| Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
| Dec. 31, 2020 | Jun. 30, 2020 | Apr. 30, 2020 | |
| Cover [Abstract] | |||
| Document Type | 10-K/A | ||
| Amendment Description | Amendment No. 1 | ||
| Document Annual Report | true | ||
| Document Period End Date | Dec. 31, 2020 | ||
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | ||
| Document Transition Report | false | ||
| Entity File Number | 001-37907 | ||
| Entity Registrant Name | EXTRACTION OIL & GAS, INC. | ||
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE | ||
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 46-1473923 | ||
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 370 17th Street, Suite 5200 | ||
| Entity Address, City or Town | Denver, Colorado | ||
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 80202 | ||
| City Area Code | 720 | ||
| Local Phone Number | 557-8300 | ||
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, par value $0.01 | ||
| Trading Symbol | XOG | ||
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ | ||
| Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | No | ||
| Entity Voluntary Filers | No | ||
| Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | ||
| Entity Interactive Data Current | Yes | ||
| Entity Filer Category | Non-accelerated Filer | ||
| Entity Small Business | true | ||
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | ||
| Entity Shell Company | false | ||
| Entity Bankruptcy Proceedings, Reporting Current | true | ||
| ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag | false | ||
| Entity Public Float | $ 9.7 | ||
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 25,703,212 | ||
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2020 | ||
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | FY | ||
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001655020 | ||
| Amendment Flag | true |
