Equity Investments - Equity Investments Table (details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
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3 Months Ended |
Mar. 31, 2015
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Mar. 31, 2014
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Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |
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Balance |
$ 634,492us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments |
[1] |
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Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization |
18,220us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments |
[2],[3],[4] |
9,251us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments |
[1],[2],[3],[4] |
Contributions |
4,878us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates |
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28,462us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates |
[1] |
Distributions |
(18,706)us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions |
[3] |
(10,269)us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions |
[1],[3] |
Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings |
(2,964)us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital |
[3],[5] |
(2,044)us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital |
[1],[3] |
Balance |
635,920us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments |
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Western Gas Partners [Member] | Fort Union [Member] |
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Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |
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Balance |
25,933us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FortUnionMember |
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Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization |
1,555us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FortUnionMember |
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Contributions |
0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FortUnionMember |
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Distributions |
(948)us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FortUnionMember |
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Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings |
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FortUnionMember |
[5] |
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Balance |
26,540us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FortUnionMember |
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Western Gas Partners [Member] | White Cliffs [Member] |
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Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |
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Balance |
44,315us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_WhiteCliffsMember |
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Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization |
3,980us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_WhiteCliffsMember |
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Contributions |
2,917us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_WhiteCliffsMember |
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Distributions |
(3,834)us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_WhiteCliffsMember |
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Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings |
(902)us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_WhiteCliffsMember |
[5] |
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Balance |
46,476us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_WhiteCliffsMember |
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Western Gas Partners [Member] | Rendezvous [Member] |
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Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |
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Balance |
56,336us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_RendezvousMember |
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Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization |
377us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_RendezvousMember |
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Contributions |
0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_RendezvousMember |
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Distributions |
(862)us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_RendezvousMember |
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Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings |
(736)us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_RendezvousMember |
[5] |
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Balance |
55,115us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_RendezvousMember |
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Western Gas Partners [Member] | Mont Belvieu Joint Venture [Member] |
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Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |
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Balance |
121,337us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_MontBelvieuJointVentureMember |
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Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization |
5,791us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_MontBelvieuJointVentureMember |
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Contributions |
(432)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_MontBelvieuJointVentureMember |
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Distributions |
(6,291)us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_MontBelvieuJointVentureMember |
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Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings |
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_MontBelvieuJointVentureMember |
[5] |
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Balance |
120,405us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_MontBelvieuJointVentureMember |
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Western Gas Partners [Member] | Texas Express Gathering Limited Liability Company [Member] |
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Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |
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Balance |
16,790us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressGatheringLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization |
190us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressGatheringLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Contributions |
0us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressGatheringLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Distributions |
(337)us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressGatheringLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings |
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressGatheringLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
[5] |
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Balance |
16,643us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressGatheringLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Western Gas Partners [Member] | Texas Express Pipeline Limited Liability Company [Member] |
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Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |
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Balance |
198,793us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressPipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization |
3,616us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressPipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Contributions |
1,180us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressPipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Distributions |
(3,679)us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressPipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings |
(581)us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressPipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
[5] |
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Balance |
199,329us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_TexasExpressPipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Western Gas Partners [Member] | Front Range Pipeline Limited Liability Company [Member] |
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Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |
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Balance |
170,988us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FrontRangePipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Investment earnings (loss), net of amortization |
2,711us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FrontRangePipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Contributions |
1,213us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesAndInterestInAffiliates / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FrontRangePipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Distributions |
(2,755)us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FrontRangePipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings |
(745)us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FrontRangePipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
[5] |
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Balance |
$ 171,412us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments / dei_LegalEntityAxis = wgp_WesternGasPartnersMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = wgp_FrontRangePipelineLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember |
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