Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Business Segments [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments									5
Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 11,072.1	$ 10,468.7	$ 9,789.8	$ 11,252.5	$ 11,585.7	$ 11,327.1	$ 11,216.5	$ 10,183.7	$ 42,583.1	$ 44,313.0	$ 33,739.3
Less: Operating costs and expenses									(39,367.9)	(41,318.5)	(31,449.3)
Add: Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates									64.3	46.4	62.0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion recorded in operating costs and expenses									1,061.7	958.7	936.3
Non-cash asset impairment charges recorded in operating costs and expenses									63.4	27.8	8.4
Operating lease expenses paid by EPCO recorded in operating costs and expenses									0	0.3	0.7
Gains attributable to disposal of assets recorded in operating costs and expenses									(17.6)	(156.0)	(44.4)
Total segment gross operating margin									4,387.0	3,871.7	3,253.0
Reconciliation of total Segment Gross Operating Margin [Abstract]
Total segment gross operating margin									4,387.0	3,871.7	3,253.0
Adjustments to reconcile total segment gross operating margin to operating income:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									(1,061.7)	(958.7)	(936.3)
Non-cash asset impairment charges									(63.4)	(27.8)	(8.4)
Operating lease expenses paid by EPCO									0	(0.3)	(0.7)
Gains attributable to disposal of assets									17.6	156.0	44.4
General and administrative costs									(170.3)	(181.8)	(204.8)
Operating income	822.7	788.5	749.1	748.9	909.2	681.1	643.9	624.9	3,109.2	2,859.1	2,147.2
Other expense, net									(698.4)	(743.6)	(737.4)
Income before income taxes									$ 2,410.8	$ 2,115.5	$ 1,409.8
Shell Oil Company [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Largest non-affiliated customer percentage (in hundredths)										10.60%	9.40%
BP [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Largest non-affiliated customer percentage (in hundredths)									9.50%