CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Partners Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Tax Sharing Note Receivable [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 1,620,575	$ 1,640,691	$ (16,928)	$ (3,188)
Tax sharing note receivable - Southern Union	1,523	0	0	1,523
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings	121,256	121,256	0	0
Net change in other comprehensive income	7,906	0	7,906	0
Comprehensive income	129,162	121,256	7,906	0
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 1,751,260	$ 1,761,947	$ (9,022)	$ (1,665)