Subsidiary Guarantors (Condensed Statements Of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (21,497)	$ (44,660)	$ 33,943	$ 77,814
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	179		179
Total other comprehensive income	179		179
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(21,318)	(44,660)	34,122	77,814
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	301		301
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	(21,619)	(44,660)	33,821	77,814
Parent Co - Issuer [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(21,719)		33,721
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	100
Total other comprehensive income	100
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(21,619)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	(21,619)
Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(12,538)		61,068
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	100
Total other comprehensive income	100
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(12,438)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	(12,438)
Non-Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	505		505
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	179
Total other comprehensive income	179
Total comprehensive income (loss)	684
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	684
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	12,255		(61,351)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	(200)
Total other comprehensive income	(200)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	12,055
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	301
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	$ 11,754