This element represents the total cash call issued by an equity method investee to fund a debt repayment.

No definition available.

Name:	tclp_CashCallIssued
Namespace Prefix:	tclp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the entity's share of distributions declared by unconsolidated affiliates accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tclp_EquityMethodInvestmentShareOfDistributionsDeclaredByInvestee
Namespace Prefix:	tclp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Per-share or per-unit cash distributions declared to a common shareholder or unit-holder by an LLC or LP.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DistributionMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of cash or stock or unit payment to LLC member or LP limited partner after the end of an accounting period.

+ References

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 12

-Paragraph 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187171-122770

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the purchase of or advances to an equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012	Nov. 02, 2012
Great Lakes
Subsequent events
Aggregate distribution declared and payable by investee			$ 21
Ownership interest (as a percent)	46.45%			46.45%
Partnership's share of distributions declared and payable by investee		10
Equity contribution	5
Total cash call issued by Great Lakes to fund its debt repayment	10
Northern Border
Subsequent events
Aggregate distribution declared and payable by investee			49
Ownership interest (as a percent)				50.00%
Partnership's share of distributions declared and payable by investee		24
GTN
Subsequent events
Aggregate distribution declared and payable by investee			30
Ownership interest (as a percent)				25.00%
Partnership's share of distributions declared and payable by investee		8
Bison
Subsequent events
Aggregate distribution declared and payable by investee			16
Ownership interest (as a percent)				25.00%
Partnership's share of distributions declared and payable by investee		$ 4
Cash distribution declared
Subsequent events
Cash distribution (in dollars per unit)			$ 0.78