Inventory, Linefill and Base Gas and Long-term Inventory (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory-related disclosures
Charge related to the write-down of inventory	$ 289us-gaap_InventoryWriteDown	$ 7us-gaap_InventoryWriteDown	$ 128us-gaap_InventoryWriteDown
Gains on derivative instruments	160us-gaap_DerivativeGainOnDerivative
Gain on sales of linefill and base gas	8paa_GainLossOnSaleOfLinefillAndBaseGas	7paa_GainLossOnSaleOfLinefillAndBaseGas	19paa_GainLossOnSaleOfLinefillAndBaseGas
Cash received for sales of linefill and base gas	24	40	65
Inventory by category
Inventory	891us-gaap_InventoryNet	1,065us-gaap_InventoryNet
Linefill and base gas	930paa_LinefillAndBaseGas	798paa_LinefillAndBaseGas
Long-term inventory	186us-gaap_InventoryNoncurrent	251us-gaap_InventoryNoncurrent
Total	2,007paa_InventoryCurrentAndNoncurrent	2,114paa_InventoryCurrentAndNoncurrent
Crude oil
Inventory by category
Inventory	304	540
Linefill and base gas	744	679
Long-term inventory	136	202
Inventory, Volumes (in barrels or in Mcf)	6,465,000	6,951,000
Linefill and base gas, Volumes (in barrels or in Mcf)	11,810,000	10,966,000
Long-term inventory, Volumes (in barrels or in Mcf)	2,582,000	2,498,000
Inventory, Price/Unit of measure (in dollars per unit)	47.02	77.69
Linefill and base gas, Price/Unit of measure (in dollars per unit)	63.00	61.92
Long-term inventory, Price/Unit of measure (in dollars per unit)	52.67	80.86
NGL
Inventory by category
Inventory	454	352
Linefill and base gas	52	62
Long-term inventory	50	49
Inventory, Volumes (in barrels or in Mcf)	13,553,000	8,061,000
Linefill and base gas, Volumes (in barrels or in Mcf)	1,212,000	1,341,000
Long-term inventory, Volumes (in barrels or in Mcf)	1,681,000	1,161,000
Inventory, Price/Unit of measure (in dollars per unit)	33.50	43.67
Linefill and base gas, Price/Unit of measure (in dollars per unit)	42.90	46.23
Long-term inventory, Price/Unit of measure (in dollars per unit)	29.74	42.20
Natural gas
Inventory by category
Inventory	102	150
Linefill and base gas	134	57
Inventory, Volumes (in barrels or in Mcf)	32,317,000	40,505,000
Linefill and base gas, Volumes (in barrels or in Mcf)	28,612,000	16,615,000
Inventory, Price/Unit of measure (in dollars per unit)	3.16	3.70
Linefill and base gas, Price/Unit of measure (in dollars per unit)	4.68	3.43
Other
Inventory by category
Inventory	$ 31	$ 23

The cash inflow associated with the sale of linefill and base gas.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the sale price and book value of linefill and base gas that was sold during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of current and non-current inventory.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The volume of current inventory as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:volumeItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The volume of linefill and base gas inventory as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:volumeItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The volume of noncurrent inventory as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	num:volumeItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The weighted-average price per unit of current inventory.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	us-types:perUnitItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The weighted-average price per unit of linefill and base gas inventory.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	us-types:perUnitItemType
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- Definition

The weighted-average price per unit of noncurrent inventory.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Crude oil, refined products, and NGL linefill in pipelines and base gas in natural gas storage facilities that are owned by the entity. The linefill and base gas are intended for long-term use.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of increase in the fair value of derivatives recognized in the income statement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4A

-Subparagraph (b)

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- Definition

Amount after valuation and LIFO reserves of inventory expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))

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-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6676-107765

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Inventories not expected to be converted to cash, sold or exchanged within the normal operating cycle.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Charge to cost of goods sold that represents the reduction of the carrying amount of inventory, generally attributable to obsolescence or market conditions.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2)

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28360613&loc=d3e4542-108314

+ Details

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- Details

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