Represents the initial investment commitment in the joint venture.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents investment period for the initial commitment in a joint venture, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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- Definition

Percentage of funding provided to a joint venture to achieve its goals per agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Working interest in exchange for an investment in a joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The working interest that reverts to the entity when the targeted rate of return of the counterparty is achieved.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Percentage of working interest retained in certain properties in a joint venture agreement with another property to develop certain properties owned by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	crc_JointVentureWorkingInterestRetainedInProperties
Namespace Prefix:	crc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the total maximum investment commitment in the joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of assets, including but not limited to property plant and equipment, intangible assets and equity in securities of subsidiaries or equity method investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68055307&loc=d3e2443-110228

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the investment in or advances to an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3213-108585

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate cash proceeds received from a combination of transactions that are classified as investing activities in which assets, which may include one or more investments, are sold to third-party buyers. This element can be used by entities to aggregate proceeds from all asset sales that are classified as investing activities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

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Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=crc_JointVentureWithBenefitStreetPartnersMember
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=crc_JointVentureWithBenefitStreetPartnersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=crc_BenefitStreetPartnersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=crc_JointVentureWithMacquarieInfrastructureAndRealAssetsIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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ACQUISITIONS, DIVESTITURES AND OTHER (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Acquisition
Proceeds from sale of non-core assets			$ 32
Gains on asset divestitures			21			$ 31	$ 21	$ 31
Joint venture with BSP
Acquisition
Cash and cash equivalents designated for distribution to BSP				$ 2			$ 2
Joint venture with BSP \| BSP
Acquisition
Maximum investment commitment			$ 250
Commitment contributed	$ 50				$ 50
Joint venture with MIRA
Acquisition
Working interest after MIRA achieves it rate of return (as a percent)		75.00%
Joint venture with MIRA \| MIRA
Acquisition
Maximum investment commitment		$ 300
Commitment contributed				$ 8
Working interest acquired		90.00%
Funding for development of properties (as a percent)		100.00%
Working interest retained (as a percent)		10.00%
Initial commitment		$ 160
Investment period of initial commitment		2 years