Investments and Advances (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Investment And Advances (Textual) [Abstract]
Purchased crude oil and products	$ 149,923	$ 116,467	$ 99,653
Investments and advances	22,150	20,816
Investment And Advances (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Year of formation of joint venture with Tengizchevroil	1993
Term of joint venture Tengizchevroil in years	40 years
Chevron investment carrying value over underlying equity in TCO's net assets	180
Year of formation of joint venture with Petropiar	2008
Term of joint venture with Petropiar (in years)	25 years
Equity ownership portion of Chevron in Hamaca project	30.00%
Chevron investment carrying value less underlying equity in Petropiar net assets	180
Percentage of Caspian Pipeline Consortium pipeline construction funded by Loans	30.00%
Long term loans of Caspian Pipeline Consortium included in investments and advances	1,111
Year of formation of joint venture with Petroboscan	2006
Year of formation of joint venture with Caspian Pipeline Consortium	1997
Year of closure of the joint venture with Petroboscan	2026
Chevron investment carrying value over underlying equity in Petroboscan's net assets	220
The portion of equity ownership interest held in CP Chemical by Conoco Phillips Corporation	50.00%
The portion of equity ownership interest of Star Petroleum Refining Company Ltd. held by the PTT Public Company Limited	36.00%
The portion of equity ownership interest of Caltex Australia Ltd. held by public	50.00%
Fair value of Chevron share in Caltex Australia Ltd common stock	1,600
Sale and other operating revenues from affiliated companies	20,164	13,672	10,391
Accounts and notes receivable due from affiliated companies	1,968	1,718
Accounts payable due to affiliated companies	519	377
Chevron's loan to affiliates	957	1,543	2,422
Chevron Share
Summarized financial information on a 100 percent basis for all equity affiliates as well as Chevron's total share, which includes Chevron loans to affiliates
Total revenues	68,632	52,088	39,280
Income before income tax expense	10,555	7,966	4,511
Net income attributable to affiliates	7,413	5,683	3,285
Current assets	14,695	12,845	11,009
Noncurrent assets	22,422	21,401	21,361
Current liabilities	11,040	9,363	7,833
Noncurrent liabilities	4,491	4,459	5,106
Total net equity	21,586	20,424	19,431
Affiliates
Summarized financial information on a 100 percent basis for all equity affiliates as well as Chevron's total share, which includes Chevron loans to affiliates
Total revenues	140,107	107,505	81,995
Income before income tax expense	23,054	18,468	11,083
Net income attributable to affiliates	16,663	12,831	8,261
Current assets	35,573	30,335	27,111
Noncurrent assets	61,855	57,491	55,363
Current liabilities	24,671	20,428	17,450
Noncurrent liabilities	19,267	19,749	21,531
Total net equity	53,490	47,649	43,493
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Investment And Advances (Textual) [Abstract]
Purchased crude oil and products	7,489	5,559	4,631
Tengizchevroil LLP [Member]
Investment And Advances (Textual) [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Petropiar [Member]
Investment And Advances (Textual) [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	30.00%
Caspian Pipeline Consortium [Member]
Investment And Advances (Textual) [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	15.00%
Investments and advances	$ 1,094
Petroboscan [Member]
Investment And Advances (Textual) [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	39.00%
Angola LNG Limited [Member]
Investment And Advances (Textual) [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	36.00%
GS Caltex Corporation [Member]
Investment And Advances (Textual) [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC [Member]
Investment And Advances (Textual) [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Star Petroleum Refining Company Limited [Member]
Investment And Advances (Textual) [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	64.00%
Caltex Australia Limited [Member]
Investment And Advances (Textual) [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%

Accounts and notes receivable due from affiliated companies.

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Accounts payable due to affiliated companies.

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Equity ownership portion held by chemicals company one.

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Fair value of company share in vie four common stock.

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Investment in vie greater less than underlying equity in vie net assets vie three.

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Loan provided to fund pipe line construction.

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Long term loans included in investments and advances.

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Percentage interest in project one.

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Portion of equity ownership interest of vie nine held by public.

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Term of joint venture with vie one.

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Term of joint venture with vie two.

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Cost of oil and gas purchased during the reporting period.

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

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The amount of current assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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The amount of current liabilities reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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The amount of equity (capital), including the noncontrolling interest (if any), reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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The amount of net income (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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The amount of noncurrent assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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The amount of revenue from sale of goods and services reduced by sales returns, allowances, and discounts reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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