Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)

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Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Mar. 11, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
tbtu
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
tbtu
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Amount of Restricted Net Assets for Consolidated Subsidiaries   $ 3,400,000,000    
Guarantee Obligations [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Loss Contingency Accrual   $ 0 $ 0  
SPL [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Energy Units Secured Through Long-Term Supply Contracts | tbtu   2,214 1,994  
CCL [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Energy Units Secured Through Long-Term Supply Contracts | tbtu   2,024 0  
Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC [Member] | Parallax Enterprises [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Secured notes receivable       $ 46,000,000
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value $ 400,000,000      
EPC Contract, Train 5 [Member] | SPL [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount   $ 3,100,000,000    
EPC Contract, Train 5 [Member] | SPL [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Contract Termination Convenience Penalty   30,000,000    
EPC Contract, Stage 1 [Member] | CCL [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount   7,800,000,000    
EPC Contract, Stage 1 [Member] | CCL [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Contract Termination Convenience Penalty   30,000,000    
EPC Contract, Stage 2 [Member] | CCL [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount   2,400,000,000    
EPC Contract, Stage 2 [Member] | Prior to Issuance of NTP [Member] | CCL [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Contract Termination Convenience Penalty   2,500,000    
EPC Contract, Stage 2 [Member] | After Issuance of NTP [Member] | CCL [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Contract Termination Convenience Penalty   $ 30,000,000    
Natural Gas Supply Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period   1 year    
Natural Gas Supply Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period   6 years    
Transportation Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period   1 year    
Transportation Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period   20 years    
Storage Service Agreement [Member] | SPL [Member] | Minimum [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period   3 years    
Storage Service Agreement [Member] | SPL [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]        
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period   10 years