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[Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseTotal Investment Plan Assets [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$368falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Southern California Gas Company [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Pension Benefits {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) 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[Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSouthern California Gas Company [Member] | Pension Benefits | Total Investment Plan Assets [Member]626true0sre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsLineItemssrefalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Line Items]627false0sre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsExcludingCashAndCashEquivalentssrefalsedebitinstantNo definition 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[Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $AS_OF_Dec31_2010_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel1Member_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_dei_LegalEntityAxis_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001032208instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSouthern California Gas Company [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseTotal Investment Plan Assets [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 1 [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel1Memberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$370falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Southern California Gas Company [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Pension Benefits {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 1 [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) $AS_OF_Dec31_2009_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel1Member_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_dei_LegalEntityAxis_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001032208instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSouthern California Gas Company [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseTotal Investment Plan Assets 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available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Line Items]630false0sre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsExcludingCashAndCashEquivalentssrefalsedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse924000000924[13]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse996000000996[14]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets, Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents631false0natruenanaNo definition 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$AS_OF_Dec31_2010_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel2Member_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_dei_LegalEntityAxis_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001032208instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSouthern California Gas Company [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseTotal Investment Plan Assets [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 2 [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel2Memberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$372falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Southern California Gas Company [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Pension Benefits {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 2 [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) $AS_OF_Dec31_2009_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel2Member_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_dei_LegalEntityAxis_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001032208instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSouthern California Gas Company [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseTotal Investment Plan Assets [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 2 [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel2Memberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSouthern California Gas Company [Member] | Pension Benefits | Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] | Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 2 [Member]632true0sre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsLineItemssrefalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Line Items]633false0sre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsExcludingCashAndCashEquivalentssrefalsedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse501000000501[13]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse304000000304[14]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets, Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents634false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.sempra.com/role/disclosureemployeebenefitplanspart2details1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse373falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Southern California Gas Company [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Pension Benefits {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 3 [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) 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[Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 3 [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel3Memberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$374falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Southern California Gas Company [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Pension Benefits {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 3 [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) $AS_OF_Dec31_2009_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel3Member_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_dei_LegalEntityAxis_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001032208instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSouthern California Gas Company [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseTotal Investment Plan Assets 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available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse582000000582[15]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse528000000528[16]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets, Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents640false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.sempra.com/role/disclosureemployeebenefitplanspart2details1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse377falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Southern California Gas Company [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other Postretirement Benefits {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 1 [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) $AS_OF_Dec31_2010_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel1Member_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_dei_LegalEntityAxis_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001032208instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSouthern California Gas Company [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther Postretirement Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseTotal Investment Plan Assets [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 1 [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel1Memberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$378falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Southern California Gas Company [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other Postretirement Benefits {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 1 [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) $AS_OF_Dec31_2009_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel1Member_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_dei_LegalEntityAxis_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001032208instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSouthern California Gas Company [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther Postretirement Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseTotal Investment Plan Assets [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 1 [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel1Memberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSouthern California Gas Company [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits | Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] | Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 1 [Member]641true0sre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsLineItemssrefalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Line Items]642false0sre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsExcludingCashAndCashEquivalentssrefalsedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse184000000184[15]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse201000000201[16]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets, Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents643false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.sempra.com/role/disclosureemployeebenefitplanspart2details1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse379falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Southern California Gas Company [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other Postretirement Benefits {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 2 [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) 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[Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 2 [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel2Memberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$380falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Southern California Gas Company [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other Postretirement Benefits {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 2 [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) $AS_OF_Dec31_2009_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel2Member_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_dei_LegalEntityAxis_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001032208instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSouthern California Gas Company [Member]dei_LegalEntityAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMemberdei_LegalEntityAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther Postretirement Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseTotal Investment Plan Assets 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available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Line Items]645false0sre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsExcludingCashAndCashEquivalentssrefalsedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse395000000395[15]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse323000000323[16]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets, Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents646false0natruenanaNo definition 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[Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_TotalInvestmentPlanAssetsMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 3 [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel3Memberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$382falsefalseUSDtruefalse{dei_LegalEntityAxis} : Southern California Gas Company [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other Postretirement Benefits {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Total Investment Plan Assets [Member] {us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxis} : Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 3 [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) 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available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Line Items]648false0sre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsExcludingCashAndCashEquivalentssrefalsedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse30000003[15]falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse40000004[16]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets, Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents649false0natruenanaNo definition 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Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 3 [Member]us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldisre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueInputsLevel3Memberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsByMeasurementAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseOther Postretirement Benefits | Total Sempra Energy Consolidated Investment Plan Assets [Member] | Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Inputs, Level 3 [Member]692true0sre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsLineItemssrefalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Line Items]693false0sre_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsExcludingCashAndCashEquivalentssrefalsedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse40000004[21]falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse50000005[16]falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDefined Benefit Plan, Fair Value Of Plan Assets, Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents1Investments in common stock of domestic corporations stratified according to the MSCI 2500 index.2A passively managed broad market fund held in SoCalGas PBOP plan trusts.3Bonds of California municipalities held in the SDG&E PBOP plan trusts.4Investment-grade bonds of U.S. issuers from diverse industries.5Investments in common/collective trusts held in a pension plan trust.6Investments in common/collective trusts held in PBOP plan trusts.7Investments in venture capital and real estate funds.8An obligation to return collateral in excess of assets held under a securities lending agreement, allocated to each of the plans that hold assets in the pension master trust. Some of the collateral held in asset-backed securities was impaired. 9An obligation to return collateral in excess of assets held under a securities lending agreement, allocated to each of the plans that hold assets in the pension master trust. Some of the collateral held in asset-backed securities was impaired. 10Excludes cash and cash equivalents of $4 million and transfers receivable from other plans of $6 million at December 31, 2010.11Excludes cash and cash equivalents of $6 million at December 31, 2009.12Excludes cash and cash equivalents of $29 million, all of which is held in SDG&E PBOP plan trusts.13Excludes cash and cash equivalents of $8 million and transfers receivable from other plans of $6 million at December 31, 2010.14Excludes cash and cash equivalents of $13 million at December 31, 2009.15Excludes cash and cash equivalents of $50 million, all of which is held in SoCalGas PBOP plan trusts.16Excludes cash and cash equivalents of $34 million, $30 million of which is held in SoCalGas PBOP plan trusts.17Excludes transfers payable to other plans of $12 million.18Excludes cash and cash equivalents of $1 million.19Excludes cash and cash equivalents of $2 million.20Excludes cash and cash equivalents of $12 million and $20 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. 21Excludes cash and cash equivalents of $81 million, $50 million and $29 million of which is held in SoCalGas and SDG&E PBOP plan trusts, respectively.2693EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS PART 2 (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue