Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and Principles of Consolidation	Organization and Principles of Consolidation We are an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs). Our principal areas of operation include the Mid-Continent, the Rocky Mountains and the onshore Gulf Coast regions of North America. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Newfield Exploration Company, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. We proportionately consolidate our interests in oil and natural gas exploration and production ventures and partnerships in accordance with industry practice. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, all references in these notes to “Newfield,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” are to Newfield Exploration Company and its subsidiaries. These unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of our management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state our financial position as of and results of operations for the periods presented. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all disclosures required for financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations or cash flows for a full year. These consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Discontinued Operations, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Discontinued Operations Our businesses in Malaysia and China were classified as held for sale in the second quarter of 2013. Accordingly, the results of our international operations are reflected separately as discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations on a line immediately after “Income (loss) from continuing operations.” See Note 3, “Discontinued Operations,” for additional disclosures, as well as information regarding the sale of our Malaysia business, which closed in February 2014. These financial statements and notes are inclusive of our international operations unless otherwise noted.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities; disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period; and the quantities and values of proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves used in calculating depletion and assessing impairment of our oil and gas properties. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Our most significant estimates are associated with the quantities of proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves and the fair value of both our derivative positions and our stock-based compensation liability awards.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' reported amounts in order to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not impact our net income (loss), stockholders' equity or cash flows.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Restricted Cash and Deferred Liabilities Restricted cash and the associated deferred liability on our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013, represent a deposit received in the fourth quarter of 2013 related to the sale of our Malaysia business. Amounts were contractually restricted until the transaction closed in February 2014. See Note 3, “Discontinued Operations,” for further discussion about the close of the sale of our Malaysia business.
Oil and Gas Properties	Oil and Gas Properties We use the full cost method of accounting for our oil and gas producing activities. Under this method, all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas properties, including salaries, benefits, interest and other internal costs directly attributable to these activities, are capitalized into cost centers that are established on a country-by-country basis. We capitalized approximately $38 million and $47 million of interest and direct internal costs during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $158 million and $147 million during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Proceeds from the sale of oil and gas properties are applied to reduce the costs in the applicable cost center unless the reduction would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves, in which case a gain or loss is recognized. During the first quarter of 2014, we recognized a gain of approximately $388 million ($249 million, after tax) on the sale of our Malaysia business, which constituted the entire full cost pool for Malaysia. See Note 3, “Discontinued Operations,” for further discussion. If net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties exceed the cost center ceiling, we are subject to a ceiling test writedown to the extent of such excess. If required, a ceiling test writedown reduces earnings and stockholders’ equity in the period of occurrence and, holding other factors constant, results in lower depreciation, depletion and amortization expense in future periods. We did not have a ceiling test writedown in any periods presented.
New Accounting Requirements	New Accounting Requirements In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance regarding disclosures of uncertainties about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The guidance applies prospectively to all entities, requiring management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and disclose certain information when substantial doubt is raised. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. We do not expect adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance regarding stock-based compensation awards with targets that affect vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period. The guidance applies on a prospective basis to awards that are granted or modified on or after the effective date. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods. We do not expect adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance regarding the accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. The guidance may be applied retrospectively or using a modified retrospective approach to adjust retained earnings. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial statements. In April 2014, the FASB issued guidance regarding the reporting of discontinued operations. The guidance applies prospectively to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groups as held for sale after the effective date. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. We do not expect adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Entity's cash and cash equivalents accounting policy with respect to restricted balances. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example, common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting. The accounting policy may also address the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for any discontinued operations. The results of operations of a component of an entity that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale is reported in discontinued operations if both: (a) the operations and cash flows of the component have been (or will be) eliminated from the ongoing operations of the entity as a result of the disposal transaction and (b) the entity will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal transaction. If the entity elects to allocate interest expense to a discontinued operation, it may disclose its accounting policy for this election and describe its method of allocation.

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