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

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

The number of shares outstanding/issued under a share-based award plan which have become earned during the reporting period as certain performance conditions have been met giving the grantee the right to receive quarterly distributions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The grant date fair value of outstanding units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionNonvestedGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of outstanding awards on non-stock option plans for which the employer has issued equity instruments to an employee, including both employees who have and who have not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to distributions to the shares.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of authorized units of the general partnership that have not yet been granted/issued and are reserved for future grants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of outstanding awards on non-stock option plans for which the employer has issued equity instruments to an employee and the units issued have been earned as required performance conditions have been met, giving the employee the right to receive quarterly distributions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The increase in the number of shares reserved for issuance under a share-based award plan other than a stock option plan due to shares that were settled during the reporting period due to a failure to satisfy certain conditions pertaining to the plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph g(1)

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph 64

-Subparagraph b

-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 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6793087&loc=d3e301413-122809

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares under non-option equity instrument agreements that were cancelled as a result of occurrence of a terminating event.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsForfeitures
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Equity Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Grant Date Fair Value of Outstanding Class B Units:
Equity compensation expense	$ 20	$ 27	$ 60	$ 46
AAP LP Class B Units
Reserved for Future Grants
Reserved for future grants outstanding, beginning balance (in units)			16,500
Unit forfeitures (in units)			1,000
Reserved for future grants outstanding, ending balance (in units)	17,500		17,500
Outstanding
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in units)			183,500
Unit forfeitures (in units)			(1,000)
Outstanding at the ending of the period (in units)	182,500		182,500
Outstanding Units Earned
Outstanding Units Earned, beginning balance (in units)			80,063
Units earned (in units)			24,250
Outstanding Units Earned, end balance (in units)	104,313		104,313
Grant Date Fair Value of Outstanding Class B Units:
Grant Date Fair Value of Outstanding Class B Units, beginning balance			44
Grant Date Fair Value of Outstanding Class B Units, ending balance	44		44
Equity compensation expense			$ 5