Rice Midstream Partners 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	5-May-15
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Rice Midstream Partners LP
Trading Symbol	RMP
Entity Central Index Key	1620928
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Units Outstanding
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,753,623
Entity Subordinated Units Outstanding
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,753,623

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash	$8,670	$26,832
Accounts receivable	3,706	297
Accounts receivable - affiliate	10,789	2,049
Deposits, prepaid expenses and other	289	233
Total current assets	23,454	29,411
Property and equipment, net	317,651	280,077
Deferred financing costs, net	2,734	2,874
Goodwill	39,142	39,142
Intangible assets, net	47,383	47,791
Total assets	430,364	399,295
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	14,865	109
Accrued capital expenditures	12,781	4,103
Payable to affiliate	0	156
Other accrued liabilities	628	1,577
Total current liabilities	28,274	5,945
Long-term liabilities:
Other long-term liabilities	23	0
Total liabilities	28,297	5,945
Partners’ capital:
Total partners’ capital	402,067	393,350
Total liabilities and partners’ capital	430,364	399,295
Common
Partners’ capital:
Common and subordinated units	447,221	442,451
Subordinated
Partners’ capital:
Common and subordinated units	($45,154)	($49,101)

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common
Common and Subordinated units issued	28,753,623	28,753,623
Common and Subordinated units outstanding	28,753,623	28,753,623
Subordinated
Common and Subordinated units issued	28,753,623	28,753,623
Common and Subordinated units outstanding	28,753,623	28,753,623

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Operating revenues:
Affiliate	$13,515,000		$66,000
Third-party	2,651,000		0
Total operating revenues	16,166,000		66,000
Operating expenses:
Operation and maintenance expense	1,381,000		442,000
General and administrative expense	2,331,000	[1]	1,591,000	[1]
Incentive unit expense	0	[2]	5,625,000	[2]
Stock compensation expense	996,000		0
Depreciation expense	1,449,000		248,000
Amortization of intangible assets	408,000		0
Total operating expenses	6,565,000		7,906,000
Operating income (loss)	9,601,000		-7,840,000
Other income	5,000		0
Interest expense	-394,000	[3]	-2,630,000	[3]
Amortization of deferred finance costs	-144,000		0
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	9,068,000		-10,470,000
Income tax benefit	0		2,010,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations	9,068,000		-8,460,000
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0		-718,000
Net income (loss)	9,068,000		-9,178,000
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit:
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit:	$0.19	[4]
Rice energy
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit:
General and administrative expenses from Rice Energy	1,600,000		1,300,000
Common
Operating expenses:
Net income (loss)	4,534,000
Net income per limited partner unit (basic and diluted)
Net income per limited partner unit (basic and diluted)	$0.16
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit:
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit:	$0.19	[4]
Subordinated
Operating expenses:
Net income (loss)	$4,534,000
Net income per limited partner unit (basic and diluted)
Net income per limited partner unit (basic and diluted)	$0.16
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit:
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit:	$0.19	[4]
[1]	General and administrative expenses include charges from Rice Energy of $1.6 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
[2]	Incentive unit expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was allocated from Rice Energy.
[3]	Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was allocated from Rice Energy.
[4]	See Note 11 for further discussion of cash distributions declared for the period presented.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$9,068		($9,178)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0		-718
Depreciation and amortization expense	1,449		248
Amortization of intangibles	408		0
Amortization of deferred financing costs	144		0
Incentive unit expense	0	[1]	5,625	[1]
Stock compensation expense	996		0
Deferred income tax benefit	0		-2,010
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) in accounts receivable and receivable from affiliate	-12,150		-104
(Increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets	-55		-2,524
Increase in accounts payable and payable to affiliate	1,025		185
(Decrease) increase in accrued liabilities and other	-954		25
Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations	-69		-7,015
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations	0		-736
Net cash used in operating activities	-69		-7,751
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-16,769		-11,019
Acquisition of Marcellus joint venture	0		-55,000
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	-16,769		-66,019
Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations	0		5,622
Net cash used in investing activities	-16,769		-60,397
Cash flows from financing activities:
Costs related to IPO	-146		0
Additions to deferred financing costs	-4		0
Contributions from parent	0		72,886
Distributions paid to unitholders	-1,174		0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities of continuing operations	-1,324		72,886
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations	0		-4,886
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-1,324		68,000
Net decrease in cash	-18,162		-148
Cash at the beginning of the year	26,832		148
Cash at the end of the period	$8,670		$0
[1]	Incentive unit expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was allocated from Rice Energy.

Statements_of_Condensed_Consol

Statements of Condensed Consolidated Partners' Captial (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance	$393,350	$65,778
Contributions from parent		74,753
Stock compensation	969
Offering costs related to the IPO	-146
Distributions to unitholders	-1,174
Net income (loss)	9,068	-9,178
Balance	402,067	131,353
Common
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	4,534
Subordinated
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	4,534
Limited Partners | Common
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance	442,451
Stock compensation	969
Offering costs related to the IPO	-146
Distributions to unitholders	-587
Net income (loss)	4,534
Balance	447,221
Limited Partners | Subordinated
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance	-49,101
Stock compensation	0
Offering costs related to the IPO	0
Distributions to unitholders	-587
Net income (loss)	4,534
Balance	-45,154
Parent Net Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Balance		65,778
Contributions from parent		74,753
Net income (loss)		-9,178
Balance		$131,353

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Partnership have been prepared by the Partnership’s management in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein contain all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the Partnership’s financial position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and its unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. For periods prior to December 22, 2014, those condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the separate records maintained by Rice Energy and may not necessarily be indicative of the actual results of operations that might have occurred if the Predecessor had been operated separately during the periods prior to the Partnership’s IPO. Because a direct ownership relationship did not exist among the businesses comprising the Predecessor, the net investment in the Predecessor is shown as parent net equity in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Subsequent to the Partnership’s IPO, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, Rice Midstream OpCo LLC (“Rice Midstream OpCo”) and Rice Poseidon. Transactions between the Partnership and Rice Energy have been identified in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as transactions between related parties.
	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes previously reported in periods prior to the distribution of all water distribution system assets have been recast to reflect the presentation of the water distribution assets as discontinued operations. Please see Note 7 for additional information regarding discontinued operations.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt
	On December 22, 2014, Rice Midstream OpCo entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “revolving credit facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders with a maximum credit amount of $450.0 million with an additional $200.0 million of commitments available under an accordion feature subject to lender approval. The credit facility provides for a letter of credit sublimit of $50.0 million. As of March 31, 2015, Rice Midstream OpCo had no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit under this facility. The revolving credit facility is available to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures, to purchase assets, to pay distributions and repurchase units and for general partnership purposes. The Partnership and its restricted subsidiaries are the guarantors of the obligations under the revolving credit facility.
	Principal amounts borrowed are payable on the maturity date, and interest is payable quarterly for base rate loans and at the end of the applicable interest period for Eurodollar loans. The Partnership has a choice of borrowing in Eurodollars or at the base rate. Eurodollar loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the applicable LIBOR Rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 175 to 275 basis points, depending on the leverage ratio then in effect. Base rate loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (i) the agent bank’s reference rate, (ii) the federal funds effective rate plus 50 basis points and (iii) the rate for one month Eurodollar loans plus 100 basis points, plus an applicable margin ranging from 75 to 175 basis points, depending on the leverage ratio then in effect. The Partnership also pays a commitment fee based on the undrawn commitment amount ranging from 35 to 50 basis points.
	The revolving credit facility is secured by mortgages and other security interests on substantially all of its properties and guarantees from the Partnership and its restricted subsidiaries.
	The revolving credit facility limits the Partnership’s ability to, among other things:
	•	incur or guarantee additional debt;
	•	redeem or repurchase units or make distributions under certain circumstances;
	•	make certain investments and acquisitions;
	•	incur certain liens or permit them to exist;
	•	enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates;
	•	merge or consolidate with another company; and
	•	transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of assets.
	The revolving credit facility also requires the Partnership to maintain the following financial ratios:
	•	an interest coverage ratio, which is the ratio of the Partnership’s consolidated EBITDA (as defined within the revolving credit facility) to its consolidated current interest expense of at least 2.50 to 1.0 at the end of each fiscal quarter;
	•	a consolidated total leverage ratio, which is the ratio of consolidated debt to consolidated EBITDA, of not more than 4.75 to 1.0, and after electing to issue senior unsecured notes, a consolidated total leverage ratio of not more than 5.25 to 1.0, and, in each case, with certain increases in the permitted total leverage ratio following the completion of a material acquisition; and
	•	if the Partnership elects to issue senior unsecured notes, a consolidated senior secured leverage ratio, which is the ratio of consolidated senior secured debt to consolidated EBITDA, of not more than 3.50 to 1.0.
	The Partnership was in compliance with such covenants and ratios effective as of March 31, 2015.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Lease Obligations
	The Partnership has lease obligations for compression equipment under existing contracts with third parties. Rent expense included in operation and maintenance expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Future payments for this equipment as of March 31, 2015 totaled $6.6 million (2015-$1.3 million, 2016-$1.6 million, 2017-$0.9 million, 2018-$0.9 million, 2019-$0.9 million and thereafter-$1.0 million).
	Environmental Obligations
	The Partnership is subject to federal, state and local regulations regarding air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal and other environmental matters. The Partnership believes there are currently no such regulatory or environmental matters that will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Partners_Capital

Partners' Capital	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Partners' Capital	Partners’ Capital
	On December 22, 2014, the Partnership completed an underwritten IPO of 28,750,000 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership. Rice Energy retained a 50% equity interest in the Partnership, consisting of 3,623 common units and 28,753,623 subordinated units. Concurrent with the IPO, Rice Energy contributed to the Partnership 100% of Rice Poseidon. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Rice Energy serves as the general partner of the Partnership.
	The Partnership received cash proceeds, net of issuance costs, of approximately $444.1 million upon the closing of the IPO. Approximately $414.4 million of the proceeds were distributed to Rice Energy, $25.0 million was retained by the Partnership to fund 2015 expansion capital expenditures, approximately $2.0 million was retained to pay expenses of the IPO and $2.7 million was used by the Partnership to pay origination fees associated with the credit agreement entered into by the Partnership at the closing of the IPO.

Phantom_Unit_Awards

Phantom Unit Awards	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Phantom Unit Awards	Phantom Unit Awards
	In connection with the closing of the IPO, the Partnership’s general partner granted phantom unit awards under the Rice Midstream Partners LP 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) to certain non-employee directors of the Partnership and executive officers and employees of Rice Energy. The Partnership recorded $1.0 million of stock compensation expense related to these awards in the three months ended March 31, 2015. Total unrecognized compensation expense expected to be recognized over the remaining vesting periods as of March 31, 2015 is $5.9 million for these awards.

Net_Income_per_Limited_Partner

Net Income per Limited Partner Unit and Cash Distributions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income per Limited Partner Unit and Cash Distributions	Net Income per Limited Partner Unit and Cash Distributions
	The Partnership’s net income is allocated to the limited partners, including subordinated unitholders, in accordance with their respective ownership percentages, and when applicable, giving effect to the incentive distribution rights held by Rice Midstream Holdings LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rice Energy (“Rice Midstream Holdings”). The allocation of undistributed earnings, or net income in excess of distributions, to the incentive distribution rights is limited to cash available for distribution for the period. The Partnership’s net income allocable to the limited partners is allocated between common and subordinated unitholders by applying the provisions of the Partnership’s partnership agreement that govern actual cash distributions as if all earnings for the period had been distributed. Any common units issued during the period are included on a weighted-average basis for the days in which they were outstanding.
	Diluted net income per limited partner unit reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or agreements to issue common units, such as awards under the LTIP, were exercised, settled or converted into common units. When it is determined that potential common units should be included in diluted net income per limited partner unit calculation, the impact is reflected by applying the treasury stock method.
	The following table presents Partnership’s calculation of net income per limited partner unit for common and subordinated limited partner units. Net income attributable to the periods prior to the IPO is not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per limited partner unit.
	(in thousands, except unit data)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Limited partner net income	$	9,068
	Net income allocable to common units	$	4,534
	Net income allocable to subordinated units	4,534
	Limited partner net income	$	9,068
	Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - basic:
	Common units	28,753,623
	Subordinated units	28,753,623
	Total	57,507,246
	Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - diluted:
	Common units (1)	28,753,623
	Subordinated units	28,753,623
	Total	57,507,246
	Net income per limited partner unit - basic:
	Common units	$	0.16
	Subordinated units	0.16
	Total	$	0.16
	Net income per limited partner unit - diluted:
	Common units	$	0.16
	Subordinated units	0.16
	Total	$	0.16
	Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit: (2)
	Common units	$	0.1875
	Subordinated units	0.1875
	Total	$	0.1875
	(1) Net income per limited partner unit excludes 23,746 common units attributable to phantom units that are considered anti-dilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	-2	See Note 11 for further discussion of cash distributions declared for the period presented.
	Subordinated Units
	Rice Midstream Holdings owns all of the Partnership’s subordinated units. The principal difference between the Partnership’s common units and subordinated units is that, for any quarter during the “subordination period,” holders of the subordinated units will not be entitled to receive any distribution from operating surplus until the common units have received the minimum quarterly distribution for such quarter plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution from prior quarters. Subordinated units will not accrue arrearages. When the subordination period ends, each outstanding subordinated unit will convert into one common unit, which will then participate pro rata with the other common units in distributions.
	Incentive Distribution Rights
	All of the incentive distribution rights are held by Rice Midstream Holdings. Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive increasing percentages (15%, 25% and 50%) of quarterly distributions from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels (described below) have been achieved.
	For any quarter in which the Partnership has distributed cash from operating surplus to the common and subordinated unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum distribution, then the Partnership will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and the incentive distribution rights holders within 60 days after the end of each quarter in the following manner:
				Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions
		Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit		Unitholders	Incentive Distribution Rights Holders
	Minimum Quarterly Distribution	$0.19		100%	—%
	First Target Distribution	above $0.1875 up to $0.2156		100%	—%
	Second Target Distribution	above $0.2156 up to $0.2344		85%	15%
	Third Target Distribution	above $0.2344 up to $0.2813		75%	25%
	Thereafter	above $0.2813		50%	50%
	On February 20, 2015, a prorated cash distribution of $0.0204 per common unit was paid to limited partners related to the fourth quarter of 2014. This was the first distribution declared by the Partnership and the prorated amount corresponds to the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.1875 per unit, or $0.75 on an annualized basis. The Partnership adjusted its first cash distribution for the 10-day period following the closing of the IPO on December 22, 2014 through December 31, 2014.  On April 24, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s general partner declared a cash distribution to the Partnership’s unitholders for the first quarter of 2015 of $0.1875 per common and subordinated unit. The cash distribution will be paid on May 14, 2015 to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 5, 2015.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations
	Concurrent with the closing of the IPO, all of the Predecessor’s fresh water distribution assets and related operations were distributed to Rice Midstream Holdings. Such fresh water distribution assets had not generated any revenue for the Predecessor and no gain or loss was recognized as a result of the distribution. The following table summarizes the components of discontinued operations activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	(in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Operating expenses	$	(1,174	)
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	(1,174		)
	Income tax benefit	456
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(718	)
	Included in the loss from discontinued operations before income taxes is allocated interest expense from Rice Energy of $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Partnership is not subject to federal and state income taxes as a result of its limited partner structure. For federal and state income tax purposes, all income, expenses, gains, losses and tax credits generated by the Partnership flow through to the unitholders. As such, the Partnership does not record a provision for income taxes in the current period. Prior to the IPO, the Partnership’s income was included as part of Rice Energy’s consolidated federal tax return. The Partnership did not report any income tax benefit or expense for periods prior to January 29, 2014, which was the date of Rice Energy’s initial public offering, because Rice Energy’s accounting predecessor was a limited liability company that was not subject to federal income tax. For the period beginning January 29, 2014 and ending December 21, 2014, Rice Energy allocated an income tax benefit to the Predecessor.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions
	In the ordinary course of business, the Partnership has transactions with affiliated companies. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, related parties included Rice Energy and certain of its subsidiaries. Prior to the IPO, the push-down impact of the transactions were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations, and although no cash settlement occurred, all transactions with Rice Energy and its subsidiaries were recorded in parent net equity. Upon completion of the IPO, the Partnership entered into an omnibus agreement (the “Omnibus Agreement”) with its general partner, Rice Energy, Rice Poseidon and Rice Midstream Holdings. Pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement, Rice Energy performs centralized corporate and general and administrative services for the Partnership, such as financial and administrative, information technology, legal, health, safety and environmental, human resources, procurement, engineering, business development, investor relations, insurance and tax. In exchange, the Partnership reimburses Rice Energy for the expenses incurred in providing these services, except for any expenses associated with Rice Energy’s long-term incentive programs as these are not expenses of the Partnership subsequent to the IPO.
	Also upon completion of the IPO, the Partnership entered into a 15 year, fixed-fee gas gathering and compression agreement (the “Gas Gathering and Compression Agreement”) with Rice Drilling B and Alpha Shale, pursuant to which the Partnership gathers Rice Energy’s natural gas and provides compression services on the Partnership’s gathering systems located in Washington County and Greene County, Pennsylvania. Pursuant to the Gas Gathering and Compression Agreement, the Partnership will charge Rice Energy a gathering fee of $0.30 per Dth and a compression fee of $0.07 per Dth per stage of compression, each subject to annual adjustment for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index. The Gas Gathering and Compression Agreement covers substantially all of the Rice Energy’s acreage position in the dry gas core of the Marcellus Shale in southwestern Pennsylvania as of March 31, 2015 and any future acreage it acquires within these counties, other than 22,000 gross acres subject to a pre-existing third-party dedication.
	The expenses for which the Partnership reimburses Rice Energy and its subsidiaries may not necessarily reflect the actual expenses that the Partnership would incur on a stand-alone basis; however, the Partnership believes that these costs would not have been materially different had they been incurred on a stand-alone basis. Additionally, it would be impracticable to estimate what the costs related to administrative services provided by Rice Energy would have been with an unrelated third party.
	Prior to Rice Energy’s initial public offering on January 29, 2014, the only long-term incentives offered to certain executives were through grants of incentive units, which were profits interests representing an interest in the future profits (once a certain level of proceeds has been generated) of Rice Energy’s predecessor parent entity Rice Energy Appalachia, LLC (“REA”) and granted pursuant to the limited liability company agreement of REA. The compensation expense recognized in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements is a non-cash charge, with the settlement obligation resting on NGP Rice Holdings, LLC (“NGP Holdings”) and Rice Energy Holdings LLC (“Rice Holdings”). Payments on the incentive units will be made by Rice Holdings and NGP Holdings and not by Rice Energy, Rice Poseidon or the Partnership, and as such are not dilutive to Rice Energy, Rice Poseidon or the Partnership. Incentive unit expense allocated to the Partnership based on its estimate of the expense attributable to its operations was $5.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. No expense was recognized prior to Rice Energy’s initial public offering as the performance conditions related to the incentive units were deemed not probable of occurring. For periods subsequent to the IPO, no incentive unit expense has been allocated to the Partnership by Rice Energy.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU, No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” or ASU No. 2014-09. The FASB created Topic 606 which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. ASU 2014-09 will enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries and capital markets compared to existing guidance. Additionally, ASU 2014-09 will reduce the number of requirements to which an entity must consider in recognizing revenue as this update will replace multiple locations for guidance. The FASB and International Accounting Standards Board initiated this joint project to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for both U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and should be applied retrospectively. Early adoption of this standard is not permitted. On April 1, 2015, the FASB voted to propose a one-year deferral of the effective date while at the same time permitting entities to adopt the standard on the original effective date if they choose. If the deferral is approved, the standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Partnership has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the standard and the impact on its consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU, 2015-03, “Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplification of Debt Issuance Costs.” ASU 2015-03 was issued to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. ASU 2015-03 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of ASU 2015-03.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events
	On April 24, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s general partner declared a cash distribution to the Partnership’s unitholders for the first quarter of 2015 of $0.1875 per common and subordinated unit. The cash distribution will be paid on May 14, 2015 to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 5, 2015.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Partnership have been prepared by the Partnership’s management in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein contain all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the Partnership’s financial position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and its unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. For periods prior to December 22, 2014, those condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the separate records maintained by Rice Energy and may not necessarily be indicative of the actual results of operations that might have occurred if the Predecessor had been operated separately during the periods prior to the Partnership’s IPO. Because a direct ownership relationship did not exist among the businesses comprising the Predecessor, the net investment in the Predecessor is shown as parent net equity in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Subsequent to the Partnership’s IPO, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, Rice Midstream OpCo LLC (“Rice Midstream OpCo”) and Rice Poseidon. Transactions between the Partnership and Rice Energy have been identified in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as transactions between related parties.
	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes previously reported in periods prior to the distribution of all water distribution system assets have been recast to reflect the presentation of the water distribution assets as discontinued operations.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU, No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” or ASU No. 2014-09. The FASB created Topic 606 which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. ASU 2014-09 will enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries and capital markets compared to existing guidance. Additionally, ASU 2014-09 will reduce the number of requirements to which an entity must consider in recognizing revenue as this update will replace multiple locations for guidance. The FASB and International Accounting Standards Board initiated this joint project to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for both U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and should be applied retrospectively. Early adoption of this standard is not permitted. On April 1, 2015, the FASB voted to propose a one-year deferral of the effective date while at the same time permitting entities to adopt the standard on the original effective date if they choose. If the deferral is approved, the standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Partnership has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the standard and the impact on its consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU, 2015-03, “Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplification of Debt Issuance Costs.” ASU 2015-03 was issued to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. ASU 2015-03 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of ASU 2015-03.

Net_Income_per_Limited_Partner1

Net Income per Limited Partner Unit and Cash Distributions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted
	The following table presents Partnership’s calculation of net income per limited partner unit for common and subordinated limited partner units. Net income attributable to the periods prior to the IPO is not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per limited partner unit.
	(in thousands, except unit data)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Limited partner net income	$	9,068
	Net income allocable to common units	$	4,534
	Net income allocable to subordinated units	4,534
	Limited partner net income	$	9,068
	Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - basic:
	Common units	28,753,623
	Subordinated units	28,753,623
	Total	57,507,246
	Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - diluted:
	Common units (1)	28,753,623
	Subordinated units	28,753,623
	Total	57,507,246
	Net income per limited partner unit - basic:
	Common units	$	0.16
	Subordinated units	0.16
	Total	$	0.16
	Net income per limited partner unit - diluted:
	Common units	$	0.16
	Subordinated units	0.16
	Total	$	0.16
	Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit: (2)
	Common units	$	0.1875
	Subordinated units	0.1875
	Total	$	0.1875
	(1) Net income per limited partner unit excludes 23,746 common units attributable to phantom units that are considered anti-dilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	-2	See Note 11 for further discussion of cash distributions declared for the period presented.
Schedule of Incentive Distribution Rights	For any quarter in which the Partnership has distributed cash from operating surplus to the common and subordinated unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum distribution, then the Partnership will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and the incentive distribution rights holders within 60 days after the end of each quarter in the following manner:
				Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions
		Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit		Unitholders	Incentive Distribution Rights Holders
	Minimum Quarterly Distribution	$0.19		100%	—%
	First Target Distribution	above $0.1875 up to $0.2156		100%	—%
	Second Target Distribution	above $0.2156 up to $0.2344		85%	15%
	Third Target Distribution	above $0.2344 up to $0.2813		75%	25%
	Thereafter	above $0.2813		50%	50%

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Discontinued Operations Activity	The following table summarizes the components of discontinued operations activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	(in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Operating expenses	$	(1,174	)
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	(1,174		)
	Income tax benefit	456
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(718	)

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (Predecessor, Alpha Shale Joint Venture)	Jan. 29, 2014	Jan. 28, 2014
Predecessor | Alpha Shale Joint Venture
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of voting interests acquired	50.00%
Equity investment ownership percentage		50.00%

LongTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (Revolving Credit Facility, USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 22, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee based on undrawn commitment (basis points)	0.35%
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee based on undrawn commitment (basis points)	0.50%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin (basis points)	1.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin (basis points)	2.75%
Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin (basis points)	0.50%
One Month Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin (basis points)	1.00%
One Month Eurodollar, Additional Margin | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin (basis points)	0.75%
One Month Eurodollar, Additional Margin | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin (basis points)	1.75%
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum credit amount	450,000,000
Additional commitments available under accordion feature	200,000,000
Borrowings outstanding		0
Consolidated current interest expense ratio	2.5
Consolidated total leverage ratio	4.75
Consolidated total leverage ratio after electing to issue senior unsecured notes	5.25
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated senior secured leverage ratio	3.5
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum credit amount	50,000,000
Borrowings outstanding		$0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (Compression equipment, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Future payments for equipment	$6.60
2015	1.3
2016	1.6
2017	0.9
2018	0.9
2019	0.9
Thereafter	1
Operation and Maintenance Expense
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Rent expense	$0.40	$0.10

Partners_Capital_Details

Partners' Capital (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 22, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Common and Subordinated units outstanding		28,753,623	28,753,623
Subordinated
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Common and Subordinated units outstanding		28,753,623	28,753,623
IPO
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Number of common units underwritten in IPO	28,750,000
Cash proceeds received net of issuance costs	$444.10
Proceeds distributed to Rice Energy	414.4
Proceeds retained to pre-fund certain maintenance capital expenditures	25
Proceeds retained to pay expenses of IPO	2
Proceeds used to pay origination fees associated with the credit agreement	$2.70
Rice Energy
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Equity interest retained in partnership (percentage)	50.00%
Rice Energy | IPO | Subsidiary of Common Parent
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of interest of Rice Poseidon contributed to Partnership	100.00%
Rice Energy | IPO | Common
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Common and Subordinated units outstanding	3,623
Rice Energy | IPO | Subordinated
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Common and Subordinated units outstanding	28,753,623

Phantom_Unit_Awards_Details

Phantom Unit Awards (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	$996,000	$0
Rice Midstream Partners LP 2014 LTIP | Phantom unit awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	1,000,000
Unrecorded compensation expense	$5,900,000

Net_Income_per_Limited_Partner2

Net Income per Limited Partner Unit and Cash Distributions (Schedule of Calculation of Net Income per Limited Partner Unit) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Limited partner net income	$9,068		($9,178)
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - basic:
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - basic:	57,507,246
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - diluted:
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - diluted:	57,507,246
Net income per limited partner unit - basic:
Net income per limited partner unit - basic:	$0.16
Net income per limited partner unit - diluted:
Net income per limited partner unit - diluted:	$0.16
Unitholders
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit:	$0.19	[1]
Common
Unitholders
Shares considered anti-dilutive	23,746
Common
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Limited partner net income	4,534
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - basic:
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - basic:	28,753,623
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - diluted:
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - diluted:	28,753,623	[2]
Net income per limited partner unit - basic:
Net income per limited partner unit - basic:	$0.16
Net income per limited partner unit - diluted:
Net income per limited partner unit - diluted:	$0.16
Unitholders
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit:	$0.19	[1]
Subordinated
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Limited partner net income	$4,534
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - basic:
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - basic:	28,753,623
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - diluted:
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding - diluted:	28,753,623
Net income per limited partner unit - basic:
Net income per limited partner unit - basic:	$0.16
Net income per limited partner unit - diluted:
Net income per limited partner unit - diluted:	$0.16
Unitholders
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit:	$0.19	[1]
[1]	See Note 11 for further discussion of cash distributions declared for the period presented.
[2]	Net income per limited partner unit excludes 23,746 common units attributable to phantom units that are considered anti-dilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Net_Income_per_Limited_Partner3

Net Income per Limited Partner Unit and Cash Distributions (Incentive Distribution Rights) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Feb. 20, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015		Apr. 24, 2015
Incentive Distribution Made to Managing Member or General Partner [Line Items]
Period after the end of each quarter in which the partnership intends to distribute the minimum quarterly distribution			60 days
Minimum Quarterly Distribution, Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit			$0.19
Unitholders
Minimal Quarterly Distribution, Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions, Unitholders			100.00%
First Target Distribution, Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions, Unitholders			100.00%
Second Target Distribution, Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions, Unitholders			85.00%
Third Target Distribution, Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions, Unitholders			75.00%
Thereafter, Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions, Unitholders			50.00%
Incentive Distribution Rights Holders
Minimal Quarterly Distribution, Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions, Incentive Distribution Rights Holders			0.00%
First Target Distribution, Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions, Incentive Distribution Rights Holders			0.00%
Second Target Distribution, Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions, Incentive Distribution Rights Holders			15.00%
Third Target Distribution, Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions, Incentive Distribution Rights Holders			25.00%
Thereafter, Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions, Incentive Distribution Rights Holders			50.00%
Prorated cash distributions paid per common unit	$0.02
Annualized minimum distribution			$0.75
Period used to adjust first distribution following IPO		10 days
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit			$0.19	[1]
Subsequent Event
Incentive Distribution Rights Holders
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit					$0.19
Minimum
Incentive Distribution Made to Managing Member or General Partner [Line Items]
First Target Distribution, Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit			$0.19
Second Target Distribution, Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit			$0.22
Third Target Distribution, Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit			$0.23
Thereafter, Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit			$0.28
Maximum
Incentive Distribution Made to Managing Member or General Partner [Line Items]
First Target Distribution, Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit			$0.22
Second Target Distribution, Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit			$0.23
Third Target Distribution, Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit			$0.28
[1]	See Note 11 for further discussion of cash distributions declared for the period presented.

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$0	($718,000)
Fresh Water Distribution Assets and Related Operations | Predecessor
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating expenses		-1,174,000
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes		-1,174,000
Income tax benefit		456,000
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		-718,000
Fresh Water Distribution Assets and Related Operations | Rice energy
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Allocated interest expense from Rice Energy		$400,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 22, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Incentive unit expense	$0	[1]	$5,625	[1]
Fixed-Fee Gas Gathering and Compression Agreement | Gas Gathering and Compression Agreement | Subsidiary of Common Parent
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Duration of fixed fee gas gathering and compression agreement					15 years
Gas Gathering and Compression Agreement, Gathering Fee | Gas Gathering and Compression Agreement | Affiliated Entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Gathering fee (per Dth)					0.3
Gas Gathering and Compression Agreement, Compression Fee | Gas Gathering and Compression Agreement | Affiliated Entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Gathering fee (per Dth)					0.07
Gross Acres subject to Pre-existing Third Party Dedication | Affiliated Entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Gross acres covered					22,000
Incentive Units Granted Pursuant to Limited Liability Company Agreement of REA | Affiliated Entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Incentive unit expense			$5,625
[1]	Incentive unit expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was allocated from Rice Energy.

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Apr. 24, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit	$0.19	[1]
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash distributions declared per limited partner unit			$0.19
[1]	See Note 11 for further discussion of cash distributions declared for the period presented.