XML 22 R37.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Partners' Capital and Distributions (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Feb. 13, 2015
May 15, 2015
Partners Capital and Distribution        
Total distributions paid during the period $ 391us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions $ 329us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions    
Fourth Quarter Distribution        
Partners Capital and Distribution        
Distributions paid to Limited Partners     254us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= paa_FourthQuarterDistributionFY2014Member
 
Distributions paid to General Partner - 2%     5us-gaap_GeneralPartnerDistributions
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= paa_FourthQuarterDistributionFY2014Member
 
Distributions paid to General Partner - Incentive     131us-gaap_IncentiveDistributionDistributionPerYear
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= paa_FourthQuarterDistributionFY2014Member
 
Total distributions paid during the period     390us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= paa_FourthQuarterDistributionFY2014Member
 
Distributions per limited partner unit     $ 0.6750us-gaap_DistributionsPerLimitedPartnershipUnitOutstanding
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= paa_FourthQuarterDistributionFY2014Member
 
Distribution declared, date Jan. 08, 2015      
Distribution Date Feb. 13, 2015      
Subsequent Event | First Quarter Distribution        
Partners Capital and Distribution        
Distributions paid to Limited Partners       272us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= paa_FirstQuarterDistributionFY2015Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Distributions paid to General Partner - 2%       6us-gaap_GeneralPartnerDistributions
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= paa_FirstQuarterDistributionFY2015Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Distributions paid to General Partner - Incentive       142us-gaap_IncentiveDistributionDistributionPerYear
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= paa_FirstQuarterDistributionFY2015Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Total distributions paid during the period       $ 420us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= paa_FirstQuarterDistributionFY2015Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Distributions per limited partner unit       $ 0.6850us-gaap_DistributionsPerLimitedPartnershipUnitOutstanding
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= paa_FirstQuarterDistributionFY2015Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Distribution declared, date Apr. 07, 2015      
Distribution Date May 15, 2015      
Unitholders of record, date May 01, 2015