This element represents the number of consecutive periods for which a quarterly cash distribution is paid.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

This element represents the number of consecutive quarters for which a quarterly cash distribution is paid.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the number of consecutive quarters for which there is sufficient cash to pay quarterly distribution.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the number of series one subordinated units to be converted into another series on satisfaction of some operational and financial conditions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_ConversionOfSubordinatedUnitsNumberOfUnitsToBeConverted
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element specifies the terms of conversion of subordinated units into common units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents distinct tranches number.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_DistinctTranchesNumber
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of general partner ownership in the subsidiary by the parent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_GeneralPartnerOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the minimum working gas storage capacity placed into service considered as performance threshold for conversion of subordinated units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_MinimumWorkingGasStorageCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents modifications made in the series of units as per the amendment and restatement agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_ModificationOfHoldingsUnitsModified
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the number of units after the modification in series of units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_ModificationOfHoldingsUnitsPostModification
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the number of units prior to modification in series of units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_ModificationOfHoldingsUnitsPriorToModification
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of potential conversion tranches after the occurrence of an amended and restated agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_NumberOfPotentialConversionTranchesAfterAmendedAndRestatedAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of potential conversion tranches before the occurrence of an amended and restated agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_NumberOfPotentialConversionTranchesBeforeAmendedAndRestatedAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

Represents the portion of units for which performance thresholds were altered by an amended and restated agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The threshold annualized distribution amount that must be available to units with a higher priority before distributions can be made to the subordinated units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The threshold annualized distribution amount that must be received by units with a higher priority before distributions can be made to the subordinated units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the number of tranches for which the annual distribution threshold was increased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_TranchesNumberReceivedIncreaseAnnualDistribution
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Partners' Capital and Distributions (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended					1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended					1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 PNG	Aug. 16, 2010 PNG	Aug. 31, 2010 Common and Series A Subordinated Unit Subtotal PNG	Dec. 31, 2011 Common and Series A Subordinated Unit Subtotal PNG	Aug. 16, 2010 Common and Series A Subordinated Unit Subtotal PNG	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Units PNG	Aug. 16, 2010 Common Units PNG	Feb. 29, 2012 Series A Subordinated Units tranche	Dec. 31, 2011 Series A Subordinated Units tranche	Aug. 31, 2010 Series A Subordinated Units PNG	Dec. 31, 2011 Series A Subordinated Units PNG	Aug. 16, 2010 Series A Subordinated Units PNG	Aug. 31, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units agreement	Feb. 29, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units PNG	Aug. 31, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units PNG	Dec. 31, 2011 Series B Subordinated Units PNG	Aug. 16, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units PNG	Feb. 29, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 1 PNG	Aug. 31, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 1 PNG	Dec. 31, 2011 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 1 PNG Bcf	Aug. 16, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 1 PNG	Feb. 29, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 2 PNG	Aug. 31, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 2 PNG	Dec. 31, 2011 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 2 PNG Bcf	Aug. 16, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 2 PNG	Feb. 29, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 3 PNG	Aug. 31, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 3 PNG	Dec. 31, 2011 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 3 PNG Bcf	Aug. 16, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 3 PNG	Feb. 29, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 4 PNG	Aug. 31, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 4 PNG	Dec. 31, 2011 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 4 PNG Bcf	Feb. 29, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 5 PNG	Aug. 31, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 5 PNG	Dec. 31, 2011 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 5 PNG Bcf
Partners Capital and Distribution
Number of potential conversion tranches, before Second Amended and Restated Agreement														3
Number of potential conversion tranches, after Second Amended and Restated Agreement														5
Portion of Series B subordinated units for which performance thresholds modified															one third
Prior to Modification (in units)			43.5			32.0		18.1					13.9					11.5				4.6				3.8				3.1
Modification (in units)				(2.0)							(2.0)					2.0				(2.0)				(1.0)				(1.0)				3.0			3.0
Post Modification (in units)		43.5			30.0		18.1					11.9					13.5				2.6				2.8				2.1				3.0			3.0
Performance Thresholds
Annualized distribution level (in dollars per unit)																			$ 1.71		$ 1.44		$ 1.71		$ 1.53		$ 1.71		$ 1.63		$ 1.71		$ 1.71	$ 1.80		$ 1.80
Working gas storage capacity (in Bcf)																					29.6				35.6				41.6				48.0			48.0
Minimum distribution on annualized basis (in dollars per unit)												$ 1.35
Conversion of subordinated units, terms	The Series A subordinated units will convert to common units once certain earnings and distribution targets are met for three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods.
Series B subordinated units that will convert into Series A subordinated units																					2.6				2.8				2.1				3.0			3.0
Number of consecutive quarters of cash sufficiency																					P2Q				P2Q				P2Q				P2Q			P2Q
Number of consecutive quarters of cash distribution												P4Q									P2Q				P2Q				P2Q				P2Q			P2Q
Number of consecutive periods of cash distribution												3 years
General Partner Interest in PNG (as a percent)					2.00%																2.00%				2.00%				2.00%				2.00%			2.00%
Number of distinct tranches										5
Number of tranches increases annual distribution									3