Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Nov. 30, 2006
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]      
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current $ 123,023,000 $ 102,165,000  
Interest payment period 12 months 12 months  
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent 82,892,000 82,892,000  
Debt Service Reserve Fund [Member]
      
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]      
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent 82,400,000 82,400,000  
Other Contractual Restrictions [Member]
      
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]      
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current 8,700,000 6,400,000  
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent 500,000 500,000  
Cheniere Energy, Inc. [Member]
      
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]      
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current 59,400,000 81,400,000  
Senior Notes [Member] | Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
      
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]      
Principal amount of private offerings consummated 2,215,500,000   2,032,000,000
Semi-annual interest payment 82,400,000 82,400,000  
Debt Instrument, Fixed Charge, Coverage Ratio   2  
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current $ 54,900,000 $ 13,700,000