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Partners' Capital and Distributions - Common Unit Distributions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions |  |  |  | 12 Months Ended | 22 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Feb. 14, 2019 | Jan. 08, 2019 | Nov. 15, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Nov. 14, 2016
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total distributions paid |  |  |  | $ 1,069 | $ 1,399 | $ 1,631 |
General partner ownership interest |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2.00%
Common Units | Cash Distribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total distributions paid |  |  |  | $ 871 | $ 1,386 | $ 1,627 |
Distributions per common unit (in dollars per unit) |  |  |  | $ 1.20 | $ 1.95 | $ 2.65 |
Public | Common Units | Cash Distribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distributions paid to limited partners |  |  |  | $ 532 | $ 849 | $ 1,062 |
AAP | Common Units | Cash Distribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distributions paid to limited partners |  |  |  | $ 339 | $ 537 | $ 565 |
Simplification Transactions | AAP | Common Units |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Units issued in connection with the Simplification Transactions |  |  | 244.7 |  |  |  |
Simplification Transactions | PAA GP |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Economic ownership interest converted into non-economic interest |  |  | 2.00% |  |  |  |
Fourth quarter distribution | Subsequent Event | Common Units | Cash Distribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total distributions paid | $ 218 |  |  |  |  |  |
Distribution per common unit declared (in dollars per unit) |  | $ 0.30 |  |  |  |  |
Fourth quarter distribution | Subsequent Event | AAP | Common Units | Cash Distribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Distributions paid to limited partners | $ 84 |  |  |  |  |  |

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