Includes the impact of amounts billed to counterparties for their deficiency obligation, net of applicable amounts subsequently recognized into revenue. Certain agreements require counterparties to deliver, transport or throughput a minimum volume over an agreed upon period. Substantially all of such agreements were entered into with counterparties to economically support the return on the reporting entity's capital expenditure necessary to construct the related asset. Some of these agreements include make-up rights if the minimum volume is not met. A receivable from the counterparty is recorded in the period that services are provided or when the transaction occurs, including amounts for deficiency obligations from counterparties associated with minimum volume commitments. If a counterparty has a make-up right associated with a deficiency, the revenue attributable to the counterparty’s make-up right is deferred and is subsequently recognized at the earlier of when the deficiency volume is delivered or shipped, when the make-up right expires or when it is determined that the counterparty’s ability to utilize the make-up right is remote.

No definition available.

Operating Segments - Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment Adjusted EBITDA									$ 2,557	$ 3,230	$ 2,681
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization of unconsolidated entities									(73)	(62)	(56)
Gains/(losses) from derivative activities, net of inventory valuation adjustments									(480)	(160)	519
Long-term inventory costing adjustments									(44)	20	(21)
Deficiencies under minimum volume commitments, net									(74)	18	(7)
Equity-indexed compensation expense									(19)	(17)	(55)
Net gain/(loss) on foreign currency revaluation									3	(14)	(3)
Significant acquisition-related expenses									(3)	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									(653)	(601)	(520)
Gains/(losses) on asset sales and asset impairments, net									(719)	(28)	114
Goodwill impairment losses				$ (2,515)					(2,515)	0	0
Gain on/(impairment of) investments in unconsolidated entities, net									(182)	271	200
Interest expense, net									(436)	(425)	(431)
Other income/(expense), net									39	24	(7)
INCOME/(LOSS) BEFORE TAX									(2,599)	2,246	2,414
Income tax (expense)/benefit									19	(66)	(198)
Net income/(loss)	$ (25)	$ 146	$ 144	(2,845)	$ 307	$ 454	$ 448	$ 970	(2,580)	2,180	2,216
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(10)	(9)	0
Net income/(loss) attributable to PAA	$ (28)	$ 143	$ 142	$ (2,847)	$ 306	$ 449	$ 446	$ 970	(2,590)	2,171	2,216
Line 901 Incident
Adjustments:
Line 901 incident									$ 0	$ (10)	$ 0