Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

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

v3.5.0.2
Debt - Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Sep. 30, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt $ 20,815,024 $ 16,593,806
Senior Notes, net of premium or discount [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [1] 14,848,135 10,596,307
Senior Notes, net of premium or discount [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Senior Notes, Estimated Fair Value [1] 15,747,108 9,525,809
CTPL Term Loan, net of discount [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [2] 0 398,571
CTPL Term Loan, net of discount [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
CTPL Term Loan, Estimated Fair Value [2] 0 400,000
Credit Facilities [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [2],[3] 3,850,647 3,573,000
Credit Facilities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Credit Facilities, Estimated Fair Value [2],[3] 3,850,647 3,573,000
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes, net of discount [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [4] 927,729 879,938
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes, net of discount [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Convertible Debt, Estimated Fair Value [4] 981,520 825,413
2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [4] 1,139,667 1,050,588
2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Convertible Debt, Estimated Fair Value [4] 1,296,440 914,363
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, net of discount [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [5] 307,559 305,938
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, net of discount [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Convertible Debt, Estimated Fair Value [5] $ 414,063 $ 331,919
[1] The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotes obtained from broker-dealers or market makers of the Senior Notes and other similar instruments.
[2] The Level 3 estimated fair value approximates the principal amount because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and the debt may be repaid, in full or in part, at any time without penalty.
[3] ncludes 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, SPL Working Capital Facility, 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, 2015 CCH Credit Facility and Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities.
[4] 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.
[5] 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.