Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments (Details)

v2.4.0.8
Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Jun. 30, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | 2016 Senior Notes [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure $ 1,649,460 [1] $ 1,647,113 [1]
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | 2020 Notes
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 420,000 [1] 420,000 [1]
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 2,012,118 [1] 0 [1]
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes due 2023 [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure 1,000,000 [1] 0 [1]
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure 0 [2] 100,000 [2]
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | 2013 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure 100,000 [2] 0 [2]
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Creole Trail Pipeline Credit Facility [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure 390,429 [3] 0 [3]
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | 2016 Senior Notes [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,781,417 [1] 1,824,177 [1]
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | 2020 Notes
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 427,350 [1] 437,850 [1]
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,951,755 [1] 0 [1]
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes due 2023 [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure 957,500 [1] 0 [1]
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure 0 [2] 100,000 [2]
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | 2013 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure 100,000 [2] 0 [2]
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Creole Trail Pipeline Credit Facility [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure $ 400,000 [3] $ 0 [3]
[1] The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who make markets in these and similar instruments based on the closing trading prices on June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, as applicable.
[2] The Level 3 estimated fair value was determined to be the carrying amount due to our ability to call this debt at anytime without penalty.
[3] The Level 3 estimated fair value was determined to be the principal amount due to our ability to call this debt at anytime without penalty.