Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) (Linn Energy, LLC [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Linn Energy, LLC [Member]
Future inflation factor used in the calculation of the asset retirement obligations	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Credit adjusted risk-free interest rate for the calculation of the asset retirement obligations	6.50%	6.80%	7.50%	8.60%
Asset retirement obligations rollforward
Asset retirement obligations, beginning of the period	$ 151,974	$ 71,142	$ 42,945
Liabilities added from acquisitions		63,663	19,853
Liabilities added from drilling	590	1,799	1,277
Current year accretion expense	2,764	8,550	4,140
Settlements	(1,981)	(3,640)	(2,218)
Revision of estimates	(269)	10,460	5,145
Asset retirement obligations, end of the period	$ 153,078	$ 151,974	$ 71,142	$ 42,945

The inflation rate used to calculate the present value of the asset retierment obligations.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of asset retirement obligations added during the period from the acquisition of additional oil and natural gas properties. This may include asset retirement obligations transferred from third parties associated with the purchase of a long-lived assets.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of asset retirement obligations added during the period from drilling.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing the asset retirement obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 143

-Paragraph 3, 10, 22

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Asset Retirement Obligation

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505190

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- Definition

Amount of accretion expense recognized during the period that is associated with an asset retirement obligation. Accretion expense measures and incorporates changes due to the passage of time into the carrying amount of the liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 143

-Paragraph 13, 14

-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

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- Definition

Amount of asset retirement obligations settled, or otherwise disposed of, during the period. This may include asset retirement obligations transferred to third parties associated with the sale of a long-lived asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 20

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-Paragraph 1

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- Definition

Amount of the Increase or Decrease in the amount of the asset retirement obligation during the current period for changes in the amount or timing of the estimated cash flows associated with the settlement of the obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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