Change in Accounting Principle - Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
NET INCOME (LOSS)		$ (61)	$ (146)	[1],[2]	$ 16	$ (377)	[1],[2],[3]
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF INCOME TAX:
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[4]	0			0
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[1],[4]		0			0
Reclassification of losses on settled derivative instruments	[4]	8			26
Reclassification of losses on settled derivative instruments	[1],[4]		8			25
Other Comprehensive Income		8	8	[1]	26	25	[1]
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		(53)	(138)	[1]	42	(352)	[1]
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS		0	0	[1]	0	(1)	[1]
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE		(53)	(138)	[1]	42	(353)	[1]
Under Full Cost
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
NET INCOME (LOSS)		144	85		634	363
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF INCOME TAX:
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[4]	0			0
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[4]		0			0
Reclassification of losses on settled derivative instruments		8			26
Reclassification of losses on settled derivative instruments			8			25
Other Comprehensive Income		8	8		26	25
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		152	93		660	388
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS		0	(1)		(1)	(3)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE		152	92		659	385
Successful Efforts Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
NET INCOME (LOSS)		(205)	(231)		(618)	(740)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF INCOME TAX:
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[4]	0			0
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments	[4]		0			0
Reclassification of losses on settled derivative instruments		0			0
Reclassification of losses on settled derivative instruments			0			0
Other Comprehensive Income		0	0		0	0
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		(205)	(231)		(618)	(740)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS		0	1		1	2
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE		$ (205)	$ (230)		$ (617)	$ (738)

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

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