v2.4.0.6
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS Table 1 (Details) (General partner employees benefit plans)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
The 2000 LTIP [Member] | Performance Units [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Restricted units, granted 27,111 21,380 23,233
Vesting Performance awards vest 1/3 per year if certain performance measures are met    
The 2000 LTIP [Member] | Restricted Units, GP Employees [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Restricted units, granted 208,195 191,430 194,973
Vesting 1/5 per year 1/5 per year 1/5 per year
The 2000 LTIP [Member] | Restricted Units, Non-employee Directors [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Restricted units, granted 6,760 3,938 5,076
Vesting 1/3 per year 1/3 per year 1/3 per year
The UIP [Member] | Restricted Units, GP Employees [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Restricted units, granted 14,005 11,520 10,692
Vesting 1/5 per year 1/5 per year 1/5 per year
The UIP [Member] | Restricted Units Certain International Employees [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Restricted units, granted 2,880 2,460 2,382
Vesting 1/3    
The 2006 LTIP [Member] | Restricted Units, GP Employees [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Restricted units, granted 24,970 21,935 24,290
Vesting 1/5 per year 1/5 per year 1/5 per year
The 2006 LTIP [Member] | Restricted Units, Non-employee Directors [Member]
     
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Restricted units, granted 9,987 6,156 8,627
Vesting 1/3 per year 1/3 per year 1/3 per year