CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 117,016	$ 67,450
Receivables, net	226,561	179,209
Inventories	41,006	23,432
Other current assets	11,748	8,020
Property, plant and equipment	3,302,369	2,613,027
Accumulated depreciation	438,062	294,003
Restricted cash		28,001
Other long-term assets	1,595	1,486
Accounts payable	179,871	122,473
Accrued liabilities	171,451	153,869
Other long-term liabilities	121,356	105,349
Accumulated amortization, intangibles	168,168	124,568
Accumulated amortization, deferred financing costs	13,194	11,445
Accumulated amortization, deferred contract cost	2,262	1,950
Long-term debt, discounts	1,050	1,566
Common Units
Common units issued (in units)	94,940	71,440
Common units outstanding (in units)	94,940	71,440
Class B Units
Common units issued (in units)	19,954	0
Common units outstanding (in units)	19,954	0
Total Variable Interest Entities
Cash and cash equivalents	2,684	2,913
Receivables, net	1,569	43,783
Inventories	0	8,431
Other current assets	169	272
Property, plant and equipment	156,808	849,986
Accumulated depreciation	15,551	38,169
Restricted cash	0	28,001
Other long-term assets	102	383
Accounts payable	96	5,945
Accrued liabilities	1,144	64,713
Other long-term liabilities	$ 73	$ 154