Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Liquidity (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Liquidity (Details) (USD $)
 1 Months Ended 4 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Dec. 31, 2008
Dec. 31, 2011
Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
May 31, 2010
Loans Payable [Member]
2007 Term Loan
Jun. 30, 2011
Loans Payable [Member]
2007 Term Loan
Jan. 31, 2012
Loans Payable [Member]
2007 Term Loan
Repayment of Debt [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Senior Notes Interest Payments [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Sabine Pass LNG's Working Capital [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Cheniere Partners' Working Capital [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Other restrictions [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Chenier Partners [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]                                  
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value $ 459,160,000   $ 459,160,000 $ 459,160,000 $ 74,161,000 $ 88,372,000 $ 102,192,000                    
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents 185,100,000   185,100,000 185,100,000                 96,100,000 4,300,000 77,100,000 7,500,000  
Ownership Interest                                 88.80%
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities                   298,000,000   190,700,000          
Issuances of stock, shares 41,745,000                                
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share               $ 8.35                  
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock 330,900,000   14,400,000 468,598,000 0 0                      
Repayments of Long-term Debt       0 104,681,000 30,030,000     102,000,000   298,200,000            
Stock Sale Program, Authorized Maximum Number of Shares   10,000,000                              
Common stock, shares issued     1,500,000                            
Payments for Commissions     $ 400,000                            
Term of Sufficient Liquidity 12 months   12 months 12 months