-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 9WjDB/JpNpAxF2ceENn9oA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-07-091275.txt : 20071228
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-07-091275.hdr.sgml : 20071228
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20071228145035
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-07-091275
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20071226
FILED AS OF DATE:		20071228
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20071228

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001357371
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				743169953
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		515 SOUTH FLOWER STREET, SUITE 4800
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90071
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(213) 225-5900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		515 SOUTH FLOWER STREET, SUITE 4800
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90071

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Washburn Willis Jackson
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001408559

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-33055
		FILM NUMBER:		071331610

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(213) 225-5900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BREITBURN ENERGY PARTNERS L.P.
		STREET 2:		515 SOUTH FLOWER STREET, SUITE 4800
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90071
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-12-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001357371</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BBEP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001408559</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Washburn Willis Jackson</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>515 SOUTH FLOWER STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 4800</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90071</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>V. P., Business Development</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Phantom  Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-12-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>12910</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Units</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>12910</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12910</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Convertible Performance Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-12-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>32000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Units</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>32000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>32000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each Restricted Phantom Unit (&quot;RPU&quot;) is the economic equivalent of one common unit representing a limited partner interest in BBEP (a &quot;common unit&quot;) which includes a distribution equivalent right that entitles the holder to cash distributions at the same rate payable to common unitholders on a quarterly basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">On each of January 1, 2009, January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2011, one-third of the RPUs will be settled for an equal number of common units.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Each Convertible Performance Unit (&quot;CPU&quot;) is a phantom equity award which includes a distribution equivalent right that entitles the holder to cash distributions at the same rate payable to common unitholders on a quarterly basis based upon the number of CPUs multiplied by a number ranging from 0 to 4.768 (the &quot;multiplier&quot;), reflecting whether specified performance metrics are attained.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">On the earlier of January 1, 2013 and the date on which distributions paid to common unitholders for four consecutive quarters are greater than or equal to $3.10 per common unit, the CPUs will be settled for a number of common units determined by multiplying each CPU by the multiplier. If distributions to common unitholders decrease during the vesting period, the settlement amount may be decreased to recoup earlier distributions paid to the holder.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Roberta E. Kass, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-12-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----