Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 12

-Section 13

-Sentence Column B

+ Details

Name:	invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of terminated interest rate derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e637-108580

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e681-108580

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669686-108580

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 31

-Article 5

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Average fixed interest rate related to the group of interest rate derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The portion of gains and losses (net) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments representing (a) the amount of the hedge ineffectiveness and (b) the amount, if any, excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624171-113959

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(1),(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of interest rate derivative instruments held by the entity at the reporting date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5580258-113959

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5579245-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfInterestRateDerivativesHeld
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net cash outflow or inflow for a financial contract that meets the hedge criteria as either cash flow hedge, fair value hedge or hedge of net investment in foreign operations.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3095-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3098-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 27

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3581-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=paa_EightForwardStartingInterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=paa_EightForwardStartingThirtyYearInterestRateSwapOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=paa_EightForwardStartingThirtyYearInterestRateSwapThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=paa_EightForwardStartingThirtyYearInterestRateSwapTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=paa_FiveForwardStartingThirtyYearInterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=paa_FourForwardStartingTenYearInterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=paa_SixForwardStartingThirtyYearInterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=paa_TenForwardStartingThirtyYearInterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_TreasuryLockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Derivatives and Risk Management Activities (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014 contract	Aug. 31, 2013 contract	Dec. 31, 2012 contract	Mar. 31, 2012 contract	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2015 contract
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Net deferred gains (losses) from interest rate risk hedging included in AOCI			$ 80		$ (467)	$ (97)	$ 54
Interest Rate Derivatives
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Net deferred gains (losses) from interest rate risk hedging included in AOCI					(161)
10 forward starting interest rate swaps (30-year) \| Cash flow hedge
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Number of interest rate derivatives (in contracts)					10
Notional amount of derivatives					250
Rate of fixed interest to be received on interest rate swap (as a percent)					3.60%
8 forward starting interest rate swaps (30-year), one \| Cash flow hedge
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Number of interest rate derivatives (in contracts)					8
Notional amount of derivatives					200
Rate of fixed interest to be received on interest rate swap (as a percent)					3.06%
8 forward starting interest rate swaps (30-year), two \| Cash flow hedge
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Number of interest rate derivatives (in contracts)					8
Notional amount of derivatives					200
Rate of fixed interest to be received on interest rate swap (as a percent)					3.14%
8 forward starting interest rate swaps (30-year), three \| Cash flow hedge
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Number of interest rate derivatives (in contracts)					8
Notional amount of derivatives					200
Rate of fixed interest to be received on interest rate swap (as a percent)					3.20%
8 forward starting interest rate swaps \| Subsequent Event
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Number of interest rate derivatives (in contracts)								8
Notional amount of derivatives								200
Rate of fixed interest to be received on interest rate swap (as a percent)								2.83%
Treasury lock agreements entered into in anticipation of April 2014 issuance of senior notes \| Cash flow hedge
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Number of interest rate derivatives terminated (in contracts)	5
Notional amount of derivatives	250
Cash received (paid) in connection with termination of interest rate derivatives	(7)
Rate of fixed interest to be received on interest rate swap (as a percent)	3.62%
5 forward starting interest rate swaps (30-year) \| Cash flow hedge
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Number of interest rate derivatives terminated (in contracts)		5
Notional amount of derivatives		125
Cash received (paid) in connection with termination of interest rate derivatives		11
Rate of fixed interest to be received on interest rate swap (as a percent)		3.39%
5 forward starting interest rate swaps (30-year) \| Interest expense \| Cash flow hedge
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Gain / (loss) on derivative instruments recognized in interest expense attributable to the ineffective portion of the swaps		3
6 forward starting interest rate swaps (30-year) \| Cash flow hedge
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Number of interest rate derivatives terminated (in contracts)			6
Notional amount of derivatives			250
Cash received (paid) in connection with termination of interest rate derivatives			(89)
Rate of fixed interest to be received on interest rate swap (as a percent)			4.24%
4 forward starting interest rate swaps (10-year) \| Cash flow hedge
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Number of interest rate derivatives terminated (in contracts)				4
Notional amount of derivatives				200
Cash received (paid) in connection with termination of interest rate derivatives				(24)
Rate of fixed interest to be received on interest rate swap (as a percent)				3.46%
4 forward starting interest rate swaps (10-year) \| Interest expense \| Cash flow hedge
Interest Rate Risk Hedging
Gain / (loss) on derivative instruments recognized in interest expense attributable to the ineffective portion of the swaps				$ (1)