Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock - Common [Member]	Total Chesapeake Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 3,065	$ 7	$ 12,194	$ 190	$ (168)	$ (24)
Stock-based compensation			50
Purchase of contingent convertible notes			(21)
Dividends on common stock			(48)
Dividends on preferred stock			(15)	(28)					(43)
Exercise of stock options			1
Net loss attributable to Chesapeake				(162)					(162)
Hedging activity					(47)
Investment activity					3
Purchase of 142,655 and 93,318 shares for company benefit plans						(2)
Release of 12,834 and 2,310 shares from company benefit plans
Balance at Mar. 31, 2011	3,065	7	12,161		(212)	(26)	14,995		14,995
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	3,062	7	12,146	1,608	(166)	(33)		1,337	17,961
Stock-based compensation			33
Reduction in tax benefit from stock-based compensation			(4)
Dividends on common stock				(56)
Dividends on preferred stock				(43)					(43)
Exercise of stock options			1
Net loss attributable to Chesapeake				(28)					(28)
Hedging activity					2
Investment activity					5
Purchase of 142,655 and 93,318 shares for company benefit plans						(3)
Release of 12,834 and 2,310 shares from company benefit plans
Sales of noncontrolling interests								1,040
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests								25	25
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners								(39)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 3,062	$ 7	$ 12,176	$ 1,481	$ (159)	$ (36)	$ 16,531	$ 2,363	$ 18,894