Chapter 11 Reorganization - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 21, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
Liabilities subject to compromise		$ 0
Predecessor
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
Senior Notes and associated accrued interest	$ 1,267,410		$ 1,267,410
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	6,687		9,212
Accrued payroll and benefits payable	3,949		4,048
Revenue distribution payable	3,050		3,474
Liabilities subject to compromise	1,281,096		$ 1,284,144
Plan of Reorganization
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
Senior Notes and associated accrued interest	1,267,410
General unsecured claims	2,439
Professional fees	6,954
Segregated account for professional fees attributable to our advisors	11,000
Plan of Reorganization | Prior Credit Facility
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
Amount of repayments on prior credit facility	444,440
Plan of Reorganization | New Revolver
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
New credit facility, opening balance	120,000
Plan of Reorganization | New Term Loan
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
New credit facility, opening balance	150,000
Plan of Reorganization | Backstop Parties
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
Gross proceeds from rights offering	$ 50,031
Plan of Reorganization | Common Stock
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
Common stock shares issued	44,982,142
Percentage of common stock outstanding on conversion of debt	90.00%
Plan of Reorganization | Common Stock | Mr. Mark Fischer, Founder and Former Chief Executive Officer
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
Warrants issued for purchase of common stock	140,023
Exercise price of warrants per share	$ 36.78
Warrants expiry date	Jun. 30, 2018
Plan of Reorganization | Common Stock | Management Incentive Plan
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
Additional shares authorized for issuance	7.00%
Plan of Reorganization | Common Stock | Backstop Parties
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
Percentage of rights issued on common stock outstanding	9.00%
Percentage of outstanding stock received as fee	1.00%
Chaparral Energy Inc and Subsidiaries
Chapter Eleven Reorganization [Line Item]
Date of bankruptcy petition filed		May 09, 2016
Place of bankruptcy petition filed		United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware
Reorganization plan confirmation date		Mar. 10, 2017
Reorganization plan effective date		Mar. 21, 2017