Related party transactions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Chesapeake
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amounts receivable from Chesapeake	$ 466	$ 2,071
Amounts payable to Chesapeake	64	864
Chesapeake Holdings Corporation
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Chaparral common stock owned by Chesapeake	20.00%
Properties Operated by Chesapeake
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from jointly owned properties	7,428	3,625	5,028
Joint interest billings	(2,238)	(4,896)	(1,764)
Properties Operated by Chaparral
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from jointly owned properties	(5,075)	(4,084)	(2,834)
Joint interest billings	$ 9,689	$ 9,785	$ 4,056