Partnership's Debt (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
8.875% Senior Notes, Carrying Amount	$ 124,487	[1]	$ 124,460	[1]
Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings, Carrying Amount	100,348	[2]
Total debt, Carrying Amount	224,835		124,460
Total long-term portion of debt, Carrying Amount	124,487		124,460
8.875% Senior Notes, Fair Value	130,938	[1],[3]	130,000	[1],[3]
Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings, Fair Value	100,348	[2],[3]
Total debt, Fair Value	231,286	[3]	130,000	[3]
Total long-term portion of debt, Fair Value	$ 130,938	[1],[3]	$ 130,000	[1],[3]

[1] The 8.875% Senior Notes were originally issued in November 2010 in a private placement offering pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, and in February 2011, were exchanged for substantially identical public notes registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These public notes mature in December 2017 and accrue interest at an annual rate of 8.875% requiring semi-annual interest payments on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The discount on these notes was $0.5 million at December 31, 2013. Under the terms of the indenture, these notes permit restricted payments after passing certain financial tests. The Partnership can incur debt up to $100 million for acquisitions and can also pay restricted payments of $22.0 million without passing certain financial tests.

[2] At December 31, 2013, the Partnership had an amended and restated asset based revolving credit facility agreement with a bank syndicate comprised of fifteen banks that expired in 2016. Under this agreement, the Partnership was permitted to borrow up to $250 million ($350 million during the heating season of December through April of each year) for working capital purposes (subject to certain borrowing base limitations and coverage ratios) and was permitted to issue up to $100 million in letters of credit.

[3] The Partnership's fair value estimates of long-term debt are made at a specific point in time, based on Level 2 inputs. Due to the relatively short maturity of the revolving credit facility, the carrying amount approximates fair value.