Crude Oil and Natural Gas Property Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Oil and Gas Properties [Line Items]
Exploration costs include asset retirement costs	$ 3.3	$ 1.7	$ 0.6
Development costs include asset retirement costs	$ 1.0	$ 3.7	$ 4.7

Asset retirement costs included in development costs incurred during period

No definition available.

Name:	clr_AssetRetirementCostsIncludedInDevelopmentCostsIncurredDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	clr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration