Income Taxes - Classification of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities in the Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 Linn Energy, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Linn Energy, LLC [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets			$ 10,318	$ 8,279
Deferred tax liabilities			612	589
Other current assets			9,706	7,690
Deferred tax assets		9,651	5,186	4,632
Deferred tax liabilities		23,210	11,493	9,283
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,261	0	(6,307)	(4,651)
Net noncurrent deferred tax liabilities	$ 0	$ 13,559

Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards, net of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences expected to be realized or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards expected to be realized or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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- Definition

Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of noncurrent deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

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- Definition

Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences, net of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards net of valuation allowances expected to be realized or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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- Definition

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