Property, Plant and Equipment (Notes)	6 Months Ended
Property, Plant and Equipment (Notes)	Feb. 28, 2015
Plant, Property and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	Property, Plant and Equipment As of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, total property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, was $4.4 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively. The increase in fiscal 2015 is driven by an increase in construction in progress of $358.7 million related primarily to capital projects at our refineries and the fertilizer plant project discussed below. In September 2014, our Board of Directors approved plans to construct a nitrogen fertilizer plant located in Spiritwood, North Dakota. We currently estimate the construction costs to be more than $3.0 billion, with the plant anticipated to be operational during calendar year 2018. As of February 28, 2015, we have capitalized approximately $68.4 million related to this project. As required by GAAP, we review long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances, including significant changes in actual or expected operating results, indicate that the asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. Depreciation expense during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015 was $72.7 million and $143.2 million, respectively. Depreciation expense during the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 was $60.7 million and $120.1 million, respectively.

The entire disclosure for long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Includes, but is not limited to, accounting policies and methodology, roll forwards, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, including composite depreciation, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, useful lives and method used, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures.

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