Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

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

v3.20.2
Debt - Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Sep. 30, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt $ 31,287 $ 30,774
Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [1] 24,700 22,700
Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [2] 2,771 2,002
Senior Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Senior Notes, Estimated Fair Value [1] 27,109 24,650
Senior Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Senior Notes, Estimated Fair Value [2] 3,090 2,259
Line of Credit [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [3] 3,391 3,283
Line of Credit [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure [3] 3,391 3,283
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [2] 465 1,278
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Convertible Debt, Estimated Fair Value [2] 474 1,312
2025 Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [2] 0 1,578
2025 Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Convertible Debt, Estimated Fair Value [2] 0 1,807
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt [4] 625 625
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Convertible Debt, Estimated Fair Value [4] $ 452 $ 498
[1] The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotes obtained from broker-dealers or market makers of these senior notes and other similar instruments.
[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 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.
[4] 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.