CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands	Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital In Excess Of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2011		$ 193,909	$ 817,974	$ 7,460,942	$ 310,420	$ (4,848)
Exercise of stock options, including income tax benefits		483	12,717
Foreign currency translation gains (losses), net of income taxes					117,331		117,331
Purchase of treasury shares						(250,000)
Net income for the year				970,876			970,876
Restricted stock transactions			(5,257)
Retirement and postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes					(17,650)		17,650
Sale of stock under employee stock purchase plans			1,916			2,043
Cash dividends - $1.325 per share in 2014, $1.25 per share in 2013 and $3.675 per share in 2012				(714,429)			(714,429)
Stock-based compensation			46,584
Change in deferred loss on interest rate hedges, net of income taxes					(1,200)
Awarded restricted stock		224
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2012		194,616	873,934	7,717,389	408,901	(252,805)	8,942,035
Exercise of stock options, including income tax benefits		304	563
Foreign currency translation gains (losses), net of income taxes					(308,300)		(308,300)
Purchase of treasury shares						(500,000)
Net income for the year				1,123,473			1,123,473
Restricted stock transactions			(28,339)
Retirement and postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes					69,583		(69,583)
Sale of stock under employee stock purchase plans			(147)			1,015
Cash dividends - $1.325 per share in 2014, $1.25 per share in 2013 and $3.675 per share in 2012				(235,108)			(235,108)
Distribution of common stock of Murphy USA Inc. to shareholders				(546,962)
Stock-based compensation			56,622
Change in deferred loss on interest rate hedges, net of income taxes					1,935
Awarded restricted stock						19,056
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2013		194,920	902,633	8,058,792	172,119	(732,734)	8,595,730
Exercise of stock options, including income tax benefits		120	(11,422)
Foreign currency translation gains (losses), net of income taxes					(271,491)		(271,491)
Purchase of treasury shares						(375,000)
Net income for the year				905,611			905,611
Restricted stock transactions			(27,920)
Retirement and postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes					(72,796)		72,796
Sale of stock under employee stock purchase plans			(40)			420
Cash dividends - $1.325 per share in 2014, $1.25 per share in 2013 and $3.675 per share in 2012				(236,371)			(236,371)
Stock-based compensation			43,490
Change in deferred loss on interest rate hedges, net of income taxes					1,913
Awarded restricted stock						21,190
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2014		$ 195,040	$ 906,741	$ 8,728,032	$ (170,255)	$ (1,086,124)	$ 8,573,434