LONG-TERM DEBT - FAIR VALUE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
LONG-TERM DEBT
Variable-rate debt as percent of Occidental's total debt	1.00%	1.00%
Net Book Value
LONG-TERM DEBT
Estimated fair values of long-term debt	$ 9.9	$ 9.9
Level 1 \| Fair Value
LONG-TERM DEBT
Estimated fair values of long-term debt	$ 10.4	$ 10.2

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant