Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Subsequent Events (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)
6 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Jun. 30, 2009
Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Jul. 31, 2005
Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Financing [Member]
trains
Jul. 31, 2012
Issuance of Equity [Member]
Capital Unit, Class B [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Issuance of Equity [Member]
Cheniere Energy, Inc. [Member]
Aug. 02, 2012
Settlement of Debt [Member]
Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Issuance of Debt [Member]
Line of Credit [Member]
Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Issuance of Debt [Member]
Line of Credit [Member]
Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Issuance of Debt [Member]
Line of Credit [Member]
Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Long-term Commercial Bonus Pool [Member]
Restricted Stock [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Long-term Commercial Bonus Pool [Member]
Restricted Stock [Member]
Issuance of NTP [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Long-term Commercial Bonus Pool [Member]
Restricted Stock [Member]
First Anniversary of NTP [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Long-term Commercial Bonus Pool [Member]
Restricted Stock [Member]
Second Anniversary of NTP [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Long-term Commercial Bonus Pool [Member]
Restricted Stock [Member]
Third Anniversary of NTP [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Long-term Commercial Bonus Pool [Member]
Restricted Stock [Member]
Fourth Anniversary of NTP [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Long-term Commercial Bonus Pool [Member]
Cash Awards [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]                                      
Issuances of stock, shares               28,000,000                      
Proceeds from issuance of common stock $ 819,686,000 $ 123,305,000           $ 380,300,000                      
Aggregate repayment amount                 206,900,000                    
Number of liquefaction trains to be put into service           2                          
Principal amount of debt       204,600,000 325,000,000         3,600,000,000                  
Maturity period of Liquefaction Credit Facility                   seven-year                  
Debt instrument variable rate basis                     LIBOR LIBOR              
Proceeds from purchases of Class B units             333,000,000                        
Basis spread on debt instrument variable rate (percent)     0.50%               3.50% 3.75%              
Aggregate investment in Class B units             500,000,000                        
Value of cash awards authorized under Long-term Commercial Bonus Pool                                     $ 60,000,000
Number of restricted shares of common stock authorized under the Long-term Commercial Bonus Pool (shares)                         10,000,000            
'Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Annual, Award Vesting and Payment Percentage                                     20.00%
Restricted stock awards vesting percentages (percent)                           35.00% 10.00% 15.00% 15.00% 25.00%