EARNINGS PER UNIT (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
EARNINGS PER UNIT
Net income attributable to Buckeye Partners, L.P.	$ 76,430	$ 54,379	$ 165,771	$ 106,338
Basic:
Weighted average units outstanding - basic	105,701	97,818	104,481	96,524
Earnings per unit - basic	$ 0.72	$ 0.56	$ 1.59	$ 1.10
Diluted:
Weighted average units outstanding - basic	105,701	97,818	104,481	96,524
Dilutive effect of LP Unit options and LTIP awards granted	470	291	397	310
Weighted average units outstanding - diluted	106,171	98,109	104,878	96,834
Earnings per unit - diluted	$ 0.72	$ 0.55	$ 1.58	$ 1.10

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

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

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.20)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossAttributableToParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Per unit of ownership amount after tax of income (loss) available to limited partnership (LP) unit-holder and units that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of limited partner units for dilutive potential units outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 4

-Section F

+ Details

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

- Definition

Per unit of ownership amount after tax of income (loss) available to outstanding limited partnership (LP) unit-holder.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

Weighted average number of limited partnership units outstanding determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that general partnership units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Weighted average number of limited partnership units outstanding determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that limited partnership units have been outstanding to the total time in that period. Used in the calculation of diluted net income or loss per limited partnership unit.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The sum of dilutive potential limited partnership units used in the calculation of the diluted per-unit computation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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