XML 46 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information Document
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Nov. 13, 2012
Common Class A
Nov. 13, 2012
Common Class B
Nov. 13, 2012
Common Class C
Nov. 13, 2012
Common Class D
Nov. 13, 2012
Common Class E
Nov. 13, 2012
Common Class F
Nov. 13, 2012
Common Class G
Entity Information [Line Items]                
Entity Registrant Name Chaparral Energy, Inc.              
Entity Central Index Key 0001346980              
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31              
Entity Filer Category Non-accelerated Filer              
Document Type 10-Q              
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2012              
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2012              
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3              
Amendment Flag false              
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   68,022 357,882 209,882 279,999 504,276 1 3