2.4.0.82412402 - Disclosure - Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Textual (Details)truefalseIn Thousands, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$I2013Q3http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$I2012Q4http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548instant2012-09-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3false USDfalsefalse$I2012Q3http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548instant2012-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$4false truefalseI2013Q3_us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis_ugu_ElectricUtilityElectricTransmissionCongestionMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseElectric Utility electric transmission congestion [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiugu_ElectricUtilityElectricTransmissionCongestionMemberus-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisexplicitMemberkwhStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2009/utrkWhutreg05false truefalseI2012Q3_us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis_ugu_ElectricUtilityElectricTransmissionCongestionMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548instant2012-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseElectric Utility electric transmission congestion [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiugu_ElectricUtilityElectricTransmissionCongestionMemberus-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxisexplicitMemberkwhStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2009/utrkWhutreg06false truefalseI2013Q3_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ugu_GasUtilityMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseGas Utility [Member]us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiugu_GasUtilityMemberus-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxisexplicitMemberDekathermStandardhttp://www.ugi.com/20130630DTHugu07false truefalseI2012Q3_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ugu_GasUtilityMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548instant2012-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseGas Utility [Member]us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiugu_GasUtilityMemberus-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxisexplicitMemberDekathermStandardhttp://www.ugi.com/20130630DTHugu08false USDtruefalse$I2013Q3_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ugu_ElectricUtilityForwardContractMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseElectric Utility [Member]us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiugu_ElectricUtilityForwardContractMemberus-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxisexplicitMemberkwhStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2009/utrkWhutreg0usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9false USDtruefalse$I2012Q3_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ugu_ElectricUtilityForwardContractMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548instant2012-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseElectric Utility [Member]us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiugu_ElectricUtilityForwardContractMemberus-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxisexplicitMemberkwhStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2009/utrkWhutreg0usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$10false USDtruefalse$I2013Q3_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_ugu_InterestRateProtectionAgreementsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseInterest Rate Protection Agreements [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiugu_InterestRateProtectionAgreementsMemberus-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$11false USDtruefalse$I2012Q3_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_ugu_InterestRateProtectionAgreementsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548instant2012-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseInterest Rate Protection Agreements [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiugu_InterestRateProtectionAgreementsMemberus-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$12false USDtruefalse$D2012Q3QTD_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548duration2012-04-01T00:00:002012-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseInterest Rate Swap [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_InterestRateSwapMemberus-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$13false USDtruefalse$D2012Q3YTD_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000100548duration2011-10-01T00:00:002012-06-30T00:00:00falsefalseInterest Rate Swap [Member]us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_InterestRateSwapMemberus-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxisexplicitMemberusdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 4ugu_DisclosuresAboutDerivativeInstrumentsHedgingActivitiesTextualAbstractugu_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Disclosures About Derivative Instruments Hedging Activities (Textual) [Abstract]2false 5invest_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountinvest_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:decimalItemTypedecimalAggregate notional amount of derivative expressed in nonmonetary units. For example, the number of barrels specified in a fuel oil forward purchase contract.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 12 -Section 13 -Sentence Column B false256Notional amount (in units)3false 5us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse2295000022950USD$falsetruefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse4247300042473USD$falsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8truefalsefalse-6060000-6060USD$falsetruefalse9truefalsefalse-13095000-13095USD$falsetruefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair value of derivative liability, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959 false2Total Derivatives Liability4false 5us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAssetus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse82280008228falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse545000545falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair value of derivative asset, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 205G -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44C -Subparagraph a -Clause 1 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959 false2Total Derivatives Assets5false 5invest_DerivativeNotionalAmountinvest_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse173000000173000falsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse173000000173000falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 12 -Section 13 -Sentence Column B false2Underlying variable rate debt6false 5us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToOtherIncomeNetus-gaap_truecreditdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13truefalsefalse-682000-682falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of net gains or losses on a cash flow hedge reclassified in the period to other income from accumulated other comprehensive income.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7668309&loc=d3e80784-113994 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Recorded loss amount included in Other Income, Net7false 5ugu_MaximumLengthOfTimeHedgedInPriceRiskCashFlowHedgesugu_falsenainstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse0011 monthsfalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse0016 monthsfalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse0011 monthsfalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalseus-types:durationStringItemTypenormalizedstringMaximum length of time hedged in price risk cash flow hedges.No definition available.false0Maximum length of time hedged in price risk cash flow hedges (in months)8false 5us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNetus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedTerseLabel1truefalsefalse22030002203falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe estimated net amount of unrealized gains or losses on interest rate cash flow hedges as of the balance sheet date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7668309&loc=d3e80748-113994 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b(2) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Amount of net losses associated with interest rate hedges to be reclassified with interest rate hedges during the next 12 months9false 5us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValueus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboseLabel1truefalsefalse26360002636USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse00USD$falsetruefalse3truefalsefalse16040001604USD$falsetruefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse12falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse13falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-BRD -Paragraph 80 -Subparagraph Exhibit 4-8, 3 -IssueDate 2006-05-01 -Chapter 4 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 false2Restricted Cash in brokerage accountsfalseDisclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Textual (Details) (USD $)ThousandsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.ugi.com/role/DisclosuresAboutDerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTextualDetails139