Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Debt and Debt-Related Parties Senior Notes (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Debt and Debt-Related Parties Senior Notes (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2010
Senior Notes
Nov. 30, 2006
Senior Notes
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Notes
2013 Senior Notes [Member]
Nov. 30, 2006
Senior Notes
2013 Senior Notes [Member]
Sep. 30, 2008
Senior Notes
2016 Senior Notes [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Notes
2016 Senior Notes [Member]
Nov. 30, 2006
Senior Notes
2016 Senior Notes [Member]
Oct. 31, 2012
Senior Notes
2020 Notes
Dec. 31, 2012
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Senior Notes
Dec. 31, 2012
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Senior Notes
2020 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                          
Debt instrument principal amount         $ 2,032,000,000   $ 550,000,000     $ 1,482,000,000 $ 420,000,000   $ 420,000,000
Debt instrument stated interest rate             7.25%     7.50% 6.50%    
Gain on early extinguishment of debt (57,685,000) 0 (50,320,000)     (42,587,000)              
Debt Instrument, Increase, Additional Borrowings               183,500,000          
Redemption of Debt Instrument, Percentage                 100.00%        
Percentage of debt principal                 1.00%        
Debt Instrument, Fixed Charge, Coverage Ratio                       2  
Distribution Made to Member or Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Paid $ 333,453,000 $ 313,619,000   $ 374,800,000