Amount of expense for award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes amount capitalized.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=122041274&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, before allowance for credit loss, of financing receivable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123577603&loc=SL6953401-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 79
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124267575&loc=SL82922352-210448

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255953&loc=SL82919253-210447

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255206&loc=SL82895884-210446

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255953&loc=SL82919230-210447

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 80
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124267575&loc=SL82922355-210448

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
-Section 1405
-Paragraph (a)
-Subparagraph (1)

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
-Section 1405
-Paragraph (a)
-Subparagraph (2)

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
-Section 1404
-Paragraph (a)

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of operating lease income from lease payments paid and payable to lessor. Excludes variable lease payments not included in measurement of lease receivable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124502072&loc=SL77927221-108306

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124258985&loc=SL77919372-209981

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeLeasePayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of lessee's right to use underlying asset under operating lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123391704&loc=SL77918627-209977

+ Details

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

- Definition

The value of the noncash (or part noncash) consideration received in a transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of a transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123431023&loc=d3e4313-108586

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123431023&loc=d3e4304-108586

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123431023&loc=d3e4332-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherSignificantNoncashTransactionValueOfConsiderationReceived1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from an entity that is affiliated with the entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percent of throughput of production owned or controlled by related parties.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wes_RelatedPartyThroughputPercent
Namespace Prefix:	wes_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of variable lease income or expense from operating, direct financing, and sales-type leases, excluding amount included in measurement of lease receivable.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wes_UsGaap_VariableLeaseIncomeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	wes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=wes_IncentivePlansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	srt_EnergyAxis=wes_NaturalGasMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_EnergyAxis=wes_CrudeOilandNGLsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_EnergyAxis=us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInventoryWaterMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Related-Party Transactions - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	May 31, 2008
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Right-of-use asset recognized	$ 4,800,000				$ 4,800,000
WES Operating [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash contribution from related party				$ 20,000,000
Occidental [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Right-of-use asset recognized		$ 30,000,000
Present value of reduced usage fees		$ 30,000,000
Occidental [Member] \| Incentive Plans [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Allocated equity-based compensation expense	2,300,000		$ 3,500,000		7,900,000	$ 11,200,000
Related Parties [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating lease, fixed-lease revenue	43,900,000		44,000,000		131,900,000	131,800,000
Operating lease, variable lease revenue	$ 600,000		$ 9,800,000		$ 1,900,000	$ 42,600,000
Anadarko note receivable							$ 260,000,000
Natural Gas [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party throughput percentage	38.00%		41.00%		36.00%	42.00%
Crude Oil and NGLs Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party throughput percentage	88.00%		87.00%		89.00%	88.00%
Produced water [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party throughput percentage	89.00%		87.00%		87.00%	88.00%