Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained earnings	Continental Resources Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Total equity	$ 4,668,900
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 3,730	$ 1,345,624	$ (3,354)	$ 3,322,900	$ 4,668,900
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2015		372,959,080
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to Continental Resources	(399,679)				(399,679)	(399,679)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0
Net income (loss)	(399,679)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	3,094			3,094		3,094
Equity transaction costs	0
Stock-based compensation	48,084		48,084			48,084
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	(9,828)		(9,828)			(9,828)
Restricted stock:
Issued	20	$ 20	0			20
Issued, shares		2,064,508
Repurchased and canceled	(8,593)	$ (3)	(8,590)			(8,593)
Repurchased and canceled, shares		(337,981)
Forfeited	(2)	$ (2)				(2)
Forfeited, shares		(193,250)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016		$ 3,745	1,375,290	(260)	2,923,221	4,301,996
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016		374,492,357
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Total equity	4,301,996
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings, Tax					5,150
Net income (loss) attributable to Continental Resources	789,447				789,447	789,447
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0
Net income (loss)	789,447
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	567			567		567
Equity transaction costs	0
Stock-based compensation	45,854		45,854			45,854
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings, Net of Tax	5,150					5,150
Restricted stock:
Issued	16	$ 16	0			16
Issued, shares		1,585,870
Repurchased and canceled	(11,821)	$ (3)	(11,818)			(11,821)
Repurchased and canceled, shares		(259,729)
Forfeited	(6)	$ (6)				(6)
Forfeited, shares		(598,729)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 5,131,203	$ 3,752	1,409,326	307	3,717,818	5,131,203
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017	375,219,769	375,219,769
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests	$ 0
Total equity	5,131,203
Net income (loss) attributable to Continental Resources	988,317				988,317	988,317
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,383						$ 1,383
Net income (loss)	989,700
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	108			108		108
Equity transaction costs	(4,838)		(4,838)			(4,838)
Stock-based compensation	47,223		47,223			47,223
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	277,238						277,238
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,893)						(1,893)
Restricted stock:
Issued	14	$ 14	0			14
Issued, shares		1,390,914
Repurchased and canceled	(16,891)	$ (3)	(16,888)			(16,891)
Repurchased and canceled, shares		(310,822)
Forfeited	(3)	$ (3)				(3)
Forfeited, shares		(278,286)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 6,145,133	$ 3,760	$ 1,434,823	$ 415	$ 4,706,135	$ 6,145,133
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2018	376,021,575	376,021,575.000
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests	$ 276,728						$ 276,728
Total equity	$ 6,421,861