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
Sep. 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 $ 1,650,634 [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 2,011,897 [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 391,665 [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 1,811,570 [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 425,250 [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 1,951,540 [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 952,500 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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, as applicable.
[2] The Level 3 estimated fair value approximates the carrying amount because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and Sabine Pass Liquefaction has the ability to call this debt at anytime without penalty.
[3] The Level 3 estimated fair value approximates the principal amount because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and CTPL has the ability to call this debt at anytime without penalty.