Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
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 operations are focused primarily on large scale, onshore liquids-rich resource plays in the United States. Our principal areas of operation are the Anadarko and Arkoma basins of Oklahoma, the Williston Basin of North Dakota, the Uinta Basin of Utah and the Maverick and Gulf Coast basins of Texas. In addition, we have oil developments offshore China. 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 (US GAAP). 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, 2015.
Dependence on Oil and Gas Prices	Risks and Uncertainties As an independent oil and natural gas producer, our revenue, profitability and future rate of growth are substantially dependent on prevailing prices for oil, natural gas and NGLs. Historically, the energy markets have been very volatile, and there can be no assurance that commodity prices will not be subject to wide fluctuations in the future. A substantial or extended decline in commodity prices could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, access to capital and on the quantities of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves that we can economically produce. Other risks and uncertainties that could affect us in the current commodity price environment include, but are not limited to, counterparty credit risk for our receivables, responsibility for decommissioning liabilities for offshore interests we no longer own, access to credit markets, regulatory risks and ability to meet financial ratios and covenants in our financing agreements.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP 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, the timing and amount of transfers of our unevaluated properties into our amortizable full cost pool, the recoverability of our deferred tax assets and the fair value of our derivative contracts
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 We have restricted cash of $20 million included in "Other assets" on our consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2016, as compared to $13 million at December 31, 2015, which represent amounts held in escrow accounts to satisfy future plug and abandonment obligations for our China operations. These amounts are restricted as to their current use and will be released as we plug and abandon wells and facilities in China. Consistent with our other plug and abandonment activities, changes in restricted cash are included in cash flows from operating activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
New Accounting Requirements	New Accounting Requirements In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance regarding the simplification of employee share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2016 as permitted by the guidance. Adoption of this guidance did not impact our financial statements, except for the simplification in accounting for income taxes using a modified retrospective approach. Recognition of previously unrecognized excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation created a deferred tax asset of $37 million. As we consider it more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized, we recorded a full valuation allowance of $37 million. We elected to continue our current policy of estimating forfeitures. In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance regarding the accounting for leases. The guidance requires recognition of most leases on the balance sheet. The guidance requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance regarding several broad topics related to the recognition and measurement of financial assets and liabilities. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial statements. 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 exists. We will adopt this guidance for the annual period ending December 31, 2016. In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance regarding the accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. In April and May 2016, the FASB issued additional guidance, addressed implementation issues and provided technical corrections. The guidance may be applied retrospectively or using a modified retrospective approach to adjust retained earnings (deficit). The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial statements.
Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities or Restructurings, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Restructuring Costs Restructuring costs include severance and related benefit costs, costs associated with abandoned office space, employee relocation costs and other associated costs. Employee severance and related benefit costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the required service period, if any. Employee relocation costs are expensed as incurred. On the date a leased property ceases to be used, a liability for non-cancellable office-lease costs associated with restructuring is recognized and measured at fair value on our consolidated balance sheet. Fair value estimates include assumptions regarding estimated future sublease payments. These estimates could materially differ from actual results and may require revision to initial estimates of the liability. See Note 15, "Restructuring Costs," for additional disclosures.