Supplemental Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	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
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 78,194		$ 77,699		$ 76,845		$ 84,411		$ 80,451		$ 83,353		$ 73,618		$ 68,583		$ 317,149	$ 306,005	$ 254,438
Operating loss	(81,141)	[1]	(24,485)	[1]	(38,043)	[1]	(3,422)	[1]	(37,146)	[2]	(9,031)	[2]	(80,713)	[2]	(28,529)	[2]	(147,091)	(155,419)	(98,808)
Loss attributable to Penn Virginia Corp.	$ (54,441)		$ (32,611)		$ (5,638)		$ (11,899)		$ (27,939)		$ (6,718)		$ (71,918)		$ (26,340)		$ (104,589)	$ (132,915)	$ (8,423)
Loss per share - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.05)	[3]	$ (0.71)	[3]	$ (0.12)	[3]	$ (0.26)	[3]	$ (0.61)	[3]	$ (0.15)	[3]	$ (1.57)	[3]	$ (0.58)	[3]	$ (2.22)	$ (2.90)	$ (0.19)
Loss per share - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.05)	[3]	$ (0.71)	[3]	$ (0.12)	[3]	$ (0.26)	[3]	$ (0.61)	[3]	$ (0.15)	[3]	$ (1.57)	[3]	$ (0.58)	[3]	$ (2.22)	$ (2.90)	$ (0.19)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	53,607		46,050		46,030		45,945		45,864		45,817		45,768		45,687		47,919	45,784	45,553
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	53,607		46,050		46,030		45,945		45,864		45,817		45,768		45,687		47,919	45,784	45,553

[1] Includes impairments of oil and gas properties of $28.6 million, $0.7 million and $75.2 million during the quarters ended June 30, 2012, September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

[2] Includes impairments of $71.1 million and $33.6 million during the quarters ended June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

[3] The sum of the quarters may not equal the total of the respective year's earnings per common share due to changes in weighted-average shares outstanding throughout the year.