Archrock Partners (APLP) 10-Q 5 Nov 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 29, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	ARCHROCK PARTNERS, L.P.
Entity Central Index Key	1,367,064
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		59,716,484
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 371	$ 295
Accounts receivable, trade, net of allowance of $1,890 and $1,253, respectively	82,825	79,452
Due from affiliates, net	0	2,322
Total current assets	83,196	82,069
Property, plant and equipment	2,691,292	2,399,934
Accumulated depreciation	(849,604)	(721,788)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,841,688	1,678,146
Goodwill	127,757	127,757
Intangible and other assets, net	109,316	121,472
Total assets	2,161,957	2,009,444
Current liabilities:
Accrued liabilities	8,584	4,979
Accrued interest	22,524	11,876
Due to affiliates, net	450	0
Current portion of interest rate swaps	5,976	4,958
Total current liabilities	37,534	21,813
Long-term debt	1,395,166	1,300,295
Deferred income taxes	1,255	1,527
Other long-term liabilities	7,678	2,468
Total liabilities	$ 1,441,633	$ 1,326,103
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Partners’ capital:
Common units, 59,789,158 and 55,724,022 units issued, respectively	$ 711,579	$ 668,714
General partner units, 2% interest with 1,209,562 and 1,129,221 equivalent units issued and outstanding, respectively	20,720	19,542
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,224)	(3,438)
Treasury units, 72,674 and 61,665 common units, respectively	(1,751)	(1,477)
Total partners’ capital	720,324	683,341
Total liabilities and partners’ capital	$ 2,161,957	$ 2,009,444

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, trade, allowance (in dollars)	$ 1,890	$ 1,253
Common units, units issued	59,789,158	55,724,022
General partner units, interest (as a percent)	2.00%	2.00%
General partner units, equivalent units issued	1,209,562	1,129,221
General partner units, equivalent units outstanding	1,209,562	1,129,221
Treasury units, common units	72,674	61,665

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Revenues:
Revenue — third parties	$ 163,255	$ 153,103	$ 495,288	$ 419,645
Revenue — affiliates	38	60	101	258
Total revenue	163,293	153,163	495,389	419,903
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense) — affiliates	63,877	61,852	194,987	174,890
Depreciation and amortization	40,262	33,598	115,854	93,227
Long-lived asset impairment	7,163	3,558	12,473	8,035
Restructuring charges	0	125	0	702
Selling, general and administrative — affiliates	20,729	20,734	62,619	59,157
Interest expense	19,048	16,141	55,962	40,586
Other (income) expense, net	585	(649)	(1,118)	88
Total costs and expenses	151,664	135,359	440,777	376,685
Income before income taxes	11,629	17,804	54,612	43,218
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	131	(299)	702	424
Net income	11,498	18,103	53,910	42,794
General partner interest in net income	4,887	3,631	13,910	9,325
Common units interest in net income	$ 6,611	$ 14,472	$ 40,000	$ 33,469
Weighted average common units outstanding used in income per common unit:
Basic (in units)	59,716	55,661	58,141	53,583
Diluted (in units)	59,716	55,663	58,141	53,585
Income per common unit:
Basic (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.11	$ 0.26	$ 0.69	$ 0.62
Diluted (in dollars per unit)	0.11	0.26	0.69	0.62
Distributions declared and paid per limited partner unit in respective periods	$ 0.5675	$ 0.5425	$ 1.6875	$ 1.6125

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 11,498	$ 18,103	$ 53,910	$ 42,794
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Interest rate swap gain (loss), net of reclassifications to earnings	(4,930)	1,143	(9,121)	(1,836)
Amortization of terminated interest rate swaps	726	916	2,335	2,781
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,204)	2,059	(6,786)	945
Comprehensive income	$ 7,294	$ 20,162	$ 47,124	$ 43,739

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Treasury Units	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Partners' Capital Common Units	Partners' Capital General Partner Units
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 591,755	$ (1,165)	$ (2,353)	$ 578,493	$ 16,780
Beginning balance (in units) at Dec. 31, 2013				49,465,528	1,003,227
Beginning balance (in units) at Dec. 31, 2013		(50,917)
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital
Issuance of common units for vesting of phantom units (in units)				45,369
Treasury units purchased	(285)	$ (285)
Treasury units purchased (in units)		(9,437)
Net proceeds from issuance of common units	169,471			$ 169,471
Net proceeds from issuance of common units (in units)				6,210,000
Proceeds from sale of general partner units to Exterran Holdings	3,573				$ 3,573
Proceeds from sale of general partner units to Exterran Holdings (in units)					125,994
Contribution (distribution) of capital, net	3,377			$ 3,473	$ (96)
Excess of purchase price of equipment over Exterran Holdings’ cost of equipment	(14,338)			(13,581)	(757)
Cash distributions	(95,581)			(86,529)	(9,052)
Unit-based compensation expense	1,317			1,317
Interest rate swap loss, net of reclassification to earnings	(1,836)		(1,836)
Amortization of terminated interest rate swaps	2,781		2,781
Net income	42,794			33,469	9,325
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	703,028	$ (1,450)	(1,408)	$ 686,113	$ 19,773
Ending balance (in units) at Sep. 30, 2014				55,720,897	1,129,221
Ending balance (in units) at Sep. 30, 2014		(60,354)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 683,341	$ (1,477)	(3,438)	$ 668,714	$ 19,542
Beginning balance (in units) at Dec. 31, 2014				55,724,022	1,129,221
Beginning balance (in units) at Dec. 31, 2014	(61,665)	(61,665)
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital
Issuance of common units for vesting of phantom units (in units)				52,224
Treasury units purchased	$ (274)	$ (274)
Treasury units purchased (in units)		(11,009)
Acquisition of a portion of Exterran Holdings’ U.S. contract operations business	109,908			$ 107,710	$ 2,198
Acquisition of a portion of Exterran Holdings' U.S. contract operations business (in units)				3,963,138	80,341
Net proceeds from issuance of common units	1,164			$ 1,164
Net proceeds from issuance of common units (in units)				49,774
Contribution (distribution) of capital, net	142			$ 564	$ (422)
Excess of purchase price of equipment over Exterran Holdings’ cost of equipment	(11,708)			(11,108)	(600)
Cash distributions	(110,310)			(96,402)	(13,908)
Unit-based compensation expense	937			937
Interest rate swap loss, net of reclassification to earnings	(9,121)		(9,121)
Amortization of terminated interest rate swaps	2,335		2,335
Net income	53,910			40,000	13,910
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 720,324	$ (1,751)	$ (10,224)	$ 711,579	$ 20,720
Ending balance (in units) at Sep. 30, 2015				59,789,158	1,209,562
Ending balance (in units) at Sep. 30, 2015	(72,674)	(72,674)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME7

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 53,910	$ 42,794
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	115,854	93,227
Long-lived asset impairment	12,473	8,035
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2,861	2,268
Amortization of debt discount	871	760
Amortization of terminated interest rate swaps	2,335	2,781
Interest rate swaps	269	258
Unit-based compensation expense	937	1,322
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,190	580
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	(1,496)	(2,257)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, trade	(4,563)	(27,735)
Other assets and liabilities	13,641	15,132
Net cash provided by operating activities	198,282	137,165
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(193,314)	(209,386)
Payment for business acquisitions	0	(483,012)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	11,882	5,891
Decrease in amounts due from affiliates, net	2,322	10,486
Net cash used in investing activities	(179,110)	(676,021)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt	332,500	793,798
Repayments of long-term debt	(238,500)	(332,500)
Distributions to unitholders	(110,310)	(95,581)
Net proceeds from issuance of common units	1,164	169,471
Net proceeds from sale of general partner units	0	3,573
Payments for debt issuance costs	(1,311)	(6,923)
Payments for settlement of interest rate swaps that include financing elements	(2,815)	(2,844)
Purchases of treasury units	(274)	(285)
Capital contribution from limited partners and general partner	0	10,240
Increase in amounts due to affiliates, net	450	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(19,096)	538,949
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	76	93
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	295	182
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	371	275
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:
Non-cash capital contribution from limited and general partner	8,500	4,591
Contract operations equipment acquired/exchanged, net	100,494	(11,454)
Intangible assets allocated in contract operations acquisition	1,055	0
Non-cash capital contribution due to the contract operations acquisition	7,608	0
Common units issued in contract operations acquisition	100,267	0
General partner units issued in contract operations acquisition	$ 2,033	$ 0

Basis of Presentation and Summa

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Exterran Partners, L.P. (“we,” “our,” “us,” “Exterran Partners,” “Archrock Partners” or the “Partnership”) included herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S.”) (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP are not required in these interim financial statements and have been condensed or omitted. Management believes that the information furnished includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that are necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 . That report contains a more comprehensive summary of our accounting policies. The interim results reported herein are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Organization Exterran General Partner, L.P. is our general partner and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Exterran Holdings, Inc. (individually, and together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, “Exterran Holdings,” or “Archrock”). As Exterran General Partner, L.P. is a limited partnership, its general partner, Exterran GP LLC, conducts our business and operations, and the board of directors and officers of Exterran GP LLC, which we refer to herein as our board of directors and our officers, make decisions on our behalf. On November 17, 2014, Exterran Holdings announced a plan to separate (the “Spin-off”) its international contract operations, international aftermarket services and global fabrication businesses into an independent, publicly traded company (“Exterran Corporation,” previously named Exterran SpinCo, Inc. prior to May 18, 2015). On November 3, 2015, Exterran Holdings completed the Spin-off of Exterran Corporation. Effective on November 3, 2015, Exterran Holdings was renamed Archrock, Inc. and trades on the New York Stock exchange under the symbol “AROC.” References to “Archrock” or “Exterran Holdings,” refer to Archrock, Inc. for all periods prior to or ending on November 3, 2015. Additionally, it continues to hold interests in us, which include the sole general partner interest and certain limited partner interests, as well as all of the incentive distribution rights. Effective on November 3, 2015, we were renamed Archrock Partners, L.P. and beginning on November 4, 2015 we trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “APLP.” References to “Archrock Partners,” “Exterran Partners,” “the Partnership,” “we,” “our” or “us,” refer to Archrock Partners, L.P., for all periods prior to or ending on November 3, 2015. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components of comprehensive income (loss) are net income (loss) and all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from transactions with our limited partners or general partner. Our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists only of derivative financial instruments. Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) represent changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges to the extent the hedge is effective and amortization of terminated interest rate swaps. See Note 7 for additional disclosures related to comprehensive income (loss). Financial Instruments Our financial instruments consist of cash, trade receivables, interest rate swaps and debt. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the estimated fair values of these financial instruments approximated their carrying amounts as reflected in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of our fixed rate debt was estimated based on quoted market yields in inactive markets, which are Level 2 inputs. The fair value of our floating rate debt was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on interest rates offered on loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality, which are Level 3 inputs. See Note 8 for additional information regarding the fair value hierarchy. The following table summarizes the carrying amount and fair value of our debt as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Fixed rate debt $ 691,166 $ 581,000 $ 690,295 $ 611,000 Floating rate debt 704,000 705,000 610,000 611,000 Total debt $ 1,395,166 $ 1,286,000 $ 1,300,295 $ 1,222,000 GAAP requires that all derivative instruments (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) be recognized in the balance sheet at fair value and that changes in such fair values be recognized in income (loss) unless specific hedging criteria are met. Changes in the values of derivatives that meet these hedging criteria will ultimately offset related income effects of the hedged item pending recognition in income. Income (Loss) Per Common Unit Income (loss) per common unit is computed using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, basic income (loss) per common unit is determined by dividing net income (loss) allocated to the common units after deducting the amounts allocated to our general partner (including distributions to our general partner on its incentive distribution rights) and participating securities, by the weighted average number of outstanding common units (also referred to as limited partner units) during the period. Participating securities include unvested phantom units with nonforfeitable tandem distribution equivalent rights to receive cash distributions in the quarter in which distributions are paid on common units. During periods of net loss, no effect is given to participating securities because they do not have a contractual obligation to participate in our losses. When computing income (loss) per common unit in periods when distributions are greater than income (loss), the amount of the actual incentive distribution rights, if any, is deducted from net income (loss) and allocated to our general partner for the corresponding period. The remaining amount of net income (loss), after deducting distributions to participating securities, is allocated between the general partner and common units based on how our partnership agreement allocates net losses. When computing income per common unit in periods when income is greater than distributions, income is allocated to the general partner, participating securities and common units based on how our partnership agreement would allocate income if the full amount of income for the period had been distributed. This allocation of net income does not impact our total net income, consolidated results of operations or total cash distributions (including actual incentive distribution rights); however, it may result in our general partner being allocated additional incentive distributions for purposes of our income per unit calculation, which could reduce net income per common unit. However, as required by our partnership agreement, we determine cash distributions based on available cash and determine the actual incentive distributions allocable to our general partner based on actual distributions. The following table reconciles net income used in the calculation of basic and diluted income per common unit (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net income $ 11,498 $ 18,103 $ 53,910 $ 42,794 Less: General partner incentive distribution rights (4,753 ) (3,338 ) (13,100 ) (8,647 ) Less: General partner 2% ownership interest (134 ) (293 ) (810 ) (678 ) Common units interest in net income 6,611 14,472 40,000 33,469 Less: Net income attributable to participating securities (49 ) (50 ) (144 ) (149 ) Net income used in basic and diluted income per common unit $ 6,562 $ 14,422 $ 39,856 $ 33,320 The following table shows the potential common units that were included in computing diluted income per common unit (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Weighted average common units outstanding including participating securities 59,801 55,752 58,218 53,664 Less: Weighted average participating securities outstanding (85 ) (91 ) (77 ) (81 ) Weighted average common units outstanding — used in basic income per common unit 59,716 55,661 58,141 53,583 Net dilutive potential common units issuable: Phantom units — 2 — 2 Weighted average common units and dilutive potential common units — used in diluted income per common unit 59,716 55,663 58,141 53,585

Business Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Acquisitions	2. Business Acquisitions April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition On April 17, 2015, we acquired from Exterran Holdings contract operations customer service agreements with 60 customers and a fleet of 238 compressor units used to provide compression services under those agreements, comprising approximately 148,000 horsepower, or 3% (by then available horsepower) of the combined U.S. contract operations business of Exterran Holdings and us (the “April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition”). The acquired assets also included 179 compressor units, comprising approximately 66,000 horsepower, previously leased from Exterran Holdings to us. At the acquisition date, the acquired fleet assets had a net book value of $108.8 million , net of accumulated depreciation of $59.9 million . Total consideration for the transaction was approximately $102.3 million , excluding transaction costs. In connection with this acquisition, we issued approximately 4.0 million common units to Exterran Holdings and approximately 80,000 general partner units to our general partner. Based on the terms of the contribution, conveyance and assumption agreement, the common units and general partner units, including incentive distribution rights, we issued for this acquisition were not entitled to receive a cash distribution relating to the quarter ended March 31, 2015. In connection with this acquisition, we were allocated $1.1 million finite life intangible assets associated with customer relationships of Exterran Holdings’ North America contract operations segment. The amounts allocated were based on the ratio of fair value of the net assets transferred to us to the total fair value of Exterran Holdings’ North America contract operations segment. These intangible assets are being amortized through 2024, based on the present value of income expected to be realized from these intangible assets. Because Exterran Holdings and we are considered entities under common control, GAAP requires that we record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Exterran Holdings in connection with the April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition using Exterran Holdings’ historical cost basis in the assets and liabilities. The difference between the historical cost basis of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the purchase price is treated as either a capital contribution or distribution. As a result, we recorded a capital contribution of $7.6 million for the April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . An acquisition of a business from an entity under common control is generally accounted for under GAAP by the acquirer with retroactive application as if the acquisition date was the beginning of the earliest period included in the financial statements. Retroactive effect to the April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition was impracticable because such retroactive application would have required significant assumptions in a prior period that cannot be substantiated. Accordingly, our financial statements include the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, revenue and direct operating expenses associated with the acquisition beginning on the date of such acquisition. However, the preparation of pro forma financial information allows for certain assumptions that do not meet the standards of financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. August 2014 MidCon Acquisition On August 8, 2014, we completed an acquisition of natural gas compression assets, including a fleet of 162 compressor units, comprising approximately 110,000 horsepower from MidCon Compression, L.L.C. (“MidCon”) for $130.1 million (the “August 2014 MidCon Acquisition”). The purchase price was funded with borrowings under our revolving credit facility. The majority of the horsepower we acquired is utilized under a five -year contract operations services agreement with BHP Billiton Petroleum (“BHP Billiton”) to provide compression services. In connection with the acquisition, the contract operations services agreement with BHP Billiton was assigned to us effective as of the closing. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , we incurred transaction costs of approximately $0.9 million related to the August 2014 MidCon Acquisition, which is reflected in other (income) expense, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. In accordance with the terms of the purchase and sale agreement relating to this acquisition, we directed MidCon to sell a tract of real property and the facility located thereon, a fleet of vehicles, personal property and parts inventory to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Exterran Holdings that is our indirect parent company for $4.1 million . We accounted for the August 2014 MidCon Acquisition using the acquisition method, which requires, among other things, assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be recorded at their fair value on the acquisition date. The excess of the consideration transferred over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation based on estimated fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date (in thousands): Fair Value Property, plant and equipment $ 78,356 Goodwill 3,738 Intangible assets 48,373 Current liabilities (372 ) Purchase price $ 130,095 Property, Plant and Equipment, Goodwill and Intangible Assets Acquired Property, plant and equipment is comprised of compression equipment that will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over an estimated average remaining useful life of 24 years . Goodwill of $3.7 million resulting from the acquisition is attributable to the expansion of our services in the region. The goodwill recorded is considered to have an indefinite life and will be reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The amount of finite life intangible assets, and their associated average useful lives, was determined based on the period which the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to our future cash flows, and consisted of the following: Amount (In thousands) Average Useful Life Customer related $ 21,590 25 years Contract based 26,783 5 years Total acquired identifiable intangible assets $ 48,373 The results of operations attributable to the assets and liabilities acquired in the August 2014 MidCon Acquisition have been included in our condensed consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. April 2014 MidCon Acquisition On April 10, 2014, we completed an acquisition of natural gas compression assets, including a fleet of 337 compressor units, comprising approximately 444,000 horsepower from MidCon for $352.9 million (the “April 2014 MidCon Acquisition”). The purchase price was funded with the net proceeds from the public sale of 6.2 million common units and a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance of $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6% senior notes due October 2022 (the “2014 Notes”). The compressor units were previously used by MidCon to provide compression services to a subsidiary of Access Midstream Partners LP (“Access”). Effective as of the closing of the acquisition, we and Access entered into a seven -year contract operations services agreement under which we provide compression services to Williams Partners, L.P. (formerly Access). During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , we incurred transaction costs of approximately $1.5 million related to the April 2014 MidCon Acquisition, which is reflected in other (income) expense, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. In accordance with the terms of the purchase and sale agreement relating to this acquisition, we directed MidCon to sell a tract of real property and the facility located thereon, a fleet of vehicles, personal property and parts inventory to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Exterran Holdings that is our indirect parent company for $7.7 million . We accounted for the April 2014 MidCon Acquisition using the acquisition method, which requires, among other things, assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be recorded at their fair value on the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation based on estimated fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date (in thousands): Fair Value Property, plant and equipment $ 311,270 Intangible assets 42,474 Current liabilities (827 ) Purchase price $ 352,917 Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangible Assets Acquired Property, plant and equipment is comprised of compression equipment that will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over an estimated average remaining useful life of 25 years . The amount of finite life intangible assets, and their associated average useful lives, was determined based on the period which the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to our future cash flows, and consisted of the following: Amount (In thousands) Average Useful Life Customer related $ 4,701 25 years Contract based 37,773 7 years Total acquired identifiable intangible assets $ 42,474 The results of operations attributable to the assets and liabilities acquired in the April 2014 MidCon Acquisition have been included in our condensed consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. Pro Forma Financial Information Pro forma financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 has been included to give effect to the additional assets acquired in the April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition, the August 2014 MidCon Acquisition and the April 2014 MidCon Acquisition. The April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition, the August 2014 MidCon Acquisition and the April 2014 MidCon Acquisition are presented in the pro forma financial information as though these transactions occurred as of January 1, 2014 . The pro forma financial information reflects the following transactions: As related to the April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition: • our acquisition in April 2015 of certain contract operations customer service agreements, compression equipment and identifiable intangible assets from Exterran Holdings; and • our issuance of approximately 4.0 million common units to Exterran Holdings and approximately 80,000 general partner units to our general partner. As related to the August 2014 MidCon Acquisition: • our acquisition in August 2014 of natural gas compression assets and identifiable intangible assets from MidCon; and • our borrowings under our revolving credit facility to pay $130.1 million to MidCon for the August 2014 MidCon Acquisition. As related to the April 2014 MidCon Acquisition: • our acquisition in April 2014 of natural gas compression assets and identifiable intangible assets from MidCon; • our issuance of 6.2 million common units to the public and approximately 126,000 general partner units to our general partner; • our issuance of $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2014 Notes; and • our use of proceeds from the issuance of common units, general partner units and the 2014 Notes to pay $352.9 million to MidCon for the April 2014 MidCon Acquisition and to pay down $157.5 million on our revolving credit facility. The pro forma financial information below is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of our results of operations that would have occurred had each transaction been consummated at the beginning of the period presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results. The pro forma financial information below was derived by adjusting our historical financial statements. The following table shows pro forma financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands, except per unit amounts): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 2015 2014 Revenue $ 162,440 $ 504,468 $ 476,381 Net income $ 18,909 $ 54,502 $ 47,857 Basic income per common unit $ 0.25 $ 0.67 $ 0.63 Diluted income per common unit $ 0.25 $ 0.67 $ 0.63 Pro forma net income (loss) per common unit is determined by dividing the pro forma net income (loss) that would have been allocated to our common unitholders by the weighted average number of common units outstanding after the completion of the transactions included in the pro forma financial information. Pursuant to our partnership agreement, to the extent that the quarterly distributions exceed certain targets, our general partner is entitled to receive certain incentive distributions that will result in more net income proportionately being allocated to our general partner than to our common unitholders. The pro forma net income per limited partner unit calculations reflect the incentive distributions made to our general partner and a reduction of net income allocable to our limited partners of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, which reflects the amount of additional incentive distributions that would have occurred if the pro forma limited partner units had been outstanding as of January 1, 2014 .

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	3. Related Party Transactions We are a party to an omnibus agreement with Exterran Holdings, our general partner and others (as amended and/or restated, the “Omnibus Agreement”), which includes, among other things: • certain agreements not to compete between Exterran Holdings and its affiliates, on the one hand, and us and our affiliates, on the other hand; • Exterran Holdings’ obligation to provide all operational staff, corporate staff and support services reasonably necessary to operate our business and our obligation to reimburse Exterran Holdings for such services; • the terms under which we, Exterran Holdings, and our respective affiliates may transfer, exchange or lease compression equipment among one another; • the terms under which we may purchase newly-fabricated contract operations equipment from Exterran Holdings; • Exterran Holdings’ grant to us of a license to use certain intellectual property, including our logo; and • Exterran Holdings’ and our obligations to indemnify each other for certain liabilities. The Omnibus Agreement will terminate upon a change of control of Exterran GP LLC, our general partner or us, and certain provisions of the Omnibus Agreement will terminate upon a change of control of Exterran Holdings. Provisions such as non-competition and transfers of compression equipment will terminate on December 31, 2015, or on the date on which a change of control of Exterran Holdings occurs, whichever event occurs first. Provisions in the Omnibus Agreement that provided caps on our obligation to reimburse Exterran Holdings for operating and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses terminated on December 31, 2014. Pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement, we may purchase newly-fabricated compression equipment from Exterran Holdings or its affiliates at Exterran Holdings’ cost to fabricate such equipment plus a fixed margin, which may be modified with the approval of Exterran Holdings and the conflicts committee of our board of directors. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , we purchased $146.3 million and $152.6 million , respectively, of newly-fabricated compression equipment from Exterran Holdings. Transactions between us and Exterran Holdings and its affiliates are transactions between entities under common control. Under GAAP, transfers of assets and liabilities between entities under common control are to be initially recorded on the books of the receiving entity at the carrying value of the transferor. Any difference between consideration given and the carrying value of the assets or liabilities is treated as a capital distribution or contribution. As a result, the newly-fabricated compression equipment purchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was recorded in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as property, plant and equipment of $134.6 million and $138.3 million , respectively, which represents the carrying value of the Exterran Holdings’ affiliates that sold it to us, and as a distribution of equity of $11.7 million and $14.3 million , respectively, which represents the fixed margin we paid above the carrying value in accordance with the Omnibus Agreement. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , Exterran Holdings contributed to us $8.1 million and $4.6 million , respectively, primarily related to the completion of overhauls on compression equipment that was exchanged with us or contributed to us and where overhauls were in progress on the date of exchange or contribution. If Exterran Holdings determines in good faith that we or Exterran Holdings’ contract operations services business need to transfer, exchange or lease compression equipment between Exterran Holdings and us, the Omnibus Agreement permits such equipment to be transferred, exchanged or leased if it will not cause us to breach any existing contracts, suffer a loss of revenue under an existing compression services contract or incur any unreimbursed costs. In consideration for such transfer, exchange or lease of compression equipment, the transferee will either (1) transfer to the transferor compression equipment equal in value to the appraised value of the compression equipment transferred to it, (2) agree to lease such compression equipment from the transferor or (3) pay the transferor an amount in cash equal to the appraised value of the compression equipment transferred to it. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, we transferred ownership of 349 compressor units, totaling approximately 112,800 horsepower with a net book value of approximately $54.7 million , to Exterran Holdings. In exchange, Exterran Holdings transferred ownership of 260 compressor units, totaling approximately 99,600 horsepower with a net book value of approximately $46.8 million , to us. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, we transferred ownership of 349 compressor units, totaling approximately 176,300 horsepower with a net book value of approximately $74.4 million , to Exterran Holdings. In exchange, Exterran Holdings transferred ownership of 354 compressor units, totaling approximately 128,800 horsepower with a net book value of approximately $63.0 million , to us. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , we recorded capital distributions of approximately $7.9 million and $11.4 million , respectively, related to the differences in net book value on the exchanged compression equipment. No customer contracts were included in the transfers. Under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, such transfers must be of equal appraised value, as defined in the Omnibus Agreement, with any difference being settled in cash. At September 30, 2015 , we had equipment on lease to Exterran Holdings. with an aggregate cost and accumulated depreciation of $0.6 million and $0.3 million , respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , we had revenue of $0.1 million and $0.3 million , respectively, from Exterran Holdings related to the lease of our compression equipment. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , we had cost of sales of $1.5 million and $3.8 million , respectively, with Exterran Holdings related to the lease of Exterran Holdings’ compression equipment. Exterran Holdings provides all operational staff, corporate staff and support services reasonably necessary to run our business. These services may include, without limitation, operations, marketing, maintenance and repair, periodic overhauls of compression equipment, inventory management, legal, accounting, treasury, insurance administration and claims processing, risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, internal audit, taxes, facilities management, investor relations, enterprise resource planning system, training, executive, sales, business development and engineering. Exterran Holdings charges us for costs that are directly attributable to us. Costs that are indirectly attributable to us and Exterran Holdings’ other operations are allocated among Exterran Holdings’ other operations and us. The allocation methodologies vary based on the nature of the charge and have historically included, among other things, revenue and horsepower. Effective January 1, 2015, the approach has been modified to eliminate revenue as a component and to include, among other things, headcount and horsepower. The change in allocation methodologies did not have a material impact on the amount of costs allocated to us during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . We believe that the allocation methodologies used to allocate indirect costs to us are reasonable. Under the Omnibus Agreement, our obligation to reimburse Exterran Holdings for any cost of sales that it incurred in the operation of our business and any cash SG&A expense allocated to us was capped (after taking into account any such costs we incurred and paid directly) through December 31, 2014. Cost of sales was capped at $22.50 per operating horsepower per quarter from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. SG&A costs were capped at $15.0 million per quarter from January 1, 2014 through April 9, 2014 and $17.7 million per quarter from April 10, 2014 through December 31, 2014. The cost caps provided in the Omnibus Agreement terminated on December 31, 2014. Our cost of sales exceeded the cap provided in the Omnibus Agreement by $2.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . During the three months ended September 30, 2014 , our cost of sales did not exceed the cap provided in the Omnibus Agreement. Our SG&A expenses exceeded the cap provided in the Omnibus Agreement by $2.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and by $7.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The excess amounts over the caps are included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as cost of sales or SG&A expense. The cash received for the amounts over the caps has been accounted for as a capital contribution in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	4. Long-Term Debt Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Revolving credit facility due May 2018 $ 554,000 $ 460,000 Term loan facility due May 2018 150,000 150,000 6% senior notes due April 2021 (presented net of the unamortized discount of $4.0 million and $4.5 million, respectively) 345,982 345,528 6% senior notes due October 2022 (presented net of the unamortized discount of $4.8 million and $5.2 million, respectively) 345,184 344,767 Long-term debt $ 1,395,166 $ 1,300,295 Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan In February 2015, we amended our senior secured credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), which among other things, increased the borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility by $250.0 million to $900.0 million . The Credit Agreement, which matures in May 2018, also includes a $150.0 million term loan facility. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , we incurred transaction costs of $1.3 million related to the amendment of our Credit Agreement. These costs were included in intangible and other assets, net, and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the facility. As of September 30, 2015 , we had undrawn and available capacity of $346.0 million under our revolving credit facility. 6% Senior Notes Due April 2021 and 6% Senior Notes Due October 2022 In March 2013, we issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6% senior notes due April 2021 (the “2013 Notes”). In April 2014, we issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2014 Notes. We received net proceeds of $337.4 million , after original issuance discount and issuance costs, from this offering, which we used to fund a portion of the April 2014 MidCon Acquisition and repay borrowings under our revolving credit facility. We incurred $6.9 million in transaction costs related to this issuance. These costs were included in intangible and other assets, net, and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2014 Notes. The 2014 Notes were issued at an original issuance discount of $5.7 million , which is being amortized using the effective interest method at an interest rate of 6.25% over their term. In February 2015, holders of the 2014 Notes exchanged their 2014 Notes for registered notes with the same terms. The 2013 Notes and the 2014 Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of our existing subsidiaries (other than EXLP Finance Corp., which is a co-issuer of the 2013 Notes and the 2014 Notes) and certain of our future subsidiaries. The 2013 Notes and the 2014 Notes and the guarantees, respectively, are our and the guarantors’ general unsecured senior obligations, rank equally in right of payment with all of our and the guarantors’ other senior obligations, and are effectively subordinated to all of our and the guarantors’ existing and future secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. In addition, the 2013 Notes and the 2014 Notes and guarantees are effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of any future non-guarantor subsidiaries. All of our subsidiaries are 100% owned, directly or indirectly, by us and guarantees by our subsidiaries are full and unconditional (subject to customary release provisions) and constitute joint and several obligations. We have no assets or operations independent of our subsidiaries, and there are no significant restrictions upon our subsidiaries’ ability to distribute funds to us. EXLP Finance Corp. has no operations and does not have revenue other than as may be incidental as co-issuer of the 2013 Notes and the 2014 Notes. Because we have no independent operations, the guarantees are full and unconditional (subject to customary release provisions) and constitute joint and several obligations of our subsidiaries other than EXLP Finance Corp., and as a result we have not included consolidated financial information of our subsidiaries.

Cash Distributions

Cash Distributions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Cash Distributions	5. Cash Distributions We make distributions of available cash (as defined in our partnership agreement) from operating surplus in the following manner: • first , 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; • second , 98% to common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until each unit has received a distribution of $0.4025 ; • third , 85% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to our general partner, until each unit has received a distribution of $0.4375 ; • fourth , 75% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to our general partner, until each unit has received a total of $0.5250 ; and • thereafter , 50% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to our general partner. The following table summarizes our distributions per unit for 2014 and 2015 : Period Covering Payment Date Distribution per Limited Partner Unit Total Distribution (1) 1/1/2014 — 3/31/2014 May 15, 2014 $ 0.5375 $ 33.1 million 4/1/2014 — 6/30/2014 August 14, 2014 0.5425 33.6 million 7/1/2014 — 9/30/2014 November 14, 2014 0.5525 34.8 million 10/1/2014 — 12/31/2014 February 13, 2015 0.5575 35.3 million 1/1/2015 — 3/31/2015 May 15, 2015 0.5625 35.9 million 4/1/2015 — 6/30/2015 August 14, 2015 0.5675 39.1 million __________________________________________ (1) Includes distributions to our general partner on its incentive distribution rights. On October 25, 2015 , our board of directors approved a cash distribution of $0.5725 per limited partner unit, or approximately $39.7 million , including distributions to our general partner on its incentive distribution rights. The distribution covers the period from July 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015 . The record date for this distribution is November 9, 2015 and payment is expected to occur on November 13, 2015 .

Unit-Based Compensation

Unit-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Unit-Based Compensation	6. Unit-Based Compensation Long-Term Incentive Plan Our board of directors adopted the Exterran Partners, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) in October 2006 for employees, directors and consultants of us, Exterran Holdings and our respective affiliates. A maximum of 1,035,378 common units, common unit options, restricted units and phantom units are available under the Plan. The Plan is administered by our board of directors or a committee thereof (the “Plan Administrator”). Phantom units are notional units that entitle the grantee to receive a common unit upon the vesting of a phantom unit or, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, cash equal to the fair market value of a common unit. Phantom units granted under the Plan may include nonforfeitable tandem distribution equivalent rights to receive cash distributions on unvested phantom units in the quarter in which distributions are paid on common units. Phantom units generally vest one-third per year on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. Phantom Units The following table presents phantom unit activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Phantom Units Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Unit Phantom units outstanding, January 1, 2015 91,763 $ 27.38 Granted 45,236 24.87 Vested (52,224 ) 25.67 Phantom units outstanding, September 30, 2015 84,775 27.10 As of September 30, 2015 , we expect $1.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested phantom units to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 1.8 years .

Accounting for Derivatives

Accounting for Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accounting for Derivatives	7. Accounting for Derivatives We are exposed to market risks associated with changes in interest rates. We use derivative financial instruments to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with financial activities by managing our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on a portion of our debt obligations. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. Interest Rate Risk During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , we entered into an interest rate swap with a notional value of $100.0 million . At September 30, 2015 , we were a party to interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $500.0 million , pursuant to which we make fixed payments and receive floating payments. We entered into these swaps to offset changes in expected cash flows due to fluctuations in the associated variable interest rates. Our interest rate swaps expire over varying dates, with interest rate swaps having a notional amount of $300.0 million expiring in May 2018, interest rate swaps having a notional amount of $100.0 million expiring in May 2019 and the remaining interest rate swaps having a notional amount of $100.0 million expiring in May 2020. As of September 30, 2015 , the weighted average effective fixed interest rate on our interest rate swaps was 1.6% . We have designated these interest rate swaps as cash flow hedging instruments so that any change in their fair values is recognized as a component of comprehensive income (loss) and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the extent the hedge is effective. As the swap terms substantially coincide with the hedged item and are expected to offset changes in expected cash flows due to fluctuations in the variable rate, we currently do not expect a significant amount of ineffectiveness on these hedges. We perform quarterly calculations to determine whether the swap agreements are still effective and to calculate any ineffectiveness. We recorded $0.4 million of interest income during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to ineffectiveness related to interest rate swaps. There was no ineffectiveness related to interest rate swaps during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . We estimate that $4.5 million of deferred losses attributable to interest rate swaps and included in our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2015 , will be reclassified into earnings as interest expense at then-current values during the next twelve months as the underlying hedged transactions occur. Cash flows from derivatives designated as hedges are classified in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows under the same category as the cash flows from the underlying assets, liabilities or anticipated transactions, unless the derivative contract contains a significant financing element; in this case, the cash settlements for these derivatives are classified as cash flows from financing activities in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The following tables present the effect of derivative instruments on our consolidated financial position and results of operations (in thousands): September 30, 2015 Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Asset (Liability) Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate swaps Current portion of interest rate swaps $ (5,976 ) Interest rate swaps Other long-term liabilities (5,012 ) Total derivatives $ (10,988 ) December 31, 2014 Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Asset (Liability) Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate swaps Intangible and other assets, net $ 712 Interest rate swaps Current portion of interest rate swaps (4,958 ) Interest rate swaps Other long-term liabilities (150 ) Total derivatives $ (4,396 ) Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps Three months ended September 30, 2015 $ (6,100 ) Interest expense $ (1,896 ) Three months ended September 30, 2014 846 Interest expense (1,213 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2015 (12,098 ) Interest expense (5,312 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2014 (2,283 ) Interest expense (3,228 ) The counterparties to our derivative agreements are major international financial institutions. We monitor the credit quality of these financial institutions and do not expect non-performance by any counterparty, although such non-performance could have a material adverse effect on us. We have no specific collateral posted for our derivative instruments. The counterparties to our interest rate swaps are also lenders under our senior secured credit facility and, in that capacity, share proportionally in the collateral pledged under the related facility.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	8. Fair Value Measurements The accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into the following three broad categories: • Level 1 — Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets to which we have access at the date of measurement. • Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 inputs are those in markets for which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, little public information exists or prices vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers. • Level 3 — Model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect our own assumptions regarding how market participants would price the asset or liability based on the best available information. The following table presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , with pricing levels as of the date of valuation (in thousands): September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Interest rate swaps asset $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 712 $ — Interest rate swaps liability — (10,988 ) — — (5,108 ) — On a quarterly basis, our interest rate swaps are recorded at fair value utilizing a combination of the market approach and income approach to estimate fair value based on forward LIBOR curves. The following table presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , with pricing levels as of the date of valuation (in thousands): Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Impaired long-lived assets $ — $ — $ 1,537 $ — $ — $ 865 Our estimate of the impaired long-lived assets’ fair value was based on either the expected net sale proceeds compared to other fleet units we recently sold and/or a review of other units recently offered for sale by third parties, or the estimated component value of the equipment we plan to use. We discounted the expected proceeds, net of selling and other carrying costs, using a weighted average disposal period of four years and a weighted average discount rate of 11% and 9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment

Long-Lived Asset Impairment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Long-Lived Asset Impairment	9. Long-Lived Asset Impairment We review long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangibles that are being amortized, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, including the removal of compressor units from our active fleet, indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , we reviewed the future deployment of our idle compression assets for units that were not of the type, configuration, condition, make or model that are cost efficient to maintain and operate. Based on this review, we determined that approximately 80 and 130 idle compressor units totaling approximately 17,000 and 34,000 horsepower would be retired from the active fleet during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. The retirement of these units from the active fleet triggered a review of these assets for impairment. As a result, we recorded a $4.0 million and an $8.9 million asset impairment to reduce the book value of each unit to its estimated fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. The fair value of each unit was estimated based on either the expected net sale proceeds compared to other fleet units we recently sold and/or a review of other units recently offered for sale by third parties, or the estimated component value of the equipment we plan to use. In connection with our fleet review during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , we evaluated for impairment idle units that had been culled from our fleet in prior years and were available for sale. Based upon that review, we reduced the expected proceeds from disposition for certain of the remaining units. This resulted in an additional impairment of $3.2 million and $3.6 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively, to reduce the book value of each unit to its estimated fair value. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , we evaluated the future deployment of our idle fleet and determined to retire and either sell or re-utilize the key components of approximately 30 and 95 idle compressor units, respectively, representing approximately 8,000 and 23,000 horsepower, respectively, previously used to provide services. As a result, we performed an impairment review and recorded a $3.0 million and a $7.4 million asset impairment to reduce the book value of each unit to its estimated fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively. The fair value of each unit was estimated based on either the expected net sale proceeds compared to other fleet units we recently sold and/or a review of other units recently offered for sale by third parties, or the estimated component value of the equipment we plan to use. In connection with our fleet review during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , we evaluated for impairment idle units that had been culled from our fleet in prior years and were available for sale. Based upon that review, we reduced the expected proceeds from disposition for certain of the remaining units. This resulted in an additional impairment of $0.6 million during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 to reduce the book value of each unit to its estimated fair value.

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	10. Restructuring Charges In January 2014, Exterran Holdings announced a plan to centralize its make-ready operations to improve the cost and efficiency of its shops and further enhance the competitiveness of our and Exterran Holdings’ combined U.S. compressor fleet. As part of this plan, Exterran Holdings examined both recent and anticipated changes in the U.S. market, including the throughput demand of its shops and the addition of new equipment to our and Exterran Holdings’ combined U.S. compressor fleet. To better align its costs and capabilities with the current market, Exterran Holdings closed several of its make-ready shops. The centralization of its make-ready operations was completed in the second quarter of 2014. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , we incurred $0.7 million of restructuring charges comprised of an allocation of expenses, including termination benefits associated with the centralization of Exterran Holdings’ make-ready operations, from Exterran Holdings to us pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Agreement based on revenue and horsepower. These charges are reflected as restructuring charges in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Unit Transactions

Unit Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Partners' Capital [Abstract]
Unit Transactions	11. Unit Transactions In May 2015, we entered into an At-The-Market Equity Offering Sales Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (the “Sales Agents”). Pursuant to the ATM Agreement, we may sell from time to time through the Sales Agents common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership having an aggregate offering price of up to $100.0 million . Under the terms of the ATM Agreement, we may also sell common units from time to time to any Sales Agent as principal for its own account at a price to be agreed upon at the time of sale. Any sale of common units to a Sales Agent as principal would be pursuant to the terms of a separate terms agreement between us and such Sales Agent. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering, after deducting the Sales Agents’ commission and our offering expenses, for general partnership purposes, which may include, among other things paying or refinancing a portion of our outstanding debt. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , we sold 49,774 common units for net proceeds of $1.2 million pursuant to the ATM Agreement. In April 2015, we completed the April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition from Exterran Holdings. In connection with this acquisition, we issued approximately 4.0 million common units to Exterran Holdings and approximately 80,000 general partner units to our general partner. In April 2014, we sold, pursuant to a public underwritten offering, 6,210,000 common units, including 810,000 common units pursuant to an over-allotment option. We received net proceeds of $169.5 million , after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses, which we used to fund a portion of the April 2014 MidCon Acquisition. In connection with this sale and as permitted under our partnership agreement, we issued and sold approximately 126,000 general partner units to our general partner so it could maintain its approximate 2.0% general partner interest in us. We received net proceeds of $3.6 million from the general partner contribution which we used to repay borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2015 , Exterran Holdings owned 23,582,056 common units and 1,209,562 general partner units, collectively representing a 41% interest in us.

Recent Accounting Developments

Recent Accounting Developments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Developments	12. Recent Accounting Developments In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an update that addresses the historical earnings per unit presentation for master limited partnerships that apply the two-class method of calculating earnings per unit when a drop-down transaction occurs between entities under common control. The update specifies that the historical earnings (losses) of a transferred business before the date of a dropdown transaction should be allocated entirely to the general partner and the previously reported earnings per unit of the limited partners should not change as a result of the dropdown transaction. The update will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and is required to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. As discussed in Note 2 , due to the impracticability of significant assumptions required to retroactively adjust historical financial statements upon the consummation of a dropdown, our financial statements have presented the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, revenue and direct operating expenses associated with the acquisition of assets from Exterran Holdings beginning on the date of such acquisition. We do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued an update that addresses the presentation of debt issuance costs. The update requires an entity to present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. In August 2015, the FASB issued a subsequent update which clarifies that the guidance in the previous update does not apply to line-of-credit arrangements. Per the subsequent update, line-of-credit arrangements will continue to defer and present debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt costs ratably over the term of the arrangement. Upon transition, an entity is required to comply with the applicable disclosures for a change in an accounting principle. The update will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. Other than the revised balance sheet presentation of debt issuance costs from an asset to a deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability and related disclosures, the adoption of this update is not expected to have an impact on our financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued an update which revises the consolidation model. The update modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) or voting interest entities, eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. The update will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued an update related to revenue recognition. The update outlines a single comprehensive model for companies to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes the most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The update also requires disclosures enabling users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The update will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within the reporting period. Early adoption is permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt this update. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the update on our financial statements.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	13. Commitments and Contingencies In 2011, the Texas Legislature enacted changes related to the appraisal of natural gas compressors for ad valorem tax purposes by expanding the definitions of “Heavy Equipment Dealer” and “Heavy Equipment” effective from the beginning of 2012 (the “Heavy Equipment Statutes”). Under the revised statutes, we believe we are a Heavy Equipment Dealer, that our natural gas compressors are Heavy Equipment and that we, therefore, are required to file our ad valorem tax renditions under this new methodology. A large number of appraisal review boards denied our position, and we filed petitions for review in the appropriate district courts. As of September 30, 2015 , three of these cases have been decided. In each case, the district court held that the revised Heavy Equipment Statutes apply to natural gas compressors. However, in each case, the district court further held that the revised Heavy Equipment Statutes are unconstitutional as applied to natural gas compressors, which is favorable to the county appraisal districts. We appealed all three of these decisions. On August 25, 2015, the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston, Texas issued a ruling stating that additional evidence would be required to determine whether the Heavy Equipment Statutes is constitutional. The case was remanded to the district court for further proceedings. We plan to file a petition asking the Texas Supreme Court to review this decision. On September 23, 2015, the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso, Texas decided the other two appellate cases in our favor by affirming the district court’s ruling that the Heavy Equipment Statutes apply to natural gas compressors, and overturning the district court’s ruling that the Heavy Equipment Statutes are unconstitutional as applied to natural gas compressors. In EES Leasing LLC and EXLP Leasing LLC v. Harris County Appraisal District, both parties have filed motions for summary judgment, which are currently pending before the district court. In EES Leasing LLC and EXLP Leasing LLC v. Irion County Appraisal District, the court denied both parties’ respective motions for summary judgment concerning taxes assessed by Irion County for the 2012 tax year, and consolidated the 2012 tax year case with the 2013 tax year case. On August 27, 2015, the court abated the consolidated case until the final resolution of the appellate cases considering the constitutionality of the Heavy Equipment Statutes, or further order of the court. As a result of the new methodology, our ad valorem tax expense (which is reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of operations as a component of cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense)) includes a benefit of $10.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Since the change in methodology became effective in 2012, we have recorded an aggregate benefit of $31.0 million as of September 30, 2015 , of which approximately $8.0 million has been agreed to by a number of appraisal review boards and county appraisal districts and $23.0 million has been disputed and is currently in litigation. Recognizing the similarity of the issues and that these cases will ultimately be resolved by the Texas appellate courts, we have reached, or intend to reach, agreements with some of the appraisal districts to stay or abate certain of these pending district court cases. If we are unsuccessful in our litigation with the appraisal districts, we would be required to pay ad valorem taxes up to the aggregate benefit we have recorded, and the additional ad valorem tax payments may also be subject to substantial penalties and interest. Also, if we are unsuccessful in our litigation with the appraisal districts, or if legislation is enacted in Texas that repeals or alters the Heavy Equipment Statutes such that in the future we do not qualify as a Heavy Equipment Dealer or our compressors do not qualify as Heavy Equipment, then we would likely be required to pay these ad valorem taxes under the old methodology going forward, which would increase our quarterly cost of sales expense up to approximately the amount of our then most recent quarterly benefit recorded, and as a result impact our future results of operations and cash flows, including our cash available for distribution. In the ordinary course of business, we are also involved in various other pending or threatened legal actions. While management is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these actions, it believes that any ultimate liability arising from any of these other actions will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, including our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders. However, because of the inherent uncertainty of litigation and arbitration proceedings, we cannot provide assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding to which we are a party will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, including our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders. We are subject to a number of state and local taxes that are not income-based. As many of these taxes are subject to audit by the taxing authorities, it is possible that an audit could result in additional taxes due. We accrue for such additional taxes when we determine that it is probable that we have incurred a liability and we can reasonably estimate the amount of the liability. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , we had accrued $0.3 million and $0.1 million , respectively, for the outcomes of non-income based tax audits. We do not expect that the ultimate resolutions of these audits will result in a material variance from the amounts accrued. We do not accrue for unasserted claims for tax audits unless we believe the assertion of a claim is probable, it is probable that it will be determined that the claim is owed and we can reasonably estimate the claim or range of the claim. We do not have any unasserted claims from non-income based tax audits that we have determined are probable of assertion. We also believe the likelihood is remote that the impact of potential unasserted claims from non-income based tax audits could be material to our consolidated financial position, but it is possible that the resolution of future audits could be material to our results of operations or cash flows for the period in which the resolution occurs.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	14. Subsequent Events On November 3, 2015, Exterran Holdings completed the Spin-off of its international contract operations, international aftermarket services and global fabrication businesses into an independent, publicly traded company. Effective on November 3, 2015, Exterran Holdings was renamed Archrock, Inc. and trades on the New York Stock exchange under the symbol “AROC.” Additionally, it continues to hold interests in us, which include the sole general partner interest and certain limited partner interests, as well as all of the incentive distribution rights. Effective on November 3, 2015, we were renamed Archrock Partners, L.P. and beginning on November 4, 2015 we trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “APLP.”

Basis of Presentation and Sum22

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components of comprehensive income (loss) are net income (loss) and all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from transactions with our limited partners or general partner. Our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists only of derivative financial instruments. Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) represent changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges to the extent the hedge is effective and amortization of terminated interest rate swaps. See Note 7 for additional disclosures related to comprehensive income (loss).
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments Our financial instruments consist of cash, trade receivables, interest rate swaps and debt. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the estimated fair values of these financial instruments approximated their carrying amounts as reflected in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of our fixed rate debt was estimated based on quoted market yields in inactive markets, which are Level 2 inputs. The fair value of our floating rate debt was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on interest rates offered on loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality, which are Level 3 inputs. See Note 8 for additional information regarding the fair value hierarchy.
Income (Loss) Per Common Unit	Income (Loss) Per Common Unit Income (loss) per common unit is computed using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, basic income (loss) per common unit is determined by dividing net income (loss) allocated to the common units after deducting the amounts allocated to our general partner (including distributions to our general partner on its incentive distribution rights) and participating securities, by the weighted average number of outstanding common units (also referred to as limited partner units) during the period. Participating securities include unvested phantom units with nonforfeitable tandem distribution equivalent rights to receive cash distributions in the quarter in which distributions are paid on common units. During periods of net loss, no effect is given to participating securities because they do not have a contractual obligation to participate in our losses. When computing income (loss) per common unit in periods when distributions are greater than income (loss), the amount of the actual incentive distribution rights, if any, is deducted from net income (loss) and allocated to our general partner for the corresponding period. The remaining amount of net income (loss), after deducting distributions to participating securities, is allocated between the general partner and common units based on how our partnership agreement allocates net losses. When computing income per common unit in periods when income is greater than distributions, income is allocated to the general partner, participating securities and common units based on how our partnership agreement would allocate income if the full amount of income for the period had been distributed. This allocation of net income does not impact our total net income, consolidated results of operations or total cash distributions (including actual incentive distribution rights); however, it may result in our general partner being allocated additional incentive distributions for purposes of our income per unit calculation, which could reduce net income per common unit. However, as required by our partnership agreement, we determine cash distributions based on available cash and determine the actual incentive distributions allocable to our general partner based on actual distributions.
Recent Accounting Developments	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an update that addresses the historical earnings per unit presentation for master limited partnerships that apply the two-class method of calculating earnings per unit when a drop-down transaction occurs between entities under common control. The update specifies that the historical earnings (losses) of a transferred business before the date of a dropdown transaction should be allocated entirely to the general partner and the previously reported earnings per unit of the limited partners should not change as a result of the dropdown transaction. The update will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and is required to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. As discussed in Note 2 , due to the impracticability of significant assumptions required to retroactively adjust historical financial statements upon the consummation of a dropdown, our financial statements have presented the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, revenue and direct operating expenses associated with the acquisition of assets from Exterran Holdings beginning on the date of such acquisition. We do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued an update that addresses the presentation of debt issuance costs. The update requires an entity to present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. In August 2015, the FASB issued a subsequent update which clarifies that the guidance in the previous update does not apply to line-of-credit arrangements. Per the subsequent update, line-of-credit arrangements will continue to defer and present debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt costs ratably over the term of the arrangement. Upon transition, an entity is required to comply with the applicable disclosures for a change in an accounting principle. The update will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. Other than the revised balance sheet presentation of debt issuance costs from an asset to a deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability and related disclosures, the adoption of this update is not expected to have an impact on our financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued an update which revises the consolidation model. The update modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) or voting interest entities, eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. The update will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued an update related to revenue recognition. The update outlines a single comprehensive model for companies to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes the most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The update also requires disclosures enabling users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The update will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within the reporting period. Early adoption is permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt this update. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the update on our financial statements.

Basis of Presentation and Sum23

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of the carrying amount and fair value of debt	The following table summarizes the carrying amount and fair value of our debt as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Fixed rate debt $ 691,166 $ 581,000 $ 690,295 $ 611,000 Floating rate debt 704,000 705,000 610,000 611,000 Total debt $ 1,395,166 $ 1,286,000 $ 1,300,295 $ 1,222,000
Schedule of reconciliation of net income used in calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common unit	The following table reconciles net income used in the calculation of basic and diluted income per common unit (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net income $ 11,498 $ 18,103 $ 53,910 $ 42,794 Less: General partner incentive distribution rights (4,753 ) (3,338 ) (13,100 ) (8,647 ) Less: General partner 2% ownership interest (134 ) (293 ) (810 ) (678 ) Common units interest in net income 6,611 14,472 40,000 33,469 Less: Net income attributable to participating securities (49 ) (50 ) (144 ) (149 ) Net income used in basic and diluted income per common unit $ 6,562 $ 14,422 $ 39,856 $ 33,320
Schedule of potential common units included in computing diluted earnings per common unit	The following table shows the potential common units that were included in computing diluted income per common unit (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Weighted average common units outstanding including participating securities 59,801 55,752 58,218 53,664 Less: Weighted average participating securities outstanding (85 ) (91 ) (77 ) (81 ) Weighted average common units outstanding — used in basic income per common unit 59,716 55,661 58,141 53,583 Net dilutive potential common units issuable: Phantom units — 2 — 2 Weighted average common units and dilutive potential common units — used in diluted income per common unit 59,716 55,663 58,141 53,585

Business Acquisitions (Tables)

Business Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Acquisitions
Schedule of pro forma financial information	The following table shows pro forma financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands, except per unit amounts): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 2015 2014 Revenue $ 162,440 $ 504,468 $ 476,381 Net income $ 18,909 $ 54,502 $ 47,857 Basic income per common unit $ 0.25 $ 0.67 $ 0.63 Diluted income per common unit $ 0.25 $ 0.67 $ 0.63
August 2014 MidCon Acquisition
Business Acquisitions
Summary of purchase price allocation based on estimated fair values of acquired assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date	The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation based on estimated fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date (in thousands): Fair Value Property, plant and equipment $ 78,356 Goodwill 3,738 Intangible assets 48,373 Current liabilities (372 ) Purchase price $ 130,095
Schedule of amounts of finite-lived intangible assets, and their associated average useful lives	The amount of finite life intangible assets, and their associated average useful lives, was determined based on the period which the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to our future cash flows, and consisted of the following: Amount (In thousands) Average Useful Life Customer related $ 21,590 25 years Contract based 26,783 5 years Total acquired identifiable intangible assets $ 48,373
April 2014 MidCon Acquisition
Business Acquisitions
Summary of purchase price allocation based on estimated fair values of acquired assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date	The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation based on estimated fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date (in thousands): Fair Value Property, plant and equipment $ 311,270 Intangible assets 42,474 Current liabilities (827 ) Purchase price $ 352,917
Schedule of amounts of finite-lived intangible assets, and their associated average useful lives	The amount of finite life intangible assets, and their associated average useful lives, was determined based on the period which the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to our future cash flows, and consisted of the following: Amount (In thousands) Average Useful Life Customer related $ 4,701 25 years Contract based 37,773 7 years Total acquired identifiable intangible assets $ 42,474

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long-term debt	Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Revolving credit facility due May 2018 $ 554,000 $ 460,000 Term loan facility due May 2018 150,000 150,000 6% senior notes due April 2021 (presented net of the unamortized discount of $4.0 million and $4.5 million, respectively) 345,982 345,528 6% senior notes due October 2022 (presented net of the unamortized discount of $4.8 million and $5.2 million, respectively) 345,184 344,767 Long-term debt $ 1,395,166 $ 1,300,295

Cash Distributions (Tables)

Cash Distributions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of distributions per unit	The following table summarizes our distributions per unit for 2014 and 2015 : Period Covering Payment Date Distribution per Limited Partner Unit Total Distribution (1) 1/1/2014 — 3/31/2014 May 15, 2014 $ 0.5375 $ 33.1 million 4/1/2014 — 6/30/2014 August 14, 2014 0.5425 33.6 million 7/1/2014 — 9/30/2014 November 14, 2014 0.5525 34.8 million 10/1/2014 — 12/31/2014 February 13, 2015 0.5575 35.3 million 1/1/2015 — 3/31/2015 May 15, 2015 0.5625 35.9 million 4/1/2015 — 6/30/2015 August 14, 2015 0.5675 39.1 million __________________________________________ (1) Includes distributions to our general partner on its incentive distribution rights.

Unit-Based Compensation (Tables

Unit-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of phantom unit activity	The following table presents phantom unit activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Phantom Units Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Unit Phantom units outstanding, January 1, 2015 91,763 $ 27.38 Granted 45,236 24.87 Vested (52,224 ) 25.67 Phantom units outstanding, September 30, 2015 84,775 27.10

Accounting for Derivatives (Tab

Accounting for Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Effect of derivative instruments on consolidated financial position	September 30, 2015 Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Asset (Liability) Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate swaps Current portion of interest rate swaps $ (5,976 ) Interest rate swaps Other long-term liabilities (5,012 ) Total derivatives $ (10,988 ) December 31, 2014 Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Asset (Liability) Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate swaps Intangible and other assets, net $ 712 Interest rate swaps Current portion of interest rate swaps (4,958 ) Interest rate swaps Other long-term liabilities (150 ) Total derivatives $ (4,396 )
Effect of derivative instruments on results of operations	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps Three months ended September 30, 2015 $ (6,100 ) Interest expense $ (1,896 ) Three months ended September 30, 2014 846 Interest expense (1,213 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2015 (12,098 ) Interest expense (5,312 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2014 (2,283 ) Interest expense (3,228 )

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis with pricing levels as of the date of valuation	The following table presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , with pricing levels as of the date of valuation (in thousands): September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Interest rate swaps asset $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 712 $ — Interest rate swaps liability — (10,988 ) — — (5,108 ) —
Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis with pricing levels as of the date of valuation	The following table presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , with pricing levels as of the date of valuation (in thousands): Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Impaired long-lived assets $ — $ — $ 1,537 $ — $ — $ 865

Basis of Presentation and Sum30

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Carrying Amount
Financial Instruments
Total debt	$ 1,395,166	$ 1,300,295
Carrying Amount | Fixed rate debt
Financial Instruments
Total debt	691,166	690,295
Carrying Amount | Floating rate debt
Financial Instruments
Total debt	704,000	610,000
Fair Value
Financial Instruments
Total debt	1,286,000	1,222,000
Fair Value | Fixed rate debt
Financial Instruments
Total debt	581,000	611,000
Fair Value | Floating rate debt
Financial Instruments
Total debt	$ 705,000	$ 611,000

Basis of Presentation and Sum31

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Income (Loss) Per Common Unit (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Unit
Net income	$ 11,498	$ 18,103	$ 53,910	$ 42,794
Less: General partner incentive distribution rights	(4,753)	(3,338)	(13,100)	(8,647)
Less: General partner 2% ownership interest	$ (134)	$ (293)	$ (810)	$ (678)
General partner units, interest (as a percent)	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Common units interest in net income	$ 6,611	$ 14,472	$ 40,000	$ 33,469
Less: Net income attributable to participating securities	(49)	(50)	(144)	(149)
Net income used in basic and diluted income per common unit	$ 6,562	$ 14,422	$ 39,856	$ 33,320
Potential common units included in computing the dilutive potential common units used in dilutive earnings per common unit
Weighted average common units outstanding including participating securities (in shares)	59,801	55,752	58,218	53,664
Less: Weighted average participating securities outstanding (in units)	(85)	(91)	(77)	(81)
Weighted average common units outstanding - used in basic earnings per common unit (in units)	59,716	55,661	58,141	53,583
Net dilutive potential common units issuable:
Phantom units (in units)	0	2	0	2
Weighted average common units and dilutive potential common units - used in diluted earnings per common unit (in units)	59,716	55,663	58,141	53,585

Business Acquisitions - April 2

Business Acquisitions - April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition (Details) hp in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Apr. 17, 2015USD ($)customercompressor_unithpshares	Apr. 30, 2015shares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)
Business Acquisitions
Non-cash capital contribution due to the contract operations acquisition			$ 7,608	$ 0
Partners' Capital Common Units
Business Acquisitions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units) | shares			3,963,138
Partners' Capital General Partner Units
Business Acquisitions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units) | shares			80,341
April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition
Business Acquisitions
Number of customers with service agreements | customer	60
Number of compressor units used to provide compression services | compressor_unit	238
Horsepower of compressor units used to provide compression services | hp	148
Percentage of available horsepower of the combined U.S. contract operations business of Exterran Holdings and entity from service agreements acquired	3.00%
Net book value of fleet assets acquired	$ 108,800
Accumulated depreciation of fleet assets acquired	59,900
Total consideration, excluding transaction costs	102,300
Finite life intangible assets associated with customer relationships	$ 1,100
Non-cash capital contribution due to the contract operations acquisition			$ 7,600
April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition | Partners' Capital Common Units
Business Acquisitions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units) | shares	4,000,000	4,000,000
April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition | Partners' Capital General Partner Units
Business Acquisitions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units) | shares	80,000	80,000
Exterran Holdings | April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition
Business Acquisitions
Number of compressor units acquired | compressor_unit	179
Horsepower of compressor units acquired | hp	66

Business Acquisitions - August

Business Acquisitions - August 2014 MidCon Acquisition (Details) hp in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Aug. 08, 2014USD ($)compressor_unithp	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Business Acquisitions
Purchase consideration		$ 0	$ 483,012
Estimated fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date
Goodwill		$ 127,757		$ 127,757
August 2014 MidCon Acquisition
Business Acquisitions
Number of compressor units acquired | compressor_unit	162
Horsepower of compressor units acquired | hp	110
Purchase consideration	$ 130,100
Transaction costs			$ 900
Estimated fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date
Property, plant and equipment	78,356
Goodwill	3,738
Intangible assets	48,373
Current liabilities	(372)
Purchase price	$ 130,095
Estimated average remaining useful life of property, plant, and equipment	24 years
Total acquired identifiable intangible assets	$ 48,373
August 2014 MidCon Acquisition | Customer related
Estimated fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date
Total acquired identifiable intangible assets	$ 21,590
Average useful life of finite life intangible assets	25 years
August 2014 MidCon Acquisition | Contract based
Estimated fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date
Total acquired identifiable intangible assets	$ 26,783
Average useful life of finite life intangible assets	5 years
August 2014 MidCon Acquisition | Wholly-owned subsidiary of Exterran Holdings
Business Acquisitions
Purchase consideration	$ 4,100
August 2014 MidCon Acquisition | BHP Billiton
Business Acquisitions
Contract operations services agreement term	5 years

Business Acquisitions - April34

Business Acquisitions - April 2014 MidCon Acquisition (Details) hp in Thousands	Apr. 10, 2014USD ($)compressor_unithpshares	Apr. 30, 2014USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisitions
Purchase consideration			$ 0	$ 483,012,000
2014 Notes
Business Acquisitions
Principle amount of senior notes	$ 350,000,000	$ 350,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%		6.00%
Partners' Capital Common Units
Business Acquisitions
Units sold (in units) | shares	6,210,000	6,210,000	49,774	6,210,000
April 2014 MidCon Acquisition
Business Acquisitions
Number of compressor units acquired | compressor_unit	337
Horsepower of compressor units acquired | hp	444
Purchase consideration	$ 352,900,000
Units sold (in units) | shares	6,200,000
Transaction costs				$ 1,500,000
Estimated fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date
Property, plant and equipment	$ 311,270,000
Intangible assets	42,474,000
Current liabilities	(827,000)
Purchase price	$ 352,917,000
Estimated average remaining useful life of property, plant, and equipment	25 years
Total acquired identifiable intangible assets	$ 42,474,000
April 2014 MidCon Acquisition | Customer related
Estimated fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date
Total acquired identifiable intangible assets	$ 4,701,000
Average useful life of finite life intangible assets	25 years
April 2014 MidCon Acquisition | Contract based
Estimated fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date
Total acquired identifiable intangible assets	$ 37,773,000
Average useful life of finite life intangible assets	7 years
April 2014 MidCon Acquisition | Wholly-owned subsidiary of Exterran Holdings
Business Acquisitions
Purchase consideration	$ 7,700,000
April 2014 MidCon Acquisition | Williams Partners, L.P.
Business Acquisitions
Contract operations services agreement term	7 years
April 2014 MidCon Acquisition | 2014 Notes
Business Acquisitions
Principle amount of senior notes	$ 350,000,000

Business Acquisitions - Pro For

Business Acquisitions - Pro Forma Financial Information (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 17, 2015	Aug. 08, 2014	Apr. 10, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisitions
Payment for business acquisition							$ 0	$ 483,012,000
Pro forma financial information
Revenue						$ 162,440,000	504,468,000	476,381,000
Net income						$ 18,909,000	$ 54,502,000	$ 47,857,000
Basic income per common unit (in dollars per unit)						$ 0.25	$ 0.67	$ 0.63
Diluted income per common unit (in dollars per unit)						$ 0.25	$ 0.67	$ 0.63
Additional pro forma reduction of net income allocable to the entity's limited partners						$ 200,000	$ 300,000	$ 600,000
2014 Notes
Business Acquisitions
Principle amount of senior notes			$ 350,000,000		$ 350,000,000
August 2014 MidCon Acquisition
Business Acquisitions
Payment for business acquisition		$ 130,100,000
April 2014 MidCon Acquisition
Business Acquisitions
Payment for business acquisition			$ 352,900,000
Units sold (in units)			6,200,000
April 2014 MidCon Acquisition | Revolving credit facility due May 2018
Business Acquisitions
Payments on revolving credit facility			$ 157,500,000
April 2014 MidCon Acquisition | 2014 Notes
Business Acquisitions
Principle amount of senior notes			$ 350,000,000
Partners' Capital Common Units
Business Acquisitions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units)							3,963,138
Units sold (in units)			6,210,000		6,210,000		49,774	6,210,000
Partners' Capital Common Units | April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition
Business Acquisitions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units)	4,000,000			4,000,000
Partners' Capital General Partner Units
Business Acquisitions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units)							80,341
Issuance of general partner units to general partner					126,000			125,994
Partners' Capital General Partner Units | April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition
Business Acquisitions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units)	80,000			80,000
Partners' Capital General Partner Units | April 2014 MidCon Acquisition
Business Acquisitions
Issuance of general partner units to general partner			126,000

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Apr. 09, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)compressor_unithp	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)compressor_unithp	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)usd_per_hp
Related party transactions
Accumulated depreciation of leased equipment	$ 849,604			$ 849,604	$ 721,788		$ 721,788
Revenue — affiliates	38	$ 60		101		$ 258
Exterran Holdings
Related party transactions
Amount of compression equipment purchased from related party				146,300		152,600
Amount of fabricated compression equipment purchased from related party and recorded in our consolidated balance sheet as property, plant and equipment at carrying values of related party				134,600		138,300
Excess amount over carrying value of fabricated compression equipment purchased from related party recorded as distribution of equity				11,700		14,300
Amount contributed by related party related to completion of overhauls on compression equipment				$ 8,100		$ 4,600
Number of compressor units transferred to a related party | compressor_unit				349		349
Horsepower of compressor units transferred to related party | hp				112,800		176,300
Net book value of compressor units transferred to related party				$ 54,700		$ 74,400
Number of compressor units transferred by related party | compressor_unit				260		354
Horsepower of compressor units transferred by related party | hp				99,600		128,800
Net book value of compressor units transferred by related party				$ 46,800		$ 63,000
Capital distributions recorded related to differences in net book value of compressor units exchanged to our assets transferred to related party				7,900		11,400
Revenue — affiliates				100		300
Cost of sales related to lease				1,500		3,800
Cost of sales cap amount per operating horsepower per quarter (in dollars per horsepower) | usd_per_hp							22.50
SG&A costs cap amount per quarter			$ 15,000		$ 17,700
Excess of cost of sales over cap amount included in cost of sales						2,500
Excess of SG&A expenses over cap amount included in SG&A expense		$ 2,700				$ 7,700
Exterran Holdings | Equipment Leased to Other Party
Related party transactions
Aggregate costs of leased equipment	600			600
Accumulated depreciation of leased equipment	$ 300			$ 300

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Lo

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 10, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt	$ 1,395,166		$ 1,300,295
6% senior notes due April 2021
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt	$ 345,982		$ 345,528
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.00%		6.00%			6.00%
Unamortized debt issuance discount	$ 4,000		$ 4,500
6% senior notes due October 2022
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt	$ 345,184		$ 344,767
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.00%		6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Unamortized debt issuance discount	$ 4,800		$ 5,200	$ 5,700
Revolving credit facility due May 2018
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt	554,000		460,000
Term loan facility due May 2018
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt	$ 150,000	$ 150,000	$ 150,000

Long-Term Debt - Revolving Cred

Long-Term Debt - Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt		$ 1,395,166,000	$ 1,300,295,000
Revolving credit facility and term loan facility
Long-Term Debt
Transaction costs		1,300,000
Revolving credit facility due May 2018
Long-Term Debt
Increase in borrowing capacity	$ 250,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	900,000,000
Long-term debt		554,000,000	460,000,000
Undrawn capacity under revolving credit facility		346,000,000
Available borrowings under revolving credit facility		346,000,000
Term loan facility due May 2018
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt	$ 150,000,000	$ 150,000,000	$ 150,000,000

Long-Term Debt - Senior Notes (

Long-Term Debt - Senior Notes (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 10, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Long-Term Debt
Net proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt after original issuance discount and issuance costs		$ 332,500,000	$ 793,798,000
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		100.00%
Amount of independent assets or operations		$ 0
2013 Notes
Long-Term Debt
Principle amount of senior notes						$ 350,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)		6.00%		6.00%		6.00%
Amount of unamortized discount of notes		$ 4,000,000		$ 4,500,000
2014 Notes
Long-Term Debt
Principle amount of senior notes	$ 350,000,000				$ 350,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.00%	6.00%		6.00%	6.00%
Net proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt after original issuance discount and issuance costs	$ 337,400,000
Transaction costs	6,900,000
Amount of unamortized discount of notes	$ 5,700,000	$ 4,800,000		$ 5,200,000
Effective interest rate (as a percent)	6.25%

Cash Distributions (Details)

Cash Distributions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Oct. 25, 2015	Aug. 14, 2015	May. 15, 2015	Feb. 13, 2015	Nov. 14, 2014	Aug. 14, 2014	May. 15, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Distribution per Limited Partner Unit (in dollars per unit)		$ 0.5675	$ 0.5625	$ 0.5575	$ 0.5525	$ 0.5425	$ 0.5375	$ 0.5675	$ 0.5425	$ 1.6875	$ 1.6125
Total Distribution		$ 39,100	$ 35,900	$ 35,300	$ 34,800	$ 33,600	$ 33,100			$ 110,310	$ 95,581
Subsequent Event
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Cash distribution declared (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.5725
Cash distribution amount declared	$ 39,700
Partners' Capital Common Units | First order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Percentage of operating surplus distributed to unitholders										98.00%
Partners' Capital Common Units | Second order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Percentage of operating surplus distributed to unitholders										98.00%
Partners' Capital Common Units | Third order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Percentage of operating surplus distributed to unitholders										85.00%
Partners' Capital Common Units | Fourth order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Percentage of operating surplus distributed to unitholders										75.00%
Partners' Capital Common Units | Thereafter order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Percentage of operating surplus distributed to unitholders										50.00%
Partners' Capital General Partner Units | First order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Percentage of operating surplus distributed to unitholders										2.00%
Partners' Capital General Partner Units | Second order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Percentage of operating surplus distributed to unitholders										2.00%
Partners' Capital General Partner Units | Third order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Percentage of operating surplus distributed to unitholders										15.00%
Partners' Capital General Partner Units | Fourth order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Percentage of operating surplus distributed to unitholders										25.00%
Partners' Capital General Partner Units | Thereafter order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Percentage of operating surplus distributed to unitholders										50.00%
Partners' Capital General Partner and Common Units | Second order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Distribution per Limited Partner Unit (in dollars per unit)										$ 0.4025
Partners' Capital General Partner and Common Units | Third order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Distribution per Limited Partner Unit (in dollars per unit)										0.4375
Partners' Capital General Partner and Common Units | Fourth order of cash distribution
Partners' Equity, Allocations and Cash Distributions
Distribution per Limited Partner Unit (in dollars per unit)										$ 0.5250

Unit-Based Compensation - Long-

Unit-Based Compensation - Long-term Incentive Plan (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015shares
Long-Term Incentive Plan
Unit-Based Compensation
Maximum number of shares available under the Plan	1,035,378

Unit-Based Compensation - Phant

Unit-Based Compensation - Phantom Units (Details) - Phantom Units $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Phantom Units
Beginning balance (in units)	91,763
Granted (in units)	45,236
Vested (in units)	(52,224)
Ending balance (in units)	84,775
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Unit
Beginning balance (in dollars per unit) | $ / shares	$ 27.38
Granted (in dollars per unit) | $ / shares	24.87
Vested (in dollars per unit) | $ / shares	25.67
Ending balance (in dollars per unit) | $ / shares	$ 27.10
Unrecognized compensation cost
Expected unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested phantom units (in dollars) | $	$ 1
Weighted-average period during which the expected unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested phantom units to be recognized	1 year 9 months 18 days
First anniversary vesting
Unit-Based Compensation
Vesting percentage	33.33%
Second anniversary vesting
Unit-Based Compensation
Vesting percentage	33.33%
Third anniversary vesting
Unit-Based Compensation
Vesting percentage	33.33%
Vesting period	3 years

Accounting for Derivatives - In

Accounting for Derivatives - Interest Rate Risk (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting for Derivatives
Interest income recorded due to ineffectiveness related to interest rate swaps	$ 400,000	$ 0
Deferred losses to be reclassified during next 12 months	4,500,000
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate swaps
Accounting for Derivatives
Notional value of interest rate swap entered into during the period	100,000,000
Notional amount of interest rate swaps	$ 500,000,000
Weighted average effective fixed interest rate on interest rate swaps (as a percent)	1.60%
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate swaps | Derivative expiring in 2018
Accounting for Derivatives
Notional amount of interest rate swaps	$ 300,000,000
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate swaps | Derivative expiring in 2019
Accounting for Derivatives
Notional amount of interest rate swaps	100,000,000
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate swaps | Derivative expiring in 2020
Accounting for Derivatives
Notional amount of interest rate swaps	$ 100,000,000

Accounting for Derivatives - Ef

Accounting for Derivatives - Effect on Derivative Instruments on the Balance Sheet (Details) - Derivatives designated as hedging instruments - Interest rate swaps - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting for Derivatives
Total derivatives, Fair value	$ (10,988)	$ (4,396)
Intangible and other assets, net
Accounting for Derivatives
Derivatives asset , fair value		712
Current portion of interest rate swaps
Accounting for Derivatives
Derivatives liability, fair value	(5,976)	(4,958)
Other long-term liabilities
Accounting for Derivatives
Derivatives liability, fair value	$ (5,012)	$ (150)

Accounting for Derivatives - 45

Accounting for Derivatives - Effect on Derivative Instruments on the Income Statement (Details) - Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges - Interest rate swaps - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Effect of derivative instruments on results of operations
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives	$ (6,100)	$ 846	$ (12,098)	$ (2,283)
Interest expense
Effect of derivative instruments on results of operations
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss)	$ (1,896)	$ (1,213)	$ (5,312)	$ (3,228)

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Impaired long-lived assets
Fair value measurements
Weighted average disposal period used in estimation of the fair value of the impaired long-lived assets	4 years	4 years
Discount rate used in estimation of the fair value of the impaired long-lived assets (as a percent)	11.00%	9.00%
Recurring basis | (Level 1)
Fair value measurements
Interest rate swaps asset	$ 0		$ 0
Interest rate swaps liability	0		0
Recurring basis | (Level 2)
Fair value measurements
Interest rate swaps asset	0		712
Interest rate swaps liability	(10,988)		(5,108)
Recurring basis | (Level 3)
Fair value measurements
Interest rate swaps asset	0		0
Interest rate swaps liability	0		$ 0
Nonrecurring basis | (Level 1)
Fair value measurements
Impaired long-lived assets	0	$ 0
Nonrecurring basis | (Level 2)
Fair value measurements
Impaired long-lived assets	0	0
Nonrecurring basis | (Level 3)
Fair value measurements
Impaired long-lived assets	$ 1,537	$ 865

Long-Lived Asset Impairment (De

Long-Lived Asset Impairment (Details) hp in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)compressor_unithp	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)compressor_unithp	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)compressor_unithp	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)compressor_unithp
Long-lived asset impairment
Long-lived asset impairment	$ 7,163	$ 3,558	$ 12,473	$ 8,035
Idle compressor units
Long-lived asset impairment
Number of long-lived assets to be retired | compressor_unit	80	30	130	95
Horsepower of long-lived assets to be retired | hp	17	8	34	23
Long-lived asset impairment	$ 4,000	$ 3,000	$ 8,900	$ 7,400
Previously impaired assets
Long-lived asset impairment
Long-lived asset impairment	$ 3,200	$ 600	$ 3,600	$ 600

Restructuring Charges (Details)

Restructuring Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	$ 0	$ 125	$ 0	$ 702

Unit Transactions (Details)

Unit Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 17, 2015	Apr. 10, 2014	May. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Unit Transactions
Net proceeds from sale of common units						$ 1,164	$ 169,471
General partner units, interest (as a percent)						2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Net proceeds from issuance of general partner units						$ 0	$ 3,573
General partner units owned (in units)						1,209,562		1,129,221
Exterran Holdings
Unit Transactions
Common units owned (in units)						23,582,056
General partner units owned (in units)						1,209,562
General partner's ownership interest in partnership (as a percent)						41.00%
Partners' Capital Common Units
Unit Transactions
Units sold (in units)		6,210,000			6,210,000	49,774	6,210,000
Net proceeds from sale of common units					$ 169,500
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units)						3,963,138
Partners' Capital Common Units | Over-Allotment Option
Unit Transactions
Units sold (in units)					810,000
Partners' Capital Common Units | April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition
Unit Transactions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units)	4,000,000			4,000,000
Partners' Capital General Partner Units
Unit Transactions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units)						80,341
General partner units sold					126,000		125,994
General partner units, interest (as a percent)					2.00%
Net proceeds from issuance of general partner units					$ 3,600
Partners' Capital General Partner Units | April 2015 Contract Operations Acquisition
Unit Transactions
Units issued in connection with acquisition (in units)	80,000			80,000
ATM Agreement | Limited Partner Units
Unit Transactions
Maximum aggregate offering price			$ 100,000
Units sold (in units)						49,774
Net proceeds from sale of common units						$ 1,200

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 23, 2015case	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)case	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of heavy equipment statutes cases tried and completed in Texas state district court | case		3
Number of heavy equipment statutes cases appealed | case		3
Number of heavy equipment statutes appellate cases with favorable ruling | case	2
Ad valorem tax benefit		$ 10.3	$ 31
Ad valorem tax benefit agreed to by a number of appraisal review boards and county appraisal districts		8	8
Ad valorem tax benefit in litigation		23	23
Accrued liability for the outcomes of non-income based tax audits		$ 0.3	$ 0.3	$ 0.1