Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value Measurements, Level 3 Recurring Valuation Techniques (Details) (Level 3 [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Liability commodity derivatives - Crude oil [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Liability commodity derivatives	$ 0.3
Asset commodity derivatives - Crude oil [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Asset commodity derivatives	$ 0.1
Asset commodity derivatives - Crude oil [Member] \| Liability commodity derivatives - Crude oil [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	Discounted cash flow
Input description	Forward commodity prices
Asset commodity derivatives - Crude oil [Member] \| Liability commodity derivatives - Crude oil [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs, forward commodity price (in dollars per barrel)	94.20
Asset commodity derivatives - Crude oil [Member] \| Liability commodity derivatives - Crude oil [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair value inputs, forward commodity price (in dollars per barrel)	96.63

The forward commodity price (in dollars per unit of measure), used as an input to measure fair value.

No definition available.

Name:	epd_FairValueInputsForwardCommodityPrice
Namespace Prefix:	epd_
Data Type:	us-types:perUnitItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The input used for the valuation of unobservable input.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	epd_InputDescription
Namespace Prefix:	epd_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of the inputs and valuation technique(s) used to measure fair value.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (bbb)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsValuationTechniques
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of price risk derivative assets, which includes all such derivative instruments in hedging and nonhedging relationships that are recognized as assets on the balance sheet.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28364263&loc=d3e13433-108611

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PriceRiskDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of price risk derivative liabilities, which includes all such derivative instruments in hedging and nonhedging relationships that are recognized as liabilities on the balance sheet.

+ References

+ Details

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