Star (SGU) 10-Q 6 May 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	SGU
Entity Registrant Name	STAR GAS PARTNERS LP
Entity Central Index Key	1002590
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		57,282,352

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$37,127		$48,999
Receivables, net of allowance of $10,015 and $9,220, respectively	265,257		123,800
Inventories	50,738		59,240
Fair asset value of derivative instruments	569		2,342
Current deferred tax assets, net	38,160		38,141
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	24,800		23,943
Total current assets	416,651		296,465
Property and equipment, net	65,701		67,419
Goodwill	209,403		209,331
Intangibles, net	95,429		100,783
Deferred charges and other assets, net	11,237		11,109
Total assets	798,421		685,107
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	27,029		21,644
Fair liability value of derivative instruments	7,650		12,358
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	162,122		102,934
Unearned service contract revenue	50,046		43,901
Customer credit balances	30,333		72,595
Total current liabilities	277,180		253,432
Long-term debt	124,632	[1]	124,572	[1]
Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net	33,436		25,181
Other long-term liabilities	8,918		8,677
Partners' capital
Common unitholders	376,978		296,968
General partner	240		-105
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	-22,963		-23,618
Total partners' capital	354,255		273,245
Total liabilities and partners' capital	$798,421		$685,107
[1]	The 8.875% Senior Notes were originally issued in November 2010 in a private placement offering pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, and in February 2011, were exchanged for substantially identical public notes registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These public notes mature in December 2017 and accrue interest at an annual rate of 8.875% requiring semi-annual interest payments on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The discount on these notes was $0.4 million at March 31, 2015. Under the terms of the indenture, these notes permit restricted payments after passing particular financial tests. The Partnership can incur debt up to $100 million for acquisitions and can also pay restricted payments of $22.0 million without passing financial tests.

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables, allowance	$10,015	$9,220

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Sales:
Product	$706,004		$839,953		$1,141,016		$1,303,340
Installations and services	56,305		52,288		120,510		109,511
Total sales	762,309		892,241		1,261,526		1,412,851
Cost and expenses:
Cost of product	462,815		639,564		772,064		998,141
Cost of installations and services	60,362		53,032		121,045		106,475
(Increase) decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments	-12,631		4,105		-4,341		-1,353
Delivery and branch expenses	106,107		92,428		184,941		160,828
Depreciation and amortization expenses	6,217		4,917		12,375		9,276
General and administrative expenses	6,861		6,449		12,917		11,855
Finance charge income	-1,517		-2,207		-2,343		-3,211
Operating income	134,095		93,953		164,868		130,840
Interest expense, net	-3,816		-4,274		-7,276		-7,897
Amortization of debt issuance costs	-403		-390		-803		-811
Income before income taxes	129,876		89,289		156,789		122,132
Income tax expense	54,189		37,073		65,548		50,628
Net income	75,687		52,216		91,241		71,504
General Partner's interest in net income	428		294		516		403
Limited Partners' interest in net income	$75,259		$51,922		$90,725		$71,101
Basic and diluted income per Limited Partner Unit	$1.08	[1]	$0.75	[1]	$1.31	[1]	$1.03	[1]
Weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding:
Basic and Diluted	57,282		57,468		57,288		57,490
[1]	See Note 13 Earnings Per Limited Partner Unit.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$75,687		$52,216		$91,241		$71,504
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on pension plan obligation	558	[1]	528	[1]	1,114	[1]	1,056	[1]
Tax effect of unrealized gain on pension plan	-229		-216		-459		-432
Total other comprehensive income	329		312		655		624
Total comprehensive income	$76,016		$52,528		$91,896		$72,128
[1]	Amount is included within general and administrative expenses.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Partners' Capital (USD $)		Total		Common Stock	General Partner	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
In Thousands
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2014		$273,245		$296,968	($105)	($23,618)
Beginning Balance, unit at Sep. 30, 2014				57,405	326
Net income		91,241		90,725	516
Unrealized gain on pension plan obligation		1,114	[1]			1,114
Tax effect of unrealized gain on pension plan		-459				-459
Distributions		-10,195		-10,024	-171
Retirement of units, shares	[2]			-123
Retirement of units	[2]	-691		-691
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2015		$354,255		$376,978	$240	($22,963)
Ending Balance, Unit at Mar. 31, 2015				57,282	326
[1]	Amount is included within general and administrative expenses.
[2]	See Note 3 - Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income	$91,241	$71,504
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
(Increase) decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments	-4,341	-1,353
Depreciation and amortization	13,178	10,087
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	3,567	4,478
Change in deferred taxes	7,776	8,190
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in receivables	-145,609	-240,013
Decrease in inventories	8,581	13,146
Decrease in other assets	192	3,946
Increase in accounts payable	5,624	12,847
Decrease in customer credit balances	-42,309	-52,425
Increase in other current and long-term liabilities	65,700	47,893
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,600	-121,700
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-3,674	-4,982
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	157	82
Acquisitions (net of cash acquired of $0, and $4,151, respectively)	-1,069	-97,950
Net cash used in investing activities	-4,586	-102,850
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Revolving credit facility borrowings	12,296	195,482
Revolving credit facility repayments	-12,296	-29,741
Distributions	-10,195	-9,622
Unit repurchases	-691	-1,300
Deferred charges		-2,371
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-10,886	152,448
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-11,872	-72,102
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	48,999	85,057
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$37,127	$12,955

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Acquisitions, cash acquired	$0	$4,151

Partnership_Organization

Partnership Organization	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Partnership Organization	1) Partnership Organization
	Star Gas Partners, L.P. (“Star Gas Partners,” the “Partnership,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a full service provider specializing in the sale of home heating products and services to residential and commercial customers. The Partnership also services and sells heating and air conditioning equipment to its home heating oil and propane customers and to a lesser extent, provides these offerings to customers outside of our home heating oil and propane customer base. In certain of our marketing areas, we provide home security and plumbing services primarily to our home heating oil and propane customer base. We also sell diesel fuel, gasoline and home heating oil on a delivery only basis. All of these products and services are offered through our home heating oil and propane locations. The Partnership has one reportable segment for accounting purposes. We are the nation’s largest retail distributor of home heating oil, based upon sales volume, operating throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
	The Partnership is organized as follows:
	• The Partnership is a master limited partnership, which at March 31, 2015, had outstanding 57.3 million Common Units (NYSE: “SGU”), representing 99.43% limited partner interest in Star Gas Partners, and 0.3 million general partner units, representing 0.57% general partner interest in Star Gas Partners. The general partner of the Partnership is Kestrel Heat, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Kestrel Heat” or the “general partner”). The Board of Directors of Kestrel Heat (the “Board”) is appointed by its sole member, Kestrel Energy Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Kestrel”).
	• The Partnership owns 100% of Star Acquisitions, Inc. (“SA”), a Minnesota corporation that owns 100% of Petro Holdings, Inc. (“Petro”). SA and its subsidiaries are subject to Federal and state corporate income taxes. The Partnership’s operations are conducted through Petro and its subsidiaries. Petro is a Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region retail distributor of home heating oil and propane that at March 31, 2015, served approximately 452,000 full-service residential and commercial home heating oil and propane customers. Petro also sold diesel fuel, gasoline and home heating oil to approximately 76,000 customers on a delivery only basis. In addition, Petro installed, maintained, and repaired heating and air conditioning equipment for its customers and provided ancillary home services, including home security and plumbing, to approximately 24,000 customers.
	• Star Gas Finance Company (“SGFC”) is a 100% owned subsidiary of the Partnership. SGFC serves as the co-issuer, jointly and severally with the Partnership, of its $125 million principal amount of 8.875% Senior Notes outstanding at March 31, 2015, due December 2017. SGFC and the Partnership are dependent on distributions, including inter-company interest payments from its subsidiaries, to service the debt issued by SGFC and the Partnership. The distributions from these subsidiaries are not guaranteed and are subject to certain loan restrictions. SGFC has nominal assets and conducts no business operations (See Note 9—Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings).

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Star Gas Partners, L.P. and its subsidiaries. All material inter-company items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, such information reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair statement of financial condition and results for the interim periods. Due to the seasonal nature of the Partnership’s business, the results of operations and cash flows for the six month period ended March 31, 2015, and March 31, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
	These interim financial statements of the Partnership have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014.
	Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of the unrealized gain (loss) amortization on the Partnership’s pension plan obligation for its two frozen defined benefit pension plans and the corresponding tax effect.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016; the original public entity effective date. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Partnership is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Partnership has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The update requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset. The update requires retrospective application and represents a change in accounting principle. The update is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership expects the impact of ASU 2015-03 will be limited to the presentation of debt issuance cost on its balance sheet.

Common_Unit_Repurchase_and_Ret

Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement	3) Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement
	In July 2012, the Board of Directors (“the Board”) of the general partner of the Partnership authorized the repurchase of up to 3.0 million of the Partnership’s Common Units (“Plan III”). In July 2013, the Board authorized the repurchase of an additional 1.9 million Common Units under Plan III. The authorized Common Unit repurchases may be made from time-to-time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or in such other manner deemed appropriate by management. There is no guarantee of the exact number of units that will be purchased under the program and the Partnership may discontinue purchases at any time. The program does not have a time limit. The Board may also approve additional purchases of units from time to time in private transactions. The Partnership’s repurchase activities take into account SEC safe harbor rules and guidance for issuer repurchases. All of the Common Units purchased in the repurchase program will be retired.
	Under the Partnership’s second amended and restated credit agreement dated January 14, 2014, in order to repurchase Common Units we must maintain Availability (as defined in the second amended and restated credit facility agreement) of $45 million, 15.0% of the facility size of $300 million (assuming the non-seasonal aggregate commitment is outstanding) on a historical pro forma and forward-looking basis, and a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.15 measured as of the date of repurchase. The Partnership was in compliance with this covenant for all unit repurchases made during the six months ended March 31, 2015.
	The following table shows repurchases under Plan III.
	(in thousands, except per unit amounts)		Total Number of		Average Price		Maximum Number
	Period		Units Purchased		Paid per Unit		of Units that May
			(a)		(b)		Yet Be Purchased
	Plan III - Number of units authorized							4,894
	Private transaction - Number of units authorized							1,150
								6,044
	Plan III - Fiscal years 2012 to 2014 total (c)			3,619	$	4.69		2,425
	Plan III - First quarter fiscal year 2015 total			123	$	5.64		2,302
	Plan III - Second quarter fiscal year 2015 total			—	$	—		2,302
	Plan III - Six months fiscal year 2015 total			123	$	5.64		2,302
	(a)	Units were repurchased as part of a publicly announced program, except as noted in a private transaction.
	(b)	Amounts include repurchase costs.
	(c)	Includes 1.45 million common units acquired in a private transaction.

Derivatives_and_HedgingFair_Va

Derivatives and Hedging-Fair Value Measurements and Accounting for the Offsetting of Certain Contracts	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivatives and Hedging-Fair Value Measurements and Accounting for the Offsetting of Certain Contracts	4) Derivatives and Hedging—Fair Value Measurements and Accounting for the Offsetting of Certain Contracts
	The Partnership uses derivative instruments such as futures, options and swap agreements in order to mitigate exposure to market risk associated with the purchase of home heating oil for price-protected customers, physical inventory on hand, inventory in transit, priced purchase commitments and internal fuel usage. The Partnership has elected not to designate its derivative instruments as hedging derivatives, but rather as economic hedges whose change in fair value is recognized in its statement of operations in the line item (Increase) decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments. Depending on the risk being economically hedged, realized gains and losses are recorded in cost of product, cost of installations and services, or delivery and branch expenses.
	As of March 31, 2015, to hedge a substantial majority of the purchase price associated with heating oil gallons anticipated to be sold to its price-protected customers, the Partnership held the following derivative instruments that settle in future months to match anticipated sales: 6.3 million gallons of swap contracts, 4.1 million gallons of call options, 3.1 million gallons of put options and 54.7 million net gallons of synthetic call options. To hedge the inter-month differentials for its price-protected customers, its physical inventory on hand and inventory in transit, the Partnership, as of March 31, 2015, had 34.1 million gallons of purchased future contracts and 54.7 million gallons of sold future contracts that settle in future months. To hedge its internal fuel usage for the remainder of fiscal 2015 and for fiscal 2016, the Partnership, as of March 31, 2015, had 3.2 million gallons of swap contracts that settle in future months.
	As of March 31, 2014, to hedge a substantial majority of the purchase price associated with heating oil gallons anticipated to be sold to its price-protected customers, the Partnership held 0.3 million gallons of physical inventory and the following derivative instruments that settle in future months to match anticipated sales: 6.3 million gallons of swap contracts, 1.1 million gallons of call options, 4.2 million gallons of put options and 47.7 million net gallons of synthetic call options. To hedge the inter-month differentials for its price-protected customers, its physical inventory on hand and inventory in transit, the Partnership, as of March 31, 2014, had 46.2 million gallons of purchased future contracts and 60.0 million gallons of sold future contracts that settle in future months. In addition to the previously described hedging instruments, to lock-in the differential between high sulfur home heating oil and ultra low sulfur diesel, the Partnership as of March 31, 2014, had 33.1 million gallons of corresponding purchased and sold swap contracts. To hedge its internal fuel usage for the remainder of fiscal 2014, the Partnership as of March 31, 2014, had 1.0 million gallons of swap contracts that settle in future months.
	The Partnership’s derivative instruments are with the following counterparties: Bank of America, N.A., Bank of Montreal, Cargill, Inc., Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Key Bank, N.A., Regions Financial Corporation, Societe Generale, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The Partnership assesses counterparty credit risk and considers it to be low. We maintain master netting arrangements that allow for the non-conditional offsetting of amounts receivable and payable with counterparties to help manage our risks and record derivative positions on a net basis. The Partnership generally does not receive cash collateral from its counterparties and does not restrict the use of cash collateral it maintains at counterparties. At March 31, 2015, the aggregate cash posted as collateral in the normal course of business at counterparties was $2.1 million. Positions with counterparties who are also parties to our revolving credit facility are collateralized under that facility. As of March 31, 2015, $12.2 million of hedge positions and payable amounts were secured under the credit facility.
	FASB ASC 820-10 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classified the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Partnership’s Level 1 derivative assets and liabilities represent the fair value of commodity contracts used in its hedging activities that are identical and traded in active markets. The Partnership’s Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities represent the fair value of commodity contracts used in its hedging activities that are valued using either directly or indirectly observable inputs, whose nature, risk and class are similar. No significant transfers of assets or liabilities have been made into and out of the Level 1 or Level 2 tiers. All derivative instruments were non-trading positions and were either a Level 1 or Level 2 instrument. The Partnership had no Level 3 derivative instruments. The fair market value of our Level 1 and Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities are calculated by our counter-parties and are independently validated by the Partnership. The Partnership’s calculations are, for Level 1 derivative assets and liabilities, based on the published New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) market prices for the commodity contracts open at the end of the period. For Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities the calculations performed by the Partnership are based on a combination of the NYMEX published market prices and other inputs, including such factors as present value, volatility and duration.
	The Partnership had no assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition. The Partnership’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are listed on the following table.
	(In thousands)							Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
	Derivatives Not Designated	Balance Sheet Location		Total				Quoted Prices in				Significant Other
	as Hedging Instruments							Active Markets for				Observable Inputs
	Under FASB ASC 815-10							Identical Assets Level 1				Level 2
	Asset Derivatives at March 31, 2015
	Commodity contracts	Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments		$	34,566			$	8,124			$	26,442
	Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative assets included in the deferred charges and other assets, net balance			1,093				180				913
	Commodity contract assets at March 31, 2015			$	35,659			$	8,304			$	27,355
	Liability Derivatives at March 31, 2015
	Commodity contracts	Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments		$	(41,647	)		$	(7,591	)		$	(34,056	)
	Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative liabilities included in the other long-term liabilities balance			(1,063	)			(122	)			(941	)
	Commodity contract liabilities at March 31, 2015			$	(42,710	)		$	(7,713	)		$	(34,997	)
	Asset Derivatives at September 30, 2014
	Commodity contracts	Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments		$	26,263			$	2,328			$	23,935
	Commodity contract assets at September 30, 2014			$	26,263			$	2,328			$	23,935
	Liability Derivatives at September 30, 2014
	Commodity contracts	Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments		$	(36,279	)		$	—			$	(36,279	)
	Commodity contract liabilities at September 30, 2014			$	(36,279	)		$	—			$	(36,279	)
	The Partnership’s derivative assets (liabilities) offset by counterparty and subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement are listed on the following table.
	(In thousands)													Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
														Statement of Financial Position
	Offsetting of Financial Assets (Liabilities)	Gross				Gross				Net Assets				Financial				Cash		Net Amount
	and Derivative Assets (Liabilities)	Assets				Liabilities				(Liabilities)				Instruments				Collateral
		Recognized				Offset in the				Presented in								Received
						Statement				the
						of Financial				Statement
						Position				of Financial
										Position
	Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	8,159			$	(7,590	)		$	569			$	—			$	—	$	569
	Long-term derivative assets included in deferred charges and other assets, net		672				(550	)			122				—				—		122
	Fair liability value of derivative instruments		26,407				(34,057	)			(7,650	)			—				—		(7,650	)
	Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities, net		421				(513	)			(92	)									(92	)
	Total at March 31, 2015	$	35,659			$	(42,710	)		$	(7,051	)		$	—			$	—	$	(7,051	)
	Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	2,342			$	—			$	2,342			$	—			$	—	$	2,342
	Fair liability value of derivative instruments		23,921				(36,279	)			(12,358	)			—				—		(12,358	)
	Total at September 30, 2014	$	26,263			$	(36,279	)		$	(10,016	)		$	—			$	—	$	(10,016	)
	(In thousands)	The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations
				Amount of (Gain) or Loss Recognized
	Derivatives Not Designated as	Location of (Gain) or Loss		Three Months				Three Months				Six Months				Six Months
	Hedging Instruments Under	Recognized in Income on		Ended				Ended				Ended				Ended
	FASB ASC 815-10	Derivative		March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014
	Closed Positions
	Commodity contracts	Cost of product (a)		$	17,322			$	3,216			$	10,517			$	8,527
	Commodity contracts	Cost of installations and service (a)		$	859			$	(87	)		$	1,345			$	(95	)
	Commodity contracts	Delivery and branch expenses (a)		$	991			$	(75	)		$	1,465			$	(114	)
	(a)    Represents realized closed positions and includes the cost of options as they expire.
	Open Positions
	Commodity contracts	(Increase) / decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments		$	(12,631	)		$	4,105			$	(4,341	)		$	(1,353	)

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventories	5) Inventories
	The Partnership’s product inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market computed on the weighted average cost method. All other inventories, representing parts and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or market using the FIFO method. The components of inventory were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		September 30, 2014
	Product	$	31,142	$	39,802
	Parts and equipment		19,596		19,438
	Total inventory	$	50,738	$	59,240

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property and Equipment	6) Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets using the straight-line method (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		September 30, 2014
	Property and equipment	$	172,685	$	170,307
	Less: accumulated depreciation		106,984		102,888
	Property and equipment, net	$	65,701	$	67,419

Business_Combination

Business Combination	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combination	7) Business Combination
	During fiscal 2015, the Partnership acquired a propane dealer for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.1 million. The gross purchase price was allocated $0.3 million to intangible assets, $0.1 million to goodwill and $0.7 million to fixed assets. The acquired company’s operating results are included in the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements starting on its acquisition date, and are not material to the Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_net

Goodwill and Intangibles, net	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangibles, net	8) Goodwill and Intangibles, net
	Goodwill
	A summary of changes in the Partnership’s goodwill is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	209,331
	Fiscal year 2015 business combination		72
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	209,403
	Intangibles, net
	The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets subject to amortization are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015						September 30, 2014
		Gross						Gross
		Carrying		Accum.				Carrying		Accum.
		Amount		Amortization		Net		Amount		Amortization		Net
	Customer lists	$	305,892	$	230,267	$	75,625	$	304,699	$	224,215	$	80,484
	Trade names and other intangibles		24,207		4,403		19,804		24,070		3,771		20,299
	Total	$	330,099	$	234,670	$	95,429	$	328,769	$	227,986	$	100,783
	Amortization expense for intangible assets was $6.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $5.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014.

LongTerm_Debt_and_Bank_Facilit

Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings	9) Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings
	The Partnership’s debt is as follows
	(in thousands):
			March 31, 2015				September 30, 2014
			Carrying				Carrying
			Amount		Fair Value (a)		Amount		Fair Value (a)
	8.875% Senior Notes (b)		$	124,632	$	130,000	$	124,572	$	130,313
	Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings (c)			—		—		—		—
	Total debt		$	124,632	$	130,000	$	124,572	$	130,313
	Total long-term portion of debt		$	124,632	$	130,000	$	124,572	$	130,313
	(a)	The Partnership’s fair value estimates of long-term debt are made at a specific point in time, based on Level 2 inputs.
	(b)	The 8.875% Senior Notes were originally issued in November 2010 in a private placement offering pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, and in February 2011, were exchanged for substantially identical public notes registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These public notes mature in December 2017 and accrue interest at an annual rate of 8.875% requiring semi-annual interest payments on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The discount on these notes was $0.4 million at March 31, 2015. Under the terms of the indenture, these notes permit restricted payments after passing particular financial tests. The Partnership can incur debt up to $100 million for acquisitions and can also pay restricted payments of $22.0 million without passing financial tests.
	(c)	In January 2014, the Partnership entered into a second amended and restated asset based revolving credit facility agreement with a bank syndicate comprised of fifteen participants, which replaced the then existing revolving credit facility.
	The second amended and restated revolving credit facility provides the Partnership with the ability to borrow up to $300 million ($450 million during the heating season of December through April of each year) for working capital purposes (subject to certain borrowing base limitations and coverage ratios), including the issuance of up to $100 million in letters of credit, and extends the maturity date to June 2017, or January 2019 if the Partnership has met the conditions of the facility termination date as defined in the agreement and as discussed further below. The Partnership can increase the facility size by $100 million without the consent of the bank group. However, the bank group is not obligated to fund the $100 million increase. If the bank group elects not to fund the increase, the Partnership can add additional lenders to the group, with the consent of the Agent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Obligations under the second amended and restated credit facility are guaranteed by the Partnership and its subsidiaries and are secured by liens on substantially all of the Partnership’s assets including accounts receivable, inventory, general intangibles, real property, fixtures and equipment.
	All outstanding amounts owed under the second amended and restated credit facility become due and payable on the facility termination date of June 1, 2017. If the Partnership has repaid, prepaid or otherwise defeased at least $100 million of our 8.875% Senior Notes and Availability is equal to or greater than the aggregate amount required to repay the remaining outstanding 8.875% Senior Notes (“Payoff Amount”), then the facility termination date is January 14, 2019. However, after June 1, 2017, in the event that Availability is less than the Payoff Amount, the facility termination date shall be three days following such date. Notwithstanding this, all outstanding amounts are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of events of default which the Partnership considers usual and customary for an agreement of this type, including failure to make payments under the second amended and restated credit facility, non-performance of covenants and obligations or insolvency or bankruptcy (as described in the second amended and restated credit facility).
	The interest rate on the second amended and restated credit facility is LIBOR plus (i) 1.75% (if Availability, as defined in the agreement is greater than or equal to $150 million), or (ii) 2.00% (if Availability is greater than $75 million but less than $150 million), or (iii) 2.25% (if Availability is less than or equal to $75 million). The Commitment Fee on the unused portion of the facility is 0.30% per annum.
	Under the second amended and restated credit facility, the Partnership is obligated to meet certain financial covenants, including the requirement to maintain at all times either Availability (borrowing base less amounts borrowed and letters of credit issued) of 12.5% of the facility size, or a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the revolving credit facility agreement) of not less than 1.1, which is calculated based upon Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months. In order to make acquisitions, the Partnership must maintain Availability of $40 million on a historical pro forma and forward-looking basis. In addition, the Partnership must maintain Availability of $45 million, 15.0% of the facility size of $300 million (assuming the non-seasonal aggregate commitment is outstanding), on a historical and forward-looking basis, and a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.15 in order to pay any distributions to unitholders or repurchase Common Units. No inter-company dividends or distributions can be made (including those needed to pay interest or principle on our 8.875% Senior Notes), except to the Partnership or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership, if the immediately preceding covenants have not been met. Certain restrictions are also imposed by the agreement, including restrictions on the Partnership’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, to pay distributions to unitholders, to pay inter-company dividends or distributions, make investments, grant liens, sell assets, make acquisitions and engage in certain other activities.
	At March 31, 2015, no amount was outstanding under the revolving credit facility, $12.2 million of hedge positions were secured, and $55.4 million of letters of credit were issued. At September 30, 2014, no amount was outstanding under the revolving credit facility, $14.9 million of hedge positions were secured, and $52.8 million of letters of credit were issued.
	At March 31, 2015, availability was $232.4 million and the Partnership was in compliance with the revolving credit facility’s fixed charge coverage ratio. At September 30, 2014, availability was $149.6 million and the Partnership was in compliance with the revolving credit facility’s fixed charge coverage ratio.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes	10) Income Taxes
	Since Star Gas Partners is organized as a master limited partnership, it is not subject to tax at its entity level for Federal and state income tax purposes. However, Star Gas Partners’ income is derived from its corporate subsidiaries, and these entities do incur Federal and state income taxes relating to their respective corporate subsidiaries, which are reflected in these financial statements. For the corporate subsidiaries of Star Gas Partners, a consolidated Federal income tax return is filed.
	Income and losses of Star Gas Partners are allocated directly to the individual partners. Even though Star Gas Partners will generate non-qualifying Master Limited Partnership income through its corporate subsidiaries, cash received by Star Gas Partners from its corporate subsidiaries is generally included in the determination of qualified Master Limited Partnership income. All or a portion of such cash could be taxable as dividend income or as a capital gain to the individual partners. This could be the case even if Star Gas Partners used the cash received from its corporate subsidiaries for purposes such as the repurchase of Common Units or other types of capital transactions rather than distributions to its individual partners.
	The accompanying financial statements are reported on a fiscal year, however, Star Gas Partners and its corporate subsidiaries file Federal and state income tax returns on a calendar year.
	The current and deferred income tax expenses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014 are as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		March 31,				March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
	Income before income taxes	$	129,876	$	89,289	$	156,789	$	122,132
	Current tax expense	$	46,642	$	32,215	$	57,772	$	42,438
	Deferred tax expense		7,547		4,858		7,776		8,190
	Total tax expense	$	54,189	$	37,073	$	65,548	$	50,628
	As of January 1, 2015, Star Acquisitions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership, had an estimated Federal net operating loss carry forward (“NOLs”) of approximately $6.1 million. The Federal NOLs, which will expire between 2018 and 2024, are generally available to offset any future taxable income but are also subject to annual limitations of between $1.0 million and $2.2 million.
	FASB ASC 740-10-05-6 Income Taxes, Uncertain Tax Position, provides financial statement accounting guidance for uncertainty in income taxes and tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. At March 31, 2015, we had unrecognized income tax benefits totaling $1.0 million including related accrued interest and penalties of $0.1 million. These unrecognized tax benefits are primarily the result of state tax uncertainties. If recognized, these tax benefits would be recorded as a benefit to the effective tax rate.
	We believe that the total liability for unrecognized tax benefits will not materially change during the next 12 months ending March 31, 2016. Our continuing practice is to recognize interest related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense. We file U.S. Federal income tax returns and various state and local returns. A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and finally resolved. For our Federal income tax returns we have four tax years subject to examination. In our major state tax jurisdictions of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we have four, four, four and five tax years, respectively, that are subject to examination. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular uncertain tax position, based on our assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretation of tax law, we believe that our provision for income taxes reflect the most probable outcome. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events.

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	11) Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
		Six Months Ended
		March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015		2014
	Cash paid during the period for:
	Income taxes, net	$	11,960	$	8,395
	Interest	$	7,022	$	7,701
	Non-cash investing activities:
	Acquisition of NYC heating oil customer list	$	886	$	—
	Non-cash financing activities:
	Increase in interest expense—amortization of debt discount on 8.875% Senior Notes	$	60	$	55

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies	12) Commitments and Contingencies
	The Partnership’s operations are subject to the operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing and transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers hazardous liquids such as home heating oil and propane. At any given time the Partnership is a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The Partnership records a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. The Partnership maintains insurance policies with insurers in amounts and with coverages and deductibles we believe are reasonable and prudent. However, the Partnership cannot assure that this insurance will be adequate to protect it from all material expenses related to potential future claims. In the opinion of management the Partnership is not a party to any litigation which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

Earnings_Per_Limited_Partner_U

Earnings Per Limited Partner Unit	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Limited Partner Unit	13) Earnings Per Limited Partner Unit
	Income per limited partner unit is computed in accordance with FASB ASC 260-10-05 Earnings Per Share, Master Limited Partnerships (EITF 03-06), by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income by the weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding. The pro forma nature of the allocation required by this standard provides that in any accounting period where the Partnership’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distribution for such period, the Partnership is required to present net income per limited partner unit as if all of the earnings for the periods were distributed, regardless of whether those earnings would actually be distributed during a particular period from an economic or practical perspective. This allocation does not impact the Partnership’s overall net income or other financial results. However, for periods in which the Partnership’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distributions for such period, it will have the impact of reducing the earnings per limited partner unit, as the calculation according to this standard result in a theoretical increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the general partner. In accounting periods where aggregate net income does not exceed aggregate distributions for such period, this standard does not have any impact on the Partnership’s net income per limited partner unit calculation. A separate and independent calculation for each quarter and year-to-date period is performed, in which the Partnership’s contractual participation rights are taken into account.
	The following presents the net income allocation and per unit data using this method for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Limited Partner:	March 31,				March 31,
	(in thousands, except per unit data)	2015		2014		2015		2014
	Net income	$	75,687	$	52,216	$	91,241	$	71,504
	Less General Partner’s interest in net income		428		294		516		403
	Net income available to limited partners		75,259		51,922		90,725		71,101
	Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60		13,616		9,065		15,705		11,922
	Limited Partner’s interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	$	61,643	$	42,857	$	75,020	$	59,179
	Per unit data:
	Basic and diluted net income available to limited partners	$	1.31	$	0.9	$	1.58	$	1.24
	Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60		0.23		0.15		0.27		0.21
	Limited Partner’s interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	$	1.08	$	0.75	$	1.31	$	1.03
	Weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding		57,282		57,468		57,288		57,490

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events	14) Subsequent Events
	Quarterly Distribution Declared
	In April 2015, we declared a quarterly distribution of $0.095 per unit, or $0.38 per unit on an annualized basis, on all Common Units with respect to the second quarter of fiscal 2015, payable on May 8, 2015, to holders of record on April 30, 2015. In accordance with our Partnership Agreement, the amount of distributions in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.0675, are distributed 90% to Common Unit holders and 10% to the General Partner unit holders (until certain distribution levels are met), subject to the management incentive compensation plan. As a result, $5.4 million will be paid to the Common Unit holders, $0.1 million to the General Partner unit holders (including $0.09 million of incentive distribution as provided in our Partnership Agreement) and $0.09 million to management pursuant to the management incentive compensation plan which provides for certain members of management to receive incentive distributions that would otherwise be payable to the General Partner.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Star Gas Partners, L.P. and its subsidiaries. All material inter-company items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, such information reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair statement of financial condition and results for the interim periods. Due to the seasonal nature of the Partnership’s business, the results of operations and cash flows for the six month period ended March 31, 2015, and March 31, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
	These interim financial statements of the Partnership have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of the unrealized gain (loss) amortization on the Partnership’s pension plan obligation for its two frozen defined benefit pension plans and the corresponding tax effect.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016; the original public entity effective date. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Partnership is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Partnership has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The update requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset. The update requires retrospective application and represents a change in accounting principle. The update is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership expects the impact of ASU 2015-03 will be limited to the presentation of debt issuance cost on its balance sheet.

Common_Unit_Repurchase_and_Ret1

Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Partnership's Repurchase Activities	The following table shows repurchases under Plan III.
	(in thousands, except per unit amounts)		Total Number of		Average Price		Maximum Number
	Period		Units Purchased		Paid per Unit		of Units that May
			(a)		(b)		Yet Be Purchased
	Plan III - Number of units authorized							4,894
	Private transaction - Number of units authorized							1,150
								6,044
	Plan III - Fiscal years 2012 to 2014 total (c)			3,619	$	4.69		2,425
	Plan III - First quarter fiscal year 2015 total			123	$	5.64		2,302
	Plan III - Second quarter fiscal year 2015 total			—	$	—		2,302
	Plan III - Six months fiscal year 2015 total			123	$	5.64		2,302
	(a)	Units were repurchased as part of a publicly announced program, except as noted in a private transaction.
	(b)	Amounts include repurchase costs.
	(c)	Includes 1.45 million common units acquired in a private transaction.

Derivatives_and_HedgingFair_Va1

Derivatives and Hedging-Fair Value Measurements and Accounting for the Offsetting of Certain Contracts (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Partnership's Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The Partnership had no assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition. The Partnership’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are listed on the following table.
	(In thousands)							Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
	Derivatives Not Designated	Balance Sheet Location		Total				Quoted Prices in				Significant Other
	as Hedging Instruments							Active Markets for				Observable Inputs
	Under FASB ASC 815-10							Identical Assets				Level 2
								Level 1
	Asset Derivatives at March 31, 2015
	Commodity contracts	Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments		$	34,566			$	8,124			$	26,442
	Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative assets included in the deferred charges and other assets, net balance			1,093				180				913
	Commodity contract assets at March 31, 2015			$	35,659			$	8,304			$	27,355
	Liability Derivatives at March 31, 2015
	Commodity contracts	Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments		$	(41,647	)		$	(7,591	)		$	(34,056	)
	Commodity contracts	Long-term derivative liabilities included in the other long-term liabilities balance			(1,063	)			(122	)			(941	)
	Commodity contract liabilities at March 31, 2015			$	-42,710			$	(7,713	)		$	(34,997	)
	Asset Derivatives at September 30, 2014
	Commodity contracts	Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments		$	26,263			$	2,328			$	23,935
	Commodity contract assets at September 30, 2014			$	26,263			$	2,328			$	23,935
	Liability Derivatives at September 30, 2014
	Commodity contracts	Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments		$	(36,279	)		$	—			$	(36,279	)
	Commodity contract liabilities at September 30, 2014			$	-36,279			$	—			$	-36,279
	(In thousands)	The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations
				Amount of (Gain) or Loss Recognized
	Derivatives Not Designated as	Location of (Gain) or Loss		Three Months				Three Months				Six Months				Six Months
	Hedging Instruments Under	Recognized in Income on		Ended				Ended				Ended				Ended
	FASB ASC 815-10	Derivative		March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2015				March 31, 2014
	Closed Positions
	Commodity contracts	Cost of product (a)		$	17,322			$	3,216			$	10,517			$	8,527
	Commodity contracts	Cost of installations and service (a)		$	859			$	(87	)		$	1,345			$	(95	)
	Commodity contracts	Delivery and branch expenses (a)		$	991			$	(75	)		$	1,465			$	(114	)
	(a)    Represents realized closed positions and includes the cost of options as they expire.
	Open Positions
	Commodity contracts	(Increase) / decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments		$	(12,631	)		$	4,105			$	(4,341	)		$	(1,353	)
Partnership's Derivatives Assets (Liabilities) Offset by Counterparty	The Partnership’s derivative assets (liabilities) offset by counterparty and subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement are listed on the following table.
	(In thousands)													Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
														Statement of Financial Position
	Offsetting of Financial Assets (Liabilities)	Gross				Gross				Net Assets				Financial				Cash		Net Amount
	and Derivative Assets (Liabilities)	Assets				Liabilities				(Liabilities)				Instruments				Collateral
		Recognized				Offset in the				Presented in								Received
						Statement				the
						of Financial				Statement
						Position				of Financial
										Position
	Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	8,159			$	(7,590	)		$	569			$	—			$	—	$	569
	Long-term derivative assets included in deferred charges and other assets, net		672				(550	)			122				—				—		122
	Fair liability value of derivative instruments		26,407				(34,057	)			(7,650	)			—				—		(7,650	)
	Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities, net		421				(513	)			(92	)									(92	)
	Total at March 31, 2015	$	35,659			$	(42,710	)		$	(7,051	)		$	—			$	—	$	(7,051	)
	Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	2,342			$	—			$	2,342			$	—			$	—	$	2,342
	Fair liability value of derivative instruments		23,921				(36,279	)			(12,358	)			—				—		(12,358	)
	Total at September 30, 2014	$	26,263			$	(36,279	)		$	(10,016	)		$	—			$	—	$	(10,016	)
Partnership's Derivatives Assets (Liabilities) Offset by Counterparty	The Partnership’s derivative assets (liabilities) offset by counterparty and subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement are listed on the following table.
	(In thousands)													Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
														Statement of Financial Position
	Offsetting of Financial Assets (Liabilities)	Gross				Gross				Net Assets				Financial				Cash		Net Amount
	and Derivative Assets (Liabilities)	Assets				Liabilities				(Liabilities)				Instruments				Collateral
		Recognized				Offset in the				Presented in								Received
						Statement				the
						of Financial				Statement
						Position				of Financial
										Position
	Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	8,159			$	(7,590	)		$	569			$	—			$	—	$	569
	Long-term derivative assets included in deferred charges and other assets, net		672				(550	)			122				—				—		122
	Fair liability value of derivative instruments		26,407				(34,057	)			(7,650	)			—				—		(7,650	)
	Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities, net		421				(513	)			(92	)									(92	)
	Total at March 31, 2015	$	35,659			$	(42,710	)		$	(7,051	)		$	—			$	—	$	(7,051	)
	Fair asset value of derivative instruments	$	2,342			$	—			$	2,342			$	—			$	—	$	2,342
	Fair liability value of derivative instruments		23,921				(36,279	)			(12,358	)			—				—		(12,358	)
	Total at September 30, 2014	$	26,263			$	(36,279	)		$	(10,016	)		$	—			$	—	$	(10,016	)

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Components of Inventory	The components of inventory were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		September 30, 2014
	Product	$	31,142	$	39,802
	Parts and equipment		19,596		19,438
	Total inventory	$	50,738	$	59,240

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property and Equipment	Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets using the straight-line method (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		September 30, 2014
	Property and equipment	$	172,685	$	170,307
	Less: accumulated depreciation		106,984		102,888
	Property and equipment, net	$	65,701	$	67,419

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_net_T

Goodwill and Intangibles, net (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Changes in the Partnership's Goodwill	A summary of changes in the Partnership’s goodwill is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	209,331
	Fiscal year 2015 business combination		72
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	209,403
Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets subject to amortization are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015						September 30, 2014
		Gross						Gross
		Carrying		Accum.				Carrying		Accum.
		Amount		Amortization		Net		Amount		Amortization		Net
	Customer lists	$	305,892	$	230,267	$	75,625	$	304,699	$	224,215	$	80,484
	Trade names and other intangibles		24,207		4,403		19,804		24,070		3,771		20,299
	Total	$	330,099	$	234,670	$	95,429	$	328,769	$	227,986	$	100,783

LongTerm_Debt_and_Bank_Facilit1

Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Partnership's Debt	The Partnership’s debt is as follows
	(in thousands):
			March 31, 2015				September 30, 2014
			Carrying				Carrying
			Amount		Fair Value (a)		Amount		Fair Value (a)
	8.875% Senior Notes (b)		$	124,632	$	130,000	$	124,572	$	130,313
	Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings (c)			—		—		—		—
	Total debt		$	124,632	$	130,000	$	124,572	$	130,313
	Total long-term portion of debt		$	124,632	$	130,000	$	124,572	$	130,313
	(a)	The Partnership’s fair value estimates of long-term debt are made at a specific point in time, based on Level 2 inputs.
	(b)	The 8.875% Senior Notes were originally issued in November 2010 in a private placement offering pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, and in February 2011, were exchanged for substantially identical public notes registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These public notes mature in December 2017 and accrue interest at an annual rate of 8.875% requiring semi-annual interest payments on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The discount on these notes was $0.4 million at March 31, 2015. Under the terms of the indenture, these notes permit restricted payments after passing particular financial tests. The Partnership can incur debt up to $100 million for acquisitions and can also pay restricted payments of $22.0 million without passing financial tests.
	(c)	In January 2014, the Partnership entered into a second amended and restated asset based revolving credit facility agreement with a bank syndicate comprised of fifteen participants, which replaced the then existing revolving credit facility.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Current and Deferred Income Tax Expenses	The current and deferred income tax expenses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014 are as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		March 31,				March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
	Income before income taxes	$	129,876	$	89,289	$	156,789	$	122,132
	Current tax expense	$	46,642	$	32,215	$	57,772	$	42,438
	Deferred tax expense		7,547		4,858		7,776		8,190
	Total tax expense	$	54,189	$	37,073	$	65,548	$	50,628

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas1

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
		Six Months Ended
		March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015		2014
	Cash paid during the period for:
	Income taxes, net	$	11,960	$	8,395
	Interest	$	7,022	$	7,701
	Non-cash investing activities:
	Acquisition of NYC heating oil customer list	$	886	$	—
	Non-cash financing activities:
	Increase in interest expense—amortization of debt discount on 8.875% Senior Notes	$	60	$	55

Earnings_Per_Limited_Partner_U1

Earnings Per Limited Partner Unit (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Net Income Allocation and Per Unit Data	The following presents the net income allocation and per unit data using this method for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Limited Partner:	March 31,				March 31,
	(in thousands, except per unit data)	2015		2014		2015		2014
	Net income	$	75,687	$	52,216	$	91,241	$	71,504
	Less General Partner’s interest in net income		428		294		516		403
	Net income available to limited partners		75,259		51,922		90,725		71,101
	Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60		13,616		9,065		15,705		11,922
	Limited Partner’s interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	$	61,643	$	42,857	$	75,020	$	59,179
	Per unit data:
	Basic and diluted net income available to limited partners	$	1.31	$	0.9	$	1.58	$	1.24
	Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60		0.23		0.15		0.27		0.21
	Limited Partner’s interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	$	1.08	$	0.75	$	1.31	$	1.03
	Weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding		57,282		57,468		57,288		57,490

Partnership_Organization_Addit

Partnership Organization - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of limited partner interest	99.43%
Percentage of general partner interest	0.57%
8.875% Senior Notes
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Outstanding senior notes	125
Interest on senior notes	8.88%	8.88%
Maturity of public notes due	1-Dec-17
Star Acquisitions, Inc
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Ownership interest of partnership	100.00%
Petro Holdings, Inc
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Ownership interest of Star Acquisitions Inc.	100.00%
Number of full-service residential and commercial home heating oil and propane customers served	452,000
Number of customers to whom only home heating oil, gasoline and diesel fuel were sold on a delivery only basis	76,000
Number of customers to whom ancillary services were provided	24,000
Star Gas Finance Company
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Ownership interest of partnership	100.00%
Common Stock
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Number of outstanding units	57,282		57,405
General Partner
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Number of outstanding units	326		326

Common_Unit_Repurchase_and_Ret2

Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 14, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Partnership's common units authorized for repurchase		6,044
Second Amendment
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Availability required to repurchase common units	$45
Percentage of the maximum facility size on a historical proforma and forward-looking basis	15.00%
Non Seasonal maximum borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility	$300
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio for distributions to unit holders or to repurchase common units	115.00%
Initial Common Units Authorized Plan III Common Units Repurchase Program
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Partnership's common units authorized for repurchase			3,000
Additional Common Units Authorized Plan III Common Units Repurchase Program
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Partnership's common units authorized for repurchase				1,900

Partnerships_Repurchase_Activi

Partnership's Repurchase Activities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		36 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Partnership's common units authorized for repurchase			6,044
Private Transaction
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Partnership's common units authorized for repurchase			1,150		1,450
Plan III Common Units Repurchase Program
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Partnership's common units authorized for repurchase			4,894
Total Number of Units Purchased	123	[1]	123	[1]	3,619	[1],[2]
Average Price Paid per Unit	$5.64	[3]	$5.64	[3]	$4.69	[2],[3]
Maximum Number of Units that May Yet Be Purchased	2,302		2,302		2,425	[2]
[1]	Units were repurchased as part of a publicly announced program, except as noted in a private transaction.
[2]	Includes 1.45 million common units acquired in a private transaction.
[3]	Amounts include repurchase costs.

Partnerships_Repurchase_Activi1

Partnership's Repurchase Activities (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Partnership's common units authorized for repurchase	6,044
Private Transaction
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Partnership's common units authorized for repurchase	1,150	1,450

Derivatives_and_HedgingDisclos

Derivatives and Hedging-Disclosures and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
	gal	gal
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Aggregated cash posted as collateral in normal course of business	2.1
Hedging positions and payable amounts secured under credit facility	12.2		$14.90
Call Option
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume	4,100,000	1,100,000
Put Option
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume	3,100,000	4,200,000
Inventory
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume		300,000
Swap Contracts Bought
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume	6,300,000	6,300,000
Synthetic calls
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume	54,700,000	47,700,000
Futures Contracts Sold
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume	54,700,000	60,000,000
Corresponding Long And Short Swap Contracts Bought
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume		33,100,000
Hedge its Internal Fuel Usage Swap Contracts Bought
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume	3,200,000	1,000,000
Futures Contracts Bought
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative activity volume	34,100,000	46,200,000

Partnerships_Financial_Assets_

Partnership's Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under FASB ASC 815-10, Commodity Contract, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	$35,659	$26,263
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	-42,710	-36,279
Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	34,566	26,263
Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	-41,647	-36,279
Long-term derivative assets included in the deferred charges and other assets, net balance
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	1,093
Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities balance
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	-1,063
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	8,304	2,328
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	-7,713
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	8,124	2,328
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	-7,591
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Long-term derivative assets included in the deferred charges and other assets, net balance
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	180
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities balance
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	-122
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	27,355	23,935
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	-34,997	-36,279
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	26,442	23,935
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	-34,056	-36,279
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | Long-term derivative assets included in the deferred charges and other assets, net balance
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, commodity contracts	913
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities balance
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, commodity contracts	($941)

Offsetting_of_Financial_Assets

Offsetting of Financial Assets (Liabilities) and Derivative Assets (liabilities) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	$569	$2,342
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	-7,650	-12,358
Subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Gross Assets Recognized	35,659	26,263
Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	-42,710	-36,279
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	-7,051	-10,016
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	-7,051	-10,016
Subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement | Fair liability and fair asset value of derivative instruments
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Gross Assets Recognized	26,407	23,921
Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	-34,057	-36,279
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	-7,650	-12,358
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	-7,650	-12,358
Subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement | Fair asset and fair liability value of derivative instruments
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Gross Assets Recognized	8,159	2,342
Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	-7,590
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	569	2,342
Financial Instruments	0	0
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	569	2,342
Subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement | Long-term derivative liabilities included in other long-term liabilities balance
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Gross Assets Recognized	421
Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	-513
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	-92
Financial Instruments	0
Cash Collateral Received	0
Net Amount	-92
Subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement | Long-term derivative assets included in the deferred charges and other assets, net balance
Fair Values Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Including Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Gross Assets Recognized	672
Gross Liabilities Offset in the Statement of Financial Position	-550
Net Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Statement of Financial Position	122
Financial Instruments	0
Cash Collateral Received	0
Net Amount	$122

Effect_of_Derivative_Instrumen

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain) or Loss Unrealized, commodity contracts	($12,631)		$4,105		($4,341)		($1,353)
Open Position
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain) or Loss Unrealized, commodity contracts	-12,631		4,105		-4,341		-1,353
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under FASB ASC 815-10 | Commodity Contract | Cost of product | Closed Positions
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain) or Loss Recognized, commodity contracts	17,322	[1]	3,216	[1]	10,517	[1]	8,527	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under FASB ASC 815-10 | Commodity Contract | Cost of installations and service | Closed Positions
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain) or Loss Recognized, commodity contracts	859	[1]	-87	[1]	1,345	[1]	-95	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under FASB ASC 815-10 | Commodity Contract | Delivery and branch expenses | Closed Positions
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain) or Loss Recognized, commodity contracts	$991	[1]	($75)	[1]	$1,465	[1]	($114)	[1]
[1]	Represents realized closed positions and includes the cost of options as they expire.

Components_of_Inventory_Detail

Components of Inventory (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]
Product	$31,142	$39,802
Parts and equipment	19,596	19,438
Total inventory	$50,738	$59,240

Component_of_Property_and_Equi

Component of Property and Equipment and their Estimated Useful Lives (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$172,685	$170,307
Less accumulated depreciation	106,984	102,888
Property and equipment, net	$65,701	$67,419

Business_Combinations_Addition

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
	PartnershipUnit
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of heating oil dealer acquired	1
Aggregate purchase price partnership acquired	$1,100,000
Gross purchase price allocation, intangible assets	300,000
Goodwill	209,403,000	209,331,000
Gross purchase price allocation, fixed assets	700,000
Propane Dealer
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$100,000

Summary_of_Changes_in_the_Part

Summary of Changes in the Partnership's Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance on beginning	$209,331
Fiscal year business combinations	72
Balance on ending	$209,403

Intangible_Assets_Subject_to_A

Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$330,099	$328,769
Accum. Amortization	234,670	227,986
Net	95,429	100,783
Customer Lists
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	305,892	304,699
Accum. Amortization	230,267	224,215
Net	75,625	80,484
Trade Names And Other Intangibles
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	24,207	24,070
Accum. Amortization	4,403	3,771
Net	$19,804	$20,299

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_net_A

Goodwill and Intangibles, net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense for intangible assets	$6.70	$5

Partnerships_Debt_Detail

Partnership's Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
8.875% Senior Notes, Carrying Amount	$124,632	[1]	$124,572	[1]
Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings, Carrying Amount	0	[2]	0	[2]
Total debt, Carrying Amount	124,632		124,572
Total long-term portion of debt, Carrying Amount	124,632		124,572
8.875% Senior Notes, Fair Value	130,000	[1],[3]	130,313	[1],[3]
Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings, Fair Value	0	[2],[3]	0	[2],[3]
Total debt, Fair Value	130,000	[3]	130,313	[3]
8.875% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
8.875% Senior Notes, Fair Value	$130,000	[3]	$130,313	[3]
[1]	The 8.875% Senior Notes were originally issued in November 2010 in a private placement offering pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, and in February 2011, were exchanged for substantially identical public notes registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These public notes mature in December 2017 and accrue interest at an annual rate of 8.875% requiring semi-annual interest payments on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The discount on these notes was $0.4 million at March 31, 2015. Under the terms of the indenture, these notes permit restricted payments after passing particular financial tests. The Partnership can incur debt up to $100 million for acquisitions and can also pay restricted payments of $22.0 million without passing financial tests.
[2]	In January 2014, the Partnership entered into a second amended and restated asset based revolving credit facility agreement with a bank syndicate comprised of fifteen participants, which replaced the then existing revolving credit facility.
[3]	The Partnership's fair value estimates of long-term debt are made at a specific point in time, based on Level 2 inputs.

Partnerships_Debt_Parenthetica

Partnership's Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (8.875% Senior Notes, USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
8.875% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes issuance date	1-Nov-10
Interest accrued by public notes for each year	8.88%
Discount on notes	$0.40
Maximum debt allowed for acquisitions	100
Restricted payments without passing certain financial tests	$22
Maturity of public notes due	1-Dec-17
Interest payment frequency	Semi-annual interest payments on June 1 and December 1 of each year

LongTerm_Debt_and_Bank_Facilit2

Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 14, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Hedging positions and payable amounts secured under credit facility		12,200,000	$14,900,000
Letters of credit issued		55,400,000	52,800,000
Availability in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio		232,400,000	149,600,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility outstanding		0	0
Second Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Non Seasonal maximum borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility	300,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity (heating season December to April) under revolving credit facility	450,000,000
Issuance of line of credit for working capital purposes	100,000,000
Alternate revolving credit facility expiry	14-Jan-19
Revolving credit facility expiry	1-Jun-17
Additional revolving credit	100,000,000
Facility size that can be increased without consulting bank group	100,000,000
Line of credit facility description		All outstanding amounts owed under the second amended and restated credit facility become due and payable on the facility termination date of June 1, 2017. If the Partnership has repaid, prepaid or otherwise defeased at least $100 million of our 8.875% Senior Notes and Availability is equal to or greater than the aggregate amount required to repay the remaining outstanding 8.875% Senior Notes ("Payoff Amount"), then the facility termination date is January 14, 2019.
Description of variable rate		The interest rate on the second amended and restated credit facility is LIBOR plus (i) 1.75% (if Availability, as defined in the agreement is greater than or equal to $150 million), or (ii) 2.00% (if Availability is greater than $75 million but less than $150 million), or (iii) 2.25% (if Availability is less than or equal to $75 million). The Commitment Fee on the unused portion of the facility is 0.30% per annum.
Condition one, additional interest rate based on LIBOR	1.75%
Condition two, additional interest rate based on LIBOR	2.00%
Condition three, additional interest rate based on LIBOR	2.25%
Minimum availability, condition one	150,000,000
Maximum availability, condition two	150,000,000
Minimum availability, condition two	75,000,000
Maximum availability, condition three	75,000,000
Commitment fee on the unused portion of the facility	0.30%
Availability percentage to maximum facility size	12.50%
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio	110.00%
Availability required to make acquisition	40,000,000
Availability required to pay distributions	45,000,000
Percentage of the maximum facility size on a historical proforma and forward-looking basis	15.00%
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio for distributions to unit holders or to repurchase common units	115.00%
8.875% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest accrued by public notes for each year		8.88%
8.875% Senior Notes | Second Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount required to repaid, prepaid or defeased	$100,000,000
Interest accrued by public notes for each year	8.88%

Current_and_Deferred_Income_Ta

Current and Deferred Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Deferred Income Tax Assets And Liabilities
Income before income taxes	$129,876	$89,289	$156,789	$122,132
Current tax expense	46,642	32,215	57,772	42,438
Deferred tax expense	7,547	4,858	7,776	8,190
Total tax expense	$54,189	$37,073	$65,548	$50,628

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Jan. 01, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Net operating loss carryforward		$6.10
Unrecognized income tax benefit, if recognized, would benefit effective tax rate	1
Unrecognized income tax benefit related accrued interest and penalties	0.1
Federal
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of years for examination	Four
New York
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of years for examination	Four
Connecticut
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of years for examination	Four
Pennsylvania
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of years for examination	Four
New Jersey
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of years for examination	Five
Minimum
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Annual limitation of federal NOLs		1
Expiration date of net operating loss carryforward		31-Dec-18
Maximum
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Annual limitation of federal NOLs		$2.20
Expiration date of net operating loss carryforward		31-Dec-24

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas2

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes, net	$11,960	$8,395
Interest	7,022	7,701
Non-cash investing activities:
Acquisition of NYC heating oil customer list	886
Non-cash financing activities:
Increase in interest expense-amortization of debt discount on 8.875% Senior Notes	$60	$55

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas3

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (8.875% Senior Notes)	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
8.875% Senior Notes
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest on senior notes	8.88%	8.88%

Net_Income_Allocation_and_Per_

Net Income Allocation and Per Unit Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Limited Partner:
Net income	$75,687		$52,216		$91,241		$71,504
Less General Partner's interest in net income	428		294		516		403
Net income available to limited partners	75,259		51,922		90,725		71,101
Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	13,616		9,065		15,705		11,922
Limited Partner's interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	$61,643		$42,857		$75,020		$59,179
Per unit data:
Basic and diluted net income available to limited partners	1.31		0.9		1.58		1.24
Less dilutive impact of theoretical distribution of earnings under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	0.23		0.15		0.27		0.21
Limited Partner's interest in net income under FASB ASC 260-10-45-60	$1.08	[1]	$0.75	[1]	$1.31	[1]	$1.03	[1]
Weighted average number of Limited Partner units outstanding	57,282		57,468		57,288		57,490
[1]	See Note 13 Earnings Per Limited Partner Unit.

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event, Dividend Declared, USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Subsequent Event | Dividend Declared
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Distribution declared	$0.10
Partners capital projected distribution amount on annualized basis	$0.38
Minimum dividend distribution per unit	$0.07
Percentage of distributions to common unit holders in excess of minimum quarterly distribution	90.00%
Percentage of distributions to general unit holders in excess of minimum quarterly distribution	10.00%
Amount to paid to common unit holders	$5.40
Amount to paid to the General Partner	0.1
Incentive distribution to the General Partner	0.09
Incentive distributions to management	$0.09
Dividend payable date	8-May-15
Dividend record date	30-Apr-15