10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☑ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

Or

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from             to       

Commission file number: 001-34046

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	26-1075808
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1201 Lake Robbins Drive The Woodlands, Texas	77380
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(832) 636-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☑	Accelerated filer ☐	Non-accelerated filer ☐	Smaller reporting company ☐
	(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☑

There were 128,574,646 common units outstanding as of October 26, 2015.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

			PAGE
PART I		FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
	Item 1.	Financial Statements
		Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	4
		Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014	5
		Consolidated Statement of Equity and Partners’ Capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2015	6
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	7
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	8
		Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	8
		Note 2. Acquisitions and Divestitures	11
		Note 3. Partnership Distributions	13
		Note 4. Equity and Partners’ Capital	14
		Note 5. Transactions with Affiliates	16
		Note 6. Property, Plant and Equipment	20
		Note 7. Equity Investments	20
		Note 8. Components of Working Capital	21
		Note 9. Debt and Interest Expense	21
		Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies	23
	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24
		Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	24
		Executive Summary	26
		Acquisitions and Divestitures	27
		Equity Offerings	28
		Items Affecting the Comparability of Financial Results	28
		Results of Operations	29
		Operating Results	29
		Key Performance Metrics	36
		Liquidity and Capital Resources	41
		Contractual Obligations	46
		Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements	46
		Recent Accounting Developments	46
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	47
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	48
PART II		OTHER INFORMATION
	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	48
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	49
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	49
	Item 6.	Exhibits	50

2

DEFINITIONS

As generally used within the energy industry and in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, the identified terms have the following meanings:

Barrel or Bbl: 42 U.S. gallons measured at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Btu: British thermal unit; the approximate amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

Condensate: A natural gas liquid with a low vapor pressure mainly composed of propane, butane, pentane and heavier hydrocarbon fractions.

Cryogenic: The process in which liquefied gases, such as liquid nitrogen or liquid helium, are used to bring volumes to very low temperatures (below approximately -238 degrees Fahrenheit) to separate natural gas liquids from natural gas. Through cryogenic processing, more natural gas liquids are extracted than when traditional refrigeration methods are used.

Drip condensate: Heavier hydrocarbon liquids that fall out of the natural gas stream and are recovered in the gathering system without processing.

Imbalance: Imbalances result from (i) differences between gas volumes nominated by customers and gas volumes received from those customers and (ii) differences between gas volumes received from customers and gas volumes delivered to those customers.

MBbls/d: One thousand barrels per day.

MMBtu: One million British thermal units.

MMcf/d: One million cubic feet per day.

Natural gas liquid(s) or NGL(s): The combination of ethane, propane, normal butane, isobutane and natural gasolines that, when removed from natural gas, become liquid under various levels of higher pressure and lower temperature.

Residue: The natural gas remaining after the unprocessed natural gas stream has been processed or treated.

3

PART I.FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

Item 1.Financial Statements

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except per-unit amounts	2015			2014 (1)			2015			2014 (1)
Revenues and other – affiliates
Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids	$	141,556		$	124,829		$	431,182		$	340,775
Natural gas, natural gas liquids and drip condensate sales	105,032			142,025			345,385			424,207
Other	870			2,778			1,172			4,349
Total revenues and other – affiliates	247,458			269,632			777,739			769,331
Revenues and other – third parties
Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids	94,082			70,996			267,566			201,985
Natural gas, natural gas liquids and drip condensate sales	41,968			11,647			141,489			37,533
Other	1,593			5,246			3,288			7,302
Total revenues and other – third parties	137,643			87,889			412,343			246,820
Total revenues and other	385,101			357,521			1,190,082			1,016,151
Equity income, net (2)	21,976			19,063			59,137			41,322
Operating expenses
Cost of product (3)	127,721			113,217			414,378			330,926
Operation and maintenance (3)	80,633			67,489			218,640			184,023
General and administrative (3)	9,318			8,339			28,497			25,688
Property and other taxes	8,343			6,793			25,641			21,343
Depreciation, amortization and impairments	65,688			47,277			201,941			134,667
Total operating expenses	291,703			243,115			889,097			696,647
Gain on divestiture, net	77,244			—			77,244			—
Operating income	192,618			133,469			437,366			360,826
Interest income – affiliates	4,225			4,225			12,675			12,675
Interest expense (4)	(31,773		)	(20,878		)	(82,337		)	(55,703		)
Other income (expense), net	85			97			227			788
Income before income taxes	165,155			116,913			367,931			318,586
Income tax (benefit) expense	1,661			3,891			4,305			8,199
Net income	163,494			113,022			363,626			310,387
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,188			3,863			8,230			11,005
Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$	161,306		$	109,159		$	355,396		$	299,382
Limited partners’ interest in net income:
Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$	161,306		$	109,159		$	355,396		$	299,382
Pre-acquisition net (income) loss allocated to Anadarko	—			(6,482		)	(1,742		)	(13,282		)
General partner interest in net (income) loss (5)	(50,213		)	(31,058		)	(138,121		)	(83,939		)
Limited partners’ interest in net income (5)	111,093			71,619			215,533			202,161
Net income per common unit – basic (6)	$	0.77		$	0.60		$	1.46		$	1.71
Net income per common unit – diluted (6)	0.77			0.60			1.46			1.71

⁽¹⁾  Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

⁽²⁾  Income earned from equity investments is classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

⁽³⁾  Cost of product includes product purchases from Anadarko (as defined in Note 1) of $35.7 million and $132.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $27.0 million and $85.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Operation and maintenance includes charges from Anadarko of $17.7 million and $50.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $15.6 million and $45.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. General and administrative includes charges from Anadarko of $7.7 million and $22.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $7.0 million and $21.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. See Note 5.

⁽⁴⁾  Includes affiliate (as defined in Note 1) interest expense of $4.3 million and $9.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and zero for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. See Note 2 and Note 9.

⁽⁵⁾  Represents net income earned on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets (as defined in Note 1). See Note 4.

⁽⁶⁾  See Note 4 for the calculation of net income per unit.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

thousands except number of units	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014 (1)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	73,200	$	67,054
Accounts receivable, net (2)	150,538		109,243
Other current assets (3)	11,399		10,067
Total current assets	235,137		186,364
Note receivable – Anadarko	260,000		260,000
Property, plant and equipment
Cost	5,862,721		5,626,650
Less accumulated depreciation	1,072,799		1,055,207
Net property, plant and equipment	4,789,922		4,571,443
Goodwill	387,633		389,087
Other intangible assets	839,234		884,857
Equity investments	629,627		634,492
Other assets	30,779		28,289
Total assets	$	7,172,332	$	6,954,532
LIABILITIES, EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
Current liabilities
Accounts and natural gas imbalance payables (4)	$	57,598	$	54,232
Accrued ad valorem taxes	26,416		14,812
Accrued liabilities	138,812		170,789
Total current liabilities	222,826		239,833
Long-term debt	2,587,189		2,422,954
Deferred income taxes	7,037		45,656
Asset retirement obligations and other	119,422		111,714
Deferred purchase price obligation – Anadarko (5)	184,196		—
Total long-term liabilities	2,897,844		2,580,324
Total liabilities	3,120,670		2,820,157
Equity and partners’ capital
Common units (128,574,646 and 127,695,130 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively)	3,115,480		3,119,714
Class C units (11,230,814 and 10,913,853 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively)	744,840		716,957
General partner units (2,583,068 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014)	123,792		105,725
Net investment by Anadarko	—		122,509
Total partners’ capital	3,984,112		4,064,905
Noncontrolling interest	67,550		69,470
Total equity and partners’ capital	4,051,662		4,134,375
Total liabilities, equity and partners’ capital	$	7,172,332	$	6,954,532

⁽¹⁾  Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

⁽²⁾  Accounts receivable, net includes amounts receivable from affiliates (as defined in Note 1) of $46.9 million and $64.7 million as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

⁽³⁾  Other current assets includes natural gas imbalance receivables from affiliates of zero and $0.2 million as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

⁽⁴⁾  Accounts and natural gas imbalance payables includes amounts payable to affiliates of zero and $0.1 million as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

⁽⁵⁾  See Note 2.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

(UNAUDITED)

	Partners’ Capital
thousands	Net Investment by Anadarko			Common Units			Class C Units		General Partner  Units			Noncontrolling Interest			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014 (1)	$	122,509		$	3,119,714		$	716,957	$	105,725		$	69,470		$	4,134,375
Net income (loss)	1,742			196,897			18,636		138,121			8,230			363,626
Above-market component of swap extensions with Anadarko (2)	—			7,916			—		—			—			7,916
Issuance of common units, net of offering expenses	—			57,353			—		—			—			57,353
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature of Class C units	—			(9,247		)	9,247		—			—			—
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owner	—			—			—		—			(10,150		)	(10,150		)
Distributions to unitholders	—			(278,956		)	—		(120,027		)	—			(398,983		)
Acquisitions from affiliates	(197,562		)	23,286			—		—			—			(174,276		)
Contributions of equity-based compensation from Anadarko	—			2,625			—		54			—			2,679
Net pre-acquisition contributions from (distributions to) Anadarko	31,467			—			—		—			—			31,467
Net distributions to Anadarko of other assets	—			(4,305		)	—		(81		)	—			(4,386		)
Elimination of net deferred tax liabilities	41,844			—			—		—			—			41,844
Other	—			197			—		—			—			197
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	—		$	3,115,480		$	744,840	$	123,792		$	67,550		$	4,051,662

⁽¹⁾  Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

⁽²⁾  See Note 5.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

	Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015			2014 (1)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	363,626		$	310,387
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and impairments	201,941			134,667
Non-cash equity-based compensation expense	3,257			3,210
Deferred income taxes	2,993			4,024
Accretion and amortization of long-term obligations, net	12,296			2,045
Equity income, net (2)	(59,137		)	(41,322		)
Distributions from equity investment earnings (2)	60,645			43,061
Gain on divestiture, net	(77,244		)	—
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net	(24,104		)	(52,659		)
Increase (decrease) in accounts and natural gas imbalance payables and accrued liabilities, net	15,952			35,807
Change in other items, net	(1,817		)	1,645
Net cash provided by operating activities	498,408			440,865
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(473,394		)	(529,197		)
Contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates	—			183
Acquisitions from affiliates	(12,131		)	(372,393		)
Acquisitions from third parties	(3,514		)	—
Investments in equity affiliates	(9,052		)	(63,267		)
Distributions from equity investments in excess of cumulative earnings (2)	12,409			14,387
Proceeds from the sale of assets to affiliates	700			—
Proceeds from the sale of assets to third parties	146,993			5
Net cash used in investing activities	(337,989		)	(950,282		)
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings, net of debt issuance costs	769,606			1,136,878
Repayments of debt	(610,000		)	(480,000		)
Increase (decrease) in outstanding checks	(1,482		)	2,908
Proceeds from the issuance of common and general partner units, net of offering expenses	57,353			101,502
Distributions to unitholders	(398,983		)	(297,013		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owner	(10,150		)	(11,349		)
Net contributions from Anadarko	31,467			23,600
Above-market component of swap extensions with Anadarko (3)	7,916			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(154,273		)	476,526
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6,146			(32,891		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	67,054			100,728
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	73,200		$	67,837
Supplemental disclosures
Acquisition of DBJV from Anadarko (4)	$	174,276		$	—
Net distributions to (contributions from) Anadarko of other assets	4,386			6,398
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	60,612			43,504
Taxes paid (reimbursements received)	(138		)	(340		)
Capital lease asset transfer (5)	—			4,833

⁽¹⁾  Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

⁽²⁾  Income earned on, distributions from and contributions to equity investments are classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

⁽³⁾  See Note 5.

⁽⁴⁾  See Note 2.

⁽⁵⁾  For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, represents transfers of $4.6 million from other long-term assets associated with the capital lease component of a processing agreement.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

General. Western Gas Partners, LP is a growth-oriented Delaware master limited partnership formed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in 2007 to acquire, own, develop and operate midstream energy assets.

For purposes of these consolidated financial statements, the “Partnership” refers to Western Gas Partners, LP and its subsidiaries. The Partnership’s general partner, Western Gas Holdings, LLC (the “general partner” or “GP”), is owned by Western Gas Equity Partners, LP (“WGP”), a Delaware master limited partnership formed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in September 2012 to own the Partnership’s general partner, as well as a significant limited partner interest in the Partnership (see Western Gas Equity Partners, LP below). Western Gas Equity Holdings, LLC is WGP’s general partner and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. “Anadarko” refers to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries, excluding the Partnership and the general partner, and “affiliates” refers to subsidiaries of Anadarko, excluding the Partnership, and includes equity interests in Fort Union Gas Gathering, LLC (“Fort Union”), White Cliffs Pipeline, LLC (“White Cliffs”), Rendezvous Gas Services, LLC (“Rendezvous”), Enterprise EF78 LLC (the “Mont Belvieu JV”), Texas Express Pipeline LLC (“TEP”), Texas Express Gathering LLC (“TEG”) and Front Range Pipeline LLC (“FRP”). The interests in TEP, TEG and FRP are referred to collectively as the “TEFR Interests.” “Equity investment throughput” refers to the Partnership’s 14.81% share of average Fort Union throughput and 22% share of average Rendezvous throughput, but excludes throughput measured in barrels, consisting of the Partnership’s 10% share of average White Cliffs throughput, 25% share of average Mont Belvieu JV throughput, 20% share of average TEP and TEG throughput and 33.33% share of average FRP throughput. The “DJ Basin complex” refers to the Platte Valley system, Wattenberg system and Lancaster plant, all of which were combined into a single complex in the first quarter of 2014. The “MGR assets” include the Red Desert complex, the Granger straddle plant and the 22% interest in Rendezvous.

The Partnership is engaged in the business of gathering, processing, compressing, treating and transporting natural gas, condensate, NGLs and crude oil for Anadarko, as well as for third-party producers and customers. As of September 30, 2015, the Partnership’s assets and investments accounted for under the equity method consisted of the following:

	Owned and Operated	Operated Interests	Non-Operated Interests	Equity Interests
Natural gas gathering systems	12	2	5	2
Natural gas treating facilities	9	4	—	1
Natural gas processing facilities	14	5	—	2
NGL pipelines	3	—	—	3
Natural gas pipelines	4	—	—	—
Oil pipelines	1	—	—	1

These assets and investments are located in the Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Utah and Wyoming), the Mid-Continent (Kansas and Oklahoma), North-central Pennsylvania and Texas. In June 2015, the Partnership completed the construction and commenced operations of Lancaster Train II, a processing plant located in the DJ Basin complex. In addition, the Partnership is constructing Trains IV, V and VI, all processing plants, at the DBM complex (see Note 2), with operations expected to commence during the first half (Train IV) and second half (Train V) of 2016, and mid-2017 (Train VI).

8

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (CONTINUED)

Western Gas Equity Partners, LP.WGP owns the following types of interests in the Partnership: (i) the general partner interest and all of the incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”) in the Partnership, both owned through WGP’s 100% ownership of the Partnership’s general partner and (ii) a significant limited partner interest (see Holdings of Partnership equity in Note 4). WGP has no independent operations or material assets other than owning such partnership interests.

Basis of presentation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership and entities in which it holds a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Investments in non-controlled entities over which the Partnership exercises significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. The Partnership proportionately consolidates its 33.75% share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses attributable to the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest systems and Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest systems and its 50% share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses attributable to the Newcastle system and the DBJV system (see Note 2) in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The 25% membership interest in Chipeta Processing LLC (“Chipeta”) held by a third-party member is reflected within noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

In preparing financial statements in accordance with GAAP, management makes informed judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, using historical experience and other methods considered reasonable. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates and actual results may differ from these estimates. Effects on the business, financial condition and results of operations resulting from revisions to estimates are recognized when the facts that give rise to the revisions become known. The information furnished herein reflects all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements, and certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.

The Partnership’s unaudited consolidated statements of income reflect the reclassifications of the following amounts, which previously reduced Operation and maintenance expense, to revenues related to Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids: (i) $25.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (all of which relates to the six months ended June 30, 2015) and (ii) $12.0 million and $28.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Management determined that the third-party producer reimbursements received for electricity purchased by the Partnership is more appropriately classified as revenues, instead of a reduction to Operation and maintenance expense. This correction of an error has no impact to Net income, cash flows, or any non-GAAP metric the Partnership uses to evaluate its operations (see Key Performance Metrics under Item 2 of this Form 10-Q) and is not considered material to the Partnership’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The Partnership will revise its previously reported 2013, 2014 and 2015 consolidated financial statements, and unaudited interim periods therein as applicable, to reflect the reclassification in future filings.

Certain information and note disclosures commonly included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Partnership’s 2014 Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2015. Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading.

Presentation of Partnership assets. The term “Partnership assets” refers to the assets owned and interests accounted for under the equity method (see Note 7) by the Partnership as of September 30, 2015. Because Anadarko controls the Partnership through its ownership and control of WGP, which owns the Partnership’s entire general partner interest, each acquisition of Partnership assets from Anadarko has been considered a transfer of net assets between entities under common control. As such, the Partnership assets acquired from Anadarko were initially recorded at Anadarko’s historic carrying value, which did not correlate to the total acquisition price paid by the Partnership. Further, after an acquisition of Partnership assets from Anadarko, the Partnership may be required to recast its financial statements to include the activities of such Partnership assets from the date of common control. See Note 2.

9

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (CONTINUED)

For those periods requiring recast, the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets from Anadarko have been prepared from Anadarko’s historical cost-basis accounts and may not necessarily be indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred if the Partnership had owned the Partnership assets during the periods reported. Net income attributable to the Partnership assets acquired from Anadarko for periods prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets is not allocated to the limited partners.

Recently issued accounting standards. The Financial Accounting Standards Board recently issued the following Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”):

ASU 2015-06, Earnings Per Share (Topic - 260)—Effects on Historical Earnings per Unit of Master Limited Partnership Dropdown Transactions. This ASU contains guidance that addresses the historical earnings per unit presentation for master limited partnerships that apply the two-class method of calculating earnings per unit. When a general partner transfers or “drops down” net assets to a master limited partnership the transaction is accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control and the statements of operations are adjusted retrospectively to reflect the transaction. This ASU specifies that the historical earnings (losses) of a transferred business before the date of a dropdown transaction should be allocated entirely to the general partner, and the previously reported earnings per unit of the limited partners should not change as a result of the dropdown transaction. The ASU also requires additional disclosures about how the rights to the earnings (losses) differ before and after the dropdown transaction occurs for purposes of computing earnings per unit under the two-class method. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning in 2016 and is required to be adopted using a retrospective approach, with early adoption permitted. While the Partnership believes it is currently in compliance with this ASU, it continues to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30)—Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and ASU 2015-15, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30)—Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. These ASUs will simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring such costs, except for those related to revolving credit facilities, to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, rather than as an asset. These ASUs are effective for annual and interim periods beginning in 2016 and are required to be adopted using a retrospective approach, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2015-02, Consolidation—Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU will simplify existing requirements by reducing the number of acceptable consolidation models and placing more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. The provisions will affect how limited partnerships and similar entities are assessed for consolidation, including the elimination of the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning in 2016 and is required to be adopted using a retrospective or modified retrospective approach, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership is evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and industry-specific guidance in Subtopic 932-605, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas—Revenue Recognition, and requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The effective date for ASU 2014-09 was delayed through the issuance of ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers—Deferral of the Effective Date, to annual and interim periods beginning in 2018 and is required to be adopted using one of two retrospective application methods, with early adoption permitted in 2017. The Partnership is evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

10

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

2.  ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

The following table presents the acquisitions completed by the Partnership during 2015 and 2014, and identifies the funding sources for such acquisitions:

thousands except unit and percent amounts	Acquisition Date	Percentage Acquired		Deferred Purchase Price Obligation - Anadarko		Borrowings		Cash On Hand		Common Units Issued to Anadarko	Class C Units Issued to Anadarko
TEFR Interests (1)	03/03/2014	Various (1)		$	—	$	350,000	$	6,250	308,490	—
DBM (2)	11/25/2014	100	%	—		475,000		298,327		—	10,913,853
DBJV system (3)	03/02/2015	50	%	174,276		—		—		—	—

⁽¹⁾  The Partnership acquired a 20% interest in each of TEG and TEP and a 33.33% interest in FRP from Anadarko. These assets gather and transport NGLs primarily from the Anadarko and Denver-Julesburg (“DJ”) Basins. The interests in these entities are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. In connection with the issuance of the common units, the Partnership issued 6,296 general partner units to the general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution of $0.4 million.

⁽²⁾  The Partnership acquired Nuevo Midstream, LLC (“Nuevo”) from a third party. Following the acquisition, the Partnership changed the name of Nuevo to Delaware Basin Midstream, LLC (“DBM”). The assets acquired include cryogenic processing plants, a gas gathering system, and related facilities and equipment, which are collectively referred to as the “DBM complex” and serve production from Reeves, Loving and Culberson Counties, Texas and Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico. See DBM acquisition below for further information, including the preliminary allocation of the purchase price.

⁽³⁾  The Partnership acquired Anadarko’s interest in Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC (“DBJV”), which owns a 50% interest in a gathering system and related facilities (the “DBJV system”). The DBJV system is located in the Delaware Basin in Loving, Ward, Winkler and Reeves Counties, Texas. The Partnership will make a cash payment on March 31, 2020, to Anadarko as consideration for the acquisition of DBJV. The Partnership currently estimates the future payment will be $282.8 million, the net present value of which was $174.3 million as of the acquisition date. See DBJV acquisition—Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko below.

DBJV acquisition. Because the acquisition of DBJV was a transfer of net assets between entities under common control, the Partnership’s historical financial statements previously filed with the SEC have been recast in this Form 10-Q to include the results attributable to the DBJV system as if the Partnership owned DBJV for all periods presented. The consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of DBJV have been prepared from Anadarko’s historical cost-basis accounts and may not necessarily be indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred if the Partnership had owned DBJV during the periods reported.

The following table presents the impact of the DBJV system on revenues and other, equity income, net and net income as presented in the Partnership’s historical consolidated statements of income:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
thousands	Partnership Historical (1)		DBJV System		Combined
Revenues and other	$	341,282	$	16,239	$	357,521
Equity income, net	19,063		—		19,063
Net income	106,540		6,482		113,022
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
thousands	Partnership Historical (1)		DBJV System		Combined
Revenues and other	$	970,027	$	46,124	$	1,016,151
Equity income, net	41,322		—		41,322
Net income	296,149		14,238		310,387

⁽¹⁾  As adjusted for the reclassification described in Note 1.

11

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

2.  ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (CONTINUED)

Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko. The consideration to be paid by the Partnership for the acquisition of DBJV consists of a cash payment to Anadarko due on March 31, 2020. The cash payment will be equal to (a) eight multiplied by the average of the Partnership’s share in the Net Earnings (see definition below) of the DBJV system for the calendar years 2018 and 2019, less (b) the Partnership’s share of all capital expenditures incurred for the DBJV system between March 1, 2015, and February 29, 2020. Net Earnings is defined as all revenues less cost of product, operating expenses and property taxes, in each case attributable to the DBJV system on an accrual basis. As of the acquisition date, the estimated future payment obligation was $282.8 million, which had a net present value of $174.3 million, using a discount rate of 10%. As of September 30, 2015, the net present value of this obligation was $184.2 million and has been recorded on the consolidated balance sheet under Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko. Accretion expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, was $4.3 million and $9.9 million, respectively, and has been recorded as a charge to interest expense. The fair value measurement was calculated using Level 3 inputs, which consisted of management’s estimate of the Partnership’s share of forecasted Net Earnings and capital expenditures for the DBJV system.

DBM acquisition. The DBM acquisition has been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the DBM acquisition were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Results of operations attributable to the DBM acquisition were included in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of income beginning on the acquisition date in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The following is the preliminary allocation of the purchase price as of September 30, 2015, including $3.5 million of post-closing purchase price adjustments, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the DBM acquisition as of the acquisition date, pending final review of certain support related to the acquired entity’s assets and liabilities:

thousands
Current assets	$	62,940
Property, plant and equipment	467,171
Goodwill	282,697
Other intangible assets	811,048
Accounts payables	(18,621		)
Accrued liabilities	(37,360		)
Deferred income taxes	(1,342		)
Asset retirement obligations and other	(9,060		)
Total purchase price	$	1,557,473

The purchase price allocation is based on an assessment of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the DBM acquisition using inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 inputs. The fair values of the processing plants, gathering system, and related facilities and equipment are based on market and cost approaches. The fair value of the intangible assets was determined using an income approach. Deferred taxes represent the tax effects of differences in the tax basis and acquisition-date fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Gain on divestiture - Dew and Pinnacle systems. During the third quarter of 2015, the Dew and Pinnacle systems in East Texas were sold to a third party for net proceeds of $146.7 million, after closing adjustments, resulting in a net gain on sale of $77.2 million recorded as Gain on divestiture, net in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income.

12

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

3.  PARTNERSHIP DISTRIBUTIONS

The partnership agreement of Western Gas Partners, LP requires the Partnership to distribute all of its available cash (as defined in the partnership agreement) to unitholders of record on the applicable record date within 45 days of the end of each quarter. The Board of Directors of the general partner declared the following cash distributions to the Partnership’s common and general partner unitholders for the periods presented:

thousands except per-unit amounts Quarters Ended	Total Quarterly Distribution per Unit		Total Quarterly Cash Distribution		Date of Distribution
2014
March 31	$	0.625	$	98,749	May 2014
June 30	0.650		105,655		August 2014
September 30	0.675		111,608		November 2014
December 31	0.700		126,044		February 2015
2015
March 31	$	0.725	$	133,203	May 2015
June 30	0.750		139,736		August 2015
September 30 (1)	0.775		146,160		November 2015

⁽¹⁾  On October 14, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s general partner declared a cash distribution to the Partnership’s unitholders of $0.775 per unit, or $146.2 million in aggregate, including incentive distributions, but excluding distributions on Class C units (see Class C unit distributions below). The cash distribution is payable on November 12, 2015, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 2, 2015.

Class C unit distributions. The Class C units receive quarterly distributions at a rate equivalent to the Partnership’s common units. The distributions are paid in the form of additional Class C units (“PIK Class C units”) until the scheduled conversion date on December 31, 2017 (unless earlier converted), and the Class C units are disregarded with respect to distributions of the Partnership’s available cash until they are converted to common units. The number of additional PIK Class C units to be issued in connection with a distribution payable on the Class C units is determined by dividing the corresponding distribution attributable to the Class C units by the volume-weighted-average price of the Partnership’s common units for the ten days immediately preceding the payment date for the common unit distribution, less a 6% discount. The Partnership records the PIK Class C unit distributions at fair value at the time of issuance. This Level 2 fair value measurement uses the Partnership’s unit price as a significant input in the determination of the fair value.

The Partnership issued the following PIK Class C units to APC Midstream Holdings, LLC (“AMH”), the holder of the Class C units, for the periods presented:

thousands except unit amounts For the Quarters Ended	PIK Class C Units	Implied Fair Value		Date of Distribution
2014
December 31 (1)	45,711	$	3,072	February 2015
2015
March 31	118,230	$	8,101	May 2015
June 30	153,020	8,721		August 2015

⁽¹⁾  Prorated for the 37-day period the Class C units were outstanding during the fourth quarter of 2014.

13

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

4.  EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

Equity offerings. The Partnership completed the following public offerings of its common units during 2015 and 2014, including through its Continuous Offering Programs (“COP”):

thousands except unit and per-unit amounts	Common Units Issued	GP Units Issued(1)	Price Per Unit		Underwriting Discount and Other Offering Expenses		Net Proceeds
2014
$125.0 million COP (2)	1,133,384	23,132	$	73.48	$	1,738	$	83,245
November 2014 equity offering (3)	8,620,153	153,061	70.85		18,615		602,967
2015
$500.0 million COP (4)	873,525	—	$	66.61	$	805	$	57,385

⁽¹⁾  Represents general partner units issued to the general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution.

⁽²⁾  Represents common and general partner units issued during the year ended December 31, 2014, pursuant to the Partnership’s registration statement filed with the SEC in August 2012 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $125.0 million of common units (the “$125.0 million COP”). Gross proceeds generated (including the general partner’s proportionate capital contributions) during the year ended December 31, 2014, were $85.0 million. The price per unit in the table above represents an average price for all issuances under the $125.0 million COP during the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership had used all the capacity to issue common units under this registration statement.

⁽³⁾  Includes the issuance of 1,120,153 common units pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, the net proceeds from which were $77.0 million. Beginning with this partial exercise, the Partnership’s general partner elected not to make a corresponding capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% interest in the Partnership.

⁽⁴⁾  Represents common units issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, pursuant to the Partnership’s registration statement filed with the SEC in August 2014 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of common units (the “$500.0 million COP”). Gross proceeds generated during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $58.2 million, respectively. Commissions paid during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $0.6 million, respectively. The price per unit in the table above represents an average price for all issuances under the $500.0 million COP during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Class C units. In connection with the closing of the DBM acquisition in November 2014, the Partnership issued 10,913,853 Class C units to AMH at a price of $68.72 per unit, generating proceeds of $750.0 million, pursuant to the Unit Purchase Agreement (“UPA”) with Anadarko and AMH. All outstanding Class C units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis on December 31, 2017, unless the Partnership elects to convert such units earlier or Anadarko extends the conversion date. The Class C units were issued to partially fund the acquisition of DBM, and the UPA contains an optional redemption feature that provides the Partnership the ability to redeem up to $150.0 million of the Class C units within 10 days of the receipt of cash proceeds from an entity that is not an affiliate of the Partnership or AMH, if these cash proceeds were in relation to (i) the assets of DBM, (ii) the equity interests in DBM or (iii) the equity interests in a subsidiary of the Partnership that owns a majority of the outstanding equity interests in DBM. As of September 30, 2015, no such proceeds had been received and no Class C units had been redeemed.

The Class C units were issued at a discount to the then-current market price of the common units into which they are convertible. This discount, totaling $34.8 million, represents a beneficial conversion feature and at December 31, 2014, was reflected as an increase in common unitholders’ capital and a decrease in Class C unitholder capital to reflect the fair value of the Class C units at issuance. The beneficial conversion feature is considered a non-cash distribution that will be recognized from the date of issuance through the date of conversion, resulting in an increase in Class C unitholder capital and a decrease in common unitholders’ capital. The Partnership is amortizing the beneficial conversion feature assuming a conversion date of December 31, 2017, using the effective yield method. The impact of the beneficial conversion feature is also included in the calculation of earnings per unit.

14

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

4.  EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (CONTINUED)

Common, Class C and general partner units. The Partnership’s common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WES.”

The following table summarizes the common, Class C and general partner units issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Common Units	Class C Units	General Partner Units	Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	127,695,130	10,913,853	2,583,068	141,192,051
PIK Class C units	—	316,961	—	316,961
Long-Term Incentive Plan award vestings	5,991	—	—	5,991
$500.0 million COP	873,525	—	—	873,525
Balance at September 30, 2015	128,574,646	11,230,814	2,583,068	142,388,528

Holdings of Partnership equity. As of September 30, 2015, WGP held 49,296,205 common units, representing a 34.6% limited partner interest in the Partnership, and, through its ownership of the general partner, WGP indirectly held 2,583,068 general partner units, representing a 1.8% general partner interest in the Partnership, and 100% of the IDRs. As of September 30, 2015, other subsidiaries of Anadarko held 757,619 common units and 11,230,814 Class C units, representing an aggregate 8.4% limited partner interest in the Partnership. As of September 30, 2015, the public held 78,520,822 common units, representing a 55.2% limited partner interest in the Partnership.

Net income per unit for common units. The Partnership’s net income earned on and subsequent to the date of the acquisition of the Partnership assets is allocated to the general partner and the limited partners, including any Class C unitholders, in accordance with their respective weighted-average ownership percentages and, when applicable, giving effect to incentive distributions allocable to the general partner. The Partnership’s net income allocable to the limited partners is net of amortization of the beneficial conversion feature related to the Class C units (see Class C units above) and is allocated between the common and Class C unitholders by applying the provisions of the partnership agreement that govern actual cash distributions and capital account allocations, as if all earnings for the period had been distributed. Net income attributable to the Partnership assets acquired from Anadarko for periods prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets is not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per common unit.

Basic net income per common unit is calculated by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income attributable to common unitholders by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period. The common units issued in connection with acquisitions and equity offerings are included on a weighted-average basis for periods they were outstanding. Because the Class C units participate in distributions with common units according to a predetermined formula (see Note 3), they are considered a participating security and are included in the computation of earnings per unit pursuant to the two-class method. The Class C unit participation right results in a non-contingent transfer of value each time the Partnership declares a distribution. Diluted net income per common unit is calculated by dividing the sum of (i) the limited partners’ interest in net income attributable to common units, and (ii) the limited partners’ interest in net income allocable to the Class C units as a participating security, by the sum of the weighted-average number of common units outstanding plus the dilutive effect of outstanding Class C units.

15

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

4.  EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (CONTINUED)

The following table illustrates the Partnership’s calculation of net income per unit for common units:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except per-unit amounts	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$	161,306		$	109,159		$	355,396		$	299,382
Pre-acquisition net (income) loss allocated to Anadarko	—			(6,482		)	(1,742		)	(13,282		)
General partner interest in net (income) loss	(50,213		)	(31,058		)	(138,121		)	(83,939		)
Limited partners’ interest in net income	111,093			71,619			215,533			202,161
Net income allocable to common units (1)	98,445			71,619			187,650			202,161
Net income allocable to Class C units (1)	12,648			—			27,883			—
Limited partners’ interest in net income	$	111,093		$	71,619		$	215,533		$	202,161
Net income per unit
Common units - basic	$	0.77		$	0.60		$	1.46		$	1.71
Common units – diluted (2)	0.77			0.60			1.46			1.71
Weighted-average units outstanding
Common units – basic	128,575			119,068			128,267			118,326
Class C units (2)	11,161			—			11,042			—
Common units – diluted	139,736			119,068			139,309			118,326

⁽¹⁾  Adjusted to reflect amortization for the beneficial conversion feature. See Class C units above for a discussion of the Class C units.

⁽²⁾  Inclusion of Class C units in the calculation would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Affiliate transactions. Revenues from affiliates include amounts earned by the Partnership from services provided to Anadarko as well as from the sale of residue, drip condensate and NGLs to Anadarko. In addition, the Partnership purchases natural gas from an affiliate of Anadarko pursuant to gas purchase agreements. Operation and maintenance expense includes amounts accrued for or paid to affiliates for the operation of the Partnership assets, whether in providing services to affiliates or to third parties, including field labor, measurement and analysis, and other disbursements. A portion of the Partnership’s general and administrative expenses is paid by Anadarko, which results in affiliate transactions pursuant to the reimbursement provisions of the Partnership’s omnibus agreement. Affiliate expenses do not bear a direct relationship to affiliate revenues, and third-party expenses do not bear a direct relationship to third-party revenues. See Note 2 for further information related to contributions of assets to the Partnership by Anadarko.

Cash management. Anadarko operates a cash management system whereby excess cash from most of its subsidiaries’ separate bank accounts is generally swept to centralized accounts. Prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets, third-party sales and purchases related to such assets were received or paid in cash by Anadarko within its centralized cash management system. The outstanding affiliate balances were entirely settled through an adjustment to net investment by Anadarko in connection with the acquisition of the Partnership assets. Subsequent to the acquisition of Partnership assets from Anadarko, transactions related to such assets are cash-settled directly with third parties and with Anadarko affiliates. Chipeta cash settles its transactions directly with third parties and Anadarko, as well as with the other subsidiaries of the Partnership.

16

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (CONTINUED)

Note receivable from and Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko. Concurrently with the closing of the Partnership’s May 2008 initial public offering, the Partnership loaned $260.0 million to Anadarko in exchange for a 30-year note bearing interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.50%, payable quarterly. The fair value of the note receivable from Anadarko was $288.9 million and $317.8 million at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value of the note reflects consideration of credit risk and any premium or discount for the differential between the stated interest rate and quarter-end market interest rate, based on quoted market prices of similar debt instruments. Accordingly, the fair value of the note receivable from Anadarko is measured using Level 2 inputs.

The consideration to be paid by the Partnership for the March 2015 acquisition of DBJV consists of a cash payment to Anadarko due on March 31, 2020. See Note 2and Note 9.

Commodity price swap agreements. The Partnership has commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko to mitigate exposure to a substantial majority of the commodity price volatility that would otherwise be present as a result of the purchase and sale of natural gas, condensate or NGLs. Notional volumes for each of the commodity price swap agreements are not specifically defined. Instead, the commodity price swap agreements apply to the actual volume of natural gas, condensate and NGLs purchased and sold at the Hugoton system, the MGR assets and the DJ Basin complex, with various expiration dates through December 2016. On December 31, 2014, the Partnership’s commodity price swap agreements for the Hilight and Newcastle systems and the Granger complex (excluding the Granger straddle plant) expired without renewal. The commodity price swap agreements do not satisfy the definition of a derivative financial instrument and, therefore, are not required to be measured at fair value.

Below is a summary of the fixed price ranges on all of the Partnership’s outstanding commodity price swap agreements as of September 30, 2015:

per barrel except natural gas	2015				2016
Ethane	$	18.41	−	23.41	$	23.11
Propane	47.08		−	52.99	52.90
Isobutane	62.09		−	74.02	73.89
Normal butane	54.62		−	65.04	64.93
Natural gasoline	72.88		−	81.82	81.68
Condensate	76.47		−	81.82	81.68
Natural gas (per MMBtu)	4.66		−	5.96	4.87

The following table summarizes gains and losses upon settlement of commodity price swap agreements recognized in the consolidated statements of income:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015			2014			2015			2014
Gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements related to sales: (1)
Natural gas sales	$	5,774		$	3,179		$	39,100		$	1,525
Natural gas liquids sales	33,746			22,737			116,475			66,746
Total	39,520			25,916			155,575			68,271
Losses on commodity price swap agreements related to purchases (2)	(23,998		)	(19,533		)	(99,897		)	(38,081		)
Net gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements	$	15,522		$	6,383		$	55,678		$	30,190

⁽¹⁾  Reported in affiliate natural gas, natural gas liquids and drip condensate sales in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which the related sale is recorded.

⁽²⁾  Reported in cost of product in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which the related purchase is recorded.

17

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (CONTINUED)

DJ Basin complex and Hugoton system swap extensions. On June 25, 2015, the Partnership extended its commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko for the DJ Basin complex from July 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, and for the Hugoton system from October 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015. The table below summarizes the swap prices compared to the forward market prices on the date the commodity price swap extensions were executed.

	DJ Basin Complex				Hugoton System
per barrel except natural gas	2015 Swap Prices		Market Prices(1)		2015 Swap Prices		Market Prices(1)
Ethane	$	18.41	$	1.96	—		—
Propane	47.08		13.10		—		—
Isobutane	62.09		19.75		—		—
Normal butane	54.62		18.99		—		—
Natural gasoline	72.88		52.59		—		—
Condensate	76.47		52.59		$	78.61	$	32.56
Natural gas (per MMBtu)	5.96		2.75		5.50		2.74

⁽¹⁾  Represents the New York Mercantile Exchange forward strip price as of June 25, 2015, adjusted for location, basis and, in the case of NGLs, transportation and fractionation costs.

Revenues or costs attributable to volumes settled during the respective extension period, at the applicable market price in the above table, will be recognized in the consolidated statements of income. The Partnership will also record a capital contribution from Anadarko in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of equity and partners’ capital for the amount by which the swap price exceeds the applicable market price in the above table. For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the capital contribution from Anadarko was $7.9 million.

Gas gathering and processing agreements. The Partnership has significant gas gathering and processing arrangements with affiliates of Anadarko on a majority of its systems. The Partnership’s gathering, treating and transportation throughput (excluding equity investment throughput and throughput measured in barrels) attributable to natural gas production owned or controlled by Anadarko was 42% and 46% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and 48% and 49% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The Partnership’s processing throughput (excluding equity investment throughput and throughput measured in barrels) attributable to natural gas production owned or controlled by Anadarko was 47% and 51% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and 58% for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Purchase and sale agreements. The Partnership sells a significant amount of its natural gas, condensate and NGLs to Anadarko Energy Services Company (“AESC”), Anadarko’s marketing affiliate. In addition, the Partnership purchases natural gas, condensate and NGLs from AESC pursuant to purchase agreements. The Partnership’s purchase and sale agreements with AESC are generally one-year contracts, subject to annual renewal.

WES LTIP. The general partner awards phantom units under the Western Gas Partners, LP 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“WES LTIP”) primarily to its independent directors, but also from time to time to its executive officers and Anadarko employees performing services for the Partnership. The phantom units awarded to the independent directors vest one year from the grant date, while all other awards are subject to graded vesting over a three-year service period. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period and was $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

18

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (CONTINUED)

WGP LTIP and Anadarko Incentive Plans. General and administrative expenses included $1.0 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $0.9 million and $2.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, of equity-based compensation expense, allocated to the Partnership by Anadarko, for awards granted to the executive officers of the general partner and other employees under the Western Gas Equity Partners, LP 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“WGP LTIP”) and the Anadarko Petroleum Corporation 2008 and 2012 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plans (collectively referred to as the “Anadarko Incentive Plans”). Of this amount, $2.7 million is reflected as a contribution to partners’ capital in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of equity and partners’ capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Equipment purchases and sales. The following table summarizes the Partnership’s purchases from and sales to Anadarko of pipe and equipment:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
thousands	Purchases				Sales
Cash consideration	$	12,131	$	16,143	$	700	$	—
Net carrying value	7,411		9,745		366		—
Partners’ capital adjustment	$	4,720	$	6,398	$	334	$	—

Summary of affiliate transactions. The following table summarizes affiliate transactions, which include revenue from affiliates, reimbursement of operating expenses and purchases of natural gas:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,				Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015		2014		2015		2014
Revenues and other (1)	$	247,458	$	269,632	$	777,739	$	769,331
Equity income, net (1)	21,976		19,063		59,137		41,322
Cost of product (1)	35,673		27,034		132,663		85,071
Operation and maintenance (2)	17,662		15,583		50,534		44,961
General and administrative (3)	7,671		7,016		22,556		21,243
Operating expenses	61,006		49,633		205,753		151,275
Interest income (4)	4,225		4,225		12,675		12,675
Interest expense (5)	4,310		—		9,920		—
Distributions to unitholders (6)	80,845		60,794		228,893		169,001

⁽¹⁾  Represents amounts earned or incurred on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as amounts earned or incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets, recognized under gathering, treating or processing agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.

⁽²⁾  Represents expenses incurred on and subsequent to the date of the acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as expenses incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets.

⁽³⁾  Represents general and administrative expense incurred on and subsequent to the date of the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as a management services fee for reimbursement of expenses incurred by Anadarko for periods prior to the acquisition of the Partnership assets by the Partnership. These amounts include equity-based compensation expense allocated to the Partnership by Anadarko (see WES LTIP and WGP LTIP and Anadarko Incentive Plans within this Note 5).

⁽⁴⁾  Represents interest income recognized on the note receivable from Anadarko.

⁽⁵⁾  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, includes accretion expense recognized on the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko for the acquisition of DBJV (see Note 2andNote 9).

⁽⁶⁾  Represents distributions paid under the partnership agreement (see Note 3 and Note 4).

Concentration of credit risk. Anadarko was the only customer from whom revenues exceeded 10% of the Partnership’s consolidated revenues for all periods presented in the consolidated statements of income.

19

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

6.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of the historical cost of the Partnership’s property, plant and equipment is as follows:

thousands	Estimated Useful Life	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Land	n/a	$	3,191	$	2,884
Gathering systems	3 to 47 years	5,431,716		4,972,892
Pipelines and equipment	15 to 45 years	136,303		151,107
Assets under construction	n/a	272,445		483,347
Other	3 to 40 years	19,066		16,420
Total property, plant and equipment		5,862,721		5,626,650
Accumulated depreciation		1,072,799		1,055,207
Net property, plant and equipment		$	4,789,922	$	4,571,443

The cost of property classified as “Assets under construction” is excluded from capitalized costs being depreciated. These amounts represent property that is not yet suitable to be placed into productive service as of the respective balance sheet date.

During 2015, the Partnership recognized impairments of $11.8 million, primarily due to the abandonment of compressors at the MIGC system and the DJ Basin complex, and the cancellation of projects at the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest systems, the DBJV system and the Brasada and Red Desert complexes.

7.  EQUITY INVESTMENTS

The following table presents the activity in the Partnership’s equity investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Equity Investments
thousands	Fort Union			White Cliffs			Rendezvous			Mont Belvieu JV			TEG			TEP			FRP			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	25,933		$	44,315		$	56,336		$	121,337		$	16,790		$	198,793		$	170,988		$	634,492
Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization	4,831			10,663			1,591			17,256			475			11,691			12,630			59,137
Contributions	—			6,081			—			(432		)	—			1,520			1,883			9,052
Distributions	(4,606		)	(10,227		)	(3,047		)	(17,924		)	(685		)	(11,880		)	(12,276		)	(60,645		)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings (1)	—			(2,584		)	(2,708		)	(1,987		)	(82		)	(4,302		)	(746		)	(12,409		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	26,158		$	48,248		$	52,172		$	118,250		$	16,498		$	195,822		$	172,479		$	629,627

⁽¹⁾  Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings, classified as investing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows, is calculated on an individual investment basis.

20

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

8.  COMPONENTS OF WORKING CAPITAL

A summary of other current assets is as follows:

thousands	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Natural gas liquids inventory	$	6,486	$	5,316
Natural gas imbalance receivables	177		415
Prepaid insurance	2,591		2,443
Other	2,145		1,893
Total other current assets	$	11,399	$	10,067

A summary of accrued liabilities is as follows:

thousands	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Accrued capital expenditures	$	70,118	$	128,856
Accrued plant purchases	26,068		14,023
Accrued interest expense	34,169		24,741
Short-term asset retirement obligations	4,335		1,224
Short-term remediation and reclamation obligations	475		475
Income taxes payable	701		207
Other	2,946		1,263
Total accrued liabilities	$	138,812	$	170,789

9.  DEBT AND INTEREST EXPENSE

At September 30, 2015, the Partnership’s debt consisted of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”), 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”), 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”), 5.450% Senior Notes due 2044 (the “2044 Notes”), 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”), and borrowings on the senior unsecured revolving credit facility (“RCF”).

The following table presents the Partnership’s outstanding debt as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
thousands	Principal		Carrying Value		Fair Value(1)		Principal		Carrying Value		Fair Value (1)
2021 Notes	$	500,000	$	496,139	$	534,860	$	500,000	$	495,714	$	549,530
2022 Notes	670,000		672,662		654,858		670,000		672,930		681,942
2018 Notes	350,000		350,380		350,151		350,000		350,474		352,162
2044 Notes	400,000		393,901		365,196		400,000		393,836		417,619
2025 Notes	500,000		494,107		465,247		—		—		—
RCF	180,000		180,000		180,000		510,000		510,000		510,000
Total long-term debt	$	2,600,000	$	2,587,189	$	2,550,312	$	2,430,000	$	2,422,954	$	2,511,253

⁽¹⁾  Fair value is measured using the market approach and Level 2 inputs.

21

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

9.  DEBT AND INTEREST EXPENSE (CONTINUED)

Debt activity. The following table presents the debt activity of the Partnership for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

thousands	Carrying Value
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	2,422,954
RCF borrowings	280,000
Issuance of 2025 Notes	500,000
Repayments of RCF borrowings	(610,000		)
Other	(5,765		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	2,587,189

Senior Notes. The 2025 Notes issued in June 2015 were offered at a price to the public of 98.789% of the face amount. Including the effects of the issuance and underwriting discounts, the effective interest rate of the 2025 Notes is 4.205%. Interest is paid semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year. Proceeds (net of underwriting discount of $3.3 million, original issue discount and debt issuance costs) were used to repay a portion of the amount outstanding under the RCF.

At September 30, 2015, the Partnership was in compliance with all covenants under the indentures governing its outstanding notes.

Revolving credit facility. The interest rate on the RCF, which matures in February 2019, was 1.49% and 1.46% at September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014, respectively. The facility fee rate was 0.20% at September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014.

As of September 30, 2015, the Partnership had $180.0 million of outstanding borrowings, $12.8 million in outstanding letters of credit and $1.0 billion available for borrowing under the RCF. At September 30, 2015, the Partnership was in compliance with all covenants under the RCF.

Interest expense. The following table summarizes the amounts included in interest expense:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015			2014			2015			2014
Third parties
Long-term debt	$	26,972		$	21,671		$	75,047		$	59,251
Amortization of debt issuance costs and commitment fees	1,530			1,107			4,196			3,799
Capitalized interest	(1,039		)	(1,900		)	(6,826		)	(7,347		)
Total interest expense – third parties	27,463			20,878			72,417			55,703
Affiliates
Deferred purchase price obligation – Anadarko (1)	4,310			—			9,920			—
Total interest expense – affiliates	4,310			—			9,920			—
Interest expense	$	31,773		$	20,878		$	82,337		$	55,703

⁽¹⁾  See Note 2 for a discussion of the accretion and present value of the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko.

22

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

10.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation and legal proceedings. In March 2011, DCP Midstream, LP (“DCP”) filed a lawsuit against Anadarko and others, including a Partnership subsidiary, Kerr-McGee Gathering, LLC, in Weld County District Court (the “Court”) in Colorado, alleging that Anadarko diverted gas from DCP’s gathering and processing facilities in breach of certain dedication agreements. In addition to various claims against Anadarko, DCP is claiming unjust enrichment and other damages against Kerr-McGee Gathering, LLC, the entity that holds the Wattenberg assets (located in the DJ Basin complex). Anadarko countersued DCP asserting that DCP has not properly allocated values and charges to Anadarko for the gas that DCP gathers and/or processes, and seeks a judgment that DCP has no valid gathering or processing rights to much of the gas production it is claiming, in addition to other claims.

The Court has scheduled this matter for trial in June 2016, and the parties are currently engaged in discovery and motion practice. Management does not believe the outcome of this proceeding will have a material effect on the Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Partnership intends to vigorously defend this litigation. Furthermore, without regard to the merit of DCP’s claims, management believes that the Partnership has adequate contractual indemnities covering the claims against it in this lawsuit.

In addition, from time to time, the Partnership is involved in legal, tax, regulatory and other proceedings in various forums regarding performance, contracts and other matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management is not aware of any such proceeding the final disposition of which could have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other commitments. The Partnership has short-term payment obligations, or commitments, related to its capital spending programs, as well as those of its unconsolidated affiliates. As of September 30, 2015, the Partnership had unconditional payment obligations for services to be rendered or products to be delivered in connection with its capital projects of $42.0 million, the majority of which is expected to be paid in the next twelve months. These commitments relate primarily to the construction of Trains IV, V and VI at the DBM complex and expansion projects at the DBJV system and the DJ Basin complex.

Lease commitments. Anadarko, on behalf of the Partnership, has entered into lease agreements for corporate offices, shared field offices and a warehouse supporting the Partnership’s operations, for which Anadarko charges the Partnership rent. The leases for the corporate offices and shared field offices extend through 2017 and 2018, respectively, and the lease for the warehouse extends through February 2017.

Rent expense associated with the office, warehouse and equipment leases was $4.9 million and $13.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $2.4 million and $6.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Western Gas Partners, LP is a growth-oriented master limited partnership (“MLP”) formed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in 2007. For purposes of this report, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Partnership” or “Western Gas Partners” refer to Western Gas Partners, LP and its subsidiaries. Our general partner, Western Gas Holdings, LLC (the “general partner” or “GP”), is owned by Western Gas Equity Partners, LP (“WGP”), a Delaware MLP formed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. Western Gas Equity Holdings, LLC is WGP’s general partner and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. “Anadarko” refers to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries, excluding us and our general partner, and “affiliates” refers to subsidiaries of Anadarko, excluding us, and includes equity interests in Fort Union Gas Gathering, LLC (“Fort Union”), White Cliffs Pipeline, LLC (“White Cliffs”), Rendezvous Gas Services, LLC (“Rendezvous”), Enterprise EF78 LLC (the “Mont Belvieu JV”), Texas Express Pipeline LLC (“TEP”), Texas Express Gathering LLC (“TEG”) and Front Range Pipeline LLC (“FRP”). The interests in TEP, TEG and FRP are referred to collectively as the “TEFR Interests.” “Equity investment throughput” refers to our 14.81% share of average Fort Union throughput and our 22% share of average Rendezvous throughput, but excludes throughput measured in barrels, consisting of our 10% share of average White Cliffs throughput, our 25% share of average Mont Belvieu JV throughput, our 20% share of average TEP and TEG throughput and our 33.33% share of average FRP throughput. The “DJ Basin complex” refers to the Platte Valley system, Wattenberg system and Lancaster plant, all of which were combined into a single complex in the first quarter of 2014. The “MGR assets” include the Red Desert complex, the Granger straddle plant and the 22% interest in Rendezvous.

The following discussion analyzes our financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements, which are included under Part I, Item 1 of this quarterly report, as well as our historical consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, which are included in Part II, Item 8 of our 2014 Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC,” on February 26, 2015.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We have made in this report, and may from time to time make in other public filings, press releases and statements by management, forward-looking statements concerning our operations, economic performance and financial condition. These forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “target,” “goal,” “plans,” “objective,” “should” or similar expressions or variations on such expressions. These statements discuss future expectations, contain projections of results of operations or financial condition or include other “forward-looking” information.

Although we and our general partner believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, neither we nor our general partner can give any assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders;

• our and Anadarko’s assumptions about the energy market;

• future throughput, including Anadarko’s production, which is gathered or processed by or transported through our assets;

• our operating results;

• competitive conditions;

• technology;

• the availability of capital resources to fund acquisitions, capital expenditures and other contractual obligations, and our ability to access those resources from Anadarko or through the debt or equity capital markets;

• the supply of, demand for, and the price of, oil, natural gas, NGLs and related products or services;

24

• weather and natural disasters;

• inflation;

• the availability of goods and services;

• general economic conditions, either internationally or domestically or in the jurisdictions in which we are doing business;

• federal, state and local laws, including those that limit Anadarko and other producers’ hydraulic fracturing or other oil and natural gas operations;

• environmental liabilities;

• legislative or regulatory changes, including changes affecting our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes;

• changes in the financial or operational condition of Anadarko;

• changes in Anadarko’s capital program, strategy or desired areas of focus;

• our commitments to capital projects;

• our ability to use our senior unsecured revolving credit facility (“RCF”);

• the creditworthiness of Anadarko or our other counterparties, including financial institutions, operating partners, and other parties;

• our ability to repay debt;

• our ability to mitigate exposure to a substantial majority of the commodity price risks inherent in our percent-of-proceeds and keep-whole contracts;

• conflicts of interest among us, our general partner, WGP and its general partner, and affiliates, including Anadarko;

• our ability to maintain and/or obtain rights to operate our assets on land owned by third parties;

• our ability to acquire assets on acceptable terms;

• non-payment or non-performance of Anadarko or other significant customers, including under our gathering, processing and transportation agreements and our $260.0 million note receivable from Anadarko;

• the timing, amount and terms of future issuances of equity and debt securities; and

• other factors discussed below, in “Risk Factors” and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates,” included in our 2014 Form 10-K, in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in our other public filings and press releases.

The risk factors and other factors noted throughout or incorporated by reference in this report could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

25

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We are a growth-oriented Delaware MLP formed by Anadarko to acquire, own, develop and operate midstream energy assets. We currently own or have investments in assets located in the Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Utah and Wyoming), the Mid-Continent (Kansas and Oklahoma), North-central Pennsylvania and Texas, and are engaged in the business of gathering, processing, compressing, treating and transporting natural gas, condensate, NGLs and crude oil for Anadarko, as well as for third-party producers and customers. As of September 30, 2015, our assets and investments accounted for under the equity method consisted of the following:

	Owned and Operated	Operated Interests	Non-Operated Interests	Equity Interests
Natural gas gathering systems	12	2	5	2
Natural gas treating facilities	9	4	—	1
Natural gas processing facilities	14	5	—	2
NGL pipelines	3	—	—	3
Natural gas pipelines	4	—	—	—
Oil pipelines	1	—	—	1

Significant financial and operational highlights during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, included the following:

• We completed the acquisition of Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC from Anadarko. See Acquisitions and Divestitures below.

• In July 2015, we closed on the sale of our Dew and Pinnacle systems, which resulted in net proceeds of $146.7 million, after closing adjustments, and a net gain on divestiture of $77.2 million.

• We issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025. Net proceeds were used to repay a portion of the amount outstanding under our RCF. See Liquidity and Capital Resources within this Item 2 for additional information.

• In June 2015, we completed the construction and commenced operations of Lancaster Train II, a 300 MMcf/d processing plant located in the DJ Basin complex in Northeast Colorado.

• We issued 873,525 common units to the public under our $500.0 million Continuous Offering Program (see Equity Offerings below), generating net proceeds of $57.4 million. Net proceeds were used for general partnership purposes, including funding capital expenditures.

• We raised our distribution to $0.775 per unit for the third quarter of 2015, representing a 3%increase over the distribution for the second quarter of 2015 and a 15%increase over the distribution for the third quarter of 2014.

• Throughput attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets totaled 3,779 MMcf/d and 3,925 MMcf/d for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, representing a 7% and an 11%increase, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2014.

• Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets (as defined under the caption Key Performance Metrics within this Item 2) averaged $0.69 per Mcf and $0.68 per Mcf for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, representing a 1%decrease and a 1%increase, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2014.

• Adjusted gross margin for crude/NGL assets (as defined under the caption Key Performance Metrics within this Item 2) averaged $1.76 per Bbl for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, representing a 15% and a 3%increase, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2014.

26

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

Acquisitions. The following table presents our acquisitions during 2015 and 2014, and identifies the funding sources for such acquisitions. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

thousands except unit and percent amounts	Acquisition Date	Percentage Acquired		Deferred Purchase Price Obligation - Anadarko		Borrowings		Cash On Hand		Common Units Issued to Anadarko	Class C Units Issued to Anadarko
TEFR Interests (1)	03/03/2014	Various (1)		$	—	$	350,000	$	6,250	308,490	—
DBM (2)	11/25/2014	100	%	—		475,000		298,327		—	10,913,853
DBJV system (3)	03/02/2015	50	%	174,276		—		—		—	—

⁽¹⁾  We acquired a 20% interest in each of TEG and TEP and a 33.33% interest in FRP from Anadarko. These assets gather and transport NGLs primarily from the Anadarko and Denver-Julesburg (“DJ”) Basins. TEG consists of two NGL gathering systems that link natural gas processing plants to TEP. TEP is an NGL pipeline that originates in Skellytown, Texas and extends approximately 593 miles to Mont Belvieu, Texas. FRP is a 435-mile NGL pipeline that extends from Weld County, Colorado to Skellytown, Texas. The interests in these entities are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. In connection with the issuance of the common units, we issued 6,296 general partner units to our general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution of $0.4 million.

⁽²⁾  We acquired Nuevo Midstream, LLC (“Nuevo”) from a third party. Following the acquisition, we changed the name of Nuevo to Delaware Basin Midstream, LLC (“DBM”). The assets acquired include cryogenic processing plants, a gas gathering system, and related facilities and equipment, which are collectively referred to as the “DBM complex” and serve production from Reeves, Loving and Culberson Counties, Texas and Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestituresin the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further information, including the preliminary allocation of the purchase price.

⁽³⁾  We acquired Anadarko’s interest in Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC (“DBJV”), which owns a 50% interest in a gathering system and related facilities (the “DBJV system”). The DBJV system is located in the Delaware Basin in Loving, Ward, Winkler and Reeves Counties, Texas. We will make a cash payment on March 31, 2020, to Anadarko as consideration for the acquisition of DBJV. We currently estimate the future payment will be $282.8 million, the net present value of which was $174.3 million as of the acquisition date. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestituresin the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Gain on divestiture - Dew and Pinnacle systems. During the third quarter of 2015, the Dew and Pinnacle systems in East Texas were sold to a third party for net proceeds of $146.7 million, after closing adjustments, resulting in a net gain on sale of $77.2 million recorded as Gain on divestiture, net in the consolidated statements of income.

Presentation of Partnership assets.The term “Partnership assets” refers to the assets owned and interests accounted for under the equity method (see Note 7—Equity Investments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) by us as of September 30, 2015. Because Anadarko controls us through its ownership and control of WGP, which owns the entire interest in our general partner, each of our acquisitions of Partnership assets from Anadarko has been considered a transfer of net assets between entities under common control. As such, the Partnership assets we acquired from Anadarko were initially recorded at Anadarko’s historic carrying value, which did not correlate to the total acquisition price paid by us (see Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). Further, after an acquisition of Partnership assets from Anadarko, we may be required to recast our financial statements to include the activities of such Partnership assets from the date of common control.

The historical financial statements previously filed with the SEC have been recast in this Form 10-Q to include the results attributable to the DBJV system as if we owned DBJV for all periods presented. The consolidated financial statements for periods prior to our acquisition of DBJV have been prepared from Anadarko’s historical cost-basis accounts and may not necessarily be indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred if we had owned DBJV during the periods reported.

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EQUITY OFFERINGS

Equity offerings. We completed the following public offerings of our common units during 2015 and 2014, including through our Continuous Offering Programs (“COP”):

thousands except unit and per-unit amounts	Common Units Issued	GP Units Issued(1)	Price Per Unit		Underwriting Discount and Other Offering Expenses		Net Proceeds
2014
$125.0 million COP (2)	1,133,384	23,132	$	73.48	$	1,738	$	83,245
November 2014 equity offering (3)	8,620,153	153,061	70.85		18,615		602,967
2015
$500.0 million COP (4)	873,525	—	$	66.61	$	805	$	57,385

⁽¹⁾  Represents general partner units issued to the general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution.

⁽²⁾  Represents common and general partner units issued during the year ended December 31, 2014, pursuant to our registration statement filed with the SEC in August 2012 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $125.0 million of common units (the “$125.0 million COP”). Gross proceeds generated (including the general partner’s proportionate capital contributions) during the year ended December 31, 2014, were $85.0 million. The price per unit in the table above represents an average price for all issuances under the $125.0 million COP during the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, we had used all the capacity to issue common units under this registration statement.

⁽³⁾  Includes the issuance of 1,120,153 common units pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, the net proceeds from which were $77.0 million. Beginning with this partial exercise, our general partner elected not to make a corresponding capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% interest in us.

⁽⁴⁾  Represents common units issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, pursuant to our registration statement filed with the SEC in August 2014 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of common units (the “$500.0 million COP”). Gross proceeds generated during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $58.2 million, respectively. Commissions paid during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $0.6 million, respectively. The price per unit in the table above represents an average price for all issuances under the $500.0 million COP during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Other equity offerings. In November 2014, we issued 10,913,853 Class C units to a subsidiary of Anadarko at a price of $68.72 per unit, generating proceeds of $750.0 million, all of which was used to fund a portion of the acquisition of DBM. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures and Note 4—Equity and Partners’ Capital in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

ITEMS AFFECTING THE COMPARABILITY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS

Our historical results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented may not be comparable to future or historic results of operations or cash flows for the reason described below:

Commodity price swap agreements. On June 25, 2015, we extended our commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko for the DJ Basin complex from July 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, and for the Hugoton system from October 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015. The prices set forth in the extended swaps are more favorable than prevailing market prices on the date the extended commodity price swap agreements were executed. There can be no assurance that these commodity price swap agreements will be renewed or extended beyond December 31, 2015, on similar terms or at all. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for further information.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OPERATING RESULTS

The following tables and discussion present a summary of our results of operations:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015			2014			2015			2014
Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids	$	235,638		$	195,825		$	698,748		$	542,760
Natural gas, natural gas liquids and drip condensate sales	147,000			153,672			486,874			461,740
Other	2,463			8,024			4,460			11,651
Total revenues and other(1)	385,101			357,521			1,190,082			1,016,151
Equity income, net	21,976			19,063			59,137			41,322
Total operating expenses(1)	291,703			243,115			889,097			696,647
Gain on divestiture, net	77,244			—			77,244			—
Operating income	192,618			133,469			437,366			360,826
Interest income – affiliates	4,225			4,225			12,675			12,675
Interest expense	(31,773		)	(20,878		)	(82,337		)	(55,703		)
Other income (expense), net	85			97			227			788
Income before income taxes	165,155			116,913			367,931			318,586
Income tax (benefit) expense	1,661			3,891			4,305			8,199
Net income	163,494			113,022			363,626			310,387
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,188			3,863			8,230			11,005
Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$	161,306		$	109,159		$	355,396		$	299,382
Key performance metrics(2)
Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$	263,717		$	247,508		$	795,113		$	698,488
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	182,878			179,018			569,230			502,413
Distributable cash flow	152,822			147,904			474,127			416,824

⁽¹⁾  Revenues and other include amounts earned from services provided to our affiliates, as well as from the sale of residue, drip condensate and NGLs to our affiliates. Operating expenses include amounts charged by our affiliates for services as well as reimbursement of amounts paid by affiliates to third parties on our behalf. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

⁽²⁾  Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP, Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP and Distributable cash flow are defined under the caption Key Performance Metrics within this Item 2. For reconciliations of Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP, Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP and Distributable cash flow to their most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), see Key Performance Metrics within this Item 2.

For purposes of the following discussion, any increases or decreases “for the three months ended September 30, 2015” refer to the comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2015, to the three months ended September 30, 2014; any increases or decreases “for the nine months ended September 30, 2015” refer to the comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2015, to the nine months ended September 30, 2014; and any increases or decreases “for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015” refer to the comparison of these 2015 periods to the corresponding three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.

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Throughput

	Three Months Ended   September 30,				Nine Months Ended   September 30,
MMcf/d (except throughput measured in barrels)	2015	2014	Inc/ (Dec)		2015	2014	Inc/ (Dec)
Throughput for natural gas assets
Gathering, treating and transportation	1,401	1,581	(11	)%	1,552	1,634	(5	)%
Processing	2,327	1,936	20	%	2,351	1,903	24	%
Equity investment (1)	177	175	1	%	171	171	—	%
Total throughput for natural gas assets	3,905	3,692	6	%	4,074	3,708	10	%
Throughput attributable to noncontrolling interest for natural gas assets	126	165	(24	)%	149	169	(12	)%
Total throughput attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets (2)	3,779	3,527	7	%	3,925	3,539	11	%
Total throughput (MBbls/d) for crude/NGL assets (3)	145	138	5	%	137	111	23	%

⁽¹⁾  Represents our 14.81% share of average Fort Union and our 22% share of average Rendezvous throughput. Excludes equity investment throughput measured in barrels (captured in “Total throughput (MBbls/d) for crude/NGL assets” as noted below).

⁽²⁾  Includes affiliate, third-party and equity investment throughput (as equity investment throughput is defined in the above footnote), excluding the noncontrolling interest owner’s proportionate share of throughput.

⁽³⁾  Represents total throughput measured in barrels, consisting of throughput from our Chipeta NGL pipeline, our 10% share of average White Cliffs throughput, our 25% share of average Mont Belvieu JV throughput, our 20% share of average TEG and TEP throughput, and our 33.33% share of average FRP throughput.

Gathering, treating and transportation throughput decreased by 180 MMcf/d and 82 MMcf/d for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, primarily due to the sale of the Dew and Pinnacle systems in July 2015, production declines in the areas around the Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest systems and the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest systems, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, decreases due to production declines in the area around the Bison facility. These decreases were partially offset by higher volumes at the DBJV system due to increased production in West Texas.

Processing throughput increased by 391 MMcf/d and 448 MMcf/d for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, primarily due to increased production in the area around the DJ Basin complex and the acquisition of DBM in November 2014, partially offset by decreased throughput at the Chipeta complex due to decreased drilling activity in the Uinta Basin.

Throughput for crude/NGL assets measured in barrels increased by 7 MBbls/d and 26 MBbls/d for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, due to an increase in volumes from FRP and TEP, and the third quarter 2014 in-service date of a White Cliffs pipeline expansion.

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Gathering, Processing and Transportation of Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except percentages	2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)		2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)
Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids	$	235,638	$	195,825	20	%	$	698,748	$	542,760	29	%

Revenues from gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids increased by $39.8 million and $156.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, primarily due to increases of (i) $41.5 million and $131.1 million, respectively, at the DJ Basin complex resulting from increased throughput, a higher gathering fee, and the introduction of a condensate handling fee in the first quarter of 2015 and (ii) $16.2 million and $42.1 million, respectively, due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014. In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there was an increase of $8.8 million at the Brasada complex due to increased throughput and a higher processing fee, as well as revenues from treating services beginning in the first quarter of 2015. These increases were partially offset by decreases of (i) $6.0 million and $16.2 million, respectively, at the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest systems due to a decrease in average gathering rate and throughput, (ii) $7.5 million and $7.4 million, respectively, at the Chipeta complex due to decreased throughput, and (iii) $5.3 million and $5.9 million, respectively, due to the sale of the Dew and Pinnacle systems in July 2015.

Natural Gas, Natural Gas Liquids and Drip Condensate Sales

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except percentages and per-unit amounts	2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)		2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)
Natural gas sales (1)	$	59,628	$	44,187	35	%	$	193,282	$	114,973	68	%
Natural gas liquids sales (1)	81,754		97,974		(17	)%	265,007		312,435		(15	)%
Drip condensate sales (1)	5,618		11,511		(51	)%	28,585		34,332		(17	)%
Total	$	147,000	$	153,672	(4	)%	$	486,874	$	461,740	5	%
Average price per unit (1):
Natural gas (per Mcf)	$	3.22	$	3.96	(19	)%	$	3.51	$	4.17	(16	)%
Natural gas liquids (per Bbl)	18.12		42.17		(57	)%	21.30		45.02		(53	)%
Drip condensate (per Bbl)	33.96		80.29		(58	)%	41.96		82.38		(49	)%

⁽¹⁾  Excludes amounts considered above market with respect to our swap extensions at the DJ Basin complex beginning July 1, 2015. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1of this Form 10-Q.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, average natural gas, NGL and drip condensate prices included the effects of commodity price swap agreements attributable to sales for the Hugoton system, the MGR assets and the DJ Basin complex. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, average natural gas, NGL and drip condensate prices included the effects of commodity price swap agreements attributable to sales for the Hilight, Hugoton and Newcastle systems, the DJ Basin and Granger complexes, and the MGR assets. On December 31, 2014, our commodity price swap agreements for the Hilight and Newcastle systems and the Granger complex (excluding the Granger straddle plant) expired without renewal. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

The growth in natural gas sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to increases of $21.5 million and $66.2 million, respectively, due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014. In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there was an increase of $25.3 million at the DJ Basin complex due to an increase in volumes sold. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $6.3 million and $12.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, at the Hilight system and Granger complex due to a decrease in average price as a result of the expiration of swap agreements in December 2014.

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The decline in NGLs sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to decreases of (i) $31.6 million and $82.2 million, respectively, at the Granger complex and the Hilight system due to a decrease in average price as a result of the expiration of swap agreements in December 2014 and (ii) $5.3 million and $14.4 million, respectively, at the Chipeta complex due to a decrease in average price. In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were decreases of (i) $13.3 million at the DJ Basin complex due to a decrease in volumes sold and the partial equity treatment of our above-market swap extensions beginning July 1, 2015 (see Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q), and (ii) $8.5 million at the MGR assets due to a decrease in volumes sold. These decreases were partially offset by increases of $21.0 million and $72.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014.

The decline in drip condensate sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to decreases of $5.3 million and $4.7 million, respectively, at the DJ Basin complex due to the partial equity treatment of our above-market swap extensions beginning July 1, 2015 (see Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

Equity Income, Net

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except percentages	2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)		2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)
Equity income, net	$	21,976	$	19,063	15	%	$	59,137	$	41,322	43	%

For the three months ended September 30, 2015, equity income, net increased by $2.9 million primarily due to an increase in volumes at FRP and TEP, partially offset by a decrease in equity income from the Mont Belvieu JV.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, equity income, net increased by $17.8 million, primarily due to a full nine months of equity income recognized from the TEFR Interests in 2015 and the third quarter 2014 in-service date of a White Cliffs pipeline expansion, partially offset by a decrease in equity income from the Mont Belvieu JV.

Cost of Product and Operation and Maintenance Expenses

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except percentages	2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)		2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)
NGL purchases (1)	$	57,105	$	60,886	(6	)%	$	194,665	$	164,302	18	%
Residue purchases (1)	64,044		41,575		54	%	199,266		132,264		51	%
Other (1)	6,572		10,756		(39	)%	20,447		34,360		(40	)%
Cost of product	127,721		113,217		13	%	414,378		330,926		25	%
Operation and maintenance	80,633		67,489		19	%	218,640		184,023		19	%
Total cost of product and operation and maintenance expenses	$	208,354	$	180,706	15	%	$	633,018	$	514,949	23	%

⁽¹⁾  Excludes amounts considered above market with respect to our swap extensions at the DJ Basin complex beginning July 1, 2015. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1of this Form 10-Q.

Cost of product expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, included the effects of commodity price swap agreements attributable to purchases for the Hugoton system, the MGR assets and the DJ Basin complex. Cost of product expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, included the effects of commodity price swap agreements attributable to purchases for the Hilight, Hugoton and Newcastle systems, the DJ Basin and Granger complexes and the MGR assets. On December 31, 2014, our commodity price swap agreements for the Hilight and Newcastle systems and the Granger complex (excluding the Granger straddle plant) expired without renewal. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

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The decrease in NGL purchases for the three months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to decreases of (i) $15.8 million at the Hilight system and Granger complex due to decreases in average prices as a result of the expiration of swap agreements in December 2014, (ii) $4.9 million at the Chipeta complex due to a decrease in average price and (iii) $2.0 million at the DJ Basin complex due to the partial equity treatment of our above-market swap extensions beginning July 1, 2015 (see Note 5—Transactions with Affiliatesin the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $20.2 million due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014.

The increase in residue purchases for the three months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to increases of (i) $21.1 million due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014 and (ii) $11.7 million at the DJ Basin complex due to an increase in volume. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $10.0 million at the Granger complex and the Hilight system due to decreases in average prices as a result of the expiration of swap agreements in December 2014.

The decrease in other items for the three months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to changes in imbalance positions at the DJ Basin complex.

The $13.1 millionincrease in operation and maintenance expense for three months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to an increase of $15.9 million due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014, partially offset by a decrease of $2.7 million driven by the divestiture of the Dew and Pinnacle systems in July 2015.

The increase in NGL purchases for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to an increase of $69.2 million due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014, partially offset by decreases of (i) $29.9 million at the Hilight system and the Granger complex due to decreases in average prices as a result of the expiration of swap agreements in December 2014 and (ii) $11.5 million at the Chipeta complex due to a decrease in average price.

The increase in residue purchases for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to increases of (i) $64.6 million due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014 and (ii) $31.4 million at the DJ Basin complex due to an increase in volume. These increases were partially offset by decreases of (i) $24.3 million at the Granger complex and the Hilight system due to decreases in average prices as a result of the expiration of swap agreements in December 2014 and (ii) $3.6 million at the Granger straddle plant due to a decrease in volume.

The decrease in other items for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to changes in imbalance positions at the DJ Basin complex.

The $34.6 millionincrease in operation and maintenance expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to an increase of $30.5 million due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014.

General and Administrative, Depreciation and Other Expenses

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except percentages	2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)		2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)
General and administrative	$	9,318	$	8,339	12	%	$	28,497	$	25,688	11	%
Property and other taxes	8,343		6,793		23	%	25,641		21,343		20	%
Depreciation, amortization and impairments	65,688		47,277		39	%	201,941		134,667		50	%
Total general and administrative, depreciation and other expenses	$	83,349	$	62,409	34	%	$	256,079	$	181,698	41	%

General and administrative expenses increased by $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to increases of (i) $0.5 million in personnel costs for which we reimbursed Anadarko pursuant to our omnibus agreement, (ii) $0.4 million in consulting and audit fees and (iii) $0.1 million in equity-based compensation.

General and administrative expenses increased by $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to increases of (i) $1.4 million in consulting and audit fees and (ii) $1.0 million in personnel costs for which we reimbursed Anadarko pursuant to our omnibus agreement.

Property and other taxes increased by $1.6 million and $4.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, primarily due to ad valorem tax increases of $1.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively, at the DJ Basin complex and due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014.

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Depreciation, amortization and impairments increased by $18.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to depreciation expense increases of (i) $11.9 million due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014 and (ii) $5.3 million associated with the completion of numerous compression projects and the start-up of Lancaster Train I in April 2014 at the DJ Basin complex. These increases were partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease due to the divestiture of the Dew and Pinnacle systems in July 2015. In addition, impairment expense increased by $1.4 million driven by the cancellation of projects at the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest systems and the Red Desert and DJ Basin complexes.

Depreciation, amortization and impairments increased by $67.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to depreciation expense increases of (i) $35.5 million due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014, (ii) $16.0 million associated with the completion of numerous compression projects and the start-up of Lancaster Train I in April 2014 at the DJ Basin complex and (iii) $4.3 million at the DBJV and Hilight systems. These increases were partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease due to the divestiture of the Dew and Pinnacle systems in July 2015. In addition, impairment expense increased by $9.4 million, primarily due to the abandonment of compressors at the MIGC system and the DJ Basin complex and the cancellation of projects at the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest systems, the DBJV system and the Brasada and Red Desert complexes.

Interest Income – Affiliates and Interest Expense

	Three Months Ended   September 30,								Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except percentages	2015			2014			Inc/ (Dec)		2015			2014			Inc/ (Dec)
Note receivable – Anadarko	$	4,225		$	4,225		—	%	$	12,675		$	12,675		—	%
Interest income – affiliates	$	4,225		$	4,225		—	%	$	12,675		$	12,675		—	%
Third parties
Long-term debt	$	(26,972	)	$	(21,671	)	24	%	$	(75,047	)	$	(59,251	)	27	%
Amortization of debt issuance costs and commitment fees	(1,530		)	(1,107		)	38	%	(4,196		)	(3,799		)	10	%
Capitalized interest	1,039			1,900			(45	)%	6,826			7,347			(7	)%
Affiliates
Deferred purchase price obligation – Anadarko (1)	(4,310		)	—			—	%	(9,920		)	—			—	%
Interest expense	$	(31,773	)	$	(20,878	)	52	%	$	(82,337	)	$	(55,703	)	48	%

⁽¹⁾  See Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for a discussion of the accretion and present value of the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko.

Interest expense increased by $10.9 million and $26.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, primarily due to (i) $4.3 million and $9.9 million, respectively, in accretion recorded to interest expense for the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko, (ii) $4.9 million and $6.4 million, respectively, in interest incurred on the 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025 issued in June 2015, and (iii) additional interest incurred on the RCF of $0.4 million and $4.0 million, respectively, as a result of higher average borrowings outstanding. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, interest expense increased due to additional interest of $4.8 million incurred on the 5.450% Senior Notes due 2044 and $0.6 million incurred on the additional 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018, both issued in March 2014. Capitalized interest decreased by $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to the completion of Lancaster Train II in June 2015, and by $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to the completion of Lancaster Train I in April 2014 (both trains are part of the DJ Basin complex). These decreases were partially offset by an increase due to the construction of Trains IV and V at the DBM complex (acquired in November 2014). See Note 9—Debt and Interest Expense in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

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Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

	Three Months Ended   September 30,								Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except percentages	2015			2014			Inc/ (Dec)		2015			2014			Inc/ (Dec)
Income before income taxes	$	165,155		$	116,913		41	%	$	367,931		$	318,586		15	%
Income tax (benefit) expense	1,661			3,891			(57	)%	4,305			8,199			(47	)%
Effective tax rate	1		%	3		%			1		%	3		%

We are not a taxable entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, our income apportionable to Texas is subject to Texas margin tax. For the periods presented, our variance from the federal statutory rate, which is zero percent as a non-taxable entity, is primarily due to federal and state taxes on pre-acquisition income attributable to Partnership assets acquired from Anadarko, and our share of Texas margin tax.

Texas House Bill 32, signed into law in June 2015, reduced the Texas margin tax rates by 0.25%. The law is effective January 1, 2016. We are required to include the impact of the law change on our deferred state income taxes in the period enacted. The adjustment, a reduction in deferred state income taxes in the amount of $2.2 million, was recorded in June 2015 and is included in the income tax (benefit) expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Income attributable to (a) the DBJV system prior to and including February 2015 and (b) the TEFR Interests prior to and including February 2014 was subject to federal and state income tax. Income earned on the DBJV system and the TEFR Interests for periods subsequent to February 2015 and February 2014, respectively, was only subject to Texas margin tax on income apportionable to Texas.

35

KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except percentages and per-unit amounts	2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)		2015		2014		Inc/ (Dec)
Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets (1)	$	240,210	$	228,112	5	%	$	729,404	$	646,796	13	%
Adjusted gross margin for crude/NGL assets (2)	23,507		19,396		21	%	65,709		51,692		27	%
Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP (3)	263,717		247,508		7	%	795,113		698,488		14	%
Adjusted gross margin per Mcf attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets (4)	0.69		0.70		(1	)%	0.68		0.67		1	%
Adjusted gross margin per Bbl for crude/NGL assets (5)	1.76		1.53		15	%	1.76		1.71		3	%
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP (3)	182,878		179,018		2	%	569,230		502,413		13	%
Distributable cash flow (3)	152,822		147,904		3	%	474,127		416,824		14	%

⁽¹⁾  Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets is calculated as total revenues and other for natural gas assets less reimbursements for electricity-related expenses recorded as revenue and cost of product for natural gas assets plus distributions from our equity investments in Fort Union and Rendezvous, and excluding the noncontrolling interest owner’s proportionate share of revenue and cost of product. See the reconciliation of Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets to its most comparable GAAP measure below.

⁽²⁾  Adjusted gross margin for crude/NGL assets is calculated as total revenues and other for crude/NGL assets less reimbursements for electricity-related expenses recorded as revenue and cost of product for crude/NGL assets plus distributions from our equity investments in White Cliffs, the Mont Belvieu JV, and the TEFR Interests. See the reconciliation of Adjusted gross margin for crude/NGL assets to its most comparable GAAP measure below.

⁽³⁾  For a reconciliation of Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP, Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP and Distributable cash flow to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, see the descriptions below.

⁽⁴⁾  Average for period. Calculated as Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets, divided by total throughput (MMcf/d) attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets.

⁽⁵⁾  Average for period. Calculated as Adjusted gross margin for crude/NGL assets, divided by total throughput (MBbls/d) for crude/NGL assets.

Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP. We define Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP (“Adjusted gross margin”) as total revenues and other less reimbursements for electricity-related expenses recorded as revenue and cost of product, plus distributions from equity investees and excluding the noncontrolling interest owner’s proportionate share of revenue and cost of product. We believe Adjusted gross margin is an important performance measure of the core profitability of our operations, as well as our operating performance as compared to that of other companies in our industry.

Adjusted gross margin increased by $16.2 million and $96.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, primarily due to the start-up of Lancaster Train I in April 2014 and Lancaster Train II in June 2015 (both part of the DJ Basin complex) and the acquisition of DBM in November 2014. This increase was partially offset by margin decreases at the Granger complex due to lower average pricing, at the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest systems due to a decrease in the average gathering rate and at the Chipeta complex due to lower volumes, as well as the sale of the Dew and Pinnacle systems in July 2015.

To facilitate investor and industry analyst comparisons between us and our peers, we also disclose Adjusted gross margin per Mcf attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets and Adjusted gross margin per Bbl for crude/NGL assets. Adjusted gross margin per Mcf attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets remained relatively constant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. Adjusted gross margin per Bbl for crude/NGL assets increased by $0.23 and $0.05 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, primarily due to higher distributions received from FRP.

36

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP. We define Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP (“Adjusted EBITDA”) as net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP, plus distributions from equity investees, non-cash equity-based compensation expense, interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization and impairments, and other expense, less gain on divestiture, income from equity investments, interest income, income tax benefit, and other income. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides information useful to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations and that Adjusted EBITDA is a widely accepted financial indicator of a company’s ability to incur and service debt, fund capital expenditures and make distributions. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental financial measure that management and external users of our consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, commercial banks and rating agencies, use to assess the following, among other measures:

• our operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships in the midstream energy industry, without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;

• the ability of our assets to generate cash flow to make distributions; and

• the viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a $27.6 millionincrease in total revenues and other, a $4.7 millionincrease in distributions from equity investees and a $1.7 milliondecrease in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest. These amounts were partially offset by a $14.5 millionincrease in cost of product, a $13.1 millionincrease in operation and maintenance expenses, a $1.6 millionincrease in property and other tax expense, and a $0.9 millionincrease in general and administrative expenses excluding non-cash equity-based compensation expense.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $66.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a $173.9 millionincrease in total revenues and other, a $15.6 millionincrease in distributions from equity investees and a $2.8 milliondecrease in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest. These amounts were partially offset by an $83.5 millionincrease in cost of product, a $34.6 millionincrease in operation and maintenance expenses, a $4.3 millionincrease in property and other tax expense, and a $2.6 millionincrease in general and administrative expenses excluding non-cash equity-based compensation expense.

Distributable cash flow. We define “Distributable cash flow” as Adjusted EBITDA, plus interest income and the net settlement amounts from the sale and/or purchase of natural gas, drip condensate and NGLs under our commodity price swap agreements to the extent such amounts are not recognized as Adjusted EBITDA, less net cash paid for interest expense (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs originally paid in cash, offset by non-cash capitalized interest), maintenance capital expenditures and income taxes. We compare Distributable cash flow to the cash distributions we expect to pay our unitholders. Using this measure, management can quickly compute the Coverage ratio of distributable cash flow to planned cash distributions. We believe Distributable cash flow is useful to investors because this measurement is used by many companies, analysts and others in the industry as a performance measurement tool to evaluate our operating and financial performance and compare it with the performance of other publicly traded partnerships.

While Distributable cash flow is a measure we use to assess our ability to make distributions to our unitholders, it should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount of cash that we have available for distributions or that we plan to distribute for a given period. Furthermore, to the extent Distributable cash flow includes realized amounts recorded as capital contributions from Anadarko attributable to activity under our commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko, Distributable cash flow is not a reflection of our ability to generate cash from operations.

Distributable cash flow increased by $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to an increase of $3.9 million in Adjusted EBITDA, and $7.9 million in the above-market component of the swap extensions with Anadarko, where such amount related to the above-market component of swaps did not exist prior to the extensions executed on July 1, 2015. These amounts were partially offset by a $5.7 millionincrease in net cash paid for interest expense and a $1.1 millionincrease in cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures.

37

Distributable cash flow increased by $57.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to an increase of $66.8 million in Adjusted EBITDA, and $7.9 million in the above-market component of the swap extensions with Anadarko, where such amount related to the above-market component of swaps did not exist prior to the extensions executed on July 1, 2015. These amounts were partially offset by a $16.2 millionincrease in net cash paid for interest expense and a $1.0 millionincrease in cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures.

Reconciliation to GAAP measures. Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow are not defined in GAAP. The GAAP measure used by us that is most directly comparable to Adjusted gross margin is operating income, while net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP and net cash provided by operating activities are the GAAP measures used by us that are most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA. The GAAP measure used by us that is most directly comparable to Distributable cash flow is net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP. Our non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow should not be considered as alternatives to the GAAP measures of operating income, net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect operating income, net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Our definitions of Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies in our industry, thereby diminishing their utility.

Management compensates for the limitations of Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow as analytical tools by reviewing the comparable GAAP measures, understanding the differences between Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash flow compared to (as applicable) operating income, net income and net cash provided by operating activities, and incorporating this knowledge into its decision-making processes. We believe that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that our management uses in evaluating our operating results.

The following tables present (a) a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted gross margin to the GAAP measure of operating income, (b) a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA to the GAAP financial measures of net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP and net cash provided by operating activities and (c) a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of Distributable cash flow to the GAAP financial measure of net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,				Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015		2014		2015		2014
Reconciliation of Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP to Operating income
Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for natural gas assets	$	240,210	$	228,112	$	729,404	$	646,796
Adjusted gross margin for crude/NGL assets	23,507		19,396		65,709		51,692
Adjusted gross margin attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	263,717		247,508		795,113		698,488
Adjusted gross margin attributable to noncontrolling interest	3,753		5,582		13,222		15,611
Gain on divestiture, net	77,244		—		77,244		—
Equity income, net	21,976		19,063		59,137		41,322
Reimbursed electricity-related charges recorded as revenues	15,392		12,021		40,423		28,574
Less:
Distributions from equity investees	25,482		20,807		73,054		57,448
Operation and maintenance	80,633		67,489		218,640		184,023
General and administrative	9,318		8,339		28,497		25,688
Property and other taxes	8,343		6,793		25,641		21,343
Depreciation, amortization and impairments	65,688		47,277		201,941		134,667
Operating income	$	192,618	$	133,469	$	437,366	$	360,826

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	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015			2014			2015			2014
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP to Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$	182,878		$	179,018		$	569,230		$	502,413
Less:
Distributions from equity investees	25,482			20,807			73,054			57,448
Non-cash equity-based compensation expense	1,148			1,034			3,423			3,188
Interest expense	31,773			20,878			82,337			55,703
Income tax expense	1,661			3,891			6,121			8,199
Depreciation, amortization and impairments (1)	65,035			46,631			199,990			132,741
Add:
Gain on divestiture, net	77,244			—			77,244			—
Equity income, net	21,976			19,063			59,137			41,322
Interest income – affiliates	4,225			4,225			12,675			12,675
Other income (1) (2)	82			94			219			251
Income tax benefit	—			—			1,816			—
Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$	161,306		$	109,159		$	355,396		$	299,382
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP to Net cash provided by operating activities
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$	182,878		$	179,018		$	569,230		$	502,413
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,838			4,506			10,173			12,922
Interest income (expense), net	(27,548		)	(16,653		)	(69,662		)	(43,028		)
Uncontributed cash-based compensation awards	(21		)	(11		)	(166		)	22
Accretion and amortization of long-term obligations, net	5,226			687			12,296			2,045
Current income tax benefit (expense)	(493		)	(2,085		)	(1,312		)	(4,175		)
Other income (expense), net (2)	85			97			227			260
Distributions from equity investments in excess of cumulative earnings	(3,871		)	(4,539		)	(12,409		)	(14,387		)
Changes in operating working capital:
Accounts receivable, net	22,031			(28,799		)	(24,104		)	(52,659		)
Accounts and natural gas imbalance payables and accrued liabilities, net	15,669			31,540			15,952			35,807
Other	147			(2,602		)	(1,817		)	1,645
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	196,941		$	161,159		$	498,408		$	440,865
Cash flow information of Western Gas Partners, LP
Net cash provided by operating activities							$	498,408		$	440,865
Net cash used in investing activities							(337,989		)	(950,282		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities							(154,273		)	476,526

⁽¹⁾  Includes our 75% share of depreciation, amortization and impairments; and other income attributable to the Chipeta complex.

⁽²⁾  Excludes income of zero for each of the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and zero and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to a component of a gas processing agreement accounted for as a capital lease.

39

	Three Months Ended   September 30,					Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except Coverage ratio	2015			2014		2015				2014
Reconciliation of Distributable cash flow to Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP and calculation of the Coverage ratio
Distributable cash flow	$	152,822		$	147,904	$	474,127			$	416,824
Less:
Distributions from equity investees	25,482			20,807		73,054				57,448
Non-cash equity-based compensation expense	1,148			1,034		3,423				3,188
Interest expense, net (non-cash settled) (1)	4,310			—		9,920				—
Income tax (benefit) expense	1,661			3,891		4,305				8,199
Depreciation, amortization and impairments (2)	65,035			46,631		199,990				132,741
Above-market component of swap extensions with Anadarko (3)	7,916			—		7,916				—
Add:
Gain on divestiture, net	77,244			—		77,244				—
Equity income, net	21,976			19,063		59,137				41,322
Cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures (2)	13,695			12,561		36,589				35,554
Capitalized interest	1,039			1,900		6,826				7,347
Cash paid for (reimbursement of) income taxes	—			—		(138		)		(340		)
Other income (2) (4)	82			94		219				251
Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$	161,306		$	109,159	$	355,396			$	299,382
Distributions declared(5)
Limited partners	$	99,645				$	289,215
General partner	46,515					129,884
Total	$	146,160				$	419,099
Coverage ratio	1.05		x			1.13			x

⁽¹⁾  Includes accretion expense related to the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

⁽²⁾  Includes our 75% share of depreciation, amortization and impairments; cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures; and other income attributable to the Chipeta complex.

⁽³⁾  See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

⁽⁴⁾  Excludes income of zero for each of the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and zero and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to a component of a gas processing agreement accounted for as a capital lease.

⁽⁵⁾  Reflects cash distributions of $0.775 and $2.250 per unit declared for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

40

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary cash requirements are for acquisitions and capital expenditures, debt service, customary operating expenses, quarterly distributions to our limited partners and general partner, and distributions to our noncontrolling interest owner. Our sources of liquidity as of September 30, 2015, included cash and cash equivalents, cash flows generated from operations, interest income on our $260.0 million note receivable from Anadarko, available borrowing capacity under our RCF, and issuances of additional equity or debt securities. We believe that cash flows generated from these sources will be sufficient to satisfy our short-term working capital requirements and long-term maintenance and expansion capital expenditure requirements. The amount of future distributions to unitholders will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors, and will be determined by the Board of Directors of our general partner on a quarterly basis. Due to our cash distribution policy, we expect to rely on external financing sources, including equity and debt issuances, to fund expansion capital expenditures and future acquisitions. However, to limit interest expense, we may use operating cash flows to fund expansion capital expenditures or acquisitions, which could result in subsequent borrowings under our RCF to pay distributions or fund other short-term working capital requirements.

Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash (as defined in the partnership agreement) to unitholders of record on the applicable record date within 45 days of the end of each quarter. We have made cash distributions to our unitholders each quarter since our initial public offering (“IPO”) and have increased our quarterly distribution each quarter since the second quarter of 2009. On October 14, 2015, the Board of Directors of our general partner declared a cash distribution to our unitholders of $0.775 per unit, or $146.2 million in aggregate, including incentive distributions, but excluding distributions on Class C units. The cash distribution is payable on November 12, 2015, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 2, 2015. In connection with the closing of the DBM acquisition in November 2014, we issued Class C units that will receive distributions in the form of additional Class C units until the end of 2017, unless earlier converted (see Note 3—Partnership Distributions in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). The Class C unit distribution, if paid in cash, would have been $8.7 million for the third quarter of 2015.

Management continuously monitors our leverage position and coordinates our capital expenditure program, quarterly distributions and acquisition strategy with our expected cash flows and projected debt-repayment schedule. We will continue to evaluate funding alternatives, including additional borrowings and the issuance of debt or equity securities, to secure funds as needed or to refinance outstanding debt balances with longer term notes. To facilitate a potential debt or equity securities issuance, we have the ability to sell securities under our shelf registration statements. Our ability to generate cash flows is subject to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. Please read Part II, Item 1A—Risk Factors of this Form 10-Q.

Working capital. As of September 30, 2015, we had $12.3 million of working capital, which we define as the amount by which current assets exceed current liabilities. Working capital is an indication of our liquidity and potential need for short-term funding. Our working capital requirements are driven by changes in accounts receivable and accounts payable and factors such as credit extended to, and the timing of collections from, our customers, and the level and timing of our spending for maintenance and expansion activity. As of September 30, 2015, we had $1.0 billion available for borrowing under our RCF.

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Capital expenditures. Our business is capital intensive, requiring significant investment to maintain and improve existing facilities or develop new midstream infrastructure. We categorize capital expenditures as either of the following:

• maintenance capital expenditures, which include those expenditures required to maintain the existing operating capacity and service capability of our assets, such as to replace system components and equipment that have been subject to significant use over time, become obsolete or reached the end of their useful lives, to remain in compliance with regulatory or legal requirements or to complete additional well connections to maintain existing system throughput and related cash flows (for fiscal year 2015, the general partner’s Board of Directors has approved Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures (as defined in our partnership agreement) of $19.8 million per quarter); or

• expansion capital expenditures, which include expenditures to construct new midstream infrastructure and those expenditures incurred to extend the useful lives of our assets, reduce costs, increase revenues or increase system throughput or capacity from current levels, including well connections that increase existing system throughput.

Capital expenditures in the consolidated statements of cash flows reflect capital expenditures on a cash basis, when payments are made. Capital incurred is presented on an accrual basis. Capital expenditures as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows and capital incurred were as follows:

	Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015		2014
Acquisitions	$	15,645	$	372,393
Expansion capital expenditures	$	436,524	$	493,220
Maintenance capital expenditures	36,870		35,794
Total capital expenditures (1) (2)	$	473,394	$	529,014
Capital incurred (2) (3)	$	414,677	$	529,668

⁽¹⁾  Maintenance capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, are presented net of zero and $0.2 million, respectively, of contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, included $36.9 million of pre-acquisition capital expenditures for the DBJV system.

⁽²⁾  Includes the noncontrolling interest owner’s share of Chipeta’s capital expenditures for all periods presented. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, included $6.8 million and $7.3 million, respectively, of capitalized interest.

⁽³⁾  Capital incurred for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, included $39.3 million of pre-acquisition capital incurred for the DBJV system.

Acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, included equipment purchases from Anadarko and the post-closing purchase price adjustments related to the DBM acquisition. Acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, included the TEFR Interests and equipment purchases from Anadarko. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures and Note 5—Transactions with Affiliatesin the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, decreased by $55.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Expansion capital expenditures decreased by $56.7 million (including a $0.5 milliondecrease in capitalized interest) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a decrease of $127.7 million at the DJ Basin complex related to compression projects in 2014 and less activity in 2015 at the Lancaster plant. In addition, there were decreases of $18.5 million at the Hilight system, $13.3 million at the Brasada complex and $10.6 million at the Red Desert complex. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $109.1 million due to the acquisition of DBM in November 2014.

Our estimated total capital expenditures for the year ending December 31, 2015, including our 75% share of Chipeta’s capital expenditures, but excluding equity investments and acquisitions, are $568 million to $608 million. Total capital expenditures including equity investments, but excluding acquisitions, are expected to be between $580 million and $620 million, updated from an originally reported range of $675 million to $745 million. We have updated our outlook for maintenance capital expenditures from an originally reported range between 8% and 11% of Adjusted EBITDA, to a current range between 7% and 9% of Adjusted EBITDA.

42

Historical cash flow. The following table and discussion present a summary of our net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, investing activities and financing activities:

	Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015			2014
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	498,408		$	440,865
Investing activities	(337,989		)	(950,282		)
Financing activities	(154,273		)	476,526
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	6,146		$	(32,891	)

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended September 30, 2015, increased primarily due to the impact of changes in working capital items.

Refer to Operating Results within this Item 2 for a discussion of our results of operations as compared to the prior periods.

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, included the following:

• $473.4 million of capital expenditures, primarily related to the construction of Lancaster Train II (part of the DJ Basin complex), plant construction at the DBM complex and expansion at the DBJV system;

• $12.1 million of cash paid for equipment purchases from Anadarko;

• $9.1 million of cash contributed to equity investments, primarily related to expansion projects at White Cliffs, TEP and FRP;

• $3.5 million of cash paid for post-closing purchase price adjustments related to the DBM acquisition;

• $146.7 million of net proceeds from the sale of the Dew and Pinnacle systems in East Texas; and

• $12.4 million of distributions from equity investments in excess of cumulative earnings.

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, included the following:

• $529.0 million of capital expenditures, net of $0.2 million of contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliate, primarily related to the construction of Lancaster Trains I and II, as well as compression expansion projects, all part of the DJ Basin complex;

• $356.3 million of cash paid for the acquisition of the TEFR Interests;

• $40.0 million of cash paid related to the construction of the Front Range Pipeline, which was completed in March 2014;

• $16.1 million of cash paid for equipment purchases from Anadarko;

• $10.5 million of cash paid for White Cliffs expansion projects;

• $6.3 million of cash paid related to the construction of the Texas Express Pipeline, which was completed in November 2013; and

• $14.4 million of distributions from equity investments in excess of cumulative earnings.

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Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, included the following:

• $610.0 million of repayments of outstanding borrowings under our RCF;

• $399.0 million of distributions paid to our unitholders;

• $10.2 million of distributions paid to the noncontrolling interest owner of Chipeta;

• $489.6 million of net proceeds from the 2025 Notes offering in June 2015, after underwriting and original issue discounts and offering costs, all of which was used to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under our RCF;

• $280.0 million of borrowings to fund capital expenditures and for general partnership purposes;

• $57.4 million of net proceeds from sales of common units under the $500.0 million COP (as defined and discussed in Equity Offerings within this Item 2). Net proceeds were used for general partnership purposes, including funding capital expenditures;

• $31.5 million of net contributions from Anadarko representing intercompany transactions attributable to the acquisition of DBJV; and

• $7.9 million of capital contribution from Anadarko related to the above-market component of swap extensions (see Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, included the following:

• $389.5 million of net proceeds from the 2044 Notes offering in March 2014, after underwriting and original issue discounts and offering costs, all of which was used to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under our RCF;

• $350.0 million of borrowings to fund the acquisition of the TEFR Interests;

• $300.0 million of borrowings to fund capital expenditures and general partnership purposes;

• $100.0 million of net proceeds from the offering of additional 2018 Notes in March 2014, after underwriting discounts, original issue premium and offering costs, part of which was used to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under our RCF;

• $83.3 million of net proceeds from sales of common units under the $125.0 million COP (as defined and discussed in Equity Offerings within this Item 2), including net proceeds from capital contributions by our general partner;

• $23.6 million of net contributions from Anadarko representing intercompany transactions attributable to the acquisitions of DBJV and the TEFR Interests;

• $18.1 million of net proceeds related to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option granted in connection with our December 2013 equity offering;

• $480.0 million of repayments of outstanding borrowings under our RCF;

• $297.0 million of distributions paid to our unitholders; and

• $11.3 million of distributions paid to the noncontrolling interest owner of Chipeta.

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Debt and credit facility. At September 30, 2015, our debt consisted of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”), $670.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”), $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”), $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.450% Senior Notes due 2044 (the “2044 Notes”), $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”), and $180.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our RCF. As of September 30, 2015, the carrying value of our outstanding debt was $2.6 billion. See Note 9—Debt and Interest Expense in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Senior Notes. The 2025 Notes issued in June 2015 were offered at a price to the public of 98.789% of the face amount. Including the effects of the issuance and underwriting discounts, the effective interest rate of the 2025 Notes is 4.205%. Interest is paid semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year. Proceeds (net of underwriting discount of $3.3 million, original issue discount and debt issuance costs) were used to repay a portion of the amount outstanding under our RCF.

At September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with all covenants under the indentures governing our outstanding notes.

Revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2015, we had $180.0 million of outstanding borrowings, $12.8 million in outstanding letters of credit and $1.0 billion available for borrowing under the RCF, which matures in February 2019. At September 30, 2015, the interest rate on the RCF was 1.49%, the facility fee rate was 0.20% and we were in compliance with all covenants under the RCF.

Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko.The consideration to be paid for the acquisition of DBJV consists of a cash payment to Anadarko due on March 31, 2020. The cash payment will be equal to (a) eight multiplied by the average of our share in the Net Earnings (see definition below) of the DBJV system for the calendar years 2018 and 2019, less (b) our share of all capital expenditures incurred for the DBJV system between March 1, 2015, and February 29, 2020. Net Earnings is defined as all revenues less cost of product, operating expenses and property taxes, in each case attributable to the DBJV system on an accrual basis. As of the acquisition date, the estimated future payment obligation was $282.8 million, which had a net present value of $174.3 million, using a discount rate of 10%. As of September 30, 2015, the net present value of this obligation was $184.2 million and has been recorded on the consolidated balance sheet under Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko. Accretion expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, was $4.3 million and $9.9 million, respectively, and has been recorded as a charge to interest expense. See Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Registered securities. We may issue an indeterminate amount of common units and various debt securities under our effective shelf registration statements on file with the SEC.

In August 2012, we filed a registration statement with the SEC authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $125.0 million of common units, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of our offerings. See Note 4—Equity and Partners’ Capital in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for a discussion of trades completed under the $125.0 million COP. As of December 31, 2014, we had used all the capacity to issue common units under this registration statement.

In August 2014, we filed a registration statement with the SEC authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of common units, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of our offerings. See Note 4—Equity and Partners’ Capital in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for a discussion of trades completed under the $500.0 million COP.

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Credit risk. We bear credit risk represented by our exposure to non-payment or non-performance by our counterparties, including Anadarko, financial institutions, customers and other parties. Generally, non-payment or non-performance results from a customer’s inability to satisfy payables to us for services rendered or volumes owed pursuant to gas imbalance agreements. We examine and monitor the creditworthiness of third-party customers and may establish credit limits for third-party customers. A substantial portion of our throughput, however, comes from producers that have investment-grade ratings.

We are dependent upon a single producer, Anadarko, for a substantial portion of our natural gas volumes, and we do not maintain a credit limit with respect to Anadarko. Consequently, we are subject to the risk of non-payment or late payment by Anadarko for gathering, processing and transportation fees and for proceeds from the sale of residue, NGLs and condensate to Anadarko.

We expect our exposure to concentrated risk of non-payment or non-performance to continue for as long as we remain substantially dependent on Anadarko for our revenues. Additionally, we are exposed to credit risk on the note receivable from Anadarko. We are also party to agreements with Anadarko under which Anadarko is required to indemnify us for certain environmental claims, losses arising from rights-of-way claims, failures to obtain required consents or governmental permits and income taxes with respect to the assets acquired from Anadarko. Finally, we have entered into various commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko in order to reduce our exposure to a substantial majority of the commodity price risk inherent in our percent-of-proceeds and keep-whole contracts, and are subject to performance risk thereunder. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Our ability to make distributions to our unitholders may be adversely impacted if Anadarko becomes unable to perform under the terms of our gathering, processing and transportation agreements, natural gas and NGL purchase agreements, Anadarko’s note payable to us, our omnibus agreement, the services and secondment agreement, contribution agreements or the commodity price swap agreements.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

Our contractual obligations include, among other things, a revolving credit facility, other third-party long-term debt, capital obligations related to our expansion projects and various operating leases. Refer toNote 9—Debt and Interest Expense and Note 10—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for an update to our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2015, including, but not limited to, increases in committed capital.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements other than operating leases and standby letters of credit. The information pertaining to operating leases and our standby letters of credit required for this item is provided under Note 10—Commitments and Contingencies and Note 9—Debt and Interest Expense, respectively, included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

See Note 1—Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Commodity price risk. Certain of our processing services are provided under percent-of-proceeds and keep-whole agreements in which Anadarko is typically responsible for the marketing of the natural gas, condensate and NGLs. Under percent-of-proceeds agreements, we receive a specified percentage of the net proceeds from the sale of residue and/or NGLs. Under keep-whole agreements, we keep 100% of the NGLs produced, and the processed natural gas, or value of the natural gas, is returned to the producer. Since some of the gas is used and removed during processing, we compensate the producer for the amount of gas used and removed in processing by supplying additional gas or by paying an agreed-upon value for the gas used.

To mitigate our exposure to a substantial majority of the changes in commodity prices as a result of the purchase and sale of natural gas, condensate or NGLs, we currently have in place commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko expiring at various times through December 2016. On December 31, 2014, our commodity price swap agreements for the Hilight and Newcastle systems and the Granger complex (excluding the Granger straddle plant) expired without renewal. During the second quarter of 2015, we extended our commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko for the DJ Basin complex from July 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, and for the Hugoton system from October 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015. See Note 5—Transactions with Affiliates in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

In addition, pursuant to certain of our contracts, we retain and sell drip condensate that is recovered during the gathering of natural gas. As part of this arrangement, we are required to provide a thermally equivalent volume of natural gas or the cash equivalent thereof to the shipper. Thus, our revenues for this portion of our contractual arrangement are based on the price received for the drip condensate, and our costs for this portion of our contractual arrangement depend on the price of natural gas. Historically, drip condensate sells at a price representing a discount to the price of New York Mercantile Exchange West Texas Intermediate crude oil.

We consider our exposure to commodity price risk associated with the above-described arrangements to be minimal given the existence of the commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko and the relatively small amount of our operating income that is impacted by changes in market prices. Accordingly, we do not expect a 10% increase or decrease in natural gas or NGL prices would have a material impact on our operating income, financial condition or cash flows for the next twelve months, excluding the effect of natural gas imbalances described below.

We bear a limited degree of commodity price risk with respect to settlement of our natural gas imbalances that arise from differences in gas volumes received into our systems and gas volumes delivered by us to customers, as well as instances where our actual liquids recovery or fuel usage varies from the contractually stipulated amounts. Natural gas volumes owed to or by us that are subject to monthly cash settlement are valued according to the terms of the contract as of the balance sheet dates, and generally reflect market index prices. Other natural gas volumes owed to or by us are valued at our weighted-average cost of natural gas as of the balance sheet dates and are settled in-kind. Our exposure to the impact of changes in commodity prices on outstanding imbalances depends on the timing of settlement of the imbalances.

Interest rate risk. Interest rates during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, were low compared to historic rates. As of September 30, 2015, we had $180.0 million of outstanding borrowings under our RCF (which bears interest at a rate based on LIBOR or, at our option, an alternative base rate). If interest rates rise, our future financing costs could increase. A 10% change in LIBOR would have resulted in a nominal change in net income and the fair value of the borrowings under the RCF at September 30, 2015.

We may incur additional variable-rate debt in the future, either under our RCF or other financing sources, including commercial bank borrowings or debt issuances.

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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Partnership’s general partner performed an evaluation of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of September 30, 2015.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2015, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

WGR Operating, LP, one of our subsidiaries, is currently in negotiations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with respect to alleged non-compliance with the leak detection and repair requirements of the federal Clean Air Act at its Granger, Wyoming facility. Although management cannot predict the outcome of settlement discussions, management believes that it is reasonably likely a resolution of this matter will result in a fine or penalty in excess of $100,000.

Except as discussed above, we are not a party to any legal, regulatory or administrative proceedings other than proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. Management believes that there are no such proceedings for which a final disposition could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition, or for which disclosure is otherwise required by Item 103 of Regulation S-K.

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Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Security holders and potential investors in our securities should carefully consider the risk factors included below, as well as those set forth under Part I, Item 1A in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, together with all of the other information included in this document, and in our other public filings, press releases and public discussions with management of the Partnership. Additionally, for a full discussion of the risks associated with Anadarko’s business, see Item 1A under Part I in Anadarko’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, Anadarko’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Anadarko’s other public filings, press releases and public discussions with Anadarko management. We have identified these risk factors as important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any written or oral forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

The tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or an investment in our common units could be subject to potential legislative, judicial or administrative changes and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.

The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our common units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial changes or differing interpretations at any time. For example, the Obama administration’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2016 recommends that certain publicly traded partnerships earning income from activities related to fossil fuels be taxed as corporations beginning in 2021. From time to time, members of Congress propose and consider such substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. If successful, the Obama administration’s proposal, or other similar proposals, could eliminate the qualifying income exception to the treatment of all publicly traded partnerships as corporations, upon which we rely for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In addition, the IRS, on May 5, 2015, issued proposed regulations concerning which activities give rise to qualifying income within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. We do not believe the proposed regulations affect our ability to qualify as a publicly traded partnership. However, finalized regulations could modify the amount of our gross income that we are able to treat as qualifying income for the purposes of the qualifying income requirement.

Any modifications to the U.S. federal income tax laws may be applied retroactively and could make it more difficult or impossible to meet the exception for certain publicly traded partnerships to be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes or other proposals will ultimately be enacted. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our common units.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, in connection with the quarterly distribution for the Class C units the Partnership issued the following additional Class C units (“PIK Class C units”) to APC Midstream Holdings, LLC, the holder of the Class C units:

thousands except unit amounts For the Quarters Ended	PIK Class C Units	Implied Fair Value		Date of Distribution
2014
December 31	45,711	$	3,072	February 2015
2015
March 31	118,230	$	8,101	May 2015
June 30	153,020	8,721		August 2015

No proceeds were received as consideration for the issuance of the PIK Class C units. The PIK Class C units were issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. All outstanding Class C units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis on December 31, 2017, unless the Partnership elects to convert such units earlier or Anadarko extends the conversion date. For more information, see Note 4—Equity and Partners’ Capital in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

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Item 6.  Exhibits

Exhibits designated by an asterisk (*) are filed herewith and those designated with asterisks (**) are furnished herewith; all exhibits not so designated are incorporated herein by reference to a prior filing as indicated.

Exhibit Number	Description
2.1#	Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement by and among Western Gas Partners, LP, Western Gas Holdings, LLC, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, WGR Holdings, LLC, Western Gas Resources, Inc., WGR Asset Holding Company LLC, Western Gas Operating, LLC and WGR Operating, LP, dated as of May 14, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2008, File No. 001-34046).
2.2#	Contribution Agreement, dated as of November 11, 2008, by and among Western Gas Resources, Inc., WGR Asset Holding Company LLC, WGR Holdings, LLC, Western Gas Holdings, LLC, Western Gas Partners, LP, Western Gas Operating, LLC and WGR Operating, LP. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2008, File No. 001-34046).
2.3#	Contribution Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2009, by and among Western Gas Resources, Inc., WGR Asset Holding Company LLC, Anadarko Uintah Midstream, LLC, WGR Holdings, LLC, Western Gas Holdings, LLC, WES GP, Inc., Western Gas Partners, LP, Western Gas Operating, LLC and WGR Operating, LP. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 23, 2009, File No. 001-34046).
2.4#	Contribution Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2010 by and among Western Gas Resources, Inc., WGR Asset Holding Company LLC, Mountain Gas Resources LLC, WGR Holdings, LLC, Western Gas Holdings, LLC, WES GP, Inc., Western Gas Partners, LP, Western Gas Operating, LLC and WGR Operating, LP. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2010 File No. 001-34046).
2.5#	Contribution Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2010, by and among Western Gas Resources, Inc., WGR Asset Holding Company LLC, WGR Holdings, LLC, Western Gas Holdings, LLC, WES GP, Inc., Western Gas Partners, LP, Western Gas Operating, LLC and WGR Operating, LP. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2010, File No. 001-34046).
2.6#	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2011, by and among Western Gas Partners, LP, Kerr-McGee Gathering LLC and Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 18, 2011 File No. 001-34046).
2.7#	Contribution Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2011, by and among Western Gas Resources, Inc., WGR Asset Holding Company LLC, WGR Holdings, LLC, Western Gas Holdings, LLC, WES GP, Inc., Western Gas Partners, LP, Western Gas Operating, LLC and WGR Operating, LP. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 15, 2011, File No. 001-34046).
2.8#	Contribution Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2013, by and among Anadarko Marcellus Midstream, L.L.C., Western Gas Partners, LP, Western Gas Operating, LLC, WGR Operating, LP, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 5, 2013, File No. 001-34046).
2.9#	Contribution Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2014, by and among WGR Asset Holding Company, LLC, APC Midstream Holdings, LLC, Western Gas Partners, LP, Western Gas Operating, LLC, WGR Operating, LP and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.9 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2014, File No. 001-34046).
2.10#	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 28, 2014, by and among Western Gas Partners, LP, Maguire Midstream LLC and Nuevo Midstream, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 28, 2014, File No. 001-34046).
2.11#	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2015, by and among WGR Asset Holding Company, LLC, Delaware Basin Midstream, LLC, Western Gas Partners, LP, and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 3, 2015, File No. 001-34046).

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Exhibit Number	Description
3.1	Certificate of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 15, 2007, File No. 333-146700).
3.2	First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP, dated May 14, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2008, File No. 001-34046).
3.3	Amendment No. 1 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP dated December 19, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 24, 2008, File No. 001-34046).
3.4	Amendment No. 2 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP, dated as of April 15, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 20, 2009, File No. 001-34046).
3.5	Amendment No. 3 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP dated July 22, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 23, 2009, File No. 001-34046).
3.6	Amendment No. 4 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP dated January 29, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2010, File No. 001-34046).
3.7	Amendment No. 5 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP, dated August 2, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2010, File No. 001-34046).
3.8	Amendment No. 6 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP, dated July 8, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 8, 2011, File No. 001-34046).
3.9	Amendment No. 7 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP, dated January 13, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 17, 2012, File No. 001-34046).
3.10	Amendment No. 8 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP, dated August 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 2, 2012, File No. 001-34046).
3.11	Amendment No. 9 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP, dated December 12, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2012, File No. 001-34046).
3.12	Amendment No. 10 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP, dated March 1, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 5, 2013, File No. 001-34046).
3.13	Amendment No. 11 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP, dated March 3, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 5, 2014, File No. 001-34046).
3.14	Amendment No. 12 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Western Gas Partners, LP, dated November 25, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 2014, File No. 001-34046).
3.15	Certificate of Formation of Western Gas Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 15, 2007, File No. 333-146700).
3.16	Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Western Gas Holdings, LLC, dated December 12, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2012, File No. 001-34046).

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Exhibit Number	Description
4.1	Specimen Unit Certificate for the Common Units (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 13, 2008, File No. 001-34046).
4.2	Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2011, among Western Gas Partners, LP, as Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2011, File No. 001-34046).
4.3	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2011, among Western Gas Partners, LP, as Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2011, File No. 001-34046).
4.4	Form of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2011, File No. 001-34046).
4.5	Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2013, among Western Gas Partners, LP, as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 14, 2013, File No. 001-34046).
4.6	Form of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 28, 2012, File No. 001-34046).
4.7	Form of 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 14, 2013, File No. 001-34046).
4.8	Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 20, 2014, among Western Gas Partners, LP, as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 20, 2014, File No. 001-34046).
4.9	Form of 5.450% Senior Notes due 2044 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 20, 2014, File No. 001-34046).
4.10	Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2015, among Western Gas Partners, LP, as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2015, File No. 001-34046).
4.11	Form of 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Western Gas Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2015, File No. 001-34046).
31.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1**	Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*	XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL*	XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*	XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*	XBRL Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

# Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, the registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP
October 29, 2015
	/s/ Donald R. Sinclair
	Donald R. Sinclair President and Chief Executive Officer Western Gas Holdings, LLC (as general partner of Western Gas Partners, LP)
October 29, 2015
	/s/ Benjamin M. Fink
	Benjamin M. Fink Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Western Gas Holdings, LLC (as general partner of Western Gas Partners, LP)

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EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A) AND RULE 15D-14(A)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED

I, Donald R. Sinclair, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Western Gas Partners, LP (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: October 29, 2015

/s/ Donald R. Sinclair

Donald R. Sinclair

President and Chief Executive Officer

Western Gas Holdings, LLC

(as general partner of Western Gas Partners, LP)

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A) AND RULE 15D-14(A)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED

I, Benjamin M. Fink, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Western Gas Partners, LP (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: October 29, 2015

/s/ Benjamin M. Fink

Benjamin M. Fink

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Western Gas Holdings, LLC

(as general partner of Western Gas Partners, LP)

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, Donald R. Sinclair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western Gas Holdings, LLC, the general partner of Western Gas Partners, LP (the “Partnership”) and Benjamin M. Fink, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Western Gas Holdings, LLC, certify to the best of our knowledge that:

(1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Partnership for the period ending September 30, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.

October 29, 2015
	/s/ Donald R. Sinclair
	Donald R. Sinclair
	President and Chief Executive Officer
	Western Gas Holdings, LLC
	(as general partner of Western Gas Partners, LP)
October 29, 2015
	/s/ Benjamin M. Fink
	Benjamin M. Fink
	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
	Western Gas Holdings, LLC
	(as general partner of Western Gas Partners, LP)

The foregoing certifications are being furnished as an exhibit to the Report pursuant to Item 601(b)(32) of Regulation S-K and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code) and, accordingly, are not being filed as part of the Report for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are not incorporated by reference into any filing of the Partnership, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

XML

Equity and Partners' Capital - Limited Partner and General Partner Units Table (Details) - shares		1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Balance			141,192,051
PIK Class C units			316,961
Long-Term Incentive Plan award vestings			5,991
Balance			142,388,528
500 Million COP [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Offering			873,525
Common Units [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Balance			127,695,130
Long-Term Incentive Plan award vestings			5,991
Offering	[1]	8,620,153
Balance			128,574,646
Common Units [Member] | 500 Million COP [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Offering	[2]		873,525
Class C Units [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Balance			10,913,853
PIK Class C units			316,961
Balance			11,230,814
General Partner [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Balance			2,583,068
PIK Class C units	[1],[3]	153,061
Balance			2,583,068

[1] Includes the issuance of 1,120,153 common units pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, the net proceeds from which were $77.0 million. Beginning with this partial exercise, the Partnership’s general partner elected not to make a corresponding capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% interest in the Partnership.

[2] Represents common units issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, pursuant to the Partnership’s registration statement filed with the SEC in August 2014 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of common units (the “$500.0 million COP”). Gross proceeds generated during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $58.2 million, respectively. Commissions paid during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $0.6 million, respectively. The price per unit in the table above represents an average price for all issuances under the $500.0 million COP during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

[3] Represents general partner units issued to the general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution.

XML

Debt and Interest Expense - Debt Activity Table (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 2,422,954	[1]
Other	(5,765)
Ending balance	2,587,189
Senior Notes [Member] | 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Beginning balance	0
Issuance of Senior Notes	500,000
Ending balance	494,107
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Beginning balance	510,000
Borrowings	280,000
Repayments	(610,000)
Ending balance	$ 180,000

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

XML

Property, Plant and Equipment - Historical Cost Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 5,862,721	$ 5,626,650	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	1,072,799	1,055,207	[1]
Net property, plant and equipment	4,789,922	4,571,443	[1]
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	3,191	2,884
Gathering Systems [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 5,431,716	4,972,892
Gathering Systems [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Gathering Systems [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	47 years
Pipelines And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 136,303	151,107
Pipelines And Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	15 years
Pipelines And Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	45 years
Assets Under Construction [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 272,445	483,347
Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 19,066	$ 16,420
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	40 years

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

XML

Debt and Interest Expense - Interest Expense Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense	[1]	$ 31,773	$ 20,878	[2]	$ 82,337	$ 55,703	[2]
Third Parties [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt		26,972	21,671		75,047	59,251
Amortization of debt issuance costs and commitment fees		1,530	1,107		4,196	3,799
Capitalized interest		(1,039)	(1,900)		(6,826)	(7,347)
Interest expense		27,463	20,878		72,417	55,703
Affiliates [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense	[3]	4,310	0		9,920	0
Affiliates [Member] | Deferred Purchase Price Obligation - Anadarko [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense, related party	[4]	$ 4,310	$ 0		$ 9,920	$ 0

[1] Includes affiliate (as defined in Note 1) interest expense of $4.3 million and $9.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and zero for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. See Note 2 and Note 9.

[2] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[3] For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, includes accretion expense recognized on the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko for the acquisition of DBJV (see Note 2 and Note 9).

[4] See Note 2 for a discussion of the accretion and present value of the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko.

XML

Transactions with Affiliates - Summary Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenues and other		$ 385,101	$ 357,521	[1]	$ 1,190,082		$ 1,016,151	[1]
Equity income, net	[2],[3]	21,976	19,063	[1]	59,137	[4]	41,322	[1],[4]
Cost of product	[5]	127,721	113,217	[1]	414,378		330,926	[1]
Operation and maintenance	[5]	80,633	67,489	[1]	218,640		184,023	[1]
General and administrative	[5]	9,318	8,339	[1]	28,497		25,688	[1]
Operating expenses		291,703	243,115	[1]	889,097		696,647	[1]
Interest income	[6]	4,225	4,225	[1]	12,675		12,675	[1]
Interest expense	[7]	31,773	20,878	[1]	82,337		55,703	[1]
Distributions to unitholders					398,983		297,013	[1]
Affiliates [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenues and other	[3]	247,458	269,632	[1]	777,739		769,331	[1]
Cost of product	[3]	35,673	27,034		132,663		85,071
Operation and maintenance	[8]	17,662	15,583		50,534		44,961
General and administrative	[9]	7,671	7,016		22,556		21,243
Operating expenses		61,006	49,633		205,753		151,275
Interest expense	[10]	4,310	0		9,920		0
Distributions to unitholders	[11]	$ 80,845	$ 60,794		$ 228,893		$ 169,001

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] Income earned from equity investments is classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[3] Represents amounts earned or incurred on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as amounts earned or incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets, recognized under gathering, treating or processing agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.

[4] Income earned on, distributions from and contributions to equity investments are classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[5] Cost of product includes product purchases from Anadarko (as defined in Note 1) of $35.7 million and $132.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $27.0 million and $85.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Operation and maintenance includes charges from Anadarko of $17.7 million and $50.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $15.6 million and $45.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. General and administrative includes charges from Anadarko of $7.7 million and $22.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $7.0 million and $21.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. See Note 5.

[6] Represents interest income recognized on the note receivable from Anadarko.

[7] Includes affiliate (as defined in Note 1) interest expense of $4.3 million and $9.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and zero for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. See Note 2 and Note 9.

[8] Represents expenses incurred on and subsequent to the date of the acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as expenses incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets.

[9] Represents general and administrative expense incurred on and subsequent to the date of the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as a management services fee for reimbursement of expenses incurred by Anadarko for periods prior to the acquisition of the Partnership assets by the Partnership. These amounts include equity-based compensation expense allocated to the Partnership by Anadarko (see WES LTIP and WGP LTIP and Anadarko Incentive Plans within this Note 5).

[10] For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, includes accretion expense recognized on the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko for the acquisition of DBJV (see Note 2 and Note 9).

[11] Represents distributions paid under the partnership agreement (see Note 3 and Note 4).

XML

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Purchase Price Allocation Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	[1]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 387,633	$ 389,087
Delaware Basin Midstream LLC [Member] | Level 3 inputs [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets	62,940
Property, plant and equipment	467,171
Goodwill	282,697
Other intangible assets	811,048
Accounts payables	(18,621)
Accrued liabilities	(37,360)
Deferred income taxes	(1,342)
Asset retirement obligations and other	(9,060)
Total purchase price	$ 1,557,473

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

XML

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Committed capital	$ 42.0		$ 42.0
Rent expense associated with office, warehouse and equipment leases	$ 4.9	$ 2.4	$ 13.6	$ 6.8

XML

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment Table

A summary of the historical cost of the Partnership’s property, plant and equipment is as follows:

thousands	Estimated Useful Life	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Land	n/a	$	3,191	$	2,884
Gathering systems	3 to 47 years	5,431,716		4,972,892
Pipelines and equipment	15 to 45 years	136,303		151,107
Assets under construction	n/a	272,445		483,347
Other	3 to 40 years	19,066		16,420
Total property, plant and equipment		5,862,721		5,626,650
Accumulated depreciation		1,072,799		1,055,207
Net property, plant and equipment		$	4,789,922	$	4,571,443

XML

Equity Investments - Equity Investments Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	[4]	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	[4]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance	[1]				$ 634,492
Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization	[2],[3]	$ 21,976	$ 19,063		59,137	[5]	$ 41,322	[5]
Contributions					9,052		63,267
Distributions	[5]				(60,645)		(43,061)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings	[5]				(12,409)	[6]	$ (14,387)
Balance		629,627			629,627
Fort Union [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance					25,933
Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization					4,831
Contributions					0
Distributions					(4,606)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings	[6]				0
Balance		26,158			26,158
White Cliffs [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance					44,315
Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization					10,663
Contributions					6,081
Distributions					(10,227)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings	[6]				(2,584)
Balance		48,248			48,248
Rendezvous [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance					56,336
Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization					1,591
Contributions					0
Distributions					(3,047)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings	[6]				(2,708)
Balance		52,172			52,172
Mont Belvieu JV [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance					121,337
Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization					17,256
Contributions					(432)
Distributions					(17,924)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings	[6]				(1,987)
Balance		118,250			118,250
Texas Express Gathering LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance					16,790
Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization					475
Contributions					0
Distributions					(685)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings	[6]				(82)
Balance		16,498			16,498
Texas Express Pipeline LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance					198,793
Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization					11,691
Contributions					1,520
Distributions					(11,880)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings	[6]				(4,302)
Balance		195,822			195,822
Front Range Pipeline LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance					170,988
Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization					12,630
Contributions					1,883
Distributions					(12,276)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings	[6]				(746)
Balance		$ 172,479			$ 172,479

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] Income earned from equity investments is classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[3] Represents amounts earned or incurred on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as amounts earned or incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets, recognized under gathering, treating or processing agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.

[4] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[5] Income earned on, distributions from and contributions to equity investments are classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[6] Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings, classified as investing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows, is calculated on an individual investment basis.

XML

Transactions with Affiliates - Commodity Price Swap Agreements Table (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015 $ / bbl $ / MMBTU
Ethane [Member] | Year 2016 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	23.11
Ethane [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	18.41
Ethane [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	23.41
Propane [Member] | Year 2016 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	52.90
Propane [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	47.08
Propane [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	52.99
Isobutane [Member] | Year 2016 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	73.89
Isobutane [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	62.09
Isobutane [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	74.02
Normal butane [Member] | Year 2016 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	64.93
Normal butane [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	54.62
Normal butane [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	65.04
Natural gasoline [Member] | Year 2016 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	81.68
Natural gasoline [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	72.88
Natural gasoline [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	81.82
Condensate [Member] | Year 2016 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	81.68
Condensate [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	76.47
Condensate [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	81.82
Natural gas (per MMBtu) [Member] | Year 2016 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price | $ / MMBTU	4.87
Natural gas (per MMBtu) [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price | $ / MMBTU	4.66
Natural gas (per MMBtu) [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price | $ / MMBTU	5.96

XML

Partnership Distributions - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]
Partnership agreement day requirement of distribution of available cash	45 days
Class C Units [Member]
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]
Discount rate percentage	6.00%

XML

Components of Working Capital - Accrued Liabilities Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued interest expense	$ 34,169	$ 24,741
Short-term asset retirement obligations	4,335	1,224
Short-term remediation and reclamation obligations	475	475
Income taxes payable	701	207
Total accrued liabilities	138,812	170,789	[1]
Accrued Capital Expenditures [Member]
Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Other accrued liabilities	70,118	128,856
Accrued Plant Purchases [Member]
Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Other accrued liabilities	26,068	14,023
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Other accrued liabilities	$ 2,946	$ 1,263

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

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Transactions with Affiliates - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2008	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Note receivable - Anadarko		$ 260,000,000		$ 260,000,000			$ 260,000,000	[1]
Above-market component of swap extensions with Anadarko		7,916,000		7,916,000	[2]
Contributions of equity-based compensation from Anadarko				$ 2,679,000
Western Gas Partners Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Units vesting period				3 years
Equity-based compensation expense		100,000	$ 200,000	$ 400,000		$ 500,000
Western Gas Equity Partners Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] | Anadarko Incentive Plans [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity-based compensation expense		$ 1,000,000	$ 900,000	3,100,000		$ 2,700,000
Contributions of equity-based compensation from Anadarko				$ 2,700,000
Gathering, Treating and Transportation [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Affiliate throughput percent		42.00%	48.00%	46.00%		49.00%
Processing [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Affiliate throughput percent		47.00%	58.00%	51.00%		58.00%
Affiliates [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Note receivable - Anadarko	$ 260,000,000.0
Note receivable, due date	May 14, 2038
Fixed annual rate for note receivable bearing interest	6.50%
Affiliates [Member] | Level 2 inputs [Member] | Market approach valuation technique [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair value of the note receivable		$ 288,900,000		$ 288,900,000			$ 317,800,000
Independent Director [Member] | Western Gas Partners Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Units vesting period				1 year

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] See Note 5.

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Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

General. Western Gas Partners, LP is a growth-oriented Delaware master limited partnership formed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in 2007 to acquire, own, develop and operate midstream energy assets.

For purposes of these consolidated financial statements, the “Partnership” refers to Western Gas Partners, LP and its subsidiaries. The Partnership’s general partner, Western Gas Holdings, LLC (the “general partner” or “GP”), is owned by Western Gas Equity Partners, LP (“WGP”), a Delaware master limited partnership formed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in September 2012 to own the Partnership’s general partner, as well as a significant limited partner interest in the Partnership (see Western Gas Equity Partners, LP below). Western Gas Equity Holdings, LLC is WGP’s general partner and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. “Anadarko” refers to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries, excluding the Partnership and the general partner, and “affiliates” refers to subsidiaries of Anadarko, excluding the Partnership, and includes equity interests in Fort Union Gas Gathering, LLC (“Fort Union”), White Cliffs Pipeline, LLC (“White Cliffs”), Rendezvous Gas Services, LLC (“Rendezvous”), Enterprise EF78 LLC (the “Mont Belvieu JV”), Texas Express Pipeline LLC (“TEP”), Texas Express Gathering LLC (“TEG”) and Front Range Pipeline LLC (“FRP”). The interests in TEP, TEG and FRP are referred to collectively as the “TEFR Interests.” “Equity investment throughput” refers to the Partnership’s 14.81% share of average Fort Union throughput and 22% share of average Rendezvous throughput, but excludes throughput measured in barrels, consisting of the Partnership’s 10% share of average White Cliffs throughput, 25% share of average Mont Belvieu JV throughput, 20% share of average TEP and TEG throughput and 33.33% share of average FRP throughput. The “DJ Basin complex” refers to the Platte Valley system, Wattenberg system and Lancaster plant, all of which were combined into a single complex in the first quarter of 2014. The “MGR assets” include the Red Desert complex, the Granger straddle plant and the 22% interest in Rendezvous.

The Partnership is engaged in the business of gathering, processing, compressing, treating and transporting natural gas, condensate, NGLs and crude oil for Anadarko, as well as for third-party producers and customers. As of September 30, 2015, the Partnership’s assets and investments accounted for under the equity method consisted of the following:

	Owned and Operated	Operated Interests	Non-Operated Interests	Equity Interests
Natural gas gathering systems	12	2	5	2
Natural gas treating facilities	9	4	—	1
Natural gas processing facilities	14	5	—	2
NGL pipelines	3	—	—	3
Natural gas pipelines	4	—	—	—
Oil pipelines	1	—	—	1

These assets and investments are located in the Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Utah and Wyoming), the Mid-Continent (Kansas and Oklahoma), North-central Pennsylvania and Texas. In June 2015, the Partnership completed the construction and commenced operations of Lancaster Train II, a processing plant located in the DJ Basin complex. In addition, the Partnership is constructing Trains IV, V and VI, all processing plants, at the DBM complex (see Note 2), with operations expected to commence during the first half (Train IV) and second half (Train V) of 2016, and mid-2017 (Train VI).

1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (CONTINUED)

Western Gas Equity Partners, LP.WGP owns the following types of interests in the Partnership: (i) the general partner interest and all of the incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”) in the Partnership, both owned through WGP’s 100% ownership of the Partnership’s general partner and (ii) a significant limited partner interest (see Holdings of Partnership equity in Note 4). WGP has no independent operations or material assets other than owning such partnership interests.

Basis of presentation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership and entities in which it holds a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Investments in non-controlled entities over which the Partnership exercises significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. The Partnership proportionately consolidates its 33.75% share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses attributable to the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest systems and Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest systems and its 50% share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses attributable to the Newcastle system and the DBJV system (see Note 2) in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The 25% membership interest in Chipeta Processing LLC (“Chipeta”) held by a third-party member is reflected within noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

In preparing financial statements in accordance with GAAP, management makes informed judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, using historical experience and other methods considered reasonable. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates and actual results may differ from these estimates. Effects on the business, financial condition and results of operations resulting from revisions to estimates are recognized when the facts that give rise to the revisions become known. The information furnished herein reflects all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements, and certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.

The Partnership’s unaudited consolidated statements of income reflect the reclassifications of the following amounts, which previously reduced Operation and maintenance expense, to revenues related to Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids: (i) $25.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (all of which relates to the six months ended June 30, 2015) and (ii) $12.0 million and $28.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Management determined that the third-party producer reimbursements received for electricity purchased by the Partnership is more appropriately classified as revenues, instead of a reduction to Operation and maintenance expense. This correction of an error has no impact to Net income, cash flows, or any non-GAAP metric the Partnership uses to evaluate its operations (see Key Performance Metrics under Item 2 of this Form 10-Q) and is not considered material to the Partnership’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The Partnership will revise its previously reported 2013, 2014 and 2015 consolidated financial statements, and unaudited interim periods therein as applicable, to reflect the reclassification in future filings.

Certain information and note disclosures commonly included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Partnership’s 2014 Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2015. Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading.

Presentation of Partnership assets. The term “Partnership assets” refers to the assets owned and interests accounted for under the equity method (see Note 7) by the Partnership as of September 30, 2015. Because Anadarko controls the Partnership through its ownership and control of WGP, which owns the Partnership’s entire general partner interest, each acquisition of Partnership assets from Anadarko has been considered a transfer of net assets between entities under common control. As such, the Partnership assets acquired from Anadarko were initially recorded at Anadarko’s historic carrying value, which did not correlate to the total acquisition price paid by the Partnership. Further, after an acquisition of Partnership assets from Anadarko, the Partnership may be required to recast its financial statements to include the activities of such Partnership assets from the date of common control. See Note 2.

1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (CONTINUED)

For those periods requiring recast, the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets from Anadarko have been prepared from Anadarko’s historical cost-basis accounts and may not necessarily be indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred if the Partnership had owned the Partnership assets during the periods reported. Net income attributable to the Partnership assets acquired from Anadarko for periods prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets is not allocated to the limited partners.

Recently issued accounting standards. The Financial Accounting Standards Board recently issued the following Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”):

ASU 2015-06, Earnings Per Share (Topic - 260)—Effects on Historical Earnings per Unit of Master Limited Partnership Dropdown Transactions. This ASU contains guidance that addresses the historical earnings per unit presentation for master limited partnerships that apply the two-class method of calculating earnings per unit. When a general partner transfers or “drops down” net assets to a master limited partnership the transaction is accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control and the statements of operations are adjusted retrospectively to reflect the transaction. This ASU specifies that the historical earnings (losses) of a transferred business before the date of a dropdown transaction should be allocated entirely to the general partner, and the previously reported earnings per unit of the limited partners should not change as a result of the dropdown transaction. The ASU also requires additional disclosures about how the rights to the earnings (losses) differ before and after the dropdown transaction occurs for purposes of computing earnings per unit under the two-class method. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning in 2016 and is required to be adopted using a retrospective approach, with early adoption permitted. While the Partnership believes it is currently in compliance with this ASU, it continues to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30)—Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and ASU 2015-15, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30)—Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. These ASUs will simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring such costs, except for those related to revolving credit facilities, to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, rather than as an asset. These ASUs are effective for annual and interim periods beginning in 2016 and are required to be adopted using a retrospective approach, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2015-02, Consolidation—Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU will simplify existing requirements by reducing the number of acceptable consolidation models and placing more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. The provisions will affect how limited partnerships and similar entities are assessed for consolidation, including the elimination of the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning in 2016 and is required to be adopted using a retrospective or modified retrospective approach, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership is evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and industry-specific guidance in Subtopic 932-605, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas—Revenue Recognition, and requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The effective date for ASU 2014-09 was delayed through the issuance of ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers—Deferral of the Effective Date, to annual and interim periods beginning in 2018 and is required to be adopted using one of two retrospective application methods, with early adoption permitted in 2017. The Partnership is evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

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Transactions with Affiliates - Gains (Losses) on Commodity Price Swap Agreements Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements related to sales and purchases
Net gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements		$ 15,522	$ 6,383	$ 55,678	$ 30,190
Sales [Member]
Gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements related to sales and purchases
Net gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements	[1]	39,520	25,916	155,575	68,271
Sales [Member] | Natural Gas [Member]
Gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements related to sales and purchases
Net gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements	[1]	5,774	3,179	39,100	1,525
Sales [Member] | Natural Gas Liquids [Member]
Gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements related to sales and purchases
Net gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements	[1]	33,746	22,737	116,475	66,746
Cost of Sales [Member]
Gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements related to sales and purchases
Net gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements	[2]	$ (23,998)	$ (19,533)	$ (99,897)	$ (38,081)

[1] Reported in affiliate natural gas, natural gas liquids and drip condensate sales in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which the related sale is recorded.

[2] Reported in cost of product in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which the related purchase is recorded.

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Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Asset Table (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015 unit
Operated [Member] | Natural Gas Gathering Systems [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	12
Operated [Member] | Natural Gas Treating Facilities [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	9
Operated [Member] | Natural Gas Processing Facilities [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	14
Operated [Member] | Natural Gas Liquids Pipelines [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	3
Operated [Member] | Natural Gas Pipelines [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	4
Operated [Member] | Oil Pipelines [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	1
Operated Interests [Member] | Natural Gas Gathering Systems [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	2
Operated Interests [Member] | Natural Gas Treating Facilities [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	4
Operated Interests [Member] | Natural Gas Processing Facilities [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	5
Non-Operated Interests [Member] | Natural Gas Gathering Systems [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	5
Equity Interests [Member] | Natural Gas Gathering Systems [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	2
Equity Interests [Member] | Natural Gas Treating Facilities [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	1
Equity Interests [Member] | Natural Gas Processing Facilities [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	2
Equity Interests [Member] | Natural Gas Liquids Pipelines [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	3
Equity Interests [Member] | Oil Pipelines [Member]
Assets [Line Items]
Assets, number of units	1

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Debt and Interest Expense (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Instruments [Abstract]

Debt Outstanding and Debt Activity Tables

The following table presents the Partnership’s outstanding debt as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
thousands	Principal		Carrying Value		Fair Value(1)		Principal		Carrying Value		Fair Value (1)
2021 Notes	$	500,000	$	496,139	$	534,860	$	500,000	$	495,714	$	549,530
2022 Notes	670,000		672,662		654,858		670,000		672,930		681,942
2018 Notes	350,000		350,380		350,151		350,000		350,474		352,162
2044 Notes	400,000		393,901		365,196		400,000		393,836		417,619
2025 Notes	500,000		494,107		465,247		—		—		—
RCF	180,000		180,000		180,000		510,000		510,000		510,000
Total long-term debt	$	2,600,000	$	2,587,189	$	2,550,312	$	2,430,000	$	2,422,954	$	2,511,253

⁽¹⁾  Fair value is measured using the market approach and Level 2 inputs.

9.  DEBT AND INTEREST EXPENSE (CONTINUED)

Debt activity. The following table presents the debt activity of the Partnership for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

thousands	Carrying Value
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	2,422,954
RCF borrowings	280,000
Issuance of 2025 Notes	500,000
Repayments of RCF borrowings	(610,000		)
Other	(5,765		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	2,587,189

Interest Expense Table

The following table summarizes the amounts included in interest expense:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015			2014			2015			2014
Third parties
Long-term debt	$	26,972		$	21,671		$	75,047		$	59,251
Amortization of debt issuance costs and commitment fees	1,530			1,107			4,196			3,799
Capitalized interest	(1,039		)	(1,900		)	(6,826		)	(7,347		)
Total interest expense – third parties	27,463			20,878			72,417			55,703
Affiliates
Deferred purchase price obligation – Anadarko (1)	4,310			—			9,920			—
Total interest expense – affiliates	4,310			—			9,920			—
Interest expense	$	31,773		$	20,878		$	82,337		$	55,703

⁽¹⁾  See Note 2 for a discussion of the accretion and present value of the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko.

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Debt and Interest Expense - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Facility, interest rate at period end	1.49%	1.46%
Facility, fee rate	0.20%	0.20%
Facility, outstanding borrowings	$ 180,000,000
Outstanding letters of credit	12,800,000
Facility, available borrowing capacity	$ 1,000,000,000
Facility, expiration date	Feb. 26, 2019
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	5.375%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Jun. 01, 2021
Senior Notes [Member] | 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	4.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Jul. 01, 2022
Senior Notes [Member] | 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	2.60%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Aug. 15, 2018
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.450% Senior Notes due 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	5.45%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Apr. 01, 2044
Senior Notes [Member] | 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	3.95%
Offering percent			98.789%
Effective interest rate	4.205%
Underwriting discount	$ 3,300,000
Debt instrument, maturity date	Jun. 01, 2025

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Transactions with Affiliates - Commodity Price Swap Agreements Extensions Table (Details)	Jun. 25, 2015 $ / bbl $ / MMBTU
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Ethane [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity market price	1.96	[1]
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Ethane [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	18.41
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Propane [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity market price	13.10	[1]
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Propane [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	47.08
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Isobutane [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity market price	19.75	[1]
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Isobutane [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	62.09
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Normal butane [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity market price	18.99	[1]
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Normal butane [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	54.62
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Natural gasoline [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity market price	52.59	[1]
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Natural gasoline [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	72.88
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Condensate [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity market price	52.59	[1]
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Condensate [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	76.47
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Natural gas (per MMBtu) [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity market price | $ / MMBTU	2.75	[1]
DJ Basin Complex [Member] | Natural gas (per MMBtu) [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price | $ / MMBTU	5.96
Hugoton System [Member] | Condensate [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity market price	32.56	[1]
Hugoton System [Member] | Condensate [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price	78.61
Hugoton System [Member] | Natural gas (per MMBtu) [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity market price | $ / MMBTU	2.74	[1]
Hugoton System [Member] | Natural gas (per MMBtu) [Member] | Year 2015 [Member]
Commodity Price Risk Swap [Line Items]
Commodity swap fixed price | $ / MMBTU	5.50

[1] Represents the New York Mercantile Exchange forward strip price as of June 25, 2015, adjusted for location, basis and, in the case of NGLs, transportation and fractionation costs.

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Description of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2015	[1]	Nov. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
General partner's interest			2.00%
Operating Income (Loss) [Member] | Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Correction of an immaterial error				$ 12.0	$ 25.0	$ 28.6
Incentive Distribution Rights [Member] | Western Gas Equity Partners, LP [Member]
General partner's interest					100.00%
General Partner [Member] | Western Gas Equity Partners, LP [Member]
Ownership interest					100.00%
Non-Operated Marcellus Interest [Member]
Ownership interest					33.75%
Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest [Member]
Ownership interest					33.75%
Newcastle [Member]
Ownership interest					50.00%
Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC [Member]
Ownership interest	50.00%				50.00%
Chipeta Processing Limited Liability Company [Member]
Ownership interest by noncontrolling owner					25.00%
Fort Union [Member]
Equity investment ownership					14.81%
Rendezvous [Member]
Equity investment ownership					22.00%
White Cliffs [Member]
Equity investment ownership					10.00%
Mont Belvieu JV [Member]
Equity investment ownership					25.00%
Texas Express Gathering LLC [Member]
Equity investment ownership					20.00%
Texas Express Pipeline LLC [Member]
Equity investment ownership					20.00%
Front Range Pipeline LLC [Member]
Equity investment ownership					33.33%

[1] The Partnership acquired Anadarko’s interest in Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC (“DBJV”), which owns a 50% interest in a gathering system and related facilities (the “DBJV system”). The DBJV system is located in the Delaware Basin in Loving, Ward, Winkler and Reeves Counties, Texas. The Partnership will make a cash payment on March 31, 2020, to Anadarko as consideration for the acquisition of DBJV. The Partnership currently estimates the future payment will be $282.8 million, the net present value of which was $174.3 million as of the acquisition date. See DBJV acquisition—Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko below.

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Acquisitions and Divestitures - Acquisitions Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands						1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
		Mar. 02, 2015		Nov. 25, 2014	Mar. 03, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	[1]	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Borrowings							$ 769,606	$ 1,136,878
Units issued							316,961
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
General partner units issued							2,583,068			2,583,068
Affiliates [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash on hand							$ 12,131	$ 372,393
Class C Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Units issued							316,961
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Proceeds from the issuance of units						$ 750,000
General Partner [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Units issued	[2],[3]					153,061
Texas Express and Front Range [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Borrowings	[4]				$ 350,000
Cash on hand	[4]				$ 6,250
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
General partner units issued					6,296
Texas Express and Front Range [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common units issued	[4]				308,490
Texas Express and Front Range [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Proceeds from the issuance of units					$ 400
Texas Express Pipeline LLC [Member]
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Equity investment ownership					20.00%
Texas Express Gathering LLC [Member]
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Equity investment ownership					20.00%
Front Range Pipeline LLC [Member]
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Equity investment ownership					33.33%
Delaware Basin Midstream LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage acquired	[5]			100.00%
Borrowings	[5]			$ 475,000
Cash on hand	[5]			$ 298,327
Delaware Basin Midstream LLC [Member] | Class C Units [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Units issued	[5]			10,913,853
Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage acquired		50.00%	[6]				50.00%
Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC [Member] | Deferred Purchase Price Obligation - Anadarko [Member] | Affiliates [Member] | Level 3 inputs [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Deferred purchase price obligation to Anadarko - acquisition date value	[6]	$ 174,276
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Deferred purchase price obligation to Anadarko - future value		$ 282,800

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] Includes the issuance of 1,120,153 common units pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, the net proceeds from which were $77.0 million. Beginning with this partial exercise, the Partnership’s general partner elected not to make a corresponding capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% interest in the Partnership.

[3] Represents general partner units issued to the general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution.

[4] The Partnership acquired a 20% interest in each of TEG and TEP and a 33.33% interest in FRP from Anadarko. These assets gather and transport NGLs primarily from the Anadarko and Denver-Julesburg (“DJ”) Basins. The interests in these entities are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. In connection with the issuance of the common units, the Partnership issued 6,296 general partner units to the general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution of $0.4 million.

[5] The Partnership acquired Nuevo Midstream, LLC (“Nuevo”) from a third party. Following the acquisition, the Partnership changed the name of Nuevo to Delaware Basin Midstream, LLC (“DBM”). The assets acquired include cryogenic processing plants, a gas gathering system, and related facilities and equipment, which are collectively referred to as the “DBM complex” and serve production from Reeves, Loving and Culberson Counties, Texas and Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico. See DBM acquisition below for further information, including the preliminary allocation of the purchase price.

[6] The Partnership acquired Anadarko’s interest in Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC (“DBJV”), which owns a 50% interest in a gathering system and related facilities (the “DBJV system”). The DBJV system is located in the Delaware Basin in Loving, Ward, Winkler and Reeves Counties, Texas. The Partnership will make a cash payment on March 31, 2020, to Anadarko as consideration for the acquisition of DBJV. The Partnership currently estimates the future payment will be $282.8 million, the net present value of which was $174.3 million as of the acquisition date. See DBJV acquisition—Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko below.

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Natural Gas Processing Plant [Member]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 4,600

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Acquisitions and Divestitures - Impact to Historical Consolidated Statements of Income Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Revenues and other		$ 385,101	$ 357,521	[1]	$ 1,190,082		$ 1,016,151	[1]
Equity income, net	[2],[3]	21,976	19,063	[1]	59,137	[4]	41,322	[1],[4]
Net income		$ 163,494	113,022	[1]	$ 363,626		310,387	[1]
Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Revenues and other			16,239				46,124
Equity income, net			0				0
Net income			6,482				14,238
Partnership Historical [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Revenues and other	[5]		341,282				970,027
Equity income, net	[5]		19,063				41,322
Net income	[5]		$ 106,540				$ 296,149

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] Income earned from equity investments is classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[3] Represents amounts earned or incurred on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as amounts earned or incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets, recognized under gathering, treating or processing agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.

[4] Income earned on, distributions from and contributions to equity investments are classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[5] As adjusted for the reclassification described in Note 1.

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Equity and Partners' Capital - Calculation of Net Income Per Unit Table (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Unit [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP		$ 161,306	$ 109,159	[1]	$ 355,396	$ 299,382	[1]
Pre-acquisition net (income) loss allocated to Anadarko		0	(6,482)	[1]	(1,742)	(13,282)	[1]
General partner interest in net (income) loss	[2]	(50,213)	(31,058)	[1]	(138,121)	(83,939)	[1]
Limited partners' interest in net income	[2]	$ 111,093	$ 71,619	[1]	$ 215,533	$ 202,161	[1]
Net income per common unit - basic	[3]	$ 0.77	$ 0.60	[1]	$ 1.46	$ 1.71	[1]
Net income per common unit - diluted	[3],[4]	$ 0.77	$ 0.60	[1]	$ 1.46	$ 1.71	[1]
Weighted-average limited partnership units outstanding - diluted		139,736	119,068		139,309	118,326
Common Units [Member]
Earnings Per Unit [Line Items]
Limited partners' interest in net income	[5]	$ 98,445	$ 71,619		$ 187,650	$ 202,161
Weighted-average limited partnership units outstanding - basic		128,575	119,068		128,267	118,326
Class C Units [Member]
Earnings Per Unit [Line Items]
Limited partners' interest in net income	[5]	$ 12,648	$ 0		$ 27,883	$ 0
Weighted-average limited partnership units outstanding - basic	[4]	11,161	0		11,042	0

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] Represents net income earned on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets (as defined in Note 1). See Note 4.

[3] See Note 4 for the calculation of net income per unit.

[4] Inclusion of Class C units in the calculation would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

[5] Adjusted to reflect amortization for the beneficial conversion feature. See Class C units above for a discussion of the Class C units.

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Debt and Interest Expense - Debt Outstanding Table (Details) - USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt principal		$ 2,600,000,000	$ 2,430,000,000
Carrying value		2,587,189,000	2,422,954,000	[1]
Market approach valuation technique [Member] | Level 2 inputs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value	[2]	2,550,312,000	2,511,253,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal		180,000,000	510,000,000
Carrying value		180,000,000	510,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Market approach valuation technique [Member] | Level 2 inputs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value	[2]	180,000,000	510,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal		500,000,000	500,000,000
Carrying value		496,139,000	495,714,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member] | Market approach valuation technique [Member] | Level 2 inputs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value	[2]	534,860,000	549,530,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal		670,000,000	670,000,000
Carrying value		672,662,000	672,930,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Market approach valuation technique [Member] | Level 2 inputs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value	[2]	654,858,000	681,942,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal		350,000,000	350,000,000
Carrying value		350,380,000	350,474,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member] | Market approach valuation technique [Member] | Level 2 inputs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value	[2]	350,151,000	352,162,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.450% Senior Notes due 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal		400,000,000	400,000,000
Carrying value		393,901,000	393,836,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.450% Senior Notes due 2044 [Member] | Market approach valuation technique [Member] | Level 2 inputs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value	[2]	365,196,000	417,619,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal		500,000,000	0
Carrying value		494,107,000	0
Senior Notes [Member] | 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025 [Member] | Market approach valuation technique [Member] | Level 2 inputs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value	[2]	$ 465,247,000	$ 0

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] Fair value is measured using the market approach and Level 2 inputs.

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Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Revenues and Other
Total revenues and other		$ 385,101	$ 357,521	[1]	$ 1,190,082		$ 1,016,151	[1]
Equity income, net	[2],[3]	21,976	19,063	[1]	59,137	[4]	41,322	[1],[4]
Operating expenses
Cost of product	[5]	127,721	113,217	[1]	414,378		330,926	[1]
Operation and maintenance	[5]	80,633	67,489	[1]	218,640		184,023	[1]
General and administrative	[5]	9,318	8,339	[1]	28,497		25,688	[1]
Property and other taxes		8,343	6,793	[1]	25,641		21,343	[1]
Depreciation, amortization and impairments		65,688	47,277	[1]	201,941		134,667	[1]
Total operating expenses		291,703	243,115	[1]	889,097		696,647	[1]
Gain on divestiture, net		77,244	0		77,244		0	[1]
Operating income		192,618	133,469	[1]	437,366		360,826	[1]
Interest income - affiliates	[6]	4,225	4,225	[1]	12,675		12,675	[1]
Interest expense	[7]	(31,773)	(20,878)	[1]	(82,337)		(55,703)	[1]
Other income (expense), net		85	97	[1]	227		788	[1]
Income before income taxes		165,155	116,913	[1]	367,931		318,586	[1]
Income tax (benefit) expense		1,661	3,891	[1]	4,305		8,199	[1]
Net income		163,494	113,022	[1]	363,626		310,387	[1]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		2,188	3,863	[1]	8,230		11,005	[1]
Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP		161,306	109,159	[1]	355,396		299,382	[1]
Limited partners' interest in net income:
Pre-acquisition net (income) loss allocated to Anadarko		0	(6,482)	[1]	(1,742)		(13,282)	[1]
General partner interest in net (income) loss	[8]	(50,213)	(31,058)	[1]	(138,121)		(83,939)	[1]
Limited partners' interest in net income	[8]	$ 111,093	$ 71,619	[1]	$ 215,533		$ 202,161	[1]
Net income per common unit - basic	[9]	$ 0.77	$ 0.60	[1]	$ 1.46		$ 1.71	[1]
Net income per common unit - diluted	[9],[10]	$ 0.77	$ 0.60	[1]	$ 1.46		$ 1.71	[1]
Affiliates [Member]
Revenues and Other
Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids		$ 141,556	$ 124,829	[1]	$ 431,182		$ 340,775	[1]
Natural gas, natural gas liquids and drip condensate sales		105,032	142,025	[1]	345,385		424,207	[1]
Other		870	2,778	[1]	1,172		4,349	[1]
Total revenues and other	[3]	247,458	269,632	[1]	777,739		769,331	[1]
Operating expenses
Cost of product	[3]	35,673	27,034		132,663		85,071
Operation and maintenance	[11]	17,662	15,583		50,534		44,961
General and administrative	[12]	7,671	7,016		22,556		21,243
Total operating expenses		61,006	49,633		205,753		151,275
Interest expense	[13]	(4,310)	0		(9,920)		0
Third Parties [Member]
Revenues and Other
Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids		94,082	70,996	[1]	267,566		201,985	[1]
Natural gas, natural gas liquids and drip condensate sales		41,968	11,647	[1]	141,489		37,533	[1]
Other		1,593	5,246	[1]	3,288		7,302	[1]
Total revenues and other		137,643	87,889	[1]	412,343		246,820	[1]
Operating expenses
Interest expense		$ (27,463)	$ (20,878)		$ (72,417)		$ (55,703)

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] Income earned from equity investments is classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[3] Represents amounts earned or incurred on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as amounts earned or incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets, recognized under gathering, treating or processing agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.

[4] Income earned on, distributions from and contributions to equity investments are classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[5] Cost of product includes product purchases from Anadarko (as defined in Note 1) of $35.7 million and $132.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $27.0 million and $85.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Operation and maintenance includes charges from Anadarko of $17.7 million and $50.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $15.6 million and $45.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. General and administrative includes charges from Anadarko of $7.7 million and $22.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $7.0 million and $21.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. See Note 5.

[6] Represents interest income recognized on the note receivable from Anadarko.

[7] Includes affiliate (as defined in Note 1) interest expense of $4.3 million and $9.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and zero for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. See Note 2 and Note 9.

[8] Represents net income earned on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets (as defined in Note 1). See Note 4.

[9] See Note 4 for the calculation of net income per unit.

[10] Inclusion of Class C units in the calculation would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

[11] Represents expenses incurred on and subsequent to the date of the acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as expenses incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets.

[12] Represents general and administrative expense incurred on and subsequent to the date of the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as a management services fee for reimbursement of expenses incurred by Anadarko for periods prior to the acquisition of the Partnership assets by the Partnership. These amounts include equity-based compensation expense allocated to the Partnership by Anadarko (see WES LTIP and WGP LTIP and Anadarko Incentive Plans within this Note 5).

[13] For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, includes accretion expense recognized on the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko for the acquisition of DBJV (see Note 2 and Note 9).

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Transactions with Affiliates - Equipment Purchases and Sales Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Partners’ capital adjustment	$ 4,386	$ 6,398	[1]
Affiliates [Member] | Purchases [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash consideration - purchases	12,131	16,143
Net carrying value	7,411	9,745
Partners’ capital adjustment	4,720	6,398
Affiliates [Member] | Sales [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash consideration - sales	700	0
Net carrying value	366	0
Partners’ capital adjustment	$ (334)	$ 0

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

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Consolidated Statement of Equity and Partners' Capital - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total	Net Investment by Anadarko [Member]	Common Units [Member]	Class C Units [Member]	General Partner Units [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	[1]	$ 4,134,375	$ 122,509	$ 3,119,714	$ 716,957	$ 105,725	$ 69,470
Net income (loss)		363,626	1,742	196,897	18,636	138,121	8,230
Above-market component of swap extensions with Anadarko	[2]	7,916		7,916
Issuance of common units, net of offering expenses		57,353		57,353
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature of Class C units		0		(9,247)	9,247
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owner		(10,150)					(10,150)
Distributions to unitholders		(398,983)		(278,956)		(120,027)
Acquisitions from affiliates		(174,276)	(197,562)	23,286
Contributions of equity-based compensation from Anadarko		2,679		2,625		54
Net pre-acquisition contributions from (distributions to) Anadarko		31,467	31,467
Net distributions to Anadarko of other assets		(4,386)		(4,305)		(81)
Elimination of net deferred tax liabilities		41,844	41,844
Other		197		197
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015		$ 4,051,662	$ 0	$ 3,115,480	$ 744,840	$ 123,792	$ 67,550

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] See Note 5.

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Partnership Distributions - Cash Distributions Table (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	[1]	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Distributions Made to Members or Limited Partners [Abstract]
Total quarterly distribution per unit	$ 0.775		$ 0.750	$ 0.725	$ 0.700	$ 0.675	$ 0.650	$ 0.625
Total quarterly cash distribution	$ 146,160		$ 139,736	$ 133,203	$ 126,044	$ 111,608	$ 105,655	$ 98,749

[1] On October 14, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s general partner declared a cash distribution to the Partnership’s unitholders of $0.775 per unit, or $146.2 million in aggregate, including incentive distributions, but excluding distributions on Class C units (see Class C unit distributions below). The cash distribution is payable on November 12, 2015, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 2, 2015.

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Partnership Distributions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Distributions Made to Members or Limited Partners [Abstract]

Cash Distributions Table

The Board of Directors of the general partner declared the following cash distributions to the Partnership’s common and general partner unitholders for the periods presented:

thousands except per-unit amounts Quarters Ended	Total Quarterly Distribution per Unit		Total Quarterly Cash Distribution		Date of Distribution
2014
March 31	$	0.625	$	98,749	May 2014
June 30	0.650		105,655		August 2014
September 30	0.675		111,608		November 2014
December 31	0.700		126,044		February 2015
2015
March 31	$	0.725	$	133,203	May 2015
June 30	0.750		139,736		August 2015
September 30 (1)	0.775		146,160		November 2015

⁽¹⁾  On October 14, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s general partner declared a cash distribution to the Partnership’s unitholders of $0.775 per unit, or $146.2 million in aggregate, including incentive distributions, but excluding distributions on Class C units (see Class C unit distributions below). The cash distribution is payable on November 12, 2015, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 2, 2015.

PIK Class C Units Distributions Table

The Partnership issued the following PIK Class C units to APC Midstream Holdings, LLC (“AMH”), the holder of the Class C units, for the periods presented:

thousands except unit amounts For the Quarters Ended	PIK Class C Units	Implied Fair Value		Date of Distribution
2014
December 31 (1)	45,711	$	3,072	February 2015
2015
March 31	118,230	$	8,101	May 2015
June 30	153,020	8,721		August 2015

⁽¹⁾  Prorated for the 37-day period the Class C units were outstanding during the fourth quarter of 2014.

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Partnership Distributions - PIK Class C Units Distributions Table (Details) - Class C Units [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]
PIK Class C units	153,020	118,230	45,711	[1]
Implied fair value	$ 8,721	$ 8,101	$ 3,072	[1]
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Number of days in prorated period			37 days

[1] Prorated for the 37-day period the Class C units were outstanding during the fourth quarter of 2014.

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Transactions with Affiliates (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Related Party Fees and Other Arrangements, Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP) [Abstract]

Commodity Price Swap Agreements Table

Below is a summary of the fixed price ranges on all of the Partnership’s outstanding commodity price swap agreements as of September 30, 2015:

per barrel except natural gas	2015				2016
Ethane	$	18.41	−	23.41	$	23.11
Propane	47.08		−	52.99	52.90
Isobutane	62.09		−	74.02	73.89
Normal butane	54.62		−	65.04	64.93
Natural gasoline	72.88		−	81.82	81.68
Condensate	76.47		−	81.82	81.68
Natural gas (per MMBtu)	4.66		−	5.96	4.87

Gains (Losses) on Commodity Price Swap Agreements Table

The following table summarizes gains and losses upon settlement of commodity price swap agreements recognized in the consolidated statements of income:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015			2014			2015			2014
Gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements related to sales: (1)
Natural gas sales	$	5,774		$	3,179		$	39,100		$	1,525
Natural gas liquids sales	33,746			22,737			116,475			66,746
Total	39,520			25,916			155,575			68,271
Losses on commodity price swap agreements related to purchases (2)	(23,998		)	(19,533		)	(99,897		)	(38,081		)
Net gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements	$	15,522		$	6,383		$	55,678		$	30,190

⁽¹⁾  Reported in affiliate natural gas, natural gas liquids and drip condensate sales in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which the related sale is recorded.

⁽²⁾  Reported in cost of product in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which the related purchase is recorded.

Commodity Price Swap Agreements Extensions Table

The table below summarizes the swap prices compared to the forward market prices on the date the commodity price swap extensions were executed.

	DJ Basin Complex				Hugoton System
per barrel except natural gas	2015 Swap Prices		Market Prices(1)		2015 Swap Prices		Market Prices(1)
Ethane	$	18.41	$	1.96	—		—
Propane	47.08		13.10		—		—
Isobutane	62.09		19.75		—		—
Normal butane	54.62		18.99		—		—
Natural gasoline	72.88		52.59		—		—
Condensate	76.47		52.59		$	78.61	$	32.56
Natural gas (per MMBtu)	5.96		2.75		5.50		2.74

⁽¹⁾  Represents the New York Mercantile Exchange forward strip price as of June 25, 2015, adjusted for location, basis and, in the case of NGLs, transportation and fractionation costs.

Related Party Transactions Tables

The following table summarizes the Partnership’s purchases from and sales to Anadarko of pipe and equipment:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
thousands	Purchases				Sales
Cash consideration	$	12,131	$	16,143	$	700	$	—
Net carrying value	7,411		9,745		366		—
Partners’ capital adjustment	$	4,720	$	6,398	$	334	$	—

The following table summarizes affiliate transactions, which include revenue from affiliates, reimbursement of operating expenses and purchases of natural gas:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,				Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015		2014		2015		2014
Revenues and other (1)	$	247,458	$	269,632	$	777,739	$	769,331
Equity income, net (1)	21,976		19,063		59,137		41,322
Cost of product (1)	35,673		27,034		132,663		85,071
Operation and maintenance (2)	17,662		15,583		50,534		44,961
General and administrative (3)	7,671		7,016		22,556		21,243
Operating expenses	61,006		49,633		205,753		151,275
Interest income (4)	4,225		4,225		12,675		12,675
Interest expense (5)	4,310		—		9,920		—
Distributions to unitholders (6)	80,845		60,794		228,893		169,001

⁽¹⁾  Represents amounts earned or incurred on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as amounts earned or incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets, recognized under gathering, treating or processing agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.

⁽²⁾  Represents expenses incurred on and subsequent to the date of the acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as expenses incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets.

⁽³⁾  Represents general and administrative expense incurred on and subsequent to the date of the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as a management services fee for reimbursement of expenses incurred by Anadarko for periods prior to the acquisition of the Partnership assets by the Partnership. These amounts include equity-based compensation expense allocated to the Partnership by Anadarko (see WES LTIP and WGP LTIP and Anadarko Incentive Plans within this Note 5).

⁽⁴⁾  Represents interest income recognized on the note receivable from Anadarko.

⁽⁵⁾  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, includes accretion expense recognized on the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko for the acquisition of DBJV (see Note 2andNote 9).

⁽⁶⁾  Represents distributions paid under the partnership agreement (see Note 3 and Note 4).

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income		$ 363,626		$ 310,387	[1]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and impairments		201,941		134,667	[1]
Non-cash equity-based compensation expense		3,257		3,210	[1]
Deferred income taxes		2,993		4,024	[1]
Accretion and amortization of long-term obligations, net		12,296		2,045	[1]
Equity income, net	[2],[3],[4]	(59,137)		(41,322)	[1]
Distributions from equity investment earnings	[3]	60,645		43,061	[1]
Gain on divestiture, net		(77,244)		0	[1]
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net		(24,104)		(52,659)	[1]
Increase (decrease) in accounts and natural gas imbalance payables and accrued liabilities, net		15,952		35,807	[1]
Change in other items, net		(1,817)		1,645	[1]
Net cash provided by operating activities		498,408		440,865	[1]
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures		(473,394)		(529,197)	[1]
Investments in equity affiliates		(9,052)		(63,267)	[1]
Distributions from equity investments in excess of cumulative earnings	[3]	12,409	[5]	14,387	[1]
Net cash used in investing activities		(337,989)		(950,282)	[1]
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings, net of debt issuance costs		769,606		1,136,878	[1]
Repayments of debt		(610,000)		(480,000)	[1]
Increase (decrease) in outstanding checks		(1,482)		2,908	[1]
Proceeds from the issuance of common and general partner units, net of offering expenses		57,353		101,502	[1]
Distributions to unitholders		(398,983)		(297,013)	[1]
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owner		(10,150)		(11,349)	[1]
Net contributions from Anadarko		31,467		23,600	[1]
Above-market component of swap extensions with Anadarko	[6]	7,916		0	[1]
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(154,273)		476,526	[1]
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		6,146		(32,891)	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		67,054	[7]	100,728	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		73,200		67,837	[1]
Supplemental disclosures
Net distributions to (contributions from) Anadarko of other assets		4,386		6,398	[1]
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest		60,612		43,504	[1]
Taxes paid (reimbursements received)		(138)		(340)	[1]
Capital lease asset transfer	[8]	0		4,833	[1]
Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income				14,238
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity income, net				0
Supplemental disclosures
Acquisition of DBJV from Anadarko	[9]	174,276		0	[1]
Affiliates [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities
Contributions in aid of construction costs from affiliates		0		183	[1]
Acquisitions		(12,131)		(372,393)	[1]
Proceeds from the sale of assets		700		0	[1]
Cash flows from financing activities
Distributions to unitholders	[10]	(228,893)		(169,001)
Third Parties [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions		(3,514)		0	[1]
Proceeds from the sale of assets		$ 146,993		$ 5	[1]

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] Income earned from equity investments is classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[3] Income earned on, distributions from and contributions to equity investments are classified as affiliate. See Note 1.

[4] Represents amounts earned or incurred on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as amounts earned or incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets, recognized under gathering, treating or processing agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.

[5] Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings, classified as investing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows, is calculated on an individual investment basis.

[6] See Note 5.

[7] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[8] For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, represents transfers of $4.6 million from other long-term assets associated with the capital lease component of a processing agreement.

[9] See Note 2.

[10] Represents distributions paid under the partnership agreement (see Note 3 and Note 4).

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Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cost of product	[1]	$ 127,721	$ 113,217	[2]	$ 414,378	$ 330,926	[2]
Operation and maintenance	[1]	80,633	67,489	[2]	218,640	184,023	[2]
General and administrative	[1]	9,318	8,339	[2]	28,497	25,688	[2]
Interest expense	[3]	31,773	20,878	[2]	82,337	55,703	[2]
Affiliates [Member]
Cost of product	[4]	35,673	27,034		132,663	85,071
Operation and maintenance	[5]	17,662	15,583		50,534	44,961
General and administrative	[6]	7,671	7,016		22,556	21,243
Interest expense	[7]	$ 4,310	$ 0		$ 9,920	$ 0

[1] Cost of product includes product purchases from Anadarko (as defined in Note 1) of $35.7 million and $132.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $27.0 million and $85.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Operation and maintenance includes charges from Anadarko of $17.7 million and $50.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $15.6 million and $45.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. General and administrative includes charges from Anadarko of $7.7 million and $22.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $7.0 million and $21.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. See Note 5.

[2] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[3] Includes affiliate (as defined in Note 1) interest expense of $4.3 million and $9.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and zero for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. See Note 2 and Note 9.

[4] Represents amounts earned or incurred on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as amounts earned or incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets, recognized under gathering, treating or processing agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.

[5] Represents expenses incurred on and subsequent to the date of the acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as expenses incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets.

[6] Represents general and administrative expense incurred on and subsequent to the date of the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as a management services fee for reimbursement of expenses incurred by Anadarko for periods prior to the acquisition of the Partnership assets by the Partnership. These amounts include equity-based compensation expense allocated to the Partnership by Anadarko (see WES LTIP and WGP LTIP and Anadarko Incentive Plans within this Note 5).

[7] For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, includes accretion expense recognized on the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko for the acquisition of DBJV (see Note 2 and Note 9).

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Debt and Interest Expense

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Instruments [Abstract]

Debt and Interest Expense

9.  DEBT AND INTEREST EXPENSE

At September 30, 2015, the Partnership’s debt consisted of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”), 4.000% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”), 2.600% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”), 5.450% Senior Notes due 2044 (the “2044 Notes”), 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”), and borrowings on the senior unsecured revolving credit facility (“RCF”).

The following table presents the Partnership’s outstanding debt as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
thousands	Principal		Carrying Value		Fair Value(1)		Principal		Carrying Value		Fair Value (1)
2021 Notes	$	500,000	$	496,139	$	534,860	$	500,000	$	495,714	$	549,530
2022 Notes	670,000		672,662		654,858		670,000		672,930		681,942
2018 Notes	350,000		350,380		350,151		350,000		350,474		352,162
2044 Notes	400,000		393,901		365,196		400,000		393,836		417,619
2025 Notes	500,000		494,107		465,247		—		—		—
RCF	180,000		180,000		180,000		510,000		510,000		510,000
Total long-term debt	$	2,600,000	$	2,587,189	$	2,550,312	$	2,430,000	$	2,422,954	$	2,511,253

⁽¹⁾  Fair value is measured using the market approach and Level 2 inputs.

9.  DEBT AND INTEREST EXPENSE (CONTINUED)

Debt activity. The following table presents the debt activity of the Partnership for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

thousands	Carrying Value
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	2,422,954
RCF borrowings	280,000
Issuance of 2025 Notes	500,000
Repayments of RCF borrowings	(610,000		)
Other	(5,765		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	2,587,189

Senior Notes. The 2025 Notes issued in June 2015 were offered at a price to the public of 98.789% of the face amount. Including the effects of the issuance and underwriting discounts, the effective interest rate of the 2025 Notes is 4.205%. Interest is paid semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year. Proceeds (net of underwriting discount of $3.3 million, original issue discount and debt issuance costs) were used to repay a portion of the amount outstanding under the RCF.

At September 30, 2015, the Partnership was in compliance with all covenants under the indentures governing its outstanding notes.

Revolving credit facility. The interest rate on the RCF, which matures in February 2019, was 1.49% and 1.46% at September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014, respectively. The facility fee rate was 0.20% at September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014.

As of September 30, 2015, the Partnership had $180.0 million of outstanding borrowings, $12.8 million in outstanding letters of credit and $1.0 billion available for borrowing under the RCF. At September 30, 2015, the Partnership was in compliance with all covenants under the RCF.

Interest expense. The following table summarizes the amounts included in interest expense:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015			2014			2015			2014
Third parties
Long-term debt	$	26,972		$	21,671		$	75,047		$	59,251
Amortization of debt issuance costs and commitment fees	1,530			1,107			4,196			3,799
Capitalized interest	(1,039		)	(1,900		)	(6,826		)	(7,347		)
Total interest expense – third parties	27,463			20,878			72,417			55,703
Affiliates
Deferred purchase price obligation – Anadarko (1)	4,310			—			9,920			—
Total interest expense – affiliates	4,310			—			9,920			—
Interest expense	$	31,773		$	20,878		$	82,337		$	55,703

⁽¹⁾  See Note 2 for a discussion of the accretion and present value of the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko.

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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 26, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Trading Symbol	WES
Entity Registrant Name	Western Gas Partners LP
Entity Central Index Key	0001414475
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Units Outstanding		128,574,646

XML

Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

10.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation and legal proceedings. In March 2011, DCP Midstream, LP (“DCP”) filed a lawsuit against Anadarko and others, including a Partnership subsidiary, Kerr-McGee Gathering, LLC, in Weld County District Court (the “Court”) in Colorado, alleging that Anadarko diverted gas from DCP’s gathering and processing facilities in breach of certain dedication agreements. In addition to various claims against Anadarko, DCP is claiming unjust enrichment and other damages against Kerr-McGee Gathering, LLC, the entity that holds the Wattenberg assets (located in the DJ Basin complex). Anadarko countersued DCP asserting that DCP has not properly allocated values and charges to Anadarko for the gas that DCP gathers and/or processes, and seeks a judgment that DCP has no valid gathering or processing rights to much of the gas production it is claiming, in addition to other claims.

The Court has scheduled this matter for trial in June 2016, and the parties are currently engaged in discovery and motion practice. Management does not believe the outcome of this proceeding will have a material effect on the Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Partnership intends to vigorously defend this litigation. Furthermore, without regard to the merit of DCP’s claims, management believes that the Partnership has adequate contractual indemnities covering the claims against it in this lawsuit.

In addition, from time to time, the Partnership is involved in legal, tax, regulatory and other proceedings in various forums regarding performance, contracts and other matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management is not aware of any such proceeding the final disposition of which could have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other commitments. The Partnership has short-term payment obligations, or commitments, related to its capital spending programs, as well as those of its unconsolidated affiliates. As of September 30, 2015, the Partnership had unconditional payment obligations for services to be rendered or products to be delivered in connection with its capital projects of $42.0 million, the majority of which is expected to be paid in the next twelve months. These commitments relate primarily to the construction of Trains IV, V and VI at the DBM complex and expansion projects at the DBJV system and the DJ Basin complex.

Lease commitments. Anadarko, on behalf of the Partnership, has entered into lease agreements for corporate offices, shared field offices and a warehouse supporting the Partnership’s operations, for which Anadarko charges the Partnership rent. The leases for the corporate offices and shared field offices extend through 2017 and 2018, respectively, and the lease for the warehouse extends through February 2017.

Rent expense associated with the office, warehouse and equipment leases was $4.9 million and $13.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $2.4 million and $6.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	[1]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 73,200	$ 67,054
Accounts receivable, net	[2]	150,538	109,243
Other current assets	[3]	11,399	10,067
Total current assets		235,137	186,364
Note receivable - Anadarko		260,000	260,000
Property, plant and equipment
Cost		5,862,721	5,626,650
Less accumulated depreciation		1,072,799	1,055,207
Net property, plant and equipment		4,789,922	4,571,443
Goodwill		387,633	389,087
Other intangible assets		839,234	884,857
Equity investments		629,627	634,492
Other assets		30,779	28,289
Total assets		7,172,332	6,954,532
Current liabilities
Accounts and natural gas imbalance payables	[4]	57,598	54,232
Accrued ad valorem taxes		26,416	14,812
Accrued liabilities		138,812	170,789
Total current liabilities		222,826	239,833
Long-term debt		2,587,189	2,422,954
Deferred income taxes		7,037	45,656
Asset retirement obligations and other		119,422	111,714
Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko	[5]	184,196	0
Total long-term liabilities		2,897,844	2,580,324
Total liabilities		3,120,670	2,820,157
Equity and partners' capital
General partner units (2,583,068 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014)		123,792	105,725
Net investment by Anadarko		0	122,509
Total partners' capital		3,984,112	4,064,905
Noncontrolling interest		67,550	69,470
Total equity and partners' capital		4,051,662	4,134,375
Total liabilities, equity and partners' capital		7,172,332	6,954,532
Common Units [Member]
Equity and partners' capital
Common units (128,574,646 and 127,695,130 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively) and Class C Units (11,230,814 and 10,913,853 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively)		3,115,480	3,119,714
Class C Units [Member]
Equity and partners' capital
Common units (128,574,646 and 127,695,130 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively) and Class C Units (11,230,814 and 10,913,853 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively)		$ 744,840	$ 716,957

[1] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[2] Accounts receivable, net includes amounts receivable from affiliates (as defined in Note 1) of $46.9 million and $64.7 million as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

[3] Other current assets includes natural gas imbalance receivables from affiliates of zero and $0.2 million as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

[4] Accounts and natural gas imbalance payables includes amounts payable to affiliates of zero and $0.1 million as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

[5] See Note 2.

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Equity and Partners' Capital

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Partners' Capital Notes [Abstract]

Equity and Partners' Capital

4.  EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

Equity offerings. The Partnership completed the following public offerings of its common units during 2015 and 2014, including through its Continuous Offering Programs (“COP”):

thousands except unit and per-unit amounts	Common Units Issued	GP Units Issued(1)	Price Per Unit		Underwriting Discount and Other Offering Expenses		Net Proceeds
2014
$125.0 million COP (2)	1,133,384	23,132	$	73.48	$	1,738	$	83,245
November 2014 equity offering (3)	8,620,153	153,061	70.85		18,615		602,967
2015
$500.0 million COP (4)	873,525	—	$	66.61	$	805	$	57,385

⁽¹⁾  Represents general partner units issued to the general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution.

⁽²⁾  Represents common and general partner units issued during the year ended December 31, 2014, pursuant to the Partnership’s registration statement filed with the SEC in August 2012 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $125.0 million of common units (the “$125.0 million COP”). Gross proceeds generated (including the general partner’s proportionate capital contributions) during the year ended December 31, 2014, were $85.0 million. The price per unit in the table above represents an average price for all issuances under the $125.0 million COP during the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership had used all the capacity to issue common units under this registration statement.

⁽³⁾  Includes the issuance of 1,120,153 common units pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, the net proceeds from which were $77.0 million. Beginning with this partial exercise, the Partnership’s general partner elected not to make a corresponding capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% interest in the Partnership.

⁽⁴⁾  Represents common units issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, pursuant to the Partnership’s registration statement filed with the SEC in August 2014 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of common units (the “$500.0 million COP”). Gross proceeds generated during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $58.2 million, respectively. Commissions paid during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $0.6 million, respectively. The price per unit in the table above represents an average price for all issuances under the $500.0 million COP during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Class C units. In connection with the closing of the DBM acquisition in November 2014, the Partnership issued 10,913,853 Class C units to AMH at a price of $68.72 per unit, generating proceeds of $750.0 million, pursuant to the Unit Purchase Agreement (“UPA”) with Anadarko and AMH. All outstanding Class C units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis on December 31, 2017, unless the Partnership elects to convert such units earlier or Anadarko extends the conversion date. The Class C units were issued to partially fund the acquisition of DBM, and the UPA contains an optional redemption feature that provides the Partnership the ability to redeem up to $150.0 million of the Class C units within 10 days of the receipt of cash proceeds from an entity that is not an affiliate of the Partnership or AMH, if these cash proceeds were in relation to (i) the assets of DBM, (ii) the equity interests in DBM or (iii) the equity interests in a subsidiary of the Partnership that owns a majority of the outstanding equity interests in DBM. As of September 30, 2015, no such proceeds had been received and no Class C units had been redeemed.

The Class C units were issued at a discount to the then-current market price of the common units into which they are convertible. This discount, totaling $34.8 million, represents a beneficial conversion feature and at December 31, 2014, was reflected as an increase in common unitholders’ capital and a decrease in Class C unitholder capital to reflect the fair value of the Class C units at issuance. The beneficial conversion feature is considered a non-cash distribution that will be recognized from the date of issuance through the date of conversion, resulting in an increase in Class C unitholder capital and a decrease in common unitholders’ capital. The Partnership is amortizing the beneficial conversion feature assuming a conversion date of December 31, 2017, using the effective yield method. The impact of the beneficial conversion feature is also included in the calculation of earnings per unit.

4.  EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (CONTINUED)

Common, Class C and general partner units. The Partnership’s common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WES.”

The following table summarizes the common, Class C and general partner units issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Common Units	Class C Units	General Partner Units	Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	127,695,130	10,913,853	2,583,068	141,192,051
PIK Class C units	—	316,961	—	316,961
Long-Term Incentive Plan award vestings	5,991	—	—	5,991
$500.0 million COP	873,525	—	—	873,525
Balance at September 30, 2015	128,574,646	11,230,814	2,583,068	142,388,528

Holdings of Partnership equity. As of September 30, 2015, WGP held 49,296,205 common units, representing a 34.6% limited partner interest in the Partnership, and, through its ownership of the general partner, WGP indirectly held 2,583,068 general partner units, representing a 1.8% general partner interest in the Partnership, and 100% of the IDRs. As of September 30, 2015, other subsidiaries of Anadarko held 757,619 common units and 11,230,814 Class C units, representing an aggregate 8.4% limited partner interest in the Partnership. As of September 30, 2015, the public held 78,520,822 common units, representing a 55.2% limited partner interest in the Partnership.

Net income per unit for common units. The Partnership’s net income earned on and subsequent to the date of the acquisition of the Partnership assets is allocated to the general partner and the limited partners, including any Class C unitholders, in accordance with their respective weighted-average ownership percentages and, when applicable, giving effect to incentive distributions allocable to the general partner. The Partnership’s net income allocable to the limited partners is net of amortization of the beneficial conversion feature related to the Class C units (see Class C units above) and is allocated between the common and Class C unitholders by applying the provisions of the partnership agreement that govern actual cash distributions and capital account allocations, as if all earnings for the period had been distributed. Net income attributable to the Partnership assets acquired from Anadarko for periods prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets is not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per common unit.

Basic net income per common unit is calculated by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income attributable to common unitholders by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period. The common units issued in connection with acquisitions and equity offerings are included on a weighted-average basis for periods they were outstanding. Because the Class C units participate in distributions with common units according to a predetermined formula (see Note 3), they are considered a participating security and are included in the computation of earnings per unit pursuant to the two-class method. The Class C unit participation right results in a non-contingent transfer of value each time the Partnership declares a distribution. Diluted net income per common unit is calculated by dividing the sum of (i) the limited partners’ interest in net income attributable to common units, and (ii) the limited partners’ interest in net income allocable to the Class C units as a participating security, by the sum of the weighted-average number of common units outstanding plus the dilutive effect of outstanding Class C units.

4.  EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (CONTINUED)

The following table illustrates the Partnership’s calculation of net income per unit for common units:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except per-unit amounts	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$	161,306		$	109,159		$	355,396		$	299,382
Pre-acquisition net (income) loss allocated to Anadarko	—			(6,482		)	(1,742		)	(13,282		)
General partner interest in net (income) loss	(50,213		)	(31,058		)	(138,121		)	(83,939		)
Limited partners’ interest in net income	111,093			71,619			215,533			202,161
Net income allocable to common units (1)	98,445			71,619			187,650			202,161
Net income allocable to Class C units (1)	12,648			—			27,883			—
Limited partners’ interest in net income	$	111,093		$	71,619		$	215,533		$	202,161
Net income per unit
Common units - basic	$	0.77		$	0.60		$	1.46		$	1.71
Common units – diluted (2)	0.77			0.60			1.46			1.71
Weighted-average units outstanding
Common units – basic	128,575			119,068			128,267			118,326
Class C units (2)	11,161			—			11,042			—
Common units – diluted	139,736			119,068			139,309			118,326

⁽¹⁾  Adjusted to reflect amortization for the beneficial conversion feature. See Class C units above for a discussion of the Class C units.

⁽²⁾  Inclusion of Class C units in the calculation would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

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Partnership Distributions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Distributions Made to Members or Limited Partners [Abstract]

Partnership Distributions

3.  PARTNERSHIP DISTRIBUTIONS

The partnership agreement of Western Gas Partners, LP requires the Partnership to distribute all of its available cash (as defined in the partnership agreement) to unitholders of record on the applicable record date within 45 days of the end of each quarter. The Board of Directors of the general partner declared the following cash distributions to the Partnership’s common and general partner unitholders for the periods presented:

thousands except per-unit amounts Quarters Ended	Total Quarterly Distribution per Unit		Total Quarterly Cash Distribution		Date of Distribution
2014
March 31	$	0.625	$	98,749	May 2014
June 30	0.650		105,655		August 2014
September 30	0.675		111,608		November 2014
December 31	0.700		126,044		February 2015
2015
March 31	$	0.725	$	133,203	May 2015
June 30	0.750		139,736		August 2015
September 30 (1)	0.775		146,160		November 2015

⁽¹⁾  On October 14, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s general partner declared a cash distribution to the Partnership’s unitholders of $0.775 per unit, or $146.2 million in aggregate, including incentive distributions, but excluding distributions on Class C units (see Class C unit distributions below). The cash distribution is payable on November 12, 2015, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 2, 2015.

Class C unit distributions. The Class C units receive quarterly distributions at a rate equivalent to the Partnership’s common units. The distributions are paid in the form of additional Class C units (“PIK Class C units”) until the scheduled conversion date on December 31, 2017 (unless earlier converted), and the Class C units are disregarded with respect to distributions of the Partnership’s available cash until they are converted to common units. The number of additional PIK Class C units to be issued in connection with a distribution payable on the Class C units is determined by dividing the corresponding distribution attributable to the Class C units by the volume-weighted-average price of the Partnership’s common units for the ten days immediately preceding the payment date for the common unit distribution, less a 6% discount. The Partnership records the PIK Class C unit distributions at fair value at the time of issuance. This Level 2 fair value measurement uses the Partnership’s unit price as a significant input in the determination of the fair value.

The Partnership issued the following PIK Class C units to APC Midstream Holdings, LLC (“AMH”), the holder of the Class C units, for the periods presented:

thousands except unit amounts For the Quarters Ended	PIK Class C Units	Implied Fair Value		Date of Distribution
2014
December 31 (1)	45,711	$	3,072	February 2015
2015
March 31	118,230	$	8,101	May 2015
June 30	153,020	8,721		August 2015

⁽¹⁾  Prorated for the 37-day period the Class C units were outstanding during the fourth quarter of 2014.

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Equity and Partners' Capital (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Partners' Capital Notes [Abstract]

Equity Offerings Table

The Partnership completed the following public offerings of its common units during 2015 and 2014, including through its Continuous Offering Programs (“COP”):

thousands except unit and per-unit amounts	Common Units Issued	GP Units Issued(1)	Price Per Unit		Underwriting Discount and Other Offering Expenses		Net Proceeds
2014
$125.0 million COP (2)	1,133,384	23,132	$	73.48	$	1,738	$	83,245
November 2014 equity offering (3)	8,620,153	153,061	70.85		18,615		602,967
2015
$500.0 million COP (4)	873,525	—	$	66.61	$	805	$	57,385

⁽¹⁾  Represents general partner units issued to the general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution.

⁽²⁾  Represents common and general partner units issued during the year ended December 31, 2014, pursuant to the Partnership’s registration statement filed with the SEC in August 2012 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $125.0 million of common units (the “$125.0 million COP”). Gross proceeds generated (including the general partner’s proportionate capital contributions) during the year ended December 31, 2014, were $85.0 million. The price per unit in the table above represents an average price for all issuances under the $125.0 million COP during the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership had used all the capacity to issue common units under this registration statement.

⁽³⁾  Includes the issuance of 1,120,153 common units pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, the net proceeds from which were $77.0 million. Beginning with this partial exercise, the Partnership’s general partner elected not to make a corresponding capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% interest in the Partnership.

⁽⁴⁾  Represents common units issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, pursuant to the Partnership’s registration statement filed with the SEC in August 2014 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of common units (the “$500.0 million COP”). Gross proceeds generated during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $58.2 million, respectively. Commissions paid during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $0.6 million, respectively. The price per unit in the table above represents an average price for all issuances under the $500.0 million COP during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Limited Partner and General Partner Units Table

The following table summarizes the common, Class C and general partner units issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Common Units	Class C Units	General Partner Units	Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	127,695,130	10,913,853	2,583,068	141,192,051
PIK Class C units	—	316,961	—	316,961
Long-Term Incentive Plan award vestings	5,991	—	—	5,991
$500.0 million COP	873,525	—	—	873,525
Balance at September 30, 2015	128,574,646	11,230,814	2,583,068	142,388,528

Calculation of Net Income Per Unit Table

The following table illustrates the Partnership’s calculation of net income per unit for common units:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands except per-unit amounts	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP	$	161,306		$	109,159		$	355,396		$	299,382
Pre-acquisition net (income) loss allocated to Anadarko	—			(6,482		)	(1,742		)	(13,282		)
General partner interest in net (income) loss	(50,213		)	(31,058		)	(138,121		)	(83,939		)
Limited partners’ interest in net income	111,093			71,619			215,533			202,161
Net income allocable to common units (1)	98,445			71,619			187,650			202,161
Net income allocable to Class C units (1)	12,648			—			27,883			—
Limited partners’ interest in net income	$	111,093		$	71,619		$	215,533		$	202,161
Net income per unit
Common units - basic	$	0.77		$	0.60		$	1.46		$	1.71
Common units – diluted (2)	0.77			0.60			1.46			1.71
Weighted-average units outstanding
Common units – basic	128,575			119,068			128,267			118,326
Class C units (2)	11,161			—			11,042			—
Common units – diluted	139,736			119,068			139,309			118,326

⁽¹⁾  Adjusted to reflect amortization for the beneficial conversion feature. See Class C units above for a discussion of the Class C units.

⁽²⁾  Inclusion of Class C units in the calculation would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

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Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business combinations policy

Basis of presentation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership and entities in which it holds a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Investments in non-controlled entities over which the Partnership exercises significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. The Partnership proportionately consolidates its 33.75% share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses attributable to the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest systems and Anadarko-Operated Marcellus Interest systems and its 50% share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses attributable to the Newcastle system and the DBJV system (see Note 2) in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The 25% membership interest in Chipeta Processing LLC (“Chipeta”) held by a third-party member is reflected within noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

In preparing financial statements in accordance with GAAP, management makes informed judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, using historical experience and other methods considered reasonable. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates and actual results may differ from these estimates. Effects on the business, financial condition and results of operations resulting from revisions to estimates are recognized when the facts that give rise to the revisions become known. The information furnished herein reflects all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements, and certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.

Presentation of Partnership assets. The term “Partnership assets” refers to the assets owned and interests accounted for under the equity method (see Note 7) by the Partnership as of September 30, 2015. Because Anadarko controls the Partnership through its ownership and control of WGP, which owns the Partnership’s entire general partner interest, each acquisition of Partnership assets from Anadarko has been considered a transfer of net assets between entities under common control. As such, the Partnership assets acquired from Anadarko were initially recorded at Anadarko’s historic carrying value, which did not correlate to the total acquisition price paid by the Partnership. Further, after an acquisition of Partnership assets from Anadarko, the Partnership may be required to recast its financial statements to include the activities of such Partnership assets from the date of common control. See Note 2.

For those periods requiring recast, the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets from Anadarko have been prepared from Anadarko’s historical cost-basis accounts and may not necessarily be indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred if the Partnership had owned the Partnership assets during the periods reported. Net income attributable to the Partnership assets acquired from Anadarko for periods prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets is not allocated to the limited partners.

DBM acquisition. The DBM acquisition has been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the DBM acquisition were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Results of operations attributable to the DBM acquisition were included in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of income beginning on the acquisition date in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Correction of an immaterial error policy

The Partnership’s unaudited consolidated statements of income reflect the reclassifications of the following amounts, which previously reduced Operation and maintenance expense, to revenues related to Gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids: (i) $25.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (all of which related to the six months ended June 30, 2015) and (ii) $12.0 million and $28.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Management determined that the third-party producer reimbursements received for electricity purchased by the Partnership is more appropriately classified as revenues, instead of a reduction to Operation and maintenance expense. This correction of an error has no impact to Net income, cash flows, or any non-GAAP metric the Partnership uses to evaluate its operations (see Key Performance Metrics under Item 2 of this Form 10-Q) and is not considered material to the Partnership’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The Partnership will revise its previously reported 2013, 2014 and 2015 consolidated financial statements, and unaudited interim periods therein as applicable, to reflect the reclassification in future filings.

Noncontrolling interest policy

The 25% membership interest in Chipeta Processing LLC (“Chipeta”) held by a third-party member is reflected within noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

Net income per common unit policy

Net income per unit for common units. The Partnership’s net income earned on and subsequent to the date of the acquisition of the Partnership assets is allocated to the general partner and the limited partners, including any Class C unitholders, in accordance with their respective weighted-average ownership percentages and, when applicable, giving effect to incentive distributions allocable to the general partner. The Partnership’s net income allocable to the limited partners is net of amortization of the beneficial conversion feature related to the Class C units (see Class C units above) and is allocated between the common and Class C unitholders by applying the provisions of the partnership agreement that govern actual cash distributions and capital account allocations, as if all earnings for the period had been distributed. Net income attributable to the Partnership assets acquired from Anadarko for periods prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets is not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per common unit.

Basic net income per common unit is calculated by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income attributable to common unitholders by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period. The common units issued in connection with acquisitions and equity offerings are included on a weighted-average basis for periods they were outstanding. Because the Class C units participate in distributions with common units according to a predetermined formula (see Note 3), they are considered a participating security and are included in the computation of earnings per unit pursuant to the two-class method. The Class C unit participation right results in a non-contingent transfer of value each time the Partnership declares a distribution. Diluted net income per common unit is calculated by dividing the sum of (i) the limited partners’ interest in net income attributable to common units, and (ii) the limited partners’ interest in net income allocable to the Class C units as a participating security, by the sum of the weighted-average number of common units outstanding plus the dilutive effect of outstanding Class C units.

Fair value policy

Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko. The consideration to be paid by the Partnership for the acquisition of DBJV consists of a cash payment to Anadarko due on March 31, 2020. The cash payment will be equal to (a) eight multiplied by the average of the Partnership’s share in the Net Earnings (see definition below) of the DBJV system for the calendar years 2018 and 2019, less (b) the Partnership’s share of all capital expenditures incurred for the DBJV system between March 1, 2015, and February 29, 2020. Net Earnings is defined as all revenues less cost of product, operating expenses and property taxes, in each case attributable to the DBJV system on an accrual basis. As of the acquisition date, the estimated future payment obligation was $282.8 million, which had a net present value of $174.3 million, using a discount rate of 10%. As of September 30, 2015, the net present value of this obligation was $184.2 million and has been recorded on the consolidated balance sheet under Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko. Accretion expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, was $4.3 million and $9.9 million, respectively, and has been recorded as a charge to interest expense. The fair value measurement was calculated using Level 3 inputs, which consisted of management’s estimate of the Partnership’s share of forecasted Net Earnings and capital expenditures for the DBJV system.

DBM acquisition. The DBM acquisition has been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the DBM acquisition were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Results of operations attributable to the DBM acquisition were included in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of income beginning on the acquisition date in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The purchase price allocation is based on an assessment of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the DBM acquisition using inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 inputs. The fair values of the processing plants, gathering system, and related facilities and equipment are based on market and cost approaches. The fair value of the intangible assets was determined using an income approach. Deferred taxes represent the tax effects of differences in the tax basis and acquisition-date fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Class C unit distributions. The Class C units receive quarterly distributions at a rate equivalent to the Partnership’s common units. The distributions are paid in the form of additional Class C units (“PIK Class C units”) until the scheduled conversion date on December 31, 2017 (unless earlier converted), and the Class C units are disregarded with respect to distributions of the Partnership’s available cash until they are converted to common units. The number of additional PIK Class C units to be issued in connection with a distribution payable on the Class C units is determined by dividing the corresponding distribution attributable to the Class C units by the volume-weighted-average price of the Partnership’s common units for the ten days immediately preceding the payment date for the common unit distribution, less a 6% discount. The Partnership records the PIK Class C unit distributions at fair value at the time of issuance. This Level 2 fair value measurement uses the Partnership’s unit price as a significant input in the determination of the fair value.

Note receivable from and Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko. Concurrently with the closing of the Partnership’s May 2008 initial public offering, the Partnership loaned $260.0 million to Anadarko in exchange for a 30-year note bearing interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.50%, payable quarterly. The fair value of the note receivable from Anadarko was $288.9 million and $317.8 million at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value of the note reflects consideration of credit risk and any premium or discount for the differential between the stated interest rate and quarter-end market interest rate, based on quoted market prices of similar debt instruments. Accordingly, the fair value of the note receivable from Anadarko is measured using Level 2 inputs.

Use of estimates policy

In preparing financial statements in accordance with GAAP, management makes informed judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, using historical experience and other methods considered reasonable. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates and actual results may differ from these estimates. Effects on the business, financial condition and results of operations resulting from revisions to estimates are recognized when the facts that give rise to the revisions become known. The information furnished herein reflects all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements, and certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.

Recently issued accounting standards policy

Recently issued accounting standards. The Financial Accounting Standards Board recently issued the following Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”):

ASU 2015-06, Earnings Per Share (Topic - 260)—Effects on Historical Earnings per Unit of Master Limited Partnership Dropdown Transactions. This ASU contains guidance that addresses the historical earnings per unit presentation for master limited partnerships that apply the two-class method of calculating earnings per unit. When a general partner transfers or “drops down” net assets to a master limited partnership the transaction is accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control and the statements of operations are adjusted retrospectively to reflect the transaction. This ASU specifies that the historical earnings (losses) of a transferred business before the date of a dropdown transaction should be allocated entirely to the general partner, and the previously reported earnings per unit of the limited partners should not change as a result of the dropdown transaction. The ASU also requires additional disclosures about how the rights to the earnings (losses) differ before and after the dropdown transaction occurs for purposes of computing earnings per unit under the two-class method. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning in 2016 and is required to be adopted using a retrospective approach, with early adoption permitted. While the Partnership believes it is currently in compliance with this ASU, it continues to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30)—Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and ASU 2015-15, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30)—Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. These ASUs will simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring such costs, except for those related to revolving credit facilities, to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, rather than as an asset. These ASUs are effective for annual and interim periods beginning in 2016 and are required to be adopted using a retrospective approach, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2015-02, Consolidation—Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU will simplify existing requirements by reducing the number of acceptable consolidation models and placing more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. The provisions will affect how limited partnerships and similar entities are assessed for consolidation, including the elimination of the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning in 2016 and is required to be adopted using a retrospective or modified retrospective approach, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership is evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and industry-specific guidance in Subtopic 932-605, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas—Revenue Recognition, and requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The effective date for ASU 2014-09 was delayed through the issuance of ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers—Deferral of the Effective Date, to annual and interim periods beginning in 2018 and is required to be adopted using one of two retrospective application methods, with early adoption permitted in 2017. The Partnership is evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements

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Equity Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Investments

7.  EQUITY INVESTMENTS

The following table presents the activity in the Partnership’s equity investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Equity Investments
thousands	Fort Union			White Cliffs			Rendezvous			Mont Belvieu JV			TEG			TEP			FRP			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	25,933		$	44,315		$	56,336		$	121,337		$	16,790		$	198,793		$	170,988		$	634,492
Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization	4,831			10,663			1,591			17,256			475			11,691			12,630			59,137
Contributions	—			6,081			—			(432		)	—			1,520			1,883			9,052
Distributions	(4,606		)	(10,227		)	(3,047		)	(17,924		)	(685		)	(11,880		)	(12,276		)	(60,645		)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings (1)	—			(2,584		)	(2,708		)	(1,987		)	(82		)	(4,302		)	(746		)	(12,409		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	26,158		$	48,248		$	52,172		$	118,250		$	16,498		$	195,822		$	172,479		$	629,627

⁽¹⁾  Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings, classified as investing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows, is calculated on an individual investment basis.

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Transactions with Affiliates

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Related Party Fees and Other Arrangements, Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP) [Abstract]

Transactions with Affiliates

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Affiliate transactions. Revenues from affiliates include amounts earned by the Partnership from services provided to Anadarko as well as from the sale of residue, drip condensate and NGLs to Anadarko. In addition, the Partnership purchases natural gas from an affiliate of Anadarko pursuant to gas purchase agreements. Operation and maintenance expense includes amounts accrued for or paid to affiliates for the operation of the Partnership assets, whether in providing services to affiliates or to third parties, including field labor, measurement and analysis, and other disbursements. A portion of the Partnership’s general and administrative expenses is paid by Anadarko, which results in affiliate transactions pursuant to the reimbursement provisions of the Partnership’s omnibus agreement. Affiliate expenses do not bear a direct relationship to affiliate revenues, and third-party expenses do not bear a direct relationship to third-party revenues. See Note 2 for further information related to contributions of assets to the Partnership by Anadarko.

Cash management. Anadarko operates a cash management system whereby excess cash from most of its subsidiaries’ separate bank accounts is generally swept to centralized accounts. Prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets, third-party sales and purchases related to such assets were received or paid in cash by Anadarko within its centralized cash management system. The outstanding affiliate balances were entirely settled through an adjustment to net investment by Anadarko in connection with the acquisition of the Partnership assets. Subsequent to the acquisition of Partnership assets from Anadarko, transactions related to such assets are cash-settled directly with third parties and with Anadarko affiliates. Chipeta cash settles its transactions directly with third parties and Anadarko, as well as with the other subsidiaries of the Partnership.

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (CONTINUED)

Note receivable from and Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko. Concurrently with the closing of the Partnership’s May 2008 initial public offering, the Partnership loaned $260.0 million to Anadarko in exchange for a 30-year note bearing interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.50%, payable quarterly. The fair value of the note receivable from Anadarko was $288.9 million and $317.8 million at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value of the note reflects consideration of credit risk and any premium or discount for the differential between the stated interest rate and quarter-end market interest rate, based on quoted market prices of similar debt instruments. Accordingly, the fair value of the note receivable from Anadarko is measured using Level 2 inputs.

The consideration to be paid by the Partnership for the March 2015 acquisition of DBJV consists of a cash payment to Anadarko due on March 31, 2020. See Note 2and Note 9.

Commodity price swap agreements. The Partnership has commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko to mitigate exposure to a substantial majority of the commodity price volatility that would otherwise be present as a result of the purchase and sale of natural gas, condensate or NGLs. Notional volumes for each of the commodity price swap agreements are not specifically defined. Instead, the commodity price swap agreements apply to the actual volume of natural gas, condensate and NGLs purchased and sold at the Hugoton system, the MGR assets and the DJ Basin complex, with various expiration dates through December 2016. On December 31, 2014, the Partnership’s commodity price swap agreements for the Hilight and Newcastle systems and the Granger complex (excluding the Granger straddle plant) expired without renewal. The commodity price swap agreements do not satisfy the definition of a derivative financial instrument and, therefore, are not required to be measured at fair value.

Below is a summary of the fixed price ranges on all of the Partnership’s outstanding commodity price swap agreements as of September 30, 2015:

per barrel except natural gas	2015				2016
Ethane	$	18.41	−	23.41	$	23.11
Propane	47.08		−	52.99	52.90
Isobutane	62.09		−	74.02	73.89
Normal butane	54.62		−	65.04	64.93
Natural gasoline	72.88		−	81.82	81.68
Condensate	76.47		−	81.82	81.68
Natural gas (per MMBtu)	4.66		−	5.96	4.87

The following table summarizes gains and losses upon settlement of commodity price swap agreements recognized in the consolidated statements of income:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,						Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015			2014			2015			2014
Gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements related to sales: (1)
Natural gas sales	$	5,774		$	3,179		$	39,100		$	1,525
Natural gas liquids sales	33,746			22,737			116,475			66,746
Total	39,520			25,916			155,575			68,271
Losses on commodity price swap agreements related to purchases (2)	(23,998		)	(19,533		)	(99,897		)	(38,081		)
Net gains (losses) on commodity price swap agreements	$	15,522		$	6,383		$	55,678		$	30,190

⁽¹⁾  Reported in affiliate natural gas, natural gas liquids and drip condensate sales in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which the related sale is recorded.

⁽²⁾  Reported in cost of product in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which the related purchase is recorded.

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (CONTINUED)

DJ Basin complex and Hugoton system swap extensions. On June 25, 2015, the Partnership extended its commodity price swap agreements with Anadarko for the DJ Basin complex from July 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, and for the Hugoton system from October 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015. The table below summarizes the swap prices compared to the forward market prices on the date the commodity price swap extensions were executed.

	DJ Basin Complex				Hugoton System
per barrel except natural gas	2015 Swap Prices		Market Prices(1)		2015 Swap Prices		Market Prices(1)
Ethane	$	18.41	$	1.96	—		—
Propane	47.08		13.10		—		—
Isobutane	62.09		19.75		—		—
Normal butane	54.62		18.99		—		—
Natural gasoline	72.88		52.59		—		—
Condensate	76.47		52.59		$	78.61	$	32.56
Natural gas (per MMBtu)	5.96		2.75		5.50		2.74

⁽¹⁾  Represents the New York Mercantile Exchange forward strip price as of June 25, 2015, adjusted for location, basis and, in the case of NGLs, transportation and fractionation costs.

Revenues or costs attributable to volumes settled during the respective extension period, at the applicable market price in the above table, will be recognized in the consolidated statements of income. The Partnership will also record a capital contribution from Anadarko in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of equity and partners’ capital for the amount by which the swap price exceeds the applicable market price in the above table. For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the capital contribution from Anadarko was $7.9 million.

Gas gathering and processing agreements. The Partnership has significant gas gathering and processing arrangements with affiliates of Anadarko on a majority of its systems. The Partnership’s gathering, treating and transportation throughput (excluding equity investment throughput and throughput measured in barrels) attributable to natural gas production owned or controlled by Anadarko was 42% and 46% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and 48% and 49% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The Partnership’s processing throughput (excluding equity investment throughput and throughput measured in barrels) attributable to natural gas production owned or controlled by Anadarko was 47% and 51% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and 58% for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Purchase and sale agreements. The Partnership sells a significant amount of its natural gas, condensate and NGLs to Anadarko Energy Services Company (“AESC”), Anadarko’s marketing affiliate. In addition, the Partnership purchases natural gas, condensate and NGLs from AESC pursuant to purchase agreements. The Partnership’s purchase and sale agreements with AESC are generally one-year contracts, subject to annual renewal.

WES LTIP. The general partner awards phantom units under the Western Gas Partners, LP 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“WES LTIP”) primarily to its independent directors, but also from time to time to its executive officers and Anadarko employees performing services for the Partnership. The phantom units awarded to the independent directors vest one year from the grant date, while all other awards are subject to graded vesting over a three-year service period. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period and was $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

5.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (CONTINUED)

WGP LTIP and Anadarko Incentive Plans. General and administrative expenses included $1.0 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $0.9 million and $2.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, of equity-based compensation expense, allocated to the Partnership by Anadarko, for awards granted to the executive officers of the general partner and other employees under the Western Gas Equity Partners, LP 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“WGP LTIP”) and the Anadarko Petroleum Corporation 2008 and 2012 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plans (collectively referred to as the “Anadarko Incentive Plans”). Of this amount, $2.7 million is reflected as a contribution to partners’ capital in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of equity and partners’ capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Equipment purchases and sales. The following table summarizes the Partnership’s purchases from and sales to Anadarko of pipe and equipment:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
thousands	Purchases				Sales
Cash consideration	$	12,131	$	16,143	$	700	$	—
Net carrying value	7,411		9,745		366		—
Partners’ capital adjustment	$	4,720	$	6,398	$	334	$	—

Summary of affiliate transactions. The following table summarizes affiliate transactions, which include revenue from affiliates, reimbursement of operating expenses and purchases of natural gas:

	Three Months Ended   September 30,				Nine Months Ended   September 30,
thousands	2015		2014		2015		2014
Revenues and other (1)	$	247,458	$	269,632	$	777,739	$	769,331
Equity income, net (1)	21,976		19,063		59,137		41,322
Cost of product (1)	35,673		27,034		132,663		85,071
Operation and maintenance (2)	17,662		15,583		50,534		44,961
General and administrative (3)	7,671		7,016		22,556		21,243
Operating expenses	61,006		49,633		205,753		151,275
Interest income (4)	4,225		4,225		12,675		12,675
Interest expense (5)	4,310		—		9,920		—
Distributions to unitholders (6)	80,845		60,794		228,893		169,001

⁽¹⁾  Represents amounts earned or incurred on and subsequent to the date of acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as amounts earned or incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets, recognized under gathering, treating or processing agreements, and purchase and sale agreements.

⁽²⁾  Represents expenses incurred on and subsequent to the date of the acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as expenses incurred by Anadarko on a historical basis related to the Partnership assets prior to the acquisition of such assets.

⁽³⁾  Represents general and administrative expense incurred on and subsequent to the date of the Partnership’s acquisition of the Partnership assets, as well as a management services fee for reimbursement of expenses incurred by Anadarko for periods prior to the acquisition of the Partnership assets by the Partnership. These amounts include equity-based compensation expense allocated to the Partnership by Anadarko (see WES LTIP and WGP LTIP and Anadarko Incentive Plans within this Note 5).

⁽⁴⁾  Represents interest income recognized on the note receivable from Anadarko.

⁽⁵⁾  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, includes accretion expense recognized on the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko for the acquisition of DBJV (see Note 2andNote 9).

⁽⁶⁾  Represents distributions paid under the partnership agreement (see Note 3 and Note 4).

Concentration of credit risk. Anadarko was the only customer from whom revenues exceeded 10% of the Partnership’s consolidated revenues for all periods presented in the consolidated statements of income.

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Property, Plant and Equipment

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

6.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of the historical cost of the Partnership’s property, plant and equipment is as follows:

thousands	Estimated Useful Life	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Land	n/a	$	3,191	$	2,884
Gathering systems	3 to 47 years	5,431,716		4,972,892
Pipelines and equipment	15 to 45 years	136,303		151,107
Assets under construction	n/a	272,445		483,347
Other	3 to 40 years	19,066		16,420
Total property, plant and equipment		5,862,721		5,626,650
Accumulated depreciation		1,072,799		1,055,207
Net property, plant and equipment		$	4,789,922	$	4,571,443

The cost of property classified as “Assets under construction” is excluded from capitalized costs being depreciated. These amounts represent property that is not yet suitable to be placed into productive service as of the respective balance sheet date.

During 2015, the Partnership recognized impairments of $11.8 million, primarily due to the abandonment of compressors at the MIGC system and the DJ Basin complex, and the cancellation of projects at the Non-Operated Marcellus Interest systems, the DBJV system and the Brasada and Red Desert complexes.

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Components of Working Capital

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Components Of Working Capital [Abstract]

Components of Working Capital

8.  COMPONENTS OF WORKING CAPITAL

A summary of other current assets is as follows:

thousands	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Natural gas liquids inventory	$	6,486	$	5,316
Natural gas imbalance receivables	177		415
Prepaid insurance	2,591		2,443
Other	2,145		1,893
Total other current assets	$	11,399	$	10,067

A summary of accrued liabilities is as follows:

thousands	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Accrued capital expenditures	$	70,118	$	128,856
Accrued plant purchases	26,068		14,023
Accrued interest expense	34,169		24,741
Short-term asset retirement obligations	4,335		1,224
Short-term remediation and reclamation obligations	475		475
Income taxes payable	701		207
Other	2,946		1,263
Total accrued liabilities	$	138,812	$	170,789

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Acquisitions and Divestitures - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014		Mar. 02, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	[2]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko	[1]	$ 184,196		$ 184,196				$ 0
Gain on divestiture, net		77,244	$ 0	77,244	$ 0	[3]
Dew and Pinnacle Systems [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Proceeds from the sale of assets				146,700
Gain on divestiture, net				77,200
Delaware Basin Midstream LLC [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Post-closing purchase price adjustments				3,500
Affiliates [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Proceeds from the sale of assets				700	0	[3]
Deferred Purchase Price Obligation - Anadarko [Member] | Affiliates [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Interest expense, related party	[4]	4,310	$ 0	$ 9,920	$ 0
Deferred Purchase Price Obligation - Anadarko [Member] | Affiliates [Member] | Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Discount rate percentage				10.00%
Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko		184,200		$ 184,200
Interest expense, related party		$ 4,300		$ 9,900
Level 3 inputs [Member] | Deferred Purchase Price Obligation - Anadarko [Member] | Affiliates [Member] | Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Deferred purchase price obligation to Anadarko - future value							$ 282,800
Deferred purchase price obligation to Anadarko - acquisition date value	[5]						$ 174,276

[1] See Note 2.

[2] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[3] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[4] See Note 2 for a discussion of the accretion and present value of the Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko.

[5] The Partnership acquired Anadarko’s interest in Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC (“DBJV”), which owns a 50% interest in a gathering system and related facilities (the “DBJV system”). The DBJV system is located in the Delaware Basin in Loving, Ward, Winkler and Reeves Counties, Texas. The Partnership will make a cash payment on March 31, 2020, to Anadarko as consideration for the acquisition of DBJV. The Partnership currently estimates the future payment will be $282.8 million, the net present value of which was $174.3 million as of the acquisition date. See DBJV acquisition—Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko below.

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Components of Working Capital - Other Current Assets Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Current Assets [Line Items]
Natural gas liquids inventory		$ 6,486	$ 5,316
Natural gas imbalance receivables		177	415
Prepaid insurance		2,591	2,443
Other		2,145	1,893
Total other current assets	[1]	$ 11,399	$ 10,067	[2]

[1] Other current assets includes natural gas imbalance receivables from affiliates of zero and $0.2 million as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

[2] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

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Acquisitions and Divestitures (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Acquisitions Table

The following table presents the acquisitions completed by the Partnership during 2015 and 2014, and identifies the funding sources for such acquisitions:

thousands except unit and percent amounts	Acquisition Date	Percentage Acquired		Deferred Purchase Price Obligation - Anadarko		Borrowings		Cash On Hand		Common Units Issued to Anadarko	Class C Units Issued to Anadarko
TEFR Interests (1)	03/03/2014	Various (1)		$	—	$	350,000	$	6,250	308,490	—
DBM (2)	11/25/2014	100	%	—		475,000		298,327		—	10,913,853
DBJV system (3)	03/02/2015	50	%	174,276		—		—		—	—

⁽¹⁾  The Partnership acquired a 20% interest in each of TEG and TEP and a 33.33% interest in FRP from Anadarko. These assets gather and transport NGLs primarily from the Anadarko and Denver-Julesburg (“DJ”) Basins. The interests in these entities are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. In connection with the issuance of the common units, the Partnership issued 6,296 general partner units to the general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution of $0.4 million.

⁽²⁾  The Partnership acquired Nuevo Midstream, LLC (“Nuevo”) from a third party. Following the acquisition, the Partnership changed the name of Nuevo to Delaware Basin Midstream, LLC (“DBM”). The assets acquired include cryogenic processing plants, a gas gathering system, and related facilities and equipment, which are collectively referred to as the “DBM complex” and serve production from Reeves, Loving and Culberson Counties, Texas and Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico. See DBM acquisition below for further information, including the preliminary allocation of the purchase price.

⁽³⁾  The Partnership acquired Anadarko’s interest in Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC (“DBJV”), which owns a 50% interest in a gathering system and related facilities (the “DBJV system”). The DBJV system is located in the Delaware Basin in Loving, Ward, Winkler and Reeves Counties, Texas. The Partnership will make a cash payment on March 31, 2020, to Anadarko as consideration for the acquisition of DBJV. The Partnership currently estimates the future payment will be $282.8 million, the net present value of which was $174.3 million as of the acquisition date. See DBJV acquisition—Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko below.

Impact to Historical Consolidated Statements of Income Table

The following table presents the impact of the DBJV system on revenues and other, equity income, net and net income as presented in the Partnership’s historical consolidated statements of income:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
thousands	Partnership Historical (1)		DBJV System		Combined
Revenues and other	$	341,282	$	16,239	$	357,521
Equity income, net	19,063		—		19,063
Net income	106,540		6,482		113,022
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
thousands	Partnership Historical (1)		DBJV System		Combined
Revenues and other	$	970,027	$	46,124	$	1,016,151
Equity income, net	41,322		—		41,322
Net income	296,149		14,238		310,387

⁽¹⁾  As adjusted for the reclassification described in Note 1.

Purchase Price Allocation Table

The following is the preliminary allocation of the purchase price as of September 30, 2015, including $3.5 million of post-closing purchase price adjustments, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the DBM acquisition as of the acquisition date, pending final review of certain support related to the acquired entity’s assets and liabilities:

thousands
Current assets	$	62,940
Property, plant and equipment	467,171
Goodwill	282,697
Other intangible assets	811,048
Accounts payables	(18,621		)
Accrued liabilities	(37,360		)
Deferred income taxes	(1,342		)
Asset retirement obligations and other	(9,060		)
Total purchase price	$	1,557,473

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Equity Investments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Investments Table

The following table presents the activity in the Partnership’s equity investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

	Equity Investments
thousands	Fort Union			White Cliffs			Rendezvous			Mont Belvieu JV			TEG			TEP			FRP			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	25,933		$	44,315		$	56,336		$	121,337		$	16,790		$	198,793		$	170,988		$	634,492
Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization	4,831			10,663			1,591			17,256			475			11,691			12,630			59,137
Contributions	—			6,081			—			(432		)	—			1,520			1,883			9,052
Distributions	(4,606		)	(10,227		)	(3,047		)	(17,924		)	(685		)	(11,880		)	(12,276		)	(60,645		)
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings (1)	—			(2,584		)	(2,708		)	(1,987		)	(82		)	(4,302		)	(746		)	(12,409		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	26,158		$	48,248		$	52,172		$	118,250		$	16,498		$	195,822		$	172,479		$	629,627

⁽¹⁾  Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings, classified as investing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows, is calculated on an individual investment basis.

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Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Impairment	$ 11.8

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Equity and Partners' Capital - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Units issued			316,961
Price per unit	[1]	$ 70.85
General partner units owned			2,583,068	2,583,068
General partner's interest		2.00%
Western Gas Equity Partners, LP [Member]
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
General partner units owned			2,583,068
General partner's interest			1.80%
Other Subsidiaries Of Anadarko [Member]
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Limited partner ownership interest			8.40%
Class C Units [Member]
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Units issued			316,961
Price per unit		$ 68.72
Proceeds from the issuance of Class C units		$ 750.0
Beneficial conversion feature of Class C units				$ 34.8
Limited partner units owned			11,230,814	10,913,853
Class C Units [Member] | Other Subsidiaries Of Anadarko [Member]
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Units issued		10,913,853
Limited partner units owned			11,230,814
Class C Units [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Redeemable option on units		$ 150.0
Common Units [Member]
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Limited partner units owned			128,574,646	127,695,130
Common Units [Member] | Western Gas Equity Partners, LP [Member]
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Limited partner units owned			49,296,205
Limited partner ownership interest			34.60%
Common Units [Member] | Other Subsidiaries Of Anadarko [Member]
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Limited partner units owned			757,619
Common Units [Member] | Public [Member]
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
Limited partner units owned			78,520,822
Limited partner ownership interest			55.20%
Incentive Distribution Rights [Member] | Western Gas Equity Partners, LP [Member]
Schedule Of Investments [Line Items]
General partner's interest			100.00%

[1] Includes the issuance of 1,120,153 common units pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, the net proceeds from which were $77.0 million. Beginning with this partial exercise, the Partnership’s general partner elected not to make a corresponding capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% interest in the Partnership.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
General partner units issued		2,583,068	2,583,068
General partner units outstanding		2,583,068	2,583,068
Accounts receivable, net	[1]	$ 150,538	$ 109,243	[2]
Other current assets	[3]	11,399	10,067	[2]
Accounts and natural gas imbalance payables	[4]	$ 57,598	$ 54,232	[2]
Common Units [Member]
Units issued		128,574,646	127,695,130
Units outstanding		128,574,646	127,695,130
Class C Units [Member]
Units issued		11,230,814	10,913,853
Units outstanding		11,230,814	10,913,853
Affiliates [Member]
Accounts receivable, net		$ 46,900	$ 64,700
Other current assets		0	200
Accounts and natural gas imbalance payables		$ 0	$ 100

[1] Accounts receivable, net includes amounts receivable from affiliates (as defined in Note 1) of $46.9 million and $64.7 million as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

[2] Financial information has been recast to include the financial position and results attributable to the DBJV system. See Note 1 and Note 2.

[3] Other current assets includes natural gas imbalance receivables from affiliates of zero and $0.2 million as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

[4] Accounts and natural gas imbalance payables includes amounts payable to affiliates of zero and $0.1 million as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

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Acquisitions and Divestitures

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Acquisitions and Divestitures

2.  ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

The following table presents the acquisitions completed by the Partnership during 2015 and 2014, and identifies the funding sources for such acquisitions:

thousands except unit and percent amounts	Acquisition Date	Percentage Acquired		Deferred Purchase Price Obligation - Anadarko		Borrowings		Cash On Hand		Common Units Issued to Anadarko	Class C Units Issued to Anadarko
TEFR Interests (1)	03/03/2014	Various (1)		$	—	$	350,000	$	6,250	308,490	—
DBM (2)	11/25/2014	100	%	—		475,000		298,327		—	10,913,853
DBJV system (3)	03/02/2015	50	%	174,276		—		—		—	—

⁽¹⁾  The Partnership acquired a 20% interest in each of TEG and TEP and a 33.33% interest in FRP from Anadarko. These assets gather and transport NGLs primarily from the Anadarko and Denver-Julesburg (“DJ”) Basins. The interests in these entities are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. In connection with the issuance of the common units, the Partnership issued 6,296 general partner units to the general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution of $0.4 million.

⁽²⁾  The Partnership acquired Nuevo Midstream, LLC (“Nuevo”) from a third party. Following the acquisition, the Partnership changed the name of Nuevo to Delaware Basin Midstream, LLC (“DBM”). The assets acquired include cryogenic processing plants, a gas gathering system, and related facilities and equipment, which are collectively referred to as the “DBM complex” and serve production from Reeves, Loving and Culberson Counties, Texas and Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico. See DBM acquisition below for further information, including the preliminary allocation of the purchase price.

⁽³⁾  The Partnership acquired Anadarko’s interest in Delaware Basin JV Gathering LLC (“DBJV”), which owns a 50% interest in a gathering system and related facilities (the “DBJV system”). The DBJV system is located in the Delaware Basin in Loving, Ward, Winkler and Reeves Counties, Texas. The Partnership will make a cash payment on March 31, 2020, to Anadarko as consideration for the acquisition of DBJV. The Partnership currently estimates the future payment will be $282.8 million, the net present value of which was $174.3 million as of the acquisition date. See DBJV acquisition—Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko below.

DBJV acquisition. Because the acquisition of DBJV was a transfer of net assets between entities under common control, the Partnership’s historical financial statements previously filed with the SEC have been recast in this Form 10-Q to include the results attributable to the DBJV system as if the Partnership owned DBJV for all periods presented. The consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the Partnership’s acquisition of DBJV have been prepared from Anadarko’s historical cost-basis accounts and may not necessarily be indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred if the Partnership had owned DBJV during the periods reported.

The following table presents the impact of the DBJV system on revenues and other, equity income, net and net income as presented in the Partnership’s historical consolidated statements of income:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
thousands	Partnership Historical (1)		DBJV System		Combined
Revenues and other	$	341,282	$	16,239	$	357,521
Equity income, net	19,063		—		19,063
Net income	106,540		6,482		113,022
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
thousands	Partnership Historical (1)		DBJV System		Combined
Revenues and other	$	970,027	$	46,124	$	1,016,151
Equity income, net	41,322		—		41,322
Net income	296,149		14,238		310,387

⁽¹⁾  As adjusted for the reclassification described in Note 1.

2.  ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (CONTINUED)

Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko. The consideration to be paid by the Partnership for the acquisition of DBJV consists of a cash payment to Anadarko due on March 31, 2020. The cash payment will be equal to (a) eight multiplied by the average of the Partnership’s share in the Net Earnings (see definition below) of the DBJV system for the calendar years 2018 and 2019, less (b) the Partnership’s share of all capital expenditures incurred for the DBJV system between March 1, 2015, and February 29, 2020. Net Earnings is defined as all revenues less cost of product, operating expenses and property taxes, in each case attributable to the DBJV system on an accrual basis. As of the acquisition date, the estimated future payment obligation was $282.8 million, which had a net present value of $174.3 million, using a discount rate of 10%. As of September 30, 2015, the net present value of this obligation was $184.2 million and has been recorded on the consolidated balance sheet under Deferred purchase price obligation - Anadarko. Accretion expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, was $4.3 million and $9.9 million, respectively, and has been recorded as a charge to interest expense. The fair value measurement was calculated using Level 3 inputs, which consisted of management’s estimate of the Partnership’s share of forecasted Net Earnings and capital expenditures for the DBJV system.

DBM acquisition. The DBM acquisition has been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the DBM acquisition were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Results of operations attributable to the DBM acquisition were included in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of income beginning on the acquisition date in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The following is the preliminary allocation of the purchase price as of September 30, 2015, including $3.5 million of post-closing purchase price adjustments, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the DBM acquisition as of the acquisition date, pending final review of certain support related to the acquired entity’s assets and liabilities:

thousands
Current assets	$	62,940
Property, plant and equipment	467,171
Goodwill	282,697
Other intangible assets	811,048
Accounts payables	(18,621		)
Accrued liabilities	(37,360		)
Deferred income taxes	(1,342		)
Asset retirement obligations and other	(9,060		)
Total purchase price	$	1,557,473

The purchase price allocation is based on an assessment of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the DBM acquisition using inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 inputs. The fair values of the processing plants, gathering system, and related facilities and equipment are based on market and cost approaches. The fair value of the intangible assets was determined using an income approach. Deferred taxes represent the tax effects of differences in the tax basis and acquisition-date fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Gain on divestiture - Dew and Pinnacle systems. During the third quarter of 2015, the Dew and Pinnacle systems in East Texas were sold to a third party for net proceeds of $146.7 million, after closing adjustments, resulting in a net gain on sale of $77.2 million recorded as Gain on divestiture, net in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income.

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Components of Working Capital (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Components Of Working Capital [Abstract]

Other Current Assets Table

A summary of other current assets is as follows:

thousands	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Natural gas liquids inventory	$	6,486	$	5,316
Natural gas imbalance receivables	177		415
Prepaid insurance	2,591		2,443
Other	2,145		1,893
Total other current assets	$	11,399	$	10,067

Accrued Liabilities Table

A summary of accrued liabilities is as follows:

thousands	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Accrued capital expenditures	$	70,118	$	128,856
Accrued plant purchases	26,068		14,023
Accrued interest expense	34,169		24,741
Short-term asset retirement obligations	4,335		1,224
Short-term remediation and reclamation obligations	475		475
Income taxes payable	701		207
Other	2,946		1,263
Total accrued liabilities	$	138,812	$	170,789

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Equity and Partners' Capital - Equity Offerings Table (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2012
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Units issued				316,961
Price per unit	[1]	$ 70.85
Underwriting discount and other offering expenses	[1]	$ 18,615
Net proceeds	[1]	$ 602,967
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
General partner's interest		2.00%
Option On Securities [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Net proceeds		$ 77,000
125 Million COP [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Average price per unit	[2]				$ 73.48
Underwriting discount and other offering expenses	[2]				$ 1,738
Net proceeds	[2]				83,245
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Maximum aggregate principal of common units							$ 125,000
Gross proceeds					$ 85,000
500 Million COP [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Common units issued				873,525
Average price per unit	[3]			$ 66.61
Underwriting discount and other offering expenses	[3]		$ 805	$ 805
Net proceeds	[3]			57,385
Table Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Maximum aggregate principal of common units						$ 500,000
Gross proceeds			0	58,200
Commissions paid			$ 0	$ 600
Common Units [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Common units issued	[1]	8,620,153
Common Units [Member] | Option On Securities [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Common units issued		1,120,153
Common Units [Member] | 125 Million COP [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Common units issued	[2]				1,133,384
Common Units [Member] | 500 Million COP [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Common units issued	[3]			873,525
General Partner [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Units issued	[1],[4]	153,061
General Partner [Member] | 125 Million COP [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Units issued	[2],[4]				23,132

[1] Includes the issuance of 1,120,153 common units pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, the net proceeds from which were $77.0 million. Beginning with this partial exercise, the Partnership’s general partner elected not to make a corresponding capital contribution to maintain its 2.0% interest in the Partnership.

[2] Represents common and general partner units issued during the year ended December 31, 2014, pursuant to the Partnership’s registration statement filed with the SEC in August 2012 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $125.0 million of common units (the “$125.0 million COP”). Gross proceeds generated (including the general partner’s proportionate capital contributions) during the year ended December 31, 2014, were $85.0 million. The price per unit in the table above represents an average price for all issuances under the $125.0 million COP during the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership had used all the capacity to issue common units under this registration statement.

[3] Represents common units issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, pursuant to the Partnership’s registration statement filed with the SEC in August 2014 authorizing the issuance of up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of common units (the “$500.0 million COP”). Gross proceeds generated during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $58.2 million, respectively. Commissions paid during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were zero and $0.6 million, respectively. The price per unit in the table above represents an average price for all issuances under the $500.0 million COP during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

[4] Represents general partner units issued to the general partner in exchange for the general partner’s proportionate capital contribution.

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Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Assets and Investments Table

As of September 30, 2015, the Partnership’s assets and investments accounted for under the equity method consisted of the following:

	Owned and Operated	Operated Interests	Non-Operated Interests	Equity Interests
Natural gas gathering systems	12	2	5	2
Natural gas treating facilities	9	4	—	1
Natural gas processing facilities	14	5	—	2
NGL pipelines	3	—	—	3
Natural gas pipelines	4	—	—	—
Oil pipelines	1	—	—	1