Change in Accounting Principle - Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018		Jun. 30, 2019		Jun. 30, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$ 98	$ (249)	[1]	$ 77	[1],[2]	$ (231)	[1],[2]
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF INCOME TAX:
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[3]	0			0
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[1],[3]		0				0
Reclassification of losses on settled derivative instruments	[1],[3]		7				17
Losses reclassified to income, after tax	[3]	8			18
Other Comprehensive Income		8	7	[1]	18		17	[1]
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		106	(242)	[1]	95		(214)	[1]
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS		0	0	[1]	0		(1)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE		106	(242)	[1]	95		(215)	[1]
Under Full Cost
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
NET INCOME (LOSS)		310	(16)		490		278
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF INCOME TAX:
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[3]	0			0
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[3]		0				0
Reclassification of losses on settled derivative instruments		8	7				17
Losses reclassified to income, after tax					18
Other Comprehensive Income		8	7		18		17
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		318	(9)		508		295
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS		0	(1)		(1)		(2)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE		318	(10)		507		293
Successful Efforts Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
NET INCOME (LOSS)		(212)	(233)		(413)		(509)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF INCOME TAX:
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[3]	0			0
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[3]		0				0
Reclassification of losses on settled derivative instruments		0	0				0
Losses reclassified to income, after tax					0
Other Comprehensive Income		0	0		0		0
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		(212)	(233)		(413)		(509)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS		0	1		1		1
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE		$ (212)	$ (232)		$ (412)		$ (508)

[1] Financial information for 2018 has been recast to reflect the retrospective application of the successful efforts method of accounting. See Note 1.

[2] Financial information for 2018 has been recast to reflect the retrospective application of the successful efforts method of accounting. See Note 1.

[3] Deferred tax activity incurred in other comprehensive income was offset by a valuation allowance.