Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 421,585	$ 106,202	$ 86,109
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization	150,140	90,908	64,796
Gain on basis step up on historical interest	(332,380)	0	0
Amortization and write-off of debt issuance costs and premium	10,881	4,785	4,339
Amortization of unearned income and initial direct costs on direct financing leases	(14,979)	(15,706)	(16,152)
Payments received under direct financing leases	20,664	21,235	21,262
Equity in earnings of investments in equity investees	(54,450)	(43,135)	(22,675)
Cash distributions of earnings of equity investees	71,823	57,165	34,132
Non-cash effect of equity-based compensation plans	5,014	4,494	12,473
Deferred and other tax benefits	2,960	1,745	(152)
Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative transactions	(1,009)	(17,984)	1,313
Other, net	3,915	3,391	(873)
Net changes in components of operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions (See Note 14)	5,372	77,954	(46,186)
Net cash provided by operating activities	289,536	291,054	138,386
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments to acquire fixed and intangible assets	(495,774)	(443,482)	(343,119)
Cash distributions received from equity investees—return of investment	25,645	18,363	12,432
Investments in equity investees	(3,045)	(40,926)	(94,551)
Acquisitions	(1,520,299)	(157,000)	(230,880)
Contributions in aid of construction costs	3,179	0	0
Proceeds from asset sales and discontinued operations	2,811	272	1,910
Other, net	(1,976)	(1,214)	(1,622)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,989,459)	(623,987)	(655,830)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility	1,525,050	1,839,900	1,593,300
Repayments on senior secured credit facility	(960,450)	(1,872,300)	(1,510,500)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes, including premium	1,139,718	350,000	350,000
Repayment of senior unsecured notes	(350,000)	0	0
Debt issuance costs	(28,901)	(11,896)	(8,157)
Issuance of common units for cash, net	633,759	225,725	263,574
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(960)	0	0
Distributions to common unitholders	(256,389)	(200,461)	(168,441)
Other, net	(471)	2,561	(4,748)
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,701,356	333,529	515,028
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,433	596	(2,416)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,462	8,866	11,282
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 10,895	$ 9,462	$ 8,866