FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Unsettled Derivatives) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Paid to brokers associated with margin requirements	$ 10		$ 1
Derivative Asset	330		59
Derivative Liability	99		320
Trade accounts receivable [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	5		53
Derivative Liability	56		0
Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	316		6
Derivative Liability	0		0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	9		0
Derivative Liability	43		205
Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0		0
Derivative Liability	0		115
Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset position	331		69
Liability position	100		330
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	1		10
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	1		10
Derivative Asset	330		59
Derivative Liability	99		320
Commodity Contract [Member] | Embedded derivatives in provisional sales purchases contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset position	15		63
Liability position	93		16
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	1		10
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	1		10
Derivative Asset	14		53
Derivative Liability	92		6
Commodity Contract [Member] | Crude Oil and Natural Gas Derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset position	316	[1]	0	[1]
Liability position	0	[1]	313	[1]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0		0
Derivative Asset	316	[1]	0	[1]
Derivative Liability	0	[1]	313	[1]
Commodity Contract [Member] | Copper Derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset position	0		6
Liability position	7		1
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0		0
Derivative Asset	0		6
Derivative Liability	7		1
Commodity Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Copper Futures and Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability position	7	[2]	0	[2]
Commodity Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Copper Futures and Swap Contracts [Member] | Other current assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset position	0	[2]	6	[2]
Commodity Contract [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Natural Gas Swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability position	0		4
Commodity Contract [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Embedded derivatives in provisional sales purchases contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset position	15		63
Liability position	93		16
Commodity Contract [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Crude Oil Options [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset position	316	[3]	0	[3]
Liability position	0	[3]	309	[3]
Commodity Contract [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Copper Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability position	$ 0		$ 1

[1] Includes only crude oil derivatives at December 31, 2014.

[2] FCX had paid $10 million to brokers at December 31, 2014, and $1 million at December 31, 2013, for margin requirements (recorded in other current assets).

[3] Includes $210 million at December 31, 2014, and $444 million at December 31, 2013, for deferred premiums and accrued interest.