Property, Plant and Equipment Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 3,282,305	$ 2,107,129
LNG terminal costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(167,472)	125,108
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,756,403	1,565,991
LNG terminal [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,651,106	1,647,107
LNG terminal construction-in-process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,267,371	39,010
LNG site and related costs, net [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	5,398	4,982
Pipelines [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	564,034	564,021
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(67,803)	52,878
Property, plant and equipment, net	517,113	532,025
Natural gas pipeline construction-in-process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	2,427	2,427
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	3,917	4,170
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(3,209)	3,033
Property, plant and equipment, net	708	1,137
Fixed assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(25,918)	23,844
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,081	7,976
Computer and office equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	7,014	5,952
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	4,057	4,057
Computer Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	13,012	12,601
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	6,989	7,318
Other Fixed Assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 2,927	$ 1,892