v3.22.1

Debt and Interest Expense - Debt Activity Table (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Changes in Debt Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 6,906,548
Other	1,490
Ending balance	6,906,903
WES Operating [Member] | Finance Lease Liability [Member]
Changes in Debt Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Finance lease liabilities	$ (1,135)

X

- Definition

Represents the aggregate of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Net increases (decreases) of finance lease liabilities recorded as debt on the balance sheet.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wes_ChangesInFinanceLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	wes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Changes in Debt Outstanding [Roll Forward]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wes_ChangesinDebtOutstandingRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	wes_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Increase (decrease) representing debt issuance costs, including but not limited to legal, accounting, underwriting, printing and registration costs for debt issuance during the year, in addition to amortization of expense attributable to debt discount (premium) and debt issuance costs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wes_DebtActivityOther
Namespace Prefix:	wes_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=wes_WesternMidstreamOperatingLPMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wes_FinanceLeaseLiabilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: