Partners' Capital and Distributions - Subsidiary Distributions Paid (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions				12 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2017	Jan. 09, 2017	Nov. 14, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Partners Capital and Distributions
Total distributions paid during the period				$ 1,653	$ 1,660	$ 1,396
Distributions Paid				234	195	91
AAP
Partners Capital and Distributions
Distributions paid to limited partners				587	576	459
Available cash before reserves				598	590	473
Cash Reserves				(11)	(14)	(14)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests				353	380	368
Distributions to PAGP				234	196	91
SLC Pipeline LLC
Partners Capital and Distributions
Distributions to noncontrolling interests				$ 4	3	3
PAA
Partners Capital and Distributions
Distributions paid to AAP					590	473
Total distributions paid during the period					$ 1,671	$ 1,407
Distributions per common unit (in dollars per unit)				$ 2.65	$ 2.76	$ 2.55
Reduction in incentive distributions				$ 18	$ 22	$ 23
Subsequent Event | Fourth quarter distribution | AAP
Partners Capital and Distributions
Distributions paid to limited partners	$ 134
Distribution paid, date	Feb. 14, 2017
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	$ 77
Distributions to PAGP	57
Subsequent Event | PAA | Fourth quarter distribution
Partners Capital and Distributions
Distribution declared, date		Jan. 09, 2017
Distribution per common unit declared (in dollars per unit)		$ 0.55
Distributions Paid	$ 371
Distribution paid, date	Feb. 14, 2017
Unitholders of record, date	Jan. 31, 2017
AAP | PAA
Partners Capital and Distributions
Indirect general partner interest			2.00%
Distribution percentage for general partner interest			2.00%
Simplification Agreement | AAP senior secured revolving credit facility | AAP
Partners Capital and Distributions
Estimated borrowing for true-up distribution to subsidiary unitholders if transactions not closed			$ 33
General Partner Distribution Level Two [Member] | AAP | PAA
Partners Capital and Distributions
General partner incentive distribution threshold			$ 0.2250
General partner distribution including incentive distribution percentage			15.00%
General Partner Distribution Level Three [Member] | AAP | PAA
Partners Capital and Distributions
General partner incentive distribution threshold			$ 0.2475
General partner distribution including incentive distribution percentage			25.00%
General Partner Distribution Level Four [Member] | AAP | PAA
Partners Capital and Distributions
General partner incentive distribution threshold			$ 0.3375
General partner distribution including incentive distribution percentage			50.00%
Class A Shares
Partners Capital and Distributions
Distributions paid to limited partners				$ 234	$ 195	$ 91
Distributions per common unit (in dollars per unit)				$ 2.40	$ 2.35	$ 1.78
Class A Shares | Subsequent Event | Fourth quarter distribution
Partners Capital and Distributions
Distribution declared, date		Jan. 09, 2017
Distribution per common unit declared (in dollars per unit)		$ 0.55
Distributions Paid	$ 57
Distribution paid, date	Feb. 14, 2017
Unitholders of record, date	Jan. 31, 2017
Cash Distribution [Member] | PAA
Partners Capital and Distributions
Distributions paid to AAP				$ 565
Total distributions paid during the period				1,627
Cash Distribution [Member] | Common Units [Member] | PAA
Partners Capital and Distributions
Distributions paid to limited partners				1,062	$ 1,081	$ 934
Unit Distribution | Series A Preferred Units | PAA
Partners Capital and Distributions
Distributions paid to limited partners				$ 89
Distribution made to limited partner, unit distributions paid (in units)				3,358,726
Unit Distribution | Series A Preferred Units | Subsequent Event | PAA
Partners Capital and Distributions
Distributions paid to limited partners	$ 34
Distribution made to limited partner, unit distributions paid (in units)	1,287,773