Partnership Distributions - Cash Distributions Tables (details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]
Total quarterly distribution per unit	$ 0.34250	[1]		$ 0.25000
Total quarterly cash distribution	$ 74,977	[1]		$ 54,726
Western Gas Partners [Member]
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]
Total quarterly distribution per unit	$ 0.725	[2]	$ 0.700	$ 0.625
Total quarterly cash distribution	$ 133,203	[2]		$ 98,749

[1] On April 20, 2015, the Board of Directors of WGP GP declared a cash distribution to WGP unitholders of $0.34250 per unit, or $75.0 million in aggregate. The cash distribution is payable on May 22, 2015, to WGP unitholders of record at the close of business on April 30, 2015.

[2] On April 20, 2015, the Board of Directors of WES GP declared a cash distribution to WES unitholders of $0.725 per unit, or $133.2 million in aggregate, including incentive distributions, but excluding distributions on WES Class C units (see WES Class C unit distributions below). The cash distribution is payable on May 13, 2015, to WES unitholders of record at the close of business on April 30, 2015.