Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Balance, December 31, 2009 Balance, September 30, 2010 Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated depreciation Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Cash paid in connection with acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Productive Assets, Total Additions to property, equipment and other Amortization of Deferred Hedge Gains Non-cash amortization of terminated interest rate and foreign currency hedging instruments Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Deferred gains on settled hedges, net CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Beginning Balance Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Interest Paid, Net, Total Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Inventory Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities, Total Accounts payable and other current liabilities Trade accounts receivable and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Increase (Decrease) in Due to Related Parties, Current, Total Due to related parties Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block] Major Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk Inventory Write-down Inventory valuation adjustments Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Current income tax benefit/(expense) Liabilities, Current [Abstract] CURRENT LIABILITIES Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities Debt, Current, Total Short-term debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Deferred income tax benefit Deferred income tax benefit/(expense) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivatives and Risk Management Activities Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure Distribution Made to Member or Limited Partner, Cash Distribution Distributions paid to common unitholders (Note 7) Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Equity earnings in unconsolidated entities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total Effect of translation adjustment on cash Share-based Compensation Equity compensation charge Environmental Loss Contingency Disclosure [Text Block] Environmental Remediation Equity Method Investments Investments in unconsolidated entities General and Administrative Expense, Total General and administrative expenses General Partners' Capital Account, Total General partner CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Interest Expense Interest expense (net of capitalized interest of $4, $4, $13 and $9, respectively) Inventory, Net, Total Inventory Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt Net proceeds from the issuance of senior notes Noncontrolling interest Liabilities and Partners' Capital, Total Total liabilities and partners' capital Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding Common unitholders, units outstanding (in units) Limited Partners' Capital Account, Total Common unitholders (136,419,175 and 136,135,988 units outstanding, respectively) Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Noncontrolling interests Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Total Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Total Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total Net cash provided by operating activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] OTHER INCOME/(EXPENSE) Inventory, Noncurrent, Total Long-term inventory Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] LONG-TERM LIABILITIES Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Total long-term liabilities Operating Income (Loss), Total OPERATING INCOME Revenues [Abstract] REVENUES Revenues, Total Total revenues Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Organization and Basis of Presentation Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Total period activity Other comprehensive income Other comprehensive income/(loss) Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Reclassification adjustments Other Assets, Current Other current assets Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Other financing activities Partners' Capital Account, Acquisitions Issuance of common units in connection with the PNGS Acquisition Partners' Capital Account, Distributions Distributions (Note 7) Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital. Partners' Capital Account, Sale of Units, Total Issuance of common units Partners' Capital Account, Units, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Partners' Capital Account, Units, Period Increase (Decrease) Partners' Capital Account, Units, Beginning Balance Balance (in units) Balance (in units) Partners' Capital Notes Disclosure [Text Block] Partners' Capital and Distributions Partners' Capital, Beginning Balance Total partners' capital excluding noncontrolling interests Balance at beginning of period Balance at end of period Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries Cash received for sale of noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary Cash received for sale of noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary (Note 7) Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Beginning Balance PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property and equipment, net Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates, Total Investment in unconsolidated entities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Receivables, Net, Current, Total Trade accounts receivable and other receivables, net Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Operating Segments Senior Notes, Noncurrent Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $13 and $14, respectively Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL Income Taxes Paid Cash paid for income taxes, net of amounts refunded Assets, Current [Abstract] CURRENT ASSETS Assets, Current, Total Total current assets General Partner Common Units PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Trade Accounts Receivable Assets, Total. Total assets General Partners' Capital Account, Distribution Amount Distributions paid to general partner (Note 7) Other Liabilities, Current, Total Other current liabilities Other long-term liabilities Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Equity Compensation Plans Statement [Table] Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions, Total Equity earnings in unconsolidated entities, net of distributions Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Statement [Line Items] Statement Capital Unit, Common Units Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Other Long-term Debt, Noncurrent Long-term debt under credit facilities and other Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Other, net Interest Costs Incurred Interest Costs, Capitalized During Period Interest expense, capitalized interest Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized (Gain)/loss on foreign currency revaluation Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments, Total Gain on sale of investment assets Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle Presented on Income Statement, Net of Tax Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Other Receivables Trade accounts receivable and other Trade accounts receivable and other Translation Adjustments Derivative Instruments Net Income (Loss) Allocated to General Partners GENERAL PARTNER Net Income (Loss) Allocated to Limited Partners LIMITED PARTNERS Net Income (Loss), Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Basic, Total BASIC NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT (in dollars per unit) Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Basic BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE UNITS OUTSTANDING (in units) Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block] Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Costs and Expenses [Abstract] COSTS AND EXPENSES Costs and Expenses, Total Total costs and expenses Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total NET INCOME Net income Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Depreciation and amortization Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital Statement, Partner Capital Components [Axis] Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Comprehensive income Comprehensive income Partners' Capital Account, Units, Sale of Units, Total Issuance of common units (in units) Net Income (Loss), Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Diluted DILUTED NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT (in dollars per unit) Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net Senior notes, unamortized discount (in dollars) Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Total period activity Partner Capital Components [Domain] Noncontrolling Interests Partners' Capital Excluding Noncontrolling Interests Commitments and Contingencies. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 10) Partners' Capital Account, Units, Acquisitions Issuance of common units in connection with the PNGS Acquisition (in units) 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: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Other Other Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Diluted DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE UNITS OUTSTANDING (in units) Linefill and Base Gas Crude oil, refined products, and LPG linefill and base gas in pipelines and 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 LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL Liabilities and Partners Capital [Abstract] Partners' Capital Account, Unit-based Compensation, Long-term Incentive Plans The value of common units issued during the period as a result of Long-term Incentive Plans (LTIP). Issuance of common units under LTIP (Note 7) Partners' Capital Account, Unit-based Compensation, Class B Units The expense borne by the partnership during the period relating to the GP-Class B Units equity compensation plan. The amount represents a capital contribution from the General Partner to the partnership, relating to units of the partnership's General Partner awarded to officers of the partnership for services rendered to the partnership. Class B Units of Plains AAP, L.P. (Note 8) Partners' Capital Account, Units Issued, Unit-based Compensation, Long-term Incentive Plans The number of common units issued during the period as a result of Long-term Incentive Plans (LTIP). Issuance of common units under LTIP (in units) Interest Income and Other Income (Expense), Net Interest income and income not otherwise defined. Interest income and other income/(expense), net Payments to Acquire Linefill In Net cash paid for linefill in assets owned The cash outflow to purchase linefill in pipelines owned by the entity. Gain (Loss) on Sale of Linefill Gain on sale of linefill The difference between the sale price and book value of linefill that was sold during the reporting period. Net Cash Paid for Terminated Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Hedging Instruments Net cash received/(paid) for terminated interest rate and foreign currency hedging instruments The net cash outflow for terminated interest rate and foreign currency hedging instruments. Net Proceeds from (Repayments of) Revolving Credit Facilities The net cash inflow (outflow)due to proceeds from additional borrowings and repayments on revolving credit facilities. Net repayments on Plains revolving credit facility Net Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Letter of Credit and Hedged Inventory Facility The net cash inflow (outflow) due to borrowings (repayments) on the Short-term Letter of Credit and Hedged Inventory Facility. Net borrowings/(repayments) on short-term letter of credit and hedged inventory facility Crude Oil, Refined Products and LPG Sales and Related Revenues, Buy-Sell Transactions The revenues related to the buy/sell transactions of crude oil, refined products and LPG. Crude oil, refined products and LPG sales and related revenues, buy/sell transactions Crude Oil, Refined Products and LPG Purchases and Related Costs, Buy-Sell Transactions The purchases related to the buy/sell transactions of crude oil, refined products and LPG. Crude oil, refined products and LPG purchases and related costs, buy/sell transactions CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME PARTNERS' CAPTIAL Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table] Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Axis] Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Components [Domain] Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income include: deferred gains (losses) on qualifying hedges, unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, minimum pension liability, and cumulative translation adjustment. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Changes in Accumulated other Comprehensive Income [Line Items] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes and Minority Interest Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes and Minority Interest Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest. Includes income (loss) from equity method investments. INCOME BEFORE TAX Purchases and Related Costs Costs related to the purchase of crude oil, refined products, LPG and natural gas storage during the period, primarily from gathering and marketing activities. Purchases and related costs Document and Entity Information Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests Total of Partners' Capital items, (net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity), including portions attributable to both the partners and noncontrolling interests, if any. Total partners' capital Balance Balance OTHER ASSETS Other Noncurrent Assets, Excluding Property and Equipment [Abstract] Proceeds from Issuance of Common Limited Partners Unitholders, Net of Issuance Costs Net proceeds from the issuance of common units The net cash inflow during the period from the issuance of common limited partners units, net of issuance costs. Inventory, Linefill and Base Gas and Long-term Inventory [Text Block] Inventory, Linefill, 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 lo sses resulting from valuing inventory, linefill and base gas and long-term inventory at the lower-of-cost-or-market may also be included. Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit [Text Block] Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit The complete disclosure pertaining to an entity's net income per limited partner unit. Other Represents the component of other comprehensive income (loss)that is not specifically defined elsewhere in the taxonomy. Partners' Capital, Sale of Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary Sale of noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary (Note 7) Changes in partners' capital due to the sale of noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary. Other Comprehensive Income, Partnership's Portion of Equity Investee Proportionate share of our unconsolidated entities' other comprehensive loss The partnership's proportionate share of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income for an equity investee. Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PLAINS: Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PLAINS: Net gain on purchase of remaining 50% interest in PNGS Gain on Conversions of Equity Method Investment Recognized gain on the adjustment of an equity method investment to fair value upon acquisition of the remaining indirect interest. The entity is subsequently accounted for on a consolidated basis. Maturities of Senior Debt Repayments of senior notes Repayments of Assumed Debt Repayment of PNGS debt Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income/(expense), net Net cash received for linefill Cash Received (Paid) for Linefill, Net The net cash inflow or outflow to acquire linefill in pipelines. Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Investments Gain on sale of investment assets Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions and Dispositions Description of a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. This element may be used as a single block of text to encapsulate the entire disclosure (including data and tables) regarding business combinations, including leverage buyout transactions (as applicable). Also includes the facts and circumstances leading to the completed or expected disposal, manner and timing of disposal, the gain or loss recognized in the income statement and the income statement caption that includes that gain or loss, amounts of revenues and pretax profit or loss reported in discontinued oper ations, the segment in which the disposal group was reported, and the classification (whether sold or classified as held for sale) and carrying value of the assets and liabilities comprising the disposal group. Includes all disposal groups, including those classified as components of the entity (discontinued operations). Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Cash Flow Impact The cash flow impact of the component of income tax expense for the period representing the net change in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax/(benefit) expense Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Distributions to noncontrolling interests Other Noncurrent Liabilities Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits Supply & Logistics segment revenues Supply and Logistics Segment Revenues Revenue from the sale of crude oil, refined products, LPG and natural gas storage during the period, primarily from supply and logistics activities. Transportation segment revenues Transportation Segment Revenues Revenue from the transportation of crude oil and refined products during the period, primarily on pipelines and trucks. Facilities segment revenues Facilities Segment Revenues Revenue from the storage, terminalling and processing of crude oil, refined products, LPG and natural gas during the period. Field operating costs Field Operating Costs Various field operating expenses, including fuel and power costs, telecommunications, payroll and benefit costs, (including equity compensation expense) for truck drivers and field personnel, maintenance and integrity management costs, regulatory compliance, environmental remediation, insurance, vehicle leases, and property taxes. Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets Proceeds from the sale of assets and other Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Net deferred loss on cash flow hedges Supply & Logistics segment revenues Sales and Related Revenues Revenue from the sale of crude oil, refined products, LPG and natural gas storage during the period, primarily from supply and logistics activities. Transportation segment revenues Pipeline Tariff Activities Trucking and Related Revenues Revenue from the transportation of crude oil and refined products during the period, primarily on pipelines and trucks. Facilities segment revenues Storage Terminalling Processing and Related Revenues Revenue from the storage, terminalling and processing of crude oil, refined products, LPG and natural gas during the period. Partners' Capital, Other Other Partners' Capital [Abstract] PARTNERS' CAPITAL Organization and Basis of Presentation Recent Accounting Pronouncements Trade Accounts Receivable Acquisitions Inventory, Linefill, Base Gas and Long-term Inventory Debt Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit Partners' Capital and Distributions Equity Compensation Plans Derivatives and Risk Management Activities Income Taxes Commitments and Contingencies Operating Segments Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure Major Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk Related Party Transactions Environmental Remediation Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Acquisitions and Dispositions Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward] Partners' Capital Account, Deferred Compensation Equity compensation expense under LTIP (Note 8) Increase (Decrease) in Short-Term Inventories, Total Inventory The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate value of inventory clasified as short-term held by the reporting entity, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities. Increase (Decrease) in Long-Term Inventories, Total Long-term inventory The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate value of inventory clasified as long-term held by the reporting entity, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities. Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other investing activities Subsequent Events Schedule of Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Events Changes in Assets and Liabilities, Net of Acquisitions Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions This element represent the changes in assets and liabilities net of acquisitions. Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income attributable to Plains Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent The net cash inflow (outflow)due to proceeds from additional borrowings and repayments on revolving credit facilities for consolidated subsidiary. Net Proceeds from Repayments of Revolving Credit Facilities, Consolidated Subsidiary Net borrowings on PNG revolving credit facility Loss on early redemption of senior notes (Note 5) Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Distributions to noncontrolling interests (Note 7) Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest