Represents the term of the credit facility.

Name:	oxy_BankCreditFacilityTerm
Namespace Prefix:	oxy
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents adjusted maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed.

+ Details

Name:	oxy_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityAdjustedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	oxy
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Decrease for amounts repaid on the debt instrument for the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph f

-Article 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDecreaseRepayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount represents the difference between the fair value of the payments made and the carrying amount of the debt at the time of its extinguishment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 26

-Paragraph 20, 21

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Asset Acquisitions, Dispositions and Other Transactions (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011 New bank credit facility Y	Oct. 31, 2011 Previous bank credit facility	Mar. 31, 2011 7.0% senior notes due 2013	Mar. 31, 2011 6.75% senior notes due 2012
Debt instrument
Term of bank credit facility (in years)		5
Bank credit facility maximum borrowing capacity		$ 2,000,000,000
Bank credit facility maximum borrowing capacity after September 2011 adjustment			1,400,000,000
Face amount of notes redeemed				1,000,000,000	368,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage (as a percent)				7.00%	6.75%
Charges on debt extinguishment	$ 163,000,000