Quarterly Financial Data - Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018		Sep. 30, 2018		Jun. 30, 2018		Mar. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Sep. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2017		Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Estimated litigation liability, after tax																		$ 37,000
Basic eps litigation settlement									$ 0.10
Diluted eps estimated litigation settlement																		$ 0.10
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ 0	[1]	$ 7,133	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]									$ 7,133	$ 554	$ 26,055
Net income (loss)	199,121		314,169		242,464		233,946										989,700	789,447	(399,679)
Total revenues	1,149,294	[2]	1,282,151	[2]	1,137,113	[2]	1,141,028	[2]	$ 1,047,172	[2]	$ 726,743	[2]	$ 661,486	[2]	$ 685,427	[2]	4,709,586	3,120,828	1,980,273
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net	(19,394)	[2]	(2,025)	[2]	(12,685)	[2]	10,174	[2]	8,165	[2]	8,602	[2]	28,022	[2]	46,858	[2]	(23,930)	91,647	(71,859)
Property impairments	38,494	[3]	23,770	[3]	29,162	[3]	33,784	[3]	27,552	[3]	35,130	[3]	123,316	[3]	51,372	[3]	125,210	237,370	237,292
Litigation settlement									59,600	[4]	0	[4]	0	[4]	0	[4]	0	59,600	0
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment	8,410	[5]	1,510	[5]	6,710	[5]	41	[5]	54,420	[5]	3,562	[5]	780	[5]	(3,638)	[5]	(16,671)	(55,124)	(304,489)
Income from operations	330,414		491,308		391,276		380,722		309,468		91,753		(29,041)		77,221		1,593,720	449,401	(287,534)
Tax benefit from US tax reform legislation																	0	(713,655)	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Continental Resources	$ 197,738		$ 314,169		$ 242,464		$ 233,946		$ 841,914		$ 10,621		$ (63,557)		$ 469		$ 988,317	$ 789,447	$ (399,679)
Net income per share: Basic	$ 0.53		$ 0.84		$ 0.65		$ 0.63		$ 2.27		$ 0.03		$ (0.17)		$ 0.00		$ 2.66	$ 2.13	$ (1.08)
Net income per share: Diluted	$ 0.53		$ 0.84		$ 0.65		$ 0.63		$ 2.25		$ 0.03		$ (0.17)		$ 0.00		$ 2.64	$ 2.11	$ (1.08)

[1] See Note 7. Long-Term Debt for discussion of the loss recognized by the Company upon the partial redemption of its 2022 Notes in the 2018 third quarter.

[2] Gains and losses on natural gas derivative instruments are reflected in “Total revenues” on both the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) and this table of unaudited quarterly financial data. Natural gas derivative gains and losses have been shown separately to illustrate the fluctuations in revenues that are attributable to the Company’s derivative instruments. Commodity price fluctuations each quarter can result in significant swings in mark-to-market gains and losses, which affects comparability between periods. Additionally, beginning in 2018 certain transportation expenses are no longer netted within "Total revenues" as a result of the Company's January 1, 2018 prospective adoption of ASU 2016-08, which affects comparability of 2017 and 2018 revenues. Transportation expenses totaled $49.3 million, $47.3 million, $46.0 million, and $49.0 million for the first, second, third, and fourth quarters of 2018, respectively.

[3] Property impairments have been shown separately to illustrate the impact on quarterly results attributable to write downs of the Company’s assets. Commodity price fluctuations each quarter can result in significant changes in estimated future cash flows and resulting impairments, which affects comparability between periods.

[4] Fourth quarter 2017 results include a $59.6 million pre-tax loss accrual recognized in conjunction with a litigation settlement as discussed in Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies—Litigation, which resulted in an after-tax decrease in net income of $37.0 million ($0.10 per basic and diluted share).

[5] Gains and losses on asset sales have been shown separately to illustrate the impact on quarterly results attributable to asset dispositions, which differ in significance from period to period and affect comparability. See Note 16. Property Dispositions for a discussion of notable dispositions.