Equity and Distributions, Issuances of Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 08, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Net Cash Proceeds from Sale of Common Units [Abstract]
Net cash proceeds from the issuance of common units		$ 261,000	$ 757,200
Common units issued in connection with employee compensation		$ 39,100	$ 33,700
Long-Term Incentive Plan (2008) [Member]
Net Cash Proceeds from Sale of Common Units [Abstract]
Common units issued in connection with employee compensation (in units)		1,443,586
Common units issued in connection with employee compensation		$ 39,100
Universal Shelf Registration [Member]
Registration Statements and Equity Offerings [Line Items]
Debt issued under universal shelf registration		2,700,000
At-the-Market Registration [Member]
Registration Statements and Equity Offerings [Line Items]
Maximum common units authorized for issuance		2,540,000
Remaining units available for issuance		$ 2,540,000
Net Cash Proceeds from Sale of Common Units [Abstract]
Number of common units issued (in units)			20,857,006
Gross proceeds from the sale of common units			$ 577,300
Net cash proceeds from the issuance of common units			$ 571,800
Distribution Reinvestment Plan [Member]
Registration Statements and Equity Offerings [Line Items]
Remaining units available for issuance (in units)		71,108,301
Net Cash Proceeds from Sale of Common Units [Abstract]
Number of common units issued (in units)		9,608,839	6,802,889
Net cash proceeds from the issuance of common units		$ 253,700	$ 178,900
Distribution Reinvestment Plan [Member] | EPCO and its privately held affiliates [Member]
Net Cash Proceeds from Sale of Common Units [Abstract]
Gross proceeds from the sale of common units		100,000
Net cash proceeds from the issuance of common units	$ 106,000	$ 100,000
Employee Unit Purchase Plan [Member]
Registration Statements and Equity Offerings [Line Items]
Remaining units available for issuance (in units)		5,492,560
Net Cash Proceeds from Sale of Common Units [Abstract]
Number of common units issued (in units)		268,251	232,792
Net cash proceeds from the issuance of common units		$ 7,300	$ 6,400