Subsidiary Guarantors (Condensed Statements Of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 61,628	$ 79,751	$ 88,295
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for available-for-sale securities	(18)
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	631
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	4,061
Total other comprehensive income	4,674
Total comprehensive income (loss)	66,302	79,751	88,295
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,593
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	63,709	79,751	88,295
Parent Co - Issuer [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	60,965
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	340
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	2,404
Total other comprehensive income	2,744
Total comprehensive income (loss)	63,709
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	63,709
Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	97,534
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	340
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	2,404
Total other comprehensive income	2,744
Total comprehensive income (loss)	100,278
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	100,278
Non-Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	1,579
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for available-for-sale securities	(18)
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	631
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	4,061
Total other comprehensive income	4,674
Total comprehensive income (loss)	6,253
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	6,253
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(98,450)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	(680)
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(4,808)
Total other comprehensive income	(5,488)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(103,938)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,593
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	$ (106,531)