Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2011 Plains Products Terminals LLC	Apr. 30, 2012 Pemex Exploracion y Produccion (PEP) case
Loss Contingencies
Natural resources contamination - settlement paid	$ 550,000
Number of cases filed		2

Represents the amount of litigation damages paid by the reporting entity.

No definition available.

Name:	paa_NaturalResourcesContaminationDamagesPaid
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant