Subsidiary Guarantors (Condensed Statements Of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (14,396)	$ (8,174)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for available-for-sale securities	(14)
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	73
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(44)
Total other comprehensive income	15
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(14,381)	(8,174)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	220
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	(14,601)	(8,174)
Parent Co - Issuer [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(14,610)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	34
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(25)
Total other comprehensive income	9
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(14,601)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	(14,601)
Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(312)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	34
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(25)
Total other comprehensive income	9
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(303)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	(303)
Non-Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	523
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for available-for-sale securities	(14)
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	73
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(44)
Total other comprehensive income	15
Total comprehensive income (loss)	538
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	538
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	3
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	(68)
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	50
Total other comprehensive income	(18)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(15)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	220
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	$ (235)