PARTNERS' EQUITY Table 5 - Cash Distributions Earned - General and Common Limited Partners (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2017 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
Jun. 30, 2017 |
Mar. 31, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Sep. 30, 2016 |
Jun. 30, 2016 |
Mar. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2015 |
|
| Distributions Made to Limited Partners and General Partner [Line Items] | |||||||||||
| General partner interest | $ 9,252 | $ 7,877 | $ 7,844 | ||||||||
| General partner incentive distribution | 45,669 | 43,407 | 43,220 | ||||||||
| Total general partner distributions | 54,921 | 51,284 | 51,064 | ||||||||
| Common limited partners' distribution | 407,681 | 342,598 | 341,140 | ||||||||
| Total cash distributions applicable to common unitbolders and general partner (distribution earned) | $ 115,267 | $ 115,084 | $ 115,083 | $ 117,168 | $ 462,602 | $ 393,882 | $ 392,204 | ||||
| Common Limited Partner [Member] | |||||||||||
| Distributions Made to Limited Partners and General Partner [Line Items] | |||||||||||
| Cash distributions per unit applicable to limited partners | $ 1.095 | $ 1.095 | $ 1.095 | $ 1.095 | $ 1.0950 | $ 1.0950 | $ 1.0950 | $ 1.0950 | $ 4.380 | $ 4.380 | $ 4.380 |