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Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) (USD $)
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12 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sep. 30, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Sep. 30, 2012
Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners
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Dec. 31, 2011
Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners
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Sep. 30, 2012
Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners
Other Contractual Restrictions [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners
Other Contractual Restrictions [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Senior Notes
Sabine Pass LNG, LP
Rate
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Nov. 30, 2006
Senior Notes
Sabine Pass LNG, LP
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Sep. 30, 2012
Senior Notes
Sabine Pass LNG, LP
Debt Service Reserve Fund
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Dec. 31, 2011
Senior Notes
Sabine Pass LNG, LP
Debt Service Reserve Fund
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Sep. 30, 2012
Line of Credit
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
Liquefaction Reserve
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| Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items] | |||||||||||
| Principal amount of debt | $ 2,032,000,000 | $ 2,215,500,000 | |||||||||
| Fixed charge coverage ratio | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| Currrent restricted cash and cash equivalents | 500,711,000 | 102,165,000 | 369,100,000 | 81,400,000 | 8,300,000 | 6,400,000 | 54,900,000 | 13,700,000 | 68,400,000 | ||
| Interest payment period | 12 months | 12 months | |||||||||
| Non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents | $ 267,700,000 | $ 82,892,000 | $ 500,000 | $ 82,400,000 | $ 82,400,000 | $ 184,800,000 |