Cover - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 02, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-13283
Entity Registrant Name	PENN VIRGINIA CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	VA
Entity Tax Identification Number	23-1184320
Entity Address, Address Line One	16285 PARK TEN PLACE, SUITE 500
Entity Address, City or Town	HOUSTON
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77084
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	722-6500
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value
Trading Symbol	PVAC
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,107,265
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Central Index Key	0000077159
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31