Reconciliation of the Carrying Amounts of Shareholders' Equity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				2 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Penn Virginia Corporation Shareholders' Equity	Sep. 30, 2010 Penn Virginia Corporation Shareholders' Equity	Apr. 30, 2010 Noncontrolling Interests in Discontinued Operations	Sep. 30, 2010 Noncontrolling Interests in Discontinued Operations	Sep. 30, 2011 Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Sep. 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 ($0.16875 per share)			(7,736)	(7,700)	(7,736)	(7,700)
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			6,697	9,180	6,697	6,061		3,119
Comprehensive income:
Net income	(6,718)	(30,159)	(104,976)	42,604	(104,976)	14,514		28,090	(104,976)	42,604
Hedging reclassification adjustment				582				582		582
Other, net of tax			102	(174)	102	(174)			102	(174)
Ending Balance	874,363	1,002,891	874,363	1,002,891	874,363	1,002,891
Ending Balance									$ (104,874)	$ 43,012