Name:	paa_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesPurchaseOfInterestByParentSharesIssuedOrIssuable
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of shares held by noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

No definition available.

Name:	paa_MinorityInterestOwnershipSharesHeldByNoncontrollingOwners
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Number of common units of the reporting entity which each outstanding common unit of the subsidiary other than that owned by the reporting entity will have the right to receive when canceled under the plan of merger.

No definition available.

Name:	paa_NumberOfCommonUnitsOfReportingEntityIssuableByRightToReceivePerShareOfSubsidiaryOwned
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The number of limited partner common units outstanding.

No definition available.

Name:	paa_PartnersCapitalCommonUnitHolderUnitsOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	paa_ReductionInPerYearIncentiveDistributionRightsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the agreed-upon reduction in the amount of incentive distributions paid beginning after the third full fiscal year following the end of the fiscal year in which the entity entered into the agreement and plan of merger.

No definition available.

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

Represents the agreed-upon reduction in the amount of incentive distributions paid for the first full fiscal year following the end of the fiscal year in which the entity entered into the agreement and plan of merger.

No definition available.

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

Represents the agreed-upon reduction in the amount of incentive distributions paid for the third full fiscal year following the end of the fiscal year in which the entity entered into the agreement and plan of merger.

No definition available.

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

Represents the agreed-upon reduction in the amount of incentive distributions paid for the second full fiscal year following the end of the fiscal year in which the entity entered into the agreement and plan of merger.

No definition available.

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestEffectsOfChangesNetLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Date of record for distribution of cash, stock, or units to a member or limited partner of limited liability company (LLC) or limited partnership (LP), in CCYY-MM-DD format.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DistributionMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerDateOfRecord1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Cash dividends declared or paid to each outstanding limited partnership unit during the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187171-122770

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 4

-Section F

Name:	us-gaap_DistributionsPerLimitedPartnershipUnitOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncentiveDistributionManagingMemberOrGeneralPartnerAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of units or percentage investment held by one or more members or limited partners of the LLC or LP.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 272

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

No definition available.