Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets, Current [Abstract] CURRENT ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Receivables, Net, Current Trade accounts receivable and other receivables, net Inventory, Net Inventory Other Assets, Current Other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated depreciation Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] OTHER ASSETS Goodwill. Balance at end of period Balance at beginning of period Goodwill Equity Method Investments Investments in unconsolidated entities Crude oil, refined products, and NGL linefill in pipelines and base gas in natural gas storage facilities that are owned by the entity. The linefill and base gas are intended for long-term use. Linefill and Base Gas Linefill and base gas Inventory, Noncurrent Long-term inventory Other Assets, Noncurrent Other long-term assets, net Assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL Liabilities, Current [Abstract] CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Debt, Current Short-term debt Total short-term debt Other Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] LONG-TERM LIABILITIES Senior Notes, Noncurrent Senior notes, net of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs Senior notes, net of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs of $72 and $77, respectively Other Long-term Debt, Noncurrent Other long-term debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs Other long-term debt Noncurrent portion of other long-term debt Liabilities, Other than Long-term Debt, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits Liabilities, Noncurrent Total long-term liabilities Commitments and Contingencies. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 11) Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] PARTNERS' CAPITAL Limited Partners' Capital Account Unitholders General Partners' Capital Account General partner Partners' Capital Total partners' capital excluding noncontrolling interests Partners' Capital Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interests Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Balance, end of period Balance, beginning of period Total partners' capital Total partners' capital Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and partners' capital Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding Outstanding, end of period Outstanding, beginning of period Units outstanding CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Revenues [Abstract] REVENUES Revenue from the sale of crude oil, NGL and natural gas during the period. Sales and Related Revenues Supply and Logistics segment revenues Revenue from the transportation of crude oil and NGL on pipelines, gathering systems, trucks and barges during the period. Pipeline Tariff Activities Trucking and Related Revenues Transportation segment revenues Revenue from the storage, terminalling and throughput services for crude oil, refined products, NGL and natural gas, as well as NGL fractionation and isomerization services and natural gas and condensate processing services during the period. Storage Terminalling Processing and Related Revenues Facilities segment revenues Revenues Total revenues Total revenues Costs and Expenses [Abstract] COSTS AND EXPENSES Cost of Goods and Services Sold Purchases and related costs Operating Costs and Expenses Field operating costs General and Administrative Expense General and administrative expenses Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Costs and Expenses Total costs and expenses Operating Income (Loss) OPERATING INCOME Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] OTHER INCOME/(EXPENSE) Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity earnings in unconsolidated entities Equity earnings in unconsolidated entities Interest Expense Interest expense, net Interest expense (net of capitalized interest of $12, $13, $26 and $27, respectively) Interest expense, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income/(expense), net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest INCOME BEFORE TAX Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Current income tax expense Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income tax benefit/(expense) Deferred income tax benefit Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income NET INCOME Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PAA Net income attributable to PAA Earnings Per Unit [Abstract] BASIC NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER COMMON UNIT (NOTE 3): This element represents the net income (loss) allocated to common unitholders in the calculation of basic net income per common unit after making an adjustment in accordance with the application of the two-class method for Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). Net Income (Loss) Allocated to Common Unitholders after Adjustment for Two Class Method for MLPs Basic Net income/(loss) allocated to common unitholders - Basic Net income/(loss) allocated to common unitholders in accordance with application of the two-class method for MLPs Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Basic Basic weighted average common units outstanding Net Income (Loss), Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Basic, Net of Tax Basic net income/(loss) per common unit (in dollars per unit) Basic net income per common unit (in dollars per unit) This element represents the net income (loss) allocated to common unitholders in the calculation of diluted net income per common unit after making an adjustment in accordance with the application of the two-class method for Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). Net Income (Loss) Allocated to Common Unitholders after Adjustment for Two Class Method for MLPs Diluted Net income/(loss) allocated to common unitholders - Diluted Net income/(loss) allocated to common unitholders in accordance with application of the two-class method for MLPs Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Diluted Diluted weighted average common units outstanding Diluted weighted average common units outstanding Net Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Diluted Diluted net income/(loss) per common unit (in dollars per unit) Diluted net income per common unit (in dollars per unit) Interest Costs Capitalized Interest expense, capitalized interest CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive income/(loss) Total period activity Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income attributable to PAA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) Partner Capital Components [Axis] Partner Capital Components [Domain] Partner Capital Components [Domain] Accumulated Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Derivative Instruments Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Translation Adjustments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Balance at end of period Balance at beginning of period Net deferred gains/(losses) included in AOCI Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax Reclassification adjustments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Deferred gain/(loss) on cash flow hedges Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Currency translation adjustments CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Equity-indexed compensation expense Inventory Write-down Inventory valuation adjustments Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax Gain on foreign currency revaluation The net cash paid (received) for terminated hedging instruments. Net Cash Paid (Received) for Terminated Hedging Instruments Settlement of terminated interest rate hedging instruments Cash paid in connection with termination of interest rate derivatives Embedded Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Embedded Derivative, Net Change in fair value of Preferred Distribution Rate Reset Option (Note 9) Gain recognized due to changes in fair value Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions Distributions from unconsolidated entities Other Noncash Income (Expense) Other Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments to Acquire Businesses and Interest in Affiliates Cash paid in connection with acquisitions Cash outflow for capital contributions subsequent to the initial purchase of interest in equity method investments, to fund the entity's portion of development, construction or capital expansion projects of the equity method investees, net of cash received as a return of investment. Capital Contributions to Equity Method Investees Investments in unconsolidated entities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Additions to property, equipment and other The cash outflow associated with the purchase of linefill and base gas. Cash Paid Related to Purchases of Linefill and Base Gas Cash paid for purchases of linefill and base gas Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets Proceeds from sales of assets Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from (Repayments of) Commercial Paper Net borrowings/(repayments) under commercial paper program (Note 7) The net cash inflow (outflow) due to borrowings (repayments) on the hedged inventory facility. Net Proceeds from (Repayments of) Hedged Inventory Facility Net borrowings under senior secured hedged inventory facility (Note 7) Repayments of Senior Debt Repayments of senior notes Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Limited Partners Units Net proceeds from the sale of Series A preferred units (Note 8) Proceeds from Issuance of Common Limited Partners Units Net proceeds from the sale of common units Proceeds from Contributions from Affiliates Contributions from general partner Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Paid Distributions paid to common unitholders (Note 8) Payments of Distributions to Affiliates Distributions paid to general partner (Note 8) Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Other financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by financing activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Continuing Operations Effect of translation adjustment on cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash paid for: Interest Paid, Net Interest, net of amounts capitalized Income Taxes Paid, Net Income taxes, net of amounts refunded CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital Activity for preferred units and common units Partners' Capital Account, Distributions Cash distributions to partners Total distributions paid Partners' Capital Account, Private Placement of Units Sale of Series A preferred units Partners' Capital Account, Public Sale of Units Sale of common units Partners' Capital, Other Other Organization and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Organization and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation Recent Accounting Pronouncements Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements Net Income Per Common Unit Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Net Income Per Common Unit Accounts Receivable, Net Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts Receivable, Net Inventory, Linefill and Base Gas and Long-term Inventory The complete disclosure related to inventory, linefill and base gas and long-term inventory. This may include, but is not limited to, the basis of stating inventory, linefill, and base gas and long-term inventory, the method of determining inventory, linefill and base gas and long-term inventory cost, the major classes of inventory, linefill and base gas and long-term inventory, and the nature of the cost elements included in inventory, linefill and base gas and long-term inventory. If inventory, linefill and base gas and long-term inventory is stated above cost, accrued net losses on firm purchase commitments for inventory, linefill and base gas and long-term inventory and losses resulting from valuing inventory, linefill and base gas and long-term inventory at the lower-of-cost-or-market may also be included. Inventory Linefill and Base Gas and Long Term Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventory, Linefill and Base Gas and Long-term Inventory Goodwill Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Partners' Capital and Distributions Partners' Capital Notes Disclosure [Text Block] Partners' Capital and Distributions Derivatives and Risk Management Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivatives and Risk Management Activities Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Operating Segments Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Operating Segments Acquisitions, Dispositions and Impairments Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block] Acquisitions, Dispositions and Impairments N/A Simplification Transaction The entire disclosure for a Simplification Agreement entered into by the entity, related to its governance structure and exchange of ownership interests held by its general partner, and transactions pursuant to the agreement. Simplification Transactions [Text Block] Simplification Transactions Disclosure of accounting policy relating to the allocation of net income to each type or class of partner. Partnership Income Allocation [Policy Text Block] Income Allocation Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Computation of basic and diluted net income per common unit Tabular disclosure of the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of inventory, linefill and base gas and long-term inventory. This may include, but is not limited to, the volumes, unit of measure, total value, and price per unit of each of the major classes of inventory. Schedule of Inventory Linefill and Base Gas and Long Term Inventory [Table Text Block] Schedule of inventory, linefill and base gas and long-term inventory Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Schedule of goodwill by segment and changes during the period Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Schedule of debt Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block] Schedule of activity for Series A preferred units and common units Distributions Made to Limited Partner, by Distribution [Table Text Block] Schedule of distributions paid in cash, net of reductions to the general partner's incentive distributions Derivative [Table] Derivative [Line Items] Derivatives and Risk Management Activities Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block] Schedule of terms of forward starting interest rate swaps Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block] Summary of open forward exchange contracts Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block] Impact of derivative activities recognized in earnings Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block] Summary of derivative assets and liabilities on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets on a gross basis Tabular disclosure of derivative and other financial assets and liabilities that are subject to offsetting, including master netting arrangements. Schedule of Offsetting Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Schedule of derivative financial assets and liabilities that are subject to offsetting, including enforceable master netting arrangements Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Net deferred gain/(loss) recognized in AOCI for derivatives Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Schedule of derivative financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, by level within the fair value hierarchy Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of changes in fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related Party Transactions Simplification Transactions Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block] Schedule of related party transactions Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Segment financial data Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of segment profit to net income attributable to PAA Tabular disclosure of selected pro forma results of operations and pro forma balance sheet amounts giving effect to transactions under the Simplification Agreement entered into by the entity. Schedule of Selected Pro Forma Results of Simplification Transactions [Table Text Block] Selected pro forma results of operations and balance sheet amounts per the Simplification Agreement Schedule detailing information related to organization, basis of accounting, or basis of presentation, used to prepare the financial reports of the entity. Organization Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Table] Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. Organization and Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Organization Number of Operating Segments Operating segments number Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest General partner ownership interest (as a percent) Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest Limited partner interest (as a percent) Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Issued Issuance of common units (in units) Issuance of common units (in units)