Debt Instrument, Repurchase Percentage of Principal Amount, excluding accrued and unpaid interest

No definition available.

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- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Letters of Credit Sublimit as a Percentage of Total Facility Commitment

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Potential Increase in Maximum Borrowing Capacity if Covenant Requirements Met

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Use of portion of debt proceeds

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	iep_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of debt premium that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

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

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-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.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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

Debt Narrative - Debt and Credit Facilities - Energy (Details) (Energy Segment [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended										0 Months Ended											0 Months Ended
	Oct. 23, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012 ABL Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Apr. 06, 2010 CVR Issuers [Member] CVR First Lien Notes [Member] Term Loan [Member]	Apr. 06, 2010 CVR Issuers [Member] CVR Second Lien Notes [Member] Term Loan [Member]	Dec. 15, 2011 CVR Issuers [Member] Additional CVR Notes [Member] Term Loan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 CRLLC [Member] ABL Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Dec. 15, 2011 CRLLC [Member] ABL Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Feb. 22, 2011 CRLLC [Member] ABL Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Feb. 22, 2011 CRLLC [Member] ABL Credit Facility [Member] Letter of Credit [Member]	Feb. 22, 2011 CRLLC [Member] Terminated First Priority Credit Facility, Replaced by ABL Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jun. 04, 2012 CRLLC [Member] Debt repurchase percentage of principal amount authorized if change of control [Member] CVR Notes [Member] Term Loan [Member]	May 04, 2012 CRLLC [Member] Debt repurchase percentage of principal amount authorized if change of control [Member] CVR Notes [Member] Term Loan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 CRLLC [Member] LIBOR [Member] Minimum [Member] ABL Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 CRLLC [Member] LIBOR [Member] Maximum [Member] ABL Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 CRLLC [Member] Base Rate [Member] Minimum [Member] ABL Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 CRLLC [Member] Base Rate [Member] Maximum [Member] ABL Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Apr. 13, 2011 CRNF [Member] Term Loan [Member]	Apr. 13, 2011 CRNF [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 CRNF [Member] Base Rate [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 CRNF [Member] EuroDollar [Member]	Oct. 23, 2012 Issuance of Debt [Member] 2022 Notes [Member] Senior unsecured notes [Member]	Oct. 23, 2012 Repayment of Debt [Member]	Oct. 23, 2012 Payment of accrued interest [Member]	Oct. 23, 2012 Payment of premium [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loan Facility			$ 275,000,000	$ 225,000,000	$ 200,000,000												$ 125,000,000				$ 500,000,000
Interest rate, long-term debt			9.00%	10.875%	9.00%																6.50%
Use of portion of debt proceeds	348,000,000																					323,000,000	2,000,000	23,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium												54,000,000
Redemtion percentage of principal amount											101.00%	101.00%
Line of credit facility							400,000,000	250,000,000		150,000,000								25,000,000
Letters of credit sublimit as a percentage of total facility commitment									90.00%
Line of credit facility, potential increase in maximum borrowing capacity if covenant requirements met								250,000,000										50,000,000
Availability under ABL credit facility		373,000,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		27,000,000
Line of credit facility, outstanding borowings						$ 0
Percentage spread on debt													2.75%	3.00%	1.75%	2.00%			2.50%	3.50%