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

Business Combination, Measurement Input

No definition available.

Name:	paa_BusinessCombinationMeasurementInput
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Non-Operated/Undivided Joint Interest Ownership Percentage, Sold

No definition available.

Name:	paa_NonOperatedUndividedJointInterestOwnershipPercentageSold
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amount of assets held-for-sale that are not part of a disposal group.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 15
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482309/360-10-15-4

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroup
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

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.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479907/805-20-50-5

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479328/805-10-50-2

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amount of consideration transferred, consisting of acquisition-date fair value of assets transferred by the acquirer, liabilities incurred by the acquirer, and equity interest issued by the acquirer.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 30
-Paragraph 8
-SubTopic 30
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479637/805-30-30-8

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-SubTopic 30
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479581/805-30-50-1

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 30
-Paragraph 7
-SubTopic 30
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479637/805-30-30-7

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Fair value at acquisition-date of the assets transferred by the acquirer, liabilities incurred by the acquirer, and equity interests issued by the acquirer, including but not limited to, instruments or interests issued or issuable in consideration for the business combination.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-SubTopic 30
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479581/805-30-50-1

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (g)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479328/805-10-50-2

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredIncludingEquityInterestInAcquireeHeldPriorToCombination1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Fair value at acquisition-date of the equity interest in the acquiree held by the acquirer, immediately before the acquisition date for businesses combined in stages.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (g)(1)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479328/805-10-50-2

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeFairValue1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of voting equity interests acquired in a business combination achieved in stages, including equity interests in the acquiree held by the acquirer immediately before the acquisition date and acquired at the acquisition date.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeIncludingSubsequentAcquisitionPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Percentage of equity in the acquiree held by the acquirer immediately before the acquisition date in a business combination.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

In a business combination achieved in stages, this element represents the amount of gain recognized by the entity as a result of remeasuring to fair value the equity interest in the acquiree it held before the business combination.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (g)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479328/805-10-50-2

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481687/323-10-50-3

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amount of gain (loss) from the difference between the sale price or salvage price and the book value of an asset that was sold or retired, and gain (loss) from the write down of assets from their carrying value to fair value.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-28

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479581/805-30-50-1

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-13

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The cash inflow from the sale of an investment interest in a joint venture that the reporting entity has not previously accounted for using consolidation or the equity method of accounting.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-12

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The number of units or percentage investment held in the subsidiary by the limited liability company or limited partnership.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipOwnershipInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis=paa_KeyeraFortSaskatchewanFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=paa_OMOGJVLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=paa_PlainsOryxPermianBasinLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_OwnershipAxis=paa_PlainsOryxPermianBasinLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=paa_OMOGJVLLCAndSouthernDelawareGatheringAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis=us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis=us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=paa_RattlerMidstreamOperatingLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=paa_OMOGJVLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=paa_GainOnInvestmentInUnconsolidatedEntitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=paa_NorthernDelawareBasinGatheringSystemMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: