Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]

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- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
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- Definition

Equity impact of common stock cash dividends declared by an entity during the period. This element includes paid and unpaid dividends declared during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
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- Definition

Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions by the non-wholly owned subsidiary or partially owned entity, included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders.

+ References

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- Definition

Represents an increase in noncontrolling interest from issuance of additional equity interests to noncontrolling interest holders or the sale of a portion of the parent's controlling interest.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of the reduction or elimination during the period of a noncontrolling interest resulting from the parent's loss of control and deconsolidation of the entity in which one or more outside parties had a noncontrolling interest.

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- Definition

The change in other comprehensive income during the reporting period, net of tax, for an item that is not separately disclosed.

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- Definition

Net of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive income that was realized in net income during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Glossary Reclassification Adjustments
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- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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- Definition

Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
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-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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- Definition

This element represents movements included in the statement of changes in stockholders' equity which are not separately disclosed or provided for elsewhere in the taxonomy.

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Reconciliation of the Carrying Amounts of Shareholders' Equity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				2 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011 Penn Virginia Corporation Shareholders' Equity	Jun. 30, 2010 Penn Virginia Corporation Shareholders' Equity	Apr. 30, 2010 Noncontrolling Interests in Discontinued Operations	Jun. 30, 2010 Noncontrolling Interests in Discontinued Operations	Jun. 30, 2011 Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Jun. 30, 2010 Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			$ 980,276	$ 1,237,999	$ 980,276	$ 908,088		$ 329,911
Dividends paid ($0.1125 per share)			(5,156)	(5,131)	(5,156)	(5,131)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders				(49,566)				(49,566)
Sale of PVG units, net of tax				152,290		82,102	70,188	70,188
Deconsolidation of PVG				(382,324)				(382,324)
Other changes to shareholders' equity			4,677	8,405	4,677	5,286		3,119
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	(71,918)	49,823	(98,258)	72,763	(98,258)	44,673		28,090	(98,258)	72,763
Hedging reclassification adjustment				582				582		582
Other, net of tax			68	(204)	68	(204)			68	(204)
Ending Balance	881,607	1,034,814	881,607	1,034,814	881,607	1,034,814
Ending Balance									$ (98,190)	$ 73,141