<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2022-06-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>false</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001255474</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WHITING PETROLEUM CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WLL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001575480</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Rimer Charles J.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1700 LINCOLN STREET, SUITE 4700</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80203</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>false</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>true</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>false</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>false</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP Operations &amp; COO</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

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            </securityTitle>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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            <expirationDate>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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            </underlyingSecurity>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units 2022</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2022-06-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>false</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
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            <expirationDate>
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            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8204.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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            <securityTitle>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2022-06-01</value>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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                <equitySwapInvolved>false</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
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                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            <expirationDate>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
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                    <value>16.00</value>
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                    <value>6152.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            </securityTitle>
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                <value>2022-06-01</value>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>false</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
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                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>16.00</value>
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                    <value>6152.00</value>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each extended vesting restricted stock unit represents a right to receive one share of the Company's common stock.  The restricted stock units will vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date subject to continued employment.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents an increase in the securities underlying the equity award as a result of a dividend paid on the Company's common stock which entitles this award to receive dividend equivalents subject to the terms of the underlying award.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Each restricted stock unit represents a right to receive one share of the Company's common stock. The restricted stock units will vest in approximately three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date subject to continued employment. The first tranche of the grant originally made on February 2, 2021 vested on February 2, 2022.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Each absolute TSR performance share unit represents a contingent right to receive 0-200% of that number in shares of Company common stock. The amount reported represents the &quot;target&quot; number. The absolute TSR performance share units will vest upon continued employment and achievement of specified metrics as described in the related grant agreement.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Each relative TSR performance share unit represents a contingent right to receive 0-200% of that number in shares of Company common stock. The amount reported represents the &quot;target&quot; number. The relative TSR performance share units will vest upon continued employment and achievement of specified metrics as described in the related grant agreement.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Each restricted stock unit represents the right to receive one share of the Company's common stock. The restricted stock units will vest in approximately three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date subject to continued employment.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s /M. Scott Regan, Attorney-in-Fact for Rimer Charles J.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2022-06-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
