| 
           Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified  | 
        12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Dec. 31, 2011 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2009 
         | 
      |
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||
| Cash equivalents maturity period | 3 months | ||
| Advanced capacity reservation fees amortization period | 10 years | ||
| Retained percentage of LNG delivered | 2.00% | ||
| Number of impairments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| Goodwill | 76,819 | 76,819 | 76,819 | 
| Property lease term | 90 years | ||
| 
           Stock options, warrants and unvested stock [Member] 
         | 
        |||
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||
| Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount | 2.4 | 5.8 | 9.0 | 
| 
           Common Shares [Member] 
         | 
        |||
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||
| Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount | 7.5 | 7.5 | 59.2 | 
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Advanced capacity reservation fees amortization period No definition available. 
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- Definition 
          Cash equivalents maturity period No definition available. 
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- Definition 
          Number of impairments No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Property lease term No definition available. 
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- Definition 
          Retained percentage of LNG delivered No definition available. 
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- Details 
          
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- Definition 
          Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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