Acquisition of Oiltanking Partners, L.P., Distributions (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Oiltanking Partners L.P. [Member]
Distributions:
Distribution paid (dollars per unit)	$ 0.285	$ 0.26
Minimum quarterly distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Total quarterly distribution per unit target amount			0.16875
First target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Total quarterly distribution per unit target amount			above $0.16875 up to $0.1940625
Second target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Total quarterly distribution per unit target amount			above $0.1940625 up to $0.2109375
Third target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Total quarterly distribution per unit target amount			above $0.2109375 up to $0.253125
Maximum target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Total quarterly distribution per unit target amount			above $0.253125
General Partner [Member] | Minimum quarterly distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Marginal percentage interest in distributions			2.00%
General Partner [Member] | First target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Marginal percentage interest in distributions			2.00%
General Partner [Member] | Second target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Marginal percentage interest in distributions			15.00%
General Partner [Member] | Third target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Marginal percentage interest in distributions			25.00%
General Partner [Member] | Maximum target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Marginal percentage interest in distributions			50.00%
Limited Partner [Member] | Minimum quarterly distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Marginal percentage interest in distributions			98.00%
Limited Partner [Member] | First target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Marginal percentage interest in distributions			98.00%
Limited Partner [Member] | Second target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Marginal percentage interest in distributions			85.00%
Limited Partner [Member] | Third target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Marginal percentage interest in distributions			75.00%
Limited Partner [Member] | Maximum target distribution [Member]
Distributions:
Marginal percentage interest in distributions			50.00%