Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Financial Instruments - Fair Value and Settlements of Derivatives (Details)

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Financial Instruments - Fair Value and Settlements of Derivatives (Details) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative [Line Items]          
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash $ 6,100,000   $ 6,100,000   $ 5,900,000
Derivative gain (loss) (22,335,000) 287,000 55,706,000 (288,000)  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax 0 0 (30,000) 0  
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
          
Derivative [Line Items]          
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net     0 0  
Derivative gain (loss) recognized in income (ineffective portion and amount excluded from Effectiveness Testing)     (167,000) 0  
Fuel Derivatives [Member]
          
Derivative [Line Items]          
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash 0   0   0
Derivative gain (loss) (55,000) 287,000 (3,000) (288,000)  
LNG Inventory Derivatives [Member]
          
Derivative [Line Items]          
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash 0   0   0
Derivative gain (loss) 14,000        
Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC [Member] | LNG Inventory Derivatives [Member]
          
Derivative [Line Items]          
Derivative gain (loss)   (265,000) (394,000) 599,000  
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member] | LNG Inventory Derivatives [Member]
          
Derivative [Line Items]          
Derivative gain (loss) 201,000 0 976,000 0  
Cheniere Marketing, LLC [Member] | Fuel Derivatives [Member]
          
Derivative [Line Items]          
Derivative gain (loss) (57,000) 0 (57,000) 0  
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
          
Derivative [Line Items]          
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash 0   0   0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
          
Derivative [Line Items]          
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Derivatives 0   0    
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
          
Derivative [Line Items]          
Derivative gain (loss) in Other Comprehensive Income 0 (29,676,000) 21,297,000 (29,676,000)  
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash         0
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net 0 0 0 0  
Derivative gain (loss) recognized in income (ineffective portion and amount excluded from Effectiveness Testing) 0 0 (5,806,000) 0  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax     $ (30,000) $ 0