Equity and Partners' Capital - Equity Offerings Table (details) (Western Gas Partners [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Common units Issued	7,015,000	[1]	5,000,000	[1]
Price per unit	$ 61.18		$ 43.88
Underwriting discount and other offering expenses	$ 13,203		$ 7,468
Net proceeds to WES	$ 424,733		$ 216,409
Common Units [Member] | Option on Securities [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Common units Issued	915,000
General Partner [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
General partner units issued	143,163	[2]	102,041	[2]

[1] Includes the issuance of 915,000 WES common units pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option granted in connection with the May 2013 equity offering.

[2] Represents general partner units of WES issued to WES GP in exchange for WES GP’s proportionate capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest.