Statement of Consolidated Changes in Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Apache Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Non Controlling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 28,137	$ 256	$ 12,438	$ 16,249	$ (2,890)	$ (116)	$ 25,937	$ 2,200
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(4,636)			(4,651)			(4,651)	15
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(21)							(21)
Common dividends	(94)			(94)			(94)
Common stock activity, net	18		18				18
Treasury stock activity, net	1				1		1
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	23,405	256	12,456	11,504	(2,889)	(116)	21,211	2,194
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	4,228	257	12,467	(7,153)	(2,889)	(116)	2,566	1,662
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(561)			(489)			(489)	(72)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(54)							(54)
Common dividends	(95)		(95)				(95)
Other	36	0	35		1		36
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	$ 3,554	$ 257	$ 12,407	$ (7,642)	$ (2,888)	$ (116)	$ 2,018	$ 1,536