Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated comprehensive income, beginning balance	$ 4,674
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	73
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(58)	[1]
Net current period other comprehensive income	15
Accumulated comprehensive income, ending balance	4,689
Accumulated comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	1,936
Accumulated comprehensive income attributable to QR Energy, LP	2,753		2,744
Available-For-Sale Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated comprehensive income, beginning balance	613
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	73
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(14)	[1]
Net current period other comprehensive income	59
Accumulated comprehensive income, ending balance	672
Accumulated comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	298
Accumulated comprehensive income attributable to QR Energy, LP	374
Post-retirement Benefits [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated comprehensive income, beginning balance	4,061
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(44)	[1]
Net current period other comprehensive income	(44)
Accumulated comprehensive income, ending balance	4,017
Accumulated comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	1,638
Accumulated comprehensive income attributable to QR Energy, LP	$ 2,379

[1] Amounts were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) into “Other income (expense), net” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.