The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The average strike price on the group of price risk option contracts such as put options or call options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAveragePriceRiskOptionStrikePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Commodity Swap Energy Per Day

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	xco_CommoditySwapEnergyPerDay
Namespace Prefix:	xco_
Data Type:	num:energyItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the allowed denominator ceiling or our debt covenant Ratio of Consolidated Funded indebtedness to Consolidated Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortizations and Other Items Allowed Per Credit Agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	xco_DebtCovenantRatioOfConsolidatedFundedIndebtednessToConsolidatedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationAmortizationsAndOtherItemsAllowedPerCreditAgreementDenominator
Namespace Prefix:	xco_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the allowed numerator ceiling on our debt covenant Ratio of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to Consolidated Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortizations and Other Items Allowed Per Credit Agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	xco_DebtCovenantRatioOfConsolidatedFundedIndebtednessToConsolidatedEarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationAmortizationsAndOtherItemsAllowedPerCreditAgreementNumerator
Namespace Prefix:	xco_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of borrowing base reduction to the credit facility should certain events occur.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	xco_PotentialBorrowingBaseReduction
Namespace Prefix:	xco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Subsequent Event (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended									1 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012 MMBTU	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 27, 2012	Apr. 27, 2012 Maximum [Member]	Apr. 27, 2012 Before [Member] Maximum [Member]	Apr. 27, 2012 Before [Member] Minimum [Member]	Apr. 27, 2012 After [Member] Maximum [Member]	Apr. 27, 2012 After [Member] Minimum [Member]	Apr. 27, 2012 LIBOR [Member] Maximum [Member]	Apr. 27, 2012 LIBOR [Member] Minimum [Member]	Apr. 27, 2012 ABR [Member] Maximum [Member]	Apr. 27, 2012 ABR [Member] Minimum [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Derivative Contract Option [Member] If Counterparty Exercises Their Option [Member] MMBTU
Current borrowing capacity			$ 1,400
Description of variable interest rates		interest grid of LIBOR plus 175 bps to 275 bps (or ABR plus 75 bps to 175 bps)
Basis points spread									2.75%	1.75%	1.75%	0.75%
Consolidated ratio of funded indebtedness to EBITDA, numerator					4.0		4.5
Consolidated ratio of funded indebtedness to EBITDA, denominator						1.0		1.0
Cash proceeds in excess of the borrowing base value				$ 200.0
Commodity swap transaction per day	35,000												35,000
Commodity swap average price per Mmbtu	4.18												4.18