Net Income/(Loss) Per Limited Partner Unit (Calculation Of Net Loss Per Limited Partner Unit) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Schedule Of Earnings Per Partner Unit [Line Items]
Net income	$ (50,900)		$ 63,614		$ (65,296)	[1]	$ 55,440	[1]
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(454)				(668)
Net income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	(51,354)		63,614		(65,964)		55,440
Distributions to unitholders					(71,035)
Amortization of preferred unit discount	(4,030)		(3,868)		(8,018)		(7,697)
Net income (loss) available to other unitholders	(61,852)		53,256		(86,912)		34,763
Less: general partner's interest in net income (loss)			36		142,579		770
Limited partners' interest in net income (loss)	(61,852)		53,220		(229,491)		33,993
Common unitholders' interest in net income (loss)	(61,852)		53,220		(229,491)		33,993
Weighted average preferred units outstanding	16,666,667		16,666,667		16,666,667		16,666,667
Limited Partners - Public And Affiliated Common Units [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Partner Unit [Line Items]
Common unitholders' (basic) (in dollars per unit)	$ (1.05)		$ 0.89		$ (3.91)		$ 0.58
Common unitholders' (diluted) (in dollars per unit)	$ (1.05)		$ 0.77		$ (3.91)		$ 0.58
Common units (basic) (in units)	58,764,000	[2]	59,556,000	[2]	58,697,000	[2]	58,455,000	[2]
Common units (diluted) (in units)	58,764,000	[2]	82,356,000	[2]	58,697,000	[2]	58,455,000	[2]
Class B Units [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Partner Unit [Line Items]
Distributions to unitholders	(2,968)		(2,990)		(5,930)		(5,980)
Class C Convertible Preferred Unitholders [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Partner Unit [Line Items]
Distributions to unitholders	$ (3,500)		$ (3,500)		$ (7,000)		$ (7,000)
Class B Units [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Partner Unit [Line Items]
Number units to be distributed for GP Buyout
Maximum [Member] | Class B Units [Member] | GP Buyout Transaction [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Partner Unit [Line Items]
Number units to be distributed for GP Buyout					11,600,000

[1] Includes net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

[2] For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we had weighted average preferred units outstanding of 16,666,667. The preferred and Class B units are contingently convertible into common units and could potentially dilute earnings per unit in the future. The preferred and Class B units have not been included in the diluted earnings per unit calculation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, as they were anti-dilutive for the periods. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, we had 11.6 million Deferred Class B units which were also not included in the diluted earnings per unit calculation as they were anti-dilutive for the period.