Document And Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 29, 2013	Jun. 29, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	KINDER MORGAN ENERGY PARTNERS L P
Entity Central Index Key	0000888228
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 17,538,123,334
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		258,605,877
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2013