Investments And Other Assets [Abstract] Investments And Other Assets [Abstract] Regulatory assets arising from fixed-price contracts and other derivatives - noncurrent Regulatory assets arising from fixed-price contracts and other derivatives - current Regulatory assets arising from pension and other postretirement benefit obligations Investment in RBS Sempra Commodities LLP Investment In Joint Venture Goodwill and other intangible assets Total Investments And Other Assets Total investments and other assets Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Abstract] Deferred Credits And Other Liabilities [Abstract] Regulatory balancing accounts, net Regulatory liabilities arising from removal obligations Distributions from RBS Sempra Commodities LLP, operating activities Distributions From Joint Venture Expenditures for investments and acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired Expeditures For Investments And Acquisition Of Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired Distributions from investments Purchases of nuclear decommissioning and other trust assets Purchases of nuclear decommissioning and other trust assets Proceeds from sales by nuclear decommissioning and other trusts Acquisition Of Business [Abstract] Acquisition Of Business [Abstract] Total deferred credits and other liabilities Total deferred credits and other liabilities Preferred stock of subsidiaries Preferred stock of subsidiary Expenses And Other Income [Abstract] Expenses And Other Income [Abstract] Sempra Utilities [Abstract] Sempra Utilities [Abstract] Sempra Global And Parent [Abstract] Sempra Global And Parent [Abstract] Cost of natural gas, electric fuel and purchased power Cost of natural gas, electric fuel and purchased power Equity Earnings (Losses) [Abstract] Equity Earnings (Losses) [Abstract] RBS Sempra Commodities LLP Equity Earnings (Losses) From Joint Venture Pretax equity earnings from RBS Sempra Commodities Capitalized Financing Costs Disclosure [Line Items] Distributable Income Of Joint Venture Distributable income of RBS Sempra Commodities (IFRS basis) Preferred dividends paid by subsidiaries Preferred dividends paid by subsidiaries Equity earnings, net of income tax Income (Loss) From Equity Method Investments Net Of Tax Preferred Stock Dividends Of Subsidiaries Preferred dividends of subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract] Variable Interest Entities Disclosure [Abstract] Variable Interest Entities Disclosure Debt And Credit Facilities Text Block Debt and Credit Facilities Recent Investment Activity Text Block Recent Investment Activity Document and Entity Information [Abstract] San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] Affiliate Of Investee [Member] Due from unconsolidated affiliate - Camuzzi Gas del Sur S.A. Utility Subsidiaries [Member] Pacific Enterprises [Member] Southern California Gas Company [Member] Deferred taxes recoverable in rates Deferred Income Taxes Recoverable In Rates Deferred taxes refundable in rates Changes in other liabilities Increase (Decrease) In Noncurrent Liabilities Increase (Decrease) In Noncurrent Assets Changes in other assets Utility cost of electric fuel and purchased power Utilities Cost Of Electric Fuel And Purchased Power Regulated Cost Of Natural Gas Cost of natural gas Quarterly Financial Data, Litigation Expense Quarterly Financial Data, Litigation expense Proceeds from sale of assets from continuing operations, net of cash sold Proceeds From Sale Of Assets And Businesses Net Of Cash Sold Noncontrolling Interests In Acquired Businesses Noncontrolling interests in acquired business Issuances of debt (maturities greater than 90 days) Proceeds From Issuance Of Debt Payments On Debt Payments on debt (maturities greater than 90 days) Variable Interest Entities Consolidated Carrying Amount Net Property Plant And Equipment Property, plant and equipment related to VIE Variable Interest Entities Consolidated Carrying Amount Long Term Debt Long-term debt related to VIE Contingently Redeemable Preferred Stock Of Subsidiary Contingently redeemable preferred stock of subsidiary Investments In Unconsolidated Entities (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Summarized Financial Information Of Joint Venture [Text Block] Schedule Of Summarized Financial Information of RBS Sempra Commodities Schedule Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income Schedule Of Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Computations Schedule Of Capitalized Financing Costs [Text Block] Schedule Of Capitalized Financing Costs Schedule Of Due To From Affiliates [Text Block] Schedule Of Amounts Due To and From Affiliates at SDG&E, PE and SoCalGas Schedule Of Revenues From Affiliates [Text Block] Schedule Of Revenues From Unconsolidated Affiliates at the Sempra Utilities Schedule Of Transactions With Joint Venture [Text Block] Schedule Of Amounts Recorded For Transactions with RBS Sempra Commodities Schedule Of Other Income (Expense) [Text Block] Schedule Of Other Income (Expense) Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Commodity Derivative Volumes [Text Block] Schedule Of Commodity Derivative Volumes Schedule Of Notional Amounts Of Interest Rate Derivatives [Text Block] Schedule Of Notional Amounts of Interest Rate Derivatives Table Schedule Of Cash Flow Hedge Impact On Statements Of Operations Text Block Schedule Of Cash Flow Hedge Impact on the Consolidated Statements Of Operations Schedule Of Undesignated Derivative Instruments Impact On Statements Of Operations Text Block Schedule Of Undesignated Derivative Impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations Fair Value Measurements (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Text Block] Schedule Of Fair Value of Financial Instruments Schedule Of Cash Collateral Not Offset With Derivative Instruments [Text Block] Schedule Of Fair Value of Cash Collateral Receivables Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets Schedule Of Recurring Fair Value Assets Liabilities [Text Block] Schedule Of Recurring Fair Value Measures Schedule Of Recurring Fair Value Assets Liabilities Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Text Block] Schedule Of Recurring Fair Value Measures Level 3 Rollforward Segment Information (Tables) [Abstract] Investments In Unconsolidated Entities (Details) [Abstract] Guarantee Fair Value At Origin Fair value of indemnity of certain litigation and tax liabilities related to businesses purchased by RBS Sempra Commodities Purchase Price Sale Of Businesses By Joint Venture Purchase price of businesses sold by RBS Sempra Commodities Proceeds From Sale Of Businesses By Joint Venture Proceeds from sale of businesses by RBS Sempra Commodities Proceeds From Sale Of Businesses By Joint Venture Distributable Income Distributions of partnership income included in proceeds from sale of businesses by RBS Sempra Commodities Secured Debt V I E Secured debt of variable interest entity Defined Benefit Plan Regulatory Adjustment Defined Benefit Plan, Regulatory Adjustment Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Abstract] Out Of The Money Stock Options [Member] Schedule Of Capitalized Financing Costs [Table] Capitalized Financing Costs Total capitalized financing costs Transactions With Affiliates Disclosure [Abstract] Transactions With Affiliates Disclosure [Abstract] Subsidiary Of Common Parent S D G E [Member] Due to/from SDG&E Subsdiary Of Common Parent So Cal Gas [Member] Due to/from SoCalGas Subsidiary Of Common Parent Other Affiliates [Member] Due to/from Other Affiliates Related Party Tax Expense Due To From Affiliates Current Income taxes due from (to) Sempra Energy Investment In Bonds Related Party Carrying Value Investment in bonds of affiliate, carrying value Investment In Bonds Related Party Rate Interest rate on investment in bonds of affiliate Transactions With Joint Venture [Line Items] Transactions With Joint Venture Disclosure [Line Items] Schedule Of Transactions With Joint Venture [Table] S D G E Segment [Member] So Cal Gas Segment [Member] Sempra Commodities Segment [Member] Sempra Generation Segment [Member] Sempra Pipelines and Storage Segment [Member] Sempra L N G Segment [Member] All Other Segments [Member] Intercompany Eliminations Segment [Member] Intersegment Receivables Segment [Member] Revenues From Transactions With Joint Venture Revenues from transactions with RBS Sempra Commodities Cost Of Natural Gas From Transactions With Joint Venture Cost of natural gas from transactions with RBS Sempra Commodities Transactions With Joint Venture Fixed Price Contracts And Other Derivatives Net Asset Liability Fixed-price contracts and other derivatives - Net Asset (Liability) - RBS Sempra Commodities Transactions With Joint Venture Due To Joint Venture Due to RBS Sempra Commodities Transactions With Joint Venture Due From Joint Venture Due from RBS Sempra Commodities Regulatory Interest, Net [Member] Other Income, Sundry [Member] Debt And Credit Facilities Disclosure [Abstract] Line Of Credit Facility, Borrower [Domain] Line Of Credit Facility, Sempra Energy [Member] Line Of Credit Facility, Sempra Global [Member] Line Of Credit Facility, Sempra Utilities Combined [Member] Line Of Credit Facility, S D G E [Member] Line Of Credit Facility, So Cal Gas [Member] Line Of Credit Facility, Letters Of Credit Capacity Committed lines of credit, capacity for issuance of letters of credit Line Of Credit Facility Letters Of Credit Outstanding Committed lines of credit, letters of credit outstanding Line Of Credit Facility Other Supported Instruments Other instruments supported by committed lines of credit Guarantees [Abstract] Guarantees [Abstract] Guarantor Obligations Liabilities Of Joint Venture Net trading liabilities of RBS Sempra Commodities supported by Sempra Energy's guarantees Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage Of Minority Partner Ownership percentage of minority partner in equity method investee Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage Of Operating Partner Ownership percentage of operating partner in equity method investee Guarantor Obligations Equity Method Investment Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity Guarantor Obligations Equity Method Investment Long Term Debt Outstanding Long-term debt outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Financial Instruments Disclosure Schedule Of Commodity Derivative Volumes [Line Items] Schedule Of Commodity Derivative Volumes [Table] Commodity Derivative Volumes Natural Gas Commodity derivative volumes, natural gas (in millions of million British thermal units) Commodity Derivative Volumes Congestion Revenue Rights Commodity derivative volumes, congestion revenue rights (in millions of megawatt hours) Commodity Derivative Volumes Electric Power Commodity derivative volumes, electric power (in millions of megawatt hours) Schedule Of Notional Amounts Of Interest Rate Derivatives [Line Items] Schedule Of Notional Amounts Of Interest Rate Derivatives [Table] Interest Rate Derivatives Notional Amount Minimum Notional amount of interest rate derivatives, minimum Interest Rate Derivatives Notional Amount Maximum Notional amount of interest rate derivatives, maximum Interest Rate Derivatives Notional Amount Notional amount of interest rate derivatives Interest Rate Derivatives Maturities Minimum Maturities of interest rate derivatives, minimum Interest Rate Derivatives Maturities Maximum Maturities of interest rate derivatives, maximum Interest Rate Derivatives Maturities Maturities of interest rate derivatives Fixed Price Contracts And Other Derivatives, Current Assets [Member] Fixed Price Contracts And Other Derivatives, Noncurrent Assets [Member] Fixed Price Contracts And Other Derivatives, Current Liabilities [Member] Fixed Price Contracts And Other Derivatives, Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] Derivative Interest Rate Instruments Designated Interest rate instruments designated as hedging instruments Derivative Commodity Contracts Not Subject To Rate Recovery Designated Derivative commodity contracts not subject to rate recovery designated as hedging instruments Derivative Interest Rate Instruments Nondesignated Interest rate interest rate instruments not designated as hedging instruments Derivative Commodity Contracts Subject To Rate Recovery Nondesignated Derivative commodity contracts subject to rate recovery not designated as hedging instruments Derivative Offsetting Commodity Contracts Subject To Rate Recovery Nondesignated Associated offsetting commodity contracts subject to rate recovery Derivative Commodity Contracts Not Subject To Rate Recovery Nondesignated Commodity contracts not subject to rate recovery not designated as hedging instruments Derivative Offsetting Commodity Contracts Not Subject To Rate Recovery Nondesignated Associated offsetting commodity contracts not subject to rate recovery Equity Earnings From Joint Venture [Member] Revenues, Sempra Global and Parent [Member] Cost of Natural Gas, Electric Fuel and Purchased Power [Member] Cost of Electric Fuel and Purchased Power [Member] Cost of Natural Gas [Member] Reclassification Of Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) [Table] Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Disclosure Due To Unconsolidated Affiliate Fair Value Disclosure Fair value of financial instruments, Due to unconsolidated affiliate Preferred Stock Of Subsidiaries Fair Value Disclosure Fair value of financial instruments, Preferred stock of subsidiaries Contingently Redeemable Preferred Stock Fair Value Disclosure Fair value of financial instruments, Contingently redeemable preferred stock Preferred Stock Fair Value Disclosure Fair value of financial instruments, Preferred stock Gross Unrealized Gains On Available For Sale Securities Gross unrealized gains Gross Unrealized Losses On Available For Sale Securities Gross unrealized losses Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Disclosure [Abstract] Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Postions Net of Cash Collateral [Table] Collateral Netted [Member] Fair Value Assets Measured On A Recurring Basis Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Equity Securities Nuclear decommissioning trusts - equity securities Fair Value Assets Measured On A Recurring Basis Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts U S Debt Securities Nuclear decommissioning trusts - Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies Fair Value Assets Measured On A Recurring Basis Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Total Total nuclear decommissioning trusts Fair Value Assets Measured On A Recurring Basis Commodity Contracts Subject To Rate Recovery Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery, assets Fair Value Assets Measured On A Recurring Basis Commodity Contracts Not Subject To Rate Recovery Commodity contracts not subject to rate recovery, assets Fair Value Assets Measured On A Recurring Basis Total Assets At Fair Value Total fair value of assets measured on a recurring basis Fair Value Liabilities Measured On A Recurring Basis Interest Rate Instruments Interest rate instruments, liabilities Fair Value Liabilities Measured On A Recurring Basis Commodity Contracts Subject To Rate Recovery Commodity contracts subject to rate recovery, liabilities Fair Value Liabilities Measured On A Recurring Basis Commodity Contracts Not Subject To Rate Recovery Commodity contracts not subject to rate recovery, liabilities Fair Value Liabilities Measured On A Recurring Basis Total Liabilities At Fair Value Total fair value of liabilities measured on a recurring basis Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Purchases Purchases Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Issuances Issuances Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Settlements Settlements Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Change In Unrealized Gain Loss Included In Cost Of Electric Fuel And Purchased Power Change in unrealized gains relating to instruments still held at the end of the period Segment Information Disclosure [Abstract] Segment Information Disclosure [Abstract] Segment Reporting Information Percentage Of Revenues Segment reporting information, Percentage of Total Consolidated Revenues Segment Reporting Information Percentage Of Depreciation And Amortization Segment reporting information, Percentage of Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Segment Reporting Information Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Net Of Income Tax Segment reporting information, Equity Earnings (Losses) Recorded Net of Tax Segment Reporting Information Percentage Of Expenditures For Property Plant And Equipment Segment reporting information, Percentage of Consolidated Expenditures for Property, Plant & Equipment Segment Reporting Information Percentage Of Assets Segment reporting information, Percentage of Consolidated Assets Quarterly Financial Data, Write Off Of Long Lived Assets Quarterly Financial Data, Write-off of long-lived assets Quarterly Financial Data, Write-off of long-lived assets Schedule Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Schedule Of Earnings Per Share [Table] Earnings Per Share Denominator [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Denominator [Abstract] Cash Assumed In Connection With Initial Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entity Cash assumed in connection with initial consolidation of variable interest entity Intersegment Revenues Segment [Member] Segment Reporting Information Percentage Of Earnings Losses Segment reporting information, Percentage of Consolidated Earnings (Losses) Fair Value Assets Measured On A Recurring Basis Interest Rate Instruments Interest rate instruments, assets Fair Value Assets Measured On A Recurring Basis Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Municipal Debt Securities Nuclear decomissioning trusts - Municipal debt securities Fair Value Assets Measured On A Recurring Basis Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Other Debt Securities Nuclear decommissioning trusts - Other debt securities Fair Value Assets Measured On A Recurring Basis Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Total Debt Securities Nuclear decommissioning trusts - Total debt securities Business Acquisition Cash Consideration Accrued Additional consideration accrued Investment In Joint Venture Disclosure [Abstract] Investment In Joint Venture Disclosure [Abstract] Rockies Express [Member] Write-off of Long-lived Assets [Table] Presentation Of Restricted Cash [Line Items] Presentation Of Restricted Cash [Table] Recent Investment Activity (Details) [Abstract] Business Acquisition Cash Paid Net Of Cash Acquired Business acquisition, Cash paid, net of cash acquired Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Equity Method Investment Investment in equity method investee Recent Investment Activity (Tables) [Abstract] Less Than Wholly-owned Subsidiaries, by Subsidiary Name [Axis] Less Than Wholly-owned Subsidiaries, By Subsidiary Name [Domain] Mississippi Hub [Member] Liberty Gas Storage [Member] Write-off Of Long-lived Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Write-off Of Long-lived Assets [Line Items] Write Off Of Long Lived Assets Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Write-off of long-lived assets, portion attributable to noncontrolling interest Quarterly Financial Data, Write Off Of Long Lived Assets Portion Attributable To Parent Net Of Tax Quarterly Financial Data, Write-off of long-lived assets, portion attributable to Sempra Energy, net of tax Industrial Development Bonds Interest Rate Stated Percentage Industrial Development Bonds, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Investment In Bonds Related Party Historical Cost Investment in bonds of affiliate, historical cost Quarterly Financial Data, Write Off Of Long Lived Assets Net Of Tax Quarterly Financial Data, Write-off of long-lived assets, net of tax Derivative, Credit Risk Related Contingent Features [Table] Regulatory Matters Disclosure (Details) [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Utility Projects [Line Items] Schedule Of Utility Projects [Table] Estimated Capital Investment Environmental Mitigation Costs Included In Estimated Project Cost Environmental mitigation associated with Sunrise Powerlink Project To Date Expenditures Investment As Percentage Of Total Estimated Project Cost Utility Projects, By Project Name [Axis] Utility Projects, By Project Name [Domain] Sunrise Powerlink [Member] Solar Photovoltaic Program [Member] East County Substation [Member] Advanced Metering Infrastructure [Member] Wind Farm Project [Member] Schedule Of Regulatory Amounts [Line Items] Schedule Of Regulatory Amounts [Table] Renewable Portfolio Standards Noncompliance, Maximum Annual Penalty General Rate Case, Annual Revenue Requirement Increase Unrecorded Gas Cost Incentive Mechanism Award Contingent Recovery Of Facilities Costs Related To Catastrophe Contingent Recovery Of Insurance Costs Related To Catastrophe Incremental Facilities Costs Incurred Related To Catastrophe Regulatory Recovery, Deductible Per Event Commitments And Contingencies (Details) [Abstract] Loss Contingency Accrual, Settled Matters, At Carrying Value Claims Payments By Insurers To All Claimants Percentage Of Claims Payments Percentage of Total Claims to be Paid by Company Total Individual And Business Claims Total Government Entity Claims Liability Insurance Coverage, Maximum Energy Crisis Litigation [Member] D W R Contract [Member] Loss From Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss From Loss Contingencies [Table] Schedule Of Nuclear Insurance [Line Items] Schedule Of Nuclear Insurance Amounts [Table] Nuclear Liability Insurance Coverage, Maximum Secondary Financial Protection, Maximum Secondary Financial Protection, Company Contribution, Maximum Secondary Financial Protection, Company Contribution, Annual Maximum Nuclear Property Insurance Coverage, Maximum Nuclear Property Damage Insurance Coverage, Maximum Nuclear Property Damage Insurance Coverage, Weekly Minimum Nuclear Property Damage Insurance Coverage, Weekly Maximum Nuclear Property Damage Insurance, Premium Assessment Nuclear Property Insurance Terrorism Coverage, Maximum Purchased Power Contracts [Member] Sunrise Powerlink Construction [Member] Natural Gas Infrastructure Construction [Member] Natural Gas Contracts [Member] Contractual Commitments, Payments Due, Current Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Four Years Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Five Years Contractual Commitments, Payments Due Thereafter Distributions From Joint Venture Investing Activities Distributions from RBS Sempra Commodities LLP, investing activities Regulatory Assets Arising From Wildfire Litigation Costs Regulatory assets arising from wildfire litigation costs Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Allocated Transmission Instruments Allocated transmission instruments Other Income, Sundry at Pacific Enterprises [Member] Equity Earnings (Losses) From Joint Venture Before Impairment Charge Pretax equity earnings from RBS Sempra Commodities LLP excluding impairment charge Joint Venture Sales Of Businesses [Line Items] Joint Venture Sales Of Businesses [Table] Joint Venture Sales Of Businesses, By Sale [Axis] Joint Venture Sales Of Businesses [Domain] Sale Of European Natural Gas And Power Businesses [Member] Sale Of U S Retail Commodity Marketing Business [Member] Sale Of North American Natural Gas And Power Trading Agreements [Member] Estimated Proceeds From Joint Venture Sales Of Businesses And Related Cash Distributions Minimum Estimated proceeds from sale of RBS Sempra Commodities businesses and related cash distributions, minimum Estimated Proceeds From Joint Venture Sales Of Businesses And Related Cash Distributions Maximum Estimated proceeds from sale of RBS Sempra Commodities businesses and related cash distributions, maximum Estimated Cash Distributions From Joint Venture Related To Sales Of Businesses Minimum Estimated distributions of cash, accounts receivable and net margin, minimum Estimated Cash Distributions From Joint Venture Related To Sales Of Businesses Maximum Estimated distributions of cash, accounts receivable and net margin, maximum Quarterly Financial Data, Investment In Joint Venture Other Than Temporary Impairment Quarterly Financial Data, Loss on impairment of RBS Sempra Commodities LLP Quarterly Financial Data, Investment In Joint Venture Other Than Temporary Impairment After Tax Quarterly Financial Data, Loss on impairment of RBS Sempra Commodities LLP, after tax Fowler Ridge I I Wind Farm [Member] Proceeds From Return Of Capital Proceeds from return of capital Accelerated Share Repurchases, Initial Share Delivery Accelerated Share Repurchases, Interim Share Delivery Accelerated Share Repurchases, Minimum Share Delivery Accelerated Share Repurchases, Maximum Share Delivery Line Of Credit Facility, Maximum Ratio Of Indebtedness To Total Capitalization Committed lines of credit, maximum ratio of indebtedness to total capitalization Fair Value At Origin Guarantee Obligation Associated With Cash Flow Requirements Liability for guarantee obligation associated with cash flow requirements Contingent Recovery Of Operation And Maintenance Costs Related To Catastrophe Contingent Recovery Of Capital Costs Related To Catastrophe Capital Cost Cap Per Watt Purchased Power Cost Cap Per Megawatt Hour Line Of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease) In Maximum Borrowing Capacity Under New Facility Committed lines of credit, increase (decrease) in maximum borrowing capacity under new facility Renewable Portfolio Standards, Penalty Per Kilowatt Hour Of Renewable Energy Underdelivery Derivative Credit Risk Related Contingent Features [Line Items] Reclassification Of Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset Against Collateral, Net [Line Items] Significant Accounting Policies And Other Financial Data [Text Block] Significant Accounting Policies And Other Financial Data Facilities Under Joint Ownership [Text Block] Facilities Under Joint Ownership Preferred Stock [Text Block] Preferred Stock Shareholders Equity And Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Shareholders' Equity And Earnings Per Share Electric Industry Regulation [Text Block] Electric Industry Regulation Condensed Financial Information Of Parent [Abstract] Consolidation Policy [Abstract] Public Utilities Policy [Abstract[ Fair Value Measurements Policy [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Policy [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements, Policy Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy [Abstract] Inventory Policy [Abstract] Income Tax Policy [Abstract] Property Plant And Equipment Policy [Abstract] Impairment Or Disposal Of Long Lived Assets Policy [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligations And Environmental Cost Policy [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Policy [Abstract] Legal Costs Policy [Abstract] Stockholders Equity Policy [Abstract] Revenue Recognition Policy [Abstract] Cost Of Sales Policy [Abstract] Selling General And Administrative Expenses Policy [Abstract] Foreign Currency Transactions And Translations Policy [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligations Policy [Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligations, Policy Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Policy [Text Block] Employee Benefit Plans, Policy Share Based Compensation Option And Incentive Plans Policy [Text Block] Share-based Compensation, Policy Environmental Cost Policy [Text Block] Environmental Issues, Policy Significant Accounting Policies And Other Financial Data (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Regulatory Balancing Accounts [Abstract] Schedule Of Regulatory Balancing Accounts [Text Block] Schedule Of Regulatory Balancing Accounts Schedule Of Regulatory Assets (Liabilities) [Abstract] Schedule Of Regulatory Assets (Liabilities) [Text Block] Schedule Of Regulatory Assets (Liabilities) Schedule Of Receivables Collection Allowances [Abstract] Schedule Of Receivables Collection Allowances [Text Block] Schedule Of Receivables Collection Allowances Schedule Of Inventory Balances [Abstract] Schedule Of Inventory Balances [Text Block] Schedule Of Inventory Balances Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment By Major Functional Category [Abstract] Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment By Major Functional Category [Text Block] Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment By Major Functional Category Schedule Of Accumulated Depreciation And Decommissioning Amounts [Abstract] Schedule Of Accumulated Depreciation And Decommissioning Amounts [Text Block] Schedule Of Accumulated Depreciation And Decommissioning Amounts Schedule Of Capitalized Financing Costs [Abstract] Schedule Of Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Abstract] Schedule Of Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Text Block] Schedule Of Long-lived Assets Held For Sale Schedule Of Goodwill [Abstract] Schedule Of Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Abstract] Schedule Of Variable Interest Entities [Abstract] Schedule Of Changes In Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract] Schedule Of Changes In Asset Retirement Obligations [Text Block] Schedule Of Changes In Asset Retirement Obligations Schedule Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Schedule Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Text Block] Schedule Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Schedule Of Utilities Revenues [Abstract] Schedule Of Utilities Revenues [Text Block] Schedule Of Utilities Revenues Schedule Of Due To And From Affiliates [Abstract] Schedule Of Revenues From Affiliates [Abstract] Schedule Of Transactions With Joint Venture [Abstract] Schedule Of Other Income (Expense) [Abstract] Schedule Of Equity Method And Other Investments [Abstract] Schedule Of Equity Method And Other Investments [Text Block] Schedule Of Equity Method And Other Investments Schedule Of Equity Earnings [Abstract] Schedule Of Equity Earnings [Text Block] Schedule Of Equity Earnings Schedule Of Summarized Financial Information Of Joint Venture [Abstract] Schedule Of Summarized Financial Information Of Equity Method Investees [Abstract] Schedule Of Summarized Financial Information Of Equity Method Investees [Text Block] Schedule Of Summarized Financial Information Of Equity Method Investees Debt And Credit Facilities (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Long Term Debt [Abstract] Schedule Of Long Term Debt [Text Block] Schedule Of Long-term Debt Schedule Of Maturities Of Long Term Debt [Abstract] Schedule Of Maturities Of Long Term Debt [Text Block] Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-term Debt Schedule Of Callable Long Term Debt [Abstract] Schedule Of Callable Long Term Debt [Text Block] Schedule Of Callable Long-term Debt Facilities Under Joint Ownership (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Jointly Owned Utility Plants [Abstract] Schedule Of Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Investments [Abstract] Schedule Of Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Investments [Text Block] Schedule Of Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Investments Schedule Of Sales Of Securities By Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts [Abstract] Schedule Of Sales Of Securities By Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts [Text Block] Schedule Of Sales Of Securities By Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Income Taxes (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract] Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Text Block] Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Schedule Of Components Of Income Tax Expense [Abstract] Schedule Of Components Of Income Tax Expense [Text Block] Schedule Of Components Of Income Tax Expense Schedule Of Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Abstract] Schedule Of Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Text Block] Schedule Of Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities Employee Benefit Plans (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Change In Benefit Obligation And Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Change In Benefit Obligation And Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Change In Benefit Obligation And Fair Value Of Plan Assets Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Amounts Recognized In Balance Sheet [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Amounts Recognized In Balance Sheet [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Amounts Recognized In Balance Sheet Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Amounts In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Amounts In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Amounts In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Accumulated Benefit Obligation [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Accumulated Benefit Obligation [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Accumulated Benefit Obligation Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Pension Plans With Benefit Obligations In Excess Of Plan Assets [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Pension Plans With Benefit Obligations In Excess Of Plan Assets [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Pension Plans With Benefit Obligations In Excess Of Plan Assets Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Net Periodic Benefit Cost And Amounts Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Medicare Part D Subsidy [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Medicare Part D Subsidy [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Medicare Part D Subsidy Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Assumptions Used In Calculations [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Assumptions Used In Calculations [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Assumptions Used In Calculations Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Of Plan Assets By Level In Fair Value Hierarchy [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Fair Value Of Plan Assets By Level In Fair Value Hierarchy [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value Of Plan Assets By Level In Fair Value Hierarchy Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Level 3 Investment Plan Assets [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Level 3 Investment Plan Assets [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Level 3 Investment Plan Assets Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Level 3 Reconciliations [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Level 3 Reconciliations [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Level 3 Reconciliations Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Securities Lending [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Securities Lending [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Securities Lending Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Estimated Future Employer Contributions In Next Fiscal Year [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Estimated Future Employer Contributions In Next Fiscal Year [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions In Next Fiscal Year Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Estimated Medicare Part D Subsidy Payments [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Estimated Medicare Part D Subsidy Payments [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Medicare Part D Subsidy Payments Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Contributions To Savings Plans [Abstract] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Contributions To Savings Plans [Text Block] Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans, Contributions To Savings Plans Share Based Compensation (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Abstract] Schedule Of Non Qualified Stock Option Valuation Assumptions [Abstract] Schedule Of Non-qualified Stock Option Valuation Assumptions Schedule Of Non Qualified Stock Option Valuation Assumptions [Text Block] Schedule Of Non Qualified Stock Options [Abstract] Schedule Of Non Qualified Stock Options [Text Block] Schedule Of Non-qualified Stock Options Schedule Of Restricted Stock Awards And Units Valuation Assumptions [Abstract] Schedule Of Restricted Stock Awards And Units Valuation Assumptions [Text Block] Schedule Of Restricted Stock Awards And Units Valuation Assumptions Schedule Of Restricted Stock Awards [Abstract] Schedule Of Restricted Stock Awards [Text Block] Schedule Of Restricted Stock Awards Schedule Of Restricted Stock Units [Abstract] Schedule Of Restricted Stock Units [Text Block] Schedule Of Restricted Stock Units Schedule Of Commodity Derivative Volumes [Abstract] Schedule Of Notional Amounts Of Interest Rate Derivatives [Abstract] Schedule Of Derivative Instruments In Statement Of Financial Position Fair Value [Abstract] Schedule Of Derivative Instruments Gain Loss In Statement Of Financial Performance [Abstract] Schedule Of Cash Flow Hedges Impact On Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Schedule Of Hedge Ineffectiveness [Abstract] Schedule Of Hedge Ineffectiveness [Text Block] Schedule Of Hedge Ineffectiveness Schedule Of Undesignated Derivative Instruments Impact On Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Schedule Of Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Schedule Of Cash Collateral Not Offset With Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Schedule Of Recurring Fair Value Assets Liabilities [Abstract] Schedule Of Recurring Fair Value Assets Liabilities Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Abstract] Preferred Stock (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Preferred Stock [Text Block] Schedule Of Preferred Stock Shareholders Equity And Earnings Per Share (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Schedule Of Common Stock Activity [Abstract] Schedule Of Common Stock Activity [Text Block] Schedule Of Common Stock Activity Other Regulatory Matters (Tables) [Abstract] Schedule Of Utility Incentive Awards [Text Block] Schedule Of Utility Incentive Awards Schedule Of Estimated Future Payments Under Natural Gas Contracts [Abstract] Schedule Of Estimated Future Payments 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Long-term Commercial Paper, Noncurrent Outstanding commercial paper supported by committed lines of credit classified as long-term debt Commitments and Contingencies Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common stock Condensed Financial Information of Parent Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block] Capital contribution Cost of electric fuel and purchased power Cost of electric fuel and purchased power Other cost of sales Other cost of sales Other Cost of Sales, Policy Cost of Sales, Policy [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit) Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total 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Plan, Gross Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts Received Issuances of common stock Capital contributions received by variable interest entity Issuances of long-term debt Proceeds from sales by nuclear decommissioning trusts Proceeds from sale of assets Proceeds from sale of short-term investments Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Text Block] Regulatory Matters, Policy Public Utilities, Policy [Text Block] AFUDC related to debt Sempra Utilities' Regulatory Matters Public Utilities, Property, Plant and Equipment, Disclosure of Composite Depreciation Rate for Plants in Service Contributions to equity method investees Purchase of noncontrolling interest Purchase of noncontrolling interest Purchase of bonds issued by unconsolidated affiliate Purchase of bonds issued by unconsolidated affiliate Expenditures for short-term investments Expenditures for short-term investments Redeemable Preferred Stock, Redemption Price Per Share Redeemable Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Redeemable Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Redeemable Preferred Stock [Line Items] Redeemable Preferred Stock [Table] Redeemable Preferred Stock Sempra Utilities Total Sempra Utilities Revenues at Sempra Energy Consolidated Regulated Operating Revenue, Gas Natural gas revenues Total revenues Total revenues Revenues Regulatory Assets, Current Regulatory Assets, Noncurrent Regulatory Liability, Noncurrent Regulatory Liability, Noncurrent Total Transactions With Affiliates Total Transactions With Affiliates Due from affiliate, current Due from affiliate, noncurrent Interest rate on due from affiliate Transactions With Affiliates Disclosure [Line Items] Schedule Of Transactions With Affiliates [Table] Payments on long-term debt Payments on long-term debt Total Sempra Energy Consolidated Total Sempra Energy Consolidated Repurchases of common stock Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock Capital distributions made by variable interest entity Capital distributions made by variable interest entity Redemptions of preferred stock Redemptions of preferred stock Restricted cash Retained earnings Revenues, Policy Revenue Recognition, Policy [Text Block] Schedule Of Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Text Block] Schedule of Environmental Loss Contingencies by Site Schedule of Environmental Loss Contingencies by Site [Text Block] Schedule of Jointly Owned Utility Plants Schedule of Jointly Owned Utility Plants [Text Block] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Text Block] Schedule Of Share-based Compensation Expense Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Text Block] Schedule Of Goodwill Schedule of Goodwill [Text Block] Subsequent Events Segment Information Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Text Block] Segment reporting information, Assets Segment Reporting Information, Assets Segment reporting information, Depreciation and Amortization Segment Reporting Information, Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization Expense Segment reporting information, Equity Earnings (Losses) Recorded Before Tax Segment Reporting Information, Equity in Net Income of Equity Method Investees of Segment Segment reporting information, Expenditures for Property, Plant & Equipment Segment Reporting Information, Expenditures for Additions to Long-Lived Assets Segment reporting information, Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Segment Reporting Information, Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Segment reporting information, Interest Expense Segment Reporting Information, Interest Expense Segment reporting information, Investment in Equity Method Investees Segment Reporting Information, Investment in Equity Method Investees Segment reporting information, Revenues Segment Reporting Information, Revenue Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Axis] Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Axis] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Segment reporting information, Earnings (Losses) Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Beginning Balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Ending Balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning of Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, End of Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, End of Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number, Beginning Balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number, Ending Balance Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning of Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, End of Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Axis] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Weighted average interest rate on total short-term debt outstanding Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate Short-term debt Short-term investments Site Contingency, Accrual, Undiscounted Amount Site Contingency, Loss Exposure Not Accrued, Best Estimate Estimated mitigation costs, recoverable in rates Site Contingency, Nature of Contingency [Domain] Site Contingency by Nature [Axis] Site Contingency [Line Items] Site Contingency [Table] STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Shareholders' equity: Summary of Income Tax Contingencies Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Text Block] Summary of Positions for which Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible Summary of Positions for which Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Text Block] SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Current assets Total current assets Current assets: US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] Municipal Bonds US Treasury and Government [Member] Debt Securities Issued By The U.S. Treasury And Other U.S. Government Corporations And Agencies US Treasury Securities [Member] Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss) Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Extraordinary Items and Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss) Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Sales or Gross Revenue Unrecognized Tax Benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Balance as of January 1 Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Balance as of December 31 Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Sempra Global and parent Total utility operating expenses Total utility operating expenses Operating expenses Utility depreciation and amortization Utility cost of natural gas Utility operation and maintenance Utility gains on sale of assets Utility franchise fees and other taxes Valuation Allowance, Amount Deferred Tax Asset [Domain] Valuation Allowance by Deferred Tax Asset [Axis] Valuation Allowance [Line Items] Valuation Allowance [Table] Valuation Allowances And Reserves Balance Allowance balance at January 1 Allowance balance at December 31 Provisions for uncollectible accounts Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense Write-offs of uncollectible accounts Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions Acquistion of EnergySouth Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Reserves of Businesses Acquired Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Domain] Collection Allowances Disclosure [Line Items] Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] Valuation Allowances and Reserves Type [Axis] Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Table] Schedule Of Variable Interest Entities Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Text Block] Weighted Average Cost Inventory Amount Diluted earnings per common share, weighted-average number of shares outstanding (thousands) Weighted-average common shares outstanding for diluted EPS Basic earnings per common share, weighted-average number of shares outstanding (thousands) Weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic EPS Restricted cash, noncurrent Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent Due to/from Sempra Energy Due to/from Sempra Energy Equity Method Investee [Member] Construction in Progress [Member] Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member] Other Machinery and Equipment [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum Gas, Transmission and Distribution Equipment [Member] Electric Generation, Transmission and Distribution Equipment [Member] Property, plant and equipment: Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Domestic Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Foreign Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Cost Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Other Debt Securities [Member] Other Debt Securities Total assets Total assets Interest income Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Assets Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets [Abstract] Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Liabilities Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities [Abstract] Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement [Abstract] Other current liabilities Deferred credits and other Income Tax Authority [Domain] Dividends declared per share of common stock Equity Method Investment, Net Sales Proceeds Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal Share-based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract] Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Carrying Amount Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Fair Value Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Statement [Table] Total Antidilutive Securities Fair value of financial instruments, Investments in affordable housing partnerships Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Fair value of financial instruments, Total long-term debt Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure Equity earnings Equity earnings ASSETS Statement [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Abstract] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Abstract] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Axis] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Axis] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Domain] Total Fair Value of Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Investments Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Investments Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Axis] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Axis] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Domain] Total Fair Value of Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Balance at beginning of period Balance at end of period Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value Realized and unrealized losses Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table] Operating Loss Carryforwards by Tax Authority [Axis] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Level 3 Increase in capital lease obligations for investments in property, plant and equipment Fair Value Measurements Security, Class of Redeemable Preferred Stock [Axis] Contingently redeemable preferred stock Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Data Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract] Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Accumulated Benefit Obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Fair Value of Plan Assets Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation REVENUES Utility operating expenses Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification of Defined Benefit Plan's Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, before Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification of Defined Benefit Plan's Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, before Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plan, Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Arising During Period, before Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plan, Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Arising During Period, before Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Amortization of Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, before Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Amortization of Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service (Cost) Credit Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, before Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table] Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table] Long-term Purchase Commitment by Category of Item Purchased [Axis] Long-term Purchase Commitment by Category of Item Purchased [Axis] Long-term Purchase Commitment, Category of Item Purchased [Domain] Long-term Purchase Commitment, Category of Item Purchased [Domain] Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Cash And Cash Equivalents Construction Permits [Member] Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Shares in ESOP [Abstract] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments at Fair Value, Net, Total [Abstract] Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments at Fair Value, Net, Total [Abstract] Derivative Instruments in Hedges, at Fair Value, Net [Abstract] Derivative Instruments in Hedges, at Fair Value, Net [Abstract] Allowance for Cost of Equity Funds Used During Construction [Member] Allowance for Cost of Equity Funds Used During Construction [Member] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options Redeemable Preferred Stock [Domain] Other operation and maintenance Other operation and maintenance Sundry Total other assets Basic earnings per common share: Diluted earnings per common share: Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share by Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Earnings Per Share, Policy Earnings Per Share, Policy [Text Block] Goodwill, Acquired During Period Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Net change in other current liabilities Significant Accounting Policies Loss Contingency, Loss in Period Loss Contingency, Loss in Period Income before income taxes and equity earnings of certain unconsolidated subsidiaries Income before income taxes and equity earnings of certain unconsolidated subsidiaries Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities, Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities, Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Schedule of Nuclear Decommissiong Trusts Securities [Line Items] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] Sempra Energy Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table] Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Schedule of Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Table] Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale, Name [Domain] Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract] Capital Lease Obligations Capital Lease Obligations Foreign currency translation adjustments Property, Plant and Equipment by Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale by Asset Type [Axis] Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items] Preferred Stock, Value, Outstanding Total shareholders' equity Total shareholders' equity Assets Held-for-sale, Long Lived Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment Income tax (expense) benefit Income tax expense (benefit) Income tax expense (benefit) Segment reporting information, Interest Income Segment Reporting Information, Interest Income Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax AFUDC related to equity AFUDC related to equiity Jointly Owned Utility Plant Interests [Line Items] Other capitalized financing costs Deferred Tax Liabilities, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities [Abstract] Preferred stock Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract] Preferred Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract] Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract] Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract] US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] Deferred Tax Liabilities, Investment in Noncontrolled Affiliates Purchase of noncontrolling interest in subsidiary Purchase of noncontrolling interest in subsidiary Use Rights [Member] Statement Equity Component [Axis] Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Equity Increase (decrease) in short-term debt, net Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Litigation Settlement, Gross Legal Fees, Policy Legal Costs, Policy [Text Block] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Common Stock No Par Value Common stock, no par value Revenues from unconsolidated affiliates Operation and Maintenance Expenses, Policy Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Text Block] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum Issuance of common stock Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan Common stock released from ESOP Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeited Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeited Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Options Exercised Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Dividend Reinvestment Plan Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares Common Stock Deferred investment tax credits Comprehensive Income, Policy Stockholders' Equity, Policy [Text Block] Contingencies, Policy Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Text Block] Segment, Geographical [Domain] Utility operating revenues Natural gas Natural gas Operating revenues Total utility operating revenues Repurchases of common stock Repurchases of common stock SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH ACTIVITIES Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number Derivative, Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain (Loss) Derivative, Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain (Loss) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract] Common stock dividends declared Common stock dividends declared Preferred stock dividends declared Preferred stock dividends declared Tax benefit related to share-based compensation Acquisition-related costs (included in Other Operation and Maintenance expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010) Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Additional Disclosures, Acquisition Cost Expensed Revenue of acquiree since acquisition date Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual Earnings of acquiree since acquisition date Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual Reserve for wildfire litigation Net income Net income Losses (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests Losses (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests Cash consideration (fair value of total consideration) Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid Income taxes payable Accelerated Share Repurchases [Table] Accelerated Share Repurchases, Date [Domain] Accelerated Share Repurchases, Date [Axis] Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items] Accelerated Share Repurchases, Settlement Payment or Receipt Insurance receivable related to wildfire litigation Fair value of cash collateral receivables not offset against derivatives Derivative, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset Against Collateral, Net Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive income (loss) Accelerated Share Repurchases, Final Price Paid Per Share Equity: Total equity Total equity Equity, beginning of period Equity, end of period Hedging Relationship [Domain] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Noncontrolling Interests Total Shareholders' Equity Commitments and contingencies (Note 16) Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Other adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Equity of variable interest entity Accounts payable - other Accounts payable - trade Due to unconsolidated affiliates Due to affiliate, current Accrued compensation and benefits Dividends and interest payable Defined Benefit Plan by Plan Asset Categories [Axis] Plan Asset Categories [Domain] Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Measurement [Axis] Fair Value Plan Asset Measurement [Domain] Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent Share-based compensation expense Earnings Per Share Numerator [Abstract] Private Equity Funds [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Derivatives, Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location Balance Sheet Location Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Interest Rate Contract [Member] Interest Rate Contract [Member] Commodity Contract [Member] Commodity Contracts Not Subject To Rate Recovery [Member] Interest Expense [Member] Interest Expense Other Income [Member] Other Income, Net Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fair Value Hedges Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Cash Flow Hedges Nondesignated [Member] Undesignated Derivatives Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Other Comprehensive Income Income Statement and Other Comprehensive Income Location [Domain] Income Statement and Other Comprehensive Income Location [Domain] Derivative, Net Liability Position, Aggregate Fair Value Derivative, Net Liability Position, Aggregate Fair Value Additional Collateral, Aggregate Fair Value Additional Collateral Aggregate Fair Value Schedule Of Fair Value Hedge Impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Schedule Of Derivative Financial Instruments Impact On Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into earnings (effective portion) Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Reclassified From Accumulated OCI Into Income Effective Portion Net Amount of pretax gain (loss) on derivative recognized in OCI (effective portion) Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income Effective Portion Net Gain (loss) on derivative recognized in earnings Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Schedule Of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Sempra Energy Consolidated Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Legal Entity [Axis] Document Type