Name:	oxy_NumberOfTimesAsApplicableThatSharesFailToVestOrAreForfeitedOrCancelledOrCorrespondToThePortionOfAnyStockBasedAwardsSettledInCash
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Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	oxy_OtherStockBasedIncentivePlanDisclosuresAbstract
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Return on assets and capital employed incentives

No definition available.

Name:	oxy_ReturnOnAssetsAndCapitalEmployedIncentives
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award equity instruments other than options granted in period weighted Average grant date fair value of entity stock

No definition available.

Name:	oxy_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueOfEntityStock
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The weighted average fair value of the entity's stock at grant for nonvested share-based awards issued during the period on other than stock option plans (for example, phantom stock plan, stock appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

No definition available.

Name:	oxy_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueOfEntityStock
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The weighted average fair value of the entity's stock relating to nonvested awards on share-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock plan, stock appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares.

No definition available.

Name:	oxy_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueOfEntityStock
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Represents number of anniversaries for performance objectives to be satisfied.

No definition available.

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Aggregate number of common shares authorized for issuance under long-term incentive plans.

No definition available.

Name:	oxy_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorizedForIssuanceUnderLongTermIncentivePlans
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This element represents the term of the award in which the holder of the award has to exercise the options or SARs.

No definition available.

Name:	oxy_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsTermOfAwards
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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This element represents the performance target payout ratios for performance-based awards granted during the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	oxy_ShareBasedCompensationByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformanceTargetPayout
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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This element represents the number of restricted shares awarded to non-employee directors under equity-based award plan.

No definition available.

Name:	oxy_ShareBasedCompensationByShareBasedPaymentAwardRestrictedStockGrantedToNonemployeeDirectors
Namespace Prefix:	oxy_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Shares issued upon separation of California Resources.

No definition available.

Name:	oxy_SharesIssuedUponSeparationOfCaliforniaResources
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Shares forfeited by employees of California Resources, weighted average grant date fair value

No definition available.

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Number of shares counted for each share covered by an award (other than Options and SARs) in determining the number of shares that are available for future awards.

No definition available.

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Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
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-Section F

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Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract
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Aggregate cash paid by the entity during the period to settle equity instruments granted under equity-based payment arrangements.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

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Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

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Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
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The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward
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The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward
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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
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Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract
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The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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The risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
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Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
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Weighted average expected volatility rate of share-based compensation awards.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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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.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
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The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

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The number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options outstanding as of the balance sheet date can be currently converted under the option plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the stock option plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
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Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The number of shares under options that were cancelled during the reporting period as a result of occurrence of a terminating event specified in contractual agreements pertaining to the stock option plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Amount by which the current fair value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of options outstanding.

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Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward
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Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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No definition available.

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Number of share instruments newly issued under a share-based compensation plan.

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Weighted average price at which option holders acquired shares when converting their stock options into shares.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
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Weighted average price at which grantees could have acquired the underlying shares with respect to stock options that were terminated.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
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Expected term of share-based compensation awards, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.D.2)
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Weighted average remaining contractual term for option awards outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period.

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