EARNINGS PER UNIT (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Buckeye Partners, L.P.	$ 133,992	$ 100,040	$ 91,580	$ 111,611	$ 56,523	$ 102,943	$ 23,020	$ 90,468	$ 437,223	$ 272,954	$ 160,273
Basic:
Weighted average units outstanding - basic (in units)									128,084	119,323	107,202
Earnings per unit - basic (in dollars per unit)									$ 3.41	$ 2.29	$ 1.50
Diluted:
Weighted average units outstanding - basic (in units)									128,084	119,323	107,202
Dilutive effect of LP Unit options and LTIP awards granted (in units)									533	576	475
Weighted average units outstanding - diluted (in units)									128,617	119,899	107,677
Earnings per unit - diluted (in dollars per unit)									$ 3.40	$ 2.28	$ 1.49