Equity - Accounting Adjustments (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accumulated deficit	$ (16,525)	$ (17,474)
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity	(496)	(1,331)
Noncontrolling interests	124	128
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4)	9	$ 68
Net income (loss) attributable to Chesapeake	949	(4,390)	(14,567)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 813	$ (4,915)	$ (14,738)
Loss per common share basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.90	$ (6.43)	$ (22.26)
Loss per common share diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.90	$ (6.43)	$ (22.26)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ (4)	$ 9	$ 68
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	988	(4,387)	(14,523)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity	(496)	(1,331)
Noncontrolling interests	124	128
As Previously Reported
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accumulated deficit		(17,603)
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity		(1,460)
Noncontrolling interests		257
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(2)	(50)
Net income (loss) attributable to Chesapeake		(4,401)	(14,685)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders		$ (4,926)	$ (14,856)
Loss per common share basic (in dollars per share)		$ (6.45)	$ (22.43)
Loss per common share diluted (in dollars per share)		$ (6.45)	$ (22.43)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		$ (2)	$ (50)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent		(4,398)	(14,641)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity		(1,460)
Noncontrolling interests		257
Revision Adjustment
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accumulated deficit		129
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity		129
Noncontrolling interests		(129)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		11	118
Net income (loss) attributable to Chesapeake		11	118
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders		$ 11	$ 118
Loss per common share basic (in dollars per share)		$ 0.02	$ 0.17
Loss per common share diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 0.02	$ 0.17
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		$ 11	$ 118
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent		11	118
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity		129
Noncontrolling interests		(129)
Retained Earnings
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity	(16,525)	(17,474)	(13,084)	$ 1,483
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income (loss) attributable to Chesapeake	949	(4,390)	(14,567)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity	(16,525)	(17,474)	(13,084)	1,483
Retained Earnings | As Previously Reported
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity		(17,603)	(13,202)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity		(17,603)	(13,202)
Retained Earnings | Revision Adjustment
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity		129	118
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Chesapeake stockholders’ equity		129	118
Noncontrolling Interest
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Noncontrolling interests	124	128	141	1,302
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4)	9	68
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4)	9	68
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Noncontrolling interests	$ 124	128	141	$ 1,302
Noncontrolling Interest | As Previously Reported
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Noncontrolling interests		257	259
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Noncontrolling interests		257	259
Noncontrolling Interest | Revision Adjustment
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Noncontrolling interests		(129)	(118)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Noncontrolling interests		$ (129)	$ (118)