Transactions with Affiliates - Equipment Purchases and Sales Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Partners’ capital adjustment	$ 4,767	$ 10,733	[1]	$ 5,855	[1]
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member] | Affiliates [Member] | Purchases [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash consideration - purchases	12,664	22,943		11,211
Net carrying value	7,944	12,210		5,309
Partners’ capital adjustment	4,720	10,733		5,902
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member] | Affiliates [Member] | Sales [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash consideration - sales	925	0		85
Net carrying value	972	0		38
Partners’ capital adjustment	$ 47	$ 0		$ (47)

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