Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Liquidity (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Liquidity (Details) (USD $)
 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2011
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
May 31, 2010
Loans Payable [Member]
2007 Term Loan
Jan. 31, 2012
Loans Payable [Member]
2007 Term Loan
Jun. 30, 2011
Loans Payable [Member]
2007 Term Loan
Jan. 31, 2012
Loans Payable [Member]
2007 Term Loan
Repayment of Debt [Member]
Sep. 30, 2011
Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Senior Notes Interest Payments [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Sabine Pass LNG's Working Capital [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Cheniere Partners' Working Capital [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Other restrictions [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Common Stock [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Chenier Partners [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]                                
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value $ 459,160,000   $ 439,827,000 $ 24,473,000 $ 74,161,000                      
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents     205,900,000               137,300,000 3,500,000 55,900,000 9,200,000    
Ownership Interest                               88.70%
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities             298,000,000 298,000,000   190,700,000            
Issuances of stock, shares 41,745,000                              
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share                             $ 8.35  
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock 330,900,000   351,907,000 0                        
Repayments of Long-term Debt     $ 298,000,000 $ 0   $ 102,000,000     $ 298,200,000              
Stock Sale Program, Authorized Maximum Number of Shares   10,000,000                            
Common stock, shares issued     24,200,000                          
Term of Sufficient Liquidity     12 months