Transactions with Affiliates - Equipment Purchases and Sales Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Partners’ capital adjustment	$ 4,386	$ 6,398	[1]
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member] | Affiliates [Member] | Purchases [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash consideration - purchases	12,131	16,143
Net carrying value	7,411	9,745
Partners’ capital adjustment	4,720	6,398
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member] | Affiliates [Member] | Sales [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash consideration - sales	700	0
Net carrying value	366	0
Partners’ capital adjustment	$ (334)	$ 0

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