2.2.0.7 false Gas in Storage 0205 - Disclosure - Gas in Storage true false false false 1 USD false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 2 Gas in Storage [Abstract] 0 ni_GasInStorageAbstract ni false na duration Gas in Storage. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string Gas in Storage. false 3 Gas in Storage 1 us-gaap_InventoryDisclosureTextBlock us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0   <div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif"> <div align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><b>5.</b>            <b>Gas in Storage</b> </div> <div align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">Gas Distribution Operations price natural gas storage injections at the average of the costs of natural gas supply purchased during the year. For interim periods, the difference between current projected replacement cost and the LIFO cost for quantities of gas temporarily withdrawn from storage is recorded as a temporary LIFO liquidation credit or debit within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited). Due to seasonality requirements, NiSource expects interim variances in LIFO layers to be replenished by year-end. Changes between the temporary LIFO liquidation credits in the amounts of $6.4 million and $8.3 million during the first six months of 2010 and 2009, respectively, are considered non-cash activities for the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (unaudited). In addition to the temporary LIFO liquidation credit described above, NiSource also has a temporary LIFO liquidation debit of $15.6 million recorded for the first six months of 2010 for certain gas distribution companies recorded within, “Prepayments and other,” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited). </div> </div>  <!-- Begin Block Tagged Note false false false us-types:textBlockItemType textblock This element represents the complete disclosure related to inventory. This may include, but is not limited to, the basis of stating inventory, the method of determining inventory cost, the major classes of inventory, and the nature of the cost elements included in inventory. If inventory is stated above cost, accrued net losses on firm purchase commitments for inventory and losses resulting from valuing inventory at the lower-of-cost-or-market may also be included. For LIFO inventory, may disclose the amount and basis for determining the excess of replacement or current cost over stated LIFO value and the effects of a LIFO quantities liquidation that impacts net income. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a, b, c -Article 5 false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true