Represents the number of long-term incentive plans that are consolidated into single plan.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

The number of outstanding distribution equivalent rights that are vested as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the portion of outstanding units, which include distribution equivalent rights that entitles the grantee to a cash payment equal to the cash distribution paid on an outstanding common unit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The decrease in the number of shares that are potentially issuable under a share-based award plan pertaining to awards, for which the grantee has gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements to receive or retain shares, other instruments or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement during the fourth twelve-month period, following the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The decrease in the number of shares that are potentially issuable under a share-based award plan pertaining to awards, for which the grantee has gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements to receive or retain shares, other instruments or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement during the twelve-month period, following the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The decrease in the number of shares that are potentially issuable under a share-based award plan pertaining to awards, for which the grantee has gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements to receive or retain shares, other instruments or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement during the third twelve-month period, following the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The decrease in the number of shares that are potentially issuable under a share-based award plan pertaining to awards, for which the grantee has gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements to receive or retain shares, other instruments or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement during the second twelve-month period, following the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The decrease in the number of shares that are potentially issuable under a share-based award plan pertaining to awards, for which the grantee has gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements to receive or retain shares, other instruments or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement thereafter the fourth twelve-month period, following the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The floor of a customized range of annualized distribution amounts required for vesting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_ShareBasedCompensationSharesOutstandingUnderEquityCompensationPlansByAnnualizedDistributionLowerRangeLimit
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The ceiling of a customized range of annualized distribution amounts required for vesting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	paa_ShareBasedCompensationSharesOutstandingUnderEquityCompensationPlansByAnnualizedDistributionUpperRangeLimit
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ 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 (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Definition

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ 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 (a)(3)

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=paa_LongTermIncentivePlansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=paa_PlainsAllAmerican2013LongTermIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=paa_PlainsAllAmericanGPLLCLongTermIncentiveTrackingUnitPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=paa_PlainsAllAmericanPNGSuccessorLongTermIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Equity-Indexed Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013 plan	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards
Equity-Indexed Compensation Plans
Units outstanding (in units)	7.3		8.4	6.0	8.0
Units outstanding that include DERs (in units)	3.5
DERs currently vested (in units)	3.2
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards \| Range of annualized vesting distribution amount from $2.075 to $3.200
Equity-Indexed Compensation Plans
Units outstanding (in units)	7.3
Estimated unit vesting in 2015 (in units)	2.1
Estimated unit vesting in 2016 (in units)	2.1
Estimated unit vesting in 2017 (in units)	1.8
Estimated unit vesting in 2018 (in units)	1.2
Estimated unit vesting thereafter (in units)	0.1
Annualized distribution, low end of range (in dollars per unit)	2.075
Annualized distribution, high end of range (in dollars per unit)	3.200
PAA 2013 LTIP
Equity-Indexed Compensation Plans
Number of long-term incentive plans that are consolidated into single plan		3
Authorized grants (in units)	13.1
PNG Successor LTIP
Equity-Indexed Compensation Plans
Authorized grants (in units)	1.3
2006 Plan
Equity-Indexed Compensation Plans
Authorized grants (in units)	4.2