Components of Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Loss from continuing operations												$ (104,589)		$ (132,915)		$ (65,327)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax												0	[1]	0	[1]	33,448	[1]
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax		51,500	51,500									0		0		51,546
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests												0		0		(28,090)
Loss attributable to Penn Virginia Corporation				(54,441)	(32,611)	(5,638)	(11,899)	(27,939)	(6,718)	(71,918)	(26,340)	(104,589)		(132,915)		(8,423)
Less: Preferred stock dividends												(1,687)		0		0
Loss attributable to common shareholders - Basic												(106,276)		(132,915)		(8,423)
Add: Preferred stock dividends												0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Loss attributable to common shareholders												$ (106,276)		$ (132,915)		$ (8,423)
Weighted-average shares - Basic				53,607,000	46,050,000	46,030,000	45,945,000	45,864,000	45,817,000	45,768,000	45,687,000	47,919,000		45,784,000		45,553,000
Effect of dilutive securities												0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Weighted-average shares - Diluted				53,607,000	46,050,000	46,030,000	45,945,000	45,864,000	45,817,000	45,768,000	45,687,000	47,919,000		45,784,000		45,553,000
Preferred stock dividend rate	6.00%											6.00%
Potentially dilutive securities with the effect of being anti-dilutive excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share												19,200,000		100,000		200,000

[1] For purposes of determining earnings per share, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is applied against income from discontinued operations as both are attributable to PVG's operations.

[2] Preferred stock dividends were excluded for diluted earnings per share as the assumed conversion of the 6% Preferred Stock would have been anti-dilutive.

[3] For 2012, 2011 and 2010, approximately 19.2 million, 0.1 million and 0.2 million potentially dilutive securities, including the 6% Preferred Stock, Convertible Notes, stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units had the effect of being anti-dilutive and were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share.