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.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementsReceivableCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(3)(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(11))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableRelatedPartiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 50
-Section 30
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66023778&loc=d3e9334-128500

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 50
-Section 30
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66023778&loc=d3e9337-128500

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 50
-Section 30
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66023778&loc=d3e9298-128500

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 50
-Section 05
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006417&loc=d3e8580-128490

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsAcquisitions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3179-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 21B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=SL94080549-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementInvestingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 21B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=SL94080549-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementOperatingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 320
-Section S99
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=50485924&loc=d3e611443-123010

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipOwnershipInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wgp_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssetsAndOtherNet
Namespace Prefix:	wgp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Plant Capacity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wgp_PlantCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	wgp_
Data Type:	us-types:flowItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wgp_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementTotal
Namespace Prefix:	wgp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=wgp_ChipetaProcessingLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=wgp_WesternGasEquityPartnersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OwnershipAxis=wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalUnitsByClassAxis=us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=wgp_DelawareBasinMidstreamComplexMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wgp_TrainIIMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis=wgp_TrainIIIMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=us-gaap_AffiliatedEntityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=wgp_OtherSubsidiariesOfAnadarkoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) Mcf / d shares	Sep. 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	$ (72,000)		$ 6,230,000	(135,017,000)	$ 8,769,000
Proceeds from property insurance claims				$ 22,977,000	$ 18,398,000
Chipeta [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