Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment information
Revenue									$ 1,687,085	$ 1,383,279	$ 1,522,592
Purchased product costs									(691,165)	(530,328)	(682,370)
Facility expenses									(291,069)	(206,861)	(171,497)
Income from operations	34,495	7,763	140,022	63,663	61,450	8,593	257,741	50,492	245,943	378,276	315,466
Capital expenditures									3,046,956	1,950,324	550,839
Total segments
Segment information
Revenue									1,693,267	1,389,214	1,536,539
Purchased product costs									(691,165)	(530,328)	(682,370)
Net operating margin									1,002,102	858,886	854,169
Facility expenses									(299,399)	(216,590)	(180,467)
Portion of operating loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests									3,478	1,183	(63,907)
Income from operations									706,181	643,479	609,795
Capital expenditures									3,035,889	1,945,323	545,749
Unallocated Segment
Segment information
Capital expenditures									11,067	5,001	5,090
Marcellus | Total segments
Segment information
Revenue									527,073	319,867	248,949
Purchased product costs									(100,262)	(74,024)	(83,847)
Net operating margin									426,811	245,843	165,102
Facility expenses									(108,781)	(65,825)	(34,913)
Portion of operating loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests											(63,731)
Income from operations									318,030	180,018	66,458
Capital expenditures									1,613,580	1,458,323	388,850
Utica Segment | Total segments
Segment information
Revenue									26,442	571
Net operating margin									26,442	571
Facility expenses									(35,081)	(3,968)
Portion of operating loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests									3,499	1,359
Income from operations									(5,140)	(2,038)
Capital expenditures									1,242,158	233,018
Northeast Segment | Total segments
Segment information
Revenue									204,326	225,818	268,884
Purchased product costs									(65,192)	(68,402)	(91,612)
Net operating margin									139,134	157,416	177,272
Facility expenses									(28,425)	(24,106)	(27,126)
Income from operations									110,709	133,310	150,146
Capital expenditures									4,586	84,542	51,280
Southwest Segment | Total segments
Segment information
Revenue									935,426	842,958	1,018,706
Purchased product costs									(525,711)	(387,902)	(506,911)
Net operating margin									409,715	455,056	511,795
Facility expenses									(127,112)	(122,691)	(118,428)
Portion of operating loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests									(21)	(176)	(176)
Income from operations									282,582	332,189	393,191
Capital expenditures									$ 175,565	$ 169,440	$ 105,619