Mezzanine Equity (Narrative) (Details)		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		7 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Mezzanine Equity (Narrative) (Details)	Feb. 22, 2016 USD ($) occasion $ / shares shares	Oct. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Gross proceeds received						$ 0	$ 368,758,000
Investor put right			$ 57,374,000			57,374,000		$ 172,200,000
Midstream Holdings \| Limited Liability Company \| Series B Units
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Annual dividend rate percentage	8.00%
Duration of option	2 years
Liquidation preference per unit (in dollars per unit) \| $ / shares	$ 1,000
Midstream Holdings \| Limited Liability Company \| Series B Units \| Income Approach Valuation Technique \| Embedded derivative liability \| Put Option \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Investor put right			14,368,000			14,368,000
Midstream Holdings \| Limited Liability Company \| Series B Units \| Subsequent Event
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Distribution pursuant to LLC agreement		$ 7,800,000
Midstream Holdings \| Limited Liability Company \| Series A Units
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Number of units (in units) \| shares	1,000
GP Holdings \| Limited Partner \| Common Units
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Aggregate consideration	$ 375,000,000
Amount distributed			400,000			1,600,000
Period after closing of Midstream Holdings Investment	18 months
Number of occasions \| occasion	3
Quarterly cash commitment fee percentage	2.00%
GP Holdings \| Limited Partner \| Common Units \| Maximum
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Total aggregate purchase price	$ 125,000,000
GP Holdings \| Limited Partner \| Common Units \| Minimum
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Total aggregate purchase price	$ 25,000,000
GP Holdings \| Investor \| Common Units
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Income attributable to investors			$ 1,300,000	$ 800,000	$ 2,200,000	$ 3,400,000
Private Placement \| GP Holdings \| Limited Partner \| Common Units
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Limited partner interest percentage	8.25%
Private Placement \| Midstream Holdings \| Limited Liability Company
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Gross proceeds received	$ 375,000,000
Transaction fees and expenses	6,200,000
Amount distributed	300,000,000
Private Placement \| Midstream Holdings \| Limited Liability Company \| Midstream Holdings Revolving Credit Facility \| Revolving Credit Facility
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Reduction in outstanding borrowings under credit facility	$ 69,000,000
Private Placement \| Midstream Holdings \| Limited Liability Company \| Series B Units
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Series B preferred units, shares issued (in shares) \| shares	375,000
Aggregate liquidation preference	$ 375,000,000

Rice Energy Operating LLC 10-Q