Derivatives and Hedge Accounting Activities (Fair Values of our Derivatives) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Total Fair Value, Assets	$ 1,070		$ 897
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	1,157		830
Current Assets [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	705		739
Current Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	671		716
Current Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	34		23
Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	365	[1]	158	[1]
Noncurrent Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	294		127
Noncurrent Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	71		31
Current Liabilities [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	951		633
Current Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	692		633
Current Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	259
Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	206	[2]	197	[2]
Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	196		192
Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	10		5
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	479		389
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	502		269
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Current Assets [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	210		314
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	176		291
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	34		23
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	269	[1]	75	[1]
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Noncurrent Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	198		44
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Noncurrent Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	71		31
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	384		178
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	162		178
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	222
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	118	[2]	91	[2]
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	118		86
Fair Value - Derivatives under Hedge Accounting [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	0		5
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	591		508
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	655		561
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Current Assets [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	495		425
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	495		425
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	0		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	96	[1]	83	[1]
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Noncurrent Assets [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	96		83
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Noncurrent Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Assets	0		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	567		455
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	530		455
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	37
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	88	[2]	106	[2]
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	78		106
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Total Fair Value, Liabilities	$ 10		$ 0

[1] Noncurrent derivative assets are presented in other deferred charges and other assets in Dominion's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] Noncurrent derivative liabilities are presented in other deferred credits and other liabilities in Dominion's Consolidated Balance Sheets.