Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Secured Debt, Current	$ 30,119
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	20,383
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	0
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net Income	(1,821)	97,196
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	45,757	59,573
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	(18,595)	76,076
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, (Net of tax: $29,683, $13,292, $97,760, $36,746)	22,713	47,941
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	4,449	87,708
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,628	184,904
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	257	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,885	184,904
Other Guarantors Subsidiaries [Member]
Secured Debt, Current	0
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	20,383
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net Income	103,542
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	45,757	59,573
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, (Net of tax: $29,683, $13,292, $97,760, $36,746)	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	45,757	59,573
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	149,299
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	149,299	213,889
Non-Guarantors
Secured Debt, Current	30,119
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	0
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net Income	2,228
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, (Net of tax: $29,683, $13,292, $97,760, $36,746)	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,228
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,228	3,892
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Secured Debt, Current	0
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	0
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net Income	(105,702)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	(45,757)	(59,573)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, (Net of tax: $29,683, $13,292, $97,760, $36,746)	(22,713)	(47,941)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(4,449)	(87,708)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(110,151)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(110,151)	(253,370)
Parent Issuer
Secured Debt, Current	0
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	0
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net Income	(1,564)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	45,757	59,573
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, (Net of tax: $29,683, $13,292, $97,760, $36,746)	22,713	47,941
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	4,449	87,708
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,885
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,885	184,904
CNX Gas Guarantor
Secured Debt, Current	0
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	0
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net Income	(325)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, (Net of tax: $29,683, $13,292, $97,760, $36,746)	22,713	47,941
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(41,308)	28,135
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(41,633)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	257
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ (41,376)	$ 35,589