Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 245	$ 295	$ 356	$ 134
Receivables, net of allowance	3,163	3,079
Inventories	607	655
Drilling advances	368	229
Derivative instruments	284	304
Prepaid assets and other	287	241
Total current assets	4,954	4,803
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET	45,829	45,448
OTHER ASSETS:
Goodwill, net	1,114	1,114
Deferred charges and other	1,340	686
Total Assets	53,237	52,051	44,866
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	1,059	1,048
Current debt	429	431
Asset retirement obligation	448	447
Derivative instruments	150	113
Other current liabilities	2,612	2,924
Total current liabilities	4,698	4,963
LONG-TERM DEBT	7,444	6,785
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Income taxes	7,217	7,197
Asset retirement obligation	3,482	3,440
Other	681	673
Total deferred credits other noncurrent liabilities	11,380	11,310
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY	29,715	28,993	25,198	24,377
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	53,237	52,051
Apache Corporation [Member]
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	11	41	7	6
Receivables, net of allowance	777	773
Inventories	55	51
Drilling advances	12	11
Derivative instruments	106	113
Prepaid assets and other	4,082	3,859
Total current assets	5,043	4,848
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET	12,570	12,262
OTHER ASSETS:
Intercompany receivable, net	4,156	3,931
Equity in affiliates	20,736	20,214
Deferred charges and other	371	158
Total Assets	42,876	41,413
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	580	609
Current debt	400	400
Asset retirement obligation	434	434
Derivative instruments	71	76
Other current liabilities	593	614
Total current liabilities	2,078	2,133
LONG-TERM DEBT	6,796	6,137
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Income taxes	2,723	2,622
Asset retirement obligation	956	936
Other	608	592
Total deferred credits other noncurrent liabilities	4,287	4,150
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY	29,715	28,993
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	42,876	41,413
Apache Finance Canada [Member]
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	2	5
Total current assets	2	5
OTHER ASSETS:
Equity in affiliates	1,186	1,372
Deferred charges and other	1,003	1,002
Total Assets	2,191	2,379
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	1	1
Other current liabilities	12	5
Total current liabilities	13	6
LONG-TERM DEBT	647	647
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Income taxes	5	5
Other	250	250
Total deferred credits other noncurrent liabilities	255	255
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY	1,276	1,471
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,191	2,379
All Other Subsidiaries of Apache Corporation [Member]
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	232	249	349	128
Receivables, net of allowance	2,386	2,306
Inventories	552	604
Drilling advances	356	218
Derivative instruments	178	191
Prepaid assets and other	(3,795)	(3,618)
Total current assets	(91)	(50)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET	33,259	33,186
OTHER ASSETS:
Intercompany receivable, net	(1,754)	(1,908)
Equity in affiliates	90	99
Goodwill, net	1,114	1,114
Deferred charges and other	966	526
Total Assets	33,584	32,967
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	2,880	2,461
Current debt	29	31
Asset retirement obligation	14	13
Derivative instruments	79	37
Other current liabilities	2,007	2,305
Total current liabilities	5,009	4,847
LONG-TERM DEBT	1	1
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Income taxes	4,489	4,570
Asset retirement obligation	2,526	2,504
Other	823	831
Total deferred credits other noncurrent liabilities	7,838	7,905
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY	20,736	20,214
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	33,584	32,967
Reclassifications and Eliminations [Member]
OTHER ASSETS:
Intercompany receivable, net	(2,402)	(2,023)
Equity in affiliates	(22,012)	(21,685)
Deferred charges and other	(1,000)	(1,000)
Total Assets	(25,414)	(24,708)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	(2,402)	(2,023)
Total current liabilities	(2,402)	(2,023)
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Other	(1,000)	(1,000)
Total deferred credits other noncurrent liabilities	(1,000)	(1,000)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY	(22,012)	(21,685)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ (25,414)	$ (24,708)