Consolidated Statement of Equity and Partners' Capital (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 Partnership Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Partnership Interest [Member] Chipeta Processing Limited Liability Company [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Capital Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Capital Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Net Investment by Anadarko [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Affiliated Entity [Member] Chipeta Processing Limited Liability Company [Member]
Tax effects associated with WES equity transactions				$ 18,400,000	$ 23,000,000	$ 93,600,000
Combined change in Partners' Capital from WES equity transactions, net and net income attributable to Western Gas Equity Partners, LP			347,200,000
Ownership interest by noncontrolling owners							24.00%
Acquisitions from affiliates		43,900,000				(25,000,000)
The decrease to partner's capital resulting from the August 2012 Chipeta acquisition together with net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$ 17,500,000