ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Components of Company's Loss From Discontinued Operation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Asset impairments	$ (32)	$ (160)	$ (39)	$ (23)	$ (144)	$ (951)	$ (238)	$ (42)	$ (8)	$ (1,103)	$ (9,472)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	(33)	492
Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues and other from discontinued operations									0	0	288
Income (loss) from divested operations									0	0	28
Income tax benefit									0	0	652
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	(33)	492
Apache Australia Operation | Discontinued Operations | Woodside Sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Asset impairments									0	0	(49)
Gain (loss) on disposal									0	(23)	0
Apache Australia Operation | Discontinued Operations | Consortium Sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposal									0	0	(139)
Apache Argentina Operation | Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from divested operations									$ 0	$ (10)	$ 0