Debt - Schedule of Long Term Debt by Maturity (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Long Term Debt Excluding Discount By Maturities [Line Items]
2013	$ 991
2014
2015	350
2016	1
2017	1,389
Thereafter	9,680
Total Debt, excluding discounts	$ 12,411	$ 7,262

Name:	apa_LongTermDebtExcludingDiscountByMaturitiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	apa_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16, 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt of the registrant maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04.(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24072-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiveYearScheduleOfMaturitiesOfParentCompanyRepaymentOfPrincipleInYearThree
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt of the registrant maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiveYearScheduleOfMaturitiesOfParentCompanyRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt of the registrant maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiveYearScheduleOfMaturitiesOfParentCompanyRepaymentsOfPrincipleInYearFive
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt of the registrant maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiveYearScheduleOfMaturitiesOfParentCompanyRepaymentsOfPrincipleInYearFour
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt of the registrant maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiveYearScheduleOfMaturitiesOfParentCompanyRepaymentsOfPrincipleInYearTwo
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt of the registrant maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiveYearScheduleOfMaturitiesOfParentCompanyRepaymentsOfPrincipleWithinOneYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant