ETE Merger and Pending Holdco Transaction (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 years	Mar. 31, 2012 Citrus [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Citrus [Member]	Mar. 25, 2012 Citrus [Member]	Jun. 15, 2012 ETE [Member] Holdco [Member]	Jun. 15, 2012 ETP [Member] Holdco [Member]
Percentage owned by equity investment			50.00%
Total merger amount				$ 2,000,000,000
Merger amount, in cash				1,895,000,000
Merger amount, in common units		105,000,000
Maximum contribution equity interest merger		1,450,000,000
Merger related expenses	42,600,000
Net gain due to curtailment of postretirement employee benefit plans	$ 10,500,000
Intangible asset, estimated useful life	17.5
Pending post merger equity investment by affiliate					60.00%	40.00%