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Partners' Capital and Distributions (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |  | 0 Months Ended |  |  | 0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended |  | 0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
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Feb. 29, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 PNG | Aug. 16, 2010 PNG | Aug. 16, 2010 Common and Series A Subordinated Unit Subtotal PNG | Dec. 31, 2012 Common and Series A Subordinated Unit Subtotal PNG | Dec. 31, 2012 Common Units PNG | Aug. 16, 2010 Common Units PNG | Aug. 16, 2010 Series A Subordinated Units PNG | Dec. 31, 2012 Series A Subordinated Units PNG quarter | Aug. 16, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units tranche | Aug. 16, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units PNG | Dec. 31, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units PNG | Feb. 28, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 1 PNG | Aug. 16, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 1 PNG | Dec. 31, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 1 PNG quarter Mcf | Feb. 28, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 2 PNG | Aug. 16, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 2 PNG | Dec. 31, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 2 PNG quarter Mcf | Feb. 28, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 3 PNG | Aug. 16, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 3 PNG | Dec. 31, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 3 PNG quarter Mcf | Aug. 16, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 4 PNG | Dec. 31, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 4 PNG quarter Mcf | Aug. 16, 2010 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 5 PNG | Dec. 31, 2012 Series B Subordinated Units Tranche 5 PNG quarter Mcf
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
General partner ownership interest (as a percent) |  |  |  |  |  | 2.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Performance Thresholds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Series B subordinated units that will convert into Series A subordinated units |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2.6 |  |  | 2.8 |  |  | 2.1 |  | 3.0 |  | 3.0
Working gas storage capacity (in MMcf) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 29,600,000 |  |  | 35,600,000 |  |  | 41,600,000 |  | 48,000,000 |  | 48,000,000
Annualized distribution level (in dollars per unit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1.71 | $ 1.44 | $ 1.71 | $ 1.71 | $ 1.53 | $ 1.71 | $ 1.71 | $ 1.63 | $ 1.71 | $ 1.71 | $ 1.71 | $ 1.80 | $ 1.80
Minimum distribution on annualized basis (in dollars per unit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1.35 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Conversion of subordinated units, terms | In February 2012, PNG modified the terms of the first three tranches of the PNG Series B subordinated units held by PAA. The modification increases the quarterly distribution benchmark for Tranche 1, 2 and 3 from annualized levels of $1.44 per unit, $1.53 per unit and $1.63 per unit, respectively, to an annualized level of $1.71 per unit. | 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. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of consecutive quarters of cash sufficiency |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |  | 2 |  | 2
Number of consecutive quarters of cash distribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |  | 2 |  | 2
Number of non-overlapping quarters for which cash distribution and earnings thresholds must be met |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of consecutive years for which the distribution and earnings thresholds must be met for four consecutive non-overlapping quarters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- 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: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- 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: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition This element represents the number of consecutive years for which the distribution and earnings thresholds must be met for four non-overlapping a quarterly periods. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_ConversionOfSubordinatedUnitsNumberOfConsecutiveYearsOfReachingRequiredThresholds
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition This element represents the number of non-overlapping quarters for which a quarterly cash distribution is paid and earnings thresholds are met. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_ConversionOfSubordinatedUnitsNumberOfNonOverlappingQuartersOfDistributionAndEarningsThresholdsRequired
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- 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: | instant

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- 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

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- 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

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- 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: | num:volumeItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- 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

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- 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

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- 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

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- 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

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- 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

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

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

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- 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

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- 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

X
- 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