Stock Options and Other Share-Based Compensation (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense for stock options	$ 271	$ 312	$ 287
After tax compensation expense for stock options	176	203	186
Compensation expense for stock appreciation rights restricted stock performance units and restricted stock units	371	32	71
Compensation expense for stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance units and restricted stock units, after tax	241	21	46
Cash received in payment for option exercises	647	195	527
Tax benefits realized for the tax deductions from option exercises	21	17	54
Cash paid to settle performance units and stock appreciation rights	$ 82	104	204
Maximum number of share that may be issued under LTIP (in shares)	859,746
Total intrinsic value options exercised	$ 240	$ 120	$ 398
Total before-tax compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements	$ 169
Weighted-average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements	1 year 8 months 12 days
Number of LTIP performance units outstanding (in shares)	2,393,428	2,192,937
Number of LTIP performance units granted (in shares)	1,019,900
Number of LTIP performance units vested outstanding (in shares)	718,472
Number of LTIP performance units forfeited (in shares)	100,937
Fair value of the liability recorded for LTIP performance units outstanding	$ 381
Equivalent shares granted under various LTIP and former Texaco and Unocal programs for outstanding stock appreciation rights and other awards	5,400,000
Liability recorded for Equivalent shares granted under various LTIP and former Texaco and Unocal programs for outstanding stock appreciation rights and other awards	$ 125
Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of share that may be issued under LTIP (in shares)	87,000,000
For awards issued on or after May 29, 2013, the maximum number of shares that may be in a form other than a stock option, stock appreciation right or award requiring full payment for shares by the award recipient (in shares)	50,000,000
Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| From April 2004 through May 2023 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of share that may be issued under LTIP (in shares)	260,000,000
Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] \| Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award contractual term (in years)	3 years
Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] \| Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), 2017 Issuance [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award contractual term (in years)	3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] \| Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), 2017 Issuance [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award contractual term (in years)	5 years
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights [Member] \| Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award contractual term (in years)	10 years
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights [Member] \| Chevron Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), 2017 Issuance [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award contractual term (in years)	10 years

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Aggregate cash paid by the entity during the period to settle equity instruments granted under equity-based payment arrangements.

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Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

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Disclosure of the aggregate tax benefit realized from the exercise of stock options and the conversion of similar instruments during the annual period.

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

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Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

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The noncash expense that accounts for the value of stock or unit options distributed to employees as compensation.

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