Unit Transactions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended					1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Common units	Jun. 30, 2012 Common units	Jun. 30, 2013 General partner units	Jun. 30, 2012 General partner units	Jun. 30, 2013 Exterran Holdings	Mar. 31, 2013 March 2013 Contract Operations Acquisition Common units	Mar. 31, 2013 March 2013 Contract Operations Acquisition General partner units
Unit Transactions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units)					7,123,527		144,644			7,123,527	144,644
Common units sold (in units)	4,965,000					4,965,000
Common units sold pursuant to over-allotment option (in units)	465,000
Net proceeds from sale of common units	$ 114,530	$ 114,530
General partner units issued and sold to maintain ownership percentage (in units)	100,861							100,861
General partner's ownership interest in general partner units as a percentage	2.00%		2.00%	2.00%
Capital contribution by general partner	$ 2,400	$ 2,426
Common units owned (in units)									19,618,918
General partner units owned (in units)			1,003,227	858,583					1,003,227
General partner's ownership interest in partnership (as a percent)									41.00%