Consolidated Statement of Equity and Partners' Capital (USD $) In Thousands		Total	Chipeta Processing Limited Liability Company [Member]	Western Gas Partners [Member]	Net Investment by Anadarko	Common [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest Member	Noncontrolling Interest Member Chipeta Processing Limited Liability Company [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest Member Western Gas Partners [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	[1]	$ 2,280,379			$ 199,960	$ 912,376	$ 1,168,043
Net income		51,676			5,401	26,914	19,361
Offering expenses from the issuance of WGP common units		(250)				(250)
WES equity transactions, net	[2]					(5,582)	5,582
Contributions received from Chipeta noncontrolling interest owners		1,097					1,097
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners			(2,650)	(28,789)				(2,650)	(28,789)
Distributions to unitholders		(7,852)				(7,852)
Acquisition from affiliates		(465,500)			(221,930)	(243,570)
Contributions of equity-based compensation from Anadarko		674				656	18
Net pre-acquisition contributions from (distributions to) Anadarko		(29,960)			(29,961)	1
Elimination of net deferred tax liabilities		46,530			46,530
Other		123				59	64
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013		$ 1,845,478				$ 682,752	$ 1,162,726

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest. See Note 2.

[2] Includes the impact of units of Western Gas Partners, LP issued in connection with the acquisition of the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest as described in Note 2. The $5.6 million decrease to partners’ capital, together with net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP, totaled $26.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013.