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Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
segment
owner
Sep. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
segment
Sep. 30, 2010
Jun. 30, 2010
Mar. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
segment
owner
Dec. 31, 2010
segment
Dec. 31, 2009
segment
Dec. 31, 2008
Dec. 31, 2011
Limited Partner
Dec. 31, 2009
Limited Partner
Dec. 31, 2010
Limited Partner
Dec. 31, 2008
Limited Partner
Dec. 31, 2011
General Partner
Dec. 31, 2010
General Partner
Dec. 31, 2009
General Partner
Dec. 31, 2008
General Partner
Dec. 31, 2010
Amounts Previously Reported
Limited Partner
Dec. 31, 2009
Amounts Previously Reported
Limited Partner
Dec. 31, 2008
Amounts Previously Reported
Limited Partner
Dec. 31, 2010
Amounts Previously Reported
General Partner
Dec. 31, 2009
Amounts Previously Reported
General Partner
Dec. 31, 2008
Amounts Previously Reported
General Partner
Dec. 31, 2010
IPO
Dec. 31, 2009
IPO
Dec. 31, 2010
IPO
Amounts Previously Reported
Dec. 31, 2009
IPO
Amounts Previously Reported
Dec. 31, 2011
PNG
May 31, 2010
PNG
IPO
Jun. 30, 2010
PNG
IPO
Mar. 31, 2009
SLC Pipeline
Dec. 31, 2011
SLC Pipeline
Organization and Basis of Presentation                                                                      
Operating segments number 3       3       3 3 3                                                
Partners Capital and Distribution                                                                      
Number of common units issued representing limited partner interest (in units)                                                               13,478,000 13,500,000    
Net proceeds received by PNG from sale of common units                                                               $ 268 $ 268    
Net proceeds received by PNG from a third party for an ownership percentage in a joint venture                                                                   26  
Noncontrolling interests, ownership percentage of noncontrolling owners (as a percent)                                                             36.00%     25.00% 25.00%
Net cash used in investing activities                 (2,020) (851) (686)                               (851) (686) (583) (660)          
Net cash provided by financing activities                 (345) 604 338                               604 338 336 312          
Maximum interest held by principal owners (as a percent) 35.00%               35.00%                                                    
Minimum interest held by principal owners (as a percent) 1.00%               1.00%                                                    
Limited partner ownership interest (as a percent)                 98.00%       98.00%                                            
Net Income Attributable to Plains 278 281 225 182 142 81 131 151 966 505 579     434     236 175 145   338 443   167 136                    
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                 (10) 11 14                               (247) (348)              
Partners Capital $ 5,974       $ 4,573       $ 5,974 $ 4,573 $ 4,159 $ 3,552 $ 5,249 $ 3,965 $ 4,189 $ 3,441 $ 201 $ 153 $ 131 $ 111 $ 4,234 $ 4,002 $ 3,469 $ 108 $ 94 $ 83                  
General partner ownership interest (as a percent)                 2.00%                                                    
Number of principal owners of Plains AAP, L.P., and Plains All American GP LLC 18               18