Includes the impact of amounts billed to counterparties for their deficiency obligation, net of applicable amounts subsequently recognized into revenue. Certain agreements require counterparties to deliver, transport or throughput a minimum volume over an agreed upon period. Substantially all of such agreements were entered into with counterparties to economically support the return on the reporting entity's capital expenditure necessary to construct the related asset. Some of these agreements include make-up rights if the minimum volume is not met. A receivable from the counterparty is recorded in the period that services are provided or when the transaction occurs, including amounts for deficiency obligations from counterparties associated with minimum volume commitments. If a counterparty has a make-up right associated with a deficiency, the revenue attributable to the counterparty’s make-up right is deferred and is subsequently recognized at the earlier of when the deficiency volume is delivered or shipped, when the make-up right expires or when it is determined that the counterparty’s ability to utilize the make-up right is remote.

No definition available.

Operating Segments - Reconciliation of Segment Profit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of segment profit to net income attributable to PAA
Segment adjusted EBITDA									$ 2,167	$ 2,212	$ 2,227
Depreciation And Amortization Of Unconsolidated Entities									(50)	(45)	(29)
Gains/(losses) from derivative activities net of inventory valuation adjustments									(404)	(110)	243
Long-term inventory costing adjustments									58	(99)	(85)
Deficiencies under minimum volume commitments, net									46	13	4
Equity-indexed compensation expense									(33)	(27)	(56)
Net gain/(loss) on foreign currency revaluation									(9)	29	(9)
Depreciation and amortization									(494)	(432)	(384)
Interest expense, net									(467)	(432)	(348)
Other income/(expense), net									33	(7)	(2)
INCOME BEFORE TAX									755	1,006	1,557
Income tax expense									(25)	(100)	(171)
NET INCOME	$ 127	$ 298	$ 102	$ 203	$ 248	$ 250	$ 124	$ 284	730	906	1,386
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(4)	(3)	(2)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PAA	$ 126	$ 297	$ 101	$ 202	$ 247	$ 249	$ 124	$ 283	$ 726	903	$ 1,384
Line 901 Incident
Reconciliation of segment profit to net income attributable to PAA
Line 901 incident										$ (83)