Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Total assets	$ 68,502	$ 11,177
Total liabilities	(12,449)	(81,190)
Net asset (fair value)	56,053	(70,013)
Fair Value \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Total assets	58,226	6,350
Total liabilities	(10,792)	(66,789)
Net asset (fair value)	47,434	(60,439)
Fair Value \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Total assets	10,276	4,827
Total liabilities	(1,657)	(14,401)
Net asset (fair value)	$ 8,619	$ (9,574)
1.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.125%
7.75% senior notes fair value	$ 180,800
7.75% senior notes fair value as percentage of par	90.40%
6.125% Senior Notes due 2024 [Member]
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.125%
7.75% senior notes fair value	$ 520,600
7.75% senior notes fair value as percentage of par	101.50%
7.75% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.75%
7.75% senior notes fair value	$ 406,000
7.75% senior notes fair value as percentage of par	104.10%

This element represents the fair value of 12% Senior Notes, as a percentage of par value as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents the aggregate net assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	pdce_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of notes payable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20,22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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