Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 654,170	$ 347,899
Restricted cash	500	25,500
Receivables	212,957	198,769
Other current assets	24,070	35,053
Property, plant and equipment	6,380,671	5,700,176
Accumulated depreciation	688,724	624,548
Accumulated amortization, intangibles	236,245	221,416
Accumulated amortization, deferred financing costs	20,218	18,567
Accumulated amortization, deferred contract cost	2,652	2,574
Other long-term assets	2,209	2,242
Accounts payable	300,056	320,645
Accrued liabilities	435,483	391,352
Long-term debt, discounts	7,479	8,061
Other long-term liabilities	137,856	134,340
Common Units
Common units issued (in units)	129,576	127,494
Common units outstanding (in units)	129,576	127,494
Class B Units
Common units issued (in units)	19,954	19,954
Common units outstanding (in units)	19,954	19,954
Total Variable Interest Entities
Cash and cash equivalents	150,728	33,727
Restricted cash	500	500
Receivables	1,248	1,591
Other current assets	1,594	264
Property, plant and equipment	888,402	568,063
Accumulated depreciation	30,670	24,636
Other long-term assets	102	102
Accounts payable	81,992	73,883
Accrued liabilities	136,794	110,746
Other long-term liabilities	$ 80	$ 79