| Long-Term Debt Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2012
 Senior Notes | Mar. 31, 2013
 Senior Notes
 2016 Senior Notes [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012
 Senior Notes
 2016 Senior Notes [Member] | Mar. 31, 2013
 Senior Notes
 2020 Notes | Dec. 31, 2012
 Senior Notes
 2020 Notes | Mar. 31, 2013
 Senior Notes
 Long-term Debt Discount [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012
 Senior Notes
 Long-term Debt Discount [Member] | Mar. 31, 2013
 Liquefaction Credit Facility
 Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012
 Liquefaction Credit Facility
 Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member] | Mar. 31, 2013
 Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes [Member]
 Rate | Dec. 31, 2012
 Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013
 Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
 Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member] | Mar. 31, 2013
 Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
 2016 Senior Notes [Member] | Mar. 31, 2013
 Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
 2020 Notes | Mar. 31, 2013
 Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
 Senior Notes
 Rate | Mar. 31, 2013
 Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
 Senior Notes
 2020 Notes | |
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument stated rate (percent) | 5.625% | 7.50% | 6.50% | |||||||||||||||
| Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost | $ 75,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument principal amount | 1,500,000,000 | 0 | 1,665,500,000 | 420,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Redemption of Debt Instrument, Percentage | 100.00% | 35.00% | ||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of debt principal | 1.00% | |||||||||||||||||
| Redemption Premium | 0 | 1 | 1.065 | |||||||||||||||
| Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease) for Period, Net | 1,400,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Percentage if 2020 Notes Outstanding | 65.00% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument fixed charge coverage ratio | 1.25 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Debt discount | (17,214,000) | 18,387,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt (including related parties) | 3,685,500,000 | 2,185,500,000 | 1,665,500,000 | 1,665,500,000 | 420,000,000 | 420,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | ||||||||||
| Total long-term debt, (including related parties), net of discount | 3,668,286,000 | 2,167,113,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| Distribution Made to Member or Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Paid | $ 69,400,000 | $ 76,700,000 | ||||||||||||||||