Transactions With Affiliates - Equipment Purchase and Sale Table (details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Partners' capital adjustment	$ 381	$ 2,528	$ (309)
Affiliated Entity [Member] \| Purchases [Member] \| Western Gas Partners [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consideration given for equipment	11,211	24,705	3,837
Net carrying value	5,309	8,009	1,998
Partners' capital adjustment	5,902	16,696	1,839
Affiliated Entity [Member] \| Sales [Member] \| Western Gas Partners [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consideration received for equipment	85	760	382
Net carrying value	38	393	316
Partners' capital adjustment	$ 47	$ 367	$ 66

This element represents movements included in the statement of changes in partners' capital which are not separately disclosed or provided for elsewhere in the taxonomy.

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The cash outflow to purchase long lived physical asset for use in the normal oil and gas operations and to purchase mineral interests in oil and gas properties not intended for resale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

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- Definition

The cash inflow from sale of machinery and equipment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585

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- Definition

Amount of reclassification, impairment, donation, or other change to long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230

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