Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Activity for equity attributable to noncontrolling interests
Balance at January 1	$ 146,722	$ 153,886
Net income (loss)	2,699	(707)
Dividends	(2,030)	(2,001)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Treasury shares, net	231	143
Other changes, net	168	155
Balance at March 31	147,790	151,476
Chevron Corporation Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Activity for equity attributable to noncontrolling interests
Balance at January 1	145,556	152,716
Net income (loss)	2,682	(725)
Dividends	(2,030)	(2,001)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Treasury shares, net	231	143
Other changes, net	153	174
Balance at March 31	146,592	150,307
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Activity for equity attributable to noncontrolling interests
Balance at January 1	1,166	1,170
Net income (loss)	17	18
Dividends	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Treasury shares, net	0	0
Other changes, net	15	(19)
Balance at March 31	$ 1,198	$ 1,169