Initial Public Offering (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
1 Months Ended 8 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Feb. 11, 2015
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Initial Public Offering [Line Items]        
Contribution of capital from parent $ 1,217.3      
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest Additional Ownership Interest     46.50%  
Net proceeds from IPO   $ 1,168.4    
Underwriting discounts, structuring fees, and offering expenses   $ 69.8    
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest     15.70%  
Common Units        
Initial Public Offering [Line Items]        
Shares Issued, Price Per Share $ 23.00      
Partners' Capital Account, Units, Sold in Public Offering   53,833,107    
Over-Allotment Option [Member] | Common Units        
Initial Public Offering [Line Items]        
Partners' Capital Account, Units, Sold in Public Offering   7,021,709    
Columbia Energy Group        
Initial Public Offering [Line Items]        
Contribution of capital from parent $ 1,217.3      
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest   7.30%    
Columbia Energy Group | Subordinated Units        
Initial Public Offering [Line Items]        
Partners' Capital Account, Units, Sold in Public Offering   46,811,398    
Columbia OpCo        
Initial Public Offering [Line Items]        
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest Additional Ownership Interest   8.40%    
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest   15.70%    
Reimbursement of Preformation Capital       $ 500.0
Limited Partner | Common Units        
Initial Public Offering [Line Items]        
Contribution of capital from parent 0.0      
Net proceeds from IPO   $ 1,168.4    
Limited Partner | Subordinated Units        
Initial Public Offering [Line Items]        
Contribution of capital from parent $ 0.0      
Net proceeds from IPO   $ 0.0    
Limited Partner | Columbia Energy Group        
Initial Public Offering [Line Items]        
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest   84.30%