Represents the number of class B units converted into limited partner units.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the number of units sold through the Equity Distribution Agreements of each class of partners' capital account. Units represent shares of ownership of the general, limited, and preferred partners.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	bpl_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of units distributed for payment of a unit distribution to unit-holder of limited partnership (LP).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-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://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
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-Section 50
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-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of each class of partnership units outstanding at the balance sheet date. Units represent shares of ownership of the general, limited, and preferred partners.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-04.16(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488278&loc=d3e603758-122996

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 946
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph a, b
-Article 6

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of units sold in a private placement of each class of partners' capital account. Units represent shares of ownership of the general, limited, and preferred partners.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.F)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph a, b
-Article 6

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of units issued due to unit-based compensation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsUnitbasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TransactionTypeAxis=bpl_EquityDistributionAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TransactionTypeAxis=bpl_SecondaryPublicOfferingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TransactionTypeAxis=bpl_InstitutionalInvestorMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=bpl_UnitOptionAndDistributionEquivalentPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=bpl_LongTermIncentivePlanTwentyThirteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis=bpl_LimitedPartnerUnitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis=bpl_ClassBUnitMember
Namespace Prefix:
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PARTNERS' CAPITAL AND DISTRIBUTIONS - Summary of Changes in Outstanding Units (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in units)	127,043	115,064	98,346
Conversion of Class B Units into LP Units (in units)			0
Ending Balance (in units)	129,524	127,043	115,064
Equity Distribution Agreements
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of units through Equity Distribution Agreements (in units)	2,247	1,011	489
Secondary public offering
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of Class B Units in lieu of quarterly cash distribution (in units)			494
Institutional investors
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of units to institutional investors (in units)		10,752	15,526
Option Plan
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
LP Units issued (in units)	5	18	27
LTIP
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
LP Units issued (in units)	229	198	182
Limited Partners
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in units)	127,043	115,064	90,371
Conversion of Class B Units into LP Units (in units)			8,469
Ending Balance (in units)	129,524	127,043	115,064
Limited Partners \| Equity Distribution Agreements
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of units through Equity Distribution Agreements (in units)	2,247	1,011	489
Limited Partners \| Secondary public offering
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of Class B Units in lieu of quarterly cash distribution (in units)			0
Limited Partners \| Institutional investors
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of units to institutional investors (in units)		10,752	15,526
Limited Partners \| Option Plan
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
LP Units issued (in units)	5	18	27
Limited Partners \| LTIP
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
LP Units issued (in units)	229	198	182
Class B Units
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in units)	0	0	7,975
Conversion of Class B Units into LP Units (in units)			(8,469)
Ending Balance (in units)	0	0	0
Class B Units \| Equity Distribution Agreements
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of units through Equity Distribution Agreements (in units)	0	0	0
Class B Units \| Secondary public offering
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of Class B Units in lieu of quarterly cash distribution (in units)			494
Class B Units \| Institutional investors
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of units to institutional investors (in units)		0	0
Class B Units \| Option Plan
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
LP Units issued (in units)	0	0	0
Class B Units \| LTIP
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
LP Units issued (in units)	0	0	0