Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 11,327.1		$ 8,067.8		$ 32,727.3		$ 24,155.7
Less: Operating costs and expenses	(10,604.6)		(7,460.1)		(30,675.0)		(22,406.2)
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	8.6		5.6		35.9		43.2
Depreciation, amortization and accretion in operating costs and expenses	238.3	[1]	235.1	[1]	702.4	[1]	674.5	[1]
Non-cash asset impairment charges	5.2		0		5.2		1.5
Operating lease expenses paid by EPCO	0		0.2		0.3		0.5
Gains from asset sales and related transactions in operating costs and expenses	(1.8)	[2]	(39.7)	[2]	(25.4)	[2]	(45.3)	[2]
Total segment gross operating margin	972.8		808.9		2,770.7		2,423.9
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin	972.8		808.9		2,770.7		2,423.9
Adjustments to reconcile total segment gross operating margin to operating income:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion in operating costs and expenses	(238.3)	[1]	(235.1)	[1]	(702.4)	[1]	(674.5)	[1]
Non-cash asset impairment charges	(5.2)		0		(5.2)		(1.5)
Operating lease expenses paid by EPCO	0		(0.2)		(0.3)		(0.5)
Gains from asset sales and related transactions in operating costs and expenses	1.8	[2]	39.7	[2]	25.4	[2]	45.3	[2]
General and administrative costs	(50.0)		(70.1)		(138.3)		(150.9)
Operating income	681.1		543.2		1,949.9		1,641.8
Other expense, net	(190.0)		(190.7)		(561.3)		(527.3)
Income before provision for income taxes	491.1		352.5		1,388.6		1,114.5
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties	11,163.2		7,934.1		32,169.1		23,673.6
Revenues from related parties	163.9		133.7		558.2		482.1
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues	0		0		0		0
Total revenues	11,327.1		8,067.8		32,727.3		24,155.7
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	8.6		5.6		35.9		43.2
Gross operating margin	972.8		808.9		2,770.7		2,423.9
Segment assets	27,075.5				27,075.5				25,575.4
Property, plant and equipment, net (see Note 7)	21,388.1				21,388.1				19,332.9
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 8)	1,908.5				1,908.5				2,293.1
Intangible assets, net (see Note 9)	1,686.6				1,686.6				1,841.7
Goodwill (see Note 9)	2,092.3	[3]			2,092.3	[3]			2,107.7	[3]
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Total consolidated revenues	11,327.1		8,067.8		32,727.3		24,155.7
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales related to our marketing activities	8,712.4		6,234.5		25,370.0		18,577.2
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	238.3	[1]	235.1	[1]	702.4	[1]	674.5	[1]
Gains from asset sales and related transactions	(1.8)	[2]	(39.7)	[2]	(25.4)	[2]	(45.3)	[2]
Non-cash asset impairment charges	5.2		0		5.2		1.5
Other operating costs and expenses	1,650.5		1,030.2		4,622.8		3,198.3
General and administrative costs	50.0		70.1		138.3		150.9
Total costs and expenses (see Note 12)	10,654.6		7,530.2		30,813.3		22,557.1
NGL Pipelines and Services [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues	4,418.5		3,234.5		12,712.2		10,060.1
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	4.3		5.1		16.4		12.1
Total segment gross operating margin	547.6		397.2		1,549.7		1,275.5
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin	547.6		397.2		1,549.7		1,275.5
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties	4,323.8		3,169.3		12,339.3		9,759.4
Revenues from related parties	94.7		65.2		372.9		300.7
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues	3,253.6		2,378.1		9,956.4		7,333.0
Total revenues	7,672.1		5,612.6		22,668.6		17,393.1
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	4.3		5.1		16.4		12.1
Gross operating margin	547.6		397.2		1,549.7		1,275.5
Segment assets	7,728.2				7,728.2				7,665.5
Property, plant and equipment, net (see Note 7)	6,909.4				6,909.4				6,813.1
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 8)	130.4				130.4				131.5
Intangible assets, net (see Note 9)	347.2				347.2				379.7
Goodwill (see Note 9)	341.2	[3]			341.2	[3]			341.2	[3]
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Sales of NGLs	4,163.9		3,048.0		12,052.5		9,516.5
Sales of other petroleum and related products	1.0		0.6		2.3		1.8
Midstream services	253.6		185.9		657.4		541.8
Total consolidated revenues	4,418.5		3,234.5		12,712.2		10,060.1
Onshore Natural Gas Pipelines And Services [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues	922.7		847.9		2,766.6		2,854.3
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	1.4		1.2		4.1		3.4
Total segment gross operating margin	156.0		154.1		476.3		391.3
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin	156.0		154.1		476.3		391.3
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties	855.9		781.8		2,590.1		2,679.1
Revenues from related parties	66.8		66.1		176.5		175.2
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues	257.2		261.0		782.0		689.3
Total revenues	1,179.9		1,108.9		3,548.6		3,543.6
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	1.4		1.2		4.1		3.4
Gross operating margin	156.0		154.1		476.3		391.3
Segment assets	7,948.6				7,948.6				8,184.8
Property, plant and equipment, net (see Note 7)	6,476.0				6,476.0				6,595.0
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 8)	31.0				31.0				32.6
Intangible assets, net (see Note 9)	1,145.3				1,145.3				1,246.1
Goodwill (see Note 9)	296.3	[3]			296.3	[3]			311.1	[3]
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Sales of natural gas	704.7		651.0		2,136.9		2,281.8
Midstream services	218.0		196.9		629.7		572.5
Total consolidated revenues	922.7		847.9		2,766.6		2,854.3
Onshore Crude Oil Pipelines and Services [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues	3,957.1		2,725.9		11,609.3		7,741.8
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	(1.0)		1.6		(3.1)		7.5
Total segment gross operating margin	67.4		35.0		167.0		87.6
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin	67.4		35.0		167.0		87.6
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties	3,957.1		2,726.0		11,609.3		7,742.0
Revenues from related parties	0		(0.1)		0		(0.2)
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues	1,342.2		313.4		3,526.9		561.5
Total revenues	5,299.3		3,039.3		15,136.2		8,303.3
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	(1.0)		1.6		(3.1)		7.5
Gross operating margin	67.4		35.0		167.0		87.6
Segment assets	940.1				940.1				917.5
Property, plant and equipment, net (see Note 7)	449.9				449.9				427.9
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 8)	173.1				173.1				172.2
Intangible assets, net (see Note 9)	5.9				5.9				6.2
Goodwill (see Note 9)	311.2	[3]			311.2	[3]			311.2	[3]
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Sales of crude oil	3,929.8		2,701.4		11,535.9		7,672.1
Midstream services	27.3		24.5		73.4		69.7
Total consolidated revenues	3,957.1		2,725.9		11,609.3		7,741.8
Offshore Pipelines And Services [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues	60.1		70.8		188.2		246.7
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	5.4		10.1		20.3		33.0
Total segment gross operating margin	53.9		68.3		168.6		232.2
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin	53.9		68.3		168.6		232.2
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties	57.7		68.3		179.4		240.3
Revenues from related parties	2.4		2.5		8.8		6.4
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues	4.8		0.5		6.6		1.2
Total revenues	64.9		71.3		194.8		247.9
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	5.4		10.1		20.3		33.0
Gross operating margin	53.9		68.3		168.6		232.2
Segment assets	2,023.1				2,023.1				2,004.9
Property, plant and equipment, net (see Note 7)	1,432.0				1,432.0				1,390.9
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 8)	428.9				428.9				443.2
Intangible assets, net (see Note 9)	80.1				80.1				88.7
Goodwill (see Note 9)	82.1	[3]			82.1	[3]			82.1	[3]
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Sales of natural gas	0.3		0.2		0.9		1.0
Sales of crude oil	1.3		2.3		7.1		6.3
Midstream services	58.5		68.3		180.2		239.4
Total consolidated revenues	60.1		70.8		188.2		246.7
Petrochemical and Refined Products Services [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues	1,968.7		1,188.7		5,451.0		3,252.8
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	(3.8)		(0.5)		(13.1)		(5.8)
Total segment gross operating margin	145.6		166.2		397.8		444.3
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin	145.6		166.2		397.8		444.3
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties	1,968.7		1,188.7		5,451.0		3,252.8
Revenues from related parties	0		0		0		0
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues	442.9		309.7		1,361.5		854.7
Total revenues	2,411.6		1,498.4		6,812.5		4,107.5
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	(3.8)		(0.5)		(13.1)		(5.8)
Gross operating margin	145.6		166.2		397.8		444.3
Segment assets	3,768.7				3,768.7				3,758.7
Property, plant and equipment, net (see Note 7)	2,530.8				2,530.8				2,498.8
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 8)	68.3				68.3				76.8
Intangible assets, net (see Note 9)	108.1				108.1				121.0
Goodwill (see Note 9)	1,061.5	[3]			1,061.5	[3]			1,062.1	[3]
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Sales of other petroleum and related products	1,767.2		1,056.3		4,868.7		2,860.6
Midstream services	201.5		132.4		582.3		392.2
Total consolidated revenues	1,968.7		1,188.7		5,451.0		3,252.8
Other Investment [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	2.3		(11.9)		11.3		(7.0)
Total segment gross operating margin	2.3		(11.9)		11.3		(7.0)
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin	2.3		(11.9)		11.3		(7.0)
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties	0		0		0		0
Revenues from related parties	0		0		0		0
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues	0		0		0		0
Total revenues	0		0		0		0
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	2.3		(11.9)		11.3		(7.0)
Gross operating margin	2.3		(11.9)		11.3		(7.0)
Segment assets	1,076.8				1,076.8				1,436.8
Property, plant and equipment, net (see Note 7)	0				0				0
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 8)	1,076.8				1,076.8				1,436.8
Intangible assets, net (see Note 9)	0				0				0
Goodwill (see Note 9)	0				0				0
Adjustments and Eliminations [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates	0		0		0		0
Total segment gross operating margin	0		0		0		0
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin	0		0		0		0
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties	0		0		0		0
Revenues from related parties	0		0		0		0
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues	(5,300.7)		(3,262.7)		(15,633.4)		(9,439.7)
Total revenues	(5,300.7)		(3,262.7)		(15,633.4)		(9,439.7)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	0		0		0		0
Gross operating margin	0		0		0		0
Segment assets	3,590.0				3,590.0				1,607.2
Property, plant and equipment, net (see Note 7)	3,590.0				3,590.0				1,607.2
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 8)	0				0				0
Intangible assets, net (see Note 9)	0				0				0
Goodwill (see Note 9)	$ 0				$ 0				$ 0

[1] Amount is a component of "Depreciation, amortization and accretion" as presented on the Unaudited Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows.

[2] Amount is a component of "Gains from asset sales and related transactions" as presented on the Unaudited Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows.

[3] The total carrying amount of goodwill at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is presented net of $1.3 million of accumulated impairment charges.