Income Taxes (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States operations	$ 99	$ 98		$ 76	[1]	$ 291
International operations	400	117	[2]	891		837	[2]
Total	499	215		967		1,128
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Changes in Deferred Tax Liabilities and Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowances				(183)
Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance				(190)
Income Tax Benefit, Adjustment of Deferred Tax Liability Associated with Acquisition				(69)
Income Tax Expense, Adjustment of Deferred Tax Asset				76
Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Associated with Foreign Reinvested Profits		$ (234)				$ (234)
Consolidated effective income tax rate (percent)				33.00%

[1] As a result of second-quarter 2013 oil and gas acquisitions, FCX recognized a net tax benefit of $183 million consisting of income tax benefits of $190 million associated with net reductions in FCX's valuation allowances and $69 million related to the release of the deferred tax liability on PXP's investment in MMR common stock, partially offset by income tax expense of $76 million associated with the write off of deferred tax assets related to environmental liabilities.

[2] Included a net tax benefit of $234 million associated with an adjustment to Cerro Verde's deferred income tax liability.