Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 117,016	$ 67,450	$ 97,752	$ 3,321
Restricted cash	26,193
Receivables and other current assets	294,200	226,751
Fair value of derivative instruments	8,698	4,345
Total current assets	446,107	298,546
Total property, plant and equipment, net	2,864,307	2,319,024
Other long-term assets:
Restricted cash		28,001
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	27,853	28,688	29,633
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization	603,767	613,578
Fair value of derivative instruments	16,092	417
Other long-term assets	112,299	45,108
Total assets	4,070,425	3,333,362	3,014,737
Current liabilities:
Fair value of derivative instruments	90,551	65,489
Other current liabilities	351,322	276,353
Total current liabilities	441,873	341,842
Deferred income taxes	93,664	87,881
Fair value of derivative instruments	65,403	66,290
Long-term debt, net of discounts	1,846,062	1,273,434
Other long-term liabilities	121,356	105,349
Equity:
Common units	679,309	993,049
Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	70,227	465,517
Total equity	1,502,067	1,458,566	1,309,553	1,148,155
Total liabilities and equity	4,070,425	3,333,362
Common Units
Equity:
Common units	679,309	993,049
Total equity	679,309	993,049	1,026,814	1,144,854
Class B Units
Equity:
Common units	752,531
Total equity	752,531
Parent
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	22
Receivables and other current assets	7,097	1,708
Intercompany receivables	19,981	1,440,302
Total current assets	27,100	1,442,010
Total property, plant and equipment, net	4,012	4,623
Other long-term assets:
Investment in consolidated affiliates	3,071,124	639,219
Intercompany notes receivable	235,700	197,710
Other long-term assets	41,492	32,587
Total assets	3,379,428	2,316,149
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payables	40,503	672
Other current liabilities	38,775	31,882
Total current liabilities	79,278	32,554
Deferred income taxes	1,228	2,533
Long-term debt, net of discounts	1,846,062	1,273,434
Other long-term liabilities	3,232	3,319
Equity:
Common units		1,004,309
Total equity	1,449,628	1,004,309
Total liabilities and equity	3,379,428	2,316,149
Parent | Common Units
Equity:
Common units	697,097
Parent | Class B Units
Equity:
Common units	752,531
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	99,580	63,850	74,448
Receivables and other current assets	232,010	172,209
Intercompany receivables	40,519	1,099
Fair value of derivative instruments	8,015	4,345
Total current assets	380,124	241,503
Total property, plant and equipment, net	1,714,857	1,512,763
Other long-term assets:
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	27,853	28,688
Investment in consolidated affiliates	1,097,350	368,864
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization	603,224	613,000
Fair value of derivative instruments	16,092	417
Other long-term assets	70,434	12,139
Total assets	3,909,934	2,777,374
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payables	40,374	1,447,799
Fair value of derivative instruments	90,551	65,489
Other current liabilities	219,622	173,667
Total current liabilities	350,547	1,686,955
Deferred income taxes	92,436	85,348
Intercompany notes payable	212,700	197,710
Fair value of derivative instruments	65,403	66,290
Other long-term liabilities	117,724	101,852
Equity:
Common units		639,219
Total equity	3,071,124	639,219
Total liabilities and equity	3,909,934	2,777,374
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Common Units
Equity:
Common units	3,071,124
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	17,414	3,600	23,304	3,321
Restricted cash	26,193
Receivables and other current assets	55,098	52,834
Intercompany receivables	22,193	7,635
Fair value of derivative instruments	683
Total current assets	121,581	64,069
Total property, plant and equipment, net	1,163,226	812,898
Other long-term assets:
Restricted cash		28,001
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization	543	578
Other long-term assets	373	382
Total assets	1,285,723	905,928
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payables	1,816	565
Other current liabilities	92,930	70,804
Total current liabilities	94,746	71,369
Intercompany notes payable	23,000
Other long-term liabilities	400	178
Equity:
Common units		834,381
Total equity	1,167,577	834,381
Total liabilities and equity	1,285,723	905,928
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Common Units
Equity:
Common units	1,167,577
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Receivables and other current assets	(5)
Intercompany receivables	(82,693)	(1,449,036)
Total current assets	(82,698)	(1,449,036)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	(17,788)	(11,260)
Other long-term assets:
Investment in consolidated affiliates	(4,168,474)	(1,008,083)
Intercompany notes receivable	(235,700)	(197,710)
Total assets	(4,504,660)	(2,666,089)
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payables	(82,693)	(1,449,036)
Other current liabilities	(5)
Total current liabilities	(82,698)	(1,449,036)
Intercompany notes payable	(235,700)	(197,710)
Equity:
Common units		(1,484,860)
Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiaries	70,227	465,517
Total equity	(4,186,262)	(1,019,343)
Total liabilities and equity	(4,504,660)	(2,666,089)
Consolidating Adjustments | Common Units
Equity:
Common units	$ (4,256,489)