OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EQUITY (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Comprehensive Income And Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity, beginning of period					$ 9,238	[1]	$ 9,251
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	502	[2]	205	[2]	766	[2]	305	[2]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	35		(17)		29		(21)
Reclassification to net income of foreign currency translation adjustment related to equity method investments	(54)	[3]			(54)	[3]
Financial instruments	(16)		(7)		(13)		(5)
Available-for-sale securities			(3)				(3)
Net actuarial gain	5		2		7		3
Comprehensive income (loss)	472		180		735		279
Share-based compensation expense					24		22
Common stock dividends declared					(230)		(193)
Preferred dividends of subsidiaries	(3)		(3)		(5)		(5)
Issuance of common stock					19		46
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation					5		1
Repurchases of common stock					(18)		(2)
Acquisition of South American entities					279
Redemption of preferred stock of subidiary					(80)
Common stock released from ESOP					11		11
Distributions to noncontrolling interests					(6)
Equity, end of period	9,972		9,410		9,972		9,410
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Financial instruments, income tax expense (benefit)	(1)		(6)				(6)
Available-for-sale securities, income tax expense (benefit)			(1)				(1)
Net actuarial gain, income tax expense (benefit)	3		1		4		2
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] | Total Shareholders' Equity
Comprehensive Income And Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity, beginning of period					3,108		2,739
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	72	[4]	76	[4]	162	[4]	160	[4]
Net actuarial gain			1	[4]			1	[4]
Comprehensive income (loss)	72	[4]	77	[4]	162	[4]	161	[4]
Preferred stock dividends declared					(2)		(2)
Capital contribution	200				200
Equity, end of period	3,468		2,898		3,468		2,898
Southern California Gas Company [Member] | Total Shareholders' Equity
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	60	[4]	70	[4]	128	[4]	135	[4]
Financial instruments	1	[4]	1	[4]	1	[4]	1	[4]
Comprehensive income (loss)	61	[4]	71	[4]	129	[4]	136	[4]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Financial instruments, income tax expense (benefit)	1	[4]	1		1	[4]	1
Total Shareholders' Equity
Comprehensive Income And Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity, beginning of period					9,027		9,007
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	514	[2],[4]	225	[2],[4]	774	[2],[4]	333	[2],[4]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	29	[4]	(17)	[4]	23	[4]	(21)	[4]
Reclassification to net income of foreign currency translation adjustment related to equity method investments	(54)	[3],[4]			(54)	[3],[4]
Financial instruments	(6)	[4]	(9)	[4]	(4)	[4]	(9)	[4]
Available-for-sale securities			(3)	[4]			(3)	[4]
Net actuarial gain	5	[4]	2	[4]	7	[4]	3	[4]
Comprehensive income (loss)	488	[4]	198	[4]	746	[4]	303	[4]
Share-based compensation expense					24		22
Common stock dividends declared					(230)		(193)
Preferred dividends of subsidiaries					(5)		(5)
Issuance of common stock					19		46
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation					5		1
Repurchases of common stock					(18)		(2)
Common stock released from ESOP					11		11
Equity, end of period	9,579		9,190		9,579		9,190
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Financial instruments, income tax expense (benefit)	(1)	[4]	(6)				(6)
Available-for-sale securities, income tax expense (benefit)			(1)				(1)
Net actuarial gain, income tax expense (benefit)	3	[4]	1		4	[4]	2
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests
Comprehensive Income And Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity, beginning of period					113		146
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	(19)		(21)		(15)		(29)
Financial instruments	(10)		2		(9)		4
Comprehensive income (loss)	(29)		(19)		(24)		(25)
Equity, end of period	89		121		89		121
Noncontrolling Interests
Comprehensive Income And Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity, beginning of period					211		244
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	(12)	[2]	(20)	[2]	(8)	[2]	(28)	[2]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	6				6
Financial instruments	(10)		2		(9)		4
Comprehensive income (loss)	(16)		(18)		(11)		(24)
Acquisition of South American entities					279
Redemption of preferred stock of subidiary					(80)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests					(6)
Equity, end of period	393		220		393		220
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Comprehensive Income And Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity, beginning of period					3,221	[1]	2,885
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	53		55		147		131
Financial instruments	(10)		2		(9)		4
Net actuarial gain			1				1
Comprehensive income (loss)	43		58		138		136
Preferred stock dividends declared					(2)		(2)
Capital contribution	200				200
Equity, end of period	3,557		3,019		3,557		3,019
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Comprehensive Income And Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity, beginning of period					1,955
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
Net income	60		70		128		135
Financial instruments	1		1		1		1
Comprehensive income (loss)	61		71		129		136
Equity, end of period	2,033				2,033
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Financial instruments, income tax expense (benefit)	$ 1		$ 1		$ 1		$ 1

[1] Derived from audited financial statements.

[2] Before preferred dividends of subsidiaries.

[3] Related to the acquisition of Chilquinta Energía and Luz del Sur.

[4] Shareholders' equity of Sempra Energy Consolidated, SDG&E or SoCalGas as indicated in left margin.