Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013 First Quarter [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 First Quarter [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Second Quarter [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Second Quarter [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Third Quater [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Third Quater [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Fourth Quarter [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fourth Quarter [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Total [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Total [Member]
Interim Period, Costs Not Allocable [Line Items]
Oil and Gas Revenue	$ 1,944,312	$ 1,791,288	$ 2,013,942	$ 445,689	$ 425,959	$ 454,737	$ 394,402	$ 468,643	$ 444,947	$ 575,243	$ 525,980	$ 1,944,312	$ 1,791,288
Operating Income (Loss)	(47,636)	34,829	74,473	14,130	22,074	5,878	18,381	(62,833)	899	(4,811)	(6,525)	(47,636)	34,829
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(82,999)	(24,259)	4,728	(2,168)	3,594	(6,744)	(530)	(61,617)	(10,240)	(12,470)	(17,083)	(82,999)	(24,259)
Net loss attributable to Crosstex Energy, Inc.	$ (29,636)	$ (12,481)	$ (6,007)	$ (2,936)	$ (825)	$ (4,667)	$ (1,672)	$ (11,249)	$ (4,314)	$ (10,784)	$ (5,670)	$ (29,636)	$ (12,481)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ (0.60)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.60)	$ (0.26)
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ (0.60)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.60)	$ (0.26)