Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009		Dec. 01, 2011
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 27,429.6		$ 23,913.4
Less accumulated depreciation	5,238.0		4,580.5
Property, plant and equipment , net	22,191.6		19,332.9		17,689.2
Total assets	34,125.1		31,360.8
Proceeds from asset sales	1,033.8		105.9		3.6
Gains from asset sales	155.7		46.7		0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	1,007.0		985.1		836.8
Summary of depreciation expense and capitalized interest [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	776.6	[1]	745.7	[1]	678.1	[1]
Capitalized interest	106.7	[2]	47.2	[2]	53.1	[2]
Asset Retirement Obligations [Roll Forward]
ARO liability balance, beginning of period	97.1		54.8
Liabilities incurred during period	0.7		0.1
Liabilities settled during period	(7.3)		(7.6)
Revisions in estimated cash flows	15.0		45.6
Accretion expense	6.5		4.2
ARO liability balance, end of period	112.0		97.1		54.8
Capitalized costs, asset retirement costs	37.7		34.1
Forecasted accretion expense [Abstract]
Forecast accretion expense - 2012	5.4
Forecast accretion expense - 2013	5.6
Forecast accretion expense - 2014	6.0
Forecast accretion expense - 2015	5.7
Forecast accretion expense - 2016	6.0
Crystal Holding L.L.C. [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment , net							356.2
Total assets							411.9
Proceeds from asset sales	547.8
Gains from asset sales	129.1
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	19.7		30.5		33.4
Plants, pipelines and facilities [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	3	[3],[4]
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	45	[3],[4]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	22,354.4	[3]	19,388.4	[3]
Underground and other storage facilities [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	5	[5],[6]
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	40	[5],[6]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,388.6	[5]	1,477.8	[5]
Platforms and facilities [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	20	[7]
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	31	[7]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	637.5	[7]	637.5	[7]
Transportation equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	3	[8]
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	10	[8]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	151.5	[8]	119.1	[8]
Marine vessels [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	15	[9]
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	30	[9]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	615.9	[9]	560.0	[9]
Land [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	136.1		123.4
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 2,145.6		$ 1,607.2
Processing plants [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	20
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	35
Pipelines and related equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	5
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	45
Terminal facilities [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	10
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	35
Office furniture and equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	3
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	20
Buildings [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	20
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	40
Laboratory and shop equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	5
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	35
Underground storage facilities [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	5
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	35
Storage tanks [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	10
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	40
Water wells [Member]
Property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation [Abstract]
Minimum estimated useful life (in years)	5
Maximum estimated useful life (in years)	35

[1] Depreciation expense is a component of "Costs and expenses" as presented in our Statements of Consolidated Operations.

[2] Capitalized interest reduces interest expense during the period it is recorded and increases the carrying value of the associated asset, which will subsequently increase depreciation expense once the asset is placed in service. See Note 20 for information regarding cash payments for interest during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

[3] Plants and pipelines include processing plants; NGL, natural gas, crude oil and petrochemical and refined products pipelines; terminal loading and unloading facilities; office furniture and equipment; buildings; laboratory and shop equipment and related assets.

[4] In general, the estimated useful lives of major assets within this category are: processing plants, 20-35 years; pipelines and related equipment, 5-45 years; terminal facilities, 10-35 years; office furniture and equipment, 3-20 years; buildings, 20-40 years; and laboratory and shop equipment, 5-35 years.

[5] Underground and other storage facilities include underground product storage caverns; above ground storage tanks; water wells and related assets.

[6] In general, the estimated useful lives of assets within this category are: underground storage facilities, 5-35 years; storage tanks, 10-40 years; and water wells, 5-35 years.

[7] Platforms and facilities include offshore platforms and related facilities and other associated assets located in the Gulf of Mexico.

[8] Transportation equipment includes tractor-trailer tank trucks and other vehicles and similar assets used in our operations.

[9] Marine vessels include tow boats, barges and related equipment used in our marine transportation business.