Organization and Basis of Presentation Organization and Basis of Presentation (Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	May 25, 2010
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 3,531,076	$ 3,294,402
Successor [Member]
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,531,076	3,294,402	2,409,932
General Partner [Member] | Successor [Member]
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	329,876	333,077	304,950
Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Successor [Member]
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	32,869	31,692	31,450
ETE Acquisition [Member] | Successor [Member]
Fair Value of limited partners interest			2,073,532
Fair Value of considerations paid			304,950
Fair value of Noncontrolling interest			31,450
Partners' Capital, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			2,409,932
Working capital			(3,286)
Gathering and transmission systems			471,169
Compression equipment			745,838
Gas plants and buildings			116,967
Other Property, plant, and equipment fair value			100,264
Fair value construction in progress			114,146
Fair value of other long-term assets			37,694
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate			739,164
Intangible assets			666,360
Goodwill			789,789
Total assets including working capital			3,778,105
Series A Preferred Units			70,793
Fair value of long-term debt			1,239,863
Other long-term liabilities			57,517
Total partners' capital and noncontrolling interest			$ 2,409,932