Document And Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
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			$ 18,553,816,889
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		326,239,985
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2014