Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement REVENUE RECOGNITION Commodity Sales Contracts and Marketing Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Shell Company Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets, Current [Abstract] CURRENT ASSETS Cash Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade receivables Inventory, Net Inventories Total Other Assets, Current Other current assets, net Other current assets, net Assets, Current Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Total property, plant and equipment Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Total property, plant and equipment, net Other Assets, Noncurrent OTHER ASSETS Assets TOTAL ASSETS Liabilities, Current [Abstract] CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued liabilities Accrued liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt, classified as noncurrent. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt. Debt Instrument Carrying Amount Noncurrent LONG-TERM DEBT Carrying value as of the balance sheet of the deferred gain (loss) and issuance costs, net. Deferred Gain (Loss) and Issuance Costs, Net DEFERRED GAIN AND ISSUANCE COSTS, NET Net deferred gain and issuance costs Other Liabilities, Noncurrent OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Carrying Amount [Abstract] MEZZANINE EQUITY Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Carrying Amount Balance Balance Redeemable noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] EQUITY Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred stock (20 million shares authorized at $0.01 par value) no shares outstanding at December 31, 2018 or 2017 Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock (200 million shares authorized at $0.01 par value) outstanding shares (2018 - 48,650,420 shares and 2017 - 42,901,946 shares) Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total equity attributable to common stock Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Ending balance Beginning balance Total equity Liabilities and Equity TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, authorized shares Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred stock, outstanding shares Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, authorized shares Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Balance at the end of the year (in shares) Balance at the beginning of the year (in shares) Common stock, outstanding shares Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Revenues [Abstract] REVENUES AND OTHER Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Revenue from contract with customers Oil and gas sales Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax Net derivative (gain) loss from commodity contracts Net derivative gain (loss) from commodity contracts Net derivative gain from commodity contracts Other Operating Income Other revenue Revenues Total revenues and other No definition available Costs and Other Deductions [Abstract] COSTS AND OTHER Production Costs, Period Cost Production costs Selling, General and Administrative Expense General and administrative expenses Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation, depletion and amortization Taxes, Miscellaneous Taxes other than on income Exploration Expense Exploration expense Other Operating Income (Expense), Net Other expenses, net Total costs of sales, operating expenses, and nonoperating expenses for the period. Costs and Other Deductions Total costs and other Operating Income (Loss) OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] NON-OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME Pre-tax interest expense Interest and debt expense, net Gain (Loss) on Repurchase of Debt Instrument Net gain on early extinguishment of debt Net gain on early extinguishment of debt Pre-tax unamortized deferred gain on early extinguishment of debt and deferred issuance costs Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Gain on asset divestitures Gain on asset divestitures Other Nonoperating Expense Other non-operating expenses Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) before income taxes INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax benefit Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) NET INCOME (LOSS) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCK Net income (loss) attributable to common stock EARNINGS PER SHARE Net income (loss) attributable to common stock per share Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic (in dollars per share) Basic EPS (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted EPS (in dollars per share) Diluted (in dollars per share) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss) items: Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax Reclassification of unrealized gains (losses) on pension and postretirement losses Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), Net of Tax Reclassification of realized losses on pension and postretirement to income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total other comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stock Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax Pension and postretirement losses, tax Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Parent [Member] Equity Attributable to Common Stock Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated (Deficit) Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (decrease) in Equity Common stock issuances Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest Net (loss) income Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Sale of Parent Equity Interest Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders, net Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest holders Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Issuance of common stock Value of common stock at issuance Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Share-based compensation, net Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues CRC shares issued to Ares-led investor group in a private placement Common stock shares issued (in shares) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income tax benefit The net receipt (payment) on derivative settlements, which reduce or increase net income and are thus added back or deducted when calculating cash provided by or used in operating activities. Receipt Payment On Derivative Settlements, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net (payments) proceeds on settled commodity derivatives The amount of amortization of deferred gains. Amortization of Deferred Gains Amortization of deferred gain Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other non-cash charges to income, net Results of Operations, Dry Hole Costs Dry hole expenses Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net: Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Increase in trade receivables Increase (Decrease) in Inventories (Increase) decrease in inventories Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets (Increase) decrease in other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Capital investments Represents the information pertaining to changes in capital investment accruals Increase Decrease In Capital Investment Accrual Changes in capital investment accruals Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets Asset divestitures Proceeds from sale of non-core assets The cash outflows related to purchasing assets other than capital expenditures, including assets acquired as the result of a merger. Purchase of Assets, Net Acquisitions Acquisition cost Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from Lines of Credit Proceeds from 2014 Revolving Credit Facility Repayments of Lines of Credit Repayments of 2014 Revolving Credit Facility Proceeds used to repay 2014 revolving credit facility Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt Proceeds from 2016 Credit Agreement Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from 2017 Term Loan Repayments of Senior Debt Payments on 2014 Term Loan Repayments of Subordinated Debt Debt repurchases Payments of Debt Restructuring Costs Debt transaction costs Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders, net Net proceeds received by CRC from the transaction Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest holders Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Issuance of common stock Payments of Shares Cancelled for Taxes Shares canceled for taxes Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided (used) by financing activities Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect (Decrease) increase in cash Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Cash-end of period Cash-beginning of period No definition available. NATURE OF BUSINESS, SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] NATURE OF BUSINESS, SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER ACCOUNTING AND DISCLOSURE CHANGES New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] ACCOUNTING AND DISCLOSURE CHANGES PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT No definition available. ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES The entire disclosure for acquisitions and divestitures. Acquisitions and Divestitures [Text Block] ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES JOINT VENTURES Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] JOINT VENTURES DEBT Long-term Debt [Text Block] DEBT LEASE COMMITMENTS Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] LEASE COMMITMENTS LAWSUITS, CLAIMS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] LAWSUITS, CLAIMS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES DERIVATIVES Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] DERIVATIVES INCOME TAXES Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] INCOME TAXES STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] EQUITY Earnings Per Share [Text Block] EARNINGS PER SHARE PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS REVENUE RECOGNITION Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] REVENUE RECOGNITION SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block] SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS No definition available. THE SPIN-OFF AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basis of Presentation Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Risks and Uncertainties Major Customers, Policy [Policy Text Block] Concentration of Customers Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment Asset Retirement Obligations, Policy [Policy Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligations Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revenue Recognition Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] Inventories Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] Derivative Instruments Compensation Related Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Stock-Based Incentive Plans Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Earnings Per Share Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block] Other Loss Contingencies Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Income Taxes Disclosure of accounting policy for production sharing type contracts. Production Sharing Type Contracts [Policy Text Block] Production-Sharing Type Contracts Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation [Table Text Block] Summary of the activity of the asset retirement obligation Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Schedule of Inventories Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block] Schedule of other current assets, net Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Schedule of accrued liabilities Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Schedule of property, plant and equipment, net Capitalized Exploratory Well Costs, Roll Forward [Table Text Block] Summary of the activity of capitalized exploratory well costs Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Acquisitions JOINT VENTURES ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES