Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 189,899	$ 210,334
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	241,974	215,605
Income from unconsolidated affiliates	(144,008)	(91,588)
Other non-cash items	29,242	8,781
Distribution of earnings received from unconsolidated affiliates	206,108	4,737
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	19,782	(42,218)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(5,847)	1,721
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	22,945	(12,595)
(Decrease) increase in accrued liabilities	(26,760)	63,229
Net cash provided by operating activities	533,335	358,006
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(767,876)	(811,111)
Purchase of compression assets	(159,210)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(286,267)	(425,298)
Proceeds from sale of assets	21,190	72,408
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,192,163)	(1,164,001)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	1,881,771	1,445,500
Payments on long-term debt borrowings	(1,759,771)	(1,340,700)
Proceeds from issuance of common units	52,155	399,812
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	750,000	414,094
Distributions to unitholders	(390,615)	(275,199)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	143,775	120,594
Payments on capital lease obligations	(2,591)	0
Debt issuance costs	(8,929)	(11,735)
Other	3,665	8,598
Net cash provided by financing activities	669,460	760,964
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	10,632	(45,031)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	17,229	64,994
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	27,861	19,963
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities
Changes in accounts payable and other liabilities related to purchases of property, plant and equipment	25,762	(8,858)
Changes in other liabilities related to asset retirement obligations	$ 6,951	$ (1,632)