Subsidiary Guarantors (Condensed Statements Of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 102,466		$ (21,497)		$ 37,170	[1]	$ 33,943	[1]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for available-for-sale securities	111				93
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	(451)		179		(60)		179
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(46)	[2]		[2]	(136)	[2]		[2]
Total other comprehensive income	(386)		179		(103)		179
Total comprehensive income (loss)	102,080		(21,318)		37,067		34,122
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	212		301		995		301
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	101,868		(21,619)		36,072		33,821
Parent Co - Issuer [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	102,097		(21,719)		36,133		33,721
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for available-for-sale securities	65				55
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	(266)		100		(35)		100
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(28)				(81)
Total other comprehensive income	(229)		100		(61)		100
Total comprehensive income (loss)	101,868		(21,619)		36,072		33,821
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	101,868		(21,619)		36,072		33,821
Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	92,919		(12,538)		56,907		61,068
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for available-for-sale securities	65				55
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	(266)		100		(35)		100
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(28)				(81)
Total other comprehensive income	(229)		100		(61)		100
Total comprehensive income (loss)	92,690		(12,438)		56,846		61,168
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	92,690		(12,438)		56,846		61,168
Non-Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	895		505		2,533		505
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for available-for-sale securities	111				93
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	(451)		179		(60)		179
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	(46)				(136)
Total other comprehensive income	(386)		179		(103)		179
Total comprehensive income (loss)	509		684		2,430		684
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	509		684		2,430		684
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(93,445)		12,255		(58,403)		(61,351)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for available-for-sale securities	(130)				(110)
Change in fair value on available-for-sale securities	532		(200)		70		(200)
Pension and postretirement benefits:
Actuarial gain	56				162
Total other comprehensive income	458		(200)		122		(200)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(92,987)		12,055		(58,281)		(61,551)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	212		301		995		301
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to QR Energy, LP	$ (93,199)		$ 11,754		$ (59,276)		$ (61,852)

[1] Includes net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

[2] Net of income tax benefit of $(22) and $(69) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively and none for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.