Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Decrease (increase) in:
Accounts receivable - trade	$ (709.0)		$ (683.7)		$ (1,069.1)
Accounts receivable - related parties	(7.0)		2.9		7.2
Inventories	135.8		(437.5)		(317.4)
Prepaid and other current assets	(27.7)		(87.4)		71.1
Other assets	3.9		14.7		15.0
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable - trade	44.2		104.7		(44.4)
Accounts payable - related parties	78.4		46.0		44.9
Accrued product payables	726.2		772.6		1,553.0
Accrued interest	35.2		25.1		28.2
Other current liabilities	(23.2)		52.9		(55.2)
Other liabilities	10.1		(0.7)		16.8
Net effect of changes in operating accounts	266.9		(190.4)		250.1
Cash payments for interest, net of $106.7, $47.2 and $53.1 capitalized in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	711.4		724.1		646.8
Interest capitalized	106.7	[1]	47.2	[1]	53.1	[1]
Cash payments for federal and state income taxes	13.4		15.6		29.5
Liability for construction in progress expenditures	286.9		201.6		182.6
Payments to acquire additional interest in subsidiaries	15.0
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Proceeds from asset sales	1,033.8		105.9		3.6
Total gains from sale of assets and related transactions	155.7		46.7		0
Crystal Holding L.L.C. [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Proceeds from asset sales	547.8		0		0
Total gains from sale of assets and related transactions	129.1		0		0
Energy Transfer Equity [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Proceeds from asset sales	375.2		0		0
Total gains from sale of assets and related transactions	27.2		0		0
Other Asset Sales [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Proceeds from asset sales	110.8		105.9		3.6
Total gains from sale of assets and related transactions	$ (0.6)		$ 46.7		$ 0

[1] 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.