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	Treasury Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests							$ 0
Total equity	$ 4,301,996
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]
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, Tax	5,150				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		$ 3,752	1,409,326	307	3,717,818	5,131,203
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017		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)
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
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests	$ 276,728						276,728
Total equity	6,421,861
Net income (loss) attributable to Continental Resources	775,641				775,641	775,641
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,168)						(1,168)
Net income (loss)	774,473
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	(18,747)				(18,747)	(18,747)
Change in dividends payable	195				195	195
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	(190,239)					(190,239)		$ (190,239)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Retired		(5,646,553)
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount	(190,200)	$ (56)	(190,183)					$ (190,239)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(415)			(415)		(415)
Equity transaction costs	0
Stock-based compensation	52,030		52,030			52,030
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	105,528						105,528
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(14,404)						(14,404)
Restricted stock:
Issued	15	$ 15	0			15
Issued, shares		1,526,825
Repurchased and canceled	$ (21,943)	$ (5)	(21,938)			(21,943)
Repurchased and canceled, shares	(5,646,553)	(477,789)
Forfeited	$ (3)	$ (3)				(3)
Forfeited, shares		(350,022)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 6,741,667	$ 3,711	$ 1,274,732	$ 0	$ 5,463,224	$ 6,741,667
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2019	371,074,036	371,074,036
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interests	$ 366,684						$ 366,684
Total equity	$ 7,108,351