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
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2013
Other Contractual Restrictions [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Other Contractual Restrictions [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Senior Notes Interest Payments [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Senior Notes Interest Payments [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Debt Service Reserve Fund [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners [Member]
Cheniere Energy, Inc. [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners [Member]
Cheniere Energy, Inc. [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Notes
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Rate
Jul. 31, 2012
Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member]
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
2020 Notes
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
2020 Notes
Senior Notes
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
2016 Senior Notes [Member]
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Acquisition of Non-current Assets [Member]
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
Debt Service Reserve Fund [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Payment of Liabilities [Member]
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
Debt Service Reserve Fund [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Payment of Liabilities [Member]
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
Debt Service Reserve Fund [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Payment For Project [Member]
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
Debt Service Reserve Fund [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Payment For Project [Member]
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
Debt Service Reserve Fund [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]                                      
Principal amount of private offerings consummated                         $ 420,000,000 $ 1,665,500,000          
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)                       6.50%   7.50%          
Debt instrument fixed charge coverage ratio                   2                  
Line of credit borrowing capacity                     3,600,000,000                
Current restricted cash and cash equivalents 722,083,000 520,263,000 12,500,000 8,500,000 55,400,000 17,400,000   456,900,000 419,300,000             197,400,000 75,100,000    
Non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents $ 1,467,100,000 $ 272,924,000 $ 500,000       $ 76,100,000               $ 100,000,000     $ 1,290,400,000 $ 96,300,000