Amount due in settlement of a claim for reimbursement from an insurance company when the Company has suffered a loss covered under an insurance policy. For classified balance sheets, represents the current amount receivable, that is amounts expected to be collected within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

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Amounts due from parties associated with the reporting entity as evidenced by a written promise to pay, due after 1 year (or 1 business cycle).

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Change in the number of units for each class of partners' capital accounts during the year due to acquisitions. Partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

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Amount of cash inflow for proceeds from settlement of insurance claim, classified as investing activities. Excludes insurance settlement classified as operating activities.

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Amount of cash inflow for proceeds from settlement of insurance claim, classified as operating activities. Excludes insurance settlement classified as investing activities.

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The number of units or percentage investment held in the subsidiary by the limited liability company or limited partnership.

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The gains and losses included in earnings resulting from the sale, disposal, or write-down of tangible assets; minerals revenue; and other, net.

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Plant Capacity

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The cash inflow from the amounts received by the insured under the terms of an insurance contract settlement. This element pertains to insurance proceeds related to investments and operating activities.

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Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) Mcf / d shares	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	May 31, 2008 USD ($)
Note receivable - Anadarko	$ 260,000,000			$ 260,000,000		$ 260,000,000
Loss on divestiture and other, net	$ (15,458,000)		$ 1,907,000	(134,945,000)	$ 2,539,000
Proceeds from property insurance claims				$ 22,977,000	$ 2,944,000
Chipeta Processing LLC [Member]
Ownership interest by noncontrolling interest owner	25.00%			25.00%
Western Gas Equity Partners, LP [Member] \| Western Gas Partners, LP [Member] \| General Partner [Member]
Percentage ownership interest				100.00%
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member] \| Delaware Basin Midstream Complex [Member]
Loss on divestiture and other, net		$ 5,700,000
Property insurance claim receivable	$ 0			$ 0		$ 30,000,000
Proceeds from insurance claims, total				52,900,000
Proceeds from business interruption insurance claims				29,882,000
Proceeds from property insurance claims				$ 22,977,000
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member] \| Delaware Basin Midstream Complex [Member] \| Train II [Member]
Plant capacity \| Mcf / d				100,000
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member] \| Delaware Basin Midstream Complex [Member] \| Train III [Member]
Plant capacity \| Mcf / d				200,000
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member] \| Affiliates [Member]
Note receivable - Anadarko	$ 260,000,000			$ 260,000,000			$ 260,000,000
Western Gas Partners, LP [Member] \| Other Subsidiaries Of Anadarko [Member]
WES common units issued \| shares				2,011,380