XML 11 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.5.0.2
Document and Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Oct. 31, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]    
Trading Symbol WGP  
Entity Registrant Name Western Gas Equity Partners, LP  
Entity Central Index Key 0001423902  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2016  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Common Units Outstanding   218,922,303