General (Details) (Kinder Morgan, Inc. [Member], USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Kinder Morgan, Inc. [Member]

KMI acquisition of El Paso [Abstract]

Date definative agreement was announced

Oct. 16, 2011

Approximate enterprise value of KMI and El Paso once combined

$ 94,000.0

Miles of pipe of combined entity

80,000

Approximate purchase price for El Paso acquisition

$ 38,000.0

El Paso Corp's ownership interest in the limited partner units of El Paso Pipeline Partners LP

42.00%

El Paso Corp's general partner interest in El Paso Pipeline Partners LP

2.00%

Period in which the acquisition is expected to close

end of May 2012

Percent of related partys voting shareholders that approved proposed acquisition

100.00%

Percent of voting shareholders by company being acquired that approved proposed acquisition

more than 95%

Equity investees equity interest of investment included in asset disposal group

50.00%

Period in which equity investees asset disposal is expected to be completed

third quarter of 2012