Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Penn Virginia and all of our subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Preparation of these statements involves the use of estimates and judgments where appropriate. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been included. Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. Certain amounts for the corresponding 2015 periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications have no impact on our previously reported results of operations, balance sheets or cash flows. Management has evaluated all of our activities through the issuance date of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and has concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes thereto. Comparability of Financial Statements to Prior Periods As discussed in further detail in Note 4 below, we have adopted and applied the relevant guidance provided in U.S. GAAP with respect to the accounting and financial statement disclosures for entities that have emerged from bankruptcy proceedings (“Fresh Start Accounting”). Accordingly, our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes after September 12, 2016, are not comparable to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes prior to that date. To facilitate our financial statement presentations, we refer to the reorganized company in these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes as the “Successor” for periods subsequent to September 12, 2016, and “Predecessor” for periods prior to September 13, 2016. Furthermore, our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes have been presented with a “black line” division to delineate the lack of comparability between the Predecessor and Successor. In addition, and as referenced in Note 7 below, we have adopted the full cost method of accounting for our oil and gas properties effective with our adoption of Fresh Start Accounting. Accordingly, our results of operations and financial position for the Successor periods will be substantially different from our historic trends. We have applied the relevant guidance provided in U.S. GAAP with respect to the accounting and financial statement disclosures for entities that have filed petitions with the bankruptcy court and expect to reorganize as going concerns in preparing our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes through the period ended September 12, 2016, or Predecessor periods. That guidance requires that, for periods subsequent to our bankruptcy filing on May 12, 2016, or post-petition periods, certain transactions and events that were directly related to our reorganization be distinguished from our normal business operations. Accordingly, certain revenues, expenses, realized gains and losses and provisions that were realized or incurred in the bankruptcy proceedings have been included in “Reorganization items, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period ended September 12, 2016. In addition, certain liabilities and other obligations incurred prior to May 12, 2016, or pre-petition periods, have been classified in “Liabilities subject to compromise” on our Predecessor Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet through September 12, 2016. Further detail for our “Reorganization items, net” and “Liabilities subject to compromise” are provided in Note 4 below. Going Concern Presumption Our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the Successor periods have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and other commitments in the normal course of business. As referenced in Note 3 below, we operated as a “debtor-in-possession” through September 12, 2016, during which time there was inherent doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)2016–09, Improvements to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016–09”), which simplifies the accounting for share-based compensation. The areas for simplification that are applicable to publicly-held companies are as follows: (i) Accounting for Income Taxes, (ii) Classification of Excess Tax Benefits on the Statement of Cash Flows, (iii) Forfeitures, (iv) Minimum Statutory Tax Withholding Requirements and (v) Classification of Employee Taxes Paid on the Statement of Cash Flows when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes. The effective date of ASU 2016–09 is January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We adopted ASU 2016–09 on September 12, 2016 effective upon our emergence from bankruptcy. As of September 30, 2016, we did not have any awards issued in the form of share-based compensation. Accordingly, the adoption of ASU 2016–09 had no impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016–13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016–13”), which changes the recognition model for the impairment of financial instruments, including accounts receivable, loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, among others. ASU 2016–13 is required to be adopted using the modified retrospective method by January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016–13 will have applicability to our accounts receivable portfolio, particularly those receivables attributable to our joint interest partners. At this time, we do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2016–13 will have a significant impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures; however, we are currently in the early stages of evaluating the requirements and the period for which we will adopt the standard. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016–02, Leases (“ASU 2016–02”), which will require organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with terms of more than twelve months. Consistent with current U.S. GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. ASU 2016–02 also will require disclosures regarding the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The effective date of ASU 2016–02 is January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are continuing to evaluate the effect that ASU 2016–02 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures as well as the period for which we will adopt the standard. We believe that ASU 2016–02 will likely be applicable to our oil and natural gas gathering commitment arrangements as described in Note 13, our existing leases for office facilities and certain office equipment and potentially to certain drilling rig contracts with terms in excess of twelve months. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014–09, Revenues from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014–09”), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014–09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective on January 1, 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method upon adoption. While traditional commodity sales transactions, property conveyances and joint interest arrangements in the oil and gas industry are not expected to be significantly impacted by ASU 2014–09, natural gas imbalances and other non-product revenues, including our ancillary marketing, gathering and transportation and water service revenues could be affected. Accordingly, we are continuing to evaluate the effect that ASU 2014–09 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures, with a more focused analysis on these other revenue sources. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the period for which we will adopt the new standard.

Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Penn Virginia and all of our subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Preparation of these statements involves the use of estimates and judgments where appropriate. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been included. Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. Certain amounts for the corresponding 2015 periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications have no impact on our previously reported results of operations, balance sheets or cash flows.

Management has evaluated all of our activities through the issuance date of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and has concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes thereto.

Comparability of Financial Statements to Prior Periods

As discussed in further detail in Note 4 below, we have adopted and applied the relevant guidance provided in U.S. GAAP with respect to the accounting and financial statement disclosures for entities that have emerged from bankruptcy proceedings (“Fresh Start Accounting”). Accordingly, our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes after September 12, 2016, are not comparable to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes prior to that date. To facilitate our financial statement presentations, we refer to the reorganized company in these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes as the “Successor” for periods subsequent to September 12, 2016, and “Predecessor” for periods prior to September 13, 2016. Furthermore, our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes have been presented with a “black line” division to delineate the lack of comparability between the Predecessor and Successor. In addition, and as referenced in Note 7 below, we have adopted the full cost method of accounting for our oil and gas properties effective with our adoption of Fresh Start Accounting. Accordingly, our results of operations and financial position for the Successor periods will be substantially different from our historic trends.

We have applied the relevant guidance provided in U.S. GAAP with respect to the accounting and financial statement disclosures for entities that have filed petitions with the bankruptcy court and expect to reorganize as going concerns in preparing our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes through the period ended September 12, 2016, or Predecessor periods. That guidance requires that, for periods subsequent to our bankruptcy filing on May 12, 2016, or post-petition periods, certain transactions and events that were directly related to our reorganization be distinguished from our normal business operations. Accordingly, certain revenues, expenses, realized gains and losses and provisions that were realized or incurred in the bankruptcy proceedings have been included in “Reorganization items, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period ended September 12, 2016. In addition, certain liabilities and other obligations incurred prior to May 12, 2016, or pre-petition periods, have been classified in “Liabilities subject to compromise” on our Predecessor Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet through September 12, 2016. Further detail for our “Reorganization items, net” and “Liabilities subject to compromise” are provided in Note 4 below.

Going Concern Presumption

Our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the Successor periods have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and other commitments in the normal course of business. As referenced in Note 3 below, we operated as a “debtor-in-possession” through September 12, 2016, during which time there was inherent doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)2016–09, Improvements to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016–09”), which simplifies the accounting for share-based compensation. The areas for simplification that are applicable to publicly-held companies are as follows: (i) Accounting for Income Taxes, (ii) Classification of Excess Tax Benefits on the Statement of Cash Flows, (iii) Forfeitures, (iv) Minimum Statutory Tax Withholding Requirements and (v) Classification of Employee Taxes Paid on the Statement of Cash Flows when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes. The effective date of ASU 2016–09 is January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We adopted ASU 2016–09 on September 12, 2016 effective upon our emergence from bankruptcy. As of September 30, 2016, we did not have any awards issued in the form of share-based compensation. Accordingly, the adoption of ASU 2016–09 had no impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016–13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016–13”), which changes the recognition model for the impairment of financial instruments, including accounts receivable, loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, among others. ASU 2016–13 is required to be adopted using the modified retrospective method by January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016–13 will have applicability to our accounts receivable portfolio, particularly those receivables attributable to our joint interest partners. At this time, we do not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2016–13 will have a significant impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures; however, we are currently in the early stages of evaluating the requirements and the period for which we will adopt the standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016–02, Leases (“ASU 2016–02”), which will require organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with terms of more than twelve months. Consistent with current U.S. GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. ASU 2016–02 also will require disclosures regarding the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The effective date of ASU 2016–02 is January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are continuing to evaluate the effect that ASU 2016–02 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures as well as the period for which we will adopt the standard. We believe that ASU 2016–02 will likely be applicable to our oil and natural gas gathering commitment arrangements as described in Note 13, our existing leases for office facilities and certain office equipment and potentially to certain drilling rig contracts with terms in excess of twelve months.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014–09, Revenues from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014–09”), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014–09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective on January 1, 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method upon adoption. While traditional commodity sales transactions, property conveyances and joint interest arrangements in the oil and gas industry are not expected to be significantly impacted by ASU 2014–09, natural gas imbalances and other non-product revenues, including our ancillary marketing, gathering and transportation and water service revenues could be affected. Accordingly, we are continuing to evaluate the effect that ASU 2014–09 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures, with a more focused analysis on these other revenue sources. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the period for which we will adopt the new standard.