Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 187,921		$ 112,682	[1]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and impairments	84,358		68,936	[1]
Non-cash equity-based compensation expense	2,247		1,818	[1]
Deferred income taxes	463		19,355	[1]
Debt-related amortization and other items, net	1,358		1,126	[1]
Equity income, net	(22,259)	[2],[3]	(7,424)	[1],[2],[3]
Distributions from equity investment earnings	26,793	[2]	11,032	[1],[2]
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net	(23,265)		(26,951)	[1]
Increase (decrease) in accounts and natural gas imbalance payables and accrued liabilities, net	(153)		255	[1]
Change in other items, net	4,670		(138)	[1]
Net cash provided by operating activities	262,133		180,691	[1]
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(359,752)		(339,756)	[1]
Contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates	182		0	[1]
Acquisitions	(360,952)		(679,610)	[1]
Investments in equity affiliates	(59,245)		(156,217)	[1]
Distributions from equity investments in excess of cumulative earnings	9,848	[2],[4]	0	[1],[2]
Proceeds from the sale of assets	0		96	[1]
Capitalized interest on equity investments	(857)		(7,195)
Net cash used in investing activities	(770,776)		(1,182,682)
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings, net of debt issuance costs	1,076,895		494,948	[1]
Repayments of debt	(480,000)		(245,000)	[1]
Increase (decrease) in outstanding checks	2,517		(1,809)	[1]
Offering expenses from the issuance of WGP common units	0		(2,367)	[1]
Distributions to WGP unitholders	(105,347)		(46,980)	[1]
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners of WES	(83,894)		(58,929)	[1]
Net contributions from Anadarko	23,788		119,428	[1]
Net cash provided by financing activities	517,700		671,847	[1]
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	9,057		(330,144)	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	113,085	[1]	422,556	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	122,142
Supplemental disclosures
Net contributions from Anadarko of other assets	(43)
Net distributions to Anadarko of other assets			615	[1]
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	26,346		23,516	[1]
Taxes paid (reimbursements received)	(340)		0	[1]
Capital lease asset transfer	4,833	[5]	0	[5]
Western Gas Partners [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of WES common units, net of offering expenses	91,690		416,119	[1]
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities
Contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates	182		0	[1]
Acquisitions	(360,952)		(466,936)	[1]
Proceeds from the sale of assets	0		82	[1]
Third Parties [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions	0		(212,674)	[1]
Proceeds from the sale of assets	0		14	[1]
Chipeta Processing Limited Liability Company [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Contributions received from Chipeta noncontrolling interest owner	0		1,097	[1]
Distributions to Chipeta noncontrolling interest owner	$ (7,949)		$ (4,660)	[1]

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the TEFR Interests. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] Income earned on, distributions from and contributions to equity investments are classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[3] Income earned from equity investments is classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[4] Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings, classified as investing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows, is calculated on an individual investment basis.

[5] For the six months ended June 30, 2014, represents transfers of $0.2 million and $4.6 million from other current assets and other long-term assets, respectively, associated with the capital lease components of a processing agreement. See Note 6.