Cover Page - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Cover Page [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-8590
Entity Registrant Name	MURPHY OIL CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	71-0361522
Entity Address, Address Line One	300 Peach Street, P.O. Box 7000,
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	71731-7000
Entity Address, City or Town	El Dorado,
Entity Address, State or Province	AR
City Area Code	(870)
Local Phone Number	862-6411
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value
Trading Symbol	MUR
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 2,748,431,387
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		153,169,317
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0000717423
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false