Litigation, Environmental and Other Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Proceedings - SFPP [Abstract]
Amount of years before filing that complainants can seek reparations	2
Number of shippers included in settlement agreement on various rate challenges dating back to 1992	11
Amount charged to earnings as a result of SFPP rate litigation		$ 172,000,000
Settlement payments made to shippers		206,300,000
Amount of reduction to general partner's distribution as a result of interim capital transaction		170,000,000
Increase in expense associated with overall rate case liability adjustments	161,300,000
Approximate amount of refunds associated with compliance filing	16,000,000
Estimated amount shippers are seeking in annual rate reductions	50,000,000
Estimated amount shippers are seeking in refunds	140,000,000
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Proceedings - Trailblazer Pipeline Company LLC [Abstract]
Amount refunded to shippers as part of Trailblazer Pipeline Company settlement	700,000
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Proceedings - Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC Section 5 Proceeding [Abstract]
Length of time within which the FERC has directed that an initial decision be issued for the KMIGT Section 5 proceeding (in weeks)	47W
Percent reduction in Fuel Retention Factors billed to shippers	27
Second stepped reduction percentage	30
California Public Utilities Commission Proceedings [Abstract]
The number of administrative law judges handling the cases with the California Public Utilities Commission	2
The estimated amount of potential annual rate reductions in the California Public Utilities Commission Proceedings	30,000,000
Approximate rate reparations sought by shippers	360,000,000
Payments made to shippers related to CPUC matters	18,400,000
Carbon Dioxide Litigation - Colorado Severance Tax [Abstract]
Number of notices of deficiency issued to assess additional state severance tax with respect to carbon dioxide produced from the McElmo Dome	3
Amount of the additional severance tax assessed by Colorado	5,700,000
Amount of interest due on the additional severance tax assessed by Colorado	1,000,000
Amount of penalties due on the additional severance tax assessed by Colorado	1,700,000
Carbon Dioxide Litigation - Montezuma County, Colorado Property Tax [Abstract]
Additional amount of property tax assessed by Montezuma County, Colorado	2,000,000
Percentage of the additional property tax assessment that is attributable to Kinder Morgan CO2 interests (in hundredths)	3720.00%
Commercial Litigation Matters - Union Pacific Railroad Company Easements [Abstract]
The number of years covered by existing contractual arrangements for rent payable for pipeline easements	10
Rent that was judged to be payable as of 2004	14,800,000
Amount of rent that SFPP would owe if judges ruling is upheld	73,900,000
Expense charged related to UPRR matters	73,900,000
Commercial Litigation Matters - Premcor Refining Group Arbitration [Abstract]
Amount of arbitration award	50,300,000
Additional alleged losses and damages being sought	11,400,000
Pipeline Integrity and Releases - Barstow, California [Abstract]
The amount of the settlement with the Navy for past response actions in regards to MTBE releases at the Barstow, California terminal	500,000
Pipeline Integrity and Releases - Westridge Terminal, Burnaby, British Columbia [Abstract]
The approximate number of barrels of crude oil released when a section of the Trans Mountain pipeline near the Westridge Terminal in Burnaby, British Columbia was struck	1,400
Fine agreed to	1,000
Amount to be contributed to B.C. Environmental Trust	149,000
Amount to be donated to BC Common Ground Alliance	100,000
General Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Amount of total reserve recorded for legal fees, transportation rate cases and other litigation liabilities	325,200,000	169,800,000
Increase (decrease) in the reserve	241,900,000
Payments on litigation reserved for	81,400,000
Environmental Matters - City of Los Angeles [Abstract]
Number of parties that have appealed cleanup goals to the state agency relating to Los Angeles Marine Terminal	2
Estimated amount of future environmental cleanup costs alleged by plaintiff regarding Los Angeles Marine Terminal	10,000,000
Past damages alleged by plaintiff for environmental cleanup costs regarding Los Angeles Marine Terminal	2,000,000
Environmental Matters - Paulsboro, New Jersey Liquids Terminal [Abstract]
Number of cases consolidated in the environmental remediation action in regards to obligations at a Paulsboro, New Jersey liquids terminal	2
Monetary award included in tentative natural resource damage settlement	1,100,000
Environmental Matters - Mission Valley Terminal Lawsuit [Abstract]
Amount of damages claimed by San Diego, California in Mission Valley Terminal Lawsuit	170,000,000
Amended claim amount	365,000,000
Environmental Matters - General [Abstract]
Accrued environmental reserve	76,900,000	74,700,000
Receivable for expected cost recoveries that have been deemed probable	5,400,000	8,600,000
Mine Safety Matters
Aggregate of proposed assessments received	3,888
Perth Amboy, New Jersey Tank Release
Penalty proposed by PHMSA	425,000
Commercial Litigation Matters - City of Reno
Damages sought by city for overcharge plus treble damages	4,000,000
Commercial Litigation Matters - South Central Cement
Damages Claimed	7,500,000
Maximum damages allowed per court order	50,000
Direct damages claimed	7,000,000
Defendants estimate of replacement costs	1,000,000
General Litigation Matter - Rick Lewis
Jury verdict amount	7,500,000
Employee Matters - James Luglaini
Proposed Settlement	2,200,000
Number of current and former employees included in settlement	400
Environmental Matters - Roosevelt Irrigation District
Amount sought from defendants	$ 175,000,000
Approximate number of defendants	70