Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009		Dec. 31, 2008
Business Segments [Abstract]
Largest non-affiliated customer percentage (in hundredths)											10.60%		9.40%		9.80%
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 11,585.7		$ 11,327.1	$ 11,216.5	$ 10,183.7	$ 9,583.6		$ 8,067.8	$ 7,543.4	$ 8,544.5	$ 44,313.0		$ 33,739.3		$ 25,510.9
Less: Operating costs and expenses											(41,318.5)		(31,449.3)		(23,565.8)
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates											46.4		62.0		92.3
Depreciation, amortization and accretion in operating costs and expenses											958.7	[1]	936.3	[1]	809.3	[1]
Non-cash asset impairment charges											27.8		8.4		33.5
Operating lease expenses paid by EPCO											0.3		0.7		0.7
Gains from asset sales and related transactions in operating costs and expenses											(156.0)	[2]	(44.4)	[2]	0	[2]
Total segment gross operating margin											3,871.7		3,253.0		2,880.9
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin											3,871.7		3,253.0		2,880.9
Adjustments to reconcile total segment gross operating margin to operating income:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion in operating costs and expenses											(958.7)	[1]	(936.3)	[1]	(809.3)	[1]
Non-cash asset impairment charges											(27.8)		(8.4)		(33.5)
Operating lease expenses paid by EPCO											(0.3)		(0.7)		(0.7)
Gains from asset sales and related transactions in operating costs and expenses											156.0	[2]	44.4	[2]	0	[2]
General and administrative costs											(181.8)		(204.8)		(182.8)
Operating income	909.2		681.1	643.9	624.9	505.4		543.2	539.7	558.9	2,859.1		2,147.2		1,854.6
Other expense, net											(743.6)		(737.4)		(689.0)
Income before provision for income taxes											2,115.5		1,409.8		1,165.6
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties											43,537.9		33,040.9		24,911.9
Revenues from related parties											775.1		698.4		599.0
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues											0		0		0
Total revenues											44,313.0		33,739.3		25,510.9
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates											46.4		62.0		92.3
Gross operating margin											3,871.7		3,253.0		2,880.9
Segment assets	27,799.7					25,575.4					27,799.7		25,575.4		23,188.5
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,191.6					19,332.9					22,191.6		19,332.9		17,689.2
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 9)	1,859.6					2,293.1					1,859.6		2,293.1		2,416.2
Intangible assets, net (see Note 11)	1,656.2					1,841.7					1,656.2		1,841.7		1,064.8
Goodwill (see Note 11)	2,092.3	[3]				2,107.7	[3]				2,092.3	[3]	2,107.7	[3]	2,018.3	[3]	2,019.6
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Total consolidated revenues	11,585.7		11,327.1	11,216.5	10,183.7	9,583.6		8,067.8	7,543.4	8,544.5	44,313.0		33,739.3		25,510.9
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales related to our marketing activities											34,086.8		25,885.2		18,656.7
Depreciation, amortization and accretion											958.7	[1]	936.3	[1]	809.3	[1]
Gains from asset sales and related transactions											(156.0)	[2]	(44.4)	[2]	0	[2]
Non-cash asset impairment charges											27.8		8.4		33.5
Other operating costs and expenses											6,401.2		4,663.8		4,066.3
General and administrative costs											181.8		204.8		182.8
Total costs and expenses (see Note 14)											41,500.3		31,654.1		23,748.6
NGL Pipelines & Services [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues											17,483.3		14,202.5		12,309.0
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates											21.8		17.7		11.3
Non-cash asset impairment charges											11.3		2.8		4.1
Total segment gross operating margin											2,184.2		1,732.6		1,628.7
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin											2,184.2		1,732.6		1,628.7
Adjustments to reconcile total segment gross operating margin to operating income:
Non-cash asset impairment charges											(11.3)		(2.8)		(4.1)
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties											16,938.1		13,736.8		11,928.3
Revenues from related parties											545.2		465.7		380.7
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues											13,657.7		10,209.9		6,865.5
Total revenues											31,141.0		24,412.4		19,174.5
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates											21.8		17.7		11.3
Gross operating margin											2,184.2		1,732.6		1,628.7
Segment assets	7,966.4					7,665.5					7,966.4		7,665.5		7,191.2
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,137.8					6,813.1					7,137.8		6,813.1		6,392.8
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 9)	146.1					131.5					146.1		131.5		141.6
Intangible assets, net (see Note 11)	341.3					379.7					341.3		379.7		315.6
Goodwill (see Note 11)	341.2	[3]				341.2	[3]				341.2	[3]	341.2	[3]	341.2	[3]	341.2
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Sales of NGLs and related products											16,724.6		13,449.4		11,600.7
Midstream services											758.7		753.1		708.3
Total consolidated revenues											17,483.3		14,202.5		12,309.0
Operating costs and expenses:
Non-cash asset impairment charges											11.3		2.8		4.1
Onshore Natural Gas Pipelines & Services [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues											3,730.2		3,701.6		3,149.9
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates											5.5		4.6		4.9
Non-cash asset impairment charges											10.4		5.2		4.3
Total segment gross operating margin											675.3		527.2		501.5
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin											675.3		527.2		501.5
Adjustments to reconcile total segment gross operating margin to operating income:
Non-cash asset impairment charges											(10.4)		(5.2)		(4.3)
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties											3,510.0		3,479.4		2,938.7
Revenues from related parties											220.2		222.2		211.2
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues											1,131.8		900.8		515.3
Total revenues											4,862.0		4,602.4		3,665.2
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates											5.5		4.6		4.9
Gross operating margin											675.3		527.2		501.5
Segment assets	9,949.6					8,184.8					9,949.6		8,184.8		6,918.7
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,495.4					6,595.0					8,495.4		6,595.0		6,074.6
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 9)	30.1					32.6					30.1		32.6		32.0
Intangible assets, net (see Note 11)	1,127.8					1,246.1					1,127.8		1,246.1		527.2
Goodwill (see Note 11)	296.3	[3]				311.1	[3]				296.3	[3]	311.1	[3]	284.9	[3]	284.9
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Sales of natural gas											2,866.5		2,928.7		2,410.5
Midstream services											863.7		772.9		739.4
Total consolidated revenues											3,730.2		3,701.6		3,149.9
Operating costs and expenses:
Non-cash asset impairment charges											10.4		5.2		4.3
Onshore Crude Oil Pipelines & Services [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues											16,061.1		10,794.8		7,191.0
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates											(4.1)		6.7		9.3
Total segment gross operating margin											234.0		113.7		164.4
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin											234.0		113.7		164.4
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties											16,061.0		10,794.7		7,191.2
Revenues from related parties											0.1		0.1		(0.2)
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues											4,904.3		927.0		47.6
Total revenues											20,965.4		11,721.8		7,238.6
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates											(4.1)		6.7		9.3
Gross operating margin											234.0		113.7		164.4
Segment assets	944.6					917.5					944.6		917.5		865.4
Property, plant and equipment, net	456.9					427.9					456.9		427.9		377.4
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 9)	170.7					172.2					170.7		172.2		178.5
Intangible assets, net (see Note 11)	5.8					6.2					5.8		6.2		6.5
Goodwill (see Note 11)	311.2	[3]				311.2	[3]				311.2	[3]	311.2	[3]	303.0	[3]	303.0
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Sales of crude oil											15,962.6		10,710.4		7,110.6
Midstream services											98.5		84.4		80.4
Total consolidated revenues											16,061.1		10,794.8		7,191.0
Offshore Pipelines & Services [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues											256.0		310.7		339.9
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates											27.1		44.8		36.9
Non-cash asset impairment charges											5.5		0		0
Total segment gross operating margin											228.2		297.8		180.5
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin											228.2		297.8		180.5
Adjustments to reconcile total segment gross operating margin to operating income:
Non-cash asset impairment charges											(5.5)		0		0
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties											246.4		300.3		332.9
Revenues from related parties											9.6		10.4		7.0
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues											6.6		3.6		1.3
Total revenues											262.6		314.3		341.2
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates											27.1		44.8		36.9
Gross operating margin											228.2		297.8		180.5
Segment assets	2,000.9					2,004.9					2,000.9		2,004.9		2,121.4
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,416.4					1,390.9					1,416.4		1,390.9		1,480.9
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 9)	424.9					443.2					424.9		443.2		456.9
Intangible assets, net (see Note 11)	77.5					88.7					77.5		88.7		101.5
Goodwill (see Note 11)	82.1	[3]				82.1	[3]				82.1	[3]	82.1	[3]	82.1	[3]	82.1
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Sales of natural gas											1.1		1.3		1.2
Sales of crude oil											9.4		9.5		5.3
Midstream services											245.5		299.9		333.4
Total consolidated revenues											256.0		310.7		339.9
Operating costs and expenses:
Non-cash asset impairment charges											5.5		0		0
Petrochemical & Refined Products Services [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues											6,782.4		4,729.7		2,521.1
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates											(18.7)		(9.0)		(11.2)
Non-cash asset impairment charges											0.6		0.4		25.1
Total segment gross operating margin											535.2		584.5		364.7
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin											535.2		584.5		364.7
Adjustments to reconcile total segment gross operating margin to operating income:
Non-cash asset impairment charges											(0.6)		(0.4)		(25.1)
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties											6,782.4		4,729.7		2,520.8
Revenues from related parties											0		0		0.3
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues											1,799.1		1,106.7		612.3
Total revenues											8,581.5		5,836.4		3,133.4
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates											(18.7)		(9.0)		(11.2)
Gross operating margin											535.2		584.5		364.7
Segment assets	3,769.5					3,758.7					3,769.5		3,758.7		3,359.0
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,539.5					2,498.8					2,539.5		2,498.8		2,156.3
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 9)	64.7					76.8					64.7		76.8		81.6
Intangible assets, net (see Note 11)	103.8					121.0					103.8		121.0		114.0
Goodwill (see Note 11)	1,061.5	[3]				1,062.1	[3]				1,061.5	[3]	1,062.1	[3]	1,007.1	[3]	1,008.4
Consolidated Revenues and Expenses [Abstract]
Sales of petrochemicals and refined products											6,000.6		4,009.1		1,991.8
Midstream services											781.8		720.6		529.3
Total consolidated revenues											6,782.4		4,729.7		2,521.1
Operating costs and expenses:
Non-cash asset impairment charges											0.6		0.4		25.1
Other Investment [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates											14.8		(2.8)		41.1
Total segment gross operating margin											14.8		(2.8)		41.1
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin											14.8		(2.8)		41.1
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties											0		0		0
Revenues from related parties											0		0		0
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues											0		0		0
Total revenues											0		0		0
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates											14.8		(2.8)		41.1
Gross operating margin											14.8		(2.8)		41.1
Segment assets	1,023.1					1,436.8					1,023.1		1,436.8		1,525.6
Property, plant and equipment, net	0					0					0		0		0
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 9)	1,023.1					1,436.8					1,023.1		1,436.8		1,525.6
Intangible assets, net (see Note 11)	0					0					0		0		0
Goodwill (see Note 11)	0					0					0		0		0
Adjustments and Eliminations [Member]
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates											0		0		0
Total segment gross operating margin											0		0		0
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin											0		0		0
Information by business segment [Abstract]
Revenues from third parties											0		0		0
Revenues from related parties											0		0		0
Intersegment and intrasegment revenues											(21,499.5)		(13,148.0)		(8,042.0)
Total revenues											(21,499.5)		(13,148.0)		(8,042.0)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates											0		0		0
Gross operating margin											0		0		0
Segment assets	2,145.6					1,607.2					2,145.6		1,607.2		1,207.2
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,145.6					1,607.2					2,145.6		1,607.2		1,207.2
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (see Note 9)	0					0					0		0		0
Intangible assets, net (see Note 11)	0					0					0		0		0
Goodwill (see Note 11)	$ 0					$ 0					$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

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

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

[3] The total carrying amount of goodwill at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 is net of $1.3 million of accumulated impairment charges.