Subsidiary Guarantors (Condensed Statements Of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (50,900)		$ 63,614		$ (65,296)	[1]	$ 55,440	[1]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for available-for-sale securities	(4)				(18)
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	318				391
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(46)	[2]		[2]	(90)	[2]		[2]
Total other comprehensive income	268				283
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(50,632)		63,614		(65,013)		55,440
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	563				783
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	(51,195)		63,614		(65,796)		55,440
Parent Co - Issuer [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(51,354)				(65,964)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	187				221
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(28)				(53)
Total other comprehensive income	159				168
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(51,195)				(65,796)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	(51,195)				(65,796)
Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(35,700)				(36,012)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	187				221
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(28)				(53)
Total other comprehensive income	159				168
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(35,541)				(35,844)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	(35,541)				(35,844)
Non-Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	1,115				1,638
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for available-for-sale securities	(4)				(18)
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	318				391
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(46)				(90)
Total other comprehensive income	268				283
Total comprehensive income (loss)	1,383				1,921
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	1,383				1,921
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	35,039				35,042
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	(374)				(442)
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	56				106
Total other comprehensive income	(318)				(336)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	34,721				34,706
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	563				783
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	$ 34,158				$ 33,923

[1] Includes net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

[2] Net of income taxes of $(23) and $(47) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively