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Partners' Capital and Distributions (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Partners Capital and Distribution
Issuance of common units, net proceeds	$ 1,121us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountSaleOfUnits	$ 151us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountSaleOfUnits
SLC Pipeline LLC
Partners Capital and Distribution
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries (as a percent)	25.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = paa_SLCPipelineLLCMember		25.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = paa_SLCPipelineLLCMember
Continuous Offering Program
Partners Capital and Distribution
Issuance of common units (in units)	1.1us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsSaleOfUnits / us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis = paa_ContinuousOfferingProgramMember
Issuance of common units, net proceeds	59us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountSaleOfUnits / us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis = paa_ContinuousOfferingProgramMember
Contribution from general partner	1us-gaap_GeneralPartnersContributedCapital / us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis = paa_ContinuousOfferingProgramMember		1us-gaap_GeneralPartnersContributedCapital / us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis = paa_ContinuousOfferingProgramMember
Commissions paid	1paa_CommissionPaidToSalesAgent / us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis = paa_ContinuousOfferingProgramMember
Underwritten Offering
Partners Capital and Distribution
Issuance of common units (in units)			21.0us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsSaleOfUnits / us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis = paa_UnderwrittenOfferingMember
Issuance of common units, net proceeds			1,100us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountSaleOfUnits / us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis = paa_UnderwrittenOfferingMember
Contribution from general partner	$ 21us-gaap_GeneralPartnersContributedCapital / us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis = paa_UnderwrittenOfferingMember		$ 21us-gaap_GeneralPartnersContributedCapital / us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis = paa_UnderwrittenOfferingMember

X

- Definition

Represents the costs incurred for commissions paid to the agent under the equity distribution agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

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Namespace Prefix:	paa_
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X

- Definition

The amount of capital contributed by the general partner.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 272

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70434-108055



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
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X

- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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X

- Definition

Total change in each class of partners' capital accounts during the year due to the sale of units. All partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Total units issued during the year due to the sale of units. All partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 272

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

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- Details

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X

- Details

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X

- Details

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