Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 531,011	$ 59,390	$ 823,855	$ 108,802
Securities available-for-sale:
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	(649)	(51)	(1,032)	(58)
Reclassification adjustment to net income on sale or maturity of marketable securities	(6)		60
Total unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	(655)	(51)	(972)	(58)
Hedging instruments:
Change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments	23,272	(1,780)	24,864	(4,837)
Reclassification adjustment to net income on settlement of cash flow hedging instruments		(65)		1,011
Total unrealized gain (loss) on hedging instruments	23,272	(1,845)	24,864	(3,826)
Retirement medical obligation adjustment	9		9
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	22,626	(1,896)	23,901	(3,884)
Income tax expense (benefit)	8,520	(558)	8,618	(420)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	14,106	(1,338)	15,283	(3,464)
Total comprehensive income	545,117	58,052	839,138	105,338
Less noncontrolling interest in comprehensive income	8,640	7,752	25,575	16,753
Comprehensive income attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders	$ 536,477	$ 50,300	$ 813,563	$ 88,585

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Retirement Medical Obligation Adjustment, before Tax

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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Pre tax change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges, net of reclassifications into earnings during the period. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.

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This element represents Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax, for the period. The pretax revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are included in comprehensive income, but excluded from net income. Includes the entity's proportionate share of an investee's equity adjustments for other comprehensive income.

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Pre tax reclassification adjustment for gains or losses realized upon the sale of securities.

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Pre tax reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive income that was realized in net income during the period. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk.

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Gross appreciation or the gross loss in value of the total of unsold available-for-sale securities during the period being reported (except when designated as a fair value hedge).

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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