Components of Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Loss from continuing operations		$ (132,915)		$ (65,327)		$ (130,856)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax				33,448	[1]	53,488	[1]
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	51,546			51,546
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests				(28,090)		(37,275)
Loss attributable to Penn Virginia Corporation		(132,915)		(8,423)		(114,643)
Less: Portion of subsidiary net income allocated to undistributed share-based compensation awards, net of tax				(28)		(116)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic, Total		$ (132,915)		$ (8,451)		$ (114,759)
Weighted-average shares, basic		45,784		45,553		43,811
Effect of dilutive securities			[2]		[2]		[2]
Weighted-average shares, diluted		45,784		45,553		43,811

[1] For purposes of determining earnings per share, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is applied against income from discontinued operations as both are completely attributable to PVG's operations.

[2] For 2011, 2010 and 2009, an amount less than 0.1 million, approximately 0.2 million and 0.1 million potentially dilutive securities, including the Convertible Notes, stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units had the effect of being anti-dilutive and were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share.