SUPPLEMENTARY OIL AND GAS INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) SUPPLEMENTARY OIL AND GAS INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Schedule of Results of Operations for Oil and Gas Producing Activities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Industries Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenues from oil and gas producing activities								$ 1,513	$ 1,994	$ 4,710
Production and delivery costs								(1,829)	(1,215)	(1,237)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization								(839)	(1,772)	(2,265)
Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties	$ (239)	$ (291)	$ (3,800)	$ (3,700)	$ (3,700)	$ (2,700)	$ (3,100)	(4,317)	(13,144)	(3,737)
Income tax benefit (based on FCX's U.S. federal statutory tax rate)								0	5,368	958
Results of operations from oil and gas producing activities								(5,472)	$ (8,769)	$ (1,571)
Oil and Gas Drillship settlements/Idle rig and Contract termination costs								$ 926