Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-14569
Entity Registrant Name	PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE LP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	76-0582150
Entity Address, Address Line One	333 Clay Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1600
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77002
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	646-4100
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Units
Trading Symbol	PAA
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Small Business Entity	false
Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (units)		728,476,591
Entity Central Index Key	0001070423
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3