Derivatives - Cash Flow Hedges (Details) - ft³ ft³ in Billions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives
Natural gas held in storage (in cubic feet)	6	7
Forecast sale of natural gas from storage designated as cash-flow hedges (in cubic feet)	4	7

This element represents the forecast sales volume of natural gas from storage in billion cubic feet designated as cash flow hedges.

No definition available.

Name:	oxy_DesignatedForecastSaleOfNaturalGasAsCashFlowHedges
Namespace Prefix:	oxy_
Data Type:	num:volumeItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant