Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PDC, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and our proportionate share of PDCM and our affiliated partnerships. As of September 30, 2014, we had four remaining affiliated partnerships that continue to conduct crude oil and natural gas producing activities. Pursuant to the proportionate consolidation method, our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include our pro rata share of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the entities which we proportionately consolidate. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Basis of Accounting, Policy	In our opinion, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of our financial statements for interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the SEC. Accordingly, pursuant to such rules and regulations, certain notes and other financial information included in audited financial statements have been condensed or omitted. The information presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2013 Form 10-K. Our results of operations and cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any other future period.
Reclassification, Policy	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications are mainly attributable to reporting as discontinued operations the results of operations related to PDCM's Marcellus Shale assets, which have been classified as held for sale. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported cash flows, net income, earnings per share or shareholders' equity.
Accounting Standards Recently Adopted	On January 1, 2014, we adopted changes issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") regarding the accounting for income taxes. The change provides clarification on the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. Adoption of these changes had no impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements. In April 2014, the FASB issued changes related to the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modified related disclosure requirements. Under the new pronouncement, a discontinued operation is defined as a component of an entity that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has a major effect on the entity's operations and financial results. These changes are to be applied prospectively for new disposals or components of an entity classified as held for sale during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. On July 1, 2014, we adopted the new pronouncement and as a result have reported as discontinued operations the results of operations related to PDCM's Marcellus Shale assets, which were classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2014. See Note 12, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, and Note 15, Subsequent Event, for additional information.
Recently Issued Accounting Policy [Policy Text Block]	In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") issued their converged standard on revenue recognition that provides a single, comprehensive model that entities will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard outlines a five-step approach to apply the underlying principle: (a) identify the contract with the customer, (b) identify the separate performance obligations in the contract, (c) determine the transaction price, (d) allocate the transaction price to separate performance obligations and (e) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied. The revenue standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and can be adopted under the full retrospective method or simplified transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. We plan to adopt the revenue standard beginning January 1, 2017 and are currently evaluating the impact these changes will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to the disclosure of uncertainties about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The new standard will explicitly require management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern every reporting period and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. The new standard will be effective for all entities in the first annual period ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact these changes will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Earnings Per Share, Policy	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is similarly computed, except that the denominator includes the effect, using the treasury stock method, of unvested restricted stock, outstanding SARs, stock options, Convertible Notes and shares held pursuant to our non-employee director deferred compensation plan, if including such potential shares of common stock is dilutive.

Disclosure of accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example, common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting. The accounting policy may also address the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary.

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Disclosure of accounting policy for computing basic and diluted earnings or loss per share for each class of common stock and participating security. Addresses all significant policy factors, including any antidilutive items that have been excluded from the computation and takes into account stock dividends, splits and reverse splits that occur after the balance sheet date of the latest reporting period but before the issuance of the financial statements.

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