Equity and Distributions, Summary of Changes in Outstanding Units (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common Units (Unrestricted) [Member]
Summary of changes in outstanding units [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in units)	2,010,592,504	1,933,095,027	1,864,148,802
Common units issued in connection with ATM program (in units)	87,867,037	25,520,424	1,590,334
Common units issued in connection with DRIP and EUPP (in units)	16,316,534	12,793,913	9,754,227
Common units issued in connection with Oiltanking acquisition (in units)		36,827,517	54,807,352
Common units issued in connection with the vesting and exercise of unit options (in units)		396,158	1,014,108
Common units issued in connection with the vesting of phantom unit awards (in units)	1,761,455	618,395	23,311
Common units issued in connection with the vesting of restricted common unit awards (in units)	1,234,502	2,009,970	2,634,074
Forfeiture of restricted common unit awards (in units)	0	0	0
Acquisition and cancellation of treasury units in connection with the vesting of equity-based awards (in units)	(1,000,619)	(683,954)	(894,383)
Other (in units)	134,707	15,054	17,202
Ending Balance (in units)	2,116,906,120	2,010,592,504	1,933,095,027
Restricted Common Units [Member]
Summary of changes in outstanding units [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in units)	1,960,520	4,229,790	7,221,214
Common units issued in connection with ATM program (in units)	0	0	0
Common units issued in connection with DRIP and EUPP (in units)	0	0	0
Common units issued in connection with Oiltanking acquisition (in units)		0	0
Common units issued in connection with the vesting and exercise of unit options (in units)		0	0
Common units issued in connection with the vesting of phantom unit awards (in units)	0	0	0
Common units issued in connection with the vesting of restricted common unit awards (in units)	(1,234,502)	(2,009,970)	(2,634,074)
Forfeiture of restricted common unit awards (in units)	(43,724)	(259,300)	(357,350)
Acquisition and cancellation of treasury units in connection with the vesting of equity-based awards (in units)	0	0	0
Other (in units)	0	0	0
Ending Balance (in units)	682,294	1,960,520	4,229,790
Common Units [Member]
Summary of changes in outstanding units [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in units)	2,012,553,024	1,937,324,817	1,871,370,016
Common units issued in connection with ATM program (in units)	87,867,037	25,520,424	1,590,334
Common units issued in connection with DRIP and EUPP (in units)	16,316,534	12,793,913	9,754,227
Common units issued in connection with Oiltanking acquisition (in units)		36,827,517	54,807,352
Common units issued in connection with the vesting and exercise of unit options (in units)		396,158	1,014,108
Common units issued in connection with the vesting of phantom unit awards (in units)	1,761,455	618,395	23,311
Common units issued in connection with the vesting of restricted common unit awards (in units)	0	0	0
Forfeiture of restricted common unit awards (in units)	(43,724)	(259,300)	(357,350)
Acquisition and cancellation of treasury units in connection with the vesting of equity-based awards (in units)	(1,000,619)	(683,954)	(894,383)
Other (in units)	134,707	15,054	17,202
Ending Balance (in units)	2,117,588,414	2,012,553,024	1,937,324,817