Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 610,650	$ 531,011	$ 1,360,040	$ 823,855
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	13	(655)	(203)	(972)
Unrealized gain (loss), net of reclassifications from contract settlements on hedging instruments	(111,333)	23,272	(236,147)	24,864
Pension Curtailment Adjustment	0	0	7,102	0
Retirement medical obligation adjustment	0	9	0	9
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	(111,320)	22,626	(229,248)	23,901
Income tax expense (benefit)	(43,353)	8,520	(89,383)	8,618
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(67,967)	14,106	(139,865)	15,283
Total comprehensive income	542,683	545,117	1,220,175	839,138
Less noncontrolling interest in comprehensive income	10,406	8,640	25,001	25,575
Comprehensive income attributable to HollyFrontier stockholders	$ 532,277	$ 536,477	$ 1,195,174	$ 813,563