Cheniere Energy, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
Goodwill	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]	GOODWILL Our goodwill on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is associated with our LNG terminal reporting unit. We performed our annual goodwill impairment review in the fourth quarters of 2011, 2010 and2009. In 2011, this impairment review consisted of assessing qualitative factors to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that goodwill might be impaired. In 2010 and 2009, this impairment review consisted of comparing the carrying value, including goodwill, of the reporting unit under review to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. Had the carrying value exceeded the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, an impairment of the reporting unit would have been recognized, resulting in an impairment charge to earnings. A reporting unit is defined as a business segment or component of a business segment that has similar economic characteristics. For our impairment reviews, we have designated our LNG terminal business as the reporting unit under review due to similar economic characteristics. Our reviews indicated that no impairment of goodwill was necessary.