Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
2013 Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
   
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure $ 0 [1] $ 550,000 [1]
2013 Senior Notes [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
   
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 0 [1] 555,500 [1]
2016 Notes [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
   
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,647,113 1,642,418 [1]
2016 Notes [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
   
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,824,177 1,650,630 [1]
2020 Notes [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
   
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 420,000 [1] 0 [1]
2020 Notes [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
   
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 437,850 0 [1]
Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
   
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure 100,000 [1] 0 [1]
Liquefaction Credit Facility [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
   
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure $ 100,000 [1] $ 0 [1]
[1] The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who make markets in these and similar instruments based on the closing trading prices on December 31, 2012 and 2011, as applicable.