Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 27, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP
Entity Central Index Key	0001423902
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2014
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Units Outstanding		218,903,498