Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Limited Partner Units Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Total Net income attributable to Buckeye Partners, L.P. Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income Net income Net income Other income (expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Total other expense Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest and debt expense Interest and Debt Expense, Total Interest and Debt Expense Operating Income (Loss) Operating income Total revenue Sales Revenue, Net Total costs and expenses Costs and Expenses General and Administrative Expense General and administrative General and administrative Net Income (Loss), Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Basic Basic Net Income (Loss), Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Diluted Diluted Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding abstract Weighted average number of units outstanding: Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding abstract. Basic Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Basic Diluted Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Diluted Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets: Assets [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and partners' capital: Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Total assets Assets Other non-current assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Equity investments Equity Method Investments Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Total current assets Assets, Current, Total Assets, Current Inventories Inventory, Net, Total Inventory, Net Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents - End of period Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents Trade receivables, net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Noncontrolling interests Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive loss Commitments and contingent liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Liabilities, Current Total liabilities Liabilities Other non-current liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Long-term debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts Payable, Current Line of credit Line of Credit, Current Limited Partners, units outstanding Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest Distributions paid to noncontrolling partners of Buckeye Partners, L.P. Distributions to noncontrolling interest Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests Debt issuance costs Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Repayments of Lines of Credit Repayments under credit facility Repayments under credit facilities, net Borrowings under credit facility Proceeds from Lines of Credit, Total Proceeds from Lines of Credit Proceeds from exercise of limited partner unit options Exercise of Buckeye's LP Unit options Proceeds from exercise of unit options Proceeds from exercise of limited partner unit options. Proceeds from Issuance of Common Limited Partners Units Net proceeds from the issuance of limited partner units Net proceeds from issuance of units Net proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Net proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Total adjustments from operating activities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Other non-current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Other non-current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Prepaid and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets, Total Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Trade receivables Trade receivables, net Distributions from equity investments Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions Earnings from Equity Investments Earnings from equity investments Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Earnings from equity investments Non-cash deferred lease expense Non-cash deferred lease expense is the difference between the estimated annual land lease expense of a natural gas storage facility and the actual cash to be paid for such annual land lease. Non-cash deferred lease expense Net changes in fair value of derivatives Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Condensed Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital [Abstract] Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income Total comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total other comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income, Amortization of Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Cost Recognized in Net Periodic Pension Cost, Net of Tax Amortization of benefit plan costs Amortization of benefit plan costs Amortization of benefit plan costs Amortization of benefit plan costs Amortization of benefit plan costs Amortization of interest rate swaps Amortization of interest rate swaps Amortization of interest rate swaps. Other Comprehensive Income, Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax Change in value of derivatives Other Comprehensive Income, Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax, Total Change in value of derivatives Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Parent Organization and Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Prepaid and Other Current Assets [Abstract] Prepaid And Other Current Assets. INVENTORIES Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories [Abstract] EQUITY INVESTMENTS Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued and Other Current Liabilities [Abstract] Accrued And Other Current Liabilities. Accrued And Other Current Liabilities [Text Block] ACCRUED AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES Accrued And Other Current Liabilities. Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Debt Disclosure [Text Block] DEBT OBLIGATIONS Earnings Per Unit [Abstract] Earnings per unit: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Partners' Capital and Distributions [Abstract] Schedule of Distributions Made to Members or Limited Partners, by Distribution [Text Block] PARTNERS' CAPITAL AND DISTRIBUTIONS RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract] PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] BUSINESS SEGMENTS General Partner Interest and debt expense Capital expenditures Debt issuance costs Net changes in fair value of derivatives Inventories Prepaid and other current assets Other non-current assets Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Domain] Liabilities and Partners' Capital Total liabilities and partners' capital Partners' Capital Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total partners' capital Total Buckeye Partners, L.P. unitholders' (deficit) capital Buckeye Partners, L.P. unitholders' (deficit) capital: Buckeye Partners, L.P. capital: Limited Partners (80,354,501 and 71,436,099 units outstanding as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively) Limited Partners' Capital Account Limited Partners' Capital Account, Total Partners Capital [Abstract] Partners' capital: Derivative liabilities Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Liabilities, Total Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Liabilities Intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Derivative assets Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets, Total Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets Costs and expenses: Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Revenues: Sales Revenue, Net [Abstract] Unit-Based Compensation Plans [Abstract] Unit-Based Compensation Plans. Unit Based Compensation Plans [Text Block] UNIT-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS Unit-Based Compensation Plans. PREPAID AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Investments [Abstract] dup_1_Related Party Transaction, Due from (to) Related Party, Noncurrent, Total Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Product sales Product sales Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of refined products in the normal course of business, primarily from marketing activities. Transportation And Other Services Transportation and other services Aggregate revenue during the period from the transportation, storage and terminalling of refined products and natural gas and the operation and maintenance of pipelines in the normal course of business. Cost Of Prod Sales And Nat Gas Storage Services Cost of product sales and natural gas storage services The aggregate costs related to the purchases of refined products and natural gas storage services during the period, primarily from marketing activities and other costs incurred during the reporting period related to other revenue generating activities. Operating Expense Operating expenses Costs incurred and are directly related to operating cost and expense items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing operation. Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Limited Partnerships Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information. Transportation and other services Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Construction and pipeline relocation receivables Construction and pipeline relocation receivables Increase (Decrease) in Contract Receivables, Net Accrued and other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Construction and pipeline relocation receivables Receivables, Long-term Contracts or Programs, Total Receivables, Long-term Contracts or Programs Prepaid and other current assets Other Assets, Current Accrued and other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Prepaid and other current assets Partners' Capital Account, Unit-based Compensation Amortization of Buckeye's unit-based compensation awards Amortization of unit-based compensation awards Amortization of unit-based compensation awards Partners' Capital Account, Option Exercise Exercise of Buckeye's LP Unit options Exercise of limited partner unit options Exercise of limited partner unit options Amortization of other non-cash items Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Other Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Depreciation and amortization Payments of Capital Distribution Distributions paid to partners of Buckeye GP Holdings L.P. Distributions paid to partners of BGH Distributions to unitholders Total Partners And Unitholders Deficit Capital Total Buckeye Partners, L.P. capital Total Buckeye Partners, L.P. unitholders' (deficit) capital. Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies. Other Non-Current Assets [Abstract] Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Text Block] OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS Debt Obligations [Abstract] Debt Obligations. Other Non-Current Liabilities [Abstract] Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities And Fair Value Measurements. Derivative Instruments Hedging Activities And Fair Value Measurements [Text Block] DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS, HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities And Fair Value Measurements. Earnings Per Limited Partner Unit [Text Block] EARNINGS PER UNIT Earnings Per Limited Partner Unit. Business Segments [Abstract] Business Segments. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss): Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Net repayments under BES credit agreement Repayments of Other Long-term Debt Net repayments under BES credit agreement Costs Associated With Agreement And Plan Of Merger Costs associated with agreement and plan of merger Costs associated with agreement and plan of merger. Partners' Capital, Other Other Other SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Schedule of Subsequent Events [Text Block] Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Acquisitions Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Issuance of long-term debt Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income Non Cash Accrual For Distribution Equivalent Rights Noncash accrual for distribution equivalent rights Non Cash Accrual For Distribution Equivalent Rights. Payments for Merger Related Costs Costs associated with agreement and plan of merger Costs associated with agreement and plan of merger Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events. Distribution Made to Member or Limited Partner, Cash Distribution Distributions paid to partners Other Long-term Debt, Current Current portion of long-term debt Value Of Esop Shares Released Value of ESOP shares released. Value of ESOP shares released Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayments of long term-debt Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Gain on settlement of treasury lock net of amortization Gain on settlement of treasury lock, net of amortization. Gain on settlement of treasury lock, net of amortization Other Payments to Acquire Businesses Deposit for pending acquisition Repayments of Assumed Debt Repayment of debt assumed in BORCO acquisition Proceeds from Settlement of treasury lock Proceeds from settlement of treasury lock Proceeds from settlement of treasury lock. Distributions paid to unitholders Distributions paid to unitholders Distributions paid to unitholders. Management Units [Member] Management Units Member. Management Units Equity Gains On Issuance Of Limited Partner Units [Member] Equity Gains on Issuance of Buckeye's Limited Partner Units Equity Gains On Issuance Of Limited Partner Units Member. Non Cash Esop Distributions Services Company's non-cash ESOP distributions Non Cash Esop Distributions. Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill And Intangible Assets Abstract. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Acquisitions [Abstract] Business Combination Disclosure. Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] ACQUISITIONS Partners' Capital Account, Acquisitions Issuance of units to First Reserve for BORCO acquisition Limited Partners Capital Unit Class B [Member] Class B Units Class B Units (6,915,725 and 0 units outstanding as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively) Recognition of Unit Based Compensation Charges Recognition of unit-based compensation charges Recognition Of Unit Based Compensation Charges. Acquisition of Interest Acquisition of 80% interest in BORCO Acquisition of interest. Acquisition of Remaining Interest Acquisition of remaining interest in BORCO Acquisition of remaining interest.