Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairments	$ 272,624	[1],[2]	$ 1,190
Western Gas Partners [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairments	272,624
Western Gas Partners [Member] | Red Desert Complex [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairments	264,400
Western Gas Partners [Member] | Red Desert Complex [Member] | Fair Value Measurements Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 3 Inputs [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	23,200
Western Gas Partners [Member] | Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairments	$ 8,200

[1] “As Reported” amount previously included as a component of Depreciation, amortization and impairments in WGP’s Original Filing.

[2] “As Reported” amount previously included as a component of Depreciation, amortization and impairments in WGP’s Original Filing.