Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)		$ 283,536		$ (19,728)	[1]
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		132,400		137,529	[1]
Impairments		8,921		274,244	[1]
Non-cash equity-based compensation expense		2,518		2,262	[1]
Deferred income taxes		1,980		6,382	[1]
Accretion and amortization of long-term obligations, net		(8,870)		7,070	[1]
Equity income, net – affiliates	[2]	(36,507)		(37,161)	[1]
Distributions from equity investment earnings – affiliates		38,519		39,034	[1]
(Gain) loss on divestiture and other, net		2,539		6	[1]
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net		(33,180)		(41,392)	[1]
Increase (decrease) in accounts and imbalance payables and accrued liabilities, net		(2,163)		4,411	[1]
Change in other items, net		2,122		(1,434)	[1]
Net cash provided by operating activities		391,815		371,223	[1]
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures		(255,923)		(361,798)	[1]
Investments in equity affiliates		139		(6,770)	[1]
Distributions from equity investments in excess of cumulative earnings – affiliates		10,611	[3]	8,538	[1]
Proceeds from property insurance claims		2,944		0	[1]
Net cash used in investing activities		(952,824)		(371,878)	[1]
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings, net of debt issuance costs		556,017		769,694	[1]
Repayments of debt		(290,000)		(521,150)	[1]
Increase (decrease) in outstanding checks		(1,314)		(2,938)	[1]
Distributions to WGP unitholders	[4]	(181,156)		(143,386)	[1]
Net contributions from (distributions to) Anadarko		(27,459)		(17,439)	[1]
Above-market component of swap extensions with Anadarko	[4]	16,365		0	[1]
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		620,986		22,704	[1]
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		59,977		22,049	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		99,694	[5]	67,213	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		159,671		89,262	[1]
Supplemental disclosures
Net distributions to (contributions from) Anadarko of other assets		354		4,540	[1]
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest		54,433		42,167	[1]
Taxes paid (reimbursements received)		67		(138)	[1]
Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC [Member]
Supplemental disclosures
Acquisition of DBJV from Anadarko		(159,524)		174,276	[1]
Chipeta Processing Limited Liability Company [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Distributions to Chipeta noncontrolling interest owner		(7,460)		(7,175)	[1]
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from the issuance of common units, net of offering expenses		0		57,376	[1]
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners of WES		(130,947)		(112,278)	[1]
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member] | Series A Preferred Units [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from the issuance of WES Series A Preferred units, net of offering expenses		686,940		0	[1]
Affiliates [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities
Contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates		3,854		0	[1]
Acquisitions		(715,199)		(9,056)	[1]
Proceeds from the sale of assets		613		700	[1]
Affiliates [Member] | Western Gas Partners, LP [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Distributions to WGP unitholders	[6]	(2,245)		(1,080)
Third Parties [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions		0		(3,514)	[1]
Proceeds from the sale of assets		$ 137		$ 22	[1]

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

[2] Represents amounts earned or incurred on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of WES assets, as well as amounts earned or incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to WES assets prior to the acquisition of such assets by WES, recognized under gathering, treating or processing agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.

[3] Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings, classified as investing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows, is calculated on an individual investment basis.

[4] See Note 5.

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

[6] Represents distributions paid to other subsidiaries of Anadarko under WES’s partnership agreement (see Note 3 and Note 4).