Earnings Per Unit - Calculation of Earnings (Loss) Per Unit (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Unit [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Memorial Production Partners LP	$ (321,885)	$ (32,866)	$ (147,550)	$ (38,097)	$ 72,949	$ (192,085)	$ (113,924)	$ (162,817)	$ (540,398)	$ (395,877)	$ 115,582
Less: Previous owners interest in net income (loss)								$ (2,268)	0	(2,268)	(2,465)
Less: General partner's 0.1% interest in net income (loss)									(168)	(412)	118
Less: IDRs attributable to corresponding period									0	112	202
Net income (loss) available to limited partners									$ (540,230)	$ (393,309)	$ 117,727
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding:
Basic and diluted									83,351	83,528	70,859
Basic and diluted EPU	$ (3.85)	$ (0.39)	$ (1.78)	$ (0.46)	$ 0.88	$ (2.31)	$ (1.36)	$ (1.90)	$ (6.48)	$ (4.71)	$ 1.66
Common Units [Member]
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding:
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding									83,351	82,897	65,498
Subordinated Units [Member]
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding:
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding									0	631	5,361