Consolidated Statement Of Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	General Partner [Member]	Limited Partner Common Unitholders [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 4,743,437	$ 174,618	$ 4,542,656	$ 26,163	$ 0
Distributions to partners	(863,511)	(317,356)	(546,155)	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(18,900)	0	0	0	(18,900)
Units issued for cash	799,292	0	799,292	0	0
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest	616,311	0	0	0	616,311
Units issued for acquisition of propane assets	3,000	0	3,000	0	0
Distributions on unvested unit awards	(5,687)	0	(5,687)	0	0
Non-cash unit-based compensation expense, net of units tendered by employees for tax withholdings	30,040	0	30,040	0	0
Non-cash executive compensation	938	19	919	0	0
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(13,757)	0	0	(13,757)	0
Other, net	(3,157)	(170)	(2,987)	0	0
Net income	479,868	318,241	143,954	0	17,673
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 5,767,874	$ 175,352	$ 4,965,032	$ 12,406	$ 615,084