Reconciliation of Basic Earnings Per Share and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic (shares)	644	638	643	636
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	644	753	643	752
Earnings per share (usd per share)	$ (3.19)	$ 1.38	$ (1.86)	$ 1.79
Earnings per share, diluted (usd per share)	$ 3.19	$ (1.23)	$ 1.86	$ (1.69)
Basic EPS, Income	$ (2,055)	$ 879	$ (1,197)	$ 1,141
Amount of Dilutive Securities, Restrictive Stock Units	0			0
Amount of Dilutive Securities, Stock Options	0			0
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE	(2,012)	922	(1,069)	1,269
5.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Effect of Dilutive Securities, Weighted Average Shares (shares)		56		56
Effect of Dilutive Securities		21		64
5.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Series A)
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Effect of Dilutive Securities, Weighted Average Shares (shares)		39		39
Effect of Dilutive Securities		16		47
5.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Series 2005B)
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Effect of Dilutive Securities, Weighted Average Shares (shares)		5		5
Effect of Dilutive Securities		3		8
4.50% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Effect of Dilutive Securities, Weighted Average Shares (shares)		6		6
Effect of Dilutive Securities		$ 3		$ 9
Restricted stock
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Effect of Dilutive Securities, Weighted Average Shares (shares)		8		9
Stock Options
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Effect of Dilutive Securities, Weighted Average Shares (shares)		1		1