Represents the Asset Coverage Ratio under credit facility agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	crc_DebtInstrumentCovenantAssetCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	crc_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The outstanding amount of certain notes that triggers the acceleration of the maturity of debt instrument under a credit agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	crc_DebtInstrumentCovenantOutstandingAmountMaturityTrigger
Namespace Prefix:	crc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount of debt discount at the time of issuance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	crc_DebtOriginalIssueDiscount
Namespace Prefix:	crc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period before maturity of the second debt that triggers accelerated payment when the first debt matures, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Includes, but not limited to, weeks in a year or quarter.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	crc_PeriodBeforeMaturityOfSecondDebtMaturityOfFirstDebtThatTriggersAcceleratedPayment
Namespace Prefix:	crc_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period before maturity of credit facility prior to which prepayment premium applies, , in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	crc_PeriodBeforeToMaturityOfCreditFacilityPriorToWhichPrepaymentPremiumApplies
Namespace Prefix:	crc_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of premium payable in prepayment of debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	crc_PremiumPercentageOnPrepaymentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	crc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109500613&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117329964&loc=d3e12355-112629

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117329964&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow to settle a bank borrowing during the year.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfBankDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=crc_SecuredFirstLienSecondOutCreditAgreement2017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementScenarioAxis=crc_CreditAgreement201691DaysPriorToMaturity100MillionOutstandingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	crc_PeriodCoveredByCovenantAgreementAxis=crc_AsOfJuneAndDecemberMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=crc_TermLoan2014CreditAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

DEBT - 2017 Credit Agreements (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
DEBT - 2017 Credit Agreements (Details) $ in Millions	Nov. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Debt
Outstanding borrowings		$ 4,977	$ 5,251
2017 Credit Agreement (Shared First Priority Lien)
Debt
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,300
Original issue discount	26
Transaction costs	$ 38
Outstanding borrowings		$ 1,300	$ 1,300
Period prior to maturity before which prepayment premium applies	90 days
Premium on prepayment of debt (as a percent)	2.00%
2017 Credit Agreement (Shared First Priority Lien) \| 91 days prior to maturity of 2016 Credit Agreement
Debt
Period before maturity of the 2016 Credit Agreement that triggers accelerated payment	91 days	91 days
Outstanding amount of 2016 Credit Agreement notes that triggers accelerated payment	$ 100	$ 100
2017 Credit Agreement (Shared First Priority Lien) \| Any June 30 and December 31
Debt
Minimum asset coverage ratio	1.20
2014 Term Loan
Debt
Payment of bank debt	$ 559
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	$ 8