Intangibles (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2007	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Intangibles - (Details) [Abstract]
Reporting units				6
Multiple for calculating terminal fair values for goodwill impairment testing - low range				6
Multiple for calculating terminal fair values for goodwill impairment testing - high range				10
Discount rate used to calculate future cash flows to determine unit fair value (in hundredths)				8.00%
Schedule of Goodwill [Line Items]
Historical goodwill						$ 1,610.7
Accumulated impairment losses						(377.1)
Goodwill [Rollforward]
Beginning balance				1,233.6
Acquisitions				94.2
Disposals				(11.8)
Currency translation adjustments				(12.7)
Ending balance	1,303.3			1,303.3
Accumulated impairment recorded on Trans Mountain assets prior to acquisition by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP			377.1
Equity method goodwill contained in Investments	138.2			138.2		283.0
Goodwill disposed of as part of Megafleet sale				10.6
Goodwill disposed of as part of Arrow sale				1.2
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization Table [Line Items]
Net carrying amount	1,167.5			1,167.5		302.2
Amortization expense for the period	20.9	11.5		40.3	33.9
Weighted average useful life for intangible assets (in years)				18.6Y
Intangible Assets, Estimated Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
2012				77.1
2013				73.2
2014				70.1
2015				67.3
2016				63.8
Products Pipelines [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill [Line Items]
Historical goodwill						263.2
Goodwill [Rollforward]
Beginning balance						263.2
Ending balance	263.2			263.2		263.2
Natural Gas Pipelines [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill [Line Items]
Historical goodwill						337.0
Goodwill [Rollforward]
Beginning balance				337.0
Acquisitions				94.2
Ending balance	431.2			431.2
CO2 [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill [Line Items]
Historical goodwill						46.1
Goodwill [Rollforward]
Beginning balance						46.1
Ending balance	46.1			46.1		46.1
Terminals [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill [Line Items]
Historical goodwill						337.9
Goodwill [Rollforward]
Beginning balance				337.9
Disposals				(11.8)
Ending balance	326.1			326.1
Kinder Morgan Canada [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill [Line Items]
Historical goodwill						626.5
Accumulated impairment losses						(377.1)
Goodwill [Rollforward]
Beginning balance				249.4
Currency translation adjustments				(12.7)
Ending balance	236.7			236.7
Customer relationships, contracts and agreements [Member]
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization Table [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	1,312.7			1,312.7		399.8
Accumulated amortization	152.0			152.0		112.0
Net carrying amount	1,160.7			1,160.7		287.8
Technology-based assets, lease value and other [Member]
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization Table [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	10.6			10.6		17.9
Accumulated amortization	3.8			3.8		3.5
Net carrying amount	$ 6.8			$ 6.8		$ 14.4