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Operating Segments (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of segment profit to net income attributable to PAA
Segment profit									$ 2,291us-gaap_GrossProfit	$ 2,167us-gaap_GrossProfit	$ 1,945us-gaap_GrossProfit
Depreciation and amortization									(392)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	(375)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	(482)us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Interest expense, net									(340)us-gaap_InterestExpense	(303)us-gaap_InterestExpense	(288)us-gaap_InterestExpense
Other income/(expense), net									(2)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	1us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	6us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
INCOME BEFORE TAX									1,557	1,490	1,181
Income tax expense									(171)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	(99)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	(54)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
NET INCOME	390us-gaap_ProfitLoss	324us-gaap_ProfitLoss	288us-gaap_ProfitLoss	385us-gaap_ProfitLoss	318us-gaap_ProfitLoss	237us-gaap_ProfitLoss	300us-gaap_ProfitLoss	536us-gaap_ProfitLoss	1,386us-gaap_ProfitLoss	1,391us-gaap_ProfitLoss	1,127us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(2)	(30)	(33)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PAA	$ 389us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 323us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 287us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 384us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 309us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 231us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 292us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 528us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,384us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,361us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 1,094us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss