Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

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

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Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
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 $ 1,648,286 $ 1,647,113 [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 1,825,477 1,824,177 [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] 420,000 [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 444,150 437,850 [1]
2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
   
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure 1,500,000 [1] 0 [1]
2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction 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 1,552,500 0
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] 100,000 [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] $ 100,000 [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 March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, as applicable.