The percentage for quarterly distributions paid to the general partner above the threshold amount.

No definition available.

Name:	paa_GeneralPartnerDistributionRate
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The threshold amount for the quarterly incentive distribution to be made to the general partner.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_GeneralPartnerIncentiveDistributionThreshold
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the number of days required for distribution of cash to unit holders after the end of the relevant quarter.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_NumberOfDaysRequiredForDistributionToUnitholdersAfterEndOfQuarter
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	paa_PartnersCapitalAndDistributionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the percentage of cash distributed out of available cash.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_PercentageDistributionOfAvailableCash
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of units or percentage investment held by the managing member or general partner of the LLC or LP.

+ References

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Practice Bulletin (PB)

-Number 14

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 272

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPManagingMemberOrGeneralPartnerOwnershipInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of units or percentage investment held by one or more members or limited partners of the LLC or LP.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 272

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of limited partner units outstanding.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187171-122770

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 272

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70434-108055

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 4

-Section F

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 87-21

-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.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Practice Bulletin (PB)

-Number 14

-Paragraph 10

-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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

Partners' Capital and Distributions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Partners' Capital and Distributions (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010 General Partner Distribution - Level One	Dec. 31, 2010 General Partner Distribution - Level Two	Dec. 31, 2010 General Partner Distribution - Level Three
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Common unitholders, units outstanding (in units)	155,376,937	141,199,175
Effective aggregate common ownership interest in the Partnership and its subsidiaries (as a percent)	98.00%
General partner ownership interest (as a percent)	2.00%
Percentage of available cash distributed (as a percent)	100.00%
Number of days required for distribution to unit holders after end of quarter	45 days
Partners Capital and Distribution
Percent for distribution to the general partner above threshold amount (as a percent)			15.00%	25.00%	50.00%
Quarterly incentive distribution threshold amount (in dollars per unit)			$ 0.45	$ 0.495	$ 0.675