Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Debt - Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments (Details)

v3.3.1.900
Debt - Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt $ 11,854,878 $ 8,991,333
2016 SPLNG Senior Notes, net of discount [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt 1,661,197 1,656,502
2016 SPLNG Senior Notes, net of discount [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure [1] 1,652,891 1,718,621
2020 SPLNG Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt 420,000 420,000
2020 SPLNG Senior Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure [1] 403,200 428,400
2021 SPL Senior Notes, net of premium [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt 2,008,718 2,010,177
2021 SPL Senior Notes, net of premium [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure [1] 1,832,955 1,985,050
2022 SPL Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt 1,000,000 1,000,000
2022 SPL Senior Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure [1] 912,500 1,020,000
2023 SPL Senior Notes, net of premium [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt 1,506,392 1,507,089
2023 SPL Senior Notes, net of premium [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure [1] 1,299,263 1,476,947
2024 SPL Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt 2,000,000 2,000,000
2024 SPL Senior Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure [1] 1,715,000 1,970,000
2025 SPL Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt 2,000,000 0
2025 SPL Senior Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure [1] 1,710,000 0
2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt 845,000 0
2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure [2] 845,000 0
CTPL Term Loan, net of discount [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt 398,571 397,565
CTPL Term Loan, net of discount [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Loans Payable, Fair Value Disclosure [2] 400,000 400,000
SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Carrying Amount, Debt 15,000 0
SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Lines of Credit, Fair Value Disclosure [2] $ 15,000 $ 0
[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, 2015 and 2014, as applicable.
[2] The Level 3 estimated fair value approximates the principal amount because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and the debt may be repaid, in full or in part, at any time without penalty.