Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Financial Instruments - Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments (Details)

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Financial Instruments - Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Sep. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt $ 8,989,760 $ 6,576,273
2016 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 1,655,328 1,651,807
2016 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,750,510 [1] 1,868,607 [1]
2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 420,000 420,000
2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 432,600 [1] 432,600 [1]
2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 2,010,530 2,011,562
2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 2,045,714 [1] 1,961,273 [1]
2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 1,000,000 1,000,000
2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,042,500 [1] 982,500 [1]
2023 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 1,507,257 1,000,000
2023 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,507,257 [1] 935,000 [1]
2024 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 2,000,000 0
2024 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 2,010,000 [1] 0 [1]
2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 0 100,000
2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure 0 [2] 100,000 [2]
Creole Trail Pipeline Credit Facility [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 396,645 392,904
Creole Trail Pipeline Credit Facility [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure $ 400,000 [3] $ 400,000 [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, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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 any time 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 any time without penalty.