Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
Senior Notes Interest Payments [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Senior Notes Interest Payments [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Service Reserve Fund [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Debt Service Reserve Fund [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Other Contractual Restrictions [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Other Contractual Restrictions [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Chenier Partners [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Chenier Partners [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Senior Notes [Member]
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Senior Notes [Member]
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Nov. 30, 2006
Senior Notes [Member]
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]                          
Principal amount of private offerings consummated                     $ 2,215,500,000 $ 2,215,500,000 $ 2,032,000,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents                       82,400,000  
Debt Instrument, Fixed Charge, Coverage Ratio                     2 2  
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current 102,165,000 73,062,000 13,700,000 13,700,000     6,400,000 6,100,000 81,400,000 53,300,000      
Interest payment period     12 months 12 months                  
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent $ 82,892,000 $ 82,892,000     $ 82,400,000 $ 82,400,000 $ 500,000 $ 500,000