<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.2.0.7</Version>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>00 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R1.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0110 - Statement - Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited)</LongName>
      <ShortName>Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) (unaudited)</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/StatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R2.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0120 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/BalanceSheets</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R3.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0121 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/BalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R4.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0130 - Statement - Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ShortName>Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/StatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R5.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0140 - Statement - Condensed Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (unaudited)</LongName>
      <ShortName>Condensed Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (unaudited)</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/StatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R6.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0201 - Disclosure - Basis of Accounting Presentation</LongName>
      <ShortName>Basis of Accounting Presentation</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/BasisOfAccountingPresentation</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R7.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0202 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R8.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0203 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R9.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0204 - Disclosure - Restructuring Activities</LongName>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Activities</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/RestructuringActivities</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R10.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0205 - Disclosure - Gas in Storage</LongName>
      <ShortName>Gas in Storage</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/GasInStorage</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R11.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0206 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations and Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale</LongName>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations and Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsAndAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSale</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R12.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0207 - Disclosure - Asset Retirement Obligations</LongName>
      <ShortName>Asset Retirement Obligations</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/AssetRetirementObligations</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R13.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0208 - Disclosure - Regulatory Matters</LongName>
      <ShortName>Regulatory Matters</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/RegulatoryMatters</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R14.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0209 - Disclosure - Risk Management Activities</LongName>
      <ShortName>Risk Management Activities</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/RiskManagementActivities</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R15.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0210 - Disclosure - Fair Value Disclosures</LongName>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Disclosures</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/FairValueDisclosures</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R16.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0211 - Disclosure - Transfers of Financial Assets</LongName>
      <ShortName>Transfers of Financial Assets</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/TransfersOfFinancialAssets</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R17.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0212 - Disclosure - Goodwill Assets</LongName>
      <ShortName>Goodwill Assets</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/GoodwillAssets</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R18.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0213 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R19.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0214 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits</LongName>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefits</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R20.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0215 - Disclosure - Variable Interests and Variable Interest Entities</LongName>
      <ShortName>Variable Interests and Variable Interest Entities</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/VariableInterestsAndVariableInterestEntities</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R21.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0216 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt</LongName>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/LongTermDebt</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R22.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0217 - Disclosure - Short-Term Borrowings</LongName>
      <ShortName>Short-Term Borrowings</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/ShortTermBorrowings</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R23.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0218 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R24.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0219 - Disclosure - Other Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ShortName>Other Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/OtherCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R25.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0220 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R26.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0221 - Disclosure - Business Segment Information</LongName>
      <ShortName>Business Segment Information</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformation</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R27.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <LongName>0222 - Disclosure - Supplemental Cash Flow Information</LongName>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Cash Flow Information</ShortName>
      <Role>http://nisource.com/role/SupplementalCashFlowInformation</Role>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName>R28.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
      <Role />
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <XmlFileName />
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <ContextCount>9</ContextCount>
  <SegmentCount>0</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <UnitCount>3</UnitCount>
  <ElementCount>195</ElementCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>January-01-2010_June-30-2010</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>114</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>SixMonthsEnded_30Jun2009</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>82</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>BalanceAsOf_31Dec2009</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>74</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>ThreeMonthsEnded_30Jun2010</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>33</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>BalanceAsOf_30Jul2010</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>BalanceAsOf_31Dec2008</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>1</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>ThreeMonthsEnded_30Jun2009</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>36</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>BalanceAsOf_30Jun2009</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>2</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
    <ContextSummary>
      <ContextName>BalanceAsOf_30Jun2010</ContextName>
      <ElementCount>74</ElementCount>
    </ContextSummary>
  </ContextSummary>
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
