| 
           Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $) 
        In Thousands, unless otherwise specified  | 
        3 Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 
           Mar. 31, 2013 
         | 
        
           Mar. 31, 2012 
         | 
      |
| Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] | ||
| Cash paid during the year for interest, net of amounts capitalized | $ 0 | $ 25,700 | 
| LNG terminal costs funded with accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ 180,084 | $ 0 | 
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          Future cash outflow to pay for construction in progress expenditures that have occurred. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  | 
        
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          The amount of cash paid for interest during the period net of cash paid for interest that is capitalized. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  | 
        
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Details 
          
  |