Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 26,064	$ 31,836
Accounts receivable	58,677	41,897
Due from general partner		165
Due from affiliates	2,547
Derivative instruments	30,399	45,522
Prepaid and other current assets	2,194	2,642
Total current assets	119,881	122,062
Noncurrent assets:
Evaluated	1,846,976	1,656,146
Unevaluated	4,590	11,500
Gross oil and natural gas properties	1,851,566	1,667,646
Other property, plant and equipment	13,113
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(288,871)	(203,377)
Total oil and natural gas properties and other property, plant and equipment, net	1,575,808	1,464,269
Derivative instruments	63,070	76,621
Other assets	39,778	23,575
Total noncurrent assets	1,678,656	1,564,465
Total assets	1,798,537	1,686,527
Current liabilities:
Current portion of asset retirement obligations	1,729	1,426
Derivative instruments	15,306	8,727
Accrued and other liabilities	64,585	46,284
Total current liabilities	81,620	56,437
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt	896,464	766,076
Derivative instruments	9,247	16,993
Asset retirement obligations	140,853	125,565
Other liabilities	18,934	6,892
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,065,498	915,526
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 11)
Partners' capital:
Class C convertible preferred unitholders (16,666,667 issued and outstanding as September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012)	384,673	373,068
General partner (51,036 units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012)	637	710
Class B convertible unitholders (6,133,558 and zero units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	100
Total QR Energy, LP partners' capital	645,162	714,564
Noncontrolling interest	6,257
Total partners' capital	651,419	714,564
Total liabilities and partners' capital	1,798,537	1,686,527
Limited Partners-Public Common [Member]
Partners' capital:
Limited partners' capital account	333,177	403,757
Total partners' capital	333,177	403,757
Limited Partners-Affiliated - Common [Member]
Partners' capital:
Limited partners' capital account	(73,425)	(62,971)
Total partners' capital	$ (73,425)	$ (62,971)