v3.7.0.1
Note 11 - Equity Cash Distributions (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Feb. 14, 2017
Feb. 03, 2017
Jan. 18, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross       $ (760) $ (250) $ (243)
Increase (Decrease) In Equity Balance Due To Acquisitions       443 211 214
General Partner Distributions [1]       (158) (75) (46)
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Declared [1]       (344) (259) (171)
Distribution Made To Partners, Total Cash Distributions [1]       (502) (334) (217)
Subsequent Event            
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Declaration Date   Feb. 03, 2017 Jan. 18, 2017      
Cash distribution $ 140   $ 77      
Cash distributions paid per unit     $ 0.91      
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Date of Record   Feb. 03, 2017        
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distribution Date Feb. 14, 2017          
General Partner            
General Partner Distributions [1]       (10) (6) (5)
Incentive Distribution, Subsequent Distribution Amount [1],[2],[3]       148 69 41
Common            
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Declared [1]       (344) (259) (157)
Subordinated            
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Declared [1],[4]       $ 0 0 $ (14)
Rockies Natural Gas Business Acquisition            
Managing Member or General Partner, subsequent distribution amount forfeited         $ 10  
[1] Our distributions are declared subsequent to quarter end; therefore, the following table represents total cash distributions applicable to the period in which the distributions are earned.
[2] IDRs entitle the general partner to receive increasing percentages, up to 50%, of quarterly distributions in excess of $0.3881 per unit per quarter. The amount above reflects earnings distributed to our general partner net of $10 million of IDRs for the year ended December 31, 2015, waived by TLGP.
[3] In connection with the Rockies Natural Gas Business Acquisition, our general partner waived its right to $10 million of general partner distributions with respect to IDRs during 2015.
[4] On May 16, 2014, the subordinated units were converted into common units on a one-for-one basis and thereafter participate on terms equal with all other common units in distributions of available cash. Distributions and the Partnership’s net earnings were allocated to the subordinated units through May 15, 2014.