Consolidated Statement of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total FCX Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings (Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Common Stock Held in Treasury [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 21,311	$ 17,543	$ 107	$ 19,119	$ 2,399	$ (506)	$ (3,576)	$ 3,768
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012			1,073				124
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock issued to acquire Plains Exploration & Production Co.	2,831	2,831	9	2,822	0	0	0	0
Common stock issued to acquire Plains Exploration & Production Co. (in shares)			91				0
Exchange of employee stock-based awards in connection with acquisitions	67	67	0	67	0	0	0	0
Exercised and issued stock-based awards	3	3	1	2	0	0	0	0
Exercised and issued stock-based awards (in shares)			1				0
Stock-based compensation	66	66	0	66	0	0	0	0
Tender of shares for stock-based awards	(105)	(105)	0	0	0	0	(105)	0
Tender of shares for stock-based awards (in shares)			0				3
Dividends on common stock	(1,664)	(1,664)	0	0	(1,664)	0	0	0
Dividends to noncontrolling interests	(84)	0	0	0	0	0	0	(84)
Noncontrolling interests' share of contributed capital in subsidiary	0	(4)	0	(4)	0	0	0	4
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	(3)	0	0	0	0	0	0	(3)
Total comprehensive income	1,445	1,141	0	0	1,130	11	0	304
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 23,867	$ 19,878	$ 117	$ 22,072	$ 1,865	$ (495)	$ (3,681)	$ 3,989
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2013			1,165				127