Unaudited Quarterly Operating Results (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,079	$ 2,208	$ 2,222	$ 2,273	$ 2,804	$ 2,678	$ 2,570	$ 2,329	$ 8,782	$ 10,381	$ 9,138
Revenues less cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	676	678	637	665	795	763	720	639
Asset charges	58	18	10	553					639	44	0
Other costs	57	26	27	24	11	19	(6)	49
Net income	149	213	155	51	262	238	233	115	568	848	724
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	24	26	15	2	8	13	12	4	67	37	25
Net income attributable to Cameron stockholders	$ 125	$ 187	$ 140	$ 49	$ 254	$ 225	$ 221	$ 111	$ 501	$ 811	$ 699
Earnings per share attributable to Cameron stockholders:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.65	$ 0.98	$ 0.73	$ 0.25	$ 1.30	$ 1.12	$ 1.08	$ 0.51	$ 2.61	$ 3.98	$ 2.89
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.65	$ 0.97	$ 0.73	$ 0.25	$ 1.28	$ 1.11	$ 1.08	$ 0.51	$ 2.60	$ 3.96	$ 2.87