Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income / (loss)	$ (100)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 223us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net income / (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	253	289
Deferred income tax expenses/(benefit)	(69)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	119us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Other noncash charges to income	26us-gaap_OtherNoncashExpense	14us-gaap_OtherNoncashExpense
Dry hole expenses	6	24
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	(1)	71
Net cash provided by operating activities	115	740
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital investments	(133)	(475)
Changes in capital investment accruals	(173)	(24)
Acquisitions and other	(7)crc_PurchaseOfAssetsNet	(2)crc_PurchaseOfAssetsNet
Net cash used by investing activities	(313)	(501)
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from revolving credit facility	757us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit
Repayments of revolving credit facility	(547)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	2
Distributions to Occidental, net		(239)
Net cash provided / (used) by financing activities	212	(239)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	14
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	14
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	$ 28

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