Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Tax Computed at the U.S. Federal Statutory Rate to Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Table (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income (loss) before income taxes
Domestic	$ (3,564)	$ 428	$ 132
Foreign	3,618	1,678	3,433
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	54	2,106	3,565
U.S. federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate	19	737	1,248
Adjustments resulting from
State income taxes (net of federal income tax benefit)	(11)	23	93
Tax impact from foreign operations	62	204	215
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Non-taxable Algeria exceptional profits tax settlement	0	13	(679)
Net changes in uncertain tax positions	1,427	(29)	28
Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(66)	(48)	(24)
Federal manufacturing deduction	(27)	0	0
Other—net	(12)	9	14
Total income tax expense (benefit)	1,617	1,165	1,120
Effective tax rate	2994.00%	55.00%	31.00%
Pending Litigation [Member] | Tronox Litigation [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Non-deductible expense	(36)	36	0
Pending Litigation [Member] | Deepwater Horizon [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Non-deductible expense	32	0	0
Algerian Exceptional Profits Tax [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Non-deductible expense	193	144	188
Deferred Tax Adjustments [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Deferred tax adjustments	15	76	22
Goodwill [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Non-deductible expense	$ 21	$ 0	$ 15