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Partners' Capital and Distributions (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 1 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  | 3 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6 Months Ended
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Feb. 28, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Jun. 30, 2011 Common Units PNG Private Placement | Dec. 31, 2010 Common Units PNG Private Placement | Jun. 30, 2011 PNG | Jan. 31, 2011 PNG | Jun. 30, 2010 PNG IPO | Feb. 28, 2011 PNG Private Placement | May 31, 2011 PNG Private Placement | Jun. 30, 2011 PNG Private Placement Series A Subordinated Units | Dec. 31, 2010 PNG Private Placement Series A Subordinated Units | Jun. 30, 2011 PNG Private Placement Series B Subordinated Units | Dec. 31, 2010 PNG Private Placement Series B Subordinated Units | Jun. 30, 2011 SLC Pipeline | Jun. 30, 2011 Common Units
Partners Capital and Distribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Noncontrolling interests, ownership percentage of noncontrolling owners (as a percent) |  |  |  |  |  | 36.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25.00% |
Number of common units issued representing limited partner interest (in units) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 13,500,000 | 17,400,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net proceeds from private placement on PNG common units |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 268 | $ 370 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds received by PNG from Plains for sale of common units |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 230 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contribution from general partner |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership interest of reporting entity (as a percent) |  |  |  |  |  |  | 77.00% |  |  | 64.00% |  |  |  |  |  |
General Partner Interest in PNG (as a percent) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Prior to PNG equity issuance (in units) |  |  | 43,500,000 |  | 18,100,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11,900,000 |  | 13,500,000 |  |
Units purchased (in units) | 10,200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10,200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of common units transfer to noncontrolling interests in connection with the settlement of equity compensation awards (in shares) |  | (100,000) |  | (100,000) |  |  |  |  |  | 58,672 |  |  |  |  |  |
Ending units owned (in units) |  | 53,600,000 |  | 28,200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 11,900,000 |  | 13,500,000 |  |  |
Non-controlling interests associated with the book value of PNG sold to third parties | 370 | 370 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 306 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 63
Increase to partners' capital |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 64 |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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