EXHIBIT 8

                                October 4, 2002




Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.
One Allen Center, Suite 1000
500 Dallas Street
Houston, Texas 77002


Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. (the
"Partnership"), a Delaware limited partnership, in connection with the offers by
the Partnership to exchange up to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its
5.35% Exchange Senior Notes due 2007 (the "2007 Exchange Notes") for its 5.35%
Senior Notes due 2007 (the "2007 Original Notes") and to exchange up to
$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7.30% Exchange Senior Notes due
2033 (the "2033 Exchange Notes") for its 7.30% Senior Notes due 2033 (the "2033
Original Notes). The exchange offers are collectively referred to herein as the
"Exchange Offers." The 2007 Exchange Notes and 2033 Exchange Notes and the 2007
Original Notes and 2033 Original Notes are referred to herein collectively as
the "Notes." The Partnership has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-4 with respect
to the Exchange Offers (the "Registration Statement"), under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

We have examined originals or copies of the Registration Statement and such
other documents and records as we have deemed necessary and relevant for the
purposes hereof. In addition, we have relied on certificates of officers of
Kinder Morgan Management, LLC, the delegate of Kinder Morgan G.P., Inc., the
general partner of the Partnership, and of public officials and others as to
certain matters of fact relating to this opinion and have made such
investigations of law as we have deemed necessary and relevant as a basis
hereof. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures,
the authenticity of all documents and records submitted to us as copies, the
conformity to authentic original documents and records of all documents and
records submitted to us as copies, and the truthfulness of all statements of
fact contained therein.

On the basis of the foregoing and upon consideration of applicable law, we are
of the opinion that, subject to the qualifications stated therein, the
discussion as to the United States federal income tax matters set forth under
the caption "Material Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the Prospectus
contained in the Registration Statement summarizes the material United States
federal income tax consequences relevant to the Exchange Offers and to the
purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 8
to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm under the
heading "Material Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the Prospectus included
in the Registration Statement. By giving such consent, we do not admit that we
are experts with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including
this Exhibit, within the meaning of the term "expert" as used in the Securities
Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

                                           Very truly yours,



                                           /s/ Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P.

                                           Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P.