LAWSUITS, CLAIMS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Long Term Purchase and Contractual Obligation [Member]
Purchase obligations
Total purchase obligations	$ 364
Purchase obligations, due in fiscal year 2015	70
Purchase obligations, due in fiscal year 2016	47
Purchase obligations, due in fiscal year 2017	32
Purchase obligations, due in fiscal year 2018	186
Purchase obligations, due in fiscal year 2019	18
Capital Additions
Purchase obligations
Commitments for major fixed and determinable capital expenditures during 2015 and thereafter	$ 264

- Definition

This element represents the amount of the commitments for major fixed and determinable capital expenditure to be incurred in future.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	crc_LongTermCommitmentsForMajorFixedAndDeterminableCapitalExpenditures
Namespace Prefix:	crc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation, including but not limited to, long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations, purchase obligations, and other commitments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContractualObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContractualObligationDueInFifthYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContractualObligationDueInFourthYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContractualObligationDueInNextTwelveMonths
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContractualObligationDueInSecondYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContractualObligationDueInThirdYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContractualObligationFiscalYearMaturityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis=crc_LongTermPurchaseAndContractualObligationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis=us-gaap_CapitalAdditionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: