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Partnership Distributions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Aug. 15, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Limited Partners Capital Account [Line Items]        
Partnership cash distribution period   45 days    
Partnership cash distribution paid   $ 536,716us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends $ 389,128us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends $ 251,720us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
Conversion of subordinated units to common units 69,076,122us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConverted      
General partnership interest and distribution right   2.00%wpz_GeneralPartnerMarginalInterestInDistributions    
Maximum        
Limited Partners Capital Account [Line Items]        
General partnership interest and distribution right   50.00%wpz_GeneralPartnerMarginalInterestInDistributions
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
   
Class B Units        
Limited Partners Capital Account [Line Items]        
Beneficial conversion feature       $ 58,300us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountExchangesAndConversions
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= wpz_ClassBUnitsMember
Subordinated units        
Limited Partners Capital Account [Line Items]        
Units converted into common units, basis description   one-for-one    
Class C Units        
Limited Partners Capital Account [Line Items]        
Units converted into common units, basis description   one-for-one