Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Business Segment Information (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]      
Revenues $ 65,906 $ 70,474  
Intersegment revenues (losses) 0 0  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 15,113 16,290  
Non-cash compensation 66,012 2,289  
Income (loss) from operations (67,454) 721  
Interest expense, net (40,262) (58,350)  
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (124,709) (58,847)  
Goodwill 76,819 76,819 76,819
Total assets 6,581,819 2,934,522 4,639,085
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets 557,182 1,981  
LNG terminal [Member] | Chenier Energy Partners, LP [Member]
      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Ownership Interest 56.40%    
LNG terminal [Member] | Corpus Christi LNG [Member]
      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Business segment ownership percentage 100.00%    
LNG terminal [Member] | Creole Trail LNG [Member]
      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Business segment ownership percentage 100.00%    
LNG terminal [Member] | Sabine Pass LNG terminal [Member]
      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Storage capacity 16.9    
Volume of vessel 265,000    
Regasification capacity 4.0    
LNG terminal business [Member]
      
Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]      
Revenues 66,630 67,266  
Intersegment revenues (losses) (569) (2,389)  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 14,380 14,388  
Non-cash compensation 6,288 206  
Income (loss) from operations (5,824) 14,531  
Interest expense, net 51,916 54,941  
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (74,882) (41,479)  
Goodwill 76,819 76,819  
Total assets 6,377,204 2,431,752  
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets 556,575 1,045  
LNG terminal business [Member] | Cheniere Marketing, LLC [Member]
      
Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]      
Proceeds (payments) of gross margin earned, percentage 80.00%    
LNG and natural gas marketing business [Member]
      
Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]      
Revenues (1,157) 2,658  
Intersegment revenues (losses) 592 1,431  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 249 1,302  
Non-cash compensation 11,063 981  
Income (loss) from operations (20,667) (6,746)  
Interest expense, net 0 0  
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (20,656) (6,548)  
Goodwill 0 0  
Total assets 59,703 82,179  
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets 0 700  
LNG and natural gas marketing business [Member] | Cheniere Marketing, LLC [Member]
      
Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]      
Proceeds (payments) of gross margin earned, percentage 80.00%    
Corporate and Other [Member]
      
Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]      
Revenues 433 550  
Intersegment revenues (losses) (23) 958  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 484 600  
Non-cash compensation 48,661 1,102  
Income (loss) from operations (40,963) (7,064)  
Interest expense, net (11,654) 3,409  
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (29,171) (10,820)  
Goodwill 0 0  
Total assets 144,912 420,591  
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets $ 607 $ 236