Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 65,529	$ 60,696
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	85,544	66,650
Income from unconsolidated affiliates	(42,878)	(25,008)
Other non-cash items	5,614	4,135
Distribution of earnings received from unconsolidated affiliates	112,042
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	48,758	(29,774)
Increase in other assets	(12,036)	(4,054)
Decrease in accounts payable	(5,806)	(11,743)
Increase in accrued liabilities	13,057	19,228
Net cash provided by operating activities	269,824	80,130
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(269,631)	(270,954)
Purchase of compression assets	(159,210)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(107,364)	(111,808)
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,163	26,134
Net cash used in investing activities	(535,042)	(356,628)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings	692,371	715,900
Payments on long-term debt borrowings	(1,035,871)	(438,900)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	750,000
Proceeds from issuance of common units	7,548
Distribution to unitholders	(122,134)	(84,073)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interests	53,297	18,980
Payments on capital lease obligations	(1,005)
Debt issuance costs	(8,009)
Other	1,302	(91)
Net cash provided by financing activities	337,499	211,816
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	72,281	(64,682)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	17,229	64,994
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	89,510	312
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Changes in accounts payable and other liabilities related to purchases of property, plant and equipment	13,579	1,034
Changes in other liabilities related to asset retirement obligations	$ 884	$ 67