Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt $ 12,117,880us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent $ 9,806,084us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Carrying Amount [Member] | 2016 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 1,657,676us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2016SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember 		1,656,502us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2016SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Carrying Amount [Member] | 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 420,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2020SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember 		420,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2020SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Carrying Amount [Member] | 2021 SPL Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 2,009,819us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2021SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember 		2,010,177us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2021SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Carrying Amount [Member] | 2022 SPL Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 1,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2022SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember 		1,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2022SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Carrying Amount [Member] | 2023 SPL Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 1,506,918us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2023SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember 		1,507,089us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2023SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Carrying Amount [Member] | 2024 SPL Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 2,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2024SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember 		2,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2024SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Carrying Amount [Member] | 2025 SPL Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 2,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2025SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember 		0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2025SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Carrying Amount [Member] | 2021 Convertible Unsecured Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 821,226us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2021ConvertibleUnsecuredNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember 		814,751us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2021ConvertibleUnsecuredNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Carrying Amount [Member] | 2045 Convertible Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 304,425us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2045ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember 		0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2045ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Carrying Amount [Member] | 2017 CTPL Term Loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Long-term debt 397,816us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_CreoleTrailPipelineCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember 		397,565us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_CreoleTrailPipelineCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | 2016 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,757,136us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2016SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1] 1,718,621us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2016SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1]
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 428,400us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2020SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1] 428,400us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2020SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1]
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | 2021 SPL Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 2,024,893us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2021SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1] 1,985,050us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2021SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1]
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | 2022 SPL Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,030,000us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2022SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1] 1,020,000us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2022SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1]
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | 2023 SPL Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,506,918us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2023SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1] 1,476,947us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2023SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1]
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | 2024 SPL Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 2,000,000us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2024SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1] 1,970,000us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2024SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1]
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | 2025 SPL Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,975,000us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2025SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1] 0us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2025SabinePassLiquefactionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[1]
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | 2021 Convertible Unsecured Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures 1,132,006us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2021ConvertibleUnsecuredNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[2] 1,025,563us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2021ConvertibleUnsecuredNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[2]
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | 2045 Convertible Senior Notes [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures 518,863us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2045ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[3] 0us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_A2045ConvertibleSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[3]
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | 2017 CTPL Term Loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Loans Payable, Fair Value Disclosure $ 400,000us-gaap_LoansPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_CreoleTrailPipelineCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[4] $ 400,000us-gaap_LoansPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= lng_CreoleTrailPipelineCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember 		[4]
[1] The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who make markets in these and similar instruments based on the closing trading prices on March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, as applicable.
[2] The Level 3 estimated fair value was calculated based on inputs that are observable in the market or that could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data, including our stock price and interest rates based on debt issued by parties with comparable credit ratings to us and inputs that are not observable in the market.
[3] The Level 1 estimated fair value was based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical liabilities that we had the ability to access at the measurement date.
[4] The Level 3 estimated fair value approximates the principal amount because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and CTPL has the ability to call this debt at any time without penalty