Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 16,159	$ 13,360
Accounts receivable	51,379	57,442
Due from affiliates		3,915
Derivative instruments	33,744	27,485
Prepaid and other current assets	3,338	1,859
Total current assets	104,620	104,061
Noncurrent assets:
Gross oil and natural gas properties	2,098,577	1,909,430
Other property, plant and equipment	15,901	14,114
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(411,764)	(318,561)
Total oil and natural gas properties and other property, plant and equipment, net	1,702,714	1,604,983
Derivative instruments	29,681	62,131
Other assets	57,844	44,752
Total noncurrent assets	1,790,239	1,711,866
Total assets	1,894,859	1,815,927
Current liabilities:
Due to affiliates	887
Current portion of asset retirement obligations	4,895	4,310
Derivative instruments	7,378	11,233
Accrued and other liabilities	88,309	79,045
Total current liabilities	101,469	94,588
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt	1,051,981	911,593
Deferred Class B unit obligation	134,894
Derivative instruments	5,283	6,251
Asset retirement obligations	159,543	151,011
Deferred taxes	2,154	2,114
Other liabilities	10,035	12,911
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,363,890	1,083,880
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 12)
Partners' capital:
Class C convertible preferred unitholders (16,666,667 units issued and outstanding as September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013)	400,710	388,621
General partner (zero and 51,036 units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013)		614
Class B unitholders (6,133,558 units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,683	2,744
Total QR Energy, LP partners' capital	419,956	628,910
Noncontrolling interest	9,544	8,549
Total partners' capital	429,500	637,459
Total liabilities and partners' capital	1,894,859	1,815,927
Evaluated [Member]
Noncurrent assets:
Gross oil and natural gas properties	2,095,067	1,905,110
Unevaluated [Member]
Noncurrent assets:
Gross oil and natural gas properties	3,510	4,320
Limited Partners-Public Common [Member]
Partners' capital:
Limited partners' capital account	120,463	313,302
Total partners' capital	120,463	313,302
Limited Partners-Affiliated - Common [Member]
Partners' capital:
Limited partners' capital account	(103,900)	(76,371)
Total partners' capital	$ (103,900)	$ (76,371)