Debt - Maturities and Covenants (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Debt
Weighted-average maturity of long-term debt	11 years
Maturities
2017	$ 247,000,000
2018	600,000,000
2019	850,000,000
2020	500,000,000
2021	600,000,000
Thereafter	7,403,000,000
Credit agreements and PAA commercial paper program
Maturities
Total borrowings	60,400,000,000	$ 62,300,000,000	$ 71,000,000,000
Total repayments	$ 61,000,000,000	61,400,000,000	$ 71,300,000,000
PAA credit agreements
Maturities
Coverage ratio of debt-to-EBITDA, maximum	5.00
Ratio of debt-to-EBITDA during acquisition period, maximum	5.50
Acquisition period	9 months
Threshold for acquisition period qualification	$ 150,000,000
Covenant compliance	As of December 31, 2016, PAA was in compliance with the covenants contained in its credit agreements and indentures.
Letters of credit
Maturities
Outstanding letters of credit	$ 73,000,000	$ 46,000,000
Letters of credit | Maximum
Maturities
Periods for which letters of credit are issued	70 days