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Partners' Capital and Distributions - Units Outstanding (Details) - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Series A Preferred Units
Activity for preferred units and common units
Outstanding, beginning of period (units)	64,388,853
Outstanding, end of period (units)	68,329,949
Series A Preferred Units | Limited Partners | Partners’ Capital Excluding Noncontrolling Interests
Activity for preferred units and common units
Outstanding, beginning of period (units)	64,388,853
Sale of preferred units (units)		61,030,127
Issuances of preferred units in connection with in-kind distributions (units)	3,941,096	2,096,204
Outstanding, end of period (units)	68,329,949	63,126,331
Common Units
Activity for preferred units and common units
Outstanding, beginning of period (units)	669,194,419
Sales of common units (units)	54,119,893
Outstanding, end of period (units)	725,189,138
Common Units | Limited Partners | Partners’ Capital Excluding Noncontrolling Interests
Activity for preferred units and common units
Outstanding, beginning of period (units)	669,194,419	397,727,624
Sales of common units (units)	54,119,893	9,922,733
Issuance of common units in connection with acquisition of interest in Advantage Joint Venture (Note 6) (units)	1,252,269
Issuances of common units under LTIP (units)	622,557	457,289
Outstanding, end of period (units)	725,189,138	408,107,646

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- Definition

Number of units distributed for payment of a unit distribution to unit-holder of limited partnership (LP).

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The number of limited partner units outstanding.

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

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The number of units sold in a private placement of each class of partners' capital account. Units represent shares of ownership of the general, limited, and preferred partners.

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