Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Financial Instruments - Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping (Details)

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Financial Instruments - Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Sep. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Senior Notes | 2013 Senior Notes | Carrying Amount
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying amount and estimated fair value of debt instruments $ 550,000 [1] $ 550,000 [1]
Senior Notes | 2013 Senior Notes | Total
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying amount and estimated fair value of debt instruments 585,750 [1] 555,500 [1]
Senior Notes | 2016 Senior Notes | Carrying Amount
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying amount and estimated fair value of debt instruments 1,645,939 [1] 1,642,418 [1]
Senior Notes | 2016 Senior Notes | Total
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying amount and estimated fair value of debt instruments 1,773,499 [1] 1,650,630 [1]
Line of Credit | Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member] | Carrying Amount
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying amount and estimated fair value of debt instruments 100,000 [2] 0 [2]
Line of Credit | Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member] | Total
    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying amount and estimated fair value of debt instruments $ 100,000 [2] $ 0 [2]
[1] The Level 2 estimated fair value of the Senior Notes, net of discount, was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who make markets in these and similar instruments based on the closing trading prices on September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, as applicable.
[2] The Level 2 estimated fair value of the Liquefaction Credit Facility was determined to be the carrying amount due to our ability to call this debt at anytime without penalty.