Valero Energy (VLO) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	VALERO ENERGY CORP/TX
Entity Central Index Key	1035002
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		508,621,424

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and temporary cash investments	$4,870	$3,689
Receivables, net	4,924	5,879
Inventories	6,666	6,623
Income taxes receivable	53	97
Deferred income taxes	121	162
Prepaid expenses and other	154	164
Total current assets	16,788	16,614
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	36,021	35,933
Accumulated depreciation	-9,425	-9,198
Property, plant, and equipment, net	26,596	26,735
Deferred charges and other assets, net	2,357	2,201
Total assets	45,741	45,550
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	200	606
Accounts payable	6,010	6,760
Accrued expenses	512	596
Taxes other than income taxes	1,052	1,209
Income taxes payable	546	433
Deferred income taxes	314	376
Total current liabilities	8,634	9,980
Debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion	7,224	5,780
Deferred income taxes	6,624	6,607
Other long-term liabilities	1,917	1,939
Commitments and contingencies
Valero Energy Corporation stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,200,000,000 shares authorized; 673,501,593 and 673,501,593 shares issued	7	7
Additional paid-in capital	7,083	7,116
Treasury stock, at cost; 163,184,575 and 159,202,872 common shares	-8,390	-8,125
Retained earnings	22,804	22,046
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-730	-367
Total Valero Energy Corporation stockholders’ equity	20,774	20,677
Noncontrolling interests	568	567
Total equity	21,342	21,244
Total liabilities and equity	$45,741	$45,550

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Valero Energy Corporation stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1,200,000,000	1,200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	673,501,593	673,501,593
Treasury stock, common shares	163,184,575	159,202,872

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating revenues	$21,330	$33,663
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	18,163	30,630
Operating expenses:
Refining	964	972
Ethanol	120	129
General and administrative expenses	147	160
Depreciation and amortization expense	441	421
Total costs and expenses	19,835	32,312
Operating income	1,495	1,351
Other income, net	24	15
Interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest	-101	-100
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	1,418	1,266
Income tax expense	450	429
Income from continuing operations	968	837
Loss from discontinued operations	0	-1
Net income	968	836
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	8
Net income attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders	964	828
Net income attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders:
Continuing operations	964	829
Discontinued operations	0	-1
Net income attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders	$964	$828
Earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$1.87	$1.55
Discontinued operations	$0	$0
Total	$1.87	$1.55
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in millions)	513	531
Earnings per common share – assuming dilution:
Continuing operations	$1.87	$1.54
Discontinued operations	$0	$0
Total	$1.87	$1.54
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution (in millions)	516	536
Dividends per common share	$0.40	$0.25

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$968	$836
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-366	-74
Net gain (loss) on pension and other postretirement benefits	5	-2
Net gain on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges	0	4
Other comprehensive loss before income tax expense	-361	-72
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive loss	2	1
Other comprehensive loss	-363	-73
Comprehensive income	605	763
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	8
Comprehensive income attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders	$601	$755

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$968	$836
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	441	421
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	-61	88
Changes in current assets and current liabilities	57	-1,088
Changes in deferred charges and credits and other operating activities, net	28	-13
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,433	244
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-458	-388
Deferred turnaround and catalyst costs	-240	-129
Other investing activities, net	-15	-41
Net cash used in investing activities	-713	-558
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt issuances	1,446	0
Repayment of debt	-402	0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	15	24
Purchase of common stock for treasury	-325	-226
Common stock dividends	-206	-133
Distributions to public unitholders of Valero Energy Partners LP	-5	-1
Other financing activities, net	3	24
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	526	-312
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	-65	-19
Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments	1,181	-645
Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period	3,689	4,292
Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period	$4,870	$3,647

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	1	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation
	As used in this report, the terms “Valero,” “we,” “us,” or “our” may refer to Valero Energy Corporation, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or all of them taken as a whole.
	These unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless disclosed otherwise. Financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 included in these Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is derived from our unaudited financial statements. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.
	The balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from our audited financial statements as of that date. For further information, refer to our financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Reclassification
	In May 2014, we abandoned our Aruba Refinery, except for the associated crude oil and refined products terminal assets that we continue to operate. As a result, the refinery’s results of operations have been presented in this report as discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Aruba Refinery had no operating revenues and a $1 million loss before income tax expense.
	Significant Accounting Policies
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, we review our estimates based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates.
	Discontinued Operations
	In April 2014, the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 205, “Presentation of Financial Statements,” and ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” were amended to change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. The provisions of these amendments modify the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. These amendments require additional disclosures about discontinued operations and new disclosures for other disposals of individually material components of an organization that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. In addition, the guidance allows companies to have significant continuing involvement and continuing cash flows with the discontinued operation. These provisions were effective prospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2015 did not affect our financial position or results of operations; however, it may result in changes to the manner in which future dispositions of operations or assets, if any, are presented in our financial statements, or it may require additional disclosures.
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the ASC and issued a new accounting standard, Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of the new standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires improved interim and annual disclosures that enable the users of financial statements to better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, and can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented using a practical expedient, as allowed by the new standard, or retrospectively with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the date of initial application. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new standard will have on our financial statements and related disclosures.
	In February 2015, the provisions of ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation” were amended to improve consolidation guidance for certain types of legal entities. The guidance modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities, eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships, and provides a scope exception from consolidation guidance for certain money market funds. These provisions are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. These provisions may also be adopted retrospectively in previously issued financial statements for one or more years with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first year restated. The adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2016 will not affect our financial position or results of operations, but will result in additional disclosures.
	In April 2015, the provisions of ASC Subtopic 835-30, “Interest–Imputation of Interest” were amended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, and that amortization of debt issuance costs be reported as interest expense. These provisions are to be applied retrospectively and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2016 will not materially affect our financial position or results of operations; however, our debt issuance costs will be reported in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from “debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion” and excluded from “deferred charges and other assets, net.”
	Also in April 2015, the provisions of ASC Topic 715, “Compensation–Retirement Benefits” were amended to provide a practical expedient for the measurement date of an entities’ defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. For an entity with a fiscal year-end that does not coincide with a month-end, the guidance provides a practical expedient that allows the entity to measure the defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end that is closest to the entity’s fiscal year-end. For an entity that has a significant event in an interim period that calls for a remeasurement, the guidance allows an entity to remeasure the defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end that is closest to the date of the significant event. These provisions are effective retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2016 will not affect our financial position or results of operations.

Valero_Energy_Partners_LP

Valero Energy Partners LP	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
VALERO ENERGY PARTNERS LP
	2	VALERO ENERGY PARTNERS LP
	Valero Energy Partners LP (VLP) is a publicly traded master limited partnership that we formed to own, operate, develop, and acquire crude oil and refined petroleum products pipelines, terminals, and other transportation and logistics assets. As of March 31, 2015, VLP’s assets included crude oil and refined products pipeline and terminal systems in the U.S. Gulf Coast and U.S. Mid-Continent regions that are integral to the operations of seven of our refineries.
	Effective March 1, 2015, we sold to VLP our Houston and St. Charles Terminal Services Business, which owns and operates crude oil, intermediates, and refined products terminals supporting our Houston and St. Charles Refineries. We received (i) cash consideration of $571 million and (ii) 1,908,100 common units representing limited partner interests in VLP and 38,941 general partner units representing general partner interests in VLP having an aggregate value of $100 million. A portion of the cash consideration was funded through a $200 million borrowing by VLP under its revolving credit facility. The remaining cash consideration was funded with $211 million of VLP’s cash on hand and a $160 million borrowing under a subordinated credit agreement between VLP and us, which is eliminated in consolidation as further described below.
	The ownership of VLP consisted of the following:
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Valero:
	Limited partner interest		69.6	%	68.6	%
	General partner interest		2	%	2	%
	Public:
	Limited partner interest		28.4	%	29.4	%
	We consolidate the financial statements of VLP into our financial statements and as such, VLP’s cash and temporary cash investments are included in our consolidated cash and temporary cash investments. However, VLP’s cash and temporary cash investments can be used only to settle its obligations. VLP’s cash and temporary cash investments were $28 million and $237 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. In addition, VLP’s partnership capital attributable to the public’s ownership interest in VLP of $377 million and $375 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, is reflected in noncontrolling interests.
	We have agreements with VLP that establish fees for certain general and administrative services, and operational and maintenance services provided by us. In addition, we have a master transportation services agreement and a master terminal services agreement with VLP under which VLP provides commercial pipeline transportation and terminaling services to us. These transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
INVENTORIES
	3	INVENTORIES
	Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Refinery feedstocks	$	2,646	$	2,269
	Refined products and blendstocks	3,554		3,926
	Ethanol feedstocks and products	231		195
	Materials and supplies	235		233
	Inventories	$	6,666	$	6,623
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the replacement cost (market value) of last in, first out (LIFO) inventories exceeded their LIFO carrying amounts by $1.8 billion and $857 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our non-LIFO inventories accounted for $884 million and $906 million, respectively, of our total inventories.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT
	4	DEBT
	Credit Facilities
	Revolver
	We have a $3 billion revolving credit facility (the Revolver) that matures in November 2018. We have the option to increase the aggregate commitments under the Revolver to $4.5 billion, subject to, among other things, the consent of the existing lenders whose commitments will be increased or any additional lenders providing such additional capacity. The Revolver has certain restrictive covenants, including a maximum debt-to-capitalization ratio of 60 percent. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with the Revolver’s restrictive covenants.
	VLP Revolver
	VLP has a $300 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility agreement (the VLP Revolver) that matures in December 2018. The VLP Revolver is available only to the operations of VLP, and creditors of VLP do not have recourse against Valero.
	Canadian Revolver
	One of our Canadian subsidiaries has a C$50 million committed revolving credit facility (the Canadian Revolver) that matures in November 2015.
	Activities Under Our Credit Facilities
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we had no borrowings or repayments under the Revolver or the Canadian Revolver. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, VLP borrowed $200 million under the VLP Revolver at an interest rate of 1.4375 percent in connection with VLP’s acquisition of the Houston and St. Charles Terminal Services Business, as further discussed in Note 2, and had no repayments. There were no borrowings or repayments under the VLP Revolver during the the three months ended March 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Revolver or the Canadian Revolver. As of March 31, 2015, VLP had $200 million of borrowings outstanding under the VLP Revolver, and no amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2014.
	Letters of Credit
	We had outstanding letters of credit under our committed credit facilities as follows (in millions):
					Amounts Outstanding
		Borrowing		Expiration	March 31,		December 31,
		Capacity			2015		2014
	Letter of credit facilities	$	550	Jun-15	$	—	$	56
	Revolver	$	3,000	Nov-18	$	64	$	54
	VLP Revolver	$	300	Dec-18	$	—	$	—
	Canadian Revolver	C$	50	Nov-15	C$	10	C$	10
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $204 million and $80 million, respectively, of letters of credit outstanding under our uncommitted short-term bank credit facilities.
	Non-Bank Debt
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we issued $600 million of 3.65 percent senior notes due March 15, 2025 and $650 million of 4.9 percent senior notes due March 15, 2045. Proceeds from these debt issuances totaled $1.246 billion. We also incurred $12 million of debt issuance costs.
	In addition, we made a scheduled debt repayment of $400 million related to our 4.5 percent senior notes during the three months ended March 31, 2015. We made no scheduled debt repayments during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	Accounts Receivable Sales Facility
	We have an accounts receivable sales facility with a group of third-party entities and financial institutions to sell up to $1.5 billion of eligible trade receivables on a revolving basis. This facility matures in July 2015. Proceeds from the sale of receivables under this facility are reflected as debt. Under this program, one of our marketing subsidiaries (Valero Marketing) sells eligible receivables, without recourse, to another of our subsidiaries (Valero Capital), whereupon the receivables are no longer owned by Valero Marketing. Valero Capital, in turn, sells an undivided percentage ownership interest in the eligible receivables, without recourse, to the third-party entities and financial institutions. To the extent that Valero Capital retains an ownership interest in the receivables it has purchased from Valero Marketing, such interest is included in our financial statements solely as a result of the consolidation of the financial statements of Valero Capital with those of Valero Energy Corporation; the receivables are not available to satisfy the claims of the creditors of Valero Marketing or Valero Energy Corporation.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we had no proceeds from or repayments under our accounts receivable sales facility. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $100 million outstanding under our accounts receivable sales facility.
	Capitalized Interest
	Capitalized interest was $16 million and $17 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	5	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Environmental Matters
	We are involved, together with several other companies, in an environmental cleanup in the Village of Hartford, Illinois (the Village) and the adjacent shutdown refinery site, which we acquired as part of an acquisition in 2005. We have been conducting initial mitigation and cleanup with other companies pursuant to an administrative order issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The U.S. EPA is seeking further cleanup obligations from us and other potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for the Village. In parallel with the Village cleanup, we are in litigation with the Illinois EPA and other PRPs relating to the remediation of the shutdown refinery site. In each of these matters, we have various defenses and rights for contribution from the other responsible parties. We have accrued for our own expected contribution obligations. However, because of the unpredictable nature of these cleanups and the methodology for allocation of liabilities, it is reasonably possible that we could incur a loss in a range of $0 to $200 million in excess of the amount of our accrual to ultimately resolve these matters. Factors underlying this estimated range are expected to change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from this estimate.
	Litigation Matters
	We are party to claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We have not recorded a loss contingency liability with respect to some of these matters because we have determined that it is remote that a loss has been incurred. For other matters, we have recorded a loss contingency liability where we have determined that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and that the loss is reasonably estimable. These loss contingency liabilities are not material to our financial position. We re-evaluate and update our loss contingency liabilities as matters progress over time, and we believe that any changes to the recorded liabilities will not be material to our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Equity

Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
EQUITY
	6	EQUITY
	Reconciliation of Balances
	The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of equity attributable to our stockholders, equity attributable to the noncontrolling interests, and total equity (in millions):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015										2014
		Valero				Non-			Total			Valero			Non-			Total
		Stockholders’				controlling			Equity			Stockholders’			controlling			Equity
		Equity				Interests						Equity			Interests
	Balance as of	$	20,677			$	567		$	21,244		$	19,460		$	486		$	19,946
	beginning of period
	Net income	964				4			968			828			8			836
	Dividends	(206		)		—			(206		)	(133		)	—			(133		)
	Stock-based	9				—			9			10			—			10
	compensation expense
	Tax deduction in excess	15				—			15			25			—			25
	of stock-based
	compensation expense
	Transactions
	in connection with
	stock-based
	compensation plans:
	Stock issuances	15				—			15			24			—			24
	Stock repurchases	(50		)		—			(50		)	(17		)	—			(17		)
	Stock repurchases under	(287		)		—			(287		)	(209		)	—			(209		)
	buyback program
	Contributions from	—				2			2			—			—			—
	noncontrolling interests
	Distributions to public	—				(5		)	(5		)	—			(1		)	(1		)
	unitholders of
	Valero Energy Partners LP
	Other comprehensive loss	(363		)		—			(363		)	(73		)	—			(73		)
	Balance as of end of period	$	20,774			$	568		$	21,342		$	19,915		$	493		$	20,408
	The noncontrolling interests relate to third-party ownership interests in VLP and joint venture companies whose financial statements we consolidate due to our controlling interests.
	Share Activity
	Activity in the number of shares of common stock and treasury stock was as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015						2014
		Common			Treasury			Common		Treasury
		Stock			Stock			Stock		Stock
	Balance as of beginning of period	673			(159	)		673		(138	)
	Transactions in connection with
	stock-based compensation plans:
	Stock issuances	—			2			—		2
	Stock repurchases	—			(1	)		—		—
	Stock repurchases under buyback program	—			(5	)		—		(4	)
	Balance as of end of period	673			(163	)		673		(140	)
	Treasury Stock
	During April 2015, we purchased 1.7 million shares of our common stock for $104 million, $76 million of which was purchased under our stock purchase program.
	Common Stock Dividends
	On April 30, 2015, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per common share payable on June 10, 2015 to holders of record at the close of business on May 13, 2015.
	Income Tax Effects Related to Components of Other Comprehensive Loss
	The tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive loss were as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015										2014
		Before-				Tax			Net			Before-			Tax			Net
		Tax				Expense			Amount			Tax			Expense			Amount
		Amount				(Benefit)						Amount			(Benefit)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(366	)		$	—		$	(366	)	$	(74	)	$	—		$	(74	)
	Pension and other postretirement benefits:
	Amounts reclassified into income related to:
	Net actuarial loss	15				5			10			8			3			5
	Prior service credit	(10		)		(3		)	(7		)	(10		)	(3		)	(7		)
	Net gain (loss) on pension and other	5				2			3			(2		)	—			(2		)
postretirement benefits
Derivative instruments designated and
qualifying as cash flow hedges:
Net gain arising during the period	—				—			—			7			2			5
Net gain reclassified into income	—				—			—			(3		)	(1		)	(2		)
Net gain on cash flow hedges	—				—			—			4			1			3
Other comprehensive loss	$	(361	)		$	2		$	(363	)	$	(72	)	$	1		$	(73	)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, were as follows (in millions):
	Foreign				Defined			Gains and			Total
	Currency				Benefit			(Losses) on
	Translation				Plans			Cash Flow
	Adjustment				Items			Hedges
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	1			$	(368	)	$	—		$	(367	)
Other comprehensive loss	(366		)		—			—			(366		)
before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated	—				3			—			3
other comprehensive loss
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(366		)		3			—			(363		)
Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	(365	)		$	(365	)	$	—		$	(730	)
	Foreign				Defined			Gains and			Total
	Currency				Benefit			(Losses) on
	Translation				Plans			Cash Flow
	Adjustment				Items			Hedges
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	408			$	(58	)	$	—		$	350
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(74		)		—			5			(69		)
before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated	—				(2		)	(2		)	(4		)
other comprehensive income (loss)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(74		)		(2		)	3			(73		)
Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	334			$	(60	)	$	3		$	277

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	7	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	The components of net periodic benefit cost related to our defined benefit plans were as follows (in millions):
		Pension Plans						Other Postretirement
								Benefit Plans
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Three months ended March 31:
	Service cost	$	27		$	30		$	2		$	2
	Interest cost	24			23			4			4
	Expected return on plan assets	(33		)	(33		)	—			—
	Amortization of:
	Prior service credit	(5		)	(5		)	(5		)	(5		)
	Net actuarial loss	16			8			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	29		$	23		$	1		$	1
	Our anticipated contributions to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans during 2015 have not changed from amounts previously disclosed in our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. We contributed $7 million and $10 million, respectively, to our pension plans and $2 million and $4 million, respectively, to our other postretirement benefit plans during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
	8	EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
	Earnings per common share were computed as follows (dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
		Participating		Common		Participating		Common
		Securities		Stock		Securities		Stock
	Earnings per common share from
	continuing operations:
	Net income attributable to Valero stockholders			$	964			$	829
	from continuing operations
	Less dividends paid:
	Common stock			205				132
	Participating securities			1				1
	Undistributed earnings			$	758			$	696
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	2		513		2		531
	Earnings per common share from
	continuing operations:
	Distributed earnings	$	0.4	$	0.4	$	0.25	$	0.25
	Undistributed earnings	1.47		1.47		1.3		1.3
	Total earnings per common share from	$	1.87	$	1.87	$	1.55	$	1.55
	continuing operations
	Earnings per common share from
	continuing operations – assuming dilution:
	Net income attributable to Valero stockholders			$	964			$	829
	from continuing operations
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding			513				531
	Common equivalent shares:
	Stock options			2				3
	Performance awards and			1				2
	nonvested restricted stock
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding –			516				536
	assuming dilution
	Earnings per common share from			$	1.87			$	1.54
	continuing operations – assuming dilution
	Participating securities include restricted stock and performance awards granted under our 2011 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION
	9	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The following table reflects activity related to our reportable segments (in millions):
		Refining		Ethanol		Corporate			Total
	Three months ended March 31, 2015:
	Operating revenues from external	$	20,529	$	801	$	—		$	21,330
	customers
	Intersegment revenues	—		28		—			28
	Operating income (loss)	1,641		12		(158		)	1,495
	Three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Operating revenues from external	32,452		1,211		—			33,663
	customers
	Intersegment revenues	—		25		—			25
	Operating income (loss)	1,280		243		(172		)	1,351
	Total assets by reportable segment were as follows (in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Refining	$	38,857	$	40,103
	Ethanol	986		954
	Corporate	5,898		4,493
	Total assets	$	45,741	$	45,550

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
	10	SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
	In order to determine net cash provided by operating activities, net income is adjusted by, among other things, changes in current assets and current liabilities as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Decrease (increase) in current assets:
	Receivables, net	$	892		$	958
	Inventories	(166		)	(1,356		)
	Income taxes receivable	39			(31		)
	Prepaid expenses and other	8			—
	Increase (decrease) in current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	(688		)	(299		)
	Accrued expenses	(80		)	(50		)
	Taxes other than income taxes	(107		)	(198		)
	Income taxes payable	159			(112		)
	Changes in current assets and current liabilities	$	57		$	(1,088	)
	The above changes in current assets and current liabilities differ from changes between amounts reflected in the applicable balance sheets for the respective periods for the following reasons:
	•	the amounts shown above exclude changes in cash and temporary cash investments, deferred income taxes, and current portion of debt and capital lease obligations, as well as the effect of certain noncash investing and financing activities discussed below;
	•	amounts accrued for capital expenditures and deferred turnaround and catalyst costs are reflected in investing activities when such amounts are paid;
	•	amounts accrued for common stock purchases in the open market that are not settled as of the balance sheet date are reflected in financing activities when the purchases are settled and paid; and
	•	certain differences between balance sheet changes and the changes reflected above result from translating foreign currency denominated balances at the applicable exchange rates as of each balance sheet date.
	There were no significant noncash investing or financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Cash flows related to interest and income taxes were as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Interest paid in excess of amount capitalized	$	78		$	74
	Income taxes paid, net	298			459
	Cash flows related to the discontinued operations of the Aruba Refinery were immaterial for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	11	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	General
	U.S. GAAP requires or permits certain assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis in our balance sheets, and those assets and liabilities are presented below under “Recurring Fair Value Measurements” and “Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements.” Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, such as derivative financial instruments, are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, such as the impairment of property, plant and equipment, are measured at fair value in particular circumstances.
	U.S. GAAP also requires the disclosure of the fair values of financial instruments when an option to elect fair value accounting has been provided, but such election has not been made. A debt obligation is an example of such a financial instrument. The disclosure of the fair values of financial instruments not recognized at fair value in our balance sheet is presented below under “Other Financial Instruments.”
	U.S. GAAP provides a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques based on the degree to which objective prices in external active markets are available to measure fair value. Following is a description of each of the levels of the fair value hierarchy.
	•	Level 1 - Observable inputs, such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
	•	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions about what market participants would use to price the asset or liability. The inputs are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which might include occasional market quotes or sales of similar instruments or our own financial data such as internally developed pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as instruments for which the fair value determination requires significant judgment.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The tables below present information (in millions) about our assets and liabilities recognized at their fair values in our balance sheets categorized according to the fair value hierarchy of the inputs utilized by us to determine the fair values as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	We have elected to offset the fair value amounts recognized for multiple similar derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty, including any related cash collateral assets or obligations as shown below; however, fair value amounts by hierarchy level are presented on a gross basis in the tables below. We have no derivative contracts that are subject to master netting arrangements that are reflected gross on the balance sheet.
		March 31, 2015
								Total		Effect of			Effect of			Net		Cash
								Gross		Counter-			Cash			Carrying		Collateral
								Fair		party			Collateral			Value on		Paid or
		Fair Value Hierarchy						Value		Netting			Netting			Balance		Received
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3										Sheet		Not Offset
	Assets:
	Commodity derivative	$	2,438	$	30	$	—	$	2,468	$	(2,443	)	$	—		$	25	$	—
	contracts
	Foreign currency	3		—		—		3		n/a			n/a			3		n/a
	contracts
	Investments of certain	91		—		11		102		n/a			n/a			102		n/a
	benefit plans
	Total	$	2,532	$	30	$	11	$	2,573	$	(2,443	)	$	—		$	130
	Liabilities:
	Commodity derivative	$	2,455	$	34	$	—	$	2,489	$	(2,443	)	$	(46	)	$	—	$	(155	)
	contracts
	Environmental credit	—		43		—		43		n/a			n/a			43		n/a
	obligations
	Physical purchase	—		4		—		4		n/a			n/a			4		n/a
	contracts
	Total	$	2,455	$	81	$	—	$	2,536	$	(2,443	)	$	(46	)	$	47
		31-Dec-14
								Total		Effect of			Effect of			Net		Cash
								Gross		Counter-			Cash			Carrying		Collateral
								Fair		party			Collateral			Value on		Paid or
		Fair Value Hierarchy						Value		Netting			Netting			Balance		Received
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3										Sheet		Not Offset
	Assets:
	Commodity derivative	$	3,096	$	36	$	—	$	3,132	$	(2,907	)	$	(99	)	$	126	$	—
	contracts
	Physical purchase	—		1		—		1		n/a			n/a			1		n/a
	contracts
	Investments of certain	97		—		11		108		n/a			n/a			108		n/a
	benefit plans
	Total	$	3,193	$	37	$	11	$	3,241	$	(2,907	)	$	(99	)	$	235
	Liabilities:
	Commodity derivative	$	2,886	$	34	$	—	$	2,920	$	(2,907	)	$	(13	)	$	—	$	(25	)
	contracts
	Environmental credit	—		14		—		14		n/a			n/a			14		n/a
	obligations
	Physical purchase	—		5		—		5		n/a			n/a			5		n/a
	contracts
	Total	$	2,886	$	53	$	—	$	2,939	$	(2,907	)	$	(13	)	$	19
	A description of our assets and liabilities recognized at fair value along with the valuation methods and inputs we used to develop their fair value measurements are as follows:
	•	Commodity derivative contracts consist primarily of exchange-traded futures and swaps, and as disclosed in Note 12, some of these contracts are designated as hedging instruments. These contracts are measured at fair value using the market approach. Exchange-traded futures are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Swaps are priced using third-party broker quotes, industry pricing services, and exchange-traded curves, with appropriate consideration of counterparty credit risk, but because they have contractual terms that are not identical to exchange-traded futures instruments with a comparable market price, these financial instruments are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	•	Physical purchase contracts represent the fair value of firm commitments to purchase crude oil feedstocks and the fair value of fixed-price corn purchase contracts, and as disclosed in Note 12, some of these contracts are designated as hedging instruments. The fair values of these firm commitments and purchase contracts are measured using a market approach based on quoted prices from the commodity exchange or an independent pricing service and are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	•	Investments of certain benefit plans consist of investment securities held by trusts for the purpose of satisfying a portion of our obligations under certain U.S. nonqualified benefit plans. The assets categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy are measured at fair value using a market approach based on quoted prices from national securities exchanges. The assets categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy represent insurance contracts, the fair value of which is provided by the insurer.
	•	Foreign currency contracts consist of foreign currency exchange and purchase contracts entered into for our international operations to manage our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in currencies other than the local (functional) currencies of those operations. These contracts are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
	•	Environmental credit obligations represent our liability for the purchase of (i) biofuel credits (primarily Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) in the U.S.) needed to satisfy our obligation to blend biofuels into the products we produce and (ii) emission credits under the California Global Warming Solutions Act (the California cap-and-trade system, also known as AB 32) and Quebec’s Regulation respecting the cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances (the Quebec cap-and-trade system), collectively, the cap-and-trade systems. To the degree we are unable to blend biofuels (such as ethanol and biodiesel) at percentages required under the biofuel programs, we must purchase biofuel credits to comply with these programs. Under the cap-and-trade systems, we must purchase emission credits to comply with these systems. These programs are further described in Note 12 under “Compliance Program Price Risk.” The liability for environmental credits is based on our deficit for such credits as of the balance sheet date, if any, after considering any credits acquired or under contract, and is equal to the product of the credits deficit and the market price of these credits as of the balance sheet date. The environmental credit obligations are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured at fair value using the market approach based on quoted prices from an independent pricing service.
	There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for assets and liabilities held as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	There was no activity during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 related to the fair value amounts categorized in Level 3 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
There were no assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Other Financial Instruments
Financial instruments that we recognize in our balance sheets at their carrying amounts are shown in the table below (in millions):
	March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
	Amount		Value		Amount		Value
Financial assets:
Cash and temporary cash investments	$	4,870	$	4,870	$	3,689	$	3,689
Financial liabilities:
Debt (excluding capital leases)	7,393		8,798		6,354		7,562
The methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of these financial instruments are as follows:
•	The fair value of cash and temporary cash investments approximates the carrying value due to the low level of credit risk of these assets combined with their short maturities and market interest rates (Level 1).
•	The fair value of debt is determined primarily using the market approach based on quoted prices provided by third-party brokers and vendor pricing services (Level 2).

Price_Risk_Management_Activiti

Price Risk Management Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
	12	PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
	We are exposed to market risks related to the volatility in the price of commodities, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates. We enter into derivative instruments to manage some of these risks, including derivative instruments related to the various commodities we purchase or produce, interest rate swaps, and foreign currency exchange and purchase contracts, as described below under “Risk Management Activities by Type of Risk.” These derivative instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities measured at their fair values (see Note 11), as summarized below under “Fair Values of Derivative Instruments.” In addition, the effect of these derivative instruments on our income is summarized below under “Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and Other Comprehensive Income.”
	When we enter into a derivative instrument, it is designated as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, an economic hedge, or a trading derivative. The gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated and qualifying as a fair value hedge, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, is recognized currently in income in the same period. The effective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedge is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income and is then recorded into income in the period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects income. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the cash flow derivative instrument, if any, is recognized in income as incurred. For our economic hedges (derivative instruments not designated as fair value or cash flow hedges) and for derivative instruments entered into by us for trading purposes, the derivative instrument is recorded at fair value and changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recognized currently in income. The cash flow effects of all of our derivative instruments are reflected in operating activities in our statements of cash flows for all periods presented.
	We are also exposed to market risk related to the volatility in the price of credits needed to comply with various governmental and regulatory programs. To manage this risk, we enter into contracts to purchase these credits when prices are deemed favorable. Some of these contracts are derivative instruments; however, we elect the normal purchase exception and do not record these contracts at their fair values.
	Risk Management Activities by Type of Risk
	Commodity Price Risk
	We are exposed to market risks related to the volatility in the price of crude oil, refined products (primarily gasoline and distillate), grain (primarily corn), soybean oil, and natural gas used in our operations. To reduce the impact of price volatility on our results of operations and cash flows, we use commodity derivative instruments, including futures, swaps, and options. We use the futures markets for the available liquidity, which provides greater flexibility in transacting our hedging and trading operations. We use swaps primarily to manage our price exposure. Our positions in commodity derivative instruments are monitored and managed on a daily basis by a risk control group to ensure compliance with our stated risk management policy that has been approved by our board of directors.
	For risk management purposes, we use fair value hedges, cash flow hedges, and economic hedges. In addition to the use of derivative instruments to manage commodity price risk, we also enter into certain commodity derivative instruments for trading purposes. Our objective for entering into each type of hedge or trading derivative is described below.
	•	Fair Value Hedges – Fair value hedges are used to hedge price volatility in certain refining inventories and firm commitments to purchase inventories. The level of activity for our fair value hedges is based on the level of our operating inventories, and generally represents the amount by which our inventories differ from our previous year-end LIFO inventory levels. As of March 31, 2015, we had no outstanding commodity derivative instruments that were entered into as fair value hedges.
	•	Cash Flow Hedges – Cash flow hedges are used to hedge price volatility in certain forecasted feedstock and refined product purchases, refined product sales, and natural gas purchases. The objective of our cash flow hedges is to lock in the price of forecasted feedstock, refined product, or natural gas purchases or refined product sales at existing market prices that we deem favorable. As of March 31, 2015, we had no outstanding commodity derivative instruments that were entered into as cash flow hedges.
	•	Economic Hedges – Economic hedges represent commodity derivative instruments that are not designated as fair value or cash flow hedges and are used to manage price volatility in certain (i) feedstock and refined product inventories, (ii) forecasted feedstock and product purchases, and product sales, and (iii) fixed-price purchase contracts. Our objective for entering into economic hedges is consistent with the objectives discussed above for fair value hedges and cash flow hedges. However, the economic hedges are not designated as a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes, usually due to the difficulty of establishing the required documentation at the date that the derivative instrument is entered into that would allow us to achieve “hedge deferral accounting.”
	As of March 31, 2015, we had the following outstanding commodity derivative instruments that were used as economic hedges, as well as commodity derivative instruments related to the physical purchase of corn at a fixed price. The information presents the notional volume of outstanding contracts by type of instrument and year of maturity (volumes in thousands of barrels, except those identified as corn contracts that are presented in thousands of bushels and soybean oil contracts that are presented in thousands of pounds).
			Notional Contract Volumes by
			Year of Maturity
	Derivative Instrument		2015			2016
	Crude oil and refined products:
	Swaps – long		10,404			—
	Swaps – short		9,808			—
	Futures – long		48,405			11
	Futures – short		55,761			—
	Corn:
	Futures – long		16,070			80
	Futures – short		35,590			1,510
	Physical contracts – long		16,786			1,437
	Soybean oil:
	Futures – long		113,820			—
	Futures – short		263,280			—
	•	Trading Derivatives – Our objective for entering into commodity derivative instruments for trading purposes is to take advantage of existing market conditions related to future results of operations and cash flows.
	As of March 31, 2015, we had the following outstanding commodity derivative instruments that were entered into for trading purposes. The information presents the notional volume of outstanding contracts by type of instrument and year of maturity (volumes represent thousands of barrels, except those identified as natural gas contracts that are presented in billions of British thermal units).
			Notional Contract Volumes by
			Year of Maturity
	Derivative Instrument		2015			2016
	Crude oil and refined products:
	Swaps – long		3,448			—
	Swaps – short		3,448			—
	Futures – long		113,258			14,657
	Futures – short		113,341			14,657
	Options – long		3,650			—
	Options – short		4,050			—
	Natural gas:
	Futures – long		2,500			—
	Futures – short		500			—
	Interest Rate Risk
	Our primary market risk exposure for changes in interest rates relates to our debt obligations. We manage our exposure to changing interest rates through the use of a combination of fixed-rate and floating-rate debt. In addition, at times we have used interest rate swap agreements to manage our fixed to floating interest rate position by converting certain fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt. We had no interest rate derivative instruments outstanding as of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014, or during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Foreign Currency Risk
	We are exposed to exchange rate fluctuations on transactions entered into by our international operations that are denominated in currencies other than the local (functional) currencies of those operations. To manage our exposure to these exchange rate fluctuations, we use foreign currency exchange and purchase contracts. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes, and therefore they are classified as economic hedges. As of March 31, 2015, we had commitments to purchase $470 million of U.S. dollars. These commitments matured before April 30, 2015.
	Environmental Compliance Program Price Risk
	We are exposed to market risk related to the volatility in the price of credits needed to comply with various governmental and regulatory environmental compliance programs.
	Certain of these programs require us to blend biofuels into the products we produce, and we are subject to such programs in most of the countries in which we operate. These countries set annual quotas for the percentage of biofuels that must be blended into the motor fuels consumed in these countries. As a producer of motor fuels from petroleum, we are obligated to blend biofuels into the products we produce at a rate that is at least equal to the applicable quota. To the degree we are unable to blend at the applicable rate, we must purchase biofuel credits (primarily RINs in the U.S.). We are exposed to the volatility in the market price of these credits, and we manage that risk by purchasing biofuel credits when prices are deemed favorable. The cost of meeting our obligations under these biofuel programs was $133 million and $92 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These amounts are reflected in cost of sales.
	Effective January 1, 2015, we became subject to additional requirements under greenhouse gas emission programs, including the cap-and-trade systems, as discussed in Note 11. Under these cap-and-trade systems, we purchase various greenhouse gas emission credits available on the open market. Therefore, we are exposed to the volatility in the market price of these credits. The cost to implement certain provisions of the cap-and-trade systems are significant; however, we have recovered the majority of these costs from our customers for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and expect to continue to recover the majority of these costs in the future. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the net cost of meeting our obligations under these compliance programs was immaterial.
	Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
	The following tables provide information about the fair values of our derivative instruments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in millions) and the line items in the balance sheets in which the fair values are reflected. See Note 11 for additional information related to the fair values of our derivative instruments.
	As indicated in Note 11, we net fair value amounts recognized for multiple similar derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty under master netting arrangements, including cash collateral assets and obligations. The tables below, however, are presented on a gross asset and gross liability basis, which results in the reflection of certain assets in liability accounts and certain liabilities in asset accounts.
		Balance Sheet		March 31, 2015
		Location		Asset			Liability
				Derivatives			Derivatives
	Derivatives not designated as
	hedging instruments
	Commodity contracts:
	Futures	Receivables, net		$	2,438		$	2,455
	Swaps	Receivables, net		29			33
	Options	Receivables, net		1			1
	Physical purchase contracts	Inventories		—			4
Foreign currency contracts	Receivables, net		3			—
Total			$	2,471		$	2,493
	Balance Sheet		December 31, 2014
	Location		Asset			Liability
			Derivatives			Derivatives
Derivatives not designated as
hedging instruments
Commodity contracts:
Futures	Receivables, net		$	3,096		$	2,886
Swaps	Receivables, net		34			31
Options	Receivables, net		2			3
Physical purchase contracts	Inventories		1			5
Total			$	3,133		$	2,925
Market and Counterparty Risk
Our price risk management activities involve the receipt or payment of fixed price commitments into the future. These transactions give rise to market risk, which is the risk that future changes in market conditions may make an instrument less valuable. We closely monitor and manage our exposure to market risk on a daily basis in accordance with policies approved by our board of directors. Market risks are monitored by a risk control group to ensure compliance with our stated risk management policy. We do not require any collateral or other security to support derivative instruments into which we enter. We also do not have any derivative instruments that require us to maintain a minimum investment-grade credit rating.
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and Other Comprehensive Income
The following tables provide information about the gain or loss recognized in income and other comprehensive income (OCI) on our derivative instruments and the line items in the financial statements in which such gains and losses are reflected (in millions).
Derivatives in Fair Value		Location of Gain (Loss)		Three Months Ended
Hedging Relationships		Recognized in Income		March 31,
		on Derivatives		2015			2014
Commodity contracts:
Loss recognized in		Cost of sales		$	—		$	(31	)
income on derivatives
Gain recognized in		Cost of sales		—			30
income on hedged item
Loss recognized in		Cost of sales		—			(1		)
income on derivatives
(ineffective portion)
For fair value hedges, no component of the derivative instruments’ gains or losses was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. There were no amounts recognized in income for hedged firm commitments that no longer qualified as fair value hedges during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
Derivatives in Cash Flow		Location of Gain (Loss)		Three Months Ended
Hedging Relationships		Recognized in Income		March 31,
		on Derivatives		2015			2014
Commodity contracts:
Gain recognized in				$	—		$	7
OCI on derivatives
(effective portion)
Gain reclassified from		Cost of sales		—			3
accumulated OCI
into income
(effective portion)
Loss recognized in		Cost of sales		—			(4		)
income on derivatives
(ineffective portion)
For cash flow hedges, no component of the derivative instruments’ gains or losses was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the three months ended March 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, there were no cumulative after-tax gains or losses on cash flow hedges remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedge accounting.
Derivatives Designated as		Location of Gain		Three Months Ended
Economic Hedges and Other		Recognized in Income		March 31,
Derivative Instruments		on Derivatives		2015			2014
Commodity contracts		Cost of sales		$	64		$	4
Foreign currency contracts		Cost of sales		22			9
Trading Derivatives		Location of Gain (Loss)		Three Months Ended
		Recognized in Income		March 31,
		on Derivatives		2015			2014
Commodity contracts		Cost of sales		$	20		$	(1	)

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	As used in this report, the terms “Valero,” “we,” “us,” or “our” may refer to Valero Energy Corporation, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or all of them taken as a whole.
	These unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless disclosed otherwise. Financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 included in these Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is derived from our unaudited financial statements. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.
	The balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from our audited financial statements as of that date. For further information, refer to our financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Reclassification	Reclassification
	In May 2014, we abandoned our Aruba Refinery, except for the associated crude oil and refined products terminal assets that we continue to operate. As a result, the refinery’s results of operations have been presented in this report as discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Aruba Refinery had no operating revenues and a $1 million loss before income tax expense.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, we review our estimates based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the ASC and issued a new accounting standard, Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of the new standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires improved interim and annual disclosures that enable the users of financial statements to better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, and can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented using a practical expedient, as allowed by the new standard, or retrospectively with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the date of initial application. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that adopting this new standard will have on our financial statements and related disclosures.
	In February 2015, the provisions of ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation” were amended to improve consolidation guidance for certain types of legal entities. The guidance modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities, eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships, and provides a scope exception from consolidation guidance for certain money market funds. These provisions are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. These provisions may also be adopted retrospectively in previously issued financial statements for one or more years with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first year restated. The adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2016 will not affect our financial position or results of operations, but will result in additional disclosures.
	In April 2015, the provisions of ASC Subtopic 835-30, “Interest–Imputation of Interest” were amended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, and that amortization of debt issuance costs be reported as interest expense. These provisions are to be applied retrospectively and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2016 will not materially affect our financial position or results of operations; however, our debt issuance costs will be reported in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from “debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion” and excluded from “deferred charges and other assets, net.”
	Also in April 2015, the provisions of ASC Topic 715, “Compensation–Retirement Benefits” were amended to provide a practical expedient for the measurement date of an entities’ defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. For an entity with a fiscal year-end that does not coincide with a month-end, the guidance provides a practical expedient that allows the entity to measure the defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end that is closest to the entity’s fiscal year-end. For an entity that has a significant event in an interim period that calls for a remeasurement, the guidance allows an entity to remeasure the defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end that is closest to the date of the significant event. These provisions are effective retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2016 will not affect our financial position or results of operations.
Offsetting fair value amounts of commodity derivative contracts	We have elected to offset the fair value amounts recognized for multiple similar derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty, including any related cash collateral assets or obligations as shown below; however, fair value amounts by hierarchy level are presented on a gross basis in the tables below. We have no derivative contracts that are subject to master netting arrangements that are reflected gross on the balance sheet.
Derivatives	We are exposed to market risks related to the volatility in the price of commodities, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates. We enter into derivative instruments to manage some of these risks, including derivative instruments related to the various commodities we purchase or produce, interest rate swaps, and foreign currency exchange and purchase contracts, as described below under “Risk Management Activities by Type of Risk.” These derivative instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities measured at their fair values (see Note 11), as summarized below under “Fair Values of Derivative Instruments.” In addition, the effect of these derivative instruments on our income is summarized below under “Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and Other Comprehensive Income.”
	When we enter into a derivative instrument, it is designated as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, an economic hedge, or a trading derivative. The gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated and qualifying as a fair value hedge, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, is recognized currently in income in the same period. The effective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedge is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income and is then recorded into income in the period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects income. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the cash flow derivative instrument, if any, is recognized in income as incurred. For our economic hedges (derivative instruments not designated as fair value or cash flow hedges) and for derivative instruments entered into by us for trading purposes, the derivative instrument is recorded at fair value and changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recognized currently in income. The cash flow effects of all of our derivative instruments are reflected in operating activities in our statements of cash flows for all periods presented.
Derivative instruments collateral requirements	We do not require any collateral or other security to support derivative instruments into which we enter.

Valero_Energy_Partners_LP_Tabl

Valero Energy Partners LP (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
VLP ownership percentages	The ownership of VLP consisted of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Valero:
	Limited partner interest	69.6	%	68.6	%
	General partner interest	2	%	2	%
	Public:
	Limited partner interest	28.4	%	29.4	%

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of inventories	Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Refinery feedstocks	$	2,646	$	2,269
	Refined products and blendstocks	3,554		3,926
	Ethanol feedstocks and products	231		195
	Materials and supplies	235		233
	Inventories	$	6,666	$	6,623

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Outstanding letters of credit under committed lines of credit	We had outstanding letters of credit under our committed credit facilities as follows (in millions):
					Amounts Outstanding
		Borrowing		Expiration	March 31,		December 31,
		Capacity			2015		2014
	Letter of credit facilities	$	550	Jun-15	$	—	$	56
	Revolver	$	3,000	Nov-18	$	64	$	54
	VLP Revolver	$	300	Dec-18	$	—	$	—
	Canadian Revolver	C$	50	Nov-15	C$	10	C$	10

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of changes in equity	The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of equity attributable to our stockholders, equity attributable to the noncontrolling interests, and total equity (in millions):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015										2014
		Valero				Non-			Total			Valero			Non-			Total
		Stockholders’				controlling			Equity			Stockholders’			controlling			Equity
		Equity				Interests						Equity			Interests
	Balance as of	$	20,677			$	567		$	21,244		$	19,460		$	486		$	19,946
	beginning of period
	Net income	964				4			968			828			8			836
	Dividends	(206		)		—			(206		)	(133		)	—			(133		)
	Stock-based	9				—			9			10			—			10
	compensation expense
	Tax deduction in excess	15				—			15			25			—			25
	of stock-based
	compensation expense
	Transactions
	in connection with
	stock-based
	compensation plans:
	Stock issuances	15				—			15			24			—			24
	Stock repurchases	(50		)		—			(50		)	(17		)	—			(17		)
	Stock repurchases under	(287		)		—			(287		)	(209		)	—			(209		)
	buyback program
	Contributions from	—				2			2			—			—			—
	noncontrolling interests
	Distributions to public	—				(5		)	(5		)	—			(1		)	(1		)
	unitholders of
	Valero Energy Partners LP
	Other comprehensive loss	(363		)		—			(363		)	(73		)	—			(73		)
	Balance as of end of period	$	20,774			$	568		$	21,342		$	19,915		$	493		$	20,408
Schedule of stock by class	Activity in the number of shares of common stock and treasury stock was as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015						2014
		Common			Treasury			Common		Treasury
		Stock			Stock			Stock		Stock
	Balance as of beginning of period	673			(159	)		673		(138	)
	Transactions in connection with
	stock-based compensation plans:
	Stock issuances	—			2			—		2
	Stock repurchases	—			(1	)		—		—
	Stock repurchases under buyback program	—			(5	)		—		(4	)
	Balance as of end of period	673			(163	)		673		(140	)
Income tax effects related to components of other comprehensive loss	The tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive loss were as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015										2014
		Before-				Tax			Net			Before-			Tax			Net
		Tax				Expense			Amount			Tax			Expense			Amount
		Amount				(Benefit)						Amount			(Benefit)
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(366	)		$	—		$	(366	)	$	(74	)	$	—		$	(74	)
	Pension and other postretirement benefits:
	Amounts reclassified into income related to:
	Net actuarial loss	15				5			10			8			3			5
	Prior service credit	(10		)		(3		)	(7		)	(10		)	(3		)	(7		)
	Net gain (loss) on pension and other	5				2			3			(2		)	—			(2		)
	postretirement benefits
	Derivative instruments designated and
	qualifying as cash flow hedges:
	Net gain arising during the period	—				—			—			7			2			5
	Net gain reclassified into income	—				—			—			(3		)	(1		)	(2		)
	Net gain on cash flow hedges	—				—			—			4			1			3
	Other comprehensive loss	$	(361	)		$	2		$	(363	)	$	(72	)	$	1		$	(73	)
Schedule of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, were as follows (in millions):
		Foreign				Defined			Gains and			Total
		Currency				Benefit			(Losses) on
		Translation				Plans			Cash Flow
		Adjustment				Items			Hedges
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	1			$	(368	)	$	—		$	(367	)
	Other comprehensive loss	(366		)		—			—			(366		)
	before reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated	—				3			—			3
	other comprehensive loss
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(366		)		3			—			(363		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	(365	)		$	(365	)	$	—		$	(730	)
		Foreign				Defined			Gains and			Total
		Currency				Benefit			(Losses) on
		Translation				Plans			Cash Flow
		Adjustment				Items			Hedges
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	408			$	(58	)	$	—		$	350
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	(74		)		—			5			(69		)
	before reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated	—				(2		)	(2		)	(4		)
	other comprehensive income (loss)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(74		)		(2		)	3			(73		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	334			$	(60	)	$	3		$	277

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Periodic benefit cost related to our defined benefit plans, net	The components of net periodic benefit cost related to our defined benefit plans were as follows (in millions):
		Pension Plans						Other Postretirement
								Benefit Plans
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Three months ended March 31:
	Service cost	$	27		$	30		$	2		$	2
	Interest cost	24			23			4			4
	Expected return on plan assets	(33		)	(33		)	—			—
	Amortization of:
	Prior service credit	(5		)	(5		)	(5		)	(5		)
	Net actuarial loss	16			8			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	29		$	23		$	1		$	1

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of earnings per common share, basic and diluted	Earnings per common share were computed as follows (dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
		Participating		Common		Participating		Common
		Securities		Stock		Securities		Stock
	Earnings per common share from
	continuing operations:
	Net income attributable to Valero stockholders			$	964			$	829
	from continuing operations
	Less dividends paid:
	Common stock			205				132
	Participating securities			1				1
	Undistributed earnings			$	758			$	696
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	2		513		2		531
	Earnings per common share from
	continuing operations:
	Distributed earnings	$	0.4	$	0.4	$	0.25	$	0.25
	Undistributed earnings	1.47		1.47		1.3		1.3
	Total earnings per common share from	$	1.87	$	1.87	$	1.55	$	1.55
	continuing operations
	Earnings per common share from
	continuing operations – assuming dilution:
	Net income attributable to Valero stockholders			$	964			$	829
	from continuing operations
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding			513				531
	Common equivalent shares:
	Stock options			2				3
	Performance awards and			1				2
	nonvested restricted stock
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding –			516				536
	assuming dilution
	Earnings per common share from			$	1.87			$	1.54
	continuing operations – assuming dilution

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment information for our reportable segments	The following table reflects activity related to our reportable segments (in millions):
		Refining		Ethanol		Corporate			Total
	Three months ended March 31, 2015:
	Operating revenues from external	$	20,529	$	801	$	—		$	21,330
	customers
	Intersegment revenues	—		28		—			28
	Operating income (loss)	1,641		12		(158		)	1,495
	Three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Operating revenues from external	32,452		1,211		—			33,663
	customers
	Intersegment revenues	—		25		—			25
	Operating income (loss)	1,280		243		(172		)	1,351
	Total assets by reportable segment were as follows (in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Refining	$	38,857	$	40,103
	Ethanol	986		954
	Corporate	5,898		4,493
	Total assets	$	45,741	$	45,550

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Schedule of cash flows, supplemental disclosures	Cash flows related to interest and income taxes were as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Interest paid in excess of amount capitalized	$	78		$	74
	Income taxes paid, net	298			459
	In order to determine net cash provided by operating activities, net income is adjusted by, among other things, changes in current assets and current liabilities as follows (in millions):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Decrease (increase) in current assets:
	Receivables, net	$	892		$	958
	Inventories	(166		)	(1,356		)
	Income taxes receivable	39			(31		)
	Prepaid expenses and other	8			—
	Increase (decrease) in current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	(688		)	(299		)
	Accrued expenses	(80		)	(50		)
	Taxes other than income taxes	(107		)	(198		)
	Income taxes payable	159			(112		)
	Changes in current assets and current liabilities	$	57		$	(1,088	)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis	The tables below present information (in millions) about our assets and liabilities recognized at their fair values in our balance sheets categorized according to the fair value hierarchy of the inputs utilized by us to determine the fair values as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	We have elected to offset the fair value amounts recognized for multiple similar derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty, including any related cash collateral assets or obligations as shown below; however, fair value amounts by hierarchy level are presented on a gross basis in the tables below. We have no derivative contracts that are subject to master netting arrangements that are reflected gross on the balance sheet.
		March 31, 2015
								Total		Effect of			Effect of			Net		Cash
								Gross		Counter-			Cash			Carrying		Collateral
								Fair		party			Collateral			Value on		Paid or
		Fair Value Hierarchy						Value		Netting			Netting			Balance		Received
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3										Sheet		Not Offset
	Assets:
	Commodity derivative	$	2,438	$	30	$	—	$	2,468	$	(2,443	)	$	—		$	25	$	—
	contracts
	Foreign currency	3		—		—		3		n/a			n/a			3		n/a
	contracts
	Investments of certain	91		—		11		102		n/a			n/a			102		n/a
	benefit plans
	Total	$	2,532	$	30	$	11	$	2,573	$	(2,443	)	$	—		$	130
	Liabilities:
	Commodity derivative	$	2,455	$	34	$	—	$	2,489	$	(2,443	)	$	(46	)	$	—	$	(155	)
	contracts
	Environmental credit	—		43		—		43		n/a			n/a			43		n/a
	obligations
	Physical purchase	—		4		—		4		n/a			n/a			4		n/a
	contracts
	Total	$	2,455	$	81	$	—	$	2,536	$	(2,443	)	$	(46	)	$	47
		31-Dec-14
								Total		Effect of			Effect of			Net		Cash
								Gross		Counter-			Cash			Carrying		Collateral
								Fair		party			Collateral			Value on		Paid or
		Fair Value Hierarchy						Value		Netting			Netting			Balance		Received
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3										Sheet		Not Offset
	Assets:
	Commodity derivative	$	3,096	$	36	$	—	$	3,132	$	(2,907	)	$	(99	)	$	126	$	—
	contracts
	Physical purchase	—		1		—		1		n/a			n/a			1		n/a
	contracts
	Investments of certain	97		—		11		108		n/a			n/a			108		n/a
	benefit plans
	Total	$	3,193	$	37	$	11	$	3,241	$	(2,907	)	$	(99	)	$	235
	Liabilities:
	Commodity derivative	$	2,886	$	34	$	—	$	2,920	$	(2,907	)	$	(13	)	$	—	$	(25	)
	contracts
	Environmental credit	—		14		—		14		n/a			n/a			14		n/a
	obligations
	Physical purchase	—		5		—		5		n/a			n/a			5		n/a
	contracts
	Total	$	2,886	$	53	$	—	$	2,939	$	(2,907	)	$	(13	)	$	19
Carrying amounts and estimated fair value of financial instruments	Financial instruments that we recognize in our balance sheets at their carrying amounts are shown in the table below (in millions):
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
	Financial assets:
	Cash and temporary cash investments	$	4,870	$	4,870	$	3,689	$	3,689
	Financial liabilities:
	Debt (excluding capital leases)	7,393		8,798		6,354		7,562

Price_Risk_Management_Activiti1

Price Risk Management Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Risk management activities by type of risk	As of March 31, 2015, we had the following outstanding commodity derivative instruments that were entered into for trading purposes. The information presents the notional volume of outstanding contracts by type of instrument and year of maturity (volumes represent thousands of barrels, except those identified as natural gas contracts that are presented in billions of British thermal units).
			Notional Contract Volumes by
			Year of Maturity
	Derivative Instrument		2015			2016
	Crude oil and refined products:
	Swaps – long		3,448			—
	Swaps – short		3,448			—
	Futures – long		113,258			14,657
	Futures – short		113,341			14,657
	Options – long		3,650			—
	Options – short		4,050			—
	Natural gas:
	Futures – long		2,500			—
	Futures – short		500			—
	As of March 31, 2015, we had the following outstanding commodity derivative instruments that were used as economic hedges, as well as commodity derivative instruments related to the physical purchase of corn at a fixed price. The information presents the notional volume of outstanding contracts by type of instrument and year of maturity (volumes in thousands of barrels, except those identified as corn contracts that are presented in thousands of bushels and soybean oil contracts that are presented in thousands of pounds).
			Notional Contract Volumes by
			Year of Maturity
	Derivative Instrument		2015			2016
	Crude oil and refined products:
	Swaps – long		10,404			—
	Swaps – short		9,808			—
	Futures – long		48,405			11
	Futures – short		55,761			—
	Corn:
	Futures – long		16,070			80
	Futures – short		35,590			1,510
	Physical contracts – long		16,786			1,437
	Soybean oil:
	Futures – long		113,820			—
	Futures – short		263,280			—
Fair values of derivative instruments	The following tables provide information about the fair values of our derivative instruments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in millions) and the line items in the balance sheets in which the fair values are reflected. See Note 11 for additional information related to the fair values of our derivative instruments.
	As indicated in Note 11, we net fair value amounts recognized for multiple similar derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty under master netting arrangements, including cash collateral assets and obligations. The tables below, however, are presented on a gross asset and gross liability basis, which results in the reflection of certain assets in liability accounts and certain liabilities in asset accounts.
		Balance Sheet		March 31, 2015
		Location		Asset			Liability
				Derivatives			Derivatives
	Derivatives not designated as
	hedging instruments
	Commodity contracts:
	Futures	Receivables, net		$	2,438		$	2,455
	Swaps	Receivables, net		29			33
	Options	Receivables, net		1			1
	Physical purchase contracts	Inventories		—			4
	Foreign currency contracts	Receivables, net		3			—
	Total			$	2,471		$	2,493
		Balance Sheet		December 31, 2014
		Location		Asset			Liability
				Derivatives			Derivatives
	Derivatives not designated as
	hedging instruments
	Commodity contracts:
	Futures	Receivables, net		$	3,096		$	2,886
	Swaps	Receivables, net		34			31
	Options	Receivables, net		2			3
	Physical purchase contracts	Inventories		1			5
	Total			$	3,133		$	2,925
Effect of derivative instruments on income and other comprehensive income
	Trading Derivatives		Location of Gain (Loss)		Three Months Ended
			Recognized in Income		March 31,
			on Derivatives		2015			2014
	Commodity contracts		Cost of sales		$	20		$	(1	)
	Derivatives Designated as		Location of Gain		Three Months Ended
	Economic Hedges and Other		Recognized in Income		March 31,
	Derivative Instruments		on Derivatives		2015			2014
	Commodity contracts		Cost of sales		$	64		$	4
	Foreign currency contracts		Cost of sales		22			9
	Derivatives in Cash Flow		Location of Gain (Loss)		Three Months Ended
	Hedging Relationships		Recognized in Income		March 31,
			on Derivatives		2015			2014
	Commodity contracts:
	Gain recognized in				$	—		$	7
	OCI on derivatives
	(effective portion)
	Gain reclassified from		Cost of sales		—			3
	accumulated OCI
	into income
	(effective portion)
	Loss recognized in		Cost of sales		—			(4		)
	income on derivatives
	(ineffective portion)
	The following tables provide information about the gain or loss recognized in income and other comprehensive income (OCI) on our derivative instruments and the line items in the financial statements in which such gains and losses are reflected (in millions).
	Derivatives in Fair Value		Location of Gain (Loss)		Three Months Ended
	Hedging Relationships		Recognized in Income		March 31,
			on Derivatives		2015			2014
	Commodity contracts:
	Loss recognized in		Cost of sales		$	—		$	(31	)
	income on derivatives
	Gain recognized in		Cost of sales		—			30
	income on hedged item
	Loss recognized in		Cost of sales		—			(1		)
	income on derivatives
	(ineffective portion)

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ2

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (Aruba Refinery [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Aruba Refinery [Member]
Reclass of Aruba Refinery (Textual)
Operating revenues	$0
Loss before income taxes	($1)

Valero_Energy_Partners_LP_Deta

Valero Energy Partners LP (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Valero Energy Partners LP Transactions (Textual)
Cash and temporary cash investments	$4,870,000,000	$3,647,000,000		$3,689,000,000	$4,292,000,000
Noncontrolling interests	568,000,000			567,000,000
Line of Credit [Member] | VLP Revolver [Member]
Valero Energy Partners LP Transactions (Textual)
Cash consideration funded through borrowing by VLP under its revolving credit facility	200,000,000	0
Valero Energy Partners LP [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Limited partnership, ownership percentage by parent	2.00%			2.00%
Valero Energy Partners LP [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Limited partnership, ownership percentage by parent	69.60%			68.60%
Limited partnership, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners	28.40%			29.40%
Valero Energy Partners LP [Member]
Valero Energy Partners LP Transactions (Textual)
Cash and temporary cash investments	28,000,000			237,000,000
Noncontrolling interests	377,000,000			375,000,000
Houston and St. Charles Terminal Services Business [Member] | Valero Energy Partners LP [Member]
Valero Energy Partners LP Transactions (Textual)
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment			571,000,000
Aggregate value of partnership interest received			100,000,000
Houston and St. Charles Terminal Services Business [Member] | Valero Energy Partners LP [Member] | Valero Energy Partners LP [Member]
Valero Energy Partners LP Transactions (Textual)
Cash consideration funded with VLP cash on hand			211,000,000
Houston and St. Charles Terminal Services Business [Member] | Valero Energy Partners LP [Member] | Valero Energy Partners LP [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | VLP Revolver [Member]
Valero Energy Partners LP Transactions (Textual)
Cash consideration funded through borrowing by VLP under its revolving credit facility			200,000,000
Houston and St. Charles Terminal Services Business [Member] | Valero Energy Partners LP [Member] | Valero Energy Partners LP [Member] | Subordinated Debt [Member]
Valero Energy Partners LP Transactions (Textual)
Cash consideration funded through borrowing by VLP under a subordinated credit agreement with Parent			$160,000,000
Houston and St. Charles Terminal Services Business [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Valero Energy Partners LP Transactions (Textual)
Units received from sale of property and equipment			38,941
Houston and St. Charles Terminal Services Business [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]
Valero Energy Partners LP Transactions (Textual)
Units received from sale of property and equipment			1,908,100

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Inventories
Refinery feedstocks	$2,646	$2,269
Refined products and blendstocks	3,554	3,926
Ethanol feedstocks and products	231	195
Materials and supplies	235	233
Inventories	6,666	6,623
Inventories (Textual)
Excess of market value over carrying amount of LIFO inventories	1,800	857
Amount of non-LIFO inventory	$884	$906

Debt_Credit_Facilities_Details

Debt, Credit Facilities (Details)

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Other Letter of Credit [Member]

Other Letter of Credit [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

Credit Facilities [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Letter of Credit [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

U S Revolver [Member]

U S Revolver [Member]

U S Revolver [Member]

U S Revolver [Member]

U S Revolver Letter of Credit [Member]

U S Revolver Letter of Credit [Member]

VLP Revolver [Member]

VLP Revolver [Member]

VLP Revolver [Member]

VLP Revolver Letter of Credit [Member]

VLP Revolver Letter of Credit [Member]

Canadian Revolver [Member]

Canadian Revolver [Member]

Canadian Revolver [Member]

Canadian Revolver Letter of Credit [Member]

Canadian Revolver Letter of Credit [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Maximum [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CAD

CAD

CAD

CAD

CAD

Line of Credit Facility

Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

$550,000,000

$3,000,000,000

$300,000,000

50,000,000

Line of credit facility, expiration date

30-Jun-15

30-Nov-18

31-Dec-18

30-Nov-15

Amount outstanding

204,000,000

80,000,000

0

56,000,000

0

0

64,000,000

54,000,000

200,000,000

0

0

0

0

0

10,000,000

10,000,000

Credit Facilities (Textual)

Line of credit facility, accordion feature, higher borrowing capacity option

4,500,000,000

Debt to capitalization ratios as per terms of revolver

0.6

Borrowings from long-term lines of credit

0

0

200,000,000

0

0

0

Repayments of long-term lines of credit

$0

$0

$0

$0

0

0

Line of credit facility, interest rate during period

1.44%

Debt_NonBank_Debt_Details

Debt, Non-Bank Debt (Details) (Senior Notes [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Non-Bank Debt (Textual)
Proceeds from issuance of senior long-term debt	$1,246
Debt issuance costs	12
Senior Notes Due in 2025 [Member]
Non-Bank Debt (Textual)
Face amount of long-term debt issuance	600
Interest rate of notes in percentage	3.65%
Maturity date of long-term debt issuance	15-Mar-25
Senior Notes Due in 2045 [Member]
Non-Bank Debt (Textual)
Face amount of long-term debt issuance	650
Interest rate of notes in percentage	4.90%
Maturity date of long-term debt issuance	15-Mar-45
Senior Notes Due In 2015 [Member]
Non-Bank Debt (Textual)
Interest rate of notes in percentage	4.50%
Debt repayments	$400

Debt_Accounts_Receivable_Sales

Debt, Accounts Receivable Sales Facility and Capitalized Interest (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Capitalized Interest (Textual)
Interest costs incurred, capitalized	$16,000,000	$17,000,000
Credit Facilities [Member] | A/R Sales Facility [Member]
Accounts Receivable Sales Facility (Textual)
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	1,500,000,000
Maturity date of accounts receivable sales facility	31-Jul-15
Proceeds from accounts receivable sales facility	0	0
Repayments under accounts receivable sales facility	0	0
Amount outstanding	$100,000,000		$100,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)
Minimum range of possible loss contingency	$0
Maximum range of possible loss contingency	$200

Equity_Details

Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Balances of the Carrying Amounts of Equity
Balance as of beginning of period	$21,244	$19,946
Net income	968	836
Dividends	-206	-133
Stock-based compensation expense	9	10
Tax deduction in excess of stock-based compensation expense	15	25
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock issuances	15	24
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	2	0
Distributions to public unitholders of Valero Energy Partners LP	-5	-1
Other comprehensive loss	-363	-73
Balance as of end of period	21,342	20,408
Dividend Declared [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Equity (Textual)
Dividends payable, date declared			30-Apr-15
Dividends payable, amount per share			$0.40	$0.40
Dividends payable, date to be paid			10-Jun-15
Dividends payable, date of record			13-May-15
Stock-Based Compensation Plans Repurchase Program [Member]
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock repurchases	-50	-17
Equity (Textual)
Stock repurchases	50	17
Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock repurchases	-287	-209
Equity (Textual)
Stock repurchases	287	209
Treasury Stock [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock repurchases				-104
Equity (Textual)
Stock repurchases, in shares				1.7
Stock repurchases				104
Treasury Stock [Member] | Stock-Based Compensation Plans Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity (Textual)
Stock repurchases, in shares	1	0
Treasury Stock [Member] | Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity (Textual)
Stock repurchases, in shares	5	4
Treasury Stock [Member] | Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock repurchases				-76
Equity (Textual)
Stock repurchases				76
Parent [Member]
Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Balances of the Carrying Amounts of Equity
Balance as of beginning of period	20,677	19,460
Net income	964	828
Dividends	-206	-133
Stock-based compensation expense	9	10
Tax deduction in excess of stock-based compensation expense	15	25
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock issuances	15	24
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	0
Distributions to public unitholders of Valero Energy Partners LP	0	0
Other comprehensive loss	-363	-73
Balance as of end of period	20,774	19,915
Parent [Member] | Stock-Based Compensation Plans Repurchase Program [Member]
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock repurchases	-50	-17
Equity (Textual)
Stock repurchases	50	17
Parent [Member] | Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Stock repurchases	-287	-209
Equity (Textual)
Stock repurchases	287	209
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Balances of the Carrying Amounts of Equity
Balance as of beginning of period	567	486
Net income	4	8
Transactions in connection with stock-based compensation plans:
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	2	0
Distributions to public unitholders of Valero Energy Partners LP	-5	-1
Other comprehensive loss	0	0
Balance as of end of period	$568	$493

Equity_Share_Activity_Rollforw

Equity, Share Activity Rollforward (Details)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Activity
Treasury stock, shares, beginning balance				-159,202,872
Treasury stock, shares, ending balance	-163,184,575			-159,202,872
Common Stock [Member]
Share Activity
Common stock, shares, beginning balance	673,000,000	673,000,000
Stock issuances, shares	0	0
Common stock, shares, ending balance	673,000,000	673,000,000
Treasury Stock [Member]
Share Activity
Treasury stock, shares, beginning balance	-159,000,000	-138,000,000
Stock issuances, shares	2,000,000	2,000,000
Treasury stock, shares, ending balance	-163,000,000	-140,000,000
Treasury Stock [Member] | Stock-Based Compensation Plans Repurchase Program [Member]
Share Activity
Stock repurchases, shares	-1,000,000	0
Treasury Stock [Member] | Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Share Activity
Stock repurchases, shares	-5,000,000	-4,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Treasury Stock [Member]
Share Activity
Stock repurchases, shares			-1,700,000

Equity_Income_Tax_Effects_on_O

Equity, Income Tax Effects on Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Effects Related to Components of Other Comprehensive Loss
Foreign currency translation adjustment, before-tax amount	($366)	($74)
Amounts reclassified into income related to:
Net actuarial loss, before-tax amount	15	8
Prior service credit, before-tax amount	-10	-10
Net gain (loss) on pension and other postretirement benefits, before-tax amount	5	-2
Derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges:
Net gain arising during the period, before-tax amount	0	7
Net gain reclassified into income, before-tax amount	0	-3
Net gain on cash flow hedges, before-tax amount	0	4
Other comprehensive loss before income tax expense	-361	-72
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax expense (benefit)	0	0
Amounts reclassified into income related to:
Net actuarial loss, tax expense (benefit)	5	3
Prior service credit, tax expense (benefit)	-3	-3
Net gain (loss) on pension and other postretirement benefits, tax expense (benefit)	2	0
Derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges:
Net gain arising during the period, tax expense (benefit)	0	2
Net gain reclassified into income, tax expense (benefit)	0	-1
Net gain on cash flow hedges, tax expense (benefit)	0	1
Other comprehensive loss, tax expense (benefit)	2	1
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net	-366	-74
Amounts reclassified into income related to:
Net actuarial loss, net	10	5
Prior service credit, net	-7	-7
Net gain (loss) on pension and other postretirement benefits, net	3	-2
Derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges:
Net gain arising during the period, net	0	5
Net gain reclassified into income, net	0	-2
Net gain on cash flow hedges, net	0	3
Other comprehensive loss	($363)	($73)

Equity_Changes_in_Accumulated_

Equity, Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), By Component
Beginning balance, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	($367)
Other comprehensive loss	-363	-73
Ending balance, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-730
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), By Component
Beginning balance, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-367	350
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-366	-69
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3	-4
Other comprehensive loss	-363	-73
Ending balance, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-730	277
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), By Component
Beginning balance, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1	408
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-366	-74
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Other comprehensive loss	-366	-74
Ending balance, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-365	334
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), By Component
Beginning balance, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-368	-58
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3	-2
Other comprehensive loss	3	-2
Ending balance, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-365	-60
Gains and (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), By Component
Beginning balance, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	5
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	-2
Other comprehensive loss	0	3
Ending balance, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$0	$3

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Plan [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$27	$30
Interest cost	24	23
Expected return on plan assets	-33	-33
Amortization of:
Prior service credit	-5	-5
Net actuarial loss	16	8
Net periodic benefit cost	29	23
Employee Benefit Plans (Textual)
Contributions to benefit plans	7	10
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	2	2
Interest cost	4	4
Expected return on plan assets	0	0
Amortization of:
Prior service credit	-5	-5
Net actuarial loss	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	1	1
Employee Benefit Plans (Textual)
Contributions to benefit plans	$2	$4

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Net income attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	$964	$829
Less dividends paid:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	513	531
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Total earnings per common share from continuing operations (in usd per share)	$1.87	$1.55
Earnings per common share from continuing operations – assuming dilution:
Net income attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	964	829
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	513	531
Common equivalent shares:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution (in shares)	516	536
Earnings per common share from continuing operations – assuming dilution (in usd per share)	$1.87	$1.54
Common Stock [Member]
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Net income attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	964	829
Less dividends paid:
Common stock	205	132
Participating securities	1	1
Undistributed earnings	758	696
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	513	531
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Distributed earnings (in usd per share)	$0.40	$0.25
Undistributed earnings (in usd per share)	$1.47	$1.30
Total earnings per common share from continuing operations (in usd per share)	$1.87	$1.55
Earnings per common share from continuing operations – assuming dilution:
Net income attributable to Valero stockholders from continuing operations	$964	$829
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	513	531
Common equivalent shares:
Stock options (in shares)	2	3
Performance awards and nonvested restricted stock (in shares)	1	2
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution (in shares)	516	536
Earnings per common share from continuing operations – assuming dilution (in usd per share)	$1.87	$1.54
Participating Securities [Member]
Less dividends paid:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	2	2
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Distributed earnings (in usd per share)	$0.40	$0.25
Undistributed earnings (in usd per share)	$1.47	$1.30
Total earnings per common share from continuing operations (in usd per share)	$1.87	$1.55
Earnings per common share from continuing operations – assuming dilution:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	2	2

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment information for our reportable segments
Operating revenues	$21,330	$33,663
Operating income (loss)	1,495	1,351
Total assets by reportable segment
Reportable segment assets	45,741		45,550
Refining [Member]
Total assets by reportable segment
Reportable segment assets	38,857		40,103
Ethanol [Member]
Total assets by reportable segment
Reportable segment assets	986		954
Corporate and Other [Member]
Total assets by reportable segment
Reportable segment assets	5,898		4,493
Operating Segments [Member] | Refining [Member]
Segment information for our reportable segments
Operating revenues	20,529	32,452
Operating income (loss)	1,641	1,280
Operating Segments [Member] | Ethanol [Member]
Segment information for our reportable segments
Operating revenues	801	1,211
Operating income (loss)	12	243
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment information for our reportable segments
Operating income (loss)	-158	-172
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment information for our reportable segments
Operating revenues	28	25
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Refining [Member]
Segment information for our reportable segments
Operating revenues	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Ethanol [Member]
Segment information for our reportable segments
Operating revenues	$28	$25

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Decrease (increase) in current assets:
Receivables, net	$892	$958
Inventories	-166	-1,356
Income taxes receivable	39	-31
Prepaid expenses and other	8	0
Increase (decrease) in current liabilities:
Accounts payable	-688	-299
Accrued expenses	-80	-50
Taxes other than income taxes	-107	-198
Income taxes payable	159	-112
Changes in current assets and current liabilities	57	-1,088
Cash Flows Related to Interest and Income Taxes
Interest paid in excess of amount capitalized	78	74
Income taxes paid, net	$298	$459

Fair_Value_Measurements_Recurr

Fair Value Measurements, Recurring (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Commodity derivative contracts	$2,468	$3,132
Physical purchase contracts		1
Foreign currency contracts	3
Investments of certain benefit plans	102	108
Total gross fair value, assets	2,573	3,241
Effect of Counterparty Netting	-2,443	-2,907
Effect of Cash Collateral Netting	0	-99
Commodity derivative contracts, net assets	25	126
Net Carrying Value on Balance Sheet, Assets	130	235
Cash Collateral Received Not Offset	0	0
Liabilities:
Commodity derivative contracts	2,489	2,920
Environmental credit obligations	43	14
Physical purchase contracts	4	5
Total gross fair value, liabilities	2,536	2,939
Effect of Counterparty Netting	-2,443	-2,907
Effect of Cash Collateral Netting	-46	-13
Commodity derivative contracts, net liabilities	0	0
Net Carrying Value on Balance Sheet, Liabilities	47	19
Cash Collateral Paid Not Offset	-155	-25
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Commodity derivative contracts	2,438	3,096
Physical purchase contracts		0
Foreign currency contracts	3
Investments of certain benefit plans	91	97
Total gross fair value, assets	2,532	3,193
Liabilities:
Commodity derivative contracts	2,455	2,886
Environmental credit obligations	0	0
Physical purchase contracts	0	0
Total gross fair value, liabilities	2,455	2,886
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Commodity derivative contracts	30	36
Physical purchase contracts		1
Foreign currency contracts	0
Investments of certain benefit plans	0	0
Total gross fair value, assets	30	37
Liabilities:
Commodity derivative contracts	34	34
Environmental credit obligations	43	14
Physical purchase contracts	4	5
Total gross fair value, liabilities	81	53
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Commodity derivative contracts	0	0
Physical purchase contracts		0
Foreign currency contracts	0
Investments of certain benefit plans	11	11
Total gross fair value, assets	11	11
Liabilities:
Commodity derivative contracts	0	0
Environmental credit obligations	0	0
Physical purchase contracts	0	0
Total gross fair value, liabilities	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Level_

Fair Value Measurements, Level 3 Reconciliation (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value Measurements (Textual)
Activity related to fair value amounts categorized in level 3	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Nonrec

Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value Measurements (Textual)
Assets measured at fair value, nonrecurring	$0	$0
Liabilities measured at fair value, nonrecurring	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Other_

Fair Value Measurements, Other Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Financial assets:
Cash and temporary cash investments, at carrying amount	$4,870	$3,689	$3,647	$4,292
Financial liabilities:
Debt (excluding capital leases), at carrying amount	7,393	6,354
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Financial assets:
Cash and temporary cash investments, at fair value	4,870	3,689
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Financial liabilities:
Debt (excluding capital leases), at fair value	$8,798	$7,562

Price_Risk_Management_Activiti2

Price Risk Management Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015
Price Risk Management Activities (Textual)
Compliance program costs	$133	$92
Foreign Currency Contracts [Member]
Price Risk Management Activities (Textual)
Monetary notional amount of derivative liabilities	$470
Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Price Risk Management Activities (Textual)
Foreign currency commitments maturity date			30-Apr-15
Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Economic Hedging [Member] | Swap [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	10,404
Economic Hedging [Member] | Swap [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Economic Hedging [Member] | Swap [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	9,808
Economic Hedging [Member] | Swap [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	48,405
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Grain (in bushels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	16,070,000
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Soybean Oil (in pounds) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	113,820,000
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	11
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Grain (in bushels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	80,000
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Soybean Oil (in pounds) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	55,761
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Grain (in bushels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	35,590,000
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Soybean Oil (in pounds) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	263,280,000
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Grain (in bushels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	1,510,000
Economic Hedging [Member] | Future [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Soybean Oil (in pounds) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Economic Hedging [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Grain (in bushels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	16,786,000
Economic Hedging [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Grain (in bushels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	1,437,000
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Swap [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	3,448
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Swap [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Swap [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	3,448
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Swap [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Future [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	113,258
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Future [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Natural Gas (in millions of BTUs) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	2,500,000
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Future [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	14,657
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Future [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Natural Gas (in millions of BTUs) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Future [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	113,341
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Future [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Natural Gas (in millions of BTUs) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	500,000
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Future [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	14,657
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Future [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Natural Gas (in millions of BTUs) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Options Held [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	3,650
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Options Held [Member] | Long (Purchases) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Options Held [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Current Year [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	4,050
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Options Held [Member] | Short (Sales) [Member] | Maturity Year Two [Member] | Crude Oil (in thousands of barrels) [Member]
Volume of Outstanding Contracts
Nonmonetary notional amount of price risk derivatives	0

Price_Risk_Management_Activiti3

Price Risk Management Activities, Hedging Instruments by Consolidated Balance Sheet Location (Details) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Derivative asset, fair value, gross asset	$2,471	$3,133
Derivative liability, fair value, gross liability	2,493	2,925
Future [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Derivative asset, fair value, gross asset	2,438	3,096
Derivative asset, fair value, gross liability	2,455	2,886
Swap [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Derivative asset, fair value, gross asset	29	34
Derivative asset, fair value, gross liability	33	31
Options Held [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Derivative asset, fair value, gross asset	1	2
Derivative asset, fair value, gross liability	1	3
Forward Contracts [Member] | Physical Purchase Contracts [Member] | Inventories [Member]
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Derivative asset, fair value, gross asset	0	1
Derivative asset, fair value, gross liability	4	5
Forward Contracts [Member] | Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Derivative asset, fair value, gross asset	3
Derivative asset, fair value, gross liability	$0

Price_Risk_Management_Activiti4

Price Risk Management Activities, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Price Risk Management Activities (Textual)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, cumulative after-tax gains on cash flow hedges	$0
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and OCI
Gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	0	-31,000,000
Gain recognized in income on hedged item	0	30,000,000
Loss recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion)	0	-1,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member]
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and OCI
Gain recognized in OCI on derivatives (effective portion)	0	7,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and OCI
Gain reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)	0	3,000,000
Loss recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion)	0	-4,000,000
Economic Hedging [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and OCI
Gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	64,000,000	4,000,000
Economic Hedging [Member] | Foreign Currency Contracts [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and OCI
Gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	22,000,000	9,000,000
Trading Derivatives [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Income and OCI
Gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives	$20,000,000	($1,000,000)