Segment Information - Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		$ 2,194	$ 2,543	$ 3,220
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated entities		(123)	(73)	(62)
Gains/(losses) from derivative activities, net of inventory valuation adjustments		271	(480)	(160)
Long-term inventory costing adjustments		94	(44)	20
Deficiencies under minimum volume commitments, net		7	(74)	18
Equity-indexed compensation expense		(19)	(19)	(17)
Net gain/(loss) on foreign currency revaluation		4	3	(14)
Significant transaction-related expenses		(16)	(3)	0
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests		94	14	10
Depreciation and amortization		(774)	(653)	(601)
Gains/(losses) on asset sales and asset impairments, net		(592)	(719)	(28)
Goodwill impairment losses	$ (2,515)	0	(2,515)	0
Gain on/(impairment of) investments in unconsolidated entities, net		2	(182)	271
Interest expense, net		(425)	(436)	(425)
Other income, net		19	39	24
INCOME/(LOSS) BEFORE TAX		721	(2,599)	2,246
Income tax (expense)/benefit		(73)	19	(66)
NET INCOME/(LOSS)		648	(2,580)	2,180
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(55)	(10)	(9)
NET INCOME/(LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PAA		593	(2,590)	2,171
Line 901 Incident
Adjustments:
Line 901 incident		$ (15)	$ 0	$ (10)

Adjusted EBITDA Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests

No definition available.

Name:	paa_AdjustedEBITDAAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.