Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets for the Partnership's Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 192,436	$ 192,436
Accumulated amortization	(82,452)	(71,486)
Net carrying amount	109,984	120,950
Liquefied Gas Segment [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	179,813	179,813
Accumulated amortization	(74,456)	(65,599)
Net carrying amount	105,357	114,214
Conventional Tanker Segment [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	12,623	12,623
Accumulated amortization	(7,996)	(5,887)
Net carrying amount	$ 4,627	$ 6,736

Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658586&loc=d3e16323-109275

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant