Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Leases (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Leases (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2008
lease_extension
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2012
Land [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Land [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Land [Member]
Feb. 28, 2005
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Land [Member]
acre
lease_extension
Jan. 31, 2005
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Land [Member]
lease
lease_extension
Dec. 31, 2012
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Land [Member]
Jul. 31, 2012
Sabine Pass LNG, LP [Member]
Land [Member]
acre
Dec. 31, 2011
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
Land [Member]
lease_extension
acre
Nov. 30, 2011
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member]
Land [Member]
acre
lease_extension
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]                          
Number of land leases entered into                 3        
Rental expense recognized   $ 10,000,000 $ 9,200,000 $ 9,100,000 $ 2,300,000 $ 1,800,000 $ 1,700,000 $ 1,500,000       $ 257,800 $ 138,000
Initial term of the lease                 30 years     30 years 5 years
Number Of Available Lease Extensions                 6     6 5
Term of available extension 5 years               10 years     10 years 1 year
Acreage under lease               853     0 80.6 80.7
Lease adjustment period due to inflation                   5 years      
Initial term of the Tug Boat Agreement 10 years                        
Number of additional renewal options under the Tug Boat Agreement 2