of distribution to participating employees, but not yet earned. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock shares authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, par or stated value per share (dollars) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common stock, shares issued Treasury stock, shares (at cost) Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Shares Repayment of debt Repayment of debt The cash outflow due to total repayments of additional borrowing. Issuance of debt Issuance of debt The cash inflow due to total proceeds from additional borrowings. Proceeds from asset dispositions Proceeds from asset dispositions Cash inflows from disposals of property, plant and equipment (property dispositions) as well as net cash inflows associated with the sale of investments. Capital expenditures and investments Capital expenditures and investments Cash outflows for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets as well as net cash outflows associated with the acquisition of investments. Increase (decrease) in taxes and other accruals Increase (decrease) in taxes and other accruals Increase (decrease) in taxes and other accruals Net change during the reporting period in current income taxes, other accruals payable and other expenses incurred but not yet paid. This element includes items where no more specific or appropriate element exists. Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Impairments Asset Impairment Charges, Total Asset Impairment Charges Dry hole costs and leasehold impairments Exploration Abandonment and Impairment Expense Deferred taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions Undistributed equity earnings Undistributed equity earnings Undistributed equity earnings Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets Gain on asset dispositions Gain on asset dispositions Other Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Other Decrease (increase) in accounts and notes receivable Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Increase (Decrease) in Receivables, Total Decrease (increase) in accounts and notes receivable Decrease (increase) in inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Decrease (increase) in inventories Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets, Total Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (decrease) in accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Collection of advances/loans-related parties Proceeds from Collection of Advance to Affiliate Collection of advances/loans?related parties Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Long-term advances/loans related parties Payments for Advance to Affiliate Other Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net Cash Used in Investing Activities Issuance of company common stock Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Repurchase of company common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Dividends paid on company common stock Dividends Dividends paid on company common stock Other Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Assets Held for Sale Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Text Block] Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Changes in Accounting Principles Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Properties, Plants and Equipment Properties, Plants and Equipment [Abstract] Properties, Plants and Equipment Debt [Abstract] Debt. Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Contingencies and Commitments [Abstract] Contingencies and Commitments. Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Contingencies and Commitments Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract] Investments, Loans and Long-Term Receivables [Abstract] Investments, Loans and Long-Term Receivables. Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Investments, Loans and Long-Term Receivables Joint Venture Acquisition Obligation [Abstract] Joint Venture Acquisition Obligation. Joint Venture Acquisition Obligation [Text Block] Joint Venture Acquisition Obligation Long-term funding commitments to joint ventures or other affiliates. Guarantees [Abstract] Guarantees. Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Text Block] Guarantees Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash Payments Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] Cash Flow Information Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Segment Disclosures and Related Information [Abstract] Segment Disclosures and Related Information. Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Disclosures and Related Information Financial Instruments and Derivative Contracts [Abstract] Financial Instruments and Derivative Contracts. Financial Instruments And Derivative Contracts [Text Block] Financial Instruments and Derivative Contracts This item represents the complete disclosure regarding the fair value of financial instruments, including financial assets and financial liablities, and the measurements of those instruments, as well as the entity's entire derivative instruments and hedging activities disclosure as a single block of text. Inventories [Abstract] Inventories Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses Unearned employee compensation Capital expenditures and investments Long-term advances/loans-related parties Other Repurchase of company common stock Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) [Abstract] Variable Interest Entities VIEs. Assets Held for Sale [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans. Assets Assets [Abstract] Revenues and Other Income Revenues and Other Income Abstract Revenues and Other Income. Average Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Cash Flows From Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Working capital adjustments Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Cash Flows From Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows From Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Costs and Expenses Cost and Expenses Abstract Costs and Expenses. Total Common Stockholders' Equity Supplementary Information - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block] Supplementary Information - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract] Supplementary Information Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Abstract. Dividends Paid Per Share of Common Stock (dollars) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Interim Financial Information [Abstract] Interim Financial Information. Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Interim Financial Information Inventories (Tables) [Abstract] Inventories Tables. Cash Flow Information (Tables) [Abstract] Cash Flow Information Tables. Schedule of inventories disclosure [Text Block] Inventories Schedule of Inventories Disclosure. Cash Flow Information Disclosure [Text Block] Cash Flow Information Cash Flow Information. Inventories (Details) [Abstract] Inventories Details. Inventories valued on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis LIFO Inventory Amount Excess of current replacement cost over LIFO cost of inventories Excess of Replacement or Current Costs over Stated LIFO Value Cash Flow Information (Details) [Abstract] Cash Flow Information Details. Inventories Textuals Abstract Inventories (Textuals) [Abstract] Inventories Textuals. Joint Venture Acquisition Obligation (Details) [Abstract] Joint Venture Acquisition Obligation Details. Joint Venture Acquisition Obligation Textuals Abstract Joint Venture Acquisition Obligation (Textuals) [Abstract] Joint Venture Acquisition Obligation Textuals. Income Taxes (Details) [Abstract] Income Taxes Details. Income Taxes Textuals Abstract Income Taxes (Textuals) [Abstract] Income Taxes Textuals. Effective Tax Rates Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Total Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations Crude oil and petroleum products Energy Related Inventory, Crude Oil, Products and Merchandise Employee Benefit Plans (Tables) [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans (Tables) [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans Tables Abstract. Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans (Details) [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans Details Abstract. Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract. Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets Amortization of prior service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses Net periodic benefit costs Net periodic benefit costs Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss Employee Benefit Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans (Textuals) [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans Textuals Abstract. Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer Employer contribution Pension Benefits [Member] Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Other Benefits [Member] Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures, Defined Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans [Domain] Statement [Line Items] DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansByGeographicLocationAxis Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures Defined Benefit Plans By Geographic Location Axis DefinedBenefitPlansByGeographicLocationDomain Defined Benefit Plans By Geographic Location Domain Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Defined Benefit Plans By Geographic Location [Domain] Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures Defined Benefit Plans By Geographic Location [Axis] Equity attributable to noncontrolling interests Variable Interest Entity, Ownership Percentage Governance interest in variable interest entity Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) (Details) [Abstract] Variable Interest Entities Vies Details. Variable Interest Entities Vies Textuals Abstract Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) (Textuals) [Abstract] Variable Interest Entities Vies Textuals. Terminal's gross oil-throughput capacity in barrels per day after expansion. Long-term agreement with Freeport LNG to use LNG regasification capacity, cubic feet per day Long Term Agreement To Use Regasification Capacity Cubic Feet Per Day Long-term agreement with Freeport LNG to use LNG regasification capacity, cubic feet per day. Terminals Gross Oil Throughput Capacity In Barrels Per Day After Expansion Terminal's gross oil-throughput capacity in barrels per day after expansion