Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Sep. 30, 2015	Nov. 03, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	Viper Energy Partners LP
Entity Central Index Key	0001602065
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Units, Units Outstanding		79,726,006
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,951	$ 15,110
Restricted cash	500	500
Royalty income receivable	10,596	8,239
Other current assets	453	253
Total current assets	16,500	24,102
Property and equipment
Oil and natural gas interests, based on the full cost method of accounting ($75,121 and $91,444 excluded from depletion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	543,304	511,085
Accumulated depletion	(59,386)	(32,800)
Oil and natural gas interests, net	483,918	478,285
Other assets	35,866	35,015
Total assets	536,284	537,402
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	6
Other accrued liabilities	2,104	2,045
Total current liabilities	2,104	2,051
Long-term debt	29,000	0
Total liabilities	31,104	2,051
Commitments and contingencies
Unitholders’ equity:
Common units (79,726,006 units and 79,708,888 units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	505,180	535,351
Total unitholders’ equity	505,180	535,351
Total liabilities and unitholders’ equity	$ 536,284	$ 537,402

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Oil and natural gas interests, based on the full cost method of accounting, amount excluded from depletion	$ 75,121	$ 91,444
Common units issued	79,726,006	79,708,888
Common units outstanding	79,726,006	79,708,888

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Income Statement [Abstract]

Royalty income

$ 18,777

$ 22,767

$ 54,941

$ 55,869

Costs and expenses:

Production and ad valorem taxes

1,686

1,478

4,431

3,791

Gathering and transportation

167

Depletion

8,737

7,971

26,587

19,602

^[1]

General and administrative expenses

1,531

1,250

4,126

1,535

General and administrative expenses—related party

111

893

375

1,049

Total costs and expenses

12,232

11,592

35,686

25,977

Income from operations

6,545

11,175

19,255

29,892

Other income (expense)

Interest expense

(358)

(317)

(733)

(317)

Interest expense—related party, net of capitalized interest

(10,755)

Other income

168

960

Total other income (expense), net

(190)

(306)

227

(11,061)

Net income

$ 6,355

$ 10,869

$ 19,482

$ 18,831

^[1]

Net income attributable to common limited partners per unit:

Basic (dollars per unit)

$ 0.08

$ 0.14

$ 0.24

$ 0.15

^[2]

Diluted (dollars per unit)

$ 0.08

$ 0.14

$ 0.24

$ 0.15

^[2]

Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding

Basic (in units)

79,721

76,618

79,713

76,589

^[2]

Diluted (in units)

79,730

77,235

79,728

76,659

^[2]

[1]	See Note 1 for information regarding the basis of financial statement presentation.
[2]	Year-to-date 2014 information presented is attributable to the period June 23, 2014 through September 30, 2014.

Statement of Consolidated Unitholders' Equity and Members' Equity (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Total

Limited Partner [Member]

Members' Equity [Member]

Predecessor [Member]

Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member]

Limited Partner [Member]

Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member]

Members' Equity [Member]

Predecessor [Member]

Partners' capital at Dec. 31, 2013

$ 2,988

$ 0

$ 2,988

Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]

Net income

7,021

Partners' capital at Jun. 22, 2014

Partners' capital at Dec. 31, 2013

2,988

Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]

Net income

^[1]

18,831

Contribution of note payable to equity

437,115

Exchange of Predecessor interests for units

447,124

(447,124)

Net proceeds from the issuance of common units

232,334

Distribution To Related Party

(148,760)

Unit-based compensation

1,011

Partners' capital at Sep. 30, 2014

^[1]

543,519

Partners' capital at Jun. 22, 2014

Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]

Net income

11,810

^[2]

11,810

Partners' capital at Sep. 30, 2014

^[1]

543,519

Partners' capital at Dec. 31, 2014

535,351

Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]

Net income

19,482

Unit-based compensation

2,956

Distribution to public

(6,113)

Distribution to Diamondback

(46,496)

Partners' capital at Sep. 30, 2015

$ 505,180

$ 0

[1]	See Note 1 for information regarding the basis of financial statement presentation.
[2]	Year-to-date 2014 information presented is attributable to the period June 23, 2014 through September 30, 2014.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$ 19,482

$ 18,831

^[1]

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depletion

26,587

19,602

^[1]

Amortization of debt issuance costs

224

^[1]

Non-cash unit-based compensation

2,956

1,011

^[1]

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Royalty income receivable

(2,357)

(539)

^[1]

Other current assets

(567)

^[1]

Accounts payable—related party

(9,779)

^[1]

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

1,027

^[1]

Prepaid expenses and other

(972)

^[1]

Net cash provided by operating activities

45,973

29,633

^[1]

Cash flows from investing activities:

Additions to oil and natural gas interests

(5,275)

^[1]

Acquisition of mineral interests

(32,291)

(57,688)

^[1]

Cost method investment

(33,851)

^[1]

Net cash used in investing activities

(32,220)

(96,814)

^[1]

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from borrowings on credit facility

29,000

78,000

^[1]

Repayment on credit facility

(78,000)

^[1]

Principal payment on subordinated note

(2,885)

^[1]

Debt issuance costs

(303)

(1,272)

^[1]

Proceeds from public offerings

234,546

^[1]

Public offering costs

(1,706)

^[1]

Distribution of net proceeds from public offerings to Diamondback

(148,760)

^[1]

Distribution to partners

(52,609)

^[1]

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(23,912)

79,923

^[1]

Net (decrease) increase in cash

(10,159)

12,742

^[1]

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

15,110

762

^[1]

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

4,951

13,504

^[1]

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Interest paid, net of capitalized interest

495

16,766

^[1]

Supplemental disclosure of non—cash transactions:

Note payable converted to equity

437,115

^[1]

Capitalized interest

$ 0

$ 5,275

^[1]

[1]	See Note 1 for information regarding the basis of financial statement presentation.

Organization and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Organization and Basis of Presentation	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Basis of Presentation	ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Organization Viper Energy Partners LP (the “Partnership”) is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership, the common units of which are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “VNOM”. The Partnership was formed by Diamondback Energy, Inc. (“Diamondback”) on February 27, 2014 to, among other things, own, acquire and exploit oil and natural gas properties in North America. The Partnership is currently focused on oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Partnership” are intended to mean the business and operations of Viper Energy Partners LP and its consolidated subsidiary, Viper Energy Partners LLC (the “Predecessor”). Prior to the completion of the Partnership’s IPO of 5,750,000 common units representing limited partner interests (which included 750,000 common units issued pursuant to an option to purchase additional common units granted to the underwriters), Diamondback owned all of the general and limited partner interests in the Partnership. On June 23, 2014, the Partnership completed its IPO at a price to the public of $26.00 per common unit. The Partnership received net proceeds of approximately $137.2 million from the sale of these common units, net of offering expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions. In connection with the IPO, Diamondback contributed all of the membership interests in the Predecessor to the Partnership in exchange for 70,450,000 common units. Diamondback maintained its non-economic general partner interest in the Partnership through its wholly-owned subsidiary, the General Partner. In addition, in connection with the closing of the IPO, the Partnership agreed to distribute to Diamondback all cash and cash equivalents and the royalty income receivable on hand in the aggregate amount of approximately $11.3 million and the net proceeds from the IPO. As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership had distributed $148.8 million to Diamondback as part of the IPO transactions. The contribution of the Predecessor to the Partnership was accounted for as a combination of entities under common control with assets and liabilities transferred at their carrying amounts in a manner similar to a pooling of interests. On September 19, 2014, the Partnership completed an underwritten public offering of 3,500,000 common units. The common units were sold to the public at $28.50 per unit and the Partnership received net proceeds of approximately $94.8 million from the sale of these common units, net of offering expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions. As of September 30, 2015, the General Partner held a 100% non-economic general partner interest in the Partnership and Diamondback had an approximate 88% limited partner interest in the Partnership. Diamondback owns and controls the General Partner. Basis of Presentation The consolidated results of operations following the completion of the IPO are presented together with the results of operations pertaining to the Predecessor. The assets of the Predecessor consisted of mineral interests in oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin, which were acquired on September 19, 2013. The contribution of the Predecessor to the Partnership on June 17, 2014 was accounted for as a combination of entities under common control with assets and liabilities transferred at their carrying amounts in a manner similar to a pooling of interests. The Partnership did not own any assets prior to June 17, 2014, the date of the contribution agreement by and among Diamondback, the Predecessor, the General Partner and the Partnership. Prior to the IPO, the Predecessor was a wholly owned subsidiary of Diamondback. For periods prior to June 17, 2014, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto represent the financial position, results of operations, cash flows and changes in members’ equity of the Predecessor and, for periods on and after June 17, 2014, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto represent the financial position, results of operations, cash flows and changes in partners’ equity of the Partnership and its wholly owned subsidiary. The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto were prepared in conformity with GAAP. All material intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.

+ References+ Details

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Use of Estimates Certain amounts included in or affecting the Partnership’s financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated by management, requiring certain assumptions to be made with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time the financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts the Partnership reports for assets and liabilities and the Partnership’s disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. The Partnership evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis, using historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods the Partnership considers reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from the Partnership’s estimates. Any effects on the Partnership’s business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves and related present value estimates of future net cash flows therefrom, the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties and unit–based compensation. New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This update supersedes most of the existing revenue recognition requirements in GAAP and requires (i) an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services and (ii) requires expanded disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and certainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. The standard will be effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early application not permitted. The standard allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all periods presented in the financial statements, or modified retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that the adoption of this update will have on the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations, and liquidity. In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, “Interest—Imputation of Interest”. This update requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability (except costs associated with revolving debt arrangements) be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from that debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The standard will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application will be permitted for financial statements that have not previously been issued. Adoption of the new guidance will only affect the presentation of the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets and will not have a material impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity.

+ References+ Details

Oil and Natural Gas Interests

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Extractive Industries [Abstract]

Oil and Natural Gas Interests

OIL AND NATURAL GAS INTERESTS

Oil and natural gas interests include the following:



	September 30,			December 31,
	2015			2014

	(in thousands)
Oil and natural gas interests:
Subject to depletion	$	468,183		$	419,641
Not subject to depletion-acquisition costs
Incurred in 2015	29,398			—
Incurred in 2014	45,723			48,266
Incurred in 2013	—			43,178
Total not subject to depletion	75,121			91,444

Gross oil and natural gas interests	543,304			511,085
Accumulated depletion	(59,386		)	(32,800		)
Oil and natural gas interests, net	$	483,918		$	478,285

Costs associated with unevaluated properties are excluded from the full cost pool until a determination as to the existence of proved reserves is able to be made. The inclusion of the Partnership’s unevaluated costs into the amortization base is expected to be completed within three to five years.

Acquisition

On July 9, 2015, the Partnership completed the acquisition of an approximate average 1.5% overriding royalty interest in certain acreage primarily located in Howard County, Texas from Diamondback for $31.1 million. This acquisition was primarily funded with borrowings under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility discussed in Note 4.

Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

DEBT

Credit Agreement-Wells Fargo Bank

On July 8, 2014, the Partnership entered into a secured revolving credit agreement with Wells Fargo, as the administrative agent, sole book runner and lead arranger. The credit agreement, which was amended August 15, 2014 to add additional lenders to the lending group, provides for a revolving credit facility in the maximum amount of $500.0 million, subject to scheduled semi-annual and other elective collateral borrowing base redeterminations based on the Partnership’s oil and natural gas reserves and other factors. The borrowing base is scheduled to be re-determined semi-annually with effective dates of April 1st and October 1st. In addition, the Partnership may request up to three additional redeterminations of the borrowing base during any 12-month period. The credit agreement was further amended on May 22, 2015 to, among other things, increase the borrowing base from $110.0 million to $175.0 million and to provide for certain restrictions on purchasing margin stock. As of September 30, 2015, the borrowing base remained at $175.0 million. The Partnership had $29.0 million outstanding under its credit agreement as of September 30, 2015.

The outstanding borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest at a rate elected by the Partnership that is equal to an alternative base rate (which is equal to the greatest of the prime rate, the Federal Funds effective rate plus 0.5% and 3-month LIBOR plus 1.0%) or LIBOR, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 0.50% to 1.50% in the case of the alternative base rate and from 1.50% to 2.50% in the case of LIBOR, in each case depending on the amount of the loan outstanding in relation to the borrowing base. The Partnership is obligated to pay a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.500% per year on the unused portion of the borrowing base, which fee is also dependent on the amount of the loan outstanding in relation to the borrowing base. Loan principal may be optionally repaid from time to time without premium or penalty (other than customary LIBOR breakage), and is required to be repaid (a) to the extent that the loan amount exceeds the borrowing base, whether due to a borrowing base redetermination or otherwise (in some cases subject to a cure period) and (b) at the maturity date of July 8, 2019. The loan is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Partnership and its subsidiary.

The credit agreement contains various affirmative, negative and financial maintenance covenants. These covenants, among other things, limit additional indebtedness, purchases of margin stock, additional liens, sales of assets, mergers and consolidations, dividends and distributions, transactions with affiliates and entering into certain swap agreements and require the maintenance of the financial ratios described below.



Financial Covenant		Required Ratio
Ratio of total debt to EBITDAX⁽¹⁾		Not greater than 4.0 to 1.0
Ratio of current assets to liabilities, as defined in the credit agreement		Not less than 1.0 to 1.0


(1)	EBITDAX is annualized for the four fiscal quarters ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available, beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

The covenant prohibiting additional indebtedness allows for the issuance of unsecured debt of up to $250.0 million in the form of senior unsecured notes and, in connection with any such issuance, the reduction of the borrowing base by 25% of the stated principal amount of each such issuance. A borrowing base reduction in connection with such issuance may require a portion of the outstanding principal of the loan to be repaid.

The lenders may accelerate all of the indebtedness under the Partnership’s credit agreement upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any event of default. The Partnership’s credit agreement contains customary events of default, including non-payment, breach of covenants, materially incorrect representations, cross-default, bankruptcy and change of control. There are no cure periods for events of default due to non-payment of principal and breaches of negative and financial covenants, but non-payment of interest and breaches of certain affirmative covenants are subject to customary cure periods.

Subordinated Note

Effective September 19, 2013, the Predecessor issued a subordinated note to Diamondback for the principal sum of $440.0 million for a royalty interest acquisition. In connection with the IPO, the subordinated note was converted to equity. The note bore interest at 7.625% per annum. Interest was due and payable monthly in arrears on the first business day of each calendar month. The unpaid principal balance and all accrued interest on the note were due and payable in full on October 1, 2021. Any indebtedness evidenced by this note was subordinate in the right of payment to any indebtedness outstanding under the Diamondback credit agreement. Prior to the completion of the IPO, there was $437.1 million of principal and interest outstanding under this note.

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Sep. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Acquisition On July 9, 2015, the Partnership completed the acquisition of an approximate average 1.5% overriding royalty interest in certain acreage primarily located in Howard County, Texas from Diamondback for $31.1 million. This acquisition was primarily funded with borrowings under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility discussed in Note 4. Partnership Agreement In connection with the closing of the IPO, the General Partner and Diamondback entered into the first amended and restated agreement of limited partnership, dated June 23, 2014 (the “Partnership Agreement”). The Partnership Agreement requires the Partnership to reimburse the General Partner for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or paid on the Partnership’s behalf and all other expenses allocable to the Partnership or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership’s business. The Partnership Agreement does not set a limit on the amount of expenses for which the General Partner and its affiliates may be reimbursed. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for the Partnership or on the Partnership’s behalf and expenses allocated to the General Partner by its affiliates. The General Partner is entitled to determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Partnership reimbursed the General Partner $0.8 million. Advisory Services Agreement In connection with the closing of the IPO, the Partnership and General Partner entered into an advisory services agreement with Wexford Capital LP (“Wexford”) dated as of June 23, 2014 (the “Advisory Services Agreement”), under which Wexford provides the Partnership and the General Partner with general financial and strategic advisory services related to the Partnership’s business in return for an annual fee of $0.5 million, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Advisory Services Agreement has an initial term of two years commencing on June 23, 2014, and continues for additional one-year periods unless terminated in writing by either party at least ten days prior to the expiration of the then current term. It may be terminated at any time by either party upon 30 days prior written notice. In the event the Partnership terminates the Advisory Services Agreement, the Partnership is obligated to pay all amounts due through the remaining term. In addition, the Partnership has agreed to pay Wexford to-be-negotiated market-based fees approved by the conflict committee of the board of directors of the General Partner for such services as may be provided by Wexford at the Partnership’s request in connection with future acquisitions and divestitures, financings or other transactions in which the Partnership may be involved. The services provided by Wexford under the Advisory Services Agreement do not extend to the Partnership’s day-to-day business or operations. The Partnership has agreed to indemnify Wexford and its affiliates from any and all losses arising out of or in connection with the Advisory Services Agreement except for losses resulting from Wexford’s or its affiliates’ gross negligence or willful misconduct. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we incurred costs of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, under the Advisory Services Agreement. Tax Sharing In connection with the closing of the IPO, the Partnership entered into a tax sharing agreement with Diamondback, dated June 23, 2014, pursuant to which the Partnership agreed to reimburse Diamondback for its share of state and local income and other taxes for which the Partnership’s results are included in a combined or consolidated tax return filed by Diamondback with respect to taxable periods including or beginning on June 23, 2014. The amount of any such reimbursement is limited to the tax the Partnership would have paid had it not been included in a combined group with Diamondback. Diamondback may use its tax attributes to cause its combined or consolidated group, of which the Partnership may be a member for this purpose, to owe less or no tax. In such a situation, the Partnership agreed to reimburse Diamondback for the tax the Partnership would have owed had the tax attributes not been available or used for the Partnership’s benefit, even though Diamondback had no cash tax expense for that period. Shared Services Agreement Effective September 19, 2013, the Predecessor entered into a shared services agreement with Diamondback E&P LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diamondback. This agreement was terminated in connection with the IPO. Under this agreement, Diamondback E&P LLC provided consulting and administrative services to the Predecessor. The Predecessor incurred a monthly charge for the services of $26,000. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Partnership incurred costs under this agreement of $0.2 million.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for related party transactions. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

+ References+ Details

Unit-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Unit-Based Compensation

UNIT–BASED COMPENSATION

In connection with the IPO, the board of directors of the General Partner adopted the Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”), effective June 17, 2014, for employees, officers, consultants and directors of the General Partner and any of its affiliates, including Diamondback, who perform services for the Partnership. The LTIP provides for the grant of unit options, unit appreciation rights, restricted units, unit awards, phantom units, distribution equivalent rights, cash awards, performance awards, other unit-based awards and substitute awards. A total of 9,144,000 common units has been reserved for issuance pursuant to the LTIP. Common units that are cancelled, forfeited or withheld to satisfy exercise prices or tax withholding obligations will be available for delivery pursuant to other awards. The LTIP is administered by the board of directors of the General Partner or a committee thereof.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Partnership incurred $1.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of unit–based compensation.

Unit Options

In accordance with the LTIP, the exercise price of unit options granted may not be less than the market value of the common units at the date of grant. The units issued under the LTIP will consist of new common units of the Partnership. On June 17, 2014, the Partnership granted 2,500,000 unit options to the executive officers of the General Partner. The unit options vest approximately 33% ratably on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant or earlier upon a change of control (as defined in the LTIP). Vested unit options will be automatically exercised upon the earlier of a change of control or the third anniversary of the grant date unless extended in accordance with the terms of the LTIP (the “Exercise Date”). In the event the fair market value per unit as of the Exercise Date is less than the exercise price per option unit, the vested options will automatically terminate and become null and void on the Exercise Date.

The fair value of the unit options on the date of grant is expensed over the applicable vesting period. The Partnership estimates the fair values of unit options granted using a Black-Scholes option valuation model, which requires the Partnership to make several assumptions. At the time of grant the Partnership did not have a history of market prices, thus the expected volatility was determined using the historical volatility for a peer group of companies. The expected term of options granted was determined based on the contractual term of the awards. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve rate for the expected term of the unit option at the date of grant. The expected dividend yield was based upon projected performance of the Partnership.



	2014
Grant-date fair value	$	4.24
Expected volatility	36.0		%
Expected dividend yield	5.9		%
Expected term (in years)	3.0
Risk-free rate	0.99		%

The following table presents the unit option activity under the LTIP for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:



		Weighted Average
	Unit Options	Exercise Price		Remaining Term	Intrinsic Value
				(in years)	(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	2,500,000	$	26.00
Granted	—	$	—
Outstanding at September 30, 2015	2,500,000	$	—	1.75	$	—
Vested and Expected to Vest at September 30, 2015	2,500,000	$	—	1.75	$	—
Exercisable at September 30, 2015	—	$	—	0	$	—

As of September 30, 2015, the unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested unit options was $6.1 million. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.75 years.

Phantom Units

Under the LTIP, the Board of Directors of the General Partner is authorized to issue phantom units to eligible employees. The Partnership estimates the fair value of phantom units as the closing price of the Partnership’s common units on the grant date of the award, which is expensed over the applicable vesting period. Upon vesting, the phantom units entitle the recipient to one common unit of the Partnership for each phantom unit.

The following table presents the phantom unit activity under the LTIP for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:



	Phantom Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2014	17,776		$	19.51
Granted	24,690		$	15.48
Vested	(17,118	)	$	17.57
Unvested at September 30, 2015	25,348		$	16.89

The aggregate fair value of phantom units that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $0.3 million. As of September 30, 2015, the unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested phantom units was $0.4 million. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.37 years.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References+ Details

Partners' Capital and Partnership Distributions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Partners' Capital and Partnership Distributions

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND PARTNERSHIP DISTRIBUTIONS

The Partnership has general partner and common unit partnership interests. The general partner interest is a non-economic interest and is not entitled to any cash distributions.

At September 30, 2015, the Partnership had a total of 79,726,006 common units issued and outstanding, of which 70,450,000 common units were owned by Diamondback, representing approximately 88% of the total Partnership common units outstanding.

The following table summarizes changes in the number of the Partnership’s common units:



	Common Units

Diamondback Energy, Inc. ownership of common units	70,450,000
Common units issued in June 23, 2014 IPO	5,750,000
Common units issued in September 19, 2014 public offering	3,500,000
Common units vested and issued under the 2014 LTIP	26,006
Balance September 30, 2015	79,726,006

The board of directors of the General Partner has adopted a policy for the Partnership to distribute all available cash generated on a quarterly basis, beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2014. On February 5, 2015, the board of directors of the General Partner approved a cash distribution attributable to the fourth quarter of 2014 of $0.25 per common unit, which was paid on February 27, 2015. This distribution included a total of $17.6 million distributed to Diamondback.

On May 1, 2015, the board of directors of the General Partner approved a cash distribution attributable to the first quarter of 2015 of $0.19 per common unit, which was paid on May 22, 2015. This distribution included a total of $13.4 million distributed to Diamondback.

On July 31, 2015, the board of directors of the General Partner approved a cash distribution for the second quarter of 2015 of $0.22 per common unit, which was paid on August 21, 2015. This distribution included a total of $15.5 million distributed to Diamondback.

Cash distributions will be made to the common unitholders of record on the applicable record date, generally within 60 days after the end of each quarter. Available cash for each quarter will be determined by the board of directors of the General Partner following the end of such quarter. Available cash for each quarter will generally equal Adjusted EBITDA reduced for cash needed for debt service and other contractual obligations and fixed charges and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the board of directors of the General Partner deems necessary or appropriate, if any.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the formation, structure, control and ownership of the partnership. Disclosures related to accounts comprising partners' capital. Includes balances of general partners' capital account, limited partners' capital account, preferred partners' capital account and total partners' capital account and units outstanding; accumulated other comprehensive income; amount and nature of changes to amount of partner's capital and units outstanding by class, rights and privileges for each class of units; distribution policies and distributions paid by unit class; impact of and correction of an error in previously issued financial statements; limitations of partners' liability; redemption, conversion and distribution policies; and deferred compensation related to the issuance of units.

+ References+ Details

Earnings Per Unit

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Unit

EARNINGS PER UNIT

The net income per common unit on the consolidated statements of operations is based on the net income of the Partnership for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and for the period after the closing of the IPO on June 23, 2014 through September 30, 2014, since this is the amount of net income that is attributable to the Partnership’s common units.

The Partnership’s net income is allocated wholly to the common units as the General Partner does not have an economic interest. Payments made to the Partnership’s unitholders are determined in relation to the cash distribution policy described in Note 7—Partners’ Capital and Partnership Distributions.

Basic net income per common unit is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common unit gives effect, when applicable, to unvested common units granted under the LTIP.



	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,	June 23 through September 30,
	2015	2014	2015	2014
	(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net income attributable to the period	$6,355	$10,869	$19,482	$11,810
Net income per common unit, basic	$0.08	$0.14	$0.24	$0.15
Net income per common unit, diluted	$0.08	$0.14	$0.24	$0.15
Weighted-average common units outstanding, basic	79,721	76,618	79,713	76,589
Weighted-average common units outstanding, diluted	79,730	77,235	79,728	76,659

- Definition

The entire disclosure for earnings per share.

+ References+ Details

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Partnership could be subject to various possible loss contingencies which arise primarily from interpretation of federal and state laws and regulations affecting the natural gas and crude oil industry. Such contingencies include differing interpretations as to the prices at which natural gas and crude oil sales may be made, the prices at which royalty owners may be paid for production from their leases, environmental issues and other matters. Management believes it has complied with the various laws and regulations, administrative rulings and interpretations. Litigation The Company filed an action in October 2014 to recover a $500,000 escrow in connection with a purchase and sale agreement. The escrow agent interpleaded the funds, and the other parties to the agreement have filed a counterclaim to recover the escrow. Both sides also seek recovery of their attorneys’ fees. The case is presently in discovery and is scheduled for trial in January 2016. It is not possible to predict the outcome with reasonable certainty, but the Company does not believe that an adverse outcome would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements and has not included a loss contingency reserve for this matter.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References+ Details

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The consolidated results of operations following the completion of the IPO are presented together with the results of operations pertaining to the Predecessor. The assets of the Predecessor consisted of mineral interests in oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin, which were acquired on September 19, 2013. The contribution of the Predecessor to the Partnership on June 17, 2014 was accounted for as a combination of entities under common control with assets and liabilities transferred at their carrying amounts in a manner similar to a pooling of interests. The Partnership did not own any assets prior to June 17, 2014, the date of the contribution agreement by and among Diamondback, the Predecessor, the General Partner and the Partnership. Prior to the IPO, the Predecessor was a wholly owned subsidiary of Diamondback. For periods prior to June 17, 2014, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto represent the financial position, results of operations, cash flows and changes in members’ equity of the Predecessor and, for periods on and after June 17, 2014, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto represent the financial position, results of operations, cash flows and changes in partners’ equity of the Partnership and its wholly owned subsidiary. The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto were prepared in conformity with GAAP. All material intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates Certain amounts included in or affecting the Partnership’s financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated by management, requiring certain assumptions to be made with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time the financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts the Partnership reports for assets and liabilities and the Partnership’s disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. The Partnership evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis, using historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods the Partnership considers reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from the Partnership’s estimates. Any effects on the Partnership’s business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves and related present value estimates of future net cash flows therefrom, the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties and unit–based compensation.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This update supersedes most of the existing revenue recognition requirements in GAAP and requires (i) an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services and (ii) requires expanded disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and certainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. The standard will be effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early application not permitted. The standard allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all periods presented in the financial statements, or modified retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that the adoption of this update will have on the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations, and liquidity. In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, “Interest—Imputation of Interest”. This update requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability (except costs associated with revolving debt arrangements) be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from that debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The standard will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application will be permitted for financial statements that have not previously been issued. Adoption of the new guidance will only affect the presentation of the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets and will not have a material impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

Oil and Natural Gas Interests (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Extractive Industries [Abstract]

Aggregate capitalized costs related to oil and natural gas production activities

Oil and natural gas interests include the following:



	September 30,			December 31,
	2015			2014

	(in thousands)
Oil and natural gas interests:
Subject to depletion	$	468,183		$	419,641
Not subject to depletion-acquisition costs
Incurred in 2015	29,398			—
Incurred in 2014	45,723			48,266
Incurred in 2013	—			43,178
Total not subject to depletion	75,121			91,444

Gross oil and natural gas interests	543,304			511,085
Accumulated depletion	(59,386		)	(32,800		)
Oil and natural gas interests, net	$	483,918		$	478,285

Unit-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of valuation assumptions



	2014
Grant-date fair value	$	4.24
Expected volatility	36.0		%
Expected dividend yield	5.9		%
Expected term (in years)	3.0
Risk-free rate	0.99		%

Schedule of unit option activity

The following table presents the unit option activity under the LTIP for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:



		Weighted Average
	Unit Options	Exercise Price		Remaining Term	Intrinsic Value
				(in years)	(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	2,500,000	$	26.00
Granted	—	$	—
Outstanding at September 30, 2015	2,500,000	$	—	1.75	$	—
Vested and Expected to Vest at September 30, 2015	2,500,000	$	—	1.75	$	—
Exercisable at September 30, 2015	—	$	—	0	$	—

Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block]

The following table presents the phantom unit activity under the LTIP for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:



	Phantom Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2014	17,776		$	19.51
Granted	24,690		$	15.48
Vested	(17,118	)	$	17.57
Unvested at September 30, 2015	25,348		$	16.89

Partners' Capital and Partnership Distributions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of changes in common units

The following table summarizes changes in the number of the Partnership’s common units:



	Common Units

Diamondback Energy, Inc. ownership of common units	70,450,000
Common units issued in June 23, 2014 IPO	5,750,000
Common units issued in September 19, 2014 public offering	3,500,000
Common units vested and issued under the 2014 LTIP	26,006
Balance September 30, 2015	79,726,006

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 Wexford [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member]	Jun. 23, 2014 Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member]	Jun. 23, 2014 Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Jun. 23, 2014 IPO [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 IPO [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Jun. 23, 2014 IPO [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Jun. 23, 2014 Over-Allotment Option [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Sep. 19, 2014 Public Offering [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 Public Offering [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Sep. 19, 2014 Public Offering [Member] Limited Partner [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Units issued in public offering								5,750,000	5,750,000		750,000	3,500,000	3,500,000
Price per common unit (in dollars per unit)										$ 26.00				$ 28.50
Proceeds from sale of common units, net of offering expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions								$ 137,240,000				$ 94,810,000
Conversion of membership interests to common units				70,450,000
Distribution payable			11,300,000
Distribution To Related Party		$ 148,760,000			$ 148,760,000		$ 148,760,000
Percent of General Partner interest	100.00%
Percent of limited partnership interest						88.00%

Oil and Natural Gas Interests (Details) (USD $)									9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
Oil and Natural Gas Interests (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015 Incurred in 2015 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Incurred in 2015 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 Incurred in 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Incurred in 2014 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 Incurred in 2013 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Incurred in 2013 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 Maximum [Member]	Jul. 09, 2015 Howard County, Texas [Member] Diamondback E&P LLC [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Oil and Natural gas interests subject to depletion	$ 468,183,000	$ 419,641,000
Oil and natural gas not subject to depletion	75,121,000	91,444,000	29,398,000	0	45,723,000	48,266,000	0	43,178,000
Gross oil and natural gas interests	543,304,000	511,085,000
Accumulated depletion	(59,386,000)	(32,800,000)
Oil and natural gas interests, net	483,918,000	478,285,000
Number of years until unevaluated properties are included in full cost pool									3 years	5 years
Oil and Gas Property, Percent of Royalty Interest Sold											1.50%
Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Gas Property and Equipment											$ 31,100,000

Debt - Credit Facility (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 redetermindation	Jun. 30, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	$ 175.0
Wells Fargo [Member] \| Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	500.0
Number of additional redeterminations that may be requested	3
Period of redeterminations	12 months
Current borrowing capacity		110.0
Amount outstanding under credit facility	$ 29.0
Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member] \| Wells Fargo [Member] \| Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
LIBOR, 3-month [Member] \| Wells Fargo [Member] \| Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Wells Fargo [Member] \| Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee on the unused portion of the borrowing base	0.375%
Minimum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member] \| Wells Fargo [Member] \| Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
Minimum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member] \| Wells Fargo [Member] \| Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Maximum [Member] \| Wells Fargo [Member] \| Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee on the unused portion of the borrowing base	0.50%
Maximum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member] \| Wells Fargo [Member] \| Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Maximum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member] \| Wells Fargo [Member] \| Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References+ Details

Debt - Financial Covenants (Details) (Wells Fargo [Member], Revolving Credit Agreement [Member], USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2015

Wells Fargo [Member] | Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Ratio of total debt to EBITDAX, not greater than 4.0

4.0

^[1]

Ratio of current assets to liabilities, not less than 1.0

1.0

Maximum issuance of unsecured debt

$ 250.0

Reduction of borrowing base

25.00%

[1]	EBITDAX is annualized for the four fiscal quarters ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available, beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

Debt - Subordinated Note (Details) (Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member], Subordinated Note [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 22, 2014	Sep. 19, 2013
Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member] \| Subordinated Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount		$ 440.0
Stated interest rate		7.625%
Long-term debt and interest outstanding	$ 437.1

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014 General Partner Partnership Agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 General Partner Partnership Agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 Affiliated Entity, Wexford [Member] Advisory Services Agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Affiliated Entity, Wexford [Member] Advisory Services Agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 Affiliated Entity, Wexford [Member] Advisory Services Agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Affiliated Entity, Wexford [Member] Advisory Services Agreement [Member]	Jun. 22, 2014 Predecessor [Member] Diamondback E&P LLC [Member] Shared Service Agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Predecessor [Member] Diamondback E&P LLC [Member] Shared Service Agreement [Member]	Jul. 09, 2015 Howard County, Texas [Member] Diamondback E&P LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Oil and Gas Property, Percent of Royalty Interest Sold									1.50%
Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Gas Property and Equipment									$ 31,100,000
Advisory services agreement, annual fee					500,000
Term of advisory services agreement					2 years
Renewal term of advisory services agreement					1 year
Minimum period for cancellation of additional one-year periods					10 days
Agreement termination, written notice period					30 days
Incurred costs for transactions with related party	750,000	750,000	197,000	143,000	461,000	143,000		156,000
Monthly expense for transaction with related party							$ 26,000

Unit-Based Compensation Additional Disclosures (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015 Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Unit Options [Member]	Jun. 17, 2014 Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Executive Officers of General Partner [Member]	Jun. 17, 2014 Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] Executive Officers of General Partner [Member] Unit Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common units reserved for issuance			9,144,000
Equity-based compensation	$ 1.1	$ 3.0
Unit options granted				0	2,500,000
Vesting percentage for next three anniversaries						33.00%

Unit-Based Compensation Valuation Assumptions (Details) (Unit Options [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Unit Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 4.24
Expected volatility	36.00%
Expected dividend yield	5.90%
Expected term (in years)	3 years
Risk-free rate	0.99%

Unit-Based Compensation Unit Option Activity (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested unit options	$ 6,100,000
Unit Options [Member]
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 9 months
Unit Options [Member] \| Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Options, Outstanding [Rollforward]
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	2,500,000
Granted	0
Outstanding at September 30, 2015	2,500,000
Vested and Expected to Vest at September 30, 2015	2,500,000
Exercisable at September 30, 2015	0
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	$ 26.00
Grants in Period	$ 0.00
Outstanding at September 30, 2015	$ 0.00
Vested at September 30, 2015	$ 0.00
Exercisable at September 30, 2015	$ 0.00
Outstanding at end of period, remaining term	1 year 9 months
Vested at end of period, remaining term	1 year 9 months
Exercisable at end of period, remaining term	0 days
Outstanding at end of period, intrinsic value	0
Vested at end of period, intrinsic value	0
Exercisable at end of period, intrinsic value	$ 0

Unit-Based Compensation Phantom Units (Details) (Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member], Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member], USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Unvested at December 31, 2014	17,776
Granted	24,690
Vested	(17,118)
Unvested at September 30, 2015	25,348
Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Unvested at December 31, 2014	$ 19.51
Granted	$ 15.48
Vested	$ 17.57
Unvested at September 30, 2015	$ 16.89
Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$ 0.3
Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 0.4
Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 4 months 13 days

Partners' Capital and Partnership Distributions (Details)	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 23, 2014 IPO [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 IPO [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Sep. 19, 2014 Public Offering [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 Public Offering [Member] Limited Partner [Member]	Sep. 30, 2015 Diamondback Energy, Inc. [Member] Limited Partner [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Total common units issued	79,726,006	79,708,888
Percent of limited partnership interest							88.00%
Units of partnership interest							70,450,000
Units issued in public offering			5,750,000	5,750,000	3,500,000	3,500,000
Common units issued during the period	26,006
Common units outstanding	79,726,006	79,708,888

Partners' Capital and Partnership Distributions Partnership Distributions (Details) (Cash Distribution [Member], USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015 Diamondback Limited Partner [Member]	Mar. 31, 2015 Diamondback Limited Partner [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Diamondback Limited Partner [Member]
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit		$ 0.22	$ 0.19	$ 0.25
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Distribution Amount		$ 15.5	$ 13.4	$ 17.6
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distribution Date, Period after Quarter End	60 days

Earnings Per Unit (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 22, 2014

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net income attributable to the period

$ 6,355

$ 10,869

$ 11,810

^[1]

$ 7,021

$ 19,482

$ 18,831

^[2]

Net income per common unit, basic

$ 0.08

$ 0.14

$ 0.15

$ 0.24

$ 0.15

^[1]

Net income per common unit, diluted

$ 0.08

$ 0.14

$ 0.15

$ 0.24

$ 0.15

^[1]

Weighted-average common units outstanding, basic

79,721

76,618

76,589

79,713

76,589

^[1]

Weighted-average common units outstanding, diluted

79,730

77,235

76,659

79,728

76,659

^[1]

[1]	Year-to-date 2014 information presented is attributable to the period June 23, 2014 through September 30, 2014.
[2]	See Note 1 for information regarding the basis of financial statement presentation.

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details) (Diamondback Limited Partner [Member], Cash Distribution [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015 Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit	$ 0.22	$ 0.19	$ 0.25	$ 0.20

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 30, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On October 30, 2015, the board of directors of the General Partner approved a cash distribution for the third quarter of 2015 of $0.20 per common unit, payable on November 20, 2015, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 13, 2015.

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (Pending Litigation [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2015
Pending Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Possible Judgment or Settlement	$ 500,000