The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) 10-Q 29 Oct 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 26, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Williams Companies Inc
Entity Central Index Key	107,263
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		749,764,737

Consolidated Statement of Opera

Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Revenues:
Service revenues	$ 1,239		$ 1,127	$ 3,677	$ 2,771
Product sales	560		942	1,677	2,725
Total revenues	1,799		2,069	5,354	5,496
Costs and expenses:
Product costs	426		807	1,382	2,300
Operating and maintenance expenses	403		412	1,227	1,018
Depreciation and amortization expenses	432		369	1,287	797
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	177		171	547	457
Net insurance recoveries - Geismar Incident	0		0	(126)	(161)
Other (income) expense - net	5		3	62	47
Total costs and expenses	1,443		1,762	4,379	4,458
Operating income (loss)	356		307	975	1,038
Equity earnings (losses)	92		66	236	55
Gain on remeasurement of equity-method investment	0		2,522	0	2,522
Impairment of equity-method investments	(461)		0	(461)	0
Other investing income (loss) - net	18		11	27	43
Interest incurred	(280)		(262)	(831)	(623)
Interest capitalized	17		52	55	110
Other income (expense) - net	20		10	70	15
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(238)		2,706	71	3,160
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(65)		998	48	1,133
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(173)		1,708	23	2,027
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0		0	0	4
Net income (loss)	(173)		1,708	23	2,031
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(133)		30	(121)	110
Net income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.	(40)		1,678	144	1,921
Amounts attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(40)		1,678	144	1,917
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0		0	0	4
Net income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.	$ (40)		$ 1,678	$ 144	$ 1,921
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (0.05)		$ 2.24	$ 0.19	$ 2.70
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0		0	0	0
Net income (loss)	$ (0.05)		$ 2.24	$ 0.19	$ 2.70
Weighted-average shares (thousands)	749,824		747,412	749,059	709,809
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (0.05)		$ 2.22	$ 0.19	$ 2.68
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0		0	0	0
Net income (loss)	$ (0.05)		$ 2.22	$ 0.19	$ 2.68
Weighted-average shares (thousands)	749,824	[1]	752,064	752,621	714,119
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.64		$ 0.56	$ 1.81	$ 1.3875
[1]	For the three months ended September 30, 2015, 1.7 million weighted-average nonvested restricted stock units and 1.5 million weighted-average stock options have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share as their inclusion would be antidilutive due to our loss from continuing operations attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Compr

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	$ (173)	$ 1,708	$ 23	$ 2,031
Cash flow hedging activities:
Net unrealized gain (loss) from derivative instruments, net of taxes	6	0	6	0
Reclassifications into earnings of net derivative instruments (gain) loss, net of taxes	(4)	0	(4)	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	(74)	(51)	(159)	(58)
Pension and other postretirement benefits:
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) included in net periodic benefit cost, net of taxes	0	(1)	(2)	(3)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss included in net periodic benefit cost, net of taxes	7	6	21	18
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(65)	(46)	(138)	(43)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(238)	1,662	(115)	1,988
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(157)	12	(175)	105
Comprehensive Income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.	$ (81)	$ 1,650	$ 60	$ 1,883

Consolidated Statement of Comp4

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax	$ 14	$ 13	$ 24	$ 5
Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Tax [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income Amortization Of Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Cost Recognized In Net Periodic Pension Cost Tax	1	1	2	3
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Net Gain Loss Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost Tax	$ (5)	$ (4)	$ (13)	$ (11)

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Una

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 125	$ 240
Accounts and notes receivable - net:
Trade and other	704	972
Income tax receivable	6	167
Deferred income tax asset	73	67
Inventories	156	231
Other current assets and deferred charges	200	213
Total current assets	1,264	1,890
Investments	8,198	8,400
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	38,761	36,435
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(9,285)	(8,354)
Property, plant and equipment - net	29,476	28,081
Goodwill	1,145	1,120
Other intangible assets - net of accumulated amortization	10,053	10,453
Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other	683	619
Total assets	50,819	50,563
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	726	865
Accrued liabilities	1,225	900
Commercial paper	1,530	798
Long-term debt due within one year	377	4
Total current liabilities	3,858	2,567
Long-term debt	21,805	20,888
Deferred income taxes	4,582	4,712
Other noncurrent liabilities	$ 2,314	$ 2,224
Contingent liabilities (Note 13)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock (960 million shares authorized at $1 par value; 784 million shares issued at September 30, 2015 and 782 million shares issued at December 31, 2014)	$ 784	$ 782
Capital in excess of par value	14,833	14,925
Retained deficit	(6,764)	(5,548)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(425)	(341)
Treasury stock, at cost (35 million shares of common stock)	(1,041)	(1,041)
Total stockholders' equity	7,387	8,777
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	10,873	11,395
Total equity	18,260	20,172
Total liabilities and equity	$ 50,819	$ 50,563

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) - $ / shares shares in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' equity:
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	960	960
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 1	$ 1
Common Stock, Shares Issued	784	782
Treasury Stock, Shares	35	35

Consolidated Statement of Chang

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Total Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 20,172	$ 8,777	$ 782	$ 14,925	$ (5,548)	$ (341)	$ (1,041)	$ 11,395
Net income (loss)	23	144	0	0	144	0	0	(121)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(138)	(84)	0	0	0	(84)	0	(54)
Cash dividends - common stock	(1,356)	(1,356)	0	0	(1,356)	0	0	0
Dividends and distributions to noncontrolling interests	(704)	0	0	0	0	0	0	(704)
Stock-based compensation and related common stock issuances, net of tax	68	68	2	66	0	0	0	0
Changes in ownership of consolidated subsidiaries, net	94	(158)	0	(158)	0	0	0	252
Contributions from Noncontrolling Interests	85	0	0	0	0	0	0	85
Other	16	(4)	0	0	(4)	0	0	20
Net increase (decrease) in equity	(1,912)	(1,390)	2	(92)	(1,216)	(84)	0	(522)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 18,260	$ 7,387	$ 784	$ 14,833	$ (6,764)	$ (425)	$ (1,041)	$ 10,873

Consolidated Statement of Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 23	$ 2,031
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,287	797
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	41	1,042
Impairment of equity-method investments	461	0
Amortization of stock-based awards	65	36
Gain on remeasurement of equity-method investment	0	(2,522)
Cash provided (used) by changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable	374	(106)
Inventories	76	(89)
Other current assets and deferred charges	(6)	(49)
Accounts payable	(137)	60
Accrued liabilities	(16)	(126)
Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities	(82)	30
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	2,086	1,104
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from (payments of) commercial paper - net	727	39
Proceeds from long-term debt	6,885	6,134
Payments of long-term debt	(5,563)	(864)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	27	3,414
Proceeds from sale of limited partner units of consolidated partnership	0	55
Dividends paid	(1,356)	(986)
Dividends and distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(704)	(509)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	85	260
Payments for debt issuance costs	(33)	(40)
Special distribution from Gulfstream	396	0
Other - net	42	24
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	506	7,527
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(2,425)	(2,943)
Net proceeds from dispositions	3	35
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	(112)	(5,958)
Purchases of and contributions to equity-method investments	(529)	(345)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates in excess of cumulative earnings	251	165
Other - net	105	36
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(2,707)	(9,010)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(115)	(379)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	240	681
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	125	302
Increases to property, plant, and equipment	(2,311)	(2,902)
Changes in related accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(114)	(41)
Capital expenditures	$ (2,425)	$ (2,943)

General, Description of Busines

General, Description of Business, and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
General, Description of Business, and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	Note 1 – General, Description of Business, and Basis of Presentation General Our accompanying interim consolidated financial statements do not include all the notes in our annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014, in Exhibit 99.1 of our Form 8-K dated May 6, 2015. The accompanying unaudited financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments and others that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly our interim financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references in this report to “Williams,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or like terms refer to The Williams Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references to “Williams,” “we,” “our,” and “us” include the operations in which we own interests accounted for as equity-method investments that are not consolidated in our financial statements. When we refer to our equity investees by name, we are referring exclusively to their businesses and operations. Energy Transfer Merger Agreement On September 28, 2015, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (Merger Agreement) with Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (Energy Transfer) and certain of its affiliates. The Merger Agreement provides that we will be merged with and into the newly formed Energy Transfer Corp LP (ETC) (ETC Merger), with ETC surviving the ETC Merger. Energy Transfer formed ETC as a limited partnership that will be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. ETC will be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ETC.” At the effective time of the ETC Merger, each issued and outstanding share of our common stock (except for certain shares such as those held by us or our subsidiaries and any held by ETC and its affiliates) will be canceled and automatically converted into the right to receive, at the election of each holder and subject to proration as set forth in the Merger Agreement: • 1.8716 common shares representing limited partnership interests in ETC (ETC common shares) (Stock Consideration); or • $43.50 in cash (Cash Consideration); or • $8.00 in cash and 1.5274 ETC common shares (Mixed Consideration). Elections to receive the Stock Consideration or the Cash Consideration will be subject to proration to ensure that the aggregate number of ETC common shares and the aggregate amount of cash paid in the ETC Merger will be the same as if all electing shares of our common stock received the Mixed Consideration. In addition, our stockholders will receive a special one-time dividend of $0.10 per share of Williams common stock, to be paid to holder of record immediately prior to the closing of the ETC Merger and contingent upon consummation of the ETC Merger. In connection with the ETC Merger, Energy Transfer will subscribe for a number of ETC common shares at the transaction price, in exchange for the amount of cash needed by ETC to fund the cash portion of the merger consideration (the Parent Cash Deposit), and, as a result, based on the number of shares of Williams common stock outstanding as of the date thereof, will own approximately 19 percent of the outstanding ETC common shares immediately after the effective time of the ETC Merger. Immediately following the completion of the ETC Merger and of the LE GP, LLC merger with and into Energy Transfer Equity GP, LLC, ETC will contribute to Energy Transfer all of the assets and liabilities of Williams in exchange for the issuance by Energy Transfer to ETC of a number of Energy Transfer Class E common units equal to the number of ETC common shares issued to our stockholders in the ETC Merger plus the number of ETC common shares issued to Energy Transfer in consideration for the Parent Cash Deposit (such contribution, together with the ETC Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Transactions). To address potential uncertainty as to how the newly listed ETC common shares, as a new security, will trade relative to Energy Transfer common units, each ETC common share issued in the ETC Merger, as well as the ETC common shares issued to Energy Transfer in connection with the Parent Cash Deposit, will have attached to it one contingent consideration right (CCR). The terms of the CCRs are fully described in the form of CCR Agreement attached to the Merger Agreement as Exhibit H to Exhibit 2.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 29, 2015. The receipt of the merger consideration is expected to be tax-free to our stockholders, except with respect to any cash consideration received. Completion of the Transactions is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of customary closing conditions as set forth in the Merger Agreement, including approval of the ETC Merger by our stockholders, receipt of required regulatory approvals in connection with the Transactions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-4 registering the ETC common shares (and attached CCRs) to be issued in connection with the Transactions. Termination of WPZ Merger Agreement On May 12, 2015, we entered into an agreement for a unit-for-stock transaction whereby we would have acquired all of the publicly held outstanding common units of WPZ in exchange for shares of our common stock (WPZ Merger Agreement). On September 28, 2015, prior to our entry into the Merger Agreement, we entered into a Termination Agreement and Release (Termination Agreement), terminating the WPZ Merger Agreement. We are required to pay a $428 million termination fee to WPZ, of which we currently own approximately 60 percent , including the interests of the general partner and incentive distribution rights (IDRs). Such termination fee will settle through a reduction of quarterly incentive distributions we are entitled to receive from WPZ (such reduction not to exceed $209 million per quarter). The next distribution from WPZ in November 2015 will be reduced by $209 million related to this termination fee. ACMP Merger On February 2, 2015, we completed the merger of our consolidated master limited partnerships, Williams Partners L.P. (Pre-merger WPZ) and Access Midstream Partners, L.P. (ACMP) (ACMP Merger). The merged partnership is named Williams Partners L.P. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each ACMP unitholder received 1.06152 ACMP units for each ACMP unit owned immediately prior to the ACMP Merger. In conjunction with the ACMP Merger, each Pre-merger WPZ common unit held by the public was exchanged for 0.86672 ACMP common units. Each Pre-merger WPZ common unit held by us was exchanged for 0.80036 ACMP common units. Prior to the closing of the ACMP Merger, the Class D limited partner units of Pre-merger WPZ, all of which were held by us, were converted into WPZ common units on a one -for-one basis pursuant to the terms of the WPZ partnership agreement. Following the ACMP Merger, we own approximately 60 percent of the merged partnership, including the general partner interest and IDRs. In this report, we refer to the post-merger partnership as “WPZ” and the pre-merger entities as “Pre-merger WPZ” and “ACMP.” Description of Business Our operations are located principally in the United States and are organized into the Williams Partners and Williams NGL & Petchem Services reportable segments. All remaining business activities are included in Other. For periods after the ACMP Acquisition (see Note 2 – Acquisitions ), the former Access Midstream segment is reported within Williams Partners. For periods prior to the ACMP Acquisition, the results associated with our former equity-method investment in Access Midstream are reported within Other. Prior periods segment disclosures have been recast. Williams Partners Williams Partners consists of our consolidated master limited partnership, WPZ, and primarily includes gas pipeline and midstream businesses. WPZ’s gas pipeline businesses primarily consist of two interstate natural gas pipelines, which are Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) and Northwest Pipeline LLC (Northwest Pipeline), and several joint venture investments in interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline systems, including a 50 percent equity-method investment in Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C., and a 41 percent interest in Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC (Constitution) (a consolidated entity). WPZ’s midstream businesses primarily consist of (1) natural gas gathering, treating, and processing; (2) natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionation, storage, and transportation; (3) oil transportation; and (4) olefins production. The primary service areas are concentrated in major producing basins in Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Wyoming, the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, and Ohio which include the Marcellus and Utica shale plays as well as the Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Barnett, Mid-Continent, and Niobrara areas. The midstream businesses include equity-method investments in natural gas gathering and processing assets and NGL fractionation and transportation assets, including a 62 percent equity-method investment in Utica East Ohio Midstream, LLC (UEOM), a 50 percent equity-method investment in the Delaware basin gas gathering system in the Mid-Continent region, a 69 percent equity-method investment in Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC, a 58 percent equity-method investment in Caiman Energy II, LLC, a 60 percent equity-method investment in Discovery Producer Services LLC, a 50 percent equity-method investment in Overland Pass Pipeline, LLC, and Appalachia Midstream Services, LLC, which owns an approximate average 45 percent equity-method investment interest in 11 gas gathering systems in the Marcellus Shale (Appalachia Midstream Investments). The midstream businesses also include our Canadian midstream operations, which are comprised of an oil sands offgas processing plant near Fort McMurray, Alberta, an NGL/olefin fractionation facility and butylene/butane splitter facility at Redwater, Alberta, and the Boreal Pipeline. Williams NGL & Petchem Services Williams NGL & Petchem Services includes certain other domestic olefins pipeline assets and certain Canadian growth projects under development (including a propane dehydrogenation facility and a liquids extraction plant). Other Other includes other business activities that are not operating segments, as well as corporate operations. Basis of Presentation Consolidated master limited partnership As of September 30, 2015 , we own approximately 60 percent of the interests in WPZ, including the interests of the general partner, which are wholly owned by us, and IDRs. The previously described ACMP Merger and other equity issuances by WPZ had the combined net impact of increasing Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries by $252 million and decreasing Capital in excess of par value by $158 million and Deferred income taxes by $94 million in the Consolidated Balance Sheet . WPZ is self-funding and maintains separate lines of bank credit and cash management accounts and also has a commercial paper program. (See Note 10 – Debt and Banking Arrangements .) Cash distributions from WPZ to us, including any associated with our IDRs, occur through the normal partnership distributions from WPZ to all partners. Discontinued operations Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements relates to our continuing operations. Accounting standards issued but not yet adopted In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-16 “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments” (ASU 2015-16). ASU 2015-16 requires an entity to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined; record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date; and present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. We do not expect the new standard will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15 “Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements-Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting” (ASU 2015-15). In ASU 2015-15 the FASB stated that the guidance in ASU 2015-03 did not address the presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, and entities are permitted to defer and present debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements as assets. The new standard is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires retrospective presentation, concurrent with ASU 2015-03. We do not expect the new standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” (ASU 2015-11). ASU 2015-11 simplifies the guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory, excluding inventory measured using last-in, first out or the retail inventory method. Under the new standard, in scope inventory should be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and our timing for adoption. In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)” (ASU 2015-07). ASU 2015-07 removes from the fair value hierarchy investments measured using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient. The standard primarily impacts certain investments included in our employee benefit plans. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires retrospective presentation. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and our timing for adoption. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 “Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (ASU 2015-03). ASU 2015-03 simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring such costs be presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires retrospective presentation. Adoption of this standard would result in the presentation of $125 million and $108 million of debt issuance costs as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, as a direct reduction from debt in our consolidated balance sheet. The standard will have no impact on our consolidated statements of income and cash flows. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02 “Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis” (ASU 2015-02). ASU 2015-02 alters the models used to determine consolidation conclusions for certain entities, including limited partnerships, and may require additional disclosures. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with either retrospective or modified retrospective presentation allowed. We are evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 establishing Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (ASC 606). ASC 606 establishes a comprehensive new revenue recognition model designed to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services and requires significantly enhanced revenue disclosures. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date” (ASU 2015-14). Per ASU 2015-14, the standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. ASC 606 allows either full retrospective or modified retrospective transition and early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We continue to evaluate both the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements and the transition method we will utilize for adoption.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions [Text Block]	Note 2 – Acquisitions ACMP We acquired control of ACMP on July 1, 2014 (ACMP Acquisition). Our basis in ACMP reflects business combination accounting, which, among other things, requires identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be measured at their acquisition-date fair values. The following table presents the allocation of the acquisition-date fair value of the major classes of the assets acquired, which are presented in the Williams Partners segment, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interest at July 1, 2014. Changes to the preliminary allocation disclosed in Exhibit 99.1 of our Form 8-K dated May 6, 2015, which were recorded in the first quarter of 2015, reflect an increase of $150 million in Property, plant, and equipment and $25 million in Goodwill , and a decrease of $168 million in Other intangible assets and $7 million in Investments . These adjustments during the measurement period were not considered significant to require retrospective revisions of our financial statements. (Millions) Accounts receivable $ 168 Other current assets 63 Investments 5,865 Property, plant, and equipment 7,165 Goodwill 499 Other intangible assets 8,841 Current liabilities (408 ) Debt (4,052 ) Other noncurrent liabilities (9 ) Noncontrolling interest in ACMP’s subsidiaries (958 ) Noncontrolling interest in ACMP (6,544 ) Eagle Ford Gathering System In May 2015, WPZ acquired a gathering system comprised of approximately 140 miles of pipeline and a sour gas compression facility in the Eagle Ford shale for $112 million . The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination, and the preliminary allocation of the acquisition-date fair value of the major classes of assets acquired includes $80 million of Property, plant, and equipment, at cost and $32 million of Other intangible assets – net of accumulated amortization in the Consolidated Balance Sheet . Changes to the preliminary allocation disclosed in the second quarter of 2015 reflect an increase of $20 million in Property, plant, and equipment, at cost , and a decrease of $20 million in Other intangible assets – net of accumulated amortization . UEOM Equity-Method Investment In June 2015, WPZ acquired an approximate 13 percent additional equity interest in its equity-method investment, UEOM, for $357 million . Following the acquisition WPZ owns approximately 62 percent of UEOM. However, WPZ continues to account for this as an equity-method investment because WPZ does not control UEOM due to the significant participatory rights of its partner. In connection with the acquisition of the additional interest, we have agreed to waive approximately $2 million of our WPZ IDR payments each quarter through 2017.

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Variable Interest Entity Disclosures [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities [Textblock]	Note 3 – Variable Interest Entities As of September 30, 2015 , we consolidate the following variable interest entities (VIEs): Gulfstar One WPZ owns a 51 percent interest in Gulfstar One LLC (Gulfstar One), a subsidiary that, due to certain risk-sharing provisions in its customer contracts, is a VIE. Gulfstar One includes a proprietary floating-production system, Gulfstar FPS, and associated pipelines which provide production handling and gathering services for the Tubular Bells oil and gas discovery in the eastern deepwater Gulf of Mexico. WPZ is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Gulfstar One’s economic performance. Construction of an expansion project is underway that will provide production handling and gathering services for the Gunflint oil and gas discovery in the eastern deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The expansion project is expected to be in service in the first half of 2016. The current estimate of the total remaining construction cost for the expansion project is approximately $145 million , which is expected to be funded with revenues received from customers and capital contributions from WPZ and the other equity partner on a proportional basis. Constitution WPZ owns a 41 percent interest in Constitution, a subsidiary that, due to shipper fixed-payment commitments under its long-term firm transportation contracts, is a VIE. WPZ is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Constitution’s economic performance. WPZ, as construction manager for Constitution, is building a pipeline connecting its gathering system in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, to the Iroquois Gas Transmission and the Tennessee Gas Pipeline systems. WPZ plans to place the project in service in the fourth quarter of 2016 and estimates the total remaining construction cost of the project to be approximately $598 million , which is expected to be funded with capital contributions from WPZ and the other equity partners on a proportional basis. Cardinal WPZ owns a 66 percent interest in Cardinal Gas Services, L.L.C (Cardinal), a subsidiary that provides gathering services for the Utica region and is a VIE due to certain risks shared with customers. WPZ is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Cardinal’s economic performance. Future expansion activity is expected to be funded with capital contributions from WPZ and the other equity partner on a proportional basis. Jackalope WPZ owns a 50 percent interest in Jackalope Gas Gathering Services, L.L.C (Jackalope), a subsidiary that provides gathering and processing services for the Powder River basin and is a VIE due to certain risks shared with customers. WPZ is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Jackalope’s economic performance. Future expansion activity is expected to be funded with capital contributions from WPZ and the other equity partner on a proportional basis. The following table presents amounts included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet that are for the use or obligation of our consolidated VIEs. September 30, December 31, 2014 Classification (Millions) Assets (liabilities): Cash and cash equivalents $ 81 $ 113 Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable 53 52 Accounts and notes receivable – net, Trade and other Other current assets 2 3 Other current assets and deferred charges Property, plant and equipment – net 2,937 2,794 Property, plant and equipment – net Goodwill 107 103 Goodwill Other intangible assets – net 1,448 1,493 Other intangible assets – net of accumulated amortization Other noncurrent assets — 14 Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other Accounts payable (39 ) (48 ) Accounts payable Accrued liabilities (11 ) (36 ) Accrued liabilities Current deferred revenue (62 ) (45 ) Accrued liabilities Noncurrent deferred income taxes — (13 ) Deferred income taxes Asset retirement obligation (92 ) (94 ) Other noncurrent liabilities Noncurrent deferred revenue associated with customer advance payments (342 ) (395 ) Other noncurrent liabilities

Investing Activities Investing

Investing Activities Investing Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investing Activities [Abstract]
Investment [Text Block]	Note 4 – Investing Activities Investing Income During the third quarter of 2015, we recognized other-than-temporary pre-tax impairment charges of $458 million and $3 million related to WPZ’s equity-method investments in the Delaware basin gas gathering system and certain of the Appalachia Midstream Investments, respectively (see Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees .) We also recognized a loss of $16 million within Equity earnings (losses) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations associated with our share of underlying property impairments at certain of the Appalachia Midstream Investments. These items are reported within the Williams Partners segment. Gain on remeasurement of equity-method investment Gain on remeasurement of equity-method investment of $2.522 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , is a result of remeasuring our equity-method investment in ACMP to a preliminary acquisition-date fair value of $4.6 billion when we obtained control and consolidated ACMP following the ACMP Acquisition. Equity earnings (losses) Equity earnings (losses) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , include $19 million of equity losses associated with our share of certain compensation-related costs at ACMP that were triggered by the ACMP Acquisition. Equity earnings (losses) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , include $70 million of losses reported within Williams NGL & Petchem Services related to the write-off of previously capitalized project development costs by Bluegrass Pipeline, Moss Lake Fractionation LLC, and Moss Lake LPG Terminal LLC after our management decided to discontinue further funding of the projects. These entities were dissolved in the fourth quarter of 2014. Interest income and other The three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , include $18 million and $27 million , respectively, and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , include $14 million and $41 million , respectively, of interest income associated with a receivable related to the sale of certain former Venezuela assets reflected in Other investing income (loss) – net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations . Due to changes in circumstances that led to late payments and increased uncertainty regarding the recovery of the receivable, we began accounting for the receivable under a cost recovery model in first quarter 2015. Subsequently, we received payments greater than the remaining carrying amount of the receivable, which resulted in the recognition of interest income. Investments Accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects a special distribution WPZ received on September 24, 2015, of $396 million from Gulfstream related to WPZ’s proportional share of proceeds from new debt issued by Gulfstream. The new debt was issued to refinance Gulfstream’s current debt maturities and WPZ will contribute its proportional share of amounts necessary to fund those current debt maturities when due.

Other Income and Expenses

Other Income and Expenses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other income and expenses [Textblock]	Note 5 – Other Income and Expenses The following table presents certain gains or losses reflected in Other (income) expense – net within Costs and expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Operations : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Millions) Williams Partners Amortization of regulatory assets associated with asset retirement obligations $ 8 $ 8 $ 25 $ 25 Impairment of certain assets (See Note 12) 2 — 29 17 Net gain related to partial acreage dedication release — (12 ) — (12 ) Geismar Incident On June 13, 2013, an explosion and fire occurred at Williams Partners’ Geismar olefins plant. The incident rendered the facility temporarily inoperable (Geismar Incident). We received $126 million and $175 million of insurance recoveries related to the Geismar Incident during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The nine months ended September 30, 2014 , also includes $14 million of related covered insurable expenses incurred in excess of our retentions (deductibles). These amounts are reported within Williams Partners and reflected as a net gain in Net insurance recoveries – Geismar Incident in the Consolidated Statement of Operations . Since June 2013, we have settled claims associated with $480 million of available property damage and business interruption coverage for a total of $422 million . ACMP Acquisition & Merger Certain ACMP Acquisition and ACMP Merger costs included in Selling, general, and administrative expenses , Operating and maintenance expenses, and Interest incurred are as follows: • Selling, general, and administrative expenses includes $26 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , and $17 million and $19 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively, primarily related to professional advisory fees associated with the ACMP Acquisition and ACMP Merger, reported within the Williams Partners segment. • Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , also includes $1 million and $9 million , respectively, of related employee transition costs reported within the Williams Partners segment, in addition to $7 million and $20 million , respectively, of general corporate expenses associated with integration and re-alignment of resources. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , also includes $4 million of related employee transition costs reported within the Williams Partners segment, in addition to $3 million of general corporate expenses associated with integration and re-alignment of resources. • Operating and maintenance expenses includes $10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , and $3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , of transition costs reported within the Williams Partners segment. • Interest incurred includes $2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , and $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , of transaction-related financing costs. Additional Items Selling, general, and administrative expenses includes $18 million and $25 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively, of costs associated with our evaluation of strategic alternatives. The nine months ended September 30, 2014 , includes $19 million of project development costs related to the Bluegrass Pipeline Company LLC (Bluegrass Pipeline) reported within Williams NGL & Petchem Services and reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations . The three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , include $21 million and $57 million , respectively, and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , include $10 million and $20 million , respectively, of allowance for equity funds used during construction (AFUDC) reported within Williams Partners in Other income (expense) – net below Operating income (loss) . AFUDC increased during 2015 due to the increase in spending on various Transco expansion projects and Constitution. Other income (expense) – net below Operating income (loss) includes a $14 million gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , resulting from the early retirement of certain debt.

Provision (Benefit) for Income

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes	Note 6 – Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes The Provision (benefit) for income taxes includes: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Millions) Current: Federal $ — $ (15 ) $ — $ 98 State — (2 ) 1 2 Foreign 2 2 6 7 2 (15 ) 7 107 Deferred: Federal (60 ) 911 38 910 State (6 ) 98 (4 ) 103 Foreign (1 ) 4 7 13 (67 ) 1,013 41 1,026 Total provision (benefit) $ (65 ) $ 998 $ 48 $ 1,133 The effective income tax rate for the total benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2015 , is less than the federal statutory rate primarily due to the impact of nontaxable noncontrolling interests, partially offset by the effect of state income taxes and taxes on foreign operations. The effective income tax rate for the total provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , is greater than the federal statutory rate primarily due to a $14 million tax provision associated with an adjustment to the prior year taxable foreign income and taxes on foreign operations, partially offset by the impact of nontaxable noncontrolling interests and the effect of state income taxes. The effective income tax rate for the total provision for the three months ended September 30, 2014 , is greater than the federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of state income taxes, partially offset by taxes on foreign operations and the impact of nontaxable noncontrolling interests. The effective income tax rate for the total provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , is greater than the federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of state income taxes and taxes on foreign operations, partially offset by a tax benefit related to the contribution of certain Canadian operations to WPZ in the first quarter of 2014 and the impact of nontaxable noncontrolling interests. The federal and state income tax provisions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 include the tax effect of a $2.5 billion gain associated with remeasuring our equity-method investment to fair value as a result of the ACMP Acquisition. (See Note 4 – Investing Activities .) During the next 12 months, we do not expect ultimate resolution of any unrecognized tax benefit associated with domestic or international matters to have a material impact on our unrecognized tax benefit position.

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Shar

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Continuing Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Common Share from Continuing Operations	Note 7 – Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Continuing Operations Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Dollars in millions, except per-share amounts; shares in thousands) Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (40 ) $ 1,678 $ 144 $ 1,917 Basic weighted-average shares 749,824 747,412 749,059 709,809 Effect of dilutive securities: Nonvested restricted stock units — 2,424 1,900 2,205 Stock options — 2,210 1,662 2,087 Convertible debentures — 18 — 18 Diluted weighted-average shares (1) 749,824 752,064 752,621 714,119 Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations: Basic $ (.05 ) $ 2.24 $ .19 $ 2.70 Diluted $ (.05 ) $ 2.22 $ .19 $ 2.68 (1) For the three months ended September 30, 2015, 1.7 million weighted-average nonvested restricted stock units and 1.5 million weighted-average stock options have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share as their inclusion would be antidilutive due to our loss from continuing operations attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Note 8 – Employee Benefit Plans Net periodic benefit cost (credit) is as follows: Pension Benefits Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Millions) Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 15 $ 10 $ 44 $ 30 Interest cost 14 15 43 46 Expected return on plan assets (19 ) (19 ) (56 ) (57 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 11 10 32 29 Net actuarial loss from settlements 1 — 1 — Net periodic benefit cost $ 22 $ 16 $ 64 $ 48 Other Postretirement Benefits Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Millions) Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit): Service cost $ — $ — $ 1 $ 1 Interest cost 3 2 7 7 Expected return on plan assets (3 ) (3 ) (9 ) (9 ) Amortization of prior service credit (4 ) (5 ) (12 ) (15 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss — — 1 — Reclassification to regulatory liability 1 1 3 3 Net periodic benefit cost (credit) $ (3 ) $ (5 ) $ (9 ) $ (13 ) Amortization of prior service credit and net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost (credit) for our other postretirement benefit plans associated with Transco and Northwest Pipeline are recorded to regulatory assets/liabilities instead of other comprehensive income (loss). The amounts of amortization of prior service credit recognized in regulatory liabilities were $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $8 million and $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , we contributed $63 million to our pension plans and $5 million to our other postretirement benefit plans. We presently anticipate making additional contributions of approximately $2 million to our pension plans and approximately $1 million to our other postretirement benefit plans in the remainder of 2015.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Inventories	Note 9 – Inventories September 30, December 31, (Millions) Natural gas liquids, olefins, and natural gas in underground storage $ 84 $ 150 Materials, supplies, and other 72 81 $ 156 $ 231

Debt and Banking Arrangements

Debt and Banking Arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 10 – Debt and Banking Arrangements Long-Term Debt Issuances and retirements On April 15, 2015, WPZ paid $783 million , including a redemption premium, to early retire $750 million of 5.875 percent senior notes due 2021 with a carrying value of $797 million . On March 3, 2015, WPZ completed a public offering of $1.25 billion of 3.6 percent senior unsecured notes due 2022, $750 million of 4 percent senior unsecured notes due 2025, and $1 billion of 5.1 percent senior unsecured notes due 2045. WPZ used the net proceeds to repay amounts outstanding under its commercial paper program and credit facility, to fund capital expenditures, and for general partnership purposes. WPZ retired $750 million of 3.8 percent senior unsecured notes that matured on February 15, 2015. Commercial Paper Program As of September 30, 2015, WPZ had $1.53 billion of Commercial paper outstanding under its $3 billion commercial paper program with a weighted average interest rate of 0.56 percent . Credit Facilities On August 26, 2015, WPZ entered into a Credit Agreement providing for a $1.0 billion short-term credit facility with a maturity date of August 24, 2016. The agreement governing this credit facility contains the following terms and conditions: • This facility becomes available when the aggregate amount of outstanding loans under WPZ’s long-term credit facility plus outstanding commercial paper borrowings reach a total of $3.5 billion . • Various covenants that limit, among other things, a borrower’s and its respective material subsidiaries’ ability to grant certain liens supporting indebtedness, a borrower’s ability to merge or consolidate, sell all or substantially all of its assets in certain circumstances, enter into certain affiliate transactions, make certain distributions during an event of default, enter into certain restrictive agreements and allow any material change in the nature of its business. • If an event of default with respect to a borrower occurs under the credit facility, the lenders will be able to terminate the commitments and accelerate the maturity of the loans and exercise other rights and remedies. • Each time funds are borrowed under the credit facility, the borrower may choose from two methods of calculating interest: a fluctuating base rate equal to an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin, or a periodic fixed rate equal to LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The borrower is required to pay a commitment fee based on the unused portion of the credit facility. The applicable margin and the commitment fee are determined by reference to a pricing schedule based on the borrower’s senior unsecured long-term debt ratings. The significant financial covenant requires the ratio of debt to EBITDA, each as defined in the credit agreement, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered to be no greater than 6.0 to 1.0. WPZ is in compliance with this financial covenant at September 30, 2015. On February 3, 2015, WPZ entered into a $1.5 billion short-term credit facility. In accordance with its terms, this facility terminated on March 3, 2015, upon the completion of the previously described debt offering. WPZ did not borrow under this credit facility. On February 2, 2015, we entered into a Credit Agreement with aggregate commitments remaining at $1.5 billion , and the credit facilities for Pre-merger WPZ and ACMP were terminated in connection with the ACMP Merger. WPZ also entered into a $3.5 billion credit facility. September 30, 2015 Stated Capacity Outstanding (Millions) WMB Loans $ 1,500 $ 375 Swingline loans sublimit 50 — Letters of credit sublimit 675 — Letters of credit under certain bilateral bank agreements 14 WPZ Long-term credit facility: Loans (1) 3,500 500 Swingline loans sublimit 150 — Letters of credit sublimit 1,125 — Letters of credit under certain bilateral bank agreements 3 Short-term credit facility 1,000 — (1) In managing our available liquidity, we do not expect a maximum outstanding amount in excess of the capacity of WPZ’s credit facility inclusive of any outstanding amounts under its commercial paper program.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity [Textblock]	Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity The following table presents the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of income taxes: Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Pension and Other Post Retirement Benefits Total (Millions) Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (1 ) $ 31 $ (371 ) $ (341 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 3 (103 ) — (100 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (3 ) — 19 16 Other comprehensive income (loss) — (103 ) 19 (84 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ (1 ) $ (72 ) $ (352 ) $ (425 ) Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are presented in the following table by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Component Reclassifications Classification (Millions) Cash flow hedges: Energy commodity contracts $ (3 ) Product sales Total cash flow hedges (3 ) Pension and other postretirement benefits: Amortization of prior service cost (credit) included in net periodic benefit cost (4 ) Note 8 – Employee Benefit Plans Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss included in net periodic benefit cost 34 Note 8 – Employee Benefit Plans Total pension and other postretirement benefits, before income taxes 30 Reclassifications before income tax 27 Income tax benefit (11 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes Reclassifications during the period $ 16

Fair Value Measurements and Gua

Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees The following table presents, by level within the fair value hierarchy, certain of our financial assets and liabilities. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, commercial paper, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Therefore, these assets and liabilities are not presented in the following table. Fair Value Measurements Using Carrying Amount Fair Value Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Millions) Assets (liabilities) at September 30, 2015: Measured on a recurring basis: ARO Trust investments $ 63 $ 63 $ 63 $ — $ — Energy derivatives assets designated as hedging instruments 4 4 — 4 — Energy derivatives assets not designated as hedging instruments 3 3 — 1 2 Energy derivatives liabilities not designated as hedging instruments (2 ) (2 ) — — (2 ) Additional disclosures: Notes receivable and other 8 12 6 2 4 Long-term debt, including current portion (1) (22,180 ) (20,010 ) — (20,010 ) — Guarantee (30 ) (17 ) — (17 ) — Assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2014: Measured on a recurring basis: ARO Trust investments $ 48 $ 48 $ 48 $ — $ — Energy derivatives assets not designated as hedging instruments 3 3 1 — 2 Energy derivatives liabilities not designated as hedging instruments (2 ) (2 ) — — (2 ) Additional disclosures: Notes receivable and other 30 57 — 4 53 Long-term debt, including current portion (1) (20,887 ) (21,131 ) — (21,131 ) — Guarantee (31 ) (27 ) — (27 ) — ___________________________________ (1) Excludes capital leases. Fair Value Methods We use the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of our financial instruments: Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis ARO Trust investments : Transco deposits a portion of its collected rates, pursuant to its rate case settlement, into an external trust (ARO Trust) that is specifically designated to fund future asset retirement obligations (ARO). The ARO Trust invests in a portfolio of actively traded mutual funds that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on quoted prices in an active market, is classified as available-for-sale, and is reported in Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Both realized and unrealized gains and losses are ultimately recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities. Energy derivatives : Energy derivatives include commodity based exchange-traded contracts and over-the-counter (OTC) contracts, which consist of physical forwards, futures, and swaps that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value amounts are presented on a gross basis and do not reflect the netting of asset and liability positions permitted under the terms of our master netting arrangements. Further, the amounts do not include cash held on deposit in margin accounts that we have received or remitted to collateralize certain derivative positions. Energy derivatives assets are reported in Other current assets and deferred charges and Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Energy derivatives liabilities are reported in Accrued liabilities and Other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Reclassifications of fair value between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, if applicable, are made at the end of each quarter. No transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 or 2014 . Additional fair value disclosures Notes receivable and other: Notes receivable and other consists of various notes, including a receivable related to the sale of certain former Venezuela assets. The disclosed fair value of this receivable is determined by an income approach. We calculated the net present value of a probability-weighted set of cash flows utilizing assumptions based on contractual terms, historical payment patterns by the counterparty, future probabilities of default, our likelihood of using arbitration if the counterparty does not perform, and discount rates. We determined the fair value of the receivable to be $4 million at September 30, 2015 . We began accounting for the receivable under a cost recovery model in first-quarter 2015. Subsequently, we received a payment greater than the carrying amount of the receivable and as a result, the carrying value of this receivable is zero at September 30, 2015 . See Note 4 – Investing Activities for interest income associated with this receivable. The current and noncurrent portions of our receivables are reported in Accounts and notes receivable – net, Other current assets and deferred charges , and Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other , respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Long-term debt : The disclosed fair value of our long-term debt is determined by a market approach using broker quoted indicative period-end bond prices. The quoted prices are based on observable transactions in less active markets for our debt or similar instruments. Guarantee : The guarantee represented in the table consists of a guarantee we have provided in the event of nonpayment by our previously owned communications subsidiary, Williams Communications Group (WilTel), on a lease performance obligation that extends through 2042. To estimate the disclosed fair value of the guarantee, an estimated default rate is applied to the sum of the future contractual lease payments using an income approach. The estimated default rate is determined by obtaining the average cumulative issuer-weighted corporate default rate based on the credit rating of WilTel’s current owner and the term of the underlying obligation. The default rate is published by Moody’s Investors Service. This guarantee is reported in Accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis We recorded impairment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , of $20 million for our Williams Partners segment associated with certain surplus equipment reported in Property, plant, and equipment, at cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheet . The estimated fair value of this equipment at the assessment date was $17 million . The estimated fair value was determined by a market approach based on our analysis of observable inputs in the principal market. These impairment charges are recorded in Other (income) expense – net within Costs and expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations . These nonrecurring fair value measurements fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Certain of these assets were previously presented as held for sale, but are now reported as held for use. During the third quarter of 2015, we recognized other-than-temporary pre-tax impairment charges of $458 million and $3 million related to WPZ’s equity-method investments in the Delaware basin gas gathering system and certain of the Appalachia Midstream Investments, respectively, reflected within Impairment of equity-method investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations . The historical carrying value of these investments was initially recorded based on estimated fair value during the third quarter of 2014 in conjunction with the ACMP Acquisition. For these Level 3 measurements, we estimated the fair value of these investments as of September 30, 2015 , using an income approach based on expected future cash flows and appropriate discount rates. The determination of estimated future cash flows involved significant assumptions regarding gathering volumes and related capital spending. Discount rates utilized were 11.8 percent and 8.8 percent for the Delaware basin gas gathering system and certain of the Appalachia Midstream Investments, respectively, and reflected recent increases in our cost of capital driven by market conditions and risks associated with the underlying businesses. The fair values of the Delaware basin gas gathering system and certain of the Appalachia Midstream Investments measured as of September 30, 2015 , were estimated to be approximately $1.02 billion and $185 million , respectively. Guarantees We are required by our revolving credit agreements to indemnify lenders for certain taxes required to be withheld from payments due to the lenders and for certain tax payments made by the lenders. The maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnifications is based on the related borrowings and such future payments cannot currently be determined. These indemnifications generally continue indefinitely unless limited by the underlying tax regulations and have no carrying value. We have never been called upon to perform under these indemnifications and have no current expectation of a future claim. Regarding our previously described guarantee of WilTel’s lease performance, the maximum potential exposure is approximately $33 million at September 30, 2015 . Our exposure declines systematically throughout the remaining term of WilTel’s obligation.

Contingent Liabilities

Contingent Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingent Liabilities	Note 13 – Contingent Liabilities Reporting of Natural Gas-Related Information to Trade Publications Direct and indirect purchasers of natural gas in various states filed class actions against us, our former affiliate WPX and its subsidiaries, and others alleging the manipulation of published gas price indices and seeking unspecified amounts of damages. Such actions were transferred to the Nevada federal district court for consolidation of discovery and pre-trial issues. We have agreed to indemnify WPX and its subsidiaries related to this matter. Because of the uncertainty around the remaining pending unresolved issues, including an insufficient description of the purported classes and other related matters, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of potential exposure at this time. However, it is reasonably possible that the ultimate resolution of these actions and our related indemnification obligation could result in future charges that may be material to our results of operations. In connection with this indemnification, we have an accrued liability balance associated with this matter, and as a result, have exposure to future developments in this matter. Geismar Incident As a result of the previously discussed Geismar Incident, there were two fatalities and numerous individuals (including employees and contractors) reported injuries, which varied from minor to serious. We are addressing the following matters in connection with the Geismar Incident. On October 21, 2013, the EPA issued an Inspection Report pursuant to the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program following its inspection of the facility on June 24 through June 28, 2013. The report notes the EPA’s preliminary determinations about the facility’s documentation regarding process safety, process hazard analysis, as well as operating procedures, employee training, and other matters. On June 16, 2014, we received a request for information related to the Geismar Incident from the EPA under Section 114 of the Clean Air Act to which we responded on August 13, 2014. The EPA could issue penalties pertaining to final determinations. Multiple lawsuits, including class actions for alleged offsite impacts, property damage, customer claims, and personal injury, have been filed against us. To date, we have settled certain of the personal injury claims for an aggregate immaterial amount that we have recovered from our insurers. The trial for certain plaintiffs claiming personal injury, that was set to begin on June 15, 2015 in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, has been postponed to September 6, 2016. We believe it is probable that additional losses will be incurred on some lawsuits, while for others we believe it is only reasonably possible that losses will be incurred. However, due to ongoing litigation involving defenses to liability, the number of individual plaintiffs, limited information as to the nature and extent of all plaintiffs’ damages, and the ultimate outcome of all appeals, we are unable to reliably estimate any such losses at this time. We believe that it is probable that any ultimate losses incurred will be covered by our general liability insurance policy, which has an aggregate annual limit of $610 million and retention (deductible) of $2 million per occurrence. Alaska Refinery Contamination Litigation In 2010, James West filed a class action lawsuit in state court in Fairbanks, Alaska on behalf of individual property owners whose water contained sulfolane contamination allegedly emanating from the Flint Hills Oil Refinery in North Pole, Alaska. The suit named our subsidiary, Williams Alaska Petroleum Inc. (WAPI), and Flint Hills Resources Alaska, LLC (FHRA), a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., as defendants. We owned and operated the refinery until 2004 when we sold it to FHRA. We and FHRA made claims under the pollution liability insurance policy issued in connection with the sale of the North Pole refinery to FHRA. We and FHRA also filed claims against each other seeking, among other things, contractual indemnification alleging that the other party caused the sulfolane contamination. In 2011, we and FHRA settled the James West claim. We and FHRA subsequently filed motions for summary judgment on the other’s claims. On July 8, 2014, the court dismissed all FHRA’s claims and entered judgment for us. On August 6, 2014, FHRA appealed the court’s decision to the Alaska Supreme Court. We currently estimate that our reasonably possible loss exposure in this matter could range from an insignificant amount up to $32 million , although uncertainties inherent in the litigation process, expert evaluations, and jury dynamics might cause our exposure to exceed that amount. On November 26, 2014, the City of North Pole (North Pole) filed suit in Alaska state court in Fairbanks against FHRA and WAPI, alleging nuisance and violations of municipal and state statutes based upon the sulfolane contamination allegedly emanating from the North Pole refinery. North Pole claims an unspecified amount of past and future damages as well as punitive damages against WAPI. FHRA filed cross-claims against us. Independent of the litigation matter described in the preceding paragraphs, in 2013, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) indicated that it views FHRA and us as responsible parties, and that it intended to enter a compliance order to address the environmental remediation of sulfolane and other possible contaminants including cleanup work outside the refinery’s boundaries. On March 6, 2014, the State of Alaska filed suit against FHRA and us in state court in Fairbanks seeking injunctive relief and damages in connection with the sulfolane contamination. On May 5, 2014, FHRA filed cross-claims against us in the State of Alaska suit, and FHRA also seeks injunctive relief and damages. Due to the ongoing assessment of the level and extent of sulfolane contamination and the ultimate cost of remediation and division of costs among the potentially responsible parties, we are unable to estimate a range of exposure at this time. Shareholder Litigation In July 2015, a purported stockholder of us filed a putative class and derivative action on behalf of us in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. The action names as defendants certain members of our Board of Directors (Individual Defendants), as well as WPZ, and names us as a nominal defendant. Among other things, the action seeks to enjoin the Acquisition of WPZ Public Units and seeks monetary damages, including the repayment of the termination fee that became payable by us due to the termination of the merger agreement for the Acquisition of WPZ Public Units (see Note 1 - General, Description of Business, and Basis of Presentation). The action alleges, among other things, that the Individual Defendants breached their fiduciary duties owed to us and our stockholders by failing to adequately evaluate an unsolicited proposal to acquire us in an all-equity transaction and by putting their personal interests ahead of the interests of us and our stockholders in connection with that unsolicited proposal. The action further alleges that WPZ aided and abetted the alleged breaches. We cannot reasonably estimate a range of potential loss at this time. Purported stockholders of us have filed various putative class actions in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. Some cases name as defendants all of the individual members of our Board of Directors, Energy Transfer, and us, among others. One other case only names as defendants all of the individual members of our Board of Directors and Energy Transfer, among others. The actions allege, among other things, that the Directors breached their fiduciary duties by approving the merger into the Energy Transfer family of companies, claiming it to be the product of a flawed process that undervalues us and deprives the stockholders of the ability to participate in our long-term prospects. The actions further allege that we and/or Energy Transfer aided and abetted the Directors in their alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. The actions seek to enjoin the merger or, in the alternative, to rescind the merger. We cannot reasonably estimate a range of potential loss at this time. Royalty Matters Certain of our customers, including one major customer, have been named in various lawsuits alleging underpayment of royalties. In certain of these cases, we have also been named as a defendant based on allegations that we improperly participated with that major customer in causing the alleged royalty underpayments. We have also received subpoenas from the United States Department of Justice and the Pennsylvania Attorney General requesting documents relating to the agreements between us and our major customer and calculations of the major customer’s royalty payments. We believe that the claims asserted to date are subject to indemnity obligations owed to us by that major customer. Due to the preliminary status of the cases, we are unable to estimate a range of liability at this time. Environmental Matters We are a participant in certain environmental activities in various stages including assessment studies, cleanup operations and remedial processes at certain sites, some of which we currently do not own. We are monitoring these sites in a coordinated effort with other potentially responsible parties, the EPA, and other governmental authorities. We are jointly and severally liable along with unrelated third parties in some of these activities and solely responsible in others. Certain of our subsidiaries have been identified as potentially responsible parties at various Superfund and state waste disposal sites. In addition, these subsidiaries have incurred, or are alleged to have incurred, various other hazardous materials removal or remediation obligations under environmental laws. As of September 30, 2015 , we have accrued liabilities totaling $41 million for these matters, as discussed below. Our accrual reflects the most likely costs of cleanup, which are generally based on completed assessment studies, preliminary results of studies or our experience with other similar cleanup operations. Certain assessment studies are still in process for which the ultimate outcome may yield significantly different estimates of most likely costs. Any incremental amount in excess of amounts currently accrued cannot be reasonably estimated at this time due to uncertainty about the actual number of contaminated sites ultimately identified, the actual amount and extent of contamination discovered and the final cleanup standards mandated by the EPA and other governmental authorities. The EPA and various state regulatory agencies routinely promulgate and propose new rules, and issue updated guidance to existing rules. More recent rules and rulemakings include, but are not limited to, rules for reciprocating internal combustion engine maximum achievable control technology, new air quality standards for one hour nitrogen dioxide emission limits, and new air quality standards impacting storage vessels, pressure valves, and compressors. On October 1, 2015, the EPA issued its new rule regarding National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone, setting a new standard of 70 parts per billion . We are monitoring the rule’s implementation and evaluating potential impacts to our operations. For these and other new regulations, we are unable to estimate the costs of asset additions or modifications necessary to comply due to uncertainty created by the various legal challenges to these regulations and the need for further specific regulatory guidance. Continuing operations Our interstate gas pipelines are involved in remediation activities related to certain facilities and locations for polychlorinated biphenyls, mercury, and other hazardous substances. These activities have involved the EPA and various state environmental authorities, resulting in our identification as a potentially responsible party at various Superfund waste sites. At September 30, 2015 , we have accrued liabilities of $8 million for these costs. We expect that these costs will be recoverable through rates. We also accrue environmental remediation costs for natural gas underground storage facilities, primarily related to soil and groundwater contamination. At September 30, 2015 , we have accrued liabilities totaling $7 million for these costs. Former operations, including operations classified as discontinued We have potential obligations in connection with assets and businesses we no longer operate. These potential obligations include remediation activities at the direction of federal and state environmental authorities and the indemnification of the purchasers of certain of these assets and businesses for environmental and other liabilities existing at the time the sale was consummated. Our responsibilities relate to the operations of the assets and businesses described below. • Former agricultural fertilizer and chemical operations and former retail petroleum and refining operations; • Former petroleum products and natural gas pipelines; • Former petroleum refining facilities; • Former exploration and production and mining operations; • Former electricity and natural gas marketing and trading operations. At September 30, 2015 , we have accrued environmental liabilities of $26 million related to these matters. Other Divestiture Indemnifications Pursuant to various purchase and sale agreements relating to divested businesses and assets, we have indemnified certain purchasers against liabilities that they may incur with respect to the businesses and assets acquired from us. The indemnities provided to the purchasers are customary in sale transactions and are contingent upon the purchasers incurring liabilities that are not otherwise recoverable from third parties. The indemnities generally relate to breach of warranties, tax, historic litigation, personal injury, property damage, environmental matters, right of way and other representations that we have provided. At September 30, 2015 , other than as previously disclosed, we are not aware of any material claims against us involving the indemnities; thus, we do not expect any of the indemnities provided pursuant to the sales agreements to have a material impact on our future financial position. Any claim for indemnity brought against us in the future may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which the claim is made. In addition to the foregoing, various other proceedings are pending against us which are incidental to our operations. Summary We have disclosed our estimated range of reasonably possible losses for certain matters above, as well as all significant matters for which we are unable to reasonably estimate a range of possible loss. We estimate that for all other matters for which we are able to reasonably estimate a range of loss, our aggregate reasonably possible losses beyond amounts accrued are immaterial to our expected future annual results of operations, liquidity and financial position. These calculations have been made without consideration of any potential recovery from third parties.

Segment Disclosures

Segment Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Disclosures	Note 14 – Segment Disclosures Our reportable segments are Williams Partners and Williams NGL & Petchem Services. All remaining business activities are included in Other. (See Note 1 – General, Description of Business, and Basis of Presentation .) Performance Measurement Prior to first quarter of 2015, we evaluated segment operating performance based on Segment profit (loss) from operations. Beginning in the first quarter of 2015, we evaluate segment operating performance based upon Modified EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). This measure represents the basis of our internal financial reporting and is the primary performance measure used by our chief operating decision maker in measuring performance and allocating resources among our reportable segments. Prior period segment disclosures have been recast to reflect this change. We define Modified EBITDA as follows: • Net income (loss) before: ◦ Income (loss) from discontinued operations; ◦ Provision (benefit) for income taxes; ◦ Interest incurred, net of interest capitalized; ◦ Equity earnings (losses); ◦ Gain on remeasurement of equity-method investment; ◦ Impairment of equity-method investments; ◦ Other investing income (loss) – net; ◦ Depreciation and amortization expenses; ◦ Accretion expense associated with asset retirement obligations for nonregulated operations. • This measure is further adjusted to include our proportionate share (based on ownership interest) of Modified EBITDA from our equity-method investments calculated consistently with the definition described above. The following table reflects the reconciliation of Segment revenues to Total revenues as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Total assets by reportable segment. Williams Partners Williams NGL & Petchem Services (1) Other Eliminations Total (Millions) Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Segment revenues: Service revenues External $ 1,232 $ 1 $ 6 $ — $ 1,239 Internal — — 64 (64 ) — Total service revenues 1,232 1 70 (64 ) 1,239 Product sales External 560 — — — 560 Internal — — — — — Total product sales 560 — — — 560 Total revenues $ 1,792 $ 1 $ 70 $ (64 ) $ 1,799 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Segment revenues: Service revenues External $ 1,065 $ — $ 62 $ — $ 1,127 Internal 1 — 7 (8 ) — Total service revenues 1,066 — 69 (8 ) 1,127 Product sales External 942 — — — 942 Internal — — — — — Total product sales 942 — — — 942 Total revenues $ 2,008 $ — $ 69 $ (8 ) $ 2,069 Williams Partners Williams NGL & Petchem Services (1) Other Eliminations Total (Millions) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Segment revenues: Service revenues External $ 3,655 $ 2 $ 20 $ — $ 3,677 Internal — — 123 (123 ) — Total service revenues 3,655 2 143 (123 ) 3,677 Product sales External 1,677 — — — 1,677 Internal 1 — — (1 ) — Total product sales 1,678 — — (1 ) 1,677 Total revenues $ 5,333 $ 2 $ 143 $ (124 ) $ 5,354 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Segment revenues: Service revenues External $ 2,591 $ — $ 180 $ — $ 2,771 Internal 1 — 14 (15 ) — Total service revenues 2,592 — 194 (15 ) 2,771 Product sales External 2,725 — — — 2,725 Internal — — — — — Total product sales 2,725 — — — 2,725 Total revenues $ 5,317 $ — $ 194 $ (15 ) $ 5,496 September 30, 2015 Total assets $ 49,639 $ 802 $ 999 $ (621 ) $ 50,819 December 31, 2014 Total assets $ 49,322 $ 612 $ 1,220 $ (591 ) $ 50,563 _______________ (1) Includes certain projects under development and thus nominal reported revenues to date. The following table reflects the reconciliation of Modified EBITDA to Net income (loss) as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations . Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Millions) Modified EBITDA by Segment: Williams Partners $ 1,021 $ 843 $ 2,891 $ 2,147 Williams NGL & Petchem Services (5 ) (4 ) (13 ) (112 ) Other (17 ) (17 ) (21 ) 101 999 822 2,857 2,136 Accretion expense associated with asset retirement obligations for nonregulated operations (6 ) (4 ) (21 ) (13 ) Depreciation and amortization expenses (432 ) (369 ) (1,287 ) (797 ) Equity earnings (losses) 92 66 236 55 Gain on remeasurement of equity-method investment — 2,522 — 2,522 Impairment of equity-method investments (461 ) — (461 ) — Other investing income (loss) – net 18 11 27 43 Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments (185 ) (132 ) (504 ) (273 ) Interest expense (263 ) (210 ) (776 ) (513 ) (Provision) benefit for income taxes 65 (998 ) (48 ) (1,133 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax — — — 4 Net income (loss) $ (173 ) $ 1,708 $ 23 $ 2,031

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the allocation of the acquisition-date fair value of the major classes of the assets acquired, which are presented in the Williams Partners segment, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interest at July 1, 2014. Changes to the preliminary allocation disclosed in Exhibit 99.1 of our Form 8-K dated May 6, 2015, which were recorded in the first quarter of 2015, reflect an increase of $150 million in Property, plant, and equipment and $25 million in Goodwill , and a decrease of $168 million in Other intangible assets and $7 million in Investments . These adjustments during the measurement period were not considered significant to require retrospective revisions of our financial statements. (Millions) Accounts receivable $ 168 Other current assets 63 Investments 5,865 Property, plant, and equipment 7,165 Goodwill 499 Other intangible assets 8,841 Current liabilities (408 ) Debt (4,052 ) Other noncurrent liabilities (9 ) Noncontrolling interest in ACMP’s subsidiaries (958 ) Noncontrolling interest in ACMP (6,544 )

Variable Interest Entities (Tab

Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Variable Interest Entity Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]	The following table presents amounts included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet that are for the use or obligation of our consolidated VIEs. September 30, December 31, 2014 Classification (Millions) Assets (liabilities): Cash and cash equivalents $ 81 $ 113 Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable 53 52 Accounts and notes receivable – net, Trade and other Other current assets 2 3 Other current assets and deferred charges Property, plant and equipment – net 2,937 2,794 Property, plant and equipment – net Goodwill 107 103 Goodwill Other intangible assets – net 1,448 1,493 Other intangible assets – net of accumulated amortization Other noncurrent assets — 14 Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other Accounts payable (39 ) (48 ) Accounts payable Accrued liabilities (11 ) (36 ) Accrued liabilities Current deferred revenue (62 ) (45 ) Accrued liabilities Noncurrent deferred income taxes — (13 ) Deferred income taxes Asset retirement obligation (92 ) (94 ) Other noncurrent liabilities Noncurrent deferred revenue associated with customer advance payments (342 ) (395 ) Other noncurrent liabilities

Other Income and Expenses (Tabl

Other Income and Expenses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income and Expenses [Table Textblock]	The following table presents certain gains or losses reflected in Other (income) expense – net within Costs and expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Operations : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Millions) Williams Partners Amortization of regulatory assets associated with asset retirement obligations $ 8 $ 8 $ 25 $ 25 Impairment of certain assets (See Note 12) 2 — 29 17 Net gain related to partial acreage dedication release — (12 ) — (12 )

Provision (Benefit) for Incom26

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations	The Provision (benefit) for income taxes includes: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Millions) Current: Federal $ — $ (15 ) $ — $ 98 State — (2 ) 1 2 Foreign 2 2 6 7 2 (15 ) 7 107 Deferred: Federal (60 ) 911 38 910 State (6 ) 98 (4 ) 103 Foreign (1 ) 4 7 13 (67 ) 1,013 41 1,026 Total provision (benefit) $ (65 ) $ 998 $ 48 $ 1,133

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Sh27

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Continuing Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations	Note 7 – Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Continuing Operations Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Dollars in millions, except per-share amounts; shares in thousands) Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (40 ) $ 1,678 $ 144 $ 1,917 Basic weighted-average shares 749,824 747,412 749,059 709,809 Effect of dilutive securities: Nonvested restricted stock units — 2,424 1,900 2,205 Stock options — 2,210 1,662 2,087 Convertible debentures — 18 — 18 Diluted weighted-average shares (1) 749,824 752,064 752,621 714,119 Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations: Basic $ (.05 ) $ 2.24 $ .19 $ 2.70 Diluted $ (.05 ) $ 2.22 $ .19 $ 2.68 (1) For the three months ended September 30, 2015, 1.7 million weighted-average nonvested restricted stock units and 1.5 million weighted-average stock options have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share as their inclusion would be antidilutive due to our loss from continuing operations attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	Net periodic benefit cost (credit) is as follows: Pension Benefits Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Millions) Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 15 $ 10 $ 44 $ 30 Interest cost 14 15 43 46 Expected return on plan assets (19 ) (19 ) (56 ) (57 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 11 10 32 29 Net actuarial loss from settlements 1 — 1 — Net periodic benefit cost $ 22 $ 16 $ 64 $ 48 Other Postretirement Benefits Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Millions) Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit): Service cost $ — $ — $ 1 $ 1 Interest cost 3 2 7 7 Expected return on plan assets (3 ) (3 ) (9 ) (9 ) Amortization of prior service credit (4 ) (5 ) (12 ) (15 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss — — 1 — Reclassification to regulatory liability 1 1 3 3 Net periodic benefit cost (credit) $ (3 ) $ (5 ) $ (9 ) $ (13 )

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Inventories	September 30, December 31, (Millions) Natural gas liquids, olefins, and natural gas in underground storage $ 84 $ 150 Materials, supplies, and other 72 81 $ 156 $ 231

Debt and Banking Arrangements D

Debt and Banking Arrangements Debt and Banking Arrangements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Table Text Block]	Credit Facilities On August 26, 2015, WPZ entered into a Credit Agreement providing for a $1.0 billion short-term credit facility with a maturity date of August 24, 2016. The agreement governing this credit facility contains the following terms and conditions: • This facility becomes available when the aggregate amount of outstanding loans under WPZ’s long-term credit facility plus outstanding commercial paper borrowings reach a total of $3.5 billion . • Various covenants that limit, among other things, a borrower’s and its respective material subsidiaries’ ability to grant certain liens supporting indebtedness, a borrower’s ability to merge or consolidate, sell all or substantially all of its assets in certain circumstances, enter into certain affiliate transactions, make certain distributions during an event of default, enter into certain restrictive agreements and allow any material change in the nature of its business. • If an event of default with respect to a borrower occurs under the credit facility, the lenders will be able to terminate the commitments and accelerate the maturity of the loans and exercise other rights and remedies. • Each time funds are borrowed under the credit facility, the borrower may choose from two methods of calculating interest: a fluctuating base rate equal to an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin, or a periodic fixed rate equal to LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The borrower is required to pay a commitment fee based on the unused portion of the credit facility. The applicable margin and the commitment fee are determined by reference to a pricing schedule based on the borrower’s senior unsecured long-term debt ratings. The significant financial covenant requires the ratio of debt to EBITDA, each as defined in the credit agreement, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered to be no greater than 6.0 to 1.0. WPZ is in compliance with this financial covenant at September 30, 2015. On February 3, 2015, WPZ entered into a $1.5 billion short-term credit facility. In accordance with its terms, this facility terminated on March 3, 2015, upon the completion of the previously described debt offering. WPZ did not borrow under this credit facility. On February 2, 2015, we entered into a Credit Agreement with aggregate commitments remaining at $1.5 billion , and the credit facilities for Pre-merger WPZ and ACMP were terminated in connection with the ACMP Merger. WPZ also entered into a $3.5 billion credit facility. September 30, 2015 Stated Capacity Outstanding (Millions) WMB Loans $ 1,500 $ 375 Swingline loans sublimit 50 — Letters of credit sublimit 675 — Letters of credit under certain bilateral bank agreements 14 WPZ Long-term credit facility: Loans (1) 3,500 500 Swingline loans sublimit 150 — Letters of credit sublimit 1,125 — Letters of credit under certain bilateral bank agreements 3 Short-term credit facility 1,000 — (1) In managing our available liquidity, we do not expect a maximum outstanding amount in excess of the capacity of WPZ’s credit facility inclusive of any outstanding amounts under its commercial paper program.

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of income taxes: Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Pension and Other Post Retirement Benefits Total (Millions) Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (1 ) $ 31 $ (371 ) $ (341 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 3 (103 ) — (100 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (3 ) — 19 16 Other comprehensive income (loss) — (103 ) 19 (84 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ (1 ) $ (72 ) $ (352 ) $ (425 )
Reclassifications Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are presented in the following table by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Component Reclassifications Classification (Millions) Cash flow hedges: Energy commodity contracts $ (3 ) Product sales Total cash flow hedges (3 ) Pension and other postretirement benefits: Amortization of prior service cost (credit) included in net periodic benefit cost (4 ) Note 8 – Employee Benefit Plans Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss included in net periodic benefit cost 34 Note 8 – Employee Benefit Plans Total pension and other postretirement benefits, before income taxes 30 Reclassifications before income tax 27 Income tax benefit (11 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes Reclassifications during the period $ 16

Fair Value Measurements and G32

Fair Value Measurements and Guarantees (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Text Block]	Fair Value Measurements Using Carrying Amount Fair Value Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Millions) Assets (liabilities) at September 30, 2015: Measured on a recurring basis: ARO Trust investments $ 63 $ 63 $ 63 $ — $ — Energy derivatives assets designated as hedging instruments 4 4 — 4 — Energy derivatives assets not designated as hedging instruments 3 3 — 1 2 Energy derivatives liabilities not designated as hedging instruments (2 ) (2 ) — — (2 ) Additional disclosures: Notes receivable and other 8 12 6 2 4 Long-term debt, including current portion (1) (22,180 ) (20,010 ) — (20,010 ) — Guarantee (30 ) (17 ) — (17 ) — Assets (liabilities) at December 31, 2014: Measured on a recurring basis: ARO Trust investments $ 48 $ 48 $ 48 $ — $ — Energy derivatives assets not designated as hedging instruments 3 3 1 — 2 Energy derivatives liabilities not designated as hedging instruments (2 ) (2 ) — — (2 ) Additional disclosures: Notes receivable and other 30 57 — 4 53 Long-term debt, including current portion (1) (20,887 ) (21,131 ) — (21,131 ) — Guarantee (31 ) (27 ) — (27 ) — ___________________________________ (1) Excludes capital leases

Segment Disclosures (Tables)

Segment Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	The following table reflects the reconciliation of Segment revenues to Total revenues as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Total assets by reportable segment. Williams Partners Williams NGL & Petchem Services (1) Other Eliminations Total (Millions) Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Segment revenues: Service revenues External $ 1,232 $ 1 $ 6 $ — $ 1,239 Internal — — 64 (64 ) — Total service revenues 1,232 1 70 (64 ) 1,239 Product sales External 560 — — — 560 Internal — — — — — Total product sales 560 — — — 560 Total revenues $ 1,792 $ 1 $ 70 $ (64 ) $ 1,799 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Segment revenues: Service revenues External $ 1,065 $ — $ 62 $ — $ 1,127 Internal 1 — 7 (8 ) — Total service revenues 1,066 — 69 (8 ) 1,127 Product sales External 942 — — — 942 Internal — — — — — Total product sales 942 — — — 942 Total revenues $ 2,008 $ — $ 69 $ (8 ) $ 2,069 Williams Partners Williams NGL & Petchem Services (1) Other Eliminations Total (Millions) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Segment revenues: Service revenues External $ 3,655 $ 2 $ 20 $ — $ 3,677 Internal — — 123 (123 ) — Total service revenues 3,655 2 143 (123 ) 3,677 Product sales External 1,677 — — — 1,677 Internal 1 — — (1 ) — Total product sales 1,678 — — (1 ) 1,677 Total revenues $ 5,333 $ 2 $ 143 $ (124 ) $ 5,354 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Segment revenues: Service revenues External $ 2,591 $ — $ 180 $ — $ 2,771 Internal 1 — 14 (15 ) — Total service revenues 2,592 — 194 (15 ) 2,771 Product sales External 2,725 — — — 2,725 Internal — — — — — Total product sales 2,725 — — — 2,725 Total revenues $ 5,317 $ — $ 194 $ (15 ) $ 5,496 September 30, 2015 Total assets $ 49,639 $ 802 $ 999 $ (621 ) $ 50,819 December 31, 2014 Total assets $ 49,322 $ 612 $ 1,220 $ (591 ) $ 50,563 _______________ (1) Includes certain projects under development and thus nominal reported revenues to date.
Reconciliation of Modified EBITDA to Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	The following table reflects the reconciliation of Modified EBITDA to Net income (loss) as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations . Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Millions) Modified EBITDA by Segment: Williams Partners $ 1,021 $ 843 $ 2,891 $ 2,147 Williams NGL & Petchem Services (5 ) (4 ) (13 ) (112 ) Other (17 ) (17 ) (21 ) 101 999 822 2,857 2,136 Accretion expense associated with asset retirement obligations for nonregulated operations (6 ) (4 ) (21 ) (13 ) Depreciation and amortization expenses (432 ) (369 ) (1,287 ) (797 ) Equity earnings (losses) 92 66 236 55 Gain on remeasurement of equity-method investment — 2,522 — 2,522 Impairment of equity-method investments (461 ) — (461 ) — Other investing income (loss) – net 18 11 27 43 Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments (185 ) (132 ) (504 ) (273 ) Interest expense (263 ) (210 ) (776 ) (513 ) (Provision) benefit for income taxes 65 (998 ) (48 ) (1,133 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax — — — 4 Net income (loss) $ (173 ) $ 1,708 $ 23 $ 2,031

General, Description of Busin34

General, Description of Business, and Basis of Presentation (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Sep. 28, 2015USD ($)$ / shares	Feb. 02, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2014$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2014$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number Of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines						2
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared | $ / shares			$ 0.64	$ 0.56		$ 1.81	$ 1.3875
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Net						$ 94
ReclassificationOfDebtIssuanceCosts			$ 125		$ 125	$ 125		$ 108
Energy Transfer Merger [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared | $ / shares	$ 0.10
Energy Transfer Merger [Member] | Stock Consideration [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Conversion Ratio	1.8716
Energy Transfer Merger [Member] | Cash Consideration [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Share Price | $ / shares	$ 43.50
Energy Transfer Merger [Member] | Mixed Consideration [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Conversion Ratio	1.5274
Business Acquisition, Share Price | $ / shares	$ 8
WPZ Merger Public Unit Exchange [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Termination Fee	$ 428
Maximum Waiver Of Quarterly Incentive Distributions	$ 209		$ 209
Constitution Pipeline Company LLC [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage						41.00%
Energy Transfer Corp L P [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Master limited partnership, ownership percentage	19.00%
General and Limited Partner [Member] | Williams Partners L. P. [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Master limited partnership, ownership percentage						60.00%
General and Limited Partner [Member] | Williams Partners L. P. [Member] | Access Midstream Partners Acquisition [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Master limited partnership, ownership percentage					60.00%
ACMP Units Into Merged Partnership Units [Member] | Williams Partners L. P. [Member] | Access Midstream Partners Acquisition [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Conversion Ratio		1.06152
Publicly Held WPZ Common Units into ACMP Common Units [Member] | Williams Partners L. P. [Member] | Access Midstream Partners Acquisition [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Conversion Ratio		0.86672
Privately Held WPZ Units Into ACMP Common Units [Member] | Williams Partners L. P. [Member] | Access Midstream Partners Acquisition [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Conversion Ratio		0.80036
Class D WPZ Units Into WPZ Common Units [Member] | Williams Partners L. P. [Member] | Access Midstream Partners Acquisition [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Conversion Ratio		1
Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.[Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			50.00%		50.00%	50.00%
Utica East Ohio Midstream, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			62.00%		62.00%	62.00%
Delaware Basin Gas Gathering System [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			50.00%		50.00%	50.00%
Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			69.00%		69.00%	69.00%
Caiman Energy II [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			58.00%		58.00%	58.00%
Discovery Producer Services LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			60.00%		60.00%	60.00%
Overland Pass Pipeline Company LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			50.00%		50.00%	50.00%
Appalachia Midstream Services, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage			45.00%		45.00%	45.00%
Number of Gathering Systems						11
Capital in Excess of Par Value
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Net						$ (158)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Net						252
Deferred Income Taxes [Member]
Subsidiary of Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership [Line Items]
Income Tax Effects Allocated Directly to Equity, Other						$ (94)

Acquisitions (Details)

Acquisitions (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 01, 2014USD ($)
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Goodwill		$ 1,145	$ 1,145	$ 1,120
Access Midstream Partners Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Property, Plant, and Equipment			150
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Goodwill [Line Items]			25
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles			(168)
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Investments			(7)
Eagle Ford Gathering System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Property, Plant, and Equipment		20
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles		(20)
Williams Partners [Member] | Access Midstream Partners Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Accounts receivable					$ 168
Other current assets					63
Investments					5,865
Property, plant, and equipment					7,165
Goodwill					499
Other intangible assets					8,841
Current liabilities					(408)
Debt					(4,052)
Other noncurrent liabilities					(9)
Williams Partners [Member] | Access Midstream Partners Acquisition [Member] | ACMP's subsidiaries [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest					(958)
Williams Partners [Member] | Access Midstream Partners Acquisition [Member] | Access Midstream Partners Lp [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest					$ (6,544)
Williams Partners [Member] | Eagle Ford Gathering System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 112
Number Of Miles Of Pipeline Acquired	140
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Property, plant, and equipment		80	80
Other intangible assets		$ 32	$ 32

Acquisitions Acquisitions - equ

Acquisitions Acquisitions - equity method investment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments		$ 529	$ 345
Utica East Ohio Midstream, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage		62.00%
Williams Partners [Member] | Utica East Ohio Midstream, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage		62.00%
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments	$ 357
Reduction in incentive distribution rights payment	$ 2
Williams Partners [Member] | Utica East Ohio Midstream, LLC [Member] | Additional Investment [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	13.00%

Variable Interest Entities (Det

Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Constitution Pipeline Company Llc [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage	41.00%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	$ 81	$ 113
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	53	52
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	2	3
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Property Plant And Equipment, net [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	2,937	2,794
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Goodwill [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	107	103
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Other Intangible Assets, net [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	1,448	1,493
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	0	14
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Accounts Payable [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	(39)	(48)
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	(11)	(36)
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Current deferred revenue [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	(62)	(45)
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	0	(13)
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Asset Retirement Obligation [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	(92)	(94)
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Noncurrent deferred revenue associated with customer advance payments [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	$ (342)	$ (395)
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Gulfstar One [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage	51.00%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Gulfstar One [Member] | Estimated Remaining Construction Costs For Variable Interest Entity [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Other commitment	$ 145
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Constitution Pipeline Company Llc [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage	41.00%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Constitution Pipeline Company Llc [Member] | Estimated Remaining Construction Costs For Variable Interest Entity [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Other commitment	$ 598
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Cardinal Gas Services LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage	66.00%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Jackalope Gas Gathering Services LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity Ownership Percentage	50.00%

Investing Activities Investin38

Investing Activities Investing Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 24, 2015	Jul. 02, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Impairment of equity-method investments			$ 461	$ 0	$ 461	$ 0
Equity earnings (losses)			92	66	236	55
Gain on remeasurement of equity-method investment			0	2,522	0	2,522
Equity Interest In Acquiree, Fair Value		$ 4,600
Special distribution from Gulfstream	$ 396				396	0
Delaware Basin Gas Gathering System [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Impairment of equity-method investments			458
Appalachia Midstream Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Impairment of equity-method investments			3
Appalachia Midstream Investments [Member] | Equity earnings (losses) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Impairment of equity-method investments			16
Williams Partners [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings (losses)				(19)		(19)
Williams Ngl And Petchem Services [Member] | Bluegrass Pipeline Company Llc [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings (losses)						70
Former Venezuela Operations [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment Income, Interest			$ 18	$ 14	$ 27	$ 41

Other Income and Expenses (Deta

Other Income and Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		28 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt			$ 14
Williams Partners [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Amortization of regulatory asset associated with ARO	$ 8	$ 8	25	$ 25
Impairment of certain assets	2	0	29	17
Public Utilities, Allowance for Funds Used During Construction, Capitalized Cost of Equity	21	10	57	20
Net gain related to partial acreage dedication release	0	(12)	0	(12)
Acquisition and Merger [Member] | Interest incurred [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs			2	9
Acquisition and Merger [Member] | Williams Partners [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs		17	26	19
Transition [Member] | Williams Partners [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Business Combination, Integration Related Costs	1	4	9	4
Transition [Member] | Williams Partners [Member] | Operation and maintenance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Business Combination, Integration Related Costs		3	10	3
Other Restructuring [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Strategic Alternative, Related Cost	18		25
Business Combination, Integration Related Costs	7	$ 3	20	3
Bluegrass Pipeline Company Llc [Member] | Williams NGL & Petchem Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Project Development Costs				19
Geismar Incident [Member] | Williams Partners [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Insurance recoveries			126	175
Insurable Expenses in Excess of our Deductibles				$ 14
Insurance Claims [Member] | Geismar Incident [Member] | Property Damage And Business Interruption [Member] | Williams Partners [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Maximum insurance recoverable amount	$ 480		$ 480		$ 480
Insurance recoveries					$ 422

Provision (Benefit) for Incom40

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Provision For Adjustment To Prior Year Taxable Foreign Income			$ 14
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain	$ 0	$ 2,522	0	$ 2,522
Current :
Federal	0	(15)	0	98
State	0	(2)	1	2
Foreign	2	2	6	7
Total	2	(15)	7	107
Deferred:
Federal	(60)	911	38	910
State	(6)	98	(4)	103
Foreign	(1)	4	7	13
Total	(67)	1,013	41	1,026
Total provision (benefit)	$ (65)	998	$ 48	1,133
Access Midstream Partners Acquisition [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain		$ 2,500		$ 2,500

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Sh41

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$ (40)		$ 1,678	$ 144	$ 1,917
Basic weighted-average shares	749,824		747,412	749,059	709,809
Diluted weighted-average shares	749,824	[1]	752,064	752,621	714,119
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations:
Basic	$ (0.05)		$ 2.24	$ 0.19	$ 2.70
Diluted	$ (0.05)		$ 2.22	$ 0.19	$ 2.68
Nonvested restricted stock units [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Incremental common shares attributable to share-based payment arrangements under effects of dilutive securities item	0		2,424	1,900	2,205
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of weighted-average shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per common share	1,700
Stock options [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Incremental common shares attributable to share-based payment arrangements under effects of dilutive securities item	0		2,210	1,662	2,087
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of weighted-average shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per common share	1,500
Convertible debentures [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Incremental dilutive shares, Convertible debt	0		18	0	18
[1]	For the three months ended September 30, 2015, 1.7 million weighted-average nonvested restricted stock units and 1.5 million weighted-average stock options have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share as their inclusion would be antidilutive due to our loss from continuing operations attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.

Employee Benefit Plans (Quarter

Employee Benefit Plans (Quarterly Info) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Pension Benefits [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$ 15	$ 10	$ 44	$ 30
Interest cost	14	15	43	46
Expected return on plan assets	(19)	(19)	(56)	(57)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	11	10	32	29
Net actuarial loss from settlements	1	0	1	0
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	22	16	64	48
Employer contributions			63
Estimated future employer contributions in current fiscal year			2
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	0	0	1	1
Interest cost	3	2	7	7
Expected return on plan assets	(3)	(3)	(9)	(9)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	0	0	1	0
Reclassification to regulatory liability	1	1	3	3
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(4)	(5)	(12)	(15)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	(3)	(5)	(9)	(13)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) from regulatory assets (liabilities)	$ (3)	$ (3)	(8)	$ (9)
Employer contributions			5
Estimated future employer contributions in current fiscal year			$ 1

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Natural gas liquids, olefins, and natural gas in underground storage	$ 84	$ 150
Materials, supplies, and other	72	81
Inventories, Total	$ 156	$ 231

Long-Term Debt Issuances and Re

Long-Term Debt Issuances and Retirements (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Apr. 15, 2015	Feb. 15, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 03, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payments of long-term debt			$ 5,563	$ 864
3.6% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2022 [Member] | Williams Partners L.P. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt face amount					$ 1,250
Long-term debt interest rate					3.60%
4% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2025 [Member] | Williams Partners L.P. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt face amount					$ 750
Long-term debt interest rate					4.00%
5.1% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2045 [Member] | Williams Partners L.P. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt face amount					$ 1,000
Long-term debt interest rate					5.10%
5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 [Member] | Williams Partners L.P. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt interest rate	5.875%
Payments of long-term debt	$ 783
Long-term debt retired	750
Long-term debt due within one year	$ 797
3.8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt interest rate		3.80%
Long-term debt retired		$ 750

Credit Facilities and Commercia

Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper (Details 2) $ in Millions		Aug. 26, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)		Mar. 03, 2015USD ($)	Feb. 03, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Commercial paper, outstanding			$ 1,530				$ 798
Maximum Ratio Of Debt To EBITDA		6
Williams Companies Inc [Member]
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Credit facility, capacity			1,500			$ 1,500
Credit facility, loans outstanding			375
Williams Partners L.P. [Member]
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Credit facility, capacity			3,500	[1]		$ 3,500
Credit facility, loans outstanding	[1]		500
Commercial Paper [Member] | Williams Partners L.P. [Member]
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Credit facility, capacity			3,000
Commercial paper, outstanding			$ 1,530
Commercial Paper [Member] | Williams Partners L. P. [Member]
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate			0.56%
Letter of Credit [Member] | Williams Companies Inc [Member]
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Credit facility, capacity			$ 675
Credit facility, letters of credit outstanding			0
Letter of Credit [Member] | Williams Partners L.P. [Member]
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Credit facility, capacity			1,125
Credit facility, letters of credit outstanding			0
Letters Of Credit Under Certain Bilateral Bank Agreements [Member] | Williams Companies Inc [Member]
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Credit facility, letters of credit outstanding			14
Letters Of Credit Under Certain Bilateral Bank Agreements [Member] | Williams Partners L.P. [Member]
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Credit facility, letters of credit outstanding			3
Swingline Loan [Member] | Williams Companies Inc [Member]
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Credit facility, capacity			50
Credit facility, swingline loans outstanding			0
Swingline Loan [Member] | Williams Partners L.P. [Member]
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Credit facility, capacity			150
Credit facility, swingline loans outstanding			0
Short-term facility [Member] | Williams Partners L.P. [Member]
Credit Facility and Commercial Paper [Line Items]
Credit facility, capacity		$ 1,000	1,000		$ 1,500
Credit facility, loans outstanding			$ 0		$ 0
[1]	In managing our available liquidity, we do not expect a maximum outstanding amount in excess of the capacity of WPZ’s credit facility inclusive of any outstanding amounts under its commercial paper program.

Stockholders' Equity (Details)

Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total, Beginning Balance			$ (341)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (65)	$ (46)	(138)	$ (43)
Total, Ending Balance	(425)		(425)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total, Beginning Balance			(341)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(100)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			16
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(84)
Total, Ending Balance	(425)		(425)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total, Beginning Balance			(1)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			3
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			(3)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			0
Total, Ending Balance	(1)		(1)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total, Beginning Balance			31
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(103)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			0
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(103)
Total, Ending Balance	(72)		(72)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total, Beginning Balance			(371)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			19
Other comprehensive income (loss)			19
Total, Ending Balance	$ (352)		$ (352)

Stockholders' Equity Stockholde

Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Reclassifications from AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Product sales	$ 560	$ 942	$ 1,677	$ 2,725
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	(238)	2,706	71	3,160
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (65)	$ 998	48	$ 1,133
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			(3)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			19
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest			27
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)			(11)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			16
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest			(3)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Energy Commodity Contract [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Product sales			(3)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax			(4)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax			34
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest			$ 30

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Additional disclosure:
Fair Value, Level 1 to level 2 Transfers, Amount		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Fair Value, Level 2 to level 1 Transfers, Amount		0	0	0	0
Impairment of equity-method investments		461	0	461	0
Williams Partners [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Asset impairment charges		2	$ 0	29	$ 17
Carrying Amount [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Notes receivable and other		8		8		$ 30
Long-term debt, including current portion	[1]	(22,180)		(22,180)		(20,887)
Guarantee		(30)		(30)		(31)
Carrying Amount [Member] | Former Venezuela Operations [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure		0		0
Fair Value [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Notes receivable and other		12		12		57
Long-term debt, including current portion	[1]	(20,010)		(20,010)		(21,131)
Guarantee		(17)		(17)		(27)
Fair Value [Member] | Former Venezuela Operations [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Notes Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure		4		4
Level 1 [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Notes receivable and other		6		6		0
Long-term debt, including current portion	[1]	0		0		0
Guarantee		0		0		0
Level 2 [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Notes receivable and other		2		2		4
Long-term debt, including current portion	[1]	(20,010)		(20,010)		(21,131)
Guarantee		(17)		(17)		(27)
Level 3 [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Notes receivable and other		4		4		53
Long-term debt, including current portion	[1]	0		0		0
Guarantee		0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
ARO Trust investments		63		63		48
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
Energy derivatives assets		3		3		3
Energy derivative liabilities		(2)		(2)		(2)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
Energy derivatives assets		4		4
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
ARO Trust investments		63		63		48
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
Energy derivatives assets		3		3		3
Energy derivative liabilities		(2)		(2)		(2)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
Energy derivatives assets		4		4
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
ARO Trust investments		63		63		48
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
Energy derivatives assets		0		0		1
Energy derivative liabilities		0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
Energy derivatives assets		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
ARO Trust investments		0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
Energy derivatives assets		1		1		0
Energy derivative liabilities		0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
Energy derivatives assets		4		4
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
ARO Trust investments		0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
Energy derivatives assets		2		2		2
Energy derivative liabilities		(2)		(2)		$ (2)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Measured on a recurring basis:
Energy derivatives assets		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Williams Partners [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Asset impairment charges				20
Property, plant, and equipment, fair value		17		17
Delaware Basin Gas Gathering System [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Impairment of equity-method investments		458
Delaware Basin Gas Gathering System [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Williams Partners [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Impairment of equity-method investments		$ 458
Discount rate		11.80%
Fair value of investment		$ 1,020		1,020
Appalachia Midstream Investments [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Impairment of equity-method investments		3
Appalachia Midstream Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Williams Partners [Member]
Additional disclosure:
Impairment of equity-method investments		$ 3
Discount rate		8.80%
Fair value of investment		$ 185		$ 185
[1]	Excludes capital leases

Guarantees (Details)

Guarantees (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Wiltel Guarantee [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 33

Contingent Liabilities (Details

Contingent Liabilities (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued Environmental Loss liabilities	$ 41
Former Alaska Refinery [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	32
Environmental Protection Agency [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued Environmental Loss liabilities	8
Natural gas underground storage facilities [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued Environmental Loss liabilities	7
Former Operations [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued Environmental Loss liabilities	26
Williams Partners [Member] | General Liability [Member] | Geismar Incident [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Aggregate Annual Limit of Insurance	610
Insurance deductibles	$ 2

Segment Disclosures (Details 1)

Segment Disclosures (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment revenues:
Revenues	$ 1,799	$ 2,069	$ 5,354	$ 5,496
Total assets by reporting segment
Total assets	50,819		50,819		$ 50,563
Reconciliation of Modified EBITDA to net income (loss):
Modified EBITDA	999	822	2,857	2,136
Accretion expense associated with asset retirement obligations for nonregulated operations	(6)	(4)	(21)	(13)
Depreciation and amortization expenses	(432)	(369)	(1,287)	(797)
Equity earnings (losses)	92	66	236	55
Gain on remeasurement of equity-method investment	0	2,522	0	2,522
Impairment of equity-method investments	(461)	0	(461)	0
Other investing income (loss) - net	18	11	27	43
Proportional Modified Ebitda Equity Method Investments	(185)	(132)	(504)	(273)
Interest Expense	(263)	(210)	(776)	(513)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	65	(998)	(48)	(1,133)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	0	4
Net income (loss)	(173)	1,708	23	2,031
Service [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	1,239	1,127	3,677	2,771
Product [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	560	942	1,677	2,725
Williams Partners [Member]
Total assets by reporting segment
Total assets	49,639		49,639		49,322
Reconciliation of Modified EBITDA to net income (loss):
Modified EBITDA	1,021	843	2,891	2,147
Equity earnings (losses)		(19)		(19)
Williams Partners [Member] | Service [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	1,232	1,065	3,655	2,591
Williams Partners [Member] | Product [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	560	942	1,677	2,725
Williams NGL & Petchem Services [Member]
Total assets by reporting segment
Total assets	802		802		612
Reconciliation of Modified EBITDA to net income (loss):
Modified EBITDA	(5)	(4)	(13)	(112)
Williams NGL & Petchem Services [Member] | Service [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	1	0	2	0
Williams NGL & Petchem Services [Member] | Product [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Other [Member]
Total assets by reporting segment
Total assets	999		999		1,220
Reconciliation of Modified EBITDA to net income (loss):
Modified EBITDA	(17)	(17)	(21)	101
Other [Member] | Service [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	6	62	20	180
Other [Member] | Product [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Williams Partners [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	1,792	2,008	5,333	5,317
Operating Segments [Member] | Williams Partners [Member] | Service [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	1,232	1,066	3,655	2,592
Operating Segments [Member] | Williams Partners [Member] | Product [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	560	942	1,678	2,725
Operating Segments [Member] | Williams NGL & Petchem Services [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	1	0	2	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Williams NGL & Petchem Services [Member] | Service [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	1	0	2	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Williams NGL & Petchem Services [Member] | Product [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	70	69	143	194
Operating Segments [Member] | Other [Member] | Service [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	70	69	143	194
Operating Segments [Member] | Other [Member] | Product [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	(64)	(8)	(124)	(15)
Total assets by reporting segment
Total assets	(621)		(621)		$ (591)
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Service [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	(64)	(8)	(123)	(15)
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Product [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	0	0	(1)	0
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Williams Partners [Member] | Service [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	0	(1)	0	(1)
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Williams Partners [Member] | Product [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	0	0	(1)	0
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Williams NGL & Petchem Services [Member] | Service [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Williams NGL & Petchem Services [Member] | Product [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Other [Member] | Service [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	(64)	(7)	(123)	(14)
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Other [Member] | Product [Member]
Segment revenues:
Revenues	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0