GENERAL (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Supplementary cash flows information:
Interest paid (net of interest capitalized)			$ 135,058		$ 112,040
Income taxes paid — net			11,593		26,024
Supplementary non-cash investing and financing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment			74,694	[1]	77,464	[1]
Allowance for equity funds used during construction	$ 8,290	$ 5,622	$ 25,315		$ 15,800

[1] Amounts consist of current liabilities for construction labor and materials that have not been included in investing activities. These amounts have not been paid for as of September 30, 2013 or 2012, respectively, but have been or will be included as a cash outflow from investing activities for expenditures for property, plant and equipment when paid.