| **Impact of Derivative Instruments on Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, unless otherwise specified**      | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|
||
| Commodity Price Risk Management (loss), net                                                                                    |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                    |           |           |   |   |
| Realized gains                                                                                                                 | $ (1,525)      | $ 13,095       | $ 10,847 | $ 39,200 |
| Unrealized gains (Losses)                                                                                                      | (22,113)       | (45,038)       | (32,116) | (20,913) |
| Total derivatives gain (loss)                                                                                                  | (23,638)       | (31,943)       | (21,269) | 18,287 |
| Sales From Natural Gas Marketing                                                                                               |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                    |           |           |   |   |
| Realized gains                                                                                                                 | 240            | 401            | 267 | 1,946 |
| Unrealized gains (Losses)                                                                                                      | (311)          | (790)          | 340 | (1,786) |
| Total derivatives gain (loss)                                                                                                  | (71)           | (389)          | 607 | 160 |
| Cost of Natural Gas Marketing                                                                                                  |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                    |           |           |   |   |
| Realized gains                                                                                                                 | (188)          | (384)          | (125) | (1,847) |
| Unrealized gains (Losses)                                                                                                      | 278            | 831            | (281) | 1,782 |
| Total derivatives gain (loss)                                                                                                  | 90             | 447            | (406) | (65) |
| Reclassification of Realized Gains (Losses) Included in Prior Periods Unrealized | Commodity Price Risk Management (loss), net |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                    |           |           |   |   |
| Realized gains                                                                                                                 | 2,936          | 15,010         | 25,273 | 22,813 |
| Unrealized gains (Losses)                                                                                                      | (2,936)        | (15,010)       | (25,273) | (22,813) |
| Total derivatives gain (loss)                                                                                                  | 0              | 0              | 0 | 0 |
| Reclassification of Realized Gains (Losses) Included in Prior Periods Unrealized | Sales From Natural Gas Marketing            |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                    |           |           |   |   |
| Realized gains                                                                                                                 | 249            | 386            | 206 | 1,358 |
| Unrealized gains (Losses)                                                                                                      | (249)          | (386)          | (206) | (1,358) |
| Total derivatives gain (loss)                                                                                                  | 0              | 0              | 0 | 0 |
| Reclassification of Realized Gains (Losses) Included in Prior Periods Unrealized | Cost of Natural Gas Marketing               |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                    |           |           |   |   |
| Realized gains                                                                                                                 | (196)          | (364)          | (133) | (1,195) |
| Unrealized gains (Losses)                                                                                                      | 196            | 364            | 133 | 1,195 |
| Total derivatives gain (loss)                                                                                                  | 0              | 0              | 0 | 0 |
| Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Current Period | Commodity Price Risk Management (loss), net                    |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                    |           |           |   |   |
| Realized gains                                                                                                                 | (4,461)        | (1,915)        | (14,426) | 16,387 |
| Unrealized gains (Losses)                                                                                                      | (19,177)       | (30,028)       | (6,843) | 1,900 |
| Total derivatives gain (loss)                                                                                                  | (23,638)       | (31,943)       | (21,269) | 18,287 |
| Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Current Period | Sales From Natural Gas Marketing                               |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                    |           |           |   |   |
| Realized gains                                                                                                                 | (9)            | 15             | 61 | 588 |
| Unrealized gains (Losses)                                                                                                      | (62)           | (404)          | 546 | (428) |
| Total derivatives gain (loss)                                                                                                  | (71)           | (389)          | 607 | 160 |
| Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Current Period | Cost of Natural Gas Marketing                                  |           |           |   |   |
| **Derivative [Line Items]**                                                                                                    |           |           |   |   |
| Realized gains                                                                                                                 | 8              | (20)           | 8 | (652) |
| Unrealized gains (Losses)                                                                                                      | 82             | 467            | (414) | 587 |
| Total derivatives gain (loss)                                                                                                  | $ 90           | $ 447          | $ (406) | $ (65) |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Realized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging Instruments
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pdce_RealizedGainsLossesOnDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments**Namespace Prefix:**pdce_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5618551-113959
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of derivative instruments, including options, swaps, futures, and forward contracts, held at each balance sheet date, that was included in earnings for the period.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585
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