Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit
General partner ownership interest (as a percent)			2.00%
Basic Net Income per Limited Partner Unit
Net income attributable to PAA	$ 124	$ 287	$ 407	$ 671
Less: General partner's incentive distribution	(146)	(117)	(289)	(227)
Less: General partner 2% ownership		(4)	(2)	(9)
Net income/(loss) attributable to limited partners	(22)	166	116	435
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated and distributions to participating securities	(1)	(1)	(3)	(3)
Net income/(loss) attributable to limited partners in accordance with application of the two-class method for MLPs	$ (23)	$ 165	$ 113	$ 432
Basic weighted average limited partner units outstanding	397	365	390	363
Basic net income/(loss) per limited partner unit	$ (0.06)	$ 0.45	$ 0.29	$ 1.19
Diluted Net Income per Limited Partner Unit
Net income attributable to PAA	$ 124	$ 287	$ 407	$ 671
Less: General partner's incentive distribution	(146)	(117)	(289)	(227)
Less: General partner 2% ownership		(4)	(2)	(9)
Net income/(loss) attributable to limited partners	(22)	166	116	435
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated and distributions to participating securities	(1)	(1)	(3)	(3)
Net income/(loss) attributable to limited partners in accordance with application of the two-class method for MLPs	$ (23)	$ 165	$ 113	$ 432
Basic weighted average limited partner units outstanding	397	365	390	363
Effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted average LTIP units	3	2	3	2
Diluted weighted average limited partner units outstanding	400	367	393	365
Diluted net income/(loss) per limited partner unit	$ (0.06)	$ 0.45	$ 0.29	$ 1.18