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Trade Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011 Y D bbl Segments InterestRateSwaps	Dec. 31, 2010 D
Trade Accounts Receivable.
Net accounts receivable, maximum age of balances past their scheduled invoice date (in days)	60	60
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 6	$ 5
Advance cash payments received from third parties to mitigate credit risk	$ 190	$ 197

X

- Definition

The maximum number of days past their scheduled invoice date for substantially all of the accounts receivable.

+ Details

Name:	paa_AccountsReceivableNetDisclosureOfMaximumAgeOfBalancesPastScheduledInvoiceDate
Namespace Prefix:	paa
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsReceivableAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 4
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The current portion, due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, of prepayments received from customers for goods or services to be provided in the future.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CustomerAdvancesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant