Transactions with Affiliates - Omnibus Agreement Tables (Details) - Omnibus Agreement [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Allocated costs from Anadarko	$ 2,707	$ 2,253	$ 2,240
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Allocated costs from Anadarko	37,770	31,846	28,255
General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Allocated costs from Anadarko	258	256	254
General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Western Gas Partners, LP [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Allocated costs from Anadarko	29,360	22,896	20,249
Public Company Expenses [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Allocated costs from Anadarko	2,449	1,997	1,986
Public Company Expenses [Member] | Western Gas Partners, LP [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Allocated costs from Anadarko	$ 8,410	$ 8,950	$ 8,006