Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Property, Plant and Equipment Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Property, Plant and Equipment Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Y
Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, plant and equipment, net $ 2,107,129 $ 2,157,597
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum 15  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum 50  
LNG terminal costs [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment (125,108) (82,246)
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,565,991 1,599,320
LNG terminal [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 1,647,107 1,638,811
LNG terminal construction-in-process [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 39,010 39,393
LNG site and related costs, net [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 4,982 3,362
Pipelines [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 564,021 563,715
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment (52,878) (37,939)
Property, plant and equipment, net 532,025 546,714
Natural gas pipeline construction-in-process [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 2,427 2,484
Pipeline right-of-ways [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 18,455 18,455
Oil and Gas Properties [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 4,170 3,872
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment (3,033) (2,604)
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,137 1,268
Fixed assets [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment (23,844) (20,983)
Property, plant and equipment, net 7,976 10,295
Computer and office equipment [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 5,952 5,472
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 4,057 4,509
Computer Software [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 12,601 12,526
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 7,318 7,318
Other Fixed Assets [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 1,892 1,453
LNG storage tanks [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Useful Life 50  
Marine berth, electrical, facility and roads [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Useful Life 35  
Regasification processing equipment (recondensers, vaporization, and vents) [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Useful Life 30  
Sendout pumps [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Useful Life 20  
Other Energy Equipment [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum 15  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum 30  
Sabine Pass LNG terminal [Member] | LNG terminal costs [Member]
    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross $ 35,500