Other Financial Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Other Financial Information
Total financing interest and debt costs	$ 288	$ 317	$ 301
Less: Capitalized interest	288	267	273
Interest and debt expense		50	28
Research and development expenses	627	526	603
Foreign currency effects	121	(423)	(744)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gains on sale of nonstrategic properties	1,300	700
Other Financial Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Company share of equity affiliates foreign currency effects	(27)	(71)	(194)
Excess of replacement cost over carrying value of LIFO inventories	9,025	6,975
LIFO (charges) profits	193	21	(168)
Goodwill	4,642	4,617
Upstream [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gains on sale of nonstrategic properties	500	300
Other Financial Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Goodwill	4,642	4,617
Downstream [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gains on sale of nonstrategic properties	$ 800	$ 400