Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 20, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
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	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Units, Units Outstanding		113,882,045
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,438	$ 9,213
Restricted cash	0	500
Royalty income receivable	17,199	10,043
Royalty income receivable—related party	3,646	3,470
Other current assets	147	187
Total current assets	25,430	23,413
Property and equipment
Oil and natural gas interests, full cost method of accounting ($487,899 and $252,232 excluded from depletion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	1,065,392	760,818
Accumulated depletion and impairment	(177,534)	(148,948)
Oil and natural gas interests, net	887,858	611,870
Other assets	34,929	35,266
Total assets	948,217	670,549
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	110	1,780
Other accrued liabilities	2,747	371
Total current liabilities	2,857	2,151
Long-term debt	35,500	120,500
Total liabilities	38,357	122,651
Commitments and contingencies
Unitholders’ equity:
Common units (113,882,045 units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and 87,800,356 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016 )	909,860	547,898
Total unitholders’ equity	909,860	547,898
Total liabilities and unitholders’ equity	$ 948,217	$ 670,549

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Oil and natural gas interests, based on the full cost method of accounting, amount excluded from depletion	$ 487,899	$ 252,232
Common units issued	113,882,045	87,800,356
Common units outstanding	113,882,045	87,800,356

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Royalty income	$ 42,211	$ 19,992	$ 110,194	$ 50,914
Lease bonus	322	5	2,613	309
Total operating income	42,533	19,997	112,807	51,223
Costs and expenses:
Production and ad valorem taxes	2,825	1,429	7,668	4,134
Gathering and transportation	205	70	492	247
Depletion	11,068	6,751	28,587	21,485
Impairment	0	0	0	47,469
General and administrative expenses	1,368	1,153	5,064	4,109
Total costs and expenses	15,466	9,403	41,811	77,444
Income (loss) from operations	27,067	10,594	70,996	(26,221)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(859)	(658)	(2,114)	(1,544)
Other income	399	266	526	612
Total other income (expense), net	(460)	(392)	(1,588)	(932)
Net income (loss)	$ 26,607	$ 10,202	$ 69,408	$ (27,153)
Net income attributable to common limited partners per unit:
Basic (dollars per unit)	$ 0.24	$ 0.12	$ 0.69	$ (0.33)
Diluted (dollars per unit)	$ 0.24	$ 0.12	$ 0.69	$ (0.33)
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding:
Basic (in units)	110,377	84,996	101,095	81,496
Diluted (in units)	110,424	85,003	101,143	81,496

Statement of Consolidated Unitholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Limited Partner [Member]	Diamondback Energy, Inc. Limited Partner [Member]
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding at Dec. 31, 2015		79,726,000
Partners' capital at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 495,144
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Units sold in public offering		6,050,000	2,000,000
Net proceeds from the issuance of common units		$ 93,564	$ 31,200
Unit-based compensation, units issued		24,000
Unit-based compensation		$ 2,974
Distributions to public		(6,397)
Distributions to Diamondback			$ (40,253)
Net income (loss)	$ (27,153)	$ (27,153)
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding at Sep. 30, 2016		87,800,000
Partners' capital at Sep. 30, 2016		$ 549,079
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding at Dec. 31, 2016		87,800,000
Partners' capital at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 547,898	$ 547,898
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Units sold in public offering		25,175,000	700,000
Net proceeds from the issuance of common units		$ 369,896	$ 10,067
Common units issued for acquisition, units issued		175,000
Common units issued for acquisition		$ 3,050
Unit-based compensation, units issued	32,176	32,000
Unit-based compensation		$ 2,039
Distributions to public		(27,640)
Distributions to Diamondback			$ (64,858)
Net income (loss)	$ 69,408	$ 69,408
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding at Sep. 30, 2017		113,882,000
Partners' capital at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 909,860	$ 909,860

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 69,408	$ (27,153)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depletion	28,587	21,485
Impairment	0	47,469
Amortization of debt issuance costs	434	280
Non-cash unit-based compensation	2,039	2,974
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	500	0
Royalty income receivable	(7,156)	(549)
Royalty income receivable—related party	(176)	0
Accounts payable—related party	0	(4)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	367	1,707
Other current assets	54	345
Net cash provided by operating activities	94,057	46,554
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of mineral interests	(301,133)	(137,786)
Net cash used in investing activities	(301,133)	(137,786)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings under credit facility	220,500	98,000
Repayment on credit facility	(305,500)	(78,000)
Debt issuance costs	(180)	(35)
Proceeds from public offerings	380,412	125,580
Public offering costs	(433)	(444)
Distributions to partners	(92,498)	(46,650)
Net cash provided by financing activities	202,301	98,451
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(4,775)	7,219
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,213	539
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,438	7,758
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$ 1,781	$ 1,251

Organization and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Organization and Basis of Presentation	Sep. 30, 2017
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. As of September 30, 2017, Viper Energy Partners GP LLC (the “General Partner”), held a 100% non-economic general partner interest in the Partnership and Diamondback had an approximate 64% limited partner interest in the Partnership. Diamondback owns and controls the General Partner. Basis of Presentation 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. These financial statements have been prepared by the Partnership without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. They reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for interim periods, on a basis consistent with the annual audited financial statements. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Certain information, accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Partnership believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. This Quarterly Report on Form 10–Q should be read in conjunction with the Partnership’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10–K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, which contains a summary of the Partnership’s significant accounting policies and other disclosures.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Sep. 30, 2017
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 interests 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, early application permitted for annual reporting period beginning after December 31, 2016. 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 of this standard; however, the Partnership has reviewed its various contracts and has not identified any revenue that would be materially impacted and therefore does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations and liquidity. The Partnership anticipates using the modified retrospective adoption. In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, “Financial Instruments–Overall”. This update applies to any entity that holds financial assets or owes financial liabilities. This update requires equity investments (except for those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. This update will be effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Entities should apply the amendments by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Partnership will be required to mark its cost method investment to fair value with the adoption of this update. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases”. This update applies to any entity that enters into a lease, with some specified scope exemptions. Under this update, a lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. While there were no major changes to the lessor accounting, changes were made to align key aspects with the revenue recognition guidance. This update will be effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Entities will be required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Partnership believes the primary impact of adopting this standard will be the recognition of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for current operating leases. The Partnership is still evaluating the impact of this standard. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation". This update applies to all entities that issue equity-based payment awards to their employees. Under this update, there were several areas that were simplified including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This update was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Partnership prospectively adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017. The Partnership elected to account for forfeitures as they occur as a result of adopting this standard. In April 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”. This update clarifies two principles of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance. This standard has the same effective date as Accounting Standards Update 2016-08, the revenue recognition standard discussed above. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership's financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In May 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”. This update applies only to the following areas from Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606: assessing the collectability criterion and accounting for contracts that do not meet the criteria for step 1, presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers, non-cash consideration, contract modification at transition, completed contracts at transition and technical correction. This standard has the same effective date as Accounting Standards Update 2016-08, the revenue recognition standard discussed above. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership's financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses”. This update affects entities holding financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The amendments affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Partnership does not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial statements since the Partnership does not have a history of credit losses. In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash”. This update affects entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. This update will be applied retrospectively. The Partnership does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, “Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. This update apples to all entities that must determine whether they acquired or sold a business. This update provides a screen to determine when a set is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. This update is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial statements or results of operations. The adoption of this update will change the process that the Partnership uses to evaluate whether the Partnership has acquired a business or an asset. This update will be applied prospectively and will not have an effect on prior acquisitions.

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
Acquisitions	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]	During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Partnership acquired mineral interests underlying 2,769 net royalty acres for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $304.6 million and, as of September 30, 2017, had mineral interests underlying 9,173 net royalty acres. The Partnership funded these acquisitions primarily with borrowings under its revolving credit facility, with a portion of the net proceeds from its January and July 2017 offerings of common units and with the issuance of 174,513 common units to a seller in a private placement in May 2017.

Oil and Natural Gas Interests

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

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,
	2017			2016

	(in thousands)
Oil and natural gas interests:
Subject to depletion	$	577,493		$	508,586
Not subject to depletion	487,899			252,232
Gross oil and natural gas interests	1,065,392			760,818
Accumulated depletion and impairment	(177,534		)	(148,948		)
Oil and natural gas interests, net	$	887,858		$	611,870

Balance of acquisition costs not subject to depletion
Incurred in 2017	$	250,227
Incurred in 2016	$	162,984
Incurred in 2015	$	32,067
Incurred in 2014	$	42,621
Total not subject to depletion	$	487,899

Costs associated with unevaluated interests 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.

Under the full cost method of accounting, the Partnership is required to perform a ceiling test each quarter. The test determines a limit, or ceiling, on the book value of the proved oil and gas interests. Net capitalized costs are limited to the lower of unamortized cost or the cost center ceiling. The cost center ceiling is defined as the sum of (a) estimated future net revenues, discounted at 10% per annum, from proved reserves, based on the trailing 12-month unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month price, adjusted for any contract provisions or financial derivatives, if any, that hedge the Partnership’s oil and natural gas revenue, (b) the cost of interests not being amortized, if any, and (c) the lower of cost or market value of unproved interests included in the cost being amortized. If the net book value exceeds the ceiling, an impairment or non-cash write down is required.

As a result of the decline in prices, the Partnership recorded a non-cash impairment for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 of $47.5 million, which is included in accumulated depletion and impairment. There was no impairment recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. For 2016, the impairment charge affected the Partnership’s reported net loss but did not reduce its cash flow. In addition to commodity prices, the Partnership’s production rates, levels of proved reserves, transfers of unevaluated properties and other factors will determine its actual ceiling test limitations and impairment analysis in future periods.

Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

DEBT

Credit Agreement-Wells Fargo Bank

The Partnership is party to a secured revolving credit agreement, dated as of July 8, 2014, as amended, with Wells Fargo, as the administrative agent, sole book runner and lead arranger. The credit agreement 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. As of September 30, 2017, the borrowing base was set at $315.0 million and the Partnership had $35.5 million in outstanding borrowings under its credit agreement.

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 0.50% and 3-month LIBOR plus 1.0%) or LIBOR, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 1.00% to 2.00% in the case of the alternative base rate and from 2.00% to 3.00% 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		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

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.

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Sep. 30, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 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 the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the General Partner allocated $0.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, to the Partnership. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, no expenses were allocated to the Partnership by the General Partner. 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. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Partnership did not pay any costs 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. Lease Bonus During the three months ended September 30, 2017, Diamondback did not pay the Partnership any lease bonus payments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, Diamondback paid the Partnership $0.1 million in lease bonus payments to extend the term of two leases, reflecting an average bonus of $7,459 per acre. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, Diamondback paid the Partnership $5,000 in lease bonus payments to extend the term of two leases, reflecting an average bonus of $200 per acre. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Diamondback paid the Partnership $0.3 million, respectively, in lease bonus payments to extend the term of six leases, reflecting an average bonus of $1,371 per acre.

Unit-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

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. As of September 30, 2017, a total of 9,070,356 common units had 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, 2017, the Partnership incurred $0.5 million and $2.0 million of unit–based compensation.

Phantom Units

Under the LTIP, the board of directors of the General Partner is authorized to issue phantom units to eligible employees and non-employee directors. 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, 2017:



	Phantom Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2016	21,048		$	16.23
Granted	103,190		$	16.79
Vested	(32,176	)	$	16.49
Unvested at September 30, 2017	92,062		$	16.77

The aggregate fair value of phantom units that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $0.5 million. As of September 30, 2017, the unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested phantom units was $1.4 million. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.

Unitholders' Equity and Partnership Distributions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Partners' Capital and Partnership Distributions

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, 2017, the Partnership had a total of 113,882,045 common units issued and outstanding, of which 73,150,000 common units were owned by Diamondback, representing approximately 64% of the total Partnership common units outstanding.

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



	Common Units
Balance at December 31, 2016	87,800,356
Common units issued in public offerings	25,875,000
Common units vested and issued under the LTIP	32,176
Common units issued for acquisition	174,513
Balance at September 30, 2017	113,882,045

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.

The following table presents information regarding cash distributions approved by the board of directors of the General Partner for the periods presented:



	Amount per Common Unit		Declaration Date	Unitholder Record Date	Payment Date
Q4 2016	$	0.258	February 3, 2017	February 17, 2017	February 24, 2017
Q1 2017	$	0.302	April 28, 2017	May 18, 2017	May 25, 2017
Q2 2017	$	0.332	July 28, 2017	August 17, 2017	August 24, 2017

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.

Earnings Per Unit

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

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 (loss) of the Partnership for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, since this is the amount of net income (loss) that is attributable to the Partnership’s common units.

The Partnership’s net income (loss) 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 8—Unitholders’ Equity and Partnership Distributions.

Basic net income per common unit is calculated by dividing net income (loss) 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,
	2017	2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net income (loss) attributable to the period	26,607	10,202	69,408	(27,153	)
Weighted average common units outstanding
Basic weighted average common units outstanding	110,377	84,996	101,095	81,496
Effect of dilutive securities:
Potential common units issuable	47	7	48	—
Diluted weighted average common units outstanding	110,424	85,003	101,143	81,496
Net income per common unit, basic	$0.24	$0.12	$0.69	$(0.33)
Net income per common unit, diluted	$0.24	$0.12	$0.69	$(0.33)

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, there were 1,356 common units and 1,514,069 common units, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, there were 43,414 common units and 1,583,376 common units, respectively, that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common unit because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented but could potentially dilute basic earnings per common unit in future periods.

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2017
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.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation 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. These financial statements have been prepared by the Partnership without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. They reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for interim periods, on a basis consistent with the annual audited financial statements. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Certain information, accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Partnership believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. This Quarterly Report on Form 10–Q should be read in conjunction with the Partnership’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10–K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, which contains a summary of the Partnership’s significant accounting policies and other disclosures.
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 interests 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, early application permitted for annual reporting period beginning after December 31, 2016. 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 of this standard; however, the Partnership has reviewed its various contracts and has not identified any revenue that would be materially impacted and therefore does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations and liquidity. The Partnership anticipates using the modified retrospective adoption. In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, “Financial Instruments–Overall”. This update applies to any entity that holds financial assets or owes financial liabilities. This update requires equity investments (except for those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. This update will be effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Entities should apply the amendments by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Partnership will be required to mark its cost method investment to fair value with the adoption of this update. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases”. This update applies to any entity that enters into a lease, with some specified scope exemptions. Under this update, a lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. While there were no major changes to the lessor accounting, changes were made to align key aspects with the revenue recognition guidance. This update will be effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Entities will be required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Partnership believes the primary impact of adopting this standard will be the recognition of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for current operating leases. The Partnership is still evaluating the impact of this standard. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation". This update applies to all entities that issue equity-based payment awards to their employees. Under this update, there were several areas that were simplified including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This update was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Partnership prospectively adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017. The Partnership elected to account for forfeitures as they occur as a result of adopting this standard. In April 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”. This update clarifies two principles of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance. This standard has the same effective date as Accounting Standards Update 2016-08, the revenue recognition standard discussed above. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership's financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In May 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”. This update applies only to the following areas from Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606: assessing the collectability criterion and accounting for contracts that do not meet the criteria for step 1, presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers, non-cash consideration, contract modification at transition, completed contracts at transition and technical correction. This standard has the same effective date as Accounting Standards Update 2016-08, the revenue recognition standard discussed above. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership's financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses”. This update affects entities holding financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The amendments affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Partnership does not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial statements since the Partnership does not have a history of credit losses. In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash”. This update affects entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. This update will be applied retrospectively. The Partnership does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, “Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. This update apples to all entities that must determine whether they acquired or sold a business. This update provides a screen to determine when a set is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. This update is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial statements or results of operations. The adoption of this update will change the process that the Partnership uses to evaluate whether the Partnership has acquired a business or an asset. This update will be applied prospectively and will not have an effect on prior acquisitions.

Oil and Natural Gas Interests (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

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,
	2017			2016

	(in thousands)
Oil and natural gas interests:
Subject to depletion	$	577,493		$	508,586
Not subject to depletion	487,899			252,232
Gross oil and natural gas interests	1,065,392			760,818
Accumulated depletion and impairment	(177,534		)	(148,948		)
Oil and natural gas interests, net	$	887,858		$	611,870

Balance of acquisition costs not subject to depletion
Incurred in 2017	$	250,227
Incurred in 2016	$	162,984
Incurred in 2015	$	32,067
Incurred in 2014	$	42,621
Total not subject to depletion	$	487,899

Unitholders' Equity and Partnership Distributions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]

Distributions Made to Limited Partner, by Distribution [Table Text Block]

The following table presents information regarding cash distributions approved by the board of directors of the General Partner for the periods presented:



	Amount per Common Unit		Declaration Date	Unitholder Record Date	Payment Date
Q4 2016	$	0.258	February 3, 2017	February 17, 2017	February 24, 2017
Q1 2017	$	0.302	April 28, 2017	May 18, 2017	May 25, 2017
Q2 2017	$	0.332	July 28, 2017	August 17, 2017	August 24, 2017

Schedule of changes in common units

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



	Common Units
Balance at December 31, 2016	87,800,356
Common units issued in public offerings	25,875,000
Common units vested and issued under the LTIP	32,176
Common units issued for acquisition	174,513
Balance at September 30, 2017	113,882,045

Earnings Per Unit (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of basic and diluted net income per common unit



	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017	2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net income (loss) attributable to the period	26,607	10,202	69,408	(27,153	)
Weighted average common units outstanding
Basic weighted average common units outstanding	110,377	84,996	101,095	81,496
Effect of dilutive securities:
Potential common units issuable	47	7	48	—
Diluted weighted average common units outstanding	110,424	85,003	101,143	81,496
Net income per common unit, basic	$0.24	$0.12	$0.69	$(0.33)
Net income per common unit, diluted	$0.24	$0.12	$0.69	$(0.33)

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details)	9 Months Ended
Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details)	Sep. 30, 2017
Parent Company [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Percent of limited partnership interest	64.00%
General Partner
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Percent of General Partner interest	100.00%

Acquisitions (Details) - Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member] $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) a shares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Mineral Properties Acquired, Net Acres	2,769
Consideration transferred \| $	$ 304.6
Mineral Properties, Net Acres	9,173
Number of units issued for acquisition \| shares	174,513

Oil and Natural Gas Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Oil and Natural gas interests subject to depletion	$ 577,493		$ 577,493		$ 508,586
Oil and natural gas not subject to depletion	487,899		487,899		252,232
Gross oil and natural gas interests	1,065,392		1,065,392		760,818
Accumulated depletion and impairment	(177,534)		(177,534)		(148,948)
Oil and natural gas interests, net	887,858		887,858		611,870
Balance of acquisition costs not subject to depletion			250,227		$ 162,984	$ 32,067	$ 42,621
Impairment	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 47,469
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Anticipated number of years of inclusion of costs in amortization calculation			3
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Anticipated number of years of inclusion of costs in amortization calculation			5

Debt - Credit Facility (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Debt - Credit Facility (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) redetermindation
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 500.0
Number of additional redeterminations that may be requested \| redetermindation	3
Period of redeterminations	12 months
Current borrowing capacity	$ 315.0
Amount outstanding under credit facility	$ 35.5
Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
LIBOR [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee on the unused portion of the borrowing base	0.375%
Minimum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fee on the unused portion of the borrowing base	0.50%
Maximum [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%

Debt - Financial Covenants (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum issuance of unsecured debt	$ 250.0
Reduction of borrowing base	25.00%
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Ratio of total debt to EBITDAX, not greater than 4.0	4.0
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Ratio of current assets to liabilities, not less than 1.0	1.0

Related Party Transactions (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
General Partner \| Partnership Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Incurred costs for transactions with related party	$ 600,000	$ 0	$ 1,800,000	$ 0
Affiliated Entity, Wexford [Member] \| Advisory Services Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Incurred costs for transactions with related party	0	0	0	0
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
Diamondback Energy, Inc.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	$ 0	$ 5,000	$ 100,000	$ 300,000
Number of leases extended		2	2	6
Average price per acre		$ 200	$ 7,459	$ 1,371

Unit-Based Compensation (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common units reserved for issuance	9,070,356	9,070,356
Unit-based compensation \| $	$ 0.5	$ 2.0
Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Unvested at December 31, 2016		21,048
Granted		103,190
Vested		(32,176)
Unvested at September 30, 2017	92,062	92,062
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Unvested at December 31, 2016 \| $ / shares		$ 16.23
Granted \| $ / shares		16.79
Vested \| $ / shares		16.49
Unvested at September 30, 2017 \| $ / shares	$ 16.77	$ 16.77
Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value \| $		$ 0.5
Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized \| $	$ 1.4	$ 1.4
Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		1 year 3 months 11 days

Unitholders' Equity and Partnership Distributions (Details) - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Total common units issued	113,882,045	87,800,356
Common units outstanding	113,882,045	87,800,356
Common units vested and issued under the LTIP	32,176
Diamondback Energy, Inc.
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Units of Partnership Interest, Amount	73,150,000
Percent of limited partnership interest	64.00%
Follow-on Public Offering [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Common units issued in public offerings	25,875,000
Private Placement [Member]
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Common units issued for acquisition	174,513

Unitholders' Equity and Partnership Distributions Partnership Distributions (Details) - Cash Distribution [Member] - $ / shares	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items]
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit	$ 0.332	$ 0.302	$ 0.258
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Declaration Date	Jul. 28, 2017	Apr. 28, 2017	Feb. 03, 2017
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Date of Record	Aug. 17, 2017	May 18, 2017	Feb. 17, 2017
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distribution Date	Aug. 24, 2017	May 25, 2017	Feb. 24, 2017
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distribution Date, Period after Quarter End				60 days

Earnings Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to the period	$ 26,607	$ 10,202	$ 69,408	$ (27,153)
Basic weighted average common units outstanding	110,377,000	84,996,000	101,095,000	81,496,000
Effect of dilutive securities: contingently issuable units	47,000	7,000	48,000	0
Diluted weighted average common units outstanding	110,424,000	85,003,000	101,143,000	81,496,000
Net income per common unit, basic	$ 0.24	$ 0.12	$ 0.69	$ (0.33)
Net income per common unit, diluted	$ 0.24	$ 0.12	$ 0.69	$ (0.33)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,356	1,514,069	43,414	1,583,376

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details) - Cash Distribution [Member] - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Declaration Date		Jul. 28, 2017	Apr. 28, 2017	Feb. 03, 2017
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit		$ 0.332	$ 0.302	$ 0.258
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distribution Date		Aug. 24, 2017	May 25, 2017	Feb. 24, 2017
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Date of Record		Aug. 17, 2017	May 18, 2017	Feb. 17, 2017
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Declaration Date	Oct. 16, 2017
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Declared, Per Unit	$ 0.337
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distribution Date	Nov. 14, 2017
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Date of Record	Nov. 07, 2017

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Cash Distribution On October 16, 2017, the board of directors of the General Partner approved a cash distribution for the third quarter of 2017 of $0.337 per common unit, payable on November 14, 2017, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2017.