Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 51,249	$ (50,541)	$ 6,178
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities -
Depreciation, amortization and impairment	61,926	53,557	67,586
Amortization and write-off of debt issuance costs	2,940	3,082	2,503
Amortization of unearned income and initial direct costs on direct financing leases	(17,237)	(17,651)	(18,095)
Payments received under direct financing leases	21,852	21,854	21,853
Equity in earnings of investments in equity investees	(3,347)	(2,355)	(1,547)
Cash distributions of earnings of equity investees	8,592	3,623	950
Non-cash effect of equity-based compensation plans	(15)	4,706	4,248
Non-cash compensation charge		76,923	14,104
Deferred and other tax (benefits) liabilities	(2,075)	1,337	1,914
Unrealized losses (gains) on derivative transactions	1,002	1,562	(649)
Other, net	351	(147)	603
Net changes in components of operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions (See Note 14)	(66,931)	(5,487)	(9,569)
Net cash provided by operating activities	58,307	90,463	90,079
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments to acquire fixed and intangible assets	(27,992)	(12,400)	(30,332)
Cash distributions received from equity investees-return of investment	11,436	2,859
Investments in equity investees and other investments	(194)	(332,462)	(83)
Acquisitions	(163,479)
Proceeds from asset sales	6,424	1,146	873
Other, net	1,508	119	309
Net cash used in investing activities	(172,297)	(340,738)	(29,233)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Bank borrowings	777,600	691,829	255,300
Bank repayments	(728,300)	(698,729)	(263,700)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes		250,000
Credit facility and senior unsecured notes issuance costs	(3,018)	(14,586)	(422)
Issuance of common units for cash, net	184,969	116,347
General partner contributions		2,528	9
Noncontrolling interests contributions, net of distributions		6	(6)
Distributions to common unitholders	(112,844)	(58,983)	(53,876)
Distributions to general partner interest		(11,369)	(6,204)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in DG Marine		(26,288)
Other, net	638	1,134	(6,784)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	119,045	251,889	(75,683)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,055	1,614	(14,837)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,762	4,148	18,985
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 10,817	$ 5,762	$ 4,148