LyondellBasell Industries (LYB) 10-Q 1 May 20 2020 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 29, 2020
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-34726
Entity Registrant Name	LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	P7
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-0646235
Title of 12(b) Security	Ordinary Shares, €0.04 Par Value
Trading Symbol	LYB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		333,706,244
Entity Central Index Key	0001489393
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Addresses [Line Items]
Entity Address, Address Line One	1221 McKinney St.,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 300
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston,
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Country	US
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77010
City Area Code	(713)
Local Phone Number	309-7200
United Kingdom [Member]
Entity Addresses [Line Items]
Entity Address, Address Line One	4th Floor, One Vine Street
Entity Address, City or Town	London
Entity Address, Country	GB
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	W1J0AH
Country Region	+44 (0)
City Area Code	207
Local Phone Number	220 2600
Netherlands [Member]
Entity Addresses [Line Items]
Entity Address, Address Line One	Delftseplein 27E
Entity Address, City or Town	Rotterdam
Entity Address, Country	NL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	3013AA
Country Region	+31 (0)
City Area Code	10
Local Phone Number	2755 500

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Sales and other operating revenues:
Trade	$ 7,303	$ 8,565
Related parties	191	213
Sales revenue, net	7,494	8,778
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	6,868	7,446
Selling, general and administrative expenses	295	287
Research and development expenses	27	28
Costs and expenses	7,190	7,761
Operating income	304	1,017
Interest expense	(89)	(92)
Interest income	3	6
Other income, net	0	25
Income from continuing operations before equity investments and income taxes	218	956
Income from equity investments	0	64
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	218	1,020
Provision for income taxes	75	203
Income from continuing operations	143	817
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	1	0
Net income	144	817
Dividends on redeemable non-controlling interests	(2)	(2)
Net income attributable to the Company shareholders	$ 142	$ 815
Net income attributable to the Company shareholders - Basic:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 2.19
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	0
Basic (in dollars per share)	0.42	2.19
Net income attributable to the Company shareholders - Diluted:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.42	2.19
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	0
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 2.19

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Net income	$ 144	$ 817
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax –
Financial derivatives	(338)	(50)
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities	(2)	0
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans	10	5
Foreign currency translations	(199)	(10)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(529)	(55)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(385)	762
Dividends on redeemable non-controlling interests	(2)	(2)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company shareholders	$ (387)	$ 760

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,596	$ 858
Restricted cash	37	30
Short-term investments	199	196
Accounts receivable:
Trade, net	2,885	2,981
Related parties	158	121
Inventories	3,973	4,588
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	844	736
Total current assets	9,692	9,510
Operating lease assets	1,453	1,468
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	21,664	21,260
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(7,277)	(7,130)
Property, plant and equipment, net	14,387	14,130
Investments and long-term receivables:
Investment in PO joint ventures	497	504
Equity investments	1,539	1,602
Other investments and long-term receivables	22	22
Goodwill	1,800	1,891
Intangible assets, net	808	869
Other assets	902	439
Total assets	31,100	30,435
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	3	3
Short-term debt	1,493	445
Accounts payable:
Trade	2,217	2,516
Related parties	421	412
Accrued liabilities	1,387	1,822
Total current liabilities	5,521	5,198
Long-term debt	12,159	11,614
Operating lease liabilities	1,192	1,216
Other liabilities	2,808	2,213
Deferred income taxes	1,961	2,015
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable non-controlling interests	116	116
Shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary shares, €0.04 par value, 1,275 million shares authorized, 333,703,450 and 333,476,883 shares outstanding, respectively	19	19
Additional paid-in capital	5,950	5,954
Retained earnings	4,227	4,435
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,313)	(1,784)
Treasury stock, at cost, 6,342,178 and 6,568,745 ordinary shares, respectively	(559)	(580)
Total Company share of shareholders’ equity	7,324	8,044
Non-controlling interests	19	19
Total equity	7,343	8,063
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests and equity	$ 31,100	$ 30,435

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - € / shares	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary shares par value (in euros per share)	€ 0.04	€ 0.04
Ordinary shares, shares authorized (in shares)	1,275,000,000	1,275,000,000
Ordinary shares, shares outstanding (in shares)	333,703,450	333,476,883
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	6,342,178	6,568,745

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 144	$ 817
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	342	322
Amortization of debt-related costs	4	1
Share-based compensation	16	12
LCM inventory valuation charge	419	0
Equity investments -
Equity income	0	(64)
Distributions of earnings, net of tax	15	25
Deferred income taxes	68	46
Changes in assets and liabilities that provided (used) cash:
Accounts receivable	4	(206)
Inventories	121	(3)
Accounts payable	(235)	105
Other, net	(356)	(398)
Net cash provided by operating activities	542	657
Cash flows from investing activities:
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(660)	(599)
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale debt securities	0	308
Proceeds from sales of equity securities	1	162
Other, net	(4)	(49)
Net cash used in investing activities	(663)	(178)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchases of Company ordinary shares	(4)	(512)
Dividends paid - common stock	(351)	(372)
Purchase of non-controlling interest	(30)	(63)
Issuance of long-term debt	500	0
Repayments of long-term debt	0	(1,000)
Issuance of short-term debt	500	2,000
Net proceeds from (repayments of) commercial paper	516	(559)
Payments on forward-starting interest rate swaps that include financing elements	(238)
Other, net	(9)	(15)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	884	(521)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(18)	(1)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	745	(43)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	888	401
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 1,633	$ 358

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Ordinary Shares	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Company Share of Shareholders' Equity	Non-Controlling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 22	$ (2,206)	$ 7,041	$ 6,763	$ (1,363)	$ 10,257	$ 23
Net income	$ 817	0	0	0	817	0	817	0
Other comprehensive loss	(55)	0	0	0	0	(55)	(55)	0
Share-based compensation		0	26	2	0	0	28	0
Dividends - common stock		0	0	0	(372)	0	(372)	0
Dividends - redeemable non-controlling interests	(2)	0	0	0	(2)	0	(2)	0
Repurchases of Company ordinary shares		0	(488)	0	0	0	(488)	0
Purchase of non-controlling interest		0	0	(47)	0	0	(47)	(1)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019		22	(2,668)	6,996	7,206	(1,418)	10,138	22
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	8,063	19	(580)	5,954	4,435	(1,784)	8,044	19
Net income	144	0	0	0	144	0	144	0
Other comprehensive loss	(529)	0	0	0	0	(529)	(529)	0
Share-based compensation		0	25	(11)	1	0	15	0
Dividends - common stock		0	0	0	(351)	0	(351)	0
Dividends - redeemable non-controlling interests	(2)	0	0	0	(2)	0	(2)	0
Repurchases of Company ordinary shares		0	(4)	0	0	0	(4)	0
Purchase of non-controlling interest		0	0	7	0	0	7	0
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 7,343	$ 19	$ (559)	$ 5,950	$ 4,227	$ (2,313)	$ 7,324	$ 19

Consolidated Statements of Sh_2

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.05	$ 1
Redeemable non-controlling interests, dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 15	$ 15

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	1. Basis of Presentation LyondellBasell Industries N.V. is a limited liability company (Naamloze Vennootschap) incorporated under Dutch law by deed of incorporation dated October 15, 2009. Unless otherwise indicated, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar words are used to refer to LyondellBasell Industries N.V. together with its consolidated subsidiaries (“LyondellBasell N.V.”). LyondellBasell N.V. is a worldwide manufacturer of chemicals and polymers, a refiner of crude oil, a significant producer of gasoline blending components and a developer and licensor of technologies for the production of polymers. The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared from the books and records of LyondellBasell N.V. in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Events surrounding the ongoing novel strain of coronavirus, causing a pandemic referred to as COVID-19, and the significant drop in the price of oil continue to evolve and impact global markets for our products. During the first quarter of 2020, we recognized a lower of cost or market (“LCM”) inventory valuation charge of $419 million, see Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Further, we assessed accounting matters that generally require consideration of forecasted financial information based on the information reasonably available to us and the uncertain future impacts of COVID-19 and volatility in commodity prices. Accounting matters assessed included, but were not limited to, the carrying value of our goodwill and other long-lived assets, inventory, valuation allowances for tax assets and expected credit losses. Other than the inventory valuation charges noted above, there were no other impacts to our consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of 2020 resulting from our assessments. We will continue to assess the potential financial statement impacts of COVID-19 and commodity price volatility throughout the duration of the pandemic in accordance with our corporate accounting policies. The extent of the impact of the pandemic and the decline in commodity prices on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. An extended period of economic disruption could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, access to sources of liquidity and financial condition.

Accounting and Reporting Change

Accounting and Reporting Changes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Accounting and Reporting Changes [Text Block]	2. Accounting and Reporting Changes Recently Adopted Guidance The following table provides a brief description of recently adopted Accounting Standard Updates (“ASU”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). The adoption of the new standards listed below in the first quarter of 2020 did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Standard Description ASU 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Relief of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting This guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. The expedients and exceptions provided by this guidance are available from January 1, 2020, prospectively, and do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. The adoption of the guidance will enable us to continue hedge accounting for the relevant designated hedges and is expected to ease the accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. ASU 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments This guidance makes narrow-scope changes that are intended to improve the guidance on financial instruments and current expected credit loss (“CECL”). We adopted the guidance related to CECL and other amendments on a modified retrospective basis. ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes This guidance enhances and simplifies various aspects of income tax accounting by removing exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for changes from a subsidiary to an equity method investment and vice versa, performing intraperiod allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The new guidance also reduces complexity in certain areas, including the tax basis step-up in goodwill in a transaction that is not a business combination and interim period accounting for enacted changes in tax law. We early adopted the amendments applicable to us on a prospective basis. ASU 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract This guidance requires a customer in a hosted, cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as assets or expense as incurred. Capitalized costs are amortized over the term of the hosting arrangement when the recognized asset is ready for its intended use. ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework - Change to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement This guidance eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. It removes transfer disclosures between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, and adds disclosures for the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. Accounting Guidance Issued But Not Adopted as of March 31, 2020 We are currently assessing the impact of the standard listed below on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Standard Description ASU 2018-14, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans This guidance changes disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and/or other postretirement benefit plans. It eliminates the requirement of certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial and adds more pertinent disclosures.

Revenues

Revenues	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenues [Text Block]	3. Revenues Contract Balances— Contract liabilities were $151 million and $124 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Revenue recognized in each reporting period, included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period, was immaterial. Disaggregation of Revenues— The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by key products: Three Months Ended Millions of dollars 2020 2019 Sales and other operating revenues: Olefins and co-products $ 667 $ 748 Polyethylene 1,459 1,666 Polypropylene 1,101 1,315 Propylene oxide and derivatives 464 528 Oxyfuels and related products 707 664 Intermediate chemicals 544 640 Compounding and solutions 912 1,140 Advanced polymers 181 198 Refined products 1,336 1,743 Other 123 136 Total $ 7,494 $ 8,778 The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by geography, based upon the location of the customer: Three Months Ended Millions of dollars 2020 2019 Sales and other operating revenues: United States $ 3,187 $ 3,893 Germany 641 731 Mexico 380 528 Italy 335 387 France 270 362 China 243 298 The Netherlands 212 252 Japan 335 203 Other 1,891 2,124 Total $ 7,494 $ 8,778

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable [Text Block]	4. Accounts Receivable Our accounts receivable are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets net of allowance for credit losses of $14 million and $16 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories [Text Block]	5. Inventories Inventories consisted of the following components: Millions of dollars March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Finished goods $ 2,691 $ 3,083 Work-in-process 124 130 Raw materials and supplies 1,158 1,375 Total inventories $ 3,973 $ 4,588 Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market (“LCM”). Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") inventory valuation methodology, which means that the most recently incurred costs are charged to cost of sales and inventories are valued at the earliest acquisition costs. Market is determined based on an assessment of the current estimated replacement cost and selling price of the inventory. In periods where the market price of our inventory declines substantially, cost values of inventory may be higher than the market value, which reduces the value of inventory to market value. This adjustment is related to the recent decline in pricing for many of our raw material and finished goods inventories. Fluctuation in the prices of crude oil, natural gas and correlated products from period to period may result in the recognition of charges to adjust the value of inventory to the lower of cost or market in periods of falling prices and the reversal of those charges in subsequent interim periods as market prices recover. During the first quarter of 2020, we recognized an LCM inventory charge of $419 million. This charge is related to the recent decline in pricing for many of our raw material and finished goods inventories

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt [Text Block]	6. Debt Long-term loans, notes and other debt, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance cost, consisted of the following: Millions of dollars March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Senior Notes due 2021, $1,000 million, 6.0% ($3 million of debt issuance cost) $ 1,014 $ 998 Senior Notes due 2024, $1,000 million, 5.75% ($5 million of debt issuance cost) 995 995 Senior Notes due 2055, $1,000 million, 4.625% ($16 million of discount; $11 million of debt issuance cost) 973 973 Term Loan due 2022, $4,000 million ($2 million of debt issuance costs) 1,948 1,950 Senior Revolving Credit Facility due 2022, $2,500 million 500 — Guaranteed Notes due 2022, €750 million, 1.875% ($1 million of discount; $2 million of debt issuance cost) 819 841 Guaranteed Notes due 2023, $750 million, 4.0% ($4 million of discount; $2 million of debt issuance cost) 744 744 Guaranteed Notes due 2026, €500 million, 0.875% ($2 million of discount; $3 million of debt issuance cost) 542 555 Guaranteed Notes due 2027, $1,000 million, 3.5% ($8 million of discount; $6 million of debt issuance cost) 1,103 1,023 Guaranteed Notes due 2027, $300 million, 8.1% 300 300 Guaranteed Notes due 2031, €500 million, 1.625% ($6 million of discount; $3 million of debt issuance cost) 538 552 Guaranteed Notes due 2043, $750 million, 5.25% ($20 million of discount; $7 million of debt issuance cost) 723 723 Guaranteed Notes due 2044, $1,000 million, 4.875% ($10 million of discount; $9 million of debt issuance cost) 981 980 Guaranteed Notes due 2049, $1,000 million, 4.2% ($15 million of discount; $10 million of debt issuance cost) 975 975 Other 7 8 Total 12,162 11,617 Less current maturities (3) (3) Long-term debt $ 12,159 $ 11,614 Fair value hedging adjustments associated with the fair value hedge accounting of our fixed-for-floating interest rate swaps for the applicable periods are as follows: Gains (Losses) Cumulative Fair Value Inception Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, Millions of dollars 2020 2019 2020 2019 Senior Notes due 2019, 5.0% 2014 $ — $ (11) $ — $ — Senior Notes due 2021, 6.0% 2016 (16) (7) (17) (1) Guaranteed Notes due 2027, 3.5% 2017 (80) (22) (117) (37) Guaranteed Notes due 2022, 1.875% 2018 1 — (1) (2) Total $ (95) $ (40) $ (135) $ (40) Fair value adjustments are recognized in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Short-term loans, notes and other debt consisted of the following: Millions of dollars March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 U.S. Receivables Facility $ 500 $ — Commercial paper 778 262 Precious metal financings 211 181 Other 4 2 Total Short-term debt $ 1,493 $ 445 Long-Term Debt Senior Revolving Credit Facility —Our $2,500 million Senior Revolving Credit Facility which expires in June 2022 may be used for dollar and euro denominated borrowings, has a $500 million sublimit for dollar and euro denominated letters of credit, a $1,000 million uncommitted accordion feature, and supports our commercial paper program. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at either a base rate or LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin. Additional fees are incurred for the average daily unused commitments. As of March 31, 2020, the interest rate under this facility was 1.74%. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we borrowed $500 million from this facility. At March 31, 2020, we had $500 million of outstanding borrowings, no outstanding letters of credit and $1,206 million of unused availability under this facility. In April 2020, we repaid $500 million outstanding under our Senior Revolving Credit Facility. Guaranteed Notes due 2025, 2030 and 2050 —In April 2020, LYB International Finance III, LLC (“LYB Finance III”), a wholly owned finance subsidiary of LyondellBasell Industries N.V., as defined in Rule 3-10(b) of Regulation S-X, issued $500 million of 2.875% guaranteed notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) at a discounted price of 99.911%, $500 million of 3.375% guaranteed notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”) at a discounted price of 99.813% and $1,000 million of 4.2% guaranteed notes due 2050 (the “2050 Notes”) at a discounted price of 99.373%. Net proceeds from the sale of the notes totaled $1,974 million. We used the net proceeds from the sale of the notes for general corporate purposes, including to increase our liquidity and manage short-term debt maturities. These unsecured notes, which are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by LyondellBasell Industries N.V., will rank equally in right of payment to all of LYB Finance III’s and LyondellBasell Industries N.V.’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and will rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness that LYB Finance III or LyondellBasell Industries N.V. incurs. There are no significant restrictions that would impede LyondellBasell Industries N.V., as guarantor, from obtaining funds by dividend or loan from its subsidiaries. The indenture governing these notes contains limited covenants, including those restricting our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to incur indebtedness secured by significant property or by capital stock of subsidiaries that own significant property, enter into certain sale and lease-back transactions with respect to any significant property or enter into consolidations, mergers or sales of all or substantially all of our assets. The 2025 Notes, 2030 Notes and 2050 Notes may be redeemed before the date that is one month, three months, or six months, respectively, prior to the scheduled maturity date at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed and the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest (discounted at the applicable treasury yield plus 40 basis points in the case of the 2025 Notes or 45 basis points in the case of the 2030 Notes and 2050 Notes) on the notes to be redeemed. The 2025 Notes, 2030 Notes and 2050 Notes may also be redeemed on or after the date that is one month, three months, or six months, respectively, prior to the scheduled maturity date of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. The notes are also redeemable upon certain tax events. Short-Term Debt Commercial Paper Program —We have a commercial paper program under which we may issue up to $2,500 million of privately placed, unsecured, short-term promissory notes (“commercial paper”). Interest rates on the commercial paper outstanding at March 31, 2020 are based on the terms of the notes and range from 1.45% to 2.45%. At March 31, 2020, we had $778 million of outstanding commercial paper. U.S. Receivables Facility —Our U.S. Receivables Facility, which expires in July 2021, has a purchase limit of $900 million in addition to a $300 million uncommitted accordion feature. This facility is secured by $1,041 million of accounts receivable as of March 31, 2020. This facility provides liquidity through the sale or contribution of trade receivables by certain of our U.S. subsidiaries to a wholly owned, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary on an ongoing basis and without recourse. The bankruptcy-remote subsidiary may then, at its option and subject to a borrowing base of eligible receivables, sell undivided interests in the pool of trade receivables to financial institutions participating in the facility (“Purchasers”). The sale of the undivided interest in the pool of trade receivables is accounted for as a secured borrowing in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are responsible for servicing the receivables. We pay variable interest rates on our secured borrowings. As of March 31, 2020, the interest rate under this facility was 1.62%. In the event of liquidation, the bankruptcy-remote subsidiary’s assets will be used to satisfy the claims of the Purchasers prior to any assets or value in the bankruptcy-remote subsidiary becoming available to us. This facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit up to $200 million. The term of the facility may be extended in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The facility is also subject to customary warranties and covenants, including limits and reserves and the maintenance of specified financial ratios. We are required to maintain a leverage ratio at the end of every fiscal quarter of 3.50 to 1.00, or less, for the period covering the most recent four quarters. Performance obligations under the facility are guaranteed by LyondellBasell Industries N.V. Additional fees are incurred for the average daily unused commitments. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we borrowed $500 million from this facility. At March 31, 2020, we had $500 million of outstanding borrowings, no outstanding letters of credit and $151 million unused availability under this facility. In April 2020, we repaid $500 million outstanding under our U.S. Receivables Facility. Weighted Average Interest Rate —At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our weighted average interest rates on outstanding Short-term debt were 2.4% and 3.3%, respectively. Additional Information Debt Discount and Issuance Costs —Amortization of debt discounts and debt issuance costs resulted in amortization expense of $4 million and $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is included in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Other Information —LYB International Finance B.V., LYB International Finance II B.V. and LYB International Finance III, LLC are direct, 100% owned finance subsidiaries of LyondellBasell Industries N.V., as defined in Rule 3-10(b) of Regulation S-X. Any debt securities issued by LYB International Finance B.V., LYB International Finance II B.V. and LYB International Finance III, LLC will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by LyondellBasell Industries N.V. As of March 31, 2020, we are in compliance with our debt covenants. In April 2020, we entered into amendments and related documents (collectively, the “Amendments”) to our (i) Senior Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) Term Loan due 2022, and (iii) U.S. Receivables Facility (collectively, as amended, the “Credit Agreements”). The Amendments amended each Credit Agreement’s gross leverage ratio covenant of 3.50 to 1.0 to permit netting of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents in excess of $300 million (with certain restrictions on non-US cash) and, in respect of the Senior Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan due 2022, restrict certain dividends and other specified restricted payments.

Financial Instruments and Fair

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements [Text Block]	7. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements We are exposed to market risks, such as changes in commodity pricing, interest rates and currency exchange rates. To manage the volatility related to these exposures, we selectively enter into derivative contracts pursuant to our risk management policies. A summary of our financial instruments, risk management policies, derivative instruments, hedging activities and fair value measurement can be found in Notes 2 and 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. If applicable, updates have been included in the respective sections below. Cash and Cash Equivalents —At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had marketable securities classified as Cash and cash equivalents of $885 million and $389 million, respectively. Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) —Other income, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Income reflected foreign currency losses of $7 million, and gains of $11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis —The following table summarizes financial instruments outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Millions of dollars Notional Amount Fair Value Notional Amount Fair Value Balance Sheet Classification Assets– Derivatives designated as hedges: Foreign currency $ — $ 51 $ — $ 27 Prepaid expenses and other current assets Foreign currency 2,300 351 2,000 214 Other assets Interest rates — 26 — 22 Prepaid expenses and other current assets Interest rates 2,246 135 1,940 41 Other assets Derivatives not designated as hedges: Commodities 138 9 3 — Prepaid expenses and other current assets Foreign currency 355 13 580 5 Prepaid expenses and other current assets Non-derivatives: Available-for-sale debt securities 159 157 162 162 Short-term investments Equity securities 43 43 34 34 Short-term investments Total $ 5,241 $ 785 $ 4,719 $ 505 Liabilities– Derivatives designated as hedges: Foreign currency $ — $ 33 $ — $ 16 Accrued liabilities Foreign currency 650 27 950 53 Other liabilities Interest rates — 5 1,000 154 Accrued liabilities Interest rates 1,500 760 700 77 Other liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedges: Commodities 156 37 224 34 Accrued liabilities Foreign currency 604 15 200 1 Accrued liabilities Total $ 2,910 $ 877 $ 3,074 $ 335 All financial instruments in the table above are classified as Level 2. We present the gross assets and liabilities of our derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2020, our outstanding foreign currency contracts, not designated as hedges, mature from April 2020 to September 2020. Our commodity contracts, not designated as hedges, mature from April 2020 to June 2020. Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis —The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Due to the short maturity, the fair value of all non-derivative financial instruments included in Current assets and Current liabilities for which the carrying value approximates fair value are excluded from the table below. Short-term and long-term debt are recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying and fair values of short-term and of long-term debt exclude commercial paper and other miscellaneous short-term debt. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Millions of dollars Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Non-derivatives: Liabilities: Short-term debt $ 711 $ 731 $ 181 $ 215 Long-term debt 12,155 12,222 11,609 12,561 Total $ 12,866 $ 12,953 $ 11,790 $ 12,776 All financial instruments in the table above are classified as Level 2. Net Investment Hedges— The following table summarizes our net investment hedges outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Millions of euro/dollars Notional Value Notional Value Expiration Date Equivalent Equivalent Foreign currency € 617 $ 650 € 617 $ 650 2027 Foreign-currency denominated debt € 750 $ 821 € 750 $ 842 2022 Cash Flow Hedges— The following table summarizes our cash flow hedges outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Millions of dollars Notional Value Notional Value Expiration Date Foreign currency $ 2,300 $ 2,300 2021 to 2027 Interest rates 1,500 1,500 2021 to 2024 In January 2020, we amended previously existing forward-starting interest rate swaps with a total notional amount of $1,000 million (the “Swaps”) to extend their maturities to July 2023 and April 2024. As of March 31, 2020, the Swaps were designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate the risk of variability in interest rates of future expected debt issuance by July 2023 and April 2024. Other assets as of March 31, 2020 includes $238 million of collateral held with our counterparties related to our forward-starting interest rate swaps; this amount represents the maximum amount of collateral required in accordance with the Swap agreements. Related cash flows are included in financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of March 31, 2020, on a pre-tax basis, $3 million is scheduled to be reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss as an increase to interest expense over the next twelve months. Fair Value Hedges— The following table summarizes our fair value hedges outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Millions of dollars Notional Value Notional Value Expiration Date Interest rates $ 2,246 $ 2,140 2021 to 2027 In January 2020, we entered into an euro fixed-for-floating interest rate swap to mitigate the change in the fair value of €100 million of our €500 million guaranteed notes due 2026 associated with the risk of variability in the 6-month EURIBOR rate (the benchmark interest rate). The fixed-rate and variable-rate are settled annually and semi-annually, respectively. In April 2020, we terminated $2,000 million in notional value of our fixed-for-floating interest rate swaps which were designated as fair value hedges originally set to expire in 2021 and 2027. Upon termination of the fixed-for-floating interest rate swaps, we received $147 million from our counterparties. Impact on Earnings and Other Comprehensive Income —The following table summarizes the pre-tax effect of derivative and non-derivative instruments recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”), the gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI to earnings and additional gains (losses) recognized directly in earnings: Effects of Financial Instruments Three Months Ended March 31, Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI to Income Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income Income Statement Millions of dollars 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Classification Derivatives designated as hedges: Commodities $ — $ (50) $ — $ (5) $ — $ — Sales and other operating revenues Commodities — 46 — 4 — — Cost of sales Foreign currency 164 70 (53) (39) 16 17 Other income, net; Interest expense Interest rates (535) (74) — (4) 96 (34) Interest expense Derivatives not designated as hedges: Commodities — — — — (9) 2 Sales and other operating revenues Commodities — — — — (3) 3 Cost of sales Foreign currency — — — — (4) 19 Other income, net Non-derivatives designated as hedges: Long-term debt 22 16 — — — — Other income, net Total $ (349) $ 8 $ (53) $ (44) $ 96 $ 7 The derivative amounts excluded from the assessment of effectiveness for foreign currency contracts designated as net investment hedges recognized in other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were gains of less than $1 million and $2 million, respectively. The derivative amounts excluded from effectiveness testing for foreign currency contracts designated as net investment hedges recognized in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were gains of $4 million and $5 million, respectively. The pre-tax effect of the periodic receipt of fixed interest and payment of variable interest associated with our fixed-for-floating interest rate swaps resulted in a $2 million decrease in interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and $3 million increase in interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2019. Investments in Available-for-Sale Debt Securities —The following table summarizes the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of our outstanding available-for-sale debt securities: Millions of dollars Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Available-for-sale debt securities: Bonds at March 31, 2020 $ 159 $ 1 $ (3) $ 157 Bonds at December 31, 2019 162 — — 162 No allowance for credit losses related to our available-for-sale debt securities was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2020, bonds classified as available-for-sale debt securities had maturities between 10 months and 42 months. The proceeds from maturities of our available-for-sale-debt securities during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized in the following table: Three Months Ended Millions of dollars 2020 2019 Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale debt securities $ — $ 308 No proceeds were received and no gain or loss was realized in connection with the sales of our available-for-sale debt securities during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. We had no available-for-sale debt securities which were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than or greater than twelve months as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Investments in Equity Securities —Our equity securities primarily consist of limited partnership investments. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had investments in equity securities with a notional amount of $43 million and $34 million, respectively, and a fair value of $43 million and $34 million , respectively. These investments may be redeemed on a weekly basis. We received proceeds of $1 million and $162 million related to the sale of our investments in equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The following table summarizes the portion of unrealized gains and losses for the equity securities that are outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and 2019: Three Months Ended Millions of dollars 2020 2019 Net gains recognized during the period $ — $ 7 Less: Net gains recognized during the period on securities sold — 1 Unrealized gains recognized during the period $ — $ 6

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes [Text Block]	8. Income Taxes Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was 34.4% compared with 19.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Our effective income tax rate fluctuates based on, among other factors, changes in pretax income in countries with varying statutory tax rates, changes in valuation allowances, changes in foreign exchange gains/losses, the amount of exempt income, changes in unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions, and changes in tax laws. On March 27, 2020, the U.S. enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the “CARES Act”. As a result of the CARES Act, we remeasured our U.S. deferred tax liabilities resulting in an increase to our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019. This increase was partially offset by the increased relative impact of exempt income due to decreased pretax income.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies [Text Block]	9. Commitments and Contingencies Commitments —We have various purchase commitments for materials, supplies and services incidental to the ordinary conduct of business, generally for quantities required for our businesses and at prevailing market prices. These commitments are designed to assure sources of supply and are not expected to be in excess of normal requirements. As of March 31, 2020 , we had capital expenditure commitments, which we incurred in our normal course of business , including commitments of approximately $783 million related to building our new PO/TBA plant in Houston, Texas. Financial Assurance Instruments —We have obtained letters of credit, performance and surety bonds and have issued financial and performance guarantees to support trade payables, potential liabilities and other obligations. Considering the frequency of claims made against the financial instruments we use to support our obligations, and the magnitude of those financial instruments in light of our current financial position, management does not expect that any claims against or draws on these instruments would have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. We have not experienced any unmanageable difficulty in obtaining the required financial assurance instruments for our current operations. Environmental Remediation —Our accrued liability for future environmental remediation costs at current and former plant sites and other remediation sites totaled $130 million and $132 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. At March 31, 2020, the accrued liabilities for individual sites range from less than $1 million to $15 million. The remediation expenditures are expected to occur over a number of years, and not concentrated in any single year. In our opinion, it is reasonably possible that losses in excess of the liabilities recorded may have been incurred. However, we cannot estimate any amount or range of such possible additional losses. New information about sites, new technology or future developments such as involvement in investigations by regulatory agencies, could require us to reassess our potential exposure related to environmental matters. Indemnification —We are parties to various indemnification arrangements, including arrangements entered into in connection with acquisitions, divestitures and the formation and dissolution of joint ventures. Pursuant to these arrangements, we provide indemnification to and/or receive indemnification from other parties in connection with liabilities that may arise in connection with the transactions and in connection with activities prior to completion of the transactions. These indemnification arrangements typically include provisions pertaining to third party claims relating to environmental and tax matters and various types of litigation. As of March 31, 2020, we had not accrued any significant amounts for our indemnification obligations, and we are not aware of other circumstances that would likely lead to significant future indemnification obligations. We cannot determine with certainty the potential amount of future payments under the indemnification arrangements until events arise that would trigger a liability under the arrangements. As part of our technology licensing contracts, we give indemnifications to our licensees for liabilities arising from possible patent infringement claims with respect to certain proprietary licensed technologies. Such indemnifications have a stated maximum amount and generally cover a period of 5 to 10 years. Legal Proceedings— We are subject to various lawsuits and claims, including but not limited to, matters involving contract disputes, environmental damages, personal injury and property damage. We vigorously defend ourselves and prosecute these matters as appropriate. Our legal organization applies its knowledge, experience and professional judgment to the specific characteristics of our cases, employing a litigation management process to manage and monitor legal proceedings in which we are a party. Our process facilitates the early evaluation and quantification of potential exposures in individual cases. This process also enables us to track those cases that have been scheduled for trial, mediation or other resolution. We regularly assesses the adequacy of legal accruals based on our professional judgment, experience and the information available regarding our cases.

Shareholders' Equity and Redeem

Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Shareholders Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests Abstract [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests Disclosure [Text Block]	10. Shareholders’ Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests Shareholders’ Equity Dividend Distributions —In March 2020, we paid a cash dividend of $1.05 per share for an aggregate of $351 million to shareholders of record on March 2, 2020. Share Repurchase Authorization —In September 2019, our shareholders approved a proposal to authorize us to repurchase up to 33.3 million ordinary shares, through March 12, 2021 (“September 2019 Share Repurchase Authorization”), which superseded any prior repurchase authorizations. The timing and amount of these repurchases, which are determined based on our evaluation of market conditions and other factors, may be executed from time to time through open market or privately negotiated transactions. The repurchased shares, which are recorded at cost, are classified as Treasury stock and may be retired or used for general corporate purposes, including for various employee benefit and compensation plans. The following table summarizes our share repurchase activity for the periods presented: Millions of dollars, except shares and per share amounts Shares Average Total Purchase Price, Including For three months ended March 31, 2020: September 2019 Share Repurchase Authorization 50,685 $ 78.93 $ 4 For three months ended March 31, 2019: June 2018 Share Repurchase Authorization 5,648,900 $ 86.38 $ 488 Due to the timing of settlements, total cash paid for share repurchases for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $4 million and $512 million, respectively. Ordinary Shares —The changes in the outstanding amounts of ordinary shares are as follows: Three Months Ended 2020 2019 Ordinary shares outstanding: Beginning balance 333,476,883 375,696,661 Share-based compensation 196,037 235,550 Employee stock purchase plan 81,215 42,792 Purchase of ordinary shares (50,685) (5,648,900) Ending balance 333,703,450 370,326,103 Treasury Shares— The changes in the amounts of treasury shares held by the Company are as follows: Three Months Ended 2020 2019 Ordinary shares held as treasury shares: Beginning balance 6,568,745 24,513,619 Share-based compensation (196,037) (235,550) Employee stock purchase plan (81,215) (42,792) Purchase of ordinary shares 50,685 5,648,900 Ending balance 6,342,178 29,884,177 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) —The components of, and after-tax changes in, Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are presented in the following tables: Millions of dollars Financial Unrealized Defined Benefit Foreign Total Balance – January 1, 2020 $ (200) $ — $ (711) $ (873) $ (1,784) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (388) (3) — (195) (586) Tax (expense) benefit before reclassifications 88 1 — (4) 85 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (53) — 14 — (39) Tax (expense) benefit 15 — (4) — 11 Net other comprehensive income (loss) (338) (2) 10 (199) (529) Balance – March 31, 2020 $ (538) $ (2) $ (701) $ (1,072) $ (2,313) Millions of dollars Financial Defined Benefit Foreign Total Balance – January 1, 2019 $ (68) $ (442) $ (853) $ (1,363) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (19) — (7) (26) Tax (expense) benefit before reclassifications 4 — (3) 1 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (45) 7 — (38) Tax (expense) benefit 10 (2) — 8 Net other comprehensive income (loss) (50) 5 (10) (55) Balance – March 31, 2019 $ (118) $ (437) $ (863) $ (1,418) The amounts reclassified out of each component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows: Three Months Ended Affected Line Item on Millions of dollars 2020 2019 Reclassification adjustments for: Financial derivatives: Foreign currency $ (53) $ (39) Other income, net Commodities — (6) Sales and other operating revenue Commodities — 4 Cost of sales Interest rates — (4) Interest expense Income tax benefit (15) (10) Provision for income taxes Financial derivatives, net of tax (38) (35) Amortization of defined pension items: Prior service cost 1 — Other income, net Actuarial loss 13 7 Other income, net Income tax expense 4 2 Provision for income taxes Defined pension items, net of tax 10 5 Total reclassifications, before tax (39) (38) Income tax benefit (11) (8) Provision for income taxes Total reclassifications, after tax $ (28) $ (30) Amount included in net income Non-controlling Interest— In February 2019, we increased our interest in our subsidiary La Porte Methanol Company, L.P., from 85% to 100%, for cash consideration of $63 million. Redeemable Non-controlling Interests Our redeemable non-controlling interests relate to shares of cumulative perpetual special stock (“redeemable non-controlling interest stock”) issued by our consolidated subsidiary, formerly known as A. Schulman. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had 115,374 shares of redeemable non-controlling interest stock outstanding. In February 2020, we paid a cash dividend of $15.00 per share to our redeemable non-controlling interest shareholders of record as of January 15, 2020. These dividends totaled $2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Per Share Data

Per Share Data	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Per Share Data [Text Block]	11. Per Share Data Basic earnings per share are based upon the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods. Diluted earnings per share includes the effect of certain stock option awards and other equity-based compensation awards. We have unvested restricted stock units that are considered participating securities for earnings per share. Earnings per share data and dividends declared per share of common stock are as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2019 Millions of dollars Continuing Discontinued Continuing Discontinued Net income $ 143 $ 1 $ 817 $ — Dividends on redeemable non-controlling interest stock (2) — (2) — Net income attributable to participating securities — — (1) — Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders – basic and diluted $ 141 $ 1 $ 814 $ — Millions of shares, except per share amounts Basic weighted average common stock outstanding 334 334 372 372 Effect of dilutive securities — — — — Potential dilutive shares 334 334 372 372 Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.42 $ — $ 2.19 $ — Diluted $ 0.42 $ — $ 2.19 $ —

Segment and Related Information

Segment and Related Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment and Related Information [Text Block]	12. Segment and Related Information Our operations are managed by senior executives who report to our Chief Executive Officer, the chief operating decision maker. Discrete financial information is available for each of the segments, and our Chief Executive Officer uses the operating results of each of the operating segments for performance evaluation and resource allocation. The activities of each of our segments from which they earn revenues and incur expenses are described below: • Olefins and Polyolefins—Americas (“O&P—Americas”). Our O&P—Americas segment produces and markets olefins and co-products, polyethylene and polypropylene. • Olefins and Polyolefins—Europe, Asia, International (“O&P—EAI”). Our O&P—EAI segment produces and markets olefins and co-products, polyethylene, and polypropylene. • Intermediates and Derivatives (“I&D”). Our I&D segment produces and markets propylene oxide and its derivatives, oxyfuels and related products, and intermediate chemicals such as styrene monomer, acetyls, ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol. • Advanced Polymer Solutions (“APS”) . Our APS segment produces and markets compounding and solutions, such as polypropylene compounds, engineered plastics, masterbatches, engineered composites, colors and powders, and advanced polymers, which includes Catalloy and polybutene-1. • Refining . Our Refining segment refines heavy, high-sulfur crude oil and other crude oils of varied types and sources available on the U.S. Gulf Coast into refined products, including gasoline and distillates. • Technology . Our Technology segment develops and licenses chemical and polyolefin process technologies and manufactures and sells polyolefin catalysts. Our chief operating decision maker uses EBITDA as the primary measure for reviewing profitability of our segments, and therefore, we have presented EBITDA for all segments. We define EBITDA as earnings before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. “Other” includes intersegment eliminations and items that are not directly related or allocated to business operations, such as foreign exchange gains or losses and components of pension and other postretirement benefit costs other than service costs. Sales between segments are made primarily at prices approximating prevailing market prices. Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments is shown in the following tables for the periods presented: Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Millions of dollars O&P– O&P– I&D APS Refining Technology Other Total Sales and other operating revenues: Customers $ 1,173 $ 2,064 $ 1,732 $ 1,093 $ 1,336 $ 96 $ — $ 7,494 Intersegment 619 160 38 3 112 26 (958) — 1,792 2,224 1,770 1,096 1,448 122 (958) 7,494 Income (loss) from equity investments 2 (3) 2 (1) — — — — EBITDA 366 189 203 113 (272) 56 (9) 646 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Millions of dollars O&P– O&P– I&D APS Refining Technology Other Total Sales and other operating revenues: Customers $ 1,393 $ 2,343 $ 1,852 $ 1,338 $ 1,743 $ 109 $ — $ 8,778 Intersegment 718 192 42 1 139 32 (1,124) — 2,111 2,535 1,894 1,339 1,882 141 (1,124) 8,778 Income from equity investments 11 51 2 — — — — 64 EBITDA 516 296 390 148 (15) 83 10 1,428 Operating results for our O&P–Americas segment include charges of $111 million in the first quarter of 2020, primarily related to LCM inventory valuation charges driven primarily by declines in the prices of heavy liquids and ethylene. Our O&P–EAI segment results for the first quarter of 2020 were negatively impacted by a $36 million LCM inventory valuation charge largely due to a decline in the price of naphtha. Operating results for our I&D segment in the first quarter of 2020 reflect a $78 million LCM charge driven by declines in the prices of various gasoline blending components and butane. Our APS segment results for the first quarter of 2020 were negatively impacted by a $2 million LCM charge mainly due to a decline in the price of polymers. In our Refining segment, operating results were reduced by a $192 million LCM inventory charge in the first quarter of 2020, primarily driven by a decline in the prices of crude oil and refined products. Our APS segment results for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019 included $14 million and $16 million of integration costs associated with our 2018 acquisition of A. Schulman, respectively. A reconciliation of EBITDA to Income from continuing operations before income taxes is shown in the following table for each of the periods presented: Three Months Ended Millions of dollars 2020 2019 EBITDA: Total segment EBITDA $ 655 $ 1,418 Other EBITDA (9) 10 Less: Depreciation and amortization expense (342) (322) Interest expense (89) (92) Add: Interest income 3 6 Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 218 $ 1,020

Accounting and Reporting Chan_2

Accounting and Reporting Changes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Schedule of accounting and reporting changes [Table Text Block]	The following table provides a brief description of recently adopted Accounting Standard Updates (“ASU”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). The adoption of the new standards listed below in the first quarter of 2020 did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Standard Description ASU 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Relief of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting This guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. The expedients and exceptions provided by this guidance are available from January 1, 2020, prospectively, and do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022, that an entity has elected certain optional expedients for and that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. The adoption of the guidance will enable us to continue hedge accounting for the relevant designated hedges and is expected to ease the accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. ASU 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments This guidance makes narrow-scope changes that are intended to improve the guidance on financial instruments and current expected credit loss (“CECL”). We adopted the guidance related to CECL and other amendments on a modified retrospective basis. ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes This guidance enhances and simplifies various aspects of income tax accounting by removing exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for changes from a subsidiary to an equity method investment and vice versa, performing intraperiod allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The new guidance also reduces complexity in certain areas, including the tax basis step-up in goodwill in a transaction that is not a business combination and interim period accounting for enacted changes in tax law. We early adopted the amendments applicable to us on a prospective basis. ASU 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract This guidance requires a customer in a hosted, cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as assets or expense as incurred. Capitalized costs are amortized over the term of the hosting arrangement when the recognized asset is ready for its intended use. ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework - Change to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement This guidance eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. It removes transfer disclosures between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, and adds disclosures for the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. Accounting Guidance Issued But Not Adopted as of March 31, 2020 We are currently assessing the impact of the standard listed below on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Standard Description ASU 2018-14, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans This guidance changes disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and/or other postretirement benefit plans. It eliminates the requirement of certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial and adds more pertinent disclosures.

Revenues (Tables)

Revenues (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of revenue [Table Text Block]	Disaggregation of Revenues— The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by key products: Three Months Ended Millions of dollars 2020 2019 Sales and other operating revenues: Olefins and co-products $ 667 $ 748 Polyethylene 1,459 1,666 Polypropylene 1,101 1,315 Propylene oxide and derivatives 464 528 Oxyfuels and related products 707 664 Intermediate chemicals 544 640 Compounding and solutions 912 1,140 Advanced polymers 181 198 Refined products 1,336 1,743 Other 123 136 Total $ 7,494 $ 8,778 The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by geography, based upon the location of the customer: Three Months Ended Millions of dollars 2020 2019 Sales and other operating revenues: United States $ 3,187 $ 3,893 Germany 641 731 Mexico 380 528 Italy 335 387 France 270 362 China 243 298 The Netherlands 212 252 Japan 335 203 Other 1,891 2,124 Total $ 7,494 $ 8,778

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of inventory [Table Text Block]	Inventories consisted of the following components: Millions of dollars March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Finished goods $ 2,691 $ 3,083 Work-in-process 124 130 Raw materials and supplies 1,158 1,375 Total inventories $ 3,973 $ 4,588

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long-term debt [Table Text Block]	Long-term loans, notes and other debt, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance cost, consisted of the following: Millions of dollars March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Senior Notes due 2021, $1,000 million, 6.0% ($3 million of debt issuance cost) $ 1,014 $ 998 Senior Notes due 2024, $1,000 million, 5.75% ($5 million of debt issuance cost) 995 995 Senior Notes due 2055, $1,000 million, 4.625% ($16 million of discount; $11 million of debt issuance cost) 973 973 Term Loan due 2022, $4,000 million ($2 million of debt issuance costs) 1,948 1,950 Senior Revolving Credit Facility due 2022, $2,500 million 500 — Guaranteed Notes due 2022, €750 million, 1.875% ($1 million of discount; $2 million of debt issuance cost) 819 841 Guaranteed Notes due 2023, $750 million, 4.0% ($4 million of discount; $2 million of debt issuance cost) 744 744 Guaranteed Notes due 2026, €500 million, 0.875% ($2 million of discount; $3 million of debt issuance cost) 542 555 Guaranteed Notes due 2027, $1,000 million, 3.5% ($8 million of discount; $6 million of debt issuance cost) 1,103 1,023 Guaranteed Notes due 2027, $300 million, 8.1% 300 300 Guaranteed Notes due 2031, €500 million, 1.625% ($6 million of discount; $3 million of debt issuance cost) 538 552 Guaranteed Notes due 2043, $750 million, 5.25% ($20 million of discount; $7 million of debt issuance cost) 723 723 Guaranteed Notes due 2044, $1,000 million, 4.875% ($10 million of discount; $9 million of debt issuance cost) 981 980 Guaranteed Notes due 2049, $1,000 million, 4.2% ($15 million of discount; $10 million of debt issuance cost) 975 975 Other 7 8 Total 12,162 11,617 Less current maturities (3) (3) Long-term debt $ 12,159 $ 11,614 Fair value hedging adjustments associated with the fair value hedge accounting of our fixed-for-floating interest rate swaps for the applicable periods are as follows: Gains (Losses) Cumulative Fair Value Inception Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, Millions of dollars 2020 2019 2020 2019 Senior Notes due 2019, 5.0% 2014 $ — $ (11) $ — $ — Senior Notes due 2021, 6.0% 2016 (16) (7) (17) (1) Guaranteed Notes due 2027, 3.5% 2017 (80) (22) (117) (37) Guaranteed Notes due 2022, 1.875% 2018 1 — (1) (2) Total $ (95) $ (40) $ (135) $ (40) Fair value adjustments are recognized in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Schedule of short-term debt [Table Text Block]	Short-term loans, notes and other debt consisted of the following: Millions of dollars March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 U.S. Receivables Facility $ 500 $ — Commercial paper 778 262 Precious metal financings 211 181 Other 4 2 Total Short-term debt $ 1,493 $ 445

Financial Instruments and Fai_2

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of fair value of outstanding financial instruments [Table Text Block]	Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis —The following table summarizes financial instruments outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Millions of dollars Notional Amount Fair Value Notional Amount Fair Value Balance Sheet Classification Assets– Derivatives designated as hedges: Foreign currency $ — $ 51 $ — $ 27 Prepaid expenses and other current assets Foreign currency 2,300 351 2,000 214 Other assets Interest rates — 26 — 22 Prepaid expenses and other current assets Interest rates 2,246 135 1,940 41 Other assets Derivatives not designated as hedges: Commodities 138 9 3 — Prepaid expenses and other current assets Foreign currency 355 13 580 5 Prepaid expenses and other current assets Non-derivatives: Available-for-sale debt securities 159 157 162 162 Short-term investments Equity securities 43 43 34 34 Short-term investments Total $ 5,241 $ 785 $ 4,719 $ 505 Liabilities– Derivatives designated as hedges: Foreign currency $ — $ 33 $ — $ 16 Accrued liabilities Foreign currency 650 27 950 53 Other liabilities Interest rates — 5 1,000 154 Accrued liabilities Interest rates 1,500 760 700 77 Other liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedges: Commodities 156 37 224 34 Accrued liabilities Foreign currency 604 15 200 1 Accrued liabilities Total $ 2,910 $ 877 $ 3,074 $ 335 All financial instruments in the table above are classified as Level 2. We present the gross assets and liabilities of our derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Schedule of the carrying value and estimated fair value of non-derivative financial instruments [Table Text Block]	Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis —The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Due to the short maturity, the fair value of all non-derivative financial instruments included in Current assets and Current liabilities for which the carrying value approximates fair value are excluded from the table below. Short-term and long-term debt are recorded at amortized cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying and fair values of short-term and of long-term debt exclude commercial paper and other miscellaneous short-term debt. March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Millions of dollars Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Non-derivatives: Liabilities: Short-term debt $ 711 $ 731 $ 181 $ 215 Long-term debt 12,155 12,222 11,609 12,561 Total $ 12,866 $ 12,953 $ 11,790 $ 12,776
Summary of net investment hedges [Table Text Block]	Net Investment Hedges— The following table summarizes our net investment hedges outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Millions of euro/dollars Notional Value Notional Value Expiration Date Equivalent Equivalent Foreign currency € 617 $ 650 € 617 $ 650 2027 Foreign-currency denominated debt € 750 $ 821 € 750 $ 842 2022
Summary of cash flow hedges [Table Text Block]	Cash Flow Hedges— The following table summarizes our cash flow hedges outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Millions of dollars Notional Value Notional Value Expiration Date Foreign currency $ 2,300 $ 2,300 2021 to 2027 Interest rates 1,500 1,500 2021 to 2024
Summary of fair value hedges [Table Text Block]	Fair Value Hedges— The following table summarizes our fair value hedges outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Millions of dollars Notional Value Notional Value Expiration Date Interest rates $ 2,246 $ 2,140 2021 to 2027
Summary of the impact of financial instruments on earnings and other comprehensive income [Table Text Block]	Impact on Earnings and Other Comprehensive Income —The following table summarizes the pre-tax effect of derivative and non-derivative instruments recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”), the gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI to earnings and additional gains (losses) recognized directly in earnings: Effects of Financial Instruments Three Months Ended March 31, Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI to Income Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income Income Statement Millions of dollars 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Classification Derivatives designated as hedges: Commodities $ — $ (50) $ — $ (5) $ — $ — Sales and other operating revenues Commodities — 46 — 4 — — Cost of sales Foreign currency 164 70 (53) (39) 16 17 Other income, net; Interest expense Interest rates (535) (74) — (4) 96 (34) Interest expense Derivatives not designated as hedges: Commodities — — — — (9) 2 Sales and other operating revenues Commodities — — — — (3) 3 Cost of sales Foreign currency — — — — (4) 19 Other income, net Non-derivatives designated as hedges: Long-term debt 22 16 — — — — Other income, net Total $ (349) $ 8 $ (53) $ (44) $ 96 $ 7
Schedule of available-for-sale debt securities reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Investments in Available-for-Sale Debt Securities —The following table summarizes the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of our outstanding available-for-sale debt securities: Millions of dollars Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Available-for-sale debt securities: Bonds at March 31, 2020 $ 159 $ 1 $ (3) $ 157 Bonds at December 31, 2019 162 — — 162
Summary of proceeds from maturities and sales of available-for-sale debt securities [Table Text Block]	The proceeds from maturities of our available-for-sale-debt securities during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized in the following table: Three Months Ended Millions of dollars 2020 2019 Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale debt securities $ — $ 308
Summary of the portion of unrealized gains and losses for equity securities outstanding [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the portion of unrealized gains and losses for the equity securities that are outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and 2019: Three Months Ended Millions of dollars 2020 2019 Net gains recognized during the period $ — $ 7 Less: Net gains recognized during the period on securities sold — 1 Unrealized gains recognized during the period $ — $ 6

Shareholders' Equity and Rede_2

Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests, Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Shareholders Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests Abstract [Abstract]
Schedule of share repurchase authorization [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes our share repurchase activity for the periods presented: Millions of dollars, except shares and per share amounts Shares Average Total Purchase Price, Including For three months ended March 31, 2020: September 2019 Share Repurchase Authorization 50,685 $ 78.93 $ 4 For three months ended March 31, 2019: June 2018 Share Repurchase Authorization 5,648,900 $ 86.38 $ 488 Due to the timing of settlements, total cash paid for share repurchases for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $4 million and $512 million, respectively.
Schedule of changes in ordinary and treasury shares outstanding during the period [Table Text Block]	Ordinary Shares —The changes in the outstanding amounts of ordinary shares are as follows: Three Months Ended 2020 2019 Ordinary shares outstanding: Beginning balance 333,476,883 375,696,661 Share-based compensation 196,037 235,550 Employee stock purchase plan 81,215 42,792 Purchase of ordinary shares (50,685) (5,648,900) Ending balance 333,703,450 370,326,103 Treasury Shares— The changes in the amounts of treasury shares held by the Company are as follows: Three Months Ended 2020 2019 Ordinary shares held as treasury shares: Beginning balance 6,568,745 24,513,619 Share-based compensation (196,037) (235,550) Employee stock purchase plan (81,215) (42,792) Purchase of ordinary shares 50,685 5,648,900 Ending balance 6,342,178 29,884,177
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Table Text Block]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) —The components of, and after-tax changes in, Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are presented in the following tables: Millions of dollars Financial Unrealized Defined Benefit Foreign Total Balance – January 1, 2020 $ (200) $ — $ (711) $ (873) $ (1,784) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (388) (3) — (195) (586) Tax (expense) benefit before reclassifications 88 1 — (4) 85 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (53) — 14 — (39) Tax (expense) benefit 15 — (4) — 11 Net other comprehensive income (loss) (338) (2) 10 (199) (529) Balance – March 31, 2020 $ (538) $ (2) $ (701) $ (1,072) $ (2,313) Millions of dollars Financial Defined Benefit Foreign Total Balance – January 1, 2019 $ (68) $ (442) $ (853) $ (1,363) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (19) — (7) (26) Tax (expense) benefit before reclassifications 4 — (3) 1 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (45) 7 — (38) Tax (expense) benefit 10 (2) — 8 Net other comprehensive income (loss) (50) 5 (10) (55) Balance – March 31, 2019 $ (118) $ (437) $ (863) $ (1,418)
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Table Text Block]	The amounts reclassified out of each component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows: Three Months Ended Affected Line Item on Millions of dollars 2020 2019 Reclassification adjustments for: Financial derivatives: Foreign currency $ (53) $ (39) Other income, net Commodities — (6) Sales and other operating revenue Commodities — 4 Cost of sales Interest rates — (4) Interest expense Income tax benefit (15) (10) Provision for income taxes Financial derivatives, net of tax (38) (35) Amortization of defined pension items: Prior service cost 1 — Other income, net Actuarial loss 13 7 Other income, net Income tax expense 4 2 Provision for income taxes Defined pension items, net of tax 10 5 Total reclassifications, before tax (39) (38) Income tax benefit (11) (8) Provision for income taxes Total reclassifications, after tax $ (28) $ (30) Amount included in net income

Per Share Data (Tables)

Per Share Data (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of earnings per share, basic and diluted [Table Text Block]	Earnings per share data and dividends declared per share of common stock are as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2019 Millions of dollars Continuing Discontinued Continuing Discontinued Net income $ 143 $ 1 $ 817 $ — Dividends on redeemable non-controlling interest stock (2) — (2) — Net income attributable to participating securities — — (1) — Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders – basic and diluted $ 141 $ 1 $ 814 $ — Millions of shares, except per share amounts Basic weighted average common stock outstanding 334 334 372 372 Effect of dilutive securities — — — — Potential dilutive shares 334 334 372 372 Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.42 $ — $ 2.19 $ — Diluted $ 0.42 $ — $ 2.19 $ —

Segment and Related Informati_2

Segment and Related Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of segment reporting information, by segment [Table Text Block]	Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments is shown in the following tables for the periods presented: Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Millions of dollars O&P– O&P– I&D APS Refining Technology Other Total Sales and other operating revenues: Customers $ 1,173 $ 2,064 $ 1,732 $ 1,093 $ 1,336 $ 96 $ — $ 7,494 Intersegment 619 160 38 3 112 26 (958) — 1,792 2,224 1,770 1,096 1,448 122 (958) 7,494 Income (loss) from equity investments 2 (3) 2 (1) — — — — EBITDA 366 189 203 113 (272) 56 (9) 646 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Millions of dollars O&P– O&P– I&D APS Refining Technology Other Total Sales and other operating revenues: Customers $ 1,393 $ 2,343 $ 1,852 $ 1,338 $ 1,743 $ 109 $ — $ 8,778 Intersegment 718 192 42 1 139 32 (1,124) — 2,111 2,535 1,894 1,339 1,882 141 (1,124) 8,778 Income from equity investments 11 51 2 — — — — 64 EBITDA 516 296 390 148 (15) 83 10 1,428
Reconciliation of EBITDA to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes [Table Text Block]	A reconciliation of EBITDA to Income from continuing operations before income taxes is shown in the following table for each of the periods presented: Three Months Ended Millions of dollars 2020 2019 EBITDA: Total segment EBITDA $ 655 $ 1,418 Other EBITDA (9) 10 Less: Depreciation and amortization expense (342) (322) Interest expense (89) (92) Add: Interest income 3 6 Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 218 $ 1,020

Basis of Presentation (Details)

Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
LCM inventory valuation charge	$ 419	$ 0

Revenues (Details)

Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Contract with customer, liability [Abstract]
Contract with customer liability	$ 151		$ 124
Revenue recognized included in beginning contract liability	Revenue recognized in each reporting period, included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period, was immaterial.	Revenue recognized in each reporting period included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period was immaterial.

Revenues, Key product revenues

Revenues, Key product revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 7,494	$ 8,778
Olefins & co-products [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	667	748
Polyethylene [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	1,459	1,666
Polypropylene [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	1,101	1,315
Propylene oxide and derivatives [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	464	528
Oxyfuels and related products [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	707	664
Intermediate chemicals [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	544	640
Compounding and solutions [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	912	1,140
Advanced polymers [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	181	198
Refined products [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	1,336	1,743
Other [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 123	$ 136

Revenues, Geographic location (

Revenues, Geographic location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 7,494	$ 8,778
United States [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	3,187	3,893
Germany [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	641	731
Mexico [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	380	528
Italy [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	335	387
France [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	270	362
China [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	243	298
The Netherlands [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	212	252
Japan [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	335	203
Other [Member]
Disaggregation of revenue [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 1,891	$ 2,124

Accounts Receivable (Details)

Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Allowance for credit losses, receivables	$ 14	$ 16

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Inventory, finished goods, work-in-process, and raw materials and supplies [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 2,691		$ 3,083
Work-in-process	124		130
Raw materials and supplies	1,158		1,375
Total inventories	3,973		$ 4,588
LCM inventory valuation charge	$ 419	$ 0

Debt, Long-term debt (Details)

Debt, Long-term debt (Details) € in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt		$ 12,162	$ 11,617
Current maturities of long-term debt		(3)	(3)
Long-term debt, non-current portion		12,159	11,614
Senior Notes due 2021, $1,000 million, 6.0% ($3 million of debt issuance cost)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2021
Face amount		$ 1,000
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	6.00%	6.00%
Unamortized debt issuance cost		$ 3
Long-term debt		1,014	998
Senior Notes due 2024, $1,000 million, 5.75% ($5 million of debt issuance cost)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2024
Face amount		$ 1,000
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	5.75%	5.75%
Unamortized debt issuance cost		$ 5
Long-term debt		995	995
Senior Notes due 2055, $1,000 million, 4.625% ($16 million of discount; $11 million of debt issuance cost)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2055
Face amount		$ 1,000
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	4.625%	4.625%
Unamortized discount		$ 16
Unamortized debt issuance cost		11
Long-term debt		973	973
Term Loan due 2022, $4,000 million ($2 million of debt issuance costs)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2022
Maximum borrowing capacity		4,000
Unamortized debt issuance cost		2
Long-term debt		1,948	1,950
Senior Revolving Credit Facility due 2022, $2,500 million [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2022
Maximum borrowing capacity		2,500
Long-term debt		$ 500	0
Guaranteed Notes due 2022, €750 million, 1.875% ($1 million of discount; $2 million of debt issuance cost)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2022
Face amount | €	€ 750
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	1.875%	1.875%
Unamortized discount		$ 1
Unamortized debt issuance cost		2
Long-term debt		819	841
Guaranteed Notes due 2023, $750 million, 4.0% ($4 million of discount; $2 million of debt issuance cost)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2023
Face amount		$ 750
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	4.00%	4.00%
Unamortized discount		$ 4
Unamortized debt issuance cost		2
Long-term debt		$ 744	744
Guaranteed Notes due 2026, €500 million, 0.875% ($2 million of discount; $3 million of debt issuance cost)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2026
Face amount | €	€ 500
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	0.875%	0.875%
Unamortized discount		$ 2
Unamortized debt issuance cost		3
Long-term debt		542	555
Guaranteed Notes due 2027, $1,000 million, 3.5% ($8 million of discount; $6 million of debt issuance cost)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2027
Face amount		$ 1,000
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	3.50%	3.50%
Unamortized discount		$ 8
Unamortized debt issuance cost		6
Long-term debt		1,103	1,023
Guaranteed Notes due 2027, $300 million, 8.1%
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2027
Face amount		$ 300
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	8.10%	8.10%
Long-term debt		$ 300	300
Guaranteed Notes due 2031, €500 million, 1.625% ($6 million of discount; $3 million of debt issuance cost)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2031
Face amount | €	€ 500
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	1.625%	1.625%
Unamortized discount		$ 6
Unamortized debt issuance cost		3
Long-term debt		538	552
Guaranteed Notes due 2043, $750 million, 5.25% ($20 million of discount; $7 million of debt issuance cost)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2043
Face amount		$ 750
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	5.25%	5.25%
Unamortized discount		$ 20
Unamortized debt issuance cost		7
Long-term debt		723	723
Guaranteed Notes due 2044, $1,000 million, 4.875% ($10 million of discount; $9 million of debt issuance cost)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2044
Face amount		$ 1,000
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	4.875%	4.875%
Unamortized discount		$ 10
Unamortized debt issuance cost		9
Long-term debt		981	980
Guaranteed Notes due 2049, $1,000 million, 4.2% ($15 million of discount; $10 million of debt issuance cost)
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maturity year	2049
Face amount		$ 1,000
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	4.20%	4.20%
Unamortized discount		$ 15
Unamortized debt issuance cost		10
Long-term debt		975	975
Other long-term debt [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Long-term debt		$ 7	$ 8

Debt, Description of fair value

Debt, Description of fair value adjustments for senior and guaranteed notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	24 Months Ended	27 Months Ended	36 Months Ended	39 Months Ended	48 Months Ended	51 Months Ended	72 Months Ended	75 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on fair value adjustments of the hedged item related to interest rate swaps	$ (95)	$ (40)								$ (40)	$ (135)
Senior Notes due 2019, $1,000 million, 5.0% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year			2019
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)			5.00%	5.00%		5.00%		5.00%		5.00%
Inception year			2014
Gain (loss) on fair value adjustments of the hedged item related to interest rate swaps	$ 0	(11)								$ 0	$ 0
Senior Notes due 2021, $1,000 million, 6.0% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2021
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	6.00%				6.00%		6.00%		6.00%		6.00%
Inception year	2016
Gain (loss) on fair value adjustments of the hedged item related to interest rate swaps	$ (16)	(7)						$ (1)	$ (17)
Guaranteed Notes due 2027, $1,000 million, 3.5% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2027
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	3.50%				3.50%		3.50%		3.50%		3.50%
Inception year	2017
Gain (loss) on fair value adjustments of the hedged item related to interest rate swaps	$ (80)	(22)				$ (37)	$ (117)
Guaranteed Notes due 2022, Euro 750 million, 1.875% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2022
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	1.875%				1.875%		1.875%		1.875%		1.875%
Inception year	2018
Gain (loss) on fair value adjustments of the hedged item related to interest rate swaps	$ 1	$ 0		$ (2)	$ (1)

Debt, Short-term debt (Details)

Debt, Short-term debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Short-term debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt	$ 1,493	$ 445
U.S. Receivables Facility [Member]
Short-term debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt	500	0
Commercial paper [Member]
Short-term debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt	778	262
Precious metal financings [Member]
Short-term debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt	211	181
Other short-term debt [Member]
Short-term debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt	$ 4	$ 2

Debt, Description of long-term

Debt, Description of long-term debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Issuance of long-term debt		$ 500	$ 0
Outstanding borrowings		12,162		$ 11,617
Repayments of long-term debt		0	$ 1,000
Senior Revolving Credit Facility due 2022, $2,500 million [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 2,500
Expiration date		June 2022
Maximum allowed letters of credit		$ 500
Additional borrowing capacity, uncommitted loans		$ 1,000
Description of interest rate		Borrowings under the facility bear interest at either a base rate or LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin. Additional fees are incurred for the average daily unused commitments.
Facility interest rate		1.74%
Issuance of long-term debt		$ 500
Outstanding borrowings		500		$ 0
Outstanding letters of credit		0
Unused availability		$ 1,206
Maturity year		2022
Senior Revolving Credit Facility due 2022, $2,500 million [Member] | Subsequent event [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt	$ 500
Guaranteed notes due 2025, 2.875% [Member] | Subsequent event [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 500
Interest rate	2.875%
Maturity year	2025
Discounted prices at which long-term debt was issued (in thousandths)	99.911%
Guaranteed notes due 2030, 3.375% [Member] | Subsequent event [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 500
Interest rate	3.375%
Maturity year	2030
Discounted prices at which long-term debt was issued (in thousandths)	99.813%
Guaranteed notes due 2050, 4.2% [Member] | Subsequent event [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 1,000
Interest rate	4.20%
Maturity year	2050
Discounted prices at which long-term debt was issued (in thousandths)	99.373%
Guaranteed notes due 2025, 2030 and 2050 [Member] | Subsequent event [Member]
Long-term debt [Line Items]
Issuance of long-term debt	$ 1,974
Issuance date	April 2020
Description of debt redemption terms	The 2025 Notes, 2030 Notes and 2050 Notes may be redeemed before the date that is one month, three months, or six months, respectively, prior to the scheduled maturity date at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed and the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest (discounted at the applicable treasury yield plus 40 basis points in the case of the 2025 Notes or 45 basis points in the case of the 2030 Notes and 2050 Notes) on the notes to be redeemed. The 2025 Notes, 2030 Notes and 2050 Notes may also be redeemed on or after the date that is one month, three months, or six months, respectively, prior to the scheduled maturity date of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. The notes are also redeemable upon certain tax events.

Debt, Description of short-term

Debt, Description of short-term debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Description of short-term debt [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate, short-term debt (in hundredths)		2.40%		3.30%
Issuance of short-term debt		$ 500	$ 2,000
Outstanding short-term borrowings		1,493
Commercial paper [Member]
Description of short-term debt [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 2,500
Description of interest rate		Interest rates on the commercial paper outstanding at March 31, 2020 are based on the terms of the notes and range from 1.45% to 2.45%.
Outstanding short-term borrowings		$ 778
U.S. Receivables Facility [Member]
Description of short-term debt [Line Items]
Expiration date		July 2021
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 900
Additional borrowing capacity, uncommitted loans		300
Collateral amount		$ 1,041
Weighted average interest rate, short-term debt (in hundredths)		1.62%
Maximum allowed letters of credit		$ 200
Terms of debt covenants		We are required to maintain a leverage ratio at the end of every fiscal quarter of 3.50 to 1.00, or less, for the period covering the most recent four quarters.
Issuance of short-term debt		$ 500
Outstanding short-term borrowings		500
Outstanding letters of credit		0
Unused availability		$ 151
U.S. Receivables Facility [Member] | Subsequent event [Member]
Description of short-term debt [Line Items]
Repayments of short-term debt	$ 500

Debt, Debt discount and issuanc

Debt, Debt discount and issuance costs included in interest expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Debt discount and issuance costs [Abstract]
Amortization of debt discounts and debt issuance costs	$ 4	$ 1

Debt, Formation of LYB Internat

Debt, Formation of LYB International Finance B.V., LYB International Finance II B.V. and LYB International Finance III, LLC (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Formation of direct, 100% owned finance subsidiary [Abstract]
LYB International Finance B.V., LYB International Finance II B.V. and LYB International Finance III, LLC business activities and description	LYB International Finance B.V., LYB International Finance II B.V. and LYB International Finance III, LLC are direct, 100% owned finance subsidiaries of LyondellBasell Industries N.V., as defined in Rule 3-10(b) of Regulation S-X. Any debt securities issued by LYB International Finance B.V., LYB International Finance II B.V. and LYB International Finance III, LLC will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

Debt, Credit Facility Amendment

Debt, Credit Facility Amendment (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2020
Credit facility [Member] | Subsequent event [Member]
Credit facility [Line Items]
Terms of debt covenants	The Amendments amended each Credit Agreement’s gross leverage ratio covenant of 3.50 to 1.0 to permit netting of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents in excess of $300 million (with certain restrictions on non-US cash) and, in respect of the Senior Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan due 2022, restrict certain dividends and other specified restricted payments.

Financial Instruments and Fai_3

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, Market risks, commodity prices and foreign currency rates (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value [Abstract]
Amount of marketable securities classified as cash and cash equivalents	$ 885		$ 389
Foreign Currency [Abstract]
Foreign currency gain (loss)	$ (7)	$ 11

Financial Instruments and Fai_4

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, Summary of derivative and non-derivative financial instruments outstanding measured at fair value on a recurring basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	$ 5,241	$ 4,719
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	2,910	3,074
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	785	505
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	877	335
Derivative [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Foreign currency [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	0	0
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	51	27
Derivative [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Foreign currency [Member] | Other assets [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	2,300	2,000
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	351	214
Derivative [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Foreign currency [Member] | Accrued liabilities [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	0	0
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	33	16
Derivative [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Foreign currency [Member] | Other liabilities [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	650	950
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	27	53
Derivative [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	0	0
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	26	22
Derivative [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Other assets [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	2,246	1,940
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	135	41
Derivative [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Accrued liabilities [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	0	1,000
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	5	154
Derivative [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Other liabilities [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	1,500	700
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	760	77
Derivative [Member] | Not designated as hedges: [Member] | Commodities [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	138	3
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	9	0
Derivative [Member] | Not designated as hedges: [Member] | Commodities [Member] | Accrued liabilities [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	156	224
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	37	34
Derivative [Member] | Not designated as hedges: [Member] | Foreign currency [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other current assets [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	355	580
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	13	5
Derivative [Member] | Not designated as hedges: [Member] | Foreign currency [Member] | Accrued liabilities [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	604	200
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments liabilities	15	1
Non-derivatives: [Member] | Available-for-sale debt securities [Member] | Short-term investments [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	159	162
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	157	162
Non-derivatives: [Member] | Equity securities [Member] | Short-term investments [Member] | Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Derivative and non-derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, net, by balance sheet classification [Abstract]
Notional amount, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	43	34
Fair value, derivative and non-derivative financial instruments assets	$ 43	$ 34

Financial Instruments and Fai_5

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, Outstanding foreign currency and commodity contracts (Details) - Not designated as hedges: [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Foreign currency rates [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity date	April 2020
Foreign currency rates [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity date	September 2020
Commodities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity date	April 2020
Commodities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity date	June 2020

Financial Instruments and Fai_6

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, Carrying value and estimated fair value of non-derivative financial instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Liabilities: [Abstract]
Short-term debt, carrying value	$ 1,493	$ 445
Nonrecurring [Member] | Non-derivatives: [Member]
Liabilities: [Abstract]
Short-term debt, carrying value	711	181
Long-term debt, carrying value	12,155	11,609
Total liabilities, carrying value	12,866	11,790
Short-term debt, fair value	731	215
Long-term debt, fair value	12,222	12,561
Total liabilities, fair value	$ 12,953	$ 12,776
Non-derivative fair value level and transfers description	All financial instruments in the table above are classified as Level 2.

Financial Instruments and Fai_7

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, Summary of net investment hedges (Details) - Net investment hedging [Member] € in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Derivative [Member] | Foreign currency contract [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional value	€ 617	$ 650	€ 617	$ 650
Expiration date	2027
Non-derivatives: [Member] | Foreign-currency denominated debt [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional value	€ 750	$ 821	€ 750	$ 842
Expiration date	2022

Financial Instruments and Fai_8

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, Summary of cash flow hedges (Details) - Cash flow hedge [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Interest expense [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Pre-tax unrealized gain (loss) to be reclassified to earnings over the next twelve months		$ 3
Foreign currency [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional value		$ 2,300	$ 2,300
Foreign currency [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Expiration date		2021
Foreign currency [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Expiration date		2027
Interest rates [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional value	$ 1,000	$ 1,500	$ 1,500
Description of interest rate cash flow hedge activity	In January 2020, we amended previously existing forward-starting interest rate swaps with a total notional amount of $1,000 million (the “Swaps”) to extend their maturities to July 2023 and April 2024.
Interest rates [Member] | Other assets [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative collateral related to the liability position held with counterparties		$ 238
Interest rates [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Expiration date		2021
Interest rates [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Expiration date		2024

Financial Instruments and Fai_9

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, Summary of fair value hedges (Details) € in Millions, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2020EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2020EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Guaranteed Notes due 2026, €500 million, 0.875% ($2 million of discount; $3 million of debt issuance cost)
Derivative [Line Items]
Face amount | €			€ 500
Maturity year			2026
Fair value hedge [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional value | $				$ 2,246	$ 2,140
Fair value hedge [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Guaranteed Notes due 2026, €500 million, 0.875% ($2 million of discount; $3 million of debt issuance cost)
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of hedged item | €		€ 100
Face amount | €		€ 500
Maturity year		2026
Fair value hedge [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity date			2021
Fair value hedge [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity date			2027
Fair value hedge [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Subsequent event [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional value | $	$ 2,000
Proceeds from termination of fair value hedges | $	$ 147
Fair value hedge [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Subsequent event [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity date	2021
Fair value hedge [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Subsequent event [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity date	2027

Financial Instruments and Fa_10

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, Pretax effect of derivative instruments charged directly to income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Derivative Instruments, gain (loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	$ (349)	$ 8
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to income	(53)	(44)
Gain (loss) recognized in income	96	7
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative amount excluded for effectiveness testing		2
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings on derivative amount excluded for effectiveness testing	4	5
Pretax effect of the periodic receipt of fixed interest and payment of variable interest	2	3
Minimum [Member]
Derivative Instruments, gain (loss) [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative amount excluded for effectiveness testing	0
Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments, gain (loss) [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative amount excluded for effectiveness testing	1
Derivatives: [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Commodities [Member] | Sales and other operating revenues [Member]
Derivative Instruments, gain (loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	0	(50)
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to income	0	(5)
Gain (loss) recognized in income	0	0
Derivatives: [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Commodities [Member] | Cost of sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, gain (loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	0	46
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to income	0	4
Gain (loss) recognized in income	0	0
Derivatives: [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Foreign currency [Member] | Other income (expense), net; Interest expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, gain (loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	164	70
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to income	(53)	(39)
Gain (loss) recognized in income	16	17
Derivatives: [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Interest expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, gain (loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	(535)	(74)
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to income	0	(4)
Gain (loss) recognized in income	96	(34)
Derivatives: [Member] | Not designated as hedges: [Member] | Commodities [Member] | Sales and other operating revenues [Member]
Derivative Instruments, gain (loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	0	0
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to income	0	0
Gain (loss) recognized in income	(9)	2
Derivatives: [Member] | Not designated as hedges: [Member] | Commodities [Member] | Cost of sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, gain (loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	0	0
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to income	0	0
Gain (loss) recognized in income	(3)	3
Derivatives: [Member] | Not designated as hedges: [Member] | Foreign currency [Member] | Other income (expense), net [Member]
Derivative Instruments, gain (loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	0	0
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to income	0	0
Gain (loss) recognized in income	(4)	19
Non-derivatives: [Member] | Designated as hedges: [Member] | Long-term debt [Member] | Other income (expense), net [Member]
Derivative Instruments, gain (loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	22	16
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to income	0	0
Gain (loss) recognized in income	$ 0	$ 0

Financial Instruments and Fa_11

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, Summary of available-for-sale debt securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Available-for-sale debt securities, additional information [Abstract]
Allowance for credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities	$ 0		$ 0
Proceeds from maturities and sales of available-for-sale securities and the related gross realized gains and losses [Abstract]
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale debt securities	0	$ 308
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale debt securities	0	0
Gross realized gains	0	0
Gross realized losses	0	$ 0
Available-for-sale debt securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale debt securities in continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months	0		0
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale debt securities in continuous unrealized loss position for greater than twelve months	0		0
Bonds [Member]
Available-for-sale debt securities [Abstract]
Cost	159		162
Gross unrealized gains	1		0
Gross unrealized losses	(3)		0
Fair value	$ 157		$ 162
Bonds [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Available-for-sale debt securities, additional information [Abstract]
Investment maturity period	10 months
Bonds [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Available-for-sale debt securities, additional information [Abstract]
Investment maturity period	42 months

Financial Instruments and Fa_12

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements, Equity securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Realized Gain (Loss) [Abstract]
Net gains (losses) recognized during the period	$ 0	$ 7
Less: Net gains (losses) during the period on securities sold	0	1
Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities	0	6
Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collection of Investments [Abstract]
Proceeds from sale of equity securities	1	$ 162
Equity securities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	43		$ 34
Fair value	$ 43		$ 34

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, percent [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate (in hundredths)	34.40%	19.90%

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Capital purchase commitment	$ 783
Site contingency [Line Items]
Future environmental remediation costs	$ 130	$ 132
Minimum [Member]
Site contingency [Line Items]
Minimum accrued liability for individual site range	less than $1 million
Maximum [Member]
Site contingency [Line Items]
Maximum accrued liability for individual site range	$ 15

Commitments and Contingencies,

Commitments and Contingencies, Indemnification (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Technology licensing contracts indemnification period	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Technology licensing contracts indemnification period	10 years

Shareholders' Equity and Rede_3

Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests, Shareholders' Equity, Dividend distributions (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)$ / shares
Payments of Dividends [Abstract]
Dividend per ordinary share (per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.05
Aggregate dividends paid | $	$ 351
Date of record common stock shareholders	Mar. 2, 2020

Shareholders' Equity and Rede_4

Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests, Shareholders' Equity, Share repurchase authorization (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Share repurchase authorization [Line Items]
Cash paid for shares repurchased		$ 4	$ 512
Sept 2019 Share Repurchase Authorization [Member]
Share repurchase authorization [Line Items]
Stock repurchase authorization shares authorized to be repurchased	33,300,000
Stock repurchase authorization expiration date	Mar. 12, 2021
Shares repurchased (in shares)		50,685
Average purchase price (in dollars per share)		$ 78.93
Total purchase price, including commissions and fees		$ 4
June 2018 Share Repurchase Authorization [Member]
Share repurchase authorization [Line Items]
Shares repurchased (in shares)			5,648,900
Average purchase price (in dollars per share)			$ 86.38
Total purchase price, including commissions and fees			$ 488

Shareholders' Equity and Rede_5

Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests, Shareholders' Equity, Ordinary shares (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Ordinary share outstanding [Abstract]
Beginning balance (in shares)	333,476,883
Ending balance (in shares)	333,703,450
Ordinary shares [Member]
Ordinary share outstanding [Abstract]
Beginning balance (in shares)	333,476,883	375,696,661
Share-based compensation (in shares)	196,037	235,550
Employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	81,215	42,792
Purchase of ordinary shares (in shares)	(50,685)	(5,648,900)
Ending balance (in shares)	333,703,450	370,326,103

Shareholders' Equity and Rede_6

Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests, Shareholders' Equity, Treasury shares (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Increase (Decrease) in Treasury Stock [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	6,568,745
Ending balance (in shares)	6,342,178
Treasury shares [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Treasury Stock [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)	6,568,745	24,513,619
Share-based compensation (in shares)	(196,037)	(235,550)
Employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	(81,215)	(42,792)
Purchase of ordinary shares (in shares)	50,685	5,648,900
Ending balance (in shares)	6,342,178	29,884,177

Shareholders' Equity and Rede_7

Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests, Shareholders' Equity, Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning of period	$ (1,784)	$ (1,363)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(586)	(26)
Tax (expense) benefit before reclassifications	85	1
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(39)	(38)
Tax (expense) benefit	11	8
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(529)	(55)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), end of period	(2,313)	(1,418)
Financial derivatives [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning of period	(200)	(68)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(388)	(19)
Tax (expense) benefit before reclassifications	88	4
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(53)	(45)
Tax (expense) benefit	15	10
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(338)	(50)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), end of period	(538)	(118)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning of period	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(3)
Tax (expense) benefit before reclassifications	1
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0
Tax (expense) benefit	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(2)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), end of period	(2)
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning of period	(711)	(442)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Tax (expense) benefit before reclassifications	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	14	7
Tax (expense) benefit	(4)	(2)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	10	5
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), end of period	(701)	(437)
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning of period	(873)	(853)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(195)	(7)
Tax (expense) benefit before reclassifications	(4)	(3)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Tax (expense) benefit	0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(199)	(10)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), end of period	$ (1,072)	$ (863)

Shareholders' Equity and Rede_8

Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests, Shareholders' Equity, Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	$ 0	$ 25
Sales and other operating revenue	7,494	8,778
Cost of sales	6,868	7,446
Interest expense (income)	89	92
Income (loss) before income taxes	218	1,020
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	75	203
Net income	144	817
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	(39)	(38)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(11)	(8)
Net income	(28)	(30)
Financial derivatives [Member] | Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(15)	(10)
Net income	(38)	(35)
Financial derivatives [Member] | Foreign currency [Member] | Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	(53)	(39)
Financial derivatives [Member] | Commodities [Member] | Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenue	0	(6)
Cost of sales	0	4
Financial derivatives [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Interest expense (income)	0	(4)
Amortization of defined pension items [Member] | Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]
Reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)	1	0
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss	13	7
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	4	2
Net income	$ 10	$ 5

Shareholders' Equity and Rede_9

Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests, Shareholders' Equity, Purchase of non-controlling interest (Details) - Lyondell Basell N.V. [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Non-controlling interest, ownership percentage by parent	100.00%	85.00%
Purchase of non-controlling interest in subsidiary La Porte Methanol Company, L.P.	$ 63

Shareholders' Equity and Red_10

Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Non-controlling Interests, Redeemable non-controlling interests (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Temporary Equity [Abstract]
Cumulative perpetual special stock, shares outstanding		115,374		115,374
Redeemable non-controlling interests, dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 15	$ 15	$ 15
Date of record special stock of subsidiary shareholders	Jan. 15, 2020
Aggregate dividends on redeemable non-controlling interest stock		$ 2	$ 2

Per Share Data (Details)

Per Share Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings per share reconciliation [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 144	$ 817
Dividends on redeemable non-controlling interests	$ (2)	$ (2)
Earnings (loss) per share: [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 2.19
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 2.19
Continuing operations [Member]
Earnings per share reconciliation [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 143	$ 817
Dividends on redeemable non-controlling interests	(2)	(2)
Net income attributable to participating securities	0	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders - Basic	141	814
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders - Diluted	$ 141	$ 814
Weighted average number of shares outstanding reconciliation [Abstract]
Basic weighted average common stock outstanding (in shares)	334	372
Effect of dilutive securities: [Abstract]
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	0	0
Potential dilutive shares (in shares)	334	372
Earnings (loss) per share: [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 2.19
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 2.19
Discontinued operations [Member]
Earnings per share reconciliation [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 1	$ 0
Dividends on redeemable non-controlling interests	0	0
Net income attributable to participating securities	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders - Basic	1	0
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders - Diluted	$ 1	$ 0
Weighted average number of shares outstanding reconciliation [Abstract]
Basic weighted average common stock outstanding (in shares)	334	372
Effect of dilutive securities: [Abstract]
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	0	0
Potential dilutive shares (in shares)	334	372
Earnings (loss) per share: [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0

Segment and Related Informati_3

Segment and Related Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 7,494	$ 8,778
Income (loss) from equity investments	0	64
EBITDA	646	1,428
LCM inventory valuation charge	419	0
O&P - Americas [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	1,173	1,393
Income (loss) from equity investments	2	11
EBITDA	366	516
LCM inventory valuation charge	111
O&P - EAI [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	2,064	2,343
Income (loss) from equity investments	(3)	51
EBITDA	189	296
LCM inventory valuation charge	36
I&D [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	1,732	1,852
Income (loss) from equity investments	2	2
EBITDA	203	390
LCM inventory valuation charge	78
APS [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	1,093	1,338
Income (loss) from equity investments	(1)	0
EBITDA	113	148
LCM inventory valuation charge	2
A. Schulman combined transaction and integration costs	14	16
Refining [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	1,336	1,743
Income (loss) from equity investments	0	0
EBITDA	(272)	(15)
LCM inventory valuation charge	192
Technology [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	96	109
Income (loss) from equity investments	0	0
EBITDA	56	83
Other [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	0	0
Income (loss) from equity investments	0	0
EBITDA	(9)	10
Intersegment elimination [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	0	0
Intersegment elimination [Member] | O&P - Americas [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	619	718
Intersegment elimination [Member] | O&P - EAI [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	160	192
Intersegment elimination [Member] | I&D [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	38	42
Intersegment elimination [Member] | APS [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	3	1
Intersegment elimination [Member] | Refining [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	112	139
Intersegment elimination [Member] | Technology [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	26	32
Intersegment elimination [Member] | Other [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	(958)	(1,124)
Operating segments [Member] | O&P - Americas [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	1,792	2,111
Operating segments [Member] | O&P - EAI [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	2,224	2,535
Operating segments [Member] | I&D [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	1,770	1,894
Operating segments [Member] | APS [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	1,096	1,339
Operating segments [Member] | Refining [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	1,448	1,882
Operating segments [Member] | Technology [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	122	141
Operating segments [Member] | Other [Member]
Summarized financial information concerning reportable segments: [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ (958)	$ (1,124)

Segment and Related Informati_4

Segment and Related Information, Reconciliation of EBITDA to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
EBITDA: [Abstract]
Total segment EBITDA	$ 655	$ 1,418
Other EBITDA	(9)	10
Less: [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization expense	(342)	(322)
Interest expense	(89)	(92)
Add: [Abstract]
Interest income	3	6
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 218	$ 1,020