Acquisitions and Discontinued Operations Acquisitions Pro Forma (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations	$ 0	$ (279)	[1]	$ (2)	$ (551)	[1]
Drop-down asset groups, Copano, and Goldsmith Landreth Unit [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue	3,204	2,660		6,383	5,366
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Changes in Accounting and Extraordinary Items, Net of Tax	984	288		1,766	695
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations	0	(279)		(2)	(551)
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)	984	9		1,764	144
Pro forma income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(10)	(7)		(19)	(8)
Pro forma income attributable to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners L.P.	$ 974	$ 2		$ 1,745	$ 136
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Changes in Accounting and Extraordinary Items, Net of Tax, Per Share, Diluted	$ 1.30	$ (0.04)		$ 2.21	$ 0.19
Pro forma income from discontinued operations per unit	0.00	(0.70)		(0.01)	(1.39)
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 1.30	$ (0.74)		$ 2.20	$ (1.20)

[1] Retrospectively adjusted as discussed in Note 1.