Property, Plant and Equipment Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 3,824,299	$ 3,282,305
LNG terminal costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(178,076)	167,472
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,293,453	2,756,403
LNG terminal [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,651,101	1,651,106
LNG terminal construction-in-process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,815,032	1,267,371
LNG site and related costs, net [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	5,396	5,398
Pipelines [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	564,145	564,034
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(71,545)	67,803
Property, plant and equipment, net	522,088	517,113
Natural gas pipeline construction-in-process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	11,033	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	3,925	3,917
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(3,249)	3,209
Property, plant and equipment, net	676	708
Fixed assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(26,719)	25,918
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,082	8,081
Computer and office equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	7,298	7,014
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	4,145	4,057
Computer Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	13,015	13,012
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	7,022	6,989
Other Fixed Assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 3,321	$ 2,927