Property, Plant and Equipment Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 2,107,129	$ 2,157,597
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	15
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	50
LNG terminal costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(125,108)	(82,246)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,565,991	1,599,320
LNG terminal [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,647,107	1,638,811
LNG terminal construction-in-process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	39,010	39,393
LNG site and related costs, net [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	4,982	3,362
Pipelines [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	564,021	563,715
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(52,878)	(37,939)
Property, plant and equipment, net	532,025	546,714
Natural gas pipeline construction-in-process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	2,427	2,484
Pipeline right-of-ways [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	18,455	18,455
Oil and Gas Properties [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	4,170	3,872
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(3,033)	(2,604)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,137	1,268
Fixed assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(23,844)	(20,983)
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,976	10,295
Computer and office equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	5,952	5,472
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	4,057	4,509
Computer Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	12,601	12,526
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	7,318	7,318
Other Fixed Assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,892	1,453
LNG storage tanks [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	50
Marine berth, electrical, facility and roads [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	35
Regasification processing equipment (recondensers, vaporization, and vents) [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	30
Sendout pumps [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	20
Other Energy Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum	15
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum	30
Sabine Pass LNG terminal [Member] | LNG terminal costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 35,500