Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation, Condensed Consolidated Income Statement Restatements Table (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation, depletion and amortization	$ 228	$ 251	$ 627	$ 791
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties	0	497	0	2,564
Total operating expenses	1,849	3,510	6,243	9,967
Loss from operations	94	(1,234)	734	(4,116)
Loss before income taxes	(17)	(1,214)	621	(4,058)
Net loss	(17)	(1,214)	619	(4,058)
Net loss attributable to Chesapeake	(18)	(1,215)	616	(4,059)
Net loss available to common stockholders	$ (41)	$ (1,257)	$ 506	$ (4,186)
Loss per common share basic	$ (0.05)	$ (1.62)	$ 0.56	$ (5.80)
Loss per common share diluted	$ (0.05)	$ (1.62)	$ 0.56	$ (5.80)
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation, depletion and amortization		$ 255
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties		433		$ 2,331
Total operating expenses		3,450		9,734
Loss from operations		(1,174)		(3,883)
Loss before income taxes		(1,154)		(3,825)
Net loss		(1,154)		(3,825)
Net loss attributable to Chesapeake		(1,155)		(3,826)
Net loss available to common stockholders		$ (1,197)		$ (3,953)
Loss per common share basic		$ (1.54)		$ (5.47)
Loss per common share diluted		$ (1.54)		$ (5.47)
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation, depletion and amortization		$ (4)
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties		64		$ 233
Total operating expenses		60		233
Loss from operations		(60)		(233)
Loss before income taxes		(60)		(233)
Net loss		(60)		(233)
Net loss attributable to Chesapeake		(60)		(233)
Net loss available to common stockholders		$ (60)		$ (233)
Loss per common share basic		$ (0.08)		$ (0.33)
Loss per common share diluted		$ (0.08)		$ (0.33)