Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, Condensed Consolidated Income Statement Restatements Table (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Provision for legal contingencies	$ (2)	$ 33
Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation, depletion and amortization	197	263
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties	0	997
Total operating expenses	2,512	3,052
Loss from operations	241	(1,099)
Loss before income taxes	142	(1,068)
Net loss	141	(1,068)
Net loss attributable to Chesapeake	140	(1,068)
Net loss available to common stockholders	$ 75	$ (1,111)
Earnings (loss) per common share basic	$ 0.08	$ (1.66)
Earnings (loss) per common share diluted	$ 0.08	$ (1.66)
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Provision for legal contingencies		$ 22
Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation, depletion and amortization		271
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties		853
Total operating expenses		2,905
Loss from operations		(952)
Loss before income taxes		(921)
Net loss		(921)
Net loss attributable to Chesapeake		(921)
Net loss available to common stockholders		$ (964)
Earnings (loss) per common share basic		$ (1.44)
Earnings (loss) per common share diluted		$ (1.44)
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Provision for legal contingencies		$ 11
Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation, depletion and amortization		(8)
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties		144
Total operating expenses		147
Loss from operations		(147)
Loss before income taxes		(147)
Net loss		(147)
Net loss attributable to Chesapeake		(147)
Net loss available to common stockholders		$ (147)
Earnings (loss) per common share basic		$ (0.22)
Earnings (loss) per common share diluted		$ (0.22)