Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 28,900	$ 14,305
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization, including debt issuance cost, amortization and bond premium amortization	54,491	43,111
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(33,420)	(25,270)
Derivative valuation changes	(2,588)	(4,686)
Loss on asset sales, net	36	28
Unit-based compensation expenses	1,289	921
Cash flow changes in current assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable, accrued revenues and related party receivables	7,348	7,300
Other current assets	(723)	(2,096)
Trade accounts payable, accrued cost of gas and liquids, related party payables and deferred revenues	(33,546)	(12,145)
Other current liabilities	5,384	10,613
Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates	29,012	25,270
Cash flow changes in other assets and liabilities	(116)	15
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	56,067	57,366
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(75,842)	(68,633)
Capital contributions to unconsolidated affiliates	(80,540)	0
Distribution in excess of earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	13,489	16,895
Proceeds from asset sales	13,058	6
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(129,835)	(51,732)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings (repayments) under revolving credit facility	(82,000)	75,000
Debt issuance costs	(641)	(184)
Partner distributions	(76,139)	(63,599)
Disposition of assets between entities under common control in excess of historical cost	0	25
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	5,133	0
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts	(2,507)	0
Proceeds from issuance of common units under LTIP, net of tax withholding	(119)	393
Proceeds from common unit issuances, net of issuance costs	297,302	0
Distributions to Series A Preferred Units	(1,945)	(1,945)
Net cash flows provided by financing activities	139,084	9,690
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	65,316	15,324
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	990	9,400
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	66,306	24,724
Supplemental cash flow information:
Non-cash capital expenditures	$ 36,080	$ 16,605