Change in Accounting Principle - Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 8,595	$ 10,030	$ 10,039
Gains (losses) on sales of assets	43	(264)	476
General and administrative	315	335	333
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	2,264	1,737	1,697
Gain on sale of oil and natural gas properties	0	0
Impairments	11	131	814
Other operating expense	92	0	416
Total Operating Expenses	8,626	9,648	10,177
Income from operations	(31)	382	(138)
Interest expense	(651)	(633)	(601)
Other income	39	67	6
Total Other Expense	(608)	(164)	(362)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(639)	218	(500)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(308)	228	(502)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	0	(2)	(3)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE	(308)	226	(505)
Earnings allocated to participating securities	0	(1)	0
NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ (416)	$ 133	$ (631)
Earnings (loss) per common share basic (in usd per share)	$ (0.25)	$ 0.15	$ (0.70)
Earnings (loss) per common share diluted (in usd per share)	$ (0.25)	$ 0.15	$ (0.70)
Other
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 63	$ 63	$ 67
Exploration
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cost of goods and services	84	162	235
As Previously Reported Under Full Cost
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	8,489	10,231	9,496
Gains (losses) on sales of assets	0	0	0
General and administrative	258	280	262
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	1,616	1,145	995
Gain on sale of oil and natural gas properties	(15)	578
Impairments	344	53	5
Other operating expense	94	10	413
Total Operating Expenses	8,157	9,349	8,357
Income from operations	332	882	1,139
Interest expense	(487)	(487)	(426)
Other income	31	70	9
Total Other Expense	(452)	(15)	(184)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(120)	867	955
NET INCOME (LOSS)	211	877	953
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	(2)	(4)	(4)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE	209	873	949
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(6)	(10)
NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ 101	$ 775	$ 813
Earnings (loss) per common share basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.85	$ 0.90
Earnings (loss) per common share diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.85	$ 0.90
As Previously Reported Under Full Cost | Other
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
As Previously Reported Under Full Cost | Exploration
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cost of goods and services	0	0	0
Successful Efforts Adjustment
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	106	(201)	543
Gains (losses) on sales of assets	43	(264)	476
General and administrative	57	55	71
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	648	592	702
Gain on sale of oil and natural gas properties	15	(578)
Impairments	(333)	78	809
Other operating expense	(2)	(10)	3
Total Operating Expenses	469	299	1,820
Income from operations	(363)	(500)	(1,277)
Interest expense	(164)	(146)	(175)
Other income	8	(3)	(3)
Total Other Expense	(156)	(149)	(178)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(519)	(649)	(1,455)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(519)	(649)	(1,455)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	2	2	1
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE	(517)	(647)	(1,454)
Earnings allocated to participating securities		5	10
NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ (517)	$ (642)	$ (1,444)
Earnings (loss) per common share basic (in usd per share)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.70)	$ (1.60)
Earnings (loss) per common share diluted (in usd per share)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.70)	$ (1.60)
Successful Efforts Adjustment | Other
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 63	$ 63	$ 67
Successful Efforts Adjustment | Exploration
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cost of goods and services	$ 84	$ 162	$ 235