Equity and Partners' Capital - Partnership Interests Table (Details) - Western Gas Partners, LP [Member]	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 shares
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Balance	167,535,992
Units issued	619,510
Conversion of Series A Preferred units	0
Long-Term Incentive Plan award vestings	7,304
Balance	168,162,806
Common Units [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Balance	130,671,970
Conversion of Series A Preferred units	21,922,831
Long-Term Incentive Plan award vestings	7,304
Balance	152,602,105
Class C Units [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Balance	12,358,123
Units issued	619,510
Balance	12,977,633
Series A Preferred Units [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Balance	21,922,831
Conversion of Series A Preferred units	(21,922,831)
Balance	0
General Partner [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Balance	2,583,068
Balance	2,583,068