CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Partners' Capital (Excluding Noncontrolling Interests) Class A Shares	Noncontrolling Interests	Total
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,035	$ 7,244	$ 8,279
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital
Net income	14	358	372
Distributions	(17)	(309)	(326)
Deferred tax asset	21		21
Change in ownership interest in connection with Exchange Right exercises (Note 7)	(1)	1
Issuance of common units by subsidiaries		148	148
Issuance of PAA common units under LTIP, net of units tendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations		(2)	(2)
Equity-indexed compensation expense		12	12
Distribution equivalent right payments		(1)	(1)
Other comprehensive loss	(1)	(135)	(136)
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2014	1,051	7,316	8,367
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2014	1,657	7,724	9,381
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital
Net income	31	231	262
Distributions	(42)	(346)	(388)
Deferred tax asset	163		163
Change in ownership interest in connection with Exchange Right exercises (Note 7)	(2)	2
Issuance of common units by subsidiaries		1,099	1,099
Equity-indexed compensation expense		9	9
Distribution equivalent right payments		(2)	(2)
Other comprehensive loss	(3)	(373)	(376)
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2015	$ 1,804	$ 8,344	$ 10,148