CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Partners' Capital Common Units	Partners' Capital General Partner Units	Treasury Units	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 423,766	$ 420,960	$ 12,877	$ (758)	$ (9,313)
Balance (in units) at Dec. 31, 2011		37,308,402	757,722
Treasury Units Balance (in units) at Dec. 31, 2011				(33,811)
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital
Issuance of common units for vesting of phantom units (in units)		31,701
Treasury units purchased	(165)			(165)
Treasury units purchased (in units)				(6,990)
Net proceeds from issuance of common units	114,530	114,530
Net proceeds from issuance of common units (in units)		4,965,000
Proceeds from sale of general partner units to Exterran Holdings	2,426		2,426
Proceeds from sale of general partner units to Exterran Holdings (in units)			100,861
Acquisition of a portion of Exterran Holdings' U.S. contract operations business	(28,221)	(28,221)
Contribution of capital, net	8,502	8,520	(18)
Excess of purchase price of equipment over Exterran Holdings' cost of equipment	(2,738)	(2,576)	(162)
Cash distributions	(42,060)	(39,386)	(2,674)
Unit-based compensation expense	479	479
Interest rate swap gain (loss), net of reclassification to earnings	(1,818)				(1,818)
Amortization of terminated interest rate swaps	614				614
Net income (loss)	(14,545)	(16,332)	1,787
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	460,770	457,974	14,236	(923)	(10,517)
Balance (in units) at Jun. 30, 2012		42,305,103	858,583
Treasury Units Balance (in units) at Jun. 30, 2012				(40,801)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	439,000	436,587	13,490	(983)	(10,094)
Balance (in units) at Dec. 31, 2012		42,313,731	858,583
Treasury Units Balance (in units) at Dec. 31, 2012	(43,630)			(43,630)
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital
Issuance of common units for vesting of phantom units (in units)		19,643
Treasury units purchased	(91)			(91)
Treasury units purchased (in units)				(3,790)
Acquisition of a portion of Exterran Holdings' U.S. contract operations business	161,650	158,417	3,233
Acquisition of a portion of Exterran Holdings' U.S. contract operations business (in units)		7,123,527	144,644
Transaction costs for registration of units	(68)	(68)
Contribution of capital, net	18,875	18,635	240
Excess of purchase price of equipment over Exterran Holdings' cost of equipment	(5,277)	(4,938)	(339)
Cash distributions	(50,929)	(47,235)	(3,694)
Unit-based compensation expense	578	578
Interest rate swap gain (loss), net of reclassification to earnings	6,618				6,618
Amortization of terminated interest rate swaps	767				767
Net income (loss)	42,629	38,746	3,883
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 613,752	$ 600,722	$ 16,813	$ (1,074)	$ (2,709)
Balance (in units) at Jun. 30, 2013		49,456,901	1,003,227
Treasury Units Balance (in units) at Jun. 30, 2013	(47,420)			(47,420)