No definition available.

Name:	paa_PartnersCapitalAndDistributionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	paa_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents disclosure of the aggregate cash dividends paid to the entity by consolidated subsidiaries.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24072-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Per unit of ownership amount of cash distributions paid to unit-holder of a limited partnership (LP).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70434-108055

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsPaidPerUnit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of dividends declared but unpaid on equity securities issued by the entity and outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(24))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(15)(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(20))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(15)(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DividendsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of paid and unpaid preferred stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash, stock and payment-in-kind (PIK).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 405
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957935&loc=d3e64057-112817

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of distributions to limited partners.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70434-108055

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions by the non-wholly owned subsidiary or partially owned entity, included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total distributions to each class of partners (i.e., general, limited and preferred partners).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of preferred stock outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=paa_PlainsAllAmericanPipelineLPMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassAxis=paa_SeriesaPreferredUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis=us-gaap_CashDistributionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassAxis=paa_SeriesBPreferredUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassAxis=paa_CommonUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=paa_PlainsAapLPMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementScenarioAxis=srt_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=paa_PublicUnitHoldersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=paa_PlainsAapLPMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Partners' Capital and Distributions - Subsidiary Distributions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions						3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 15, 2019	Nov. 14, 2019	Aug. 14, 2019	May 15, 2019	Feb. 14, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Total distributions paid						$ 315.0	$ 267.0	$ 894.0	$ 802.0
PAA \| Series A Preferred Units \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Preferred unit distribution amount			$ 37.0	$ 37.0	$ 37.0
Preferred unit distribution amount (in dollars per unit)			$ 0.525	$ 0.525	$ 0.525
PAA \| Series B Preferred Units \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Preferred unit distribution amount				$ 24.5
Preferred unit distribution amount (in dollars per unit)				$ 30.625
PAA \| Common Units \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Total distributions paid			$ 262.0	$ 262.0	$ 218.0
Distributions per common unit, paid (usd per unit)			$ 0.36	$ 0.36	$ 0.30
AAP \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			$ 36.0	$ 44.0	$ 36.0
Distributions to PAGP			60.0	57.0	48.0
Total distributions paid			96.0	101.0	84.0
Forecast \| PAA \| Series A Preferred Units \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Preferred unit distribution amount		$ 37.0
Preferred unit distribution amount (in dollars per unit)		$ 0.525
Forecast \| PAA \| Series B Preferred Units \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Preferred unit distribution amount	$ 24.5
Preferred unit distribution amount (in dollars per unit)	$ 30.625
Forecast \| PAA \| Common Units \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Total distributions paid		$ 262.0
Distributions per common unit, paid (usd per unit)		$ 0.36
Forecast \| AAP \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		$ 25.0
Distributions to PAGP		66.0
Total distributions paid		91.0
Public \| PAA \| Common Units \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Distributions to common unitholders			166.0	161.0	134.0
Public \| Forecast \| PAA \| Common Units \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Distributions to common unitholders		171.0
AAP \| PAA \| Common Units \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Distributions to common unitholders			$ 96.0	$ 101.0	$ 84.0
AAP \| Forecast \| PAA \| Common Units \| Cash Distribution
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Distributions to common unitholders		$ 91.0
Other current liabilities \| PAA \| Series B Preferred Units
Partners' Capital and Distributions
Amount accrued to distributions payable						$ 18.0		$ 18.0