Income Taxes (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Taxes on U.S. operations	$ (94)	[1]	$ 110	$ (23)	[1]	$ 193
Taxes on international operations	134		312	491		720
Total	40		422	468		913
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Changes in Deferred Tax Liabilities and Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowances	183			183
Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance				190
Income Tax Benefit, Adjustment of Deferred Tax Liability Associated with Acquisition				69
Income Tax Expense, Adjustment of Deferred Tax Asset				$ 76
Consolidated effective income tax rate (percent)				34.00%		33.00%

[1] As a result of second-quarter 2013 oil and gas acquisitions, FCX recognized a net tax benefit of $183 million consisting of income tax benefits of $190 million associated with net reductions in FCX's valuation allowances and $69 million related to the release of the deferred tax liability on PXP's investment in MMR common stock; partially offset by income tax expense of $76 million associated with the write off of deferred tax assets related to environmental liabilities.