Transactions With Affiliates - Additional Information (details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		May 31, 2008 Note Receivable From Anadarko [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Note Receivable From Anadarko [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Note Receivable From Anadarko [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Gathering Transportation And Treating [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Gathering Transportation And Treating [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Processing [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Processing [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Western Gas Partners Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Western Gas Partners Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Western Gas Partners Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Independent Director [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Western Gas Equity Partners Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Independent Director [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Western Gas Equity Partners Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Independent Director [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Western Gas Equity Partners Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Anadarko Incentive Plans [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Western Gas Equity Partners Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Anadarko Incentive Plans [Member] Western Gas Partners [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Note receivable - Anadarko	$ 260,000,000	$ 260,000,000	[1]	$ 260,000,000
Note receivable, due date					May 14, 2038
Fixed annual rate for note receivable bearing interest				6.50%
The fair value of the note receivable					312,300,000	296,700,000
Affiliate throughput percent							48.00%	58.00%	59.00%	58.00%
Phantom units vesting period											3 years		1 year	1 year
Equity-based compensation expense											100,000	100,000		27,000	53,000	900,000	700,000
Partners' capital adjustment	$ (33,000)															$ 900,000

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