The number of common units acquired in a business combination.

No definition available.

Name:	epd_BusinessCombinationNumberOfCommonUnitsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	epd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of subordinated units acquired in a business combination.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	epd_BusinessCombinationNumberOfSubordinatedUnitsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	epd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the net income contribution from assets acquired in a business combination for the period presented.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	epd_NetIncomeFromAcquiredAssets
Namespace Prefix:	epd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Refers to number of barrels of storage capacity for petrochemicals, refined products and crude oil.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	epd_NumberOfBarrelsOfStorageCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	epd_
Data Type:	num:volumeItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of ship and barge docks owned.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	epd_NumberOfShipAndBargeDocksOwned
Namespace Prefix:	epd_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the revenues contribution from assets acquired in a business combination for the period presented.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	epd_RevenuesFromAcquiredAssets
Namespace Prefix:	epd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares of equity interests issued or issuable to acquire entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)(4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 23

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34752592&loc=d3e1043-128460

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of consideration transferred, consisting of acquisition-date fair value of assets transferred by the acquirer, liabilities incurred by the acquirer, and equity interest issued by the acquirer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 30

-Paragraph 7

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911251&loc=d3e6578-128477

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 30

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911251&loc=d3e6613-128477

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationDescriptionAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with other payments to acquire businesses including deposit on pending acquisitions and preacquisition costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherPaymentsToAcquireBusinesses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=epd_OiltankingPartnersLPMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=epd_OiltankingPartnersLPStep1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Acquisition of Oiltanking Partners, L.P. (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 bbl	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 02, 2014 bbl Dock
Oiltanking Partners, L.P. [Abstract]
Cash paid to acquire business	$ 2,416.8	$ 0	$ 0
Storage capacity for crude oil and petroleum products (in Bbls)	225,000,000epd_NumberOfBarrelsOfStorageCapacity			225,000,000epd_NumberOfBarrelsOfStorageCapacity
Oiltanking Partners L.P. [Member]
Oiltanking Partners, L.P. [Abstract]
Common units acquired (in units)				15,899,802
Subordinated units acquired (in units)				38,899,802
Total consideration for acquisition	4,400.0
Number of ship and barge docks owned					12
Storage capacity for crude oil and petroleum products (in Bbls)					26,000,000
Revenues from acquired assets				57.5
Net income from acquired assets				8.1
Oiltanking Partners L.P. - Step 1 [Member]
Oiltanking Partners, L.P. [Abstract]
Common units acquired (in units)	15,899,802
Subordinated units acquired (in units)	38,899,802
Total consideration for acquisition	4,609.8
Cash paid to acquire business	2,210.0
Common units issued in connection with acquisition (in units)	54,807,352
Cash paid to assume notes receivable	228.3
Acquisition related costs	$ 3.8