Holly Energy Partners (HEP) 10-Q 6 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_Entity_Information

Document Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HOLLY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
Entity Central Index Key	1283140
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		58,657,048

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,802	$2,830
Accounts receivable:
Trade	11,837	6,737
Affiliates	28,018	33,392
Total accounts receivable	39,855	40,129
Prepaid and other current assets	4,389	4,383
Total current assets	50,046	47,342
Properties and equipment, net	1,003,988	980,479
Transportation agreements, net	78,967	80,703
Goodwill	256,498	256,498
Investment in SLC Pipeline	24,462	24,478
Other assets	10,638	12,055
Total assets	1,424,599	1,401,555
Accounts payable:
Trade	12,689	12,642
Affiliates	15,803	5,239
Total accounts payable	28,492	17,881
Accrued interest	1,804	6,615
Deferred revenue	7,819	12,432
Accrued property taxes	2,745	2,703
Other current liabilities	4,402	4,571
Total current liabilities	45,262	44,202
Long-term debt	890,742	867,579
Other long-term liabilities	22,093	18,145
Deferred revenue	30,649	29,392
Class B unit	28,534	26,793
Partners’ equity:
Common unitholders (58,657,048 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	460,405	468,813
General partner interest (2% interest)	-148,410	-148,405
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-795	-46
Total partners’ equity	311,200	320,362
Noncontrolling interest	96,119	95,082
Total Equity	407,319	415,444
Total liabilities and equity	$1,424,599	$1,401,555

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Partners' Equity:
Common units issued	58,657,048	58,657,048
Common units outstanding	58,657,048	58,657,048
General partner interest	2.00%

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Affiliates	$72,255	$71,832
Third parties	17,501	15,172
Total revenues	89,756	87,004
Operating costs and expenses:
Operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	27,966	22,812
Depreciation and amortization	14,694	15,588
General and administrative	3,290	3,151
Total operating costs and expenses	45,950	41,551
Operating income	43,806	45,453
Other income (expense):
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	734	522
Interest expense	-8,768	-10,454
Interest income	0	3
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	-7,677
Gain (loss) on sale of assets	159	0
Other income	159	8
Total other income (expense)	-7,875	-17,598
Income before income taxes	35,931	27,855
State income tax expense	-101	-75
Net Income	35,830	27,780
Allocation of Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-4,027	-3,637
Net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners	31,803	24,143
General partner interest in net income, including incentive distributions	-9,810	-8,001
Limited partners’ interest in net income	$21,993	$16,142
Limited partners’ per unit interest in earnings—basic and diluted:	$0.37	$0.27
Weighted average limited partners’ units outstanding	58,657	58,657

Consolidated_Statement_of_Comp

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$35,830	$27,780
Other comprehensive income:
Change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments	-1,280	-443
Reclassification adjustment to net income on partial settlement of cash flow hedge	531	538
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-749	95
Comprehensive income before noncontrolling interest	35,081	27,875
Allocation of comprehensive income to noncontrolling interests	-4,027	-3,637
Comprehensive income attributable to Holly Energy Partners	$31,054	$24,238

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$35,830	$27,780
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	14,694	15,588
Gain on sale of assets	-159	0
Amortization of deferred charges	436	511
Amortization of restricted and performance units	896	820
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	7,677
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Accounts receivable – trade	-5,065	-302
Accounts receivable – affiliates	5,804	615
Prepaid and other current assets	39	374
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable – trade	1,748	2,568
Accounts payable – affiliates	10,564	-3,894
Accrued interest	-4,811	-8,463
Deferred revenue	-3,355	-4,857
Accrued property taxes	42	725
Other current liabilities	57	304
Other, net	4,171	-430
Net cash provided by operating activities	60,891	39,016
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to properties and equipment	-11,291	-20,604
Purchase of equipment	-27,500	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	218	0
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	16	40
Net cash used for investing activities	-38,557	-20,564
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings under credit agreement	153,500	421,300
Repayments of credit agreement borrowings	-130,500	-246,600
Redemption of senior notes	0	-156,188
Contribution from general partner		0
Distributions to HEP unitholders	-40,865	-37,342
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-1,250	-750
Purchase of units for incentive grants	-247	-336
Other	0	-9
Net cash used for financing activities	-19,362	-19,925
Cash and cash equivalents
Increase (decrease) for the period	2,972	-1,473
Beginning of period	2,830	6,352
End of period	$5,802	$4,879

Consolidated_Statement_of_Part

Consolidated Statement of Partners' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Units	General Partner Interest	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance December 31, 2014 at Dec. 31, 2014	$415,444	$468,813	($148,405)	($46)	$95,082
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Equity [Roll Forward]
Distributions to HEP unitholders	-40,865	-31,084	-9,781
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	-1,250				-1,250
Purchase of units for incentive grants	-247	-247
Amortization of restricted and performance units	896	896
Class B unit accretion	-1,740	-1,706	-34
Net income	35,830	23,733	9,810		2,287
Other comprehensive income	-749			-749
Balance March 31, 2015 at Mar. 31, 2015	$407,319	$460,405	($148,410)	($795)	$96,119

Description_of_Business_and_Pr

Description of Business and Presentation of Financial Statements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business and Presentation of Financial Statements	Description of Business and Presentation of Financial Statements
	Holly Energy Partners, L.P. (“HEP”), together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is a publicly held master limited partnership which is 39% owned (including the 2% general partner interest) by HollyFrontier Corporation (“HFC”) and its subsidiaries. We commenced operations on July 13, 2004, upon the completion of our initial public offering. In these consolidated financial statements, the words “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to HEP unless the context otherwise indicates.
	We operate in one reportable segment which represents the aggregation of our petroleum product and crude pipelines business and terminals, tankage and loading rack facilities operation.
	We own and operate petroleum product and crude oil pipelines and terminal, tankage and loading rack facilities that support HFC’s refining and marketing operations in the Mid-Continent, Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States and Alon USA, Inc.’s (“Alon”) refinery in Big Spring, Texas. Additionally, we own a 75% interest in UNEV Pipeline, LLC (“UNEV”), which owns a 427-mile, 12-inch refined products pipeline running from Woods Cross, Utah to Las Vegas, Nevada (the “UNEV Pipeline”), product terminals near Cedar City, Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada and related assets, and a 25% interest in SLC Pipeline LLC, which owns a 95-mile intrastate crude oil pipeline system (the “SLC Pipeline”) that serves refineries in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.
	We generate revenues by charging tariffs for transporting petroleum products and crude oil through our pipelines, by charging fees for terminalling and storing refined products and other hydrocarbons, and providing other services at our storage tanks and terminals. We do not take ownership of products that we transport, terminal or store, and therefore, we are not exposed directly to changes in commodity prices.
	The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The interim financial statements reflect all adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of our results for the interim periods. Such adjustments are considered to be of a normal recurring nature. Although certain notes and other information required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted, we believe that the disclosures in these consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2015.
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	Revenue Recognition
	In May 2014, an accounting standard update was issued requiring revenue to be recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the expected consideration for these goods or services. This standard has a proposed effective date of January 1, 2018. We are evaluating the impact of this standard.
	Debt Issuance Costs
	In April 2015, an accounting standard update was issued requiring debt issuance costs to be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability. The amount of deferred debt issuance costs reported in Long-term assets was $4.1 million and $4.4 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. This standard will become effective beginning with our 2016 reporting year.

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments
		Financial Instruments
	Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, debt and interest rate swaps. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. Debt consists of outstanding principal under our revolving credit agreement (which approximates fair value as interest rates are reset frequently at current interest rates) and our fixed interest rate senior notes.
	Fair value measurements are derived using inputs (assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability) including assumptions about risk. GAAP categorizes inputs used in fair value measurements into three broad levels as follows:
	•	(Level 1) Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	•	(Level 2) Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active or can be corroborated by observable market data.
	•	(Level 3) Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes valuation techniques that involve significant unobservable inputs.
	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our senior notes and interest rate swaps were as follows:
				March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Financial Instrument		Fair Value Input Level	Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
				Value				Value
				(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Interest rate swaps		Level 2	$	147	$	147	$	1,019	$	1,019
	Liabilities:
	6.5% Senior notes		Level 2	$	296,742	$	295,500	$	296,579	$	291,000
	Interest rate swaps		Level 2	942		942		1,065		1,065
				$	297,684	$	296,442	$	297,644	$	292,065
	Level 2 Financial Instruments
	Our senior notes and interest rate swaps are measured at fair value using Level 2 inputs. The fair value of the senior notes is based on market values provided by a third-party bank, which were derived using market quotes for similar type debt instruments. The fair value of our interest rate swaps is based on the net present value of expected future cash flows related to both variable and fixed-rate legs of the swap agreement. This measurement is computed using the forward London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) yield curve, a market-based observable input.
	See Note 6 for additional information on these instruments.

Properties_and_Equipment

Properties and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Properties and Equipment	Properties and Equipment
	The carrying amounts of our properties and equipment are as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Pipelines, terminals and tankage	$	1,169,685	$	1,137,157
	Land and right of way	64,497		64,458
	Construction in progress	59,701		56,228
	Other	22,501		22,636
		1,316,384		1,280,479
	Less accumulated depreciation	312,396		300,000
		$	1,003,988	$	980,479
	On March 6, 2015, we completed the acquisition of an existing crude tank farm adjacent to HFC's El Dorado Refinery from an unrelated third-party for $27.5 million in cash. We recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair values at the date of acquisition based on preliminary valuations. Substantially all of the purchase price was allocated to properties and equipment. No goodwill was recorded. We expect to finalize the purchase price allocation during the second quarter of 2015. HFC is the main customer of this crude tank farm.
	We capitalized $0.3 million and $0.4 million in interest attributable to construction projects during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Depreciation expense was $12.8 million and $13.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Transportation_Agreements

Transportation Agreements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Transportation Agreements	Transportation Agreements
	Our transportation agreements represent a portion of the total purchase price of certain assets acquired from Alon in 2005 and from HFC in 2008. The Alon agreement is being amortized over 30 years ending 2035 (the initial 15-year term of the agreement plus an expected 15-year extension period), and the HFC agreement is being amortized over 15 years ending 2023 (the term of the HFC agreement).
	The carrying amounts of our transportation agreements are as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Alon transportation agreement	$	59,933	$	59,933
	HFC transportation agreement	74,231		74,231
		134,164		134,164
	Less accumulated amortization	55,197		53,461
		$	78,967	$	80,703
	We have additional transportation agreements with HFC resulting from historical transactions consisting of pipeline, terminal and tankage assets contributed to us or acquired from HFC. These transactions occurred while we were a consolidated variable interest entity of HFC; therefore, our basis in these agreements is zero and does not reflect a step-up in basis to fair value.

Employees_Retirement_and_Incen

Employees, Retirement and Incentive Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Employees, Retirement and Incentive Plans	Employees, Retirement and Incentive Plans
	Direct support for our operations is provided by Holly Logistic Services, L.L.C., an HFC subsidiary, which utilizes personnel employed by HFC who are dedicated to performing services for us. Their costs, including salaries, bonuses, payroll taxes, benefits and other direct costs, are charged to us monthly in accordance with an omnibus agreement that we have with HFC. These employees participate in the retirement and benefit plans of HFC. Our share of retirement and benefit plan costs was $1.4 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	We have an incentive plan (“Long-Term Incentive Plan”) for employees and non-employee directors who perform services for us. The Long-Term Incentive Plan consists of four components: restricted or phantom units, performance units, unit options and unit appreciation rights.
	As of March 31, 2015, we have three types of incentive-based awards which are described below. The compensation cost charged against income was $0.8 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. We currently purchase units in the open market instead of issuing new units for settlement of all unit awards under our Long-Term Incentive Plan. As of March 31, 2015, 2,500,000 units were authorized to be granted under our Long-Term Incentive Plan, of which 1,537,167 have not yet been granted, assuming no forfeitures of the unvested units and full achievement of goals for the performance units already granted.
	Restricted and Phantom Units
	Under our Long-Term Incentive Plan, we grant restricted units to non-employee directors and selected employees who perform services for us, with most awards vesting over a period of one to three years. Although full ownership of the units does not transfer to the recipients until the units vest, the recipients have distribution and voting rights on these units from the date of grant.
	In addition, we grant phantom units to certain employees, which vest over a period of one year. Vested units are paid in common units. Full ownership of the units does not transfer to the recipient until the units vest, and the recipients do not have voting or distribution rights on these units until they vest.
	The fair value of each restricted unit and phantom unit award is measured at the market price as of the date of grant and is amortized over the vesting period.
	A summary of restricted and phantom unit activity and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2015, is presented below:
	Restricted and Phantom Units	Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at January 1, 2015 (nonvested)	126,077		$	33.43
	Vesting and transfer of common units to recipients	(2,462	)	33.57
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015 (nonvested)	123,615		$	33.42
	As of March 31, 2015, there was $2.3 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted unit and phantom unit grants, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.
	Performance Units
	Under our Long-Term Incentive Plan, we grant performance units to selected executives who perform services for us. Performance units granted are payable based upon the growth in our distributable cash flow per common unit over the performance period, and vest over a period of three years. As of March 31, 2015, estimated unit payouts for outstanding nonvested performance unit awards ranged between 100% and 140%.
	No performance units were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015. Performance units granted in 2014 vest over a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2017. These performance units granted are payable in HEP common units. The number of units actually earned will be based on the growth of our distributable cash flow per common unit over the performance period, and can range from 50% to 150% of the target number of performance units granted. Although common units are not transferred to the recipients until the performance units vest, the recipients have distribution rights with respect to the common units from the date of grant.
	A summary of performance unit activity and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2015, is presented below:
	Performance Units	Units
	Outstanding at January 1, 2015 (nonvested)	71,245
	Vesting and transfer of common units to recipients	(11,436	)
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015 (nonvested)	59,809
	The grant-date fair value of performance units vested and transferred to recipients during the three months ended March 31, 2015, was $0.4 million. Based on the weighted average fair value of performance units outstanding at March 31, 2015, of $2.2 million, there was $0.9 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested performance units, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	Credit Agreement
	At March 31, 2015, we had a $650 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) expiring in November 2018. On April 28, 2015, the Credit Agreement was amended, increasing the size of the credit facility from $650 million to $850 million. The Credit Agreement is available to fund capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, distribution payments and working capital and for general partnership purposes. It is also available to fund letters of credit up to a $50 million sub-limit. The Credit Agreement expires in November 2018.
	Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of our assets. Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement is recourse to HEP Logistics Holdings, L.P. (“HEP Logistics”), our general partner, and is guaranteed by our material wholly-owned subsidiaries. Any recourse to HEP Logistics would be limited to the extent of its assets, which other than its investment in us, are not significant. We may prepay all loans at any time without penalty, except for payment of certain breakage and related costs.
	The Credit Agreement imposes certain requirements on us with which we are currently in compliance, including: a prohibition against distribution to unitholders if, before or after the distribution, a potential default or an event of default as defined in the agreement would occur; limitations on our ability to incur debt, make loans, acquire other companies, change the nature of our business, enter into a merger or consolidation, or sell assets; and covenants that require maintenance of a specified EBITDA to interest expense ratio, total debt to EBITDA ratio and senior debt to EBITDA ratio. If an event of default exists under the Credit Agreement, the lenders will be able to accelerate the maturity of the debt and exercise other rights and remedies.
	Senior Notes
	We have $300 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding of 6.5% senior notes (the "6.5% Senior Notes") maturing March 2020. The 6.5% Senior Notes are unsecured and impose certain restrictive covenants, with which we are currently in compliance, including limitations on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments, sell assets, incur certain liens, pay distributions, enter into transactions with affiliates, and enter into mergers. At any time when the 6.5% Senior Notes are rated investment grade by both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s and no default or event of default exists, we will not be subject to many of the foregoing covenants. Additionally, we have certain redemption rights at varying premiums over face value under the 6.5% Senior Notes.
	In March 2014, we redeemed the $150 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% Senior Notes maturing March 2018 at a redemption cost of $156.2 million, at which time we recognized a $7.7 million early extinguishment loss consisting of a $6.2 million debt redemption premium and unamortized discount and financing costs of $1.5 million. We funded the redemption with borrowings under our Credit Agreement.
	Indebtedness under the 6.5% Senior Notes involves recourse to HEP Logistics, our general partner, and is guaranteed by our material, wholly-owned subsidiaries. However, any recourse to HEP Logistics would be limited to the extent of its assets, which other than its investment in us, are not significant.
	Long-term Debt
	The carrying amounts of our long-term debt are as follows:
		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Credit Agreement	$	594,000			$	571,000
	6.5% Senior Notes
	Principal	300,000				300,000
	Unamortized discount	(3,258		)		(3,421		)
		296,742				296,579
	Total long-term debt	$	890,742			$	867,579
	Interest Rate Risk Management
	We use interest rate swaps (derivative instruments) to manage our exposure to interest rate risk.
	As of March 31, 2015, we have three interest rate swaps that hedge our exposure to the cash flow risk caused by the effects of LIBOR changes on $305 million of Credit Agreement advances. Our first interest rate swap effectively converts $155 million of our LIBOR based debt to fixed rate debt having an interest rate of 0.99% plus an applicable margin of 2.00% as of March 31, 2015, which equaled an effective interest rate of 2.99%. This swap contract matures in February 2016. We have two additional interest rate swaps with identical terms which effectively convert $150 million of our LIBOR based debt to fixed rate debt having an interest rate of 0.74% plus an applicable margin of 2.00% as of March 31, 2015, which equaled an effective interest rate of 2.74%. Both of these swap contracts mature in July 2017.
	We have designated these interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. Based on our assessment of effectiveness using the change in variable cash flows method, we have determined that these interest rate swaps are effective in offsetting the variability in interest payments on $305 million of our variable rate debt resulting from changes in LIBOR. Under hedge accounting, we adjust our cash flow hedges on a quarterly basis to their fair values with the offsetting fair value adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Also on a quarterly basis, we measure hedge effectiveness by comparing the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future interest to be paid or received on the variable leg of our swaps against the expected future interest payments on $305 million of our variable rate debt. Any ineffectiveness is recorded directly to interest expense. As of March 31, 2015, we had no ineffectiveness on our cash flow hedges.
	At March 31, 2015, we have accumulated other comprehensive loss of $0.8 million that relates to our current cash flow hedging instruments. Approximately $0.9 million will be transferred from accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense as interest is paid on the underlying swap agreement over the next twelve-month period, assuming interest rates remain unchanged.
	Additional information on our interest rate swaps is as follows:
	Derivative Instrument	Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value				Location of Offsetting Balance	Offsetting
									Amount
		(In thousands)
	March 31, 2015
	Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instrument:
	Variable-to-fixed interest rate swap contract ($155 million of LIBOR-based debt interest)	Other long-term   liabilities		$	(942	)		Accumulated other	$	(942	)
								comprehensive loss
	Variable-to-fixed interest rate swap contracts ($150 million of LIBOR-based debt interest)	Other long-term   assets		147				Accumulated other	147
								comprehensive income
				$	(795	)			$	(795	)
	December 31, 2014
	Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instrument:
	Variable-to-fixed interest rate swap contract ($155 million of LIBOR-based debt interest)	Other long-term   liabilities		$	(1,065	)		Accumulated other	$	(1,065	)
								comprehensive loss
	Variable-to-fixed interest rate swap contracts ($150 million of LIBOR-based debt interest)	Other long-term   assets		1,019				Accumulated other	1,019
								comprehensive income
				$	(46	)			$	(46	)
	Interest Expense and Other Debt Information
	Interest expense consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Interest on outstanding debt:
	Credit Agreement, net of interest on interest rate swaps	$	3,657			$	2,698
	6.5% Senior Notes	4,875				4,875
	8.25% Senior Notes	—				2,544
	Amortization of discount and deferred debt issuance costs	436				511
	Commitment fees	77				202
	Total interest incurred	9,045				10,830
	Less capitalized interest	277				376
	Net interest expense	$	8,768			$	10,454
	Cash paid for interest	$	13,400			$	18,782

Significant_Customers

Significant Customers	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Significant Customers	Significant Customers
	All revenues are domestic revenues, of which 90% are currently generated from our two largest customers: HFC and Alon. The vast majority of our revenues are derived from activities conducted in the southwest United States.
	The following table presents the percentage of total revenues generated by each of these customers:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	HFC	81	%	83	%
	Alon	9	%	10	%

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions
	We serve HFC's refineries under long-term pipeline and terminal, tankage and throughput agreements expiring from 2019 to 2026. Under these agreements, HFC agrees to transport, store and throughput volumes of refined product and crude oil on our pipelines and terminal, tankage and loading rack facilities that result in minimum annual payments to us. These minimum annual payments or revenues are subject to annual tariff rate adjustments on July 1st each year based on the Producer Price Index (“PPI”) or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) index. As of March 31, 2015, these agreements with HFC will result in minimum annual payments to us of $231.6 million.
	If HFC fails to meet its minimum volume commitments under the agreements in any quarter, it will be required to pay us the amount of any shortfall in cash by the last day of the month following the end of the quarter. Under certain of these agreements, a shortfall payment may be applied as a credit in the following four quarters after its minimum obligations are met.
	Under certain provisions of an omnibus agreement we have with HFC (the “Omnibus Agreement”), we pay HFC an annual administrative fee (currently $2.4 million) for the provision by HFC or its affiliates of various general and administrative services to us. This fee does not include the salaries of personnel employed by HFC who perform services for us on behalf of HLS or the cost of their employee benefits, which are charged to us separately by HFC. Also, we reimburse HFC and its affiliates for direct expenses they incur on our behalf.
	Related party transactions with HFC are as follows:
	•	Revenues received from HFC were $72.3 million and $71.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	•	HFC charged us general and administrative services under the Omnibus Agreement of $0.6 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	•	We reimbursed HFC for costs of employees supporting our operations of $8.8 million and $9.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	•	HFC reimbursed us $2.6 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for certain reimbursable costs and capital projects.
	•	We distributed $21.6 million and $19.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to HFC as regular distributions on its common units and general partner interest, including general partner incentive distributions.
	•	Accounts receivable from HFC were $28.0 million and $33.4 million at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	•	Accounts payable to HFC were $15.8 million and $5.2 million at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	•	Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, include $5.6 million and $7.4 million, respectively, of shortfall payments billed in 2014 and 2013, as HFC did not exceed its minimum volume commitment in any of the subsequent four quarters. Deferred revenue in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, includes $3.7 million and $7.3 million, respectively, relating to certain shortfall billings. It is possible that HFC may not exceed its minimum obligations to receive credit for any of the $3.7 million deferred at March 31, 2015.

Partners_Equity

Partners' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Partners' Capital [Abstract]
Partners' Equity	Partners’ Equity
	As of March 31, 2015, HFC held 22,380,030 of our common units and the 2% general partner interest, which together constituted a 39% ownership interest in us.
	Allocations of Net Income
	Net income attributable to HEP is allocated between limited partners and the general partner interest in accordance with the provisions of the partnership agreement. HEP net income allocated to the general partner includes incentive distributions that are declared subsequent to quarter end. After the amount of incentive distributions is allocated to the general partner, the remaining net income attributable to HEP is allocated to the partners based on their weighted-average ownership percentage during the period.
	The following table presents the allocation of the general partner interest in net income for the periods presented below:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	General partner interest in net income	$	449	$	329
	General partner incentive distribution	9,361		7,672
	Total general partner interest in net income	$	9,810	$	8,001
	Cash Distributions
	Our general partner, HEP Logistics, is entitled to incentive distributions if the amount we distribute with respect to any quarter exceeds specified target levels.
	On April 23, 2015, we announced our cash distribution for the first quarter of 2015 of $0.5375 per unit. The distribution is payable on all common and general partner units and will be paid May 15, 2015, to all unitholders of record on May 6, 2015.
	The following table presents the allocation of our regular quarterly cash distributions to the general and limited partners for the periods in which they apply. Our distributions are declared subsequent to quarter end; therefore, the amounts presented do not reflect distributions paid during the periods presented below.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands, except per unit data)
	General partner interest in distribution	$	860	$	790
	General partner incentive distribution	9,361		7,672
	Total general partner distribution	10,221		8,462
	Limited partner distribution	31,528		29,768
	Total regular quarterly cash distribution	$	41,749	$	38,230
	Cash distribution per unit applicable to limited partners	$	0.5375	$	0.5075
	As a master limited partnership, we distribute our available cash, which historically has exceeded our net income attributable to HEP because depreciation and amortization expense represents a non-cash charge against income. The result is a decline in our partners’ equity since our regular quarterly distributions have exceeded our quarterly net income attributable to HEP. Additionally, if the asset contributions and acquisitions from HFC had occurred while we were not a consolidated variable interest entity of HFC, our acquisition cost, in excess of HFC’s historical basis in the transferred assets would have been recorded in our financial statements at the time of acquisition, as increases to our properties and equipment and intangible assets instead of decreases to our partners’ equity.

Environmental_Loss_Contingenci

Environmental Loss Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Abstract]
Environmental Loss Contingency Disclosure [Text Block]	Environmental
	We expensed $4.2 million for environmental remediation obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and incurred a credit of $0.2 million due to the revision of an accrual for the three months ended March 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we increased certain environmental cost accruals to reflect revisions to the cost estimates and the time frame for which the related environmental remediation and monitoring activities are expected to occur. The accrued environmental liability reflected in our consolidated balance sheets was $9.0 million and $5.2 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of which $6.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively, were classified as other long-term liabilities. These accruals include remediation and monitoring costs expected to be incurred over an extended period of time.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies
	We are a party to various legal and regulatory proceedings, none of which we believe will have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.

Supplemental_Guarantor_NonGuar

Supplemental Guarantor / Non-Guarantor Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Guarantor / Non-Guarantor Financial Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Guarantor / Non-Guarantor Financial Information	Supplemental Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Financial Information
	Obligations of HEP (“Parent”) under the Senior Notes have been jointly and severally guaranteed by each of its direct and indirect 100% owned subsidiaries (“Guarantor Subsidiaries”). These guarantees are full and unconditional, subject to certain customary release provisions. These circumstances include (i) when a Guarantor Subsidiary is sold or sells all or substantially all of its assets, (ii) when a Guarantor Subsidiary is declared “unrestricted” for covenant purposes, (iii) when a Guarantor Subsidiary's guarantee of other indebtedness is terminated or released and (iv) when the requirements for legal defeasance or covenant defeasance or to discharge the Senior Notes have been satisfied.
	The following financial information presents condensed consolidating balance sheets, statements of comprehensive income, and statements of cash flows of the Parent, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries. The information has been presented as if the Parent accounted for its ownership in the Guarantor Subsidiaries, and the Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries accounted for the ownership of the Non-Guarantor Non-Restricted Subsidiaries, using the equity method of accounting.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	March 31, 2015	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor Non-Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Restricted Subsidiaries
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2		$	2,780		$	3,020		$	—		$	5,802
	Accounts receivable	—			35,528			4,537			(210		)	39,855
	Prepaid and other current assets	211			2,982			1,196			—			4,389
	Total current assets	213			41,290			8,753			(210		)	50,046
	Properties and equipment, net	—			624,149			379,839			—			1,003,988
	Investment in subsidiaries	608,299			288,355			—			(896,654		)	—
	Transportation agreements, net	—			78,967			—			—			78,967
	Goodwill	—			256,498			—			—			256,498
	Investment in SLC Pipeline	—			24,462			—			—			24,462
	Other assets	1,315			9,323			—			—			10,638
	Total assets	$	609,827		$	1,323,044		$	388,592		$	(896,864	)	$	1,424,599
	LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	27,600		$	1,102		$	(210	)	$	28,492
	Accrued interest	1,625			179			—			—			1,804
	Deferred revenue	—			6,132			1,687			—			7,819
	Accrued property taxes	—			1,586			1,159			—			2,745
	Other current liabilities	97			4,297			8			—			4,402
	Total current liabilities	1,722			39,794			3,956			(210		)	45,262
	Long-term debt	296,742			594,000			—			—			890,742
	Other long-term liabilities	163			21,768			162			—			22,093
	Deferred revenue	—			30,649			—			—			30,649
	Class B unit	—			28,534			—			—			28,534
	Equity - partners	311,200			608,299			384,474			(992,773		)	311,200
	Equity - noncontrolling interest	—			—			—			96,119			96,119
	Total liabilities and partners’ equity	$	609,827		$	1,323,044		$	388,592		$	(896,864	)	$	1,424,599
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	December 31, 2014	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor Non-Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Restricted Subsidiaries
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2		$	2,828		$	—		$	—		$	2,830
	Accounts receivable	—			34,274			6,044			(189		)	40,129
	Prepaid and other current assets	212			2,856			1,315			—			4,383
	Total current assets	214			39,958			7,359			(189		)	47,342
	Properties and equipment, net	—			596,988			383,491			—			980,479
	Investment in subsidiaries	622,100			285,247			—			(907,347		)	—
	Transportation agreements, net	—			80,703			—			—			80,703
	Goodwill	—			256,498			—			—			256,498
	Investment in SLC Pipeline	—			24,478			—			—			24,478
	Other assets	1,319			10,736			—			—			12,055
	Total assets	$	623,633		$	1,294,608		$	390,850		$	(907,536	)	$	1,401,555
	LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	15,495		$	2,575		$	(189	)	$	17,881
	Accrued interest	6,500			115			—			—			6,615
	Deferred revenue	—			5,672			6,760			—			12,432
	Accrued property taxes	—			1,902			801			—			2,703
	Other current liabilities	45			4,408			118			—			4,571
	Total current liabilities	6,545			27,592			10,254			(189		)	44,202
	Long-term debt	296,579			571,000			—			—			867,579
	Other long-term liabilities	147			17,731			267			—			18,145
	Deferred revenue	—			29,392			—			—			29,392
	Class B unit	—			26,793			—			—			26,793
Equity - partners	320,362			622,100			380,329			(1,002,429		)	320,362
Equity - noncontrolling interest	—			—			—			95,082			95,082
Total liabilities and partners’ equity	$	623,633		$	1,294,608		$	390,850		$	(907,536	)	$	1,401,555
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015	Parent			Guarantor Restricted			Non-Guarantor Non-restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries
	(In thousands)
Revenues:
Affiliates	$	—		$	63,056		$	9,224		$	(25	)	$	72,255
Third parties	—			11,387			6,114			—			17,501
	—			74,443			15,338			(25		)	89,756
Operating costs and expenses:
Operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			25,531			2,460			(25		)	27,966
Depreciation and amortization				10,962			3,732			—			14,694
General and administrative	1,063			2,227			—			—			3,290
	1,063			38,720			6,192			(25		)	45,950
Operating income (loss)	(1,063		)	35,723			9,146			—			43,806
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	37,933			6,860			—			(44,793		)	—
Equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	—			734			—			—			734
Interest expense	(5,067		)	(3,701		)	—			—			(8,768		)
Other income	—			159			—			—			159
	32,866			4,052			—			(44,793		)	(7,875		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	31,803			39,775			9,146			(44,793		)	35,931
State income tax expense	—			(101		)	—			—			(101		)
Net income (loss)	31,803			39,674			9,146			(44,793		)	35,830
Allocation of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(4,027		)	(4,027		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Holly Energy Partners	31,803			39,674			9,146			(48,820		)	31,803
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(749		)	(749		)	—			749			(749		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	31,054		$	38,925		$	9,146		$	(48,071	)	$	31,054
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor Non-Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Restricted Subsidiaries
	(In thousands)
Revenues:
Affiliates	$	—		$	61,615		$	10,524		$	(307	)	$	71,832
Third parties	—			11,081			4,091			—			15,172
	—			72,696			14,615			(307		)	87,004
Operating costs and expenses:
Operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			20,151			2,968			(307		)	22,812
Depreciation and amortization	—			11,993			3,595			—			15,588
General and administrative	1,058			2,093			—			—			3,151
	1,058			34,237			6,563			(307		)	41,551
Operating income (loss)	(1,058		)	38,459			8,052			—			45,453
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	40,564			6,039			—			(46,603		)	—
Equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	—			522			—			—			522
Interest expense	(7,686		)	(2,768		)	—			—			(10,454		)
Interest income	—			3			—			—			3
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(7,677		)	—			—			—			(7,677		)
Other income	—			8			—			—			8
	25,201			3,804			—			(46,603		)	(17,598		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	24,143			42,263			8,052			(46,603		)	27,855
State income tax expense	—			(75		)	—			—			(75		)
Net income (loss)	24,143			42,188			8,052			(46,603		)	27,780
Allocation of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(3,637		)	(3,637		)
Net income (loss) attributable to Holly Energy Partners	24,143			42,188			8,052			(50,240		)	24,143
Other comprehensive income (loss)	95			95			—			(95		)	95
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	24,238		$	42,283		$	8,052		$	(50,335	)	$	24,238
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor Non-Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Restricted Subsidiaries
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities	$	(9,873	)	$	63,128		$	8,328		$	(692	)	$	60,891
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to properties and equipment	—			(10,983		)	(308		)	—			(11,291		)
Purchase of El Dorado crude tanks	—			(27,500		)	—			—			(27,500		)
Proceeds from sale of assets	—			218			—			—			218
Distributions from UNEV	—			3,058			—			(3,058		)	—
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings in SLC Pipeline	—			16			—			—			16
	—			(35,191		)	(308		)	(3,058		)	(38,557		)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net borrowings under credit agreement	—			23,000			—			—			23,000
Net intercompany financing activities	50,985			(50,985		)	—			—			—
Redemption of senior notes	—			—			—			—			—
Distributions to HEP unitholders	(40,865		)	—			—			—			(40,865		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(5,000		)	3,750			(1,250		)
Purchase of units for incentive grants	(247		)	—			—			—			(247		)
	9,873			(27,985		)	(5,000		)	3,750			(19,362		)
Cash and cash equivalents
Increase (decrease) for the period	—			(48		)	3,020			—			2,972
Beginning of period	2			2,828			—			—			2,830
End of period	$	2		$	2,780		$	3,020		$	—		$	5,802
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor Non-Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Restricted Subsidiaries
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities	$	(16,085	)	$	48,054		$	7,047		$	—		$	39,016
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to properties and equipment	—			(16,954		)	(3,650		)	—			(20,604		)
Distributions from noncontrolling interest	—			2,250			—			(2,250		)	—
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	—			40			—			—			40
	—			(14,664		)	(3,650		)	(2,250		)	(20,564		)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net repayments under credit agreement	—			174,700			—			—			174,700
Net intercompany financing activities	209,951			(209,951		)	—			—			—
Redemption of senior notes	(156,188		)	—			—			—			(156,188		)
Contribution from general partner	—			—			—			—			—
Distributions to HEP unitholders	(37,342		)	—			—			—			(37,342		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(3,000		)	2,250			(750		)
Purchase of units for incentive grants	(336		)	—			—			—			(336		)
Other	—			(9		)	—			—			(9		)
	16,085			(35,260		)	(3,000		)	2,250			(19,925		)
Cash and cash equivalents
Increase (decrease) for the period	—			(1,870		)	397			—			(1,473		)
Beginning of period	2			1,447			4,903			—			6,352
End of period	$	2		$	(423	)	$	5,300		$	—		$	4,879

Description_of_Business_and_Pr1

Description of Business and Presentation of Financial Statements Accounting Policy Descriptions (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	New Accounting Pronouncements
	Revenue Recognition
	In May 2014, an accounting standard update was issued requiring revenue to be recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the expected consideration for these goods or services. This standard has a proposed effective date of January 1, 2018. We are evaluating the impact of this standard.
	Debt Issuance Costs
	In April 2015, an accounting standard update was issued requiring debt issuance costs to be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability. The amount of deferred debt issuance costs reported in Long-term assets was $4.1 million and $4.4 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. This standard will become effective beginning with our 2016 reporting year.

Financial_Instruments_Tables

Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Financial Instruments Measured on Recurring Basis	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our senior notes and interest rate swaps were as follows:
			March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Financial Instrument	Fair Value Input Level	Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
			Value				Value
			(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Interest rate swaps	Level 2	$	147	$	147	$	1,019	$	1,019
	Liabilities:
	6.5% Senior notes	Level 2	$	296,742	$	295,500	$	296,579	$	291,000
	Interest rate swaps	Level 2	942		942		1,065		1,065
			$	297,684	$	296,442	$	297,644	$	292,065

Properties_and_Equipment_Table

Properties and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Properties and Equipment	The carrying amounts of our properties and equipment are as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Pipelines, terminals and tankage	$	1,169,685	$	1,137,157
	Land and right of way	64,497		64,458
	Construction in progress	59,701		56,228
	Other	22,501		22,636
		1,316,384		1,280,479
	Less accumulated depreciation	312,396		300,000
		$	1,003,988	$	980,479

Transportation_Agreements_Tabl

Transportation Agreements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	The carrying amounts of our transportation agreements are as follows:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Alon transportation agreement	$	59,933	$	59,933
	HFC transportation agreement	74,231		74,231
		134,164		134,164
	Less accumulated amortization	55,197		53,461
		$	78,967	$	80,703

Employees_Retirement_and_Incen1

Employees, Retirement and Incentive Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity	A summary of restricted and phantom unit activity and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2015, is presented below:
	Restricted and Phantom Units	Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at January 1, 2015 (nonvested)	126,077		$	33.43
	Vesting and transfer of common units to recipients	(2,462	)	33.57
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015 (nonvested)	123,615		$	33.42
Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Units Activity	A summary of performance unit activity and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2015, is presented below:
	Performance Units	Units
	Outstanding at January 1, 2015 (nonvested)	71,245
	Vesting and transfer of common units to recipients	(11,436	)
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015 (nonvested)	59,809

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	The carrying amounts of our long-term debt are as follows:
		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Credit Agreement	$	594,000			$	571,000
	6.5% Senior Notes
	Principal	300,000				300,000
	Unamortized discount	(3,258		)		(3,421		)
		296,742				296,579
	Total long-term debt	$	890,742			$	867,579
Schedule of Derivative Instruments	Additional information on our interest rate swaps is as follows:
	Derivative Instrument	Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value				Location of Offsetting Balance	Offsetting
									Amount
		(In thousands)
	March 31, 2015
	Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instrument:
	Variable-to-fixed interest rate swap contract ($155 million of LIBOR-based debt interest)	Other long-term   liabilities		$	(942	)		Accumulated other	$	(942	)
								comprehensive loss
	Variable-to-fixed interest rate swap contracts ($150 million of LIBOR-based debt interest)	Other long-term   assets		147				Accumulated other	147
								comprehensive income
				$	(795	)			$	(795	)
	December 31, 2014
	Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instrument:
	Variable-to-fixed interest rate swap contract ($155 million of LIBOR-based debt interest)	Other long-term   liabilities		$	(1,065	)		Accumulated other	$	(1,065	)
								comprehensive loss
	Variable-to-fixed interest rate swap contracts ($150 million of LIBOR-based debt interest)	Other long-term   assets		1,019				Accumulated other	1,019
								comprehensive income
				$	(46	)			$	(46	)
Schedule of Interest Expense and Other Debt Information	Interest expense consists of the following components:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Interest on outstanding debt:
	Credit Agreement, net of interest on interest rate swaps	$	3,657			$	2,698
	6.5% Senior Notes	4,875				4,875
	8.25% Senior Notes	—				2,544
	Amortization of discount and deferred debt issuance costs	436				511
	Commitment fees	77				202
	Total interest incurred	9,045				10,830
	Less capitalized interest	277				376
	Net interest expense	$	8,768			$	10,454
	Cash paid for interest	$	13,400			$	18,782

Significant_Customers_Tables

Significant Customers (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor	The following table presents the percentage of total revenues generated by each of these customers:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	HFC	81	%	83	%
	Alon	9	%	10	%

Partners_Equity_Tables

Partners' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Partners' Capital [Abstract]
Schedule of Allocation of General Partner Interest in Net Income	The following table presents the allocation of the general partner interest in net income for the periods presented below:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	General partner interest in net income	$	449	$	329
	General partner incentive distribution	9,361		7,672
	Total general partner interest in net income	$	9,810	$	8,001
Schedule of Distributions Made to Members or Limited Partners	The following table presents the allocation of our regular quarterly cash distributions to the general and limited partners for the periods in which they apply. Our distributions are declared subsequent to quarter end; therefore, the amounts presented do not reflect distributions paid during the periods presented below.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands, except per unit data)
	General partner interest in distribution	$	860	$	790
	General partner incentive distribution	9,361		7,672
	Total general partner distribution	10,221		8,462
	Limited partner distribution	31,528		29,768
	Total regular quarterly cash distribution	$	41,749	$	38,230
	Cash distribution per unit applicable to limited partners	$	0.5375	$	0.5075

Supplemental_Guarantor_NonGuar1

Supplemental Guarantor / Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Guarantor / Non-Guarantor Financial Information [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	March 31, 2015	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor Non-Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Restricted Subsidiaries
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2		$	2,780		$	3,020		$	—		$	5,802
	Accounts receivable	—			35,528			4,537			(210		)	39,855
	Prepaid and other current assets	211			2,982			1,196			—			4,389
	Total current assets	213			41,290			8,753			(210		)	50,046
	Properties and equipment, net	—			624,149			379,839			—			1,003,988
	Investment in subsidiaries	608,299			288,355			—			(896,654		)	—
	Transportation agreements, net	—			78,967			—			—			78,967
	Goodwill	—			256,498			—			—			256,498
	Investment in SLC Pipeline	—			24,462			—			—			24,462
	Other assets	1,315			9,323			—			—			10,638
	Total assets	$	609,827		$	1,323,044		$	388,592		$	(896,864	)	$	1,424,599
	LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	27,600		$	1,102		$	(210	)	$	28,492
	Accrued interest	1,625			179			—			—			1,804
	Deferred revenue	—			6,132			1,687			—			7,819
	Accrued property taxes	—			1,586			1,159			—			2,745
	Other current liabilities	97			4,297			8			—			4,402
	Total current liabilities	1,722			39,794			3,956			(210		)	45,262
	Long-term debt	296,742			594,000			—			—			890,742
	Other long-term liabilities	163			21,768			162			—			22,093
	Deferred revenue	—			30,649			—			—			30,649
	Class B unit	—			28,534			—			—			28,534
	Equity - partners	311,200			608,299			384,474			(992,773		)	311,200
	Equity - noncontrolling interest	—			—			—			96,119			96,119
	Total liabilities and partners’ equity	$	609,827		$	1,323,044		$	388,592		$	(896,864	)	$	1,424,599
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	December 31, 2014	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor Non-Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Restricted Subsidiaries
		(In thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2		$	2,828		$	—		$	—		$	2,830
	Accounts receivable	—			34,274			6,044			(189		)	40,129
	Prepaid and other current assets	212			2,856			1,315			—			4,383
	Total current assets	214			39,958			7,359			(189		)	47,342
	Properties and equipment, net	—			596,988			383,491			—			980,479
	Investment in subsidiaries	622,100			285,247			—			(907,347		)	—
	Transportation agreements, net	—			80,703			—			—			80,703
	Goodwill	—			256,498			—			—			256,498
	Investment in SLC Pipeline	—			24,478			—			—			24,478
	Other assets	1,319			10,736			—			—			12,055
	Total assets	$	623,633		$	1,294,608		$	390,850		$	(907,536	)	$	1,401,555
	LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	15,495		$	2,575		$	(189	)	$	17,881
	Accrued interest	6,500			115			—			—			6,615
	Deferred revenue	—			5,672			6,760			—			12,432
	Accrued property taxes	—			1,902			801			—			2,703
	Other current liabilities	45			4,408			118			—			4,571
	Total current liabilities	6,545			27,592			10,254			(189		)	44,202
	Long-term debt	296,579			571,000			—			—			867,579
	Other long-term liabilities	147			17,731			267			—			18,145
	Deferred revenue	—			29,392			—			—			29,392
	Class B unit	—			26,793			—			—			26,793
	Equity - partners	320,362			622,100			380,329			(1,002,429		)	320,362
	Equity - noncontrolling interest	—			—			—			95,082			95,082
	Total liabilities and partners’ equity	$	623,633		$	1,294,608		$	390,850		$	(907,536	)	$	1,401,555
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015	Parent			Guarantor Restricted			Non-Guarantor Non-restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	Affiliates	$	—		$	63,056		$	9,224		$	(25	)	$	72,255
	Third parties	—			11,387			6,114			—			17,501
		—			74,443			15,338			(25		)	89,756
	Operating costs and expenses:
	Operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			25,531			2,460			(25		)	27,966
	Depreciation and amortization				10,962			3,732			—			14,694
	General and administrative	1,063			2,227			—			—			3,290
		1,063			38,720			6,192			(25		)	45,950
	Operating income (loss)	(1,063		)	35,723			9,146			—			43,806
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	37,933			6,860			—			(44,793		)	—
	Equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	—			734			—			—			734
	Interest expense	(5,067		)	(3,701		)	—			—			(8,768		)
	Other income	—			159			—			—			159
		32,866			4,052			—			(44,793		)	(7,875		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	31,803			39,775			9,146			(44,793		)	35,931
	State income tax expense	—			(101		)	—			—			(101		)
	Net income (loss)	31,803			39,674			9,146			(44,793		)	35,830
	Allocation of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(4,027		)	(4,027		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Holly Energy Partners	31,803			39,674			9,146			(48,820		)	31,803
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	(749		)	(749		)	—			749			(749		)
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	31,054		$	38,925		$	9,146		$	(48,071	)	$	31,054
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor Non-Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Restricted Subsidiaries
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	Affiliates	$	—		$	61,615		$	10,524		$	(307	)	$	71,832
	Third parties	—			11,081			4,091			—			15,172
		—			72,696			14,615			(307		)	87,004
	Operating costs and expenses:
	Operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			20,151			2,968			(307		)	22,812
	Depreciation and amortization	—			11,993			3,595			—			15,588
	General and administrative	1,058			2,093			—			—			3,151
		1,058			34,237			6,563			(307		)	41,551
	Operating income (loss)	(1,058		)	38,459			8,052			—			45,453
	Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries	40,564			6,039			—			(46,603		)	—
	Equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	—			522			—			—			522
	Interest expense	(7,686		)	(2,768		)	—			—			(10,454		)
	Interest income	—			3			—			—			3
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(7,677		)	—			—			—			(7,677		)
	Other income	—			8			—			—			8
		25,201			3,804			—			(46,603		)	(17,598		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	24,143			42,263			8,052			(46,603		)	27,855
	State income tax expense	—			(75		)	—			—			(75		)
	Net income (loss)	24,143			42,188			8,052			(46,603		)	27,780
	Allocation of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(3,637		)	(3,637		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Holly Energy Partners	24,143			42,188			8,052			(50,240		)	24,143
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	95			95			—			(95		)	95
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	24,238		$	42,283		$	8,052		$	(50,335	)	$	24,238
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor Non-Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Restricted Subsidiaries
		(In thousands)
	Cash flows from operating activities	$	(9,873	)	$	63,128		$	8,328		$	(692	)	$	60,891
	Cash flows from investing activities
	Additions to properties and equipment	—			(10,983		)	(308		)	—			(11,291		)
	Purchase of El Dorado crude tanks	—			(27,500		)	—			—			(27,500		)
	Proceeds from sale of assets	—			218			—			—			218
	Distributions from UNEV	—			3,058			—			(3,058		)	—
	Distributions in excess of equity in earnings in SLC Pipeline	—			16			—			—			16
		—			(35,191		)	(308		)	(3,058		)	(38,557		)
	Cash flows from financing activities
	Net borrowings under credit agreement	—			23,000			—			—			23,000
	Net intercompany financing activities	50,985			(50,985		)	—			—			—
	Redemption of senior notes	—			—			—			—			—
	Distributions to HEP unitholders	(40,865		)	—			—			—			(40,865		)
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(5,000		)	3,750			(1,250		)
	Purchase of units for incentive grants	(247		)	—			—			—			(247		)
		9,873			(27,985		)	(5,000		)	3,750			(19,362		)
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Increase (decrease) for the period	—			(48		)	3,020			—			2,972
	Beginning of period	2			2,828			—			—			2,830
	End of period	$	2		$	2,780		$	3,020		$	—		$	5,802
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor Non-Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Restricted Subsidiaries
		(In thousands)
	Cash flows from operating activities	$	(16,085	)	$	48,054		$	7,047		$	—		$	39,016
	Cash flows from investing activities
	Additions to properties and equipment	—			(16,954		)	(3,650		)	—			(20,604		)
	Distributions from noncontrolling interest	—			2,250			—			(2,250		)	—
	Distributions in excess of equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	—			40			—			—			40
		—			(14,664		)	(3,650		)	(2,250		)	(20,564		)
	Cash flows from financing activities
	Net repayments under credit agreement	—			174,700			—			—			174,700
	Net intercompany financing activities	209,951			(209,951		)	—			—			—
	Redemption of senior notes	(156,188		)	—			—			—			(156,188		)
	Contribution from general partner	—			—			—			—			—
	Distributions to HEP unitholders	(37,342		)	—			—			—			(37,342		)
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(3,000		)	2,250			(750		)
	Purchase of units for incentive grants	(336		)	—			—			—			(336		)
	Other	—			(9		)	—			—			(9		)
		16,085			(35,260		)	(3,000		)	2,250			(19,925		)
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Increase (decrease) for the period	—			(1,870		)	397			—			(1,473		)
	Beginning of period	2			1,447			4,903			—			6,352
	End of period	$	2		$	(423	)	$	5,300		$	—		$	4,879

Description_of_Business_and_Pr2

Description of Business and Presentation of Financial Statements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Ownership Interests [Line Items]
Ownership percentage, controlling interest	39.00%
General partner interest	2.00%
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$4.10	$4.40
SLC Pipeline [Member]
Other Ownership Interests [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	25.00%
Crude Oil Pipeline, Length	95
UNEV Pipeline [Member]
Other Ownership Interests [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	75.00%
Crude Oil Pipeline, Length	427
Description Of Pipeline Acquired	12

Financial_Instruments_Narrativ

Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair value inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	$296,442	$292,065
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair value inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	147	1,019
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	942	1,065
6.5% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate, senior notes	6.50%
6.5% Senior Notes [Member] | Fair value inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	295,500	291,000
Carrying Amount [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	297,684	297,644
Carrying Amount [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	147	1,019
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	942	1,065
Carrying Amount [Member] | 6.5% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	$296,742	$296,579

Properties_and_Equipment_Detai

Properties and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Properties and equipment, gross	$1,316,384,000		$1,280,479,000
Less accumulated depreciation	312,396,000		300,000,000
Properties and equipment, net	1,003,988,000		980,479,000
Purchase of equipment	27,500,000	0
Interest costs, capitalized during period	-277,000	-376,000
Depreciation	12,800,000	13,700,000
Pipelines and terminals [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Properties and equipment, gross	1,169,685,000		1,137,157,000
Land and right of way [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Properties and equipment, gross	64,497,000		64,458,000
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Properties and equipment, gross	59,701,000		56,228,000
Other Fixed Assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Properties and equipment, gross	$22,501,000		$22,636,000

Transportation_Agreements_Deta

Transportation Agreements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	Y
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Transportation agreements, gross	$134,164	$134,164
Less accumulated amortization	55,197	53,461
Transportation agreements, net	78,967	80,703
Alon transportation agreement
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life (years)	30 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Initial Term (years)	15
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Extension Period (years)	15
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Transportation agreements, gross	59,933	59,933
HFC transportation agreement
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life (years)	15 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Transportation agreements, gross	$74,231	$74,231

Employees_Retirement_and_Incen2

Employees, Retirement and Incentive Plans Retirement and Benefit Plan Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	Components
	Types
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee benefits and share-based compensation	$1.40	$1.70
Long-term incentive plan, components	4
Equity-based compensation, types	3
Compensation costs of incentive awards	$0.80
Deferred Bonus [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Units authorized under equity-based compensation plans (new)	2,500,000
Number of units available for grant	1,537,167

Employees_Retirement_and_Incen3

Employees, Retirement and Incentive Plans Restricted Units (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	1 year
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	1 year
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$2.30
Weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	1 year 4 months
Nonvested restricted units outstanding	123,615	126,077
Weighted average grant date fair value	$33.42	$33.43
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	-2,462
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$33.57

Employees_Retirement_and_Incen4

Employees, Retirement and Incentive Plans Performance Units (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated Share Payouts, Outstanding Nonvested Performance Unit Awards Minimum	100.00%
Estimated Share Payouts, Outstanding Nonvested Performance Unit Awards Maximum	140.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at January 1, 2015 (nonvested)	71,245
Vesting and transfer of full ownership to recipients	-11,436
Outstanding at March 31, 2105 (nonvested)	59,809
Fair value of vested units transferred to recipients	$0.40
Total unrecognized compensation related to nonvested units	$0.90
Weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	1 year 4 months 24 days
Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	1 year
Long-term Incentive Plan [Member] | Executive Officer [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of performance units earned, based on performance units granted, minimum (percent)	50.00%
Range of Performance Units Earned, Based on Performance Units Granted, Maximum	150.00%
Maximum [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years

Debt_Credit_Agreement_Details

Debt Credit Agreement (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 28, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit agreement, maximum borrowing capacity	$650
Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit agreement, maximum borrowing capacity	50
Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit agreement, maximum borrowing capacity		$850

Debt_Senior_Notes_Details

Debt Senior Notes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	$0	($7,677,000)
6.5% Interest Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	300,000,000
Stated interest rate, senior notes	6.50%	6.50%
Eight Point Two Five Percentage Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Eighteen Member
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal		150,000,000
Stated interest rate, senior notes		8.25%
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		156,200,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		7,700,000
Redemption Premium		6,200,000
Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts		$1,500,000

Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Details

Debt Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Agreement	$594,000	$571,000
Total long-term debt	890,742	867,579
6.5% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	300,000	300,000
Unamortized discount	-3,258	-3,421
Senior Notes	$296,742	$296,579

Debt_Interest_Rate_Risk_Manage

Debt Interest Rate Risk Management (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	$594,000,000	$571,000,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-795,000	-46,000
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	900,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	305,000,000
Long-term debt, fixed interest rate	0.99%
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Debt instrument, effective interest rate	2.99%
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	800,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedge $155 million [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	155,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedge $150 million [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	150,000,000
Long-term debt, fixed interest rate	0.74%
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Debt instrument, effective interest rate	2.74%
Other Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		1,065,000
Derivative liabilities, fair value	-147,000
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Liabilities	795,000	46,000
Other Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	942,000
Derivative liabilities, fair value		-1,019,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	-942,000	-1,065,000
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets	-795,000
Derivative liabilities, fair value	147,000	1,019,000
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Liabilities		($46,000)

Debt_Interest_Expense_and_Othe

Debt Interest Expense and Other Debt Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense, debt	$9,045	$10,830
Less capitalized interest	-277	-376
Interest expense	8,768	10,454
Cash paid for interest	13,400	18,782
Senior Notes [Member] | 6.5% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense, debt	4,875	4,875
Senior Notes [Member] | 8.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense, debt	0	2,544
Amortization discount and deferred debt issuance costs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense, debt	436	511
Loan Lending Commitment Arrangement Fees [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense, debt	77	202
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense, debt	$3,657	$2,698

Significant_Customers_Details

Significant Customers (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
HFC [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	81.00%	83.00%
Alon [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	9.00%	10.00%
Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	89.50%
Concentration risk, number of significant customers	2

Related_Party_Transactions_Nar

Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenses resulting from agreement with related party	($8,800,000)		($9,200,000)
Revenue from related parties	72,255,000		71,832,000
Costs and Expenses, Related Party	600,000
Distributions to HEP unitholders	-40,865,000		-37,342,000
Due from Affiliates	28,018,000	33,392,000
Due to Affiliate, Current	15,803,000	5,239,000
Annual Administrative Fee [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenses resulting from agreement with related party	2,400,000
Proceeds From Reimbursements Received [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reimbursements paid to related parties	2,600,000		4,500,000
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Minimum annualized payments receivable from affiliate	231,600,000
Distributions to HEP unitholders	-21,600,000		-19,200,000
Shortfall Payments [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	5,600,000		7,400,000
Deferred revenue, related parties	$3,700,000	$7,300,000

Partners_Equity_Issuances_Deta

Partners' Equity, Issuances (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Partners' Capital [Abstract]
Partners' capital account, units held by controlling interest	22,380,030
General partner ownership interest	2.00%
Ownership percentage, controlling interest	39.00%

Partners_Equity_Allocations_of

Partners' Equity, Allocations of Net Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Partners' Capital [Abstract]
General Partner Interest in Net Income	$449	$329
General partner incentive distribution	9,361	7,672
General partner interest in net income attributable to HEP	$9,810	$8,001

Partners_Equity_Cash_Distribut

Partners' Equity, Cash Distributions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Allocations of Quarterly Cash Distributions to General and Limited Partners
Partners' Capital, Distribution Amount Per Share	$0.54
Partner Distributions
General partner interest	$860	$790
Incentive Distribution, Distribution	9,361	7,672
Total general partner distribution	10,221	8,462
Limited partner distribution	31,528	29,768
Total regular quarterly cash distribution	$41,749	$38,230
Cash distribution per unit applicable to limited partners	$0.54	$0.51

Environmental_Loss_Contingenci1

Environmental Loss Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Abstract]
Environmental Remediation Expense	$4.20	($0.20)
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	9		5.2
Accrued Environmental Loss Contingencies, Noncurrent	$6.90		$2.80

Supplemental_Guarantor_NonGuar2

Supplemental Guarantor / Non-Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,802	$2,830	$4,879	$6,352
Accounts receivable	39,855	40,129
Prepaid and other current assets	4,389	4,383
Total current assets	50,046	47,342
Properties and equipment, net	1,003,988	980,479
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Transportation agreements, net	78,967	80,703
Goodwill	256,498	256,498
Investment in SLC Pipeline	24,462	24,478
Other assets	10,638	12,055
Total assets	1,424,599	1,401,555
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	28,492	17,881
Accrued interest	1,804	6,615
Deferred revenue	7,819	12,432
Accrued property taxes	2,745	2,703
Other current liabilities	4,402	4,571
Total current liabilities	45,262	44,202
Long-term debt	890,742	867,579
Other long-term liabilities	22,093	18,145
Deferred revenue	30,649	29,392
Class B unit	28,534	26,793
Partners' Capital	311,200	320,362
Equity - noncontrolling interest	96,119	95,082
Total liabilities and equity	1,424,599	1,401,555
Parent Company [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2	2	2	2
Accounts receivable	0	0
Prepaid and other current assets	211	212
Total current assets	213	214
Properties and equipment, net	0	0
Investments in subsidiaries	608,299	622,100
Transportation agreements, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Investment in SLC Pipeline	0	0
Other assets	1,315	1,319
Total assets	609,827	623,633
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued interest	1,625	6,500
Deferred revenue	0	0
Accrued property taxes	0	0
Other current liabilities	97	45
Total current liabilities	1,722	6,545
Long-term debt	296,742	296,579
Other long-term liabilities	163	147
Deferred revenue	0	0
Class B unit	0	0
Partners' Capital	311,200	320,362
Equity - noncontrolling interest	0	0
Total liabilities and equity	609,827	623,633
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,780	2,828	-423	1,447
Accounts receivable	35,528	34,274
Prepaid and other current assets	2,982	2,856
Total current assets	41,290	39,958
Properties and equipment, net	624,149	596,988
Investments in subsidiaries	288,355	285,247
Transportation agreements, net	78,967	80,703
Goodwill	256,498	256,498
Investment in SLC Pipeline	24,462	24,478
Other assets	9,323	10,736
Total assets	1,323,044	1,294,608
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	27,600	15,495
Accrued interest	179	115
Deferred revenue	6,132	5,672
Accrued property taxes	1,586	1,902
Other current liabilities	4,297	4,408
Total current liabilities	39,794	27,592
Long-term debt	594,000	571,000
Other long-term liabilities	21,768	17,731
Deferred revenue	30,649	29,392
Class B unit	28,534	26,793
Partners' Capital	608,299	622,100
Equity - noncontrolling interest	0	0
Total liabilities and equity	1,323,044	1,294,608
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	3,020	0	5,300	4,903
Accounts receivable	4,537	6,044
Prepaid and other current assets	1,196	1,315
Total current assets	8,753	7,359
Properties and equipment, net	379,839	383,491
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Transportation agreements, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Investment in SLC Pipeline	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	388,592	390,850
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,102	2,575
Accrued interest	0	0
Deferred revenue	1,687	6,760
Accrued property taxes	1,159	801
Other current liabilities	8	118
Total current liabilities	3,956	10,254
Long-term debt	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	162	267
Deferred revenue	0	0
Class B unit	0	0
Partners' Capital	384,474	380,329
Equity - noncontrolling interest	0	0
Total liabilities and equity	388,592	390,850
Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable	-210	-189
Prepaid and other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	-210	-189
Properties and equipment, net	0	0
Investments in subsidiaries	-896,654	-907,347
Transportation agreements, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Investment in SLC Pipeline	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	-896,864	-907,536
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	-210	-189
Accrued interest	0	0
Deferred revenue	0	0
Accrued property taxes	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	-210	-189
Long-term debt	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Deferred revenue	0	0
Class B unit	0	0
Partners' Capital	-992,773	-1,002,429
Equity - noncontrolling interest	96,119	95,082
Total liabilities and equity	($896,864)	($907,536)

Supplemental_Guarantor_NonGuar3

Supplemental Guarantor / Non-Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues [Abstract]
Affiliates	$72,255	$71,832
Third parties	17,501	15,172
Total revenues	89,756	87,004
Operating costs and expenses [Abstract]
Operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	27,966	22,812
Depreciation and amortization	14,694	15,588
General and administrative	3,290	3,151
Total operating costs and expenses	45,950	41,551
Operating income (loss)	43,806	45,453
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	734	522
Equity in Earnings of Subsidiaries	0	0
Interest expense	-8,768	-10,454
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	-7,677
Interest income	0	3
Other income	159	8
Total other income (expense)	-7,875	-17,598
Income before income taxes	35,931	27,855
State income tax expense	-101	-75
Net income	35,830	27,780
Allocation of Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-4,027	-3,637
Net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners	31,803	24,143
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-749	95
Comprehensive income	31,054	24,238
SLC Pipeline [Member]
Operating costs and expenses [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	734	522
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Affiliates	0	0
Third parties	0	0
Total revenues	0	0
Operating costs and expenses [Abstract]
Operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	0	0
Depreciation and amortization		0
General and administrative	1,063	1,058
Total operating costs and expenses	1,063	1,058
Operating income (loss)	-1,063	-1,058
Equity in Earnings of Subsidiaries	37,933	40,564
Interest expense	-5,067	-7,686
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		-7,677
Interest income		0
Other income	0	0
Total other income (expense)	32,866	25,201
Income before income taxes	31,803	24,143
State income tax expense	0	0
Net income	31,803	24,143
Allocation of Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0
Net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners	31,803	24,143
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-749	95
Comprehensive income	31,054	24,238
Parent Company [Member] | SLC Pipeline [Member]
Operating costs and expenses [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	0	0
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Affiliates	63,056	61,615
Third parties	11,387	11,081
Total revenues	74,443	72,696
Operating costs and expenses [Abstract]
Operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	25,531	20,151
Depreciation and amortization	10,962	11,993
General and administrative	2,227	2,093
Total operating costs and expenses	38,720	34,237
Operating income (loss)	35,723	38,459
Equity in Earnings of Subsidiaries	6,860	6,039
Interest expense	-3,701	-2,768
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		0
Interest income		3
Other income	159	8
Total other income (expense)	4,052	3,804
Income before income taxes	39,775	42,263
State income tax expense	-101	-75
Net income	39,674	42,188
Allocation of Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0
Net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners	39,674	42,188
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-749	95
Comprehensive income	38,925	42,283
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | SLC Pipeline [Member]
Operating costs and expenses [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	734	522
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Affiliates	9,224	10,524
Third parties	6,114	4,091
Total revenues	15,338	14,615
Operating costs and expenses [Abstract]
Operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	2,460	2,968
Depreciation and amortization	3,732	3,595
General and administrative	0	0
Total operating costs and expenses	6,192	6,563
Operating income (loss)	9,146	8,052
Equity in Earnings of Subsidiaries	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		0
Interest income		0
Other income	0	0
Total other income (expense)	0	0
Income before income taxes	9,146	8,052
State income tax expense	0	0
Net income	9,146	8,052
Allocation of Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0
Net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners	9,146	8,052
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Comprehensive income	9,146	8,052
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | SLC Pipeline [Member]
Operating costs and expenses [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	0	0
Eliminations [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Affiliates	-25	-307
Third parties	0	0
Total revenues	-25	-307
Operating costs and expenses [Abstract]
Operations (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	-25	-307
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
General and administrative	0	0
Total operating costs and expenses	-25	-307
Operating income (loss)	0	0
Equity in Earnings of Subsidiaries	-44,793	-46,603
Interest expense	0	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		0
Interest income		0
Other income	0	0
Total other income (expense)	-44,793	-46,603
Income before income taxes	-44,793	-46,603
State income tax expense	0	0
Net income	-44,793	-46,603
Allocation of Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-4,027	-3,637
Net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners	-48,820	-50,240
Other comprehensive income (loss)	749	-95
Comprehensive income	-48,071	-50,335
Eliminations [Member] | SLC Pipeline [Member]
Operating costs and expenses [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	$0	$0

Supplemental_Guarantor_NonGuar4

Supplemental Guarantor / Non-Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	$60,891	$39,016
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to properties and equipment	-11,291	-20,604
Purchase of equipment	-27,500	0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	-218	0
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	0	0
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	16	40
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	-38,557	-20,564
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit	23,000	174,700
Cash flows from financing activities
Net Intercompany Financing Activities	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common units		-156,188
Contribution from general partner		0
Redemption of senior notes	0	-156,188
Distributions to HEP unitholders	-40,865	-37,342
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-1,250	-750
Purchase of units for incentive grants	-247	-336
Other	0	-9
Net cash used for financing activities	-19,362	-19,925
Increase (decrease) for the period	2,972	-1,473
Beginning of period	2,830	6,352
End of period	5,802	4,879
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	-9,873	-16,085
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to properties and equipment	0	0
Purchase of equipment	0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	0
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	0	0
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	0	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	0	0
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities
Net Intercompany Financing Activities	50,985	209,951
Proceeds from issuance of common units		-156,188
Contribution from general partner		0
Redemption of senior notes	0
Distributions to HEP unitholders	-40,865	-37,342
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Purchase of units for incentive grants	-247	-336
Other		0
Net cash used for financing activities	9,873	16,085
Increase (decrease) for the period	0	0
Beginning of period	2	2
End of period	2	2
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	63,128	48,054
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to properties and equipment	-10,983	-16,954
Purchase of equipment	27,500
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	-218
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	3,058	2,250
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	16	40
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	-35,191	-14,664
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit	23,000	174,700
Cash flows from financing activities
Net Intercompany Financing Activities	-50,985	-209,951
Proceeds from issuance of common units		0
Contribution from general partner		0
Redemption of senior notes	0
Distributions to HEP unitholders	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Purchase of units for incentive grants	0	0
Other		-9
Net cash used for financing activities	-27,985	-35,260
Increase (decrease) for the period	-48	-1,870
Beginning of period	2,828	1,447
End of period	2,780	-423
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,328	7,047
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to properties and equipment	-308	-3,650
Purchase of equipment	0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	0
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	0	0
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	0	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	-308	-3,650
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities
Net Intercompany Financing Activities	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common units		0
Contribution from general partner		0
Redemption of senior notes	0
Distributions to HEP unitholders	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	5,000	3,000
Purchase of units for incentive grants	0	0
Other		0
Net cash used for financing activities	-5,000	-3,000
Increase (decrease) for the period	3,020	397
Beginning of period	0	4,903
End of period	3,020	5,300
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	-692	0
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to properties and equipment	0	0
Purchase of equipment	0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	0
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	-3,058	-2,250
Distributions in excess of equity in earnings of SLC Pipeline	0	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	-3,058	-2,250
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities
Net Intercompany Financing Activities	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common units		0
Contribution from general partner		0
Redemption of senior notes	0
Distributions to HEP unitholders	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-3,750	-2,250
Purchase of units for incentive grants	0	0
Other		0
Net cash used for financing activities	3,750	2,250
Increase (decrease) for the period	0	0
Beginning of period	0	0
End of period	$0	$0