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Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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The number of limited partner units issued.

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Payments of cash to employees, including wages and salaries, during the current period.

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The amount of pension and other (such as medical, dental and life insurance) postretirement benefit costs recognized during the period for (1) defined benefit plans (periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss) on assets, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments) and for (2) defined contribution plans (to the extent that a plan's defined contributions to an individual's account are to be made for periods in which that individual renders services, the net cost for a period is the contribution called for in that period; if a plan calls for contributions for periods after an individual retires or terminates, the estimated cost is accrued during the employee's service period).

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Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

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Equity-Based Compensation Plans And Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 16, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 6,821,000	$ 18,671,000	$ 11,019,000
Number of common units per right	1gel_NumberOfCommonUnitsPerRight
Number of common units issued	95,029,218	88,690,985		4,600,000	5,750,000
Non-cash compensation expense	4,494,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	12,473,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	7,197,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Employer contribution percentage to retirement plan	6.00%
Employer profit-sharing contribution percentage	3.00%gel_EmployerProfitSharingContribution
Service-Based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Phantom units awarded during the period	43,225
Weighted average grant date fair value of phantom unit	$ 54.05
Forfeited, Number of Phantom Units	4,599
Performance-Based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Phantom units awarded during the period	82,763
Weighted average grant date fair value of phantom unit	$ 54.18
Forfeited, Number of Phantom Units	6,899
2010 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Phantom units awarded during the period	125,988	152,964	176,995
Weighted average grant date fair value of phantom unit	$ 54.14	$ 46.88	$ 31.14
Unrecognized compensation cost	4,900,000
Weighted average period of recognition, years	1 year
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	8,800,000	13,100,000
Liability for compensation awards	15,400,000	17,100,000
2007 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	(2,000,000)	5,600,000	4,300,000
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period of recognition, years	1 year
Term of awards, years	10 years
Total intrinsic value of rights exercised	1,400,000	5,500,000	3,300,000
Bonus Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted percentage of target level of available cash before reserves	90.00%
Weighted percentage of achievement level of available cash before reserves	10.00%
Accrued bonus	8,100,000
Bonus paid		5,300,000	7,900,000
Profit-Sharing And Retirement Savings Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee retirement plan expenses	6,300,000	4,300,000	3,400,000
Health Care Benefit Programs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Health care benefits	$ 13,500,000	$ 10,400,000	$ 8,800,000
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life of rights (in years), Minimum	1 year	1 year	1 year
Maximum [Member] \| 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance Based Award Percentage	150.00%
Minimum [Member] \| 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance Based Award Percentage	50.00%