XML 68 R56.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.5.0.2

Commitments and Contingencies - Legal, Environmental or Regulatory (Details) |  |  |  |  | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 14 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
May 16, 2016 employee item | Jan. 06, 2016 USD ($) item | Jul. 10, 2015 bbl | Jan. 01, 2015 bbl | May 31, 2015 bbl | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) lawsuit | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) lawsuit | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Apr. 30, 2015 item
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated undiscounted reserve for environmental liabilities |  |  |  |  |  | $ 160,000,000 | $ 160,000,000 | $ 185,000,000 |
Estimated undiscounted reserve for environmental liabilities, short-term |  |  |  |  |  | 59,000,000 | 59,000,000 | 81,000,000 |
Estimated undiscounted reserve for environmental liabilities, long-term |  |  |  |  |  | 101,000,000 | 101,000,000 | 104,000,000 |
Amounts probable of recovery under insurance and from third parties under indemnification agreements |  |  |  |  |  | 68,000,000 | 68,000,000 | 161,000,000 |
Trade accounts receivable and other receivables, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amounts probable of recovery under insurance and from third parties under indemnification agreements |  |  |  |  |  | 46,000,000 | 46,000,000 | 138,000,000 |
Other long-term assets, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amounts probable of recovery under insurance and from third parties under indemnification agreements |  |  |  |  |  | 22,000,000 | 22,000,000 | $ 23,000,000 |
Line 901 Incident |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate total estimated costs |  |  |  |  |  | 269,000,000 | 269,000,000 |  |
Estimated undiscounted reserve for environmental liabilities |  |  |  |  |  | 91,000,000 | 91,000,000 |  |
Recoveries from insurance carriers |  |  |  |  |  |  | 124,000,000 |  |
Total release costs probable of recovery |  |  |  |  |  | 186,000,000 | 186,000,000 |  |
Amounts probable of recovery under insurance and from third parties under indemnification agreements |  |  |  |  |  | 62,000,000 | 62,000,000 |  |
Fines or penalties assessed |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 |  |
Line 901 Incident | Trade accounts receivable and other receivables, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amounts probable of recovery under insurance and from third parties under indemnification agreements |  |  |  |  |  | 42,000,000 | 42,000,000 |  |
Line 901 Incident | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated undiscounted reserve for environmental liabilities |  |  |  |  |  | 51,000,000 | $ 51,000,000 |  |
Line 901 Incident | May 2016 Indictment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of employees charged | employee | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total counts included in the indictment | item | 46 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of misdemeanor charges relating to wildlife allegedly taken | item | 36 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of counts relating to the release of crude oil or reporting of the release | item | 10 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of felony charges | item | 4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of misdemeanor charges relating to the release of crude oil or reporting of the release | item | 6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line 901 Incident | Class Action Lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of cases filed during the period | lawsuit |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9 |  |
Number of cases consolidated into a single proceeding | lawsuit |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7 |  |
Line 901 Incident | Securities Law Class Action Lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of cases filed during the period | lawsuit |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Line 901 Incident | Unitholder Derivative Lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of cases filed during the period | lawsuit |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 |  |
Number of cases consolidated into a single proceeding | lawsuit |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Number of actions resulting from consolidation of separate cases | lawsuit |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |
Line 901 Incident | Production of Books And Records Lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of cases filed during the period | lawsuit |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Line 901 Incident | Worst Case Estimate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated size of release (in barrels) | bbl |  |  |  |  | 2,935 |  |  |  |
MP 29 Release |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated size of release (in barrels) | bbl |  |  | 100 |  |  |  |  |  |
Fines or penalties assessed |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | $ 0 |  |
MP 29 Release | Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate total estimated costs |  |  |  |  |  | $ 10,000,000 | 10,000,000 |  |
MP 29 Release | Class Action Lawsuits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of cases filed during the period | lawsuit |  |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |
In the Matter of Bakersfield Crude Terminal LLC et al |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of alleged rule violations | item |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10
Fines or penalties assessed |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0 | $ 0 |  |
Mesa to Basin Pipeline |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated size of release (in barrels) | bbl |  |  |  | 500 |  |  |  |  |
Mesa to Basin Pipeline | PHMSA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Legal, Environmental or Regulatory Matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of occasions of alleged failure to carry out damage prevention program and other procedures | item |  | 4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fines or penalties recommended |  | $ 190,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Represents the estimated size of the pipeline release. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_EstimatedSizeOfRelease
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | num:volumeItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of counts included in the indictment, related to the release of crude oil or reporting of the release, excluding charges relating to wildlife allegedly taken. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_IndictmentNumberOfCountsRelatedToReleaseOfCrudeOilOrReportingOfRelease
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of felony charges included in the indictment, related to the release of crude oil or reporting of the release. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_IndictmentNumberOfFelonyCharges
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of misdemeanor charges included in the indictment, related to the release of crude oil or reporting of the release, excluding charges relating to wildlife allegedly taken. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_IndictmentNumberOfMisdemeanorChargesRelatedToReleaseOfCrudeOilOrReportingOfRelease
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of misdemeanor charges included in the indictment, related to wildlife allegedly taken. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_IndictmentNumberOfMisdemeanorChargesRelatingToWildlife
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Total number of counts included in the indictment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_IndictmentTotalNumberOfCounts
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the number of actions into which initially separate claims are consolidated. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_LossContingencyConsolidatedNumberOfActions
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the total number of initially separate claims consolidated into a single proceeding. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_LossContingencyNumberOfCasesConsolidatedIntoSingleProceeding
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents penalty or fine assessed on the entity in connection with an environmental matter. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_LossContingencyPenaltyOrFineAssessed
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of penalty or fine recommended by a regulatory agency against the entity in connection with an environmental matter. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_LossContingencyPenaltyOrFineRecommended
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the number of separate rule violations of the Clean Air Act alleged by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_NumberOfAllegedRuleViolations
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of the entity's employees charged pursuant to an indictment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_NumberOfEmployeesChargedInIndictment
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of occasions on which the regulatory agency maintains that the entity failed to carry out a written damage prevention program and other procedures, with such failures resulting in a pipeline release. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_NumberOfOccasionsOfAllegedFailureToCarryOutProgramAndProcedures
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total third-party recoveries related to environmental remediation obligations, including amounts received to date and estimated amounts recoverable. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | paa_ThirdPartyEnvironmentalRecoveriesReceivedAndReceivable
Namespace Prefix: | paa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Undiscounted amount of the accrual for environmental loss contingencies. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.Y.Q1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Carrying value of the obligation (known or estimated) arising from requirements to perform activities to remediate one or more sites, payable in twelve months or in the next operating cycle if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6911-107765 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (d)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13237-110859 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Carrying value of the obligation (known or estimated) arising from requirements to perform activities to remediate one or more sites, payable after twelve months or beyond the next operating cycle if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (d)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13237-110859 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The total number of new claims filed pertaining to a loss contingency during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of cash inflow from the collection of receivables related to a loss contingency. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivableProceeds
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of known and reasonably estimable amounts of recoveries from third-parties pertaining to an entity's environmental remediation obligations. An entity's balance sheet may include several assets that relate to an environmental remediation obligation. Among them are the following: a. Receivables from other potentially responsible parties that are not providing initial funding; b. anticipated recoveries from insurers; and c. anticipated recoveries from prior owners as a result of indemnification agreements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64822958&loc=d3e13022-110858 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RecordedThirdPartyEnvironmentalRecoveriesReceivable
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=paa_TradeAccountsReceivableAndOtherReceivablesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=paa_Line901IncidentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=paa_IndictmentInCaliforniaSuperiorCourtSantaBarbaraCountyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=paa_ClassActionLawsuitsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=paa_SecuritiesLawClassActionLawsuitsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=paa_UnitholderDerivativeLawsuitsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=paa_ProductionOfCertainBooksAndRecordsLawsuitMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=paa_WorstCaseEstimateMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=paa_MP29ReleaseMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=paa_BakersfieldCrudeTerminalLLCMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=paa_MesaToBasinPipelineReleaseMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis=paa_PipelineAndHazardousMaterialsSafetyAdministrationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |