<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.20.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>173</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>391</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>74</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>17</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0002000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfStockholdersEquityUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcern</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Earnings per share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresToConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/Leases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Asset retirement obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/AssetRetirementObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset retirement obligations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Deferred compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>21100100 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcern</ParentRole>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Earnings per share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresToConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresToConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</ParentRole>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/LeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/Leases</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Asset retirement obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/AssetRetirementObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset retirement obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/AssetRetirementObligations</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Deferred compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Cash and Cash Equivalents and Accounts Receivable) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernCashAndCashEquivalentsAndAccountsReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Cash and Cash Equivalents and Accounts Receivable) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401404 - Disclosure - Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Credit Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernCreditLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Credit Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401405 - Disclosure - Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Inventories) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernInventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Inventories) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401406 - Disclosure - Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Property and Equipment, Net) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernPropertyAndEquipmentNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Property and Equipment, Net) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401407 - Disclosure - Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Assets Held for Sale) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernAssetsHeldForSaleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Assets Held for Sale) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401408 - Disclosure - Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Unevaluated Oil and Natural Gas Properties) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernUnevaluatedOilAndNaturalGasPropertiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Unevaluated Oil and Natural Gas Properties) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401409 - Disclosure - Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Revenue Recognition) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernRevenueRecognitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Revenue Recognition) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401410 - Disclosure - Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Income Taxes) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of operations and summary of significant accounting policies and going concern (Income Taxes) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAndGoingConcernTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Earnings per share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresToConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresToConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Debt (Components of Debt) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DebtComponentsOfDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Components of Debt) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Debt (Credit Agreement) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DebtCreditAgreementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Credit Agreement) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404404 - Disclosure - Debt (Senior Notes) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DebtSeniorNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Senior Notes) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405404 - Disclosure - Leases (Short Term Leases) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/LeasesShortTermLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Short Term Leases) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405405 - Disclosure - Leases (Balance Sheet Disclosures) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/LeasesBalanceSheetDisclosuresDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Balance Sheet Disclosures) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405406 - Disclosure - Leases (Lease Assets and Liabilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/LeasesLeaseAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Lease Assets and Liabilities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/LeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Summary of Derivatives Outstanding) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsSummaryOfDerivativesOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative instruments (Summary of Derivatives Outstanding) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Balance Sheet at Fair Value) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsBalanceSheetAtFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative instruments (Balance Sheet at Fair Value) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406404 - Disclosure - Derivative instruments (Derivative Gains (Losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDerivativeGainsLossesInConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative instruments (Derivative Gains (Losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Recurring) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsRecurringDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements (Recurring) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Level 3 Rollforward) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsLevel3RollforwardDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements (Level 3 Rollforward) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Inflation and Discount Rate) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsInflationAndDiscountRateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements (Inflation and Discount Rate) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Other Financial Instruments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsOtherFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements (Other Financial Instruments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407406 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Counterparty Credit Risk) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsCounterpartyCreditRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements (Counterparty Credit Risk) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407407 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (Derivatives Offset in Balance Sheet) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDerivativesOffsetInBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair value measurements (Derivatives Offset in Balance Sheet) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Asset retirement obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/AssetRetirementObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Asset retirement obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/AssetRetirementObligationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Deferred compensation (Cash Awards) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensationCashAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred compensation (Cash Awards) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Deferred compensation (Equity Awards) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensationEquityAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred compensation (Equity Awards) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - Deferred compensation (Restricted Stock Awards) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensationRestrictedStockAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred compensation (Restricted Stock Awards) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409405 - Disclosure - Deferred compensation (Restricted Stock Units) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred compensation (Restricted Stock Units) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409408 - Disclosure - Deferred compensation (Stock-based Compensation Cost) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensationStockBasedCompensationCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred compensation (Stock-based Compensation Cost) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/DeferredCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>24100401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.chaparralenergy.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="chap-20200331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9999.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>Uncategorized Items - chap-20200331.xml</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/role/uncategorizedFacts</Role>
      <ShortName>Uncategorized Items - chap-20200331.xml</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>chap-20200331.xml</File>
    <File>chap-20200331.xsd</File>
    <File>chap-20200331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>chap-20200331_def.xml</File>
    <File>chap-20200331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>chap-20200331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
