SUPPLEMENTARY OIL AND GAS INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) SUPPLEMENTARY OIL AND GAS INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Schedule of Results of Operations for Oil and Gas Producing Activities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Industries Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenues from oil and gas producing activities			$ 1,513
Production and delivery costsa			(1,829)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			(839)
Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties	$ 0	$ 0	(4,317)
Income tax benefit (based on FCX’s U.S. federal statutory tax rate)b			0
Results of operations from oil and gas producing activities			(5,472)
Oil and Gas Drillship settlements/Idle rig and Contract termination costs			$ 926