-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001223203-10-000303.txt : 20101116
<SEC-HEADER>0001223203-10-000303.hdr.sgml : 20101116
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20101116171051
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001223203-10-000303
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20101115
FILED AS OF DATE:		20101116
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20101116

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Smith Lawrence C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001377067

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-33055
		FILM NUMBER:		101197288

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		515 SOUTH FLOWER STREET, SUITE 4800
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90071

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001357371
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				743169953
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		515 SOUTH FLOWER STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4800
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90071
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(213) 225-5900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		515 SOUTH FLOWER STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4800
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90071
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-11-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001357371</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BBEP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001377067</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Smith Lawrence C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>515 SOUTH FLOWER STREET, SUITE 4800</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90071</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President &amp; Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-08-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>230</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>19.97</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12148</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Roberta E. Kass, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-11-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----