Supplemental Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue from contracts with customers	$ 762,300	$ 687,600	$ 758,800	$ 592,500	$ 440,100	$ 425,300	$ 285,700	$ 600,600	$ 2,801,215	$ 1,751,709	$ 2,817,111
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	261,300	174,900	(38,100)	(355,200)	(207,300)	(328,400)	(417,900)	(595,400)	42,891	(1,549,035)	203,498
Income (loss) from continuing operations	204,700	138,000	(26,900)	(267,000)	(162,500)	(265,900)	(323,100)	(503,800)	48,753	(1,255,294)	188,815
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	204,000	137,300	(27,000)	(266,800)	(162,700)	(266,600)	(324,400)	(508,700)	47,528	(1,262,445)	1,253,302
Net income (loss) attributable to Murphy	$ 168,400	$ 108,400	$ (63,100)	$ (287,400)	$ (171,900)	$ (243,500)	$ (317,200)	$ (416,100)	$ (73,664)	$ (1,148,777)	$ 1,149,732
Income (loss) from continuing operations per Common share
Basic (in USD per share)	$ 1.09	$ 0.70	$ (0.41)	$ (1.87)	$ (1.11)	$ (1.58)	$ (2.05)	$ (2.68)	$ (0.47)	$ (7.43)	$ 0.52
Diluted (in USD per share)	1.08	0.70	(0.41)	(1.87)	(1.11)	(1.58)	(2.05)	(2.68)	(0.47)	(7.43)	0.52
Net income (loss) per Common share ³
Basic (in USD per share)	1.09	0.70	(0.41)	(1.87)	(1.11)	(1.59)	(2.06)	(2.71)	(0.48)	(7.48)	7.01
Diluted (in USD per share)	1.09	0.70	(0.41)	(1.87)	(1.11)	(1.59)	(2.06)	(2.71)	(0.48)	(7.48)	6.98
Cash dividend per Common share (in USD per share)	$ 0.125	$ 0.125	$ 0.125	$ 0.125	$ 0.125	$ 0.125	$ 0.125	$ 0.25	$ 0.50	$ 0.625	$ 1.00
Impairment of assets									$ 196,296	$ 1,206,284	$ 0