2.2.0.25falsefalse020000 - Disclosure - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) $FROM_Jan01_2011_TO_Mar31_2011http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001032208duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0us-gaap_GeneralPoliciesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSignificant Accounting Policies3false0us-gaap_InventoryPolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00TEMPORARY LIFO LIQUIDATIONSoCalGas values natural gas inventory by the last-in first-out (LIFO) method. As inventories are sold, differences between the LIFO valuation and the estimated replacement cost are reflected in customer rates. Temporary LIFO liquidation represents the difference between the carrying value of natural gas inventory withdrawn during the period for delivery to customers and the projected cost of the replacement of that inventory during summer months. TEMPORARY LIFO LIQUIDATIONSoCalGas values natural gas inventory by the last-in first-out (LIFO) method. As inventories are sold, differences between the LIFOfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes an entity's accounting policies covering its major classes of inventories, bases of stating inventories (for example lower of cost or market), methods by which amounts are added and removed from inventory classes (for example FIFO, LIFO, or average cost), loss recognition on impairment of inventories, and situations in which inventories are stated above cost. If inventory is carried at cost, this description includes the nature of the cost elements included in inventory.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 206 -Chapter 2 -Paragraph b -Subparagraph i, ii Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 4 -Paragraph 3, 5-10, 15, 16, 17 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 9 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 81-1 -Paragraph 69-75 falsefalseInventory Policy Text Block4false0us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentPolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00CAPITALIZED FINANCING COSTSCapitalized financing costs include capitalized interest costs and, at the Sempra Utilities, an allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) related to both debt and equity financing of construction projects.CAPITALIZED FINANCING COSTSCapitalized financing costs include capitalized interest costs and, at the Sempra Utilities, an allowance for funds used duringfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes an entity's accounting policy for property, plant and equipment which may include the basis of such assets, depreciation methods used and estimated useful lives, the entity's capitalization policy, including its accounting treatment for costs incurred for repairs and maintenance activities, whether such asset balances include capitalized interest and the method by which such is calculated, how disposals of such assets are accounted for and how impairment of such assets is assessed and recognized.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 9 -Section C -Paragraph 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 7 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 12, 13 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 34 -Paragraph 8, 9 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph d falsefalseProperty Plant And Equipment Policy Text Block5false0us-gaap_LegalCostsPolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00NOTE 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIESLEGAL PROCEEDINGSWe accrue losses for legal proceedings when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amounts of the loss can be reasonably estimated. However, the uncertainties inherent in legal proceedings make it difficult to estimate with reasonable certainty the costs and effects of resolving these matters. Accordingly, actual costs incurred may differ materially from amounts accrued, may exceed applicable insurance coverages and could materially adversely affect our business, cash flows, results of operations, and financial condition. NOTE 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIESLEGAL PROCEEDINGSWe accrue losses for legal proceedings when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amountsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes an entity's accounting policy for legal costs incurred to protect or defend the entity's assets and rights, or to obtain assets, including monetary damages, or to obtain rights.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8 falsefalseLegal Costs Policy Text Block6false0us-gaap_DerivativesPolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00NOTE 7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTSWe use derivative instruments primarily to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business. These exposures are commodity market risk and benchmark interest rate risk. We may also manage foreign exchange rate exposures using derivatives. Our use of derivatives for these risks is integrated into the economic management of our anticipated revenues, anticipated expenses, assets and liabilities. Derivatives may be effective in mitigating these risks that could lead to declines in anticipated revenues or increases in anticipated expenses, or that our asset values may fall or our liabilities increase. Accordingly, our derivative activity summarized below generally represents an impact that is intended to offset associated revenues, expenses, assets or liabilities that are not presented below. We record all derivatives at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We designate each derivative as (1) a cash flow hedge, (2) a fair value hedge, or (3) undesignated. Depending on the applicability of hedge accounting and, for the Sempra Utilities and other operations subject to regulatory accounting, the requirement to pass impacts through to customers, the impact of derivative instruments may be offset in other comprehensive income (cash flow hedge), on the balance sheet (fair value hedges and regulatory offsets), or recognized in earnings. We classify cash flows from the settlements of derivative instruments as operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. In certain cases, we apply the normal purchase or sale exception to derivative accounting and have other commodity contracts that are not derivatives. These contracts are not recorded at fair value and are therefore excluded from the disclosures below. HEDGE ACCOUNTINGWe may designate a derivative as a cash flow hedging instrument if it effectively converts anticipated revenues or expenses to a fixed dollar amount. We may utilize cash flow hedge accounting for derivative commodity instruments and interest rate instruments. Designating cash flow hedges is dependent on the business context in which the instrument is being used, the effectiveness of the instrument in offsetting the risk that a given future revenue or expense item may vary, and other criteria.We may designate an interest rate derivative as a fair value hedging instrument if it effectively converts our own debt from a fixed interest rate to a variable rate. The combination of the derivative and debt instruments results in fixing that portion of the fair value of the debt that is related to benchmark interest rates. Designating fair value hedges is dependent on the instrument being used, the effectiveness of the instrument in offsetting changes in the fair value of our debt instruments, and other criteria.ENERGY DERIVATIVESOur market risk is primarily related to natural gas and electricity price volatility and the specific physical locations where we transact. We use energy derivatives to manage these risks. The use of energy derivatives in our various businesses depends on the particular energy market, and the operating and regulatory environments applicable to the business.<ul><li style="margin-left:9.35px;list-style:square;"> </li></ul>NOTE 7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTSWe use derivative instruments primarily to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business. These exposuresfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes an entity's accounting policies for its derivative instruments and hedging activities. Disclosure may include: (1) Each method used to account for derivative financial instruments and derivative commodity instruments ("derivatives"); (2) the types of derivatives accounted for under each method; (3) the criteria required to be met for each accounting method used, including a discussion of the criteria required to be met for hedge or deferral accounting and accrual or settlement accounting (for example: whether and how risk reduction, correlation, designation, and effectiveness tests are applied); (4) the accounting method used if the criteria specified for hedge accounting are not met; (5) the method used to account for termination of derivatives designated as hedges or derivatives used to affect directly or indirectly the terms, fair values, or cash flows of a designated item; (6) the method used to account for derivatives when the designated item matures, is sold, is extinguished, or is terminated. In addition, the method used to account for derivatives designated to an anticipated transaction, when the anticipated transaction is no longer likely to occur; and (7) where and when derivatives, and their related gains (losses) are reported in the statement of financial position, cash flows, and results of operations and (8) an accounting policy decision to offset fair value amounts with counterparties. An entity should also consider describing its embedded derivatives, and the method(s) used to determine the fair values of derivatives and any significant assumptions used in such valuations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph n -Article 4 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 39 -Paragraph 10 falsefalseDerivatives Policy Text Block7false0us-gaap_EarningsPerSharePolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table provides the per share computations for our earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. Basic earnings per common share (EPS) is calculated by dividing earnings attributable to common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS includes the potential dilution of common stock equivalent shares that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The dilution from unvested restricted stock awards (RSAs) and restricted stock units (RSUs) is also based on the treasury stock method. EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table provides the per share computations for our earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. Basic earningsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDiscloses the methodology and assumptions used to compute basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for each class of common stock and participating security. Addresses all significant policy factors, including any antidilutive items that have been excluded from the computation and takes into account stock dividends, splits and reverse splits that occur after the balance sheet date of the latest reporting period but before the issuance of the financial statements.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph a Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 6, 8-16, 60 falsefalseEarnings Per Share Policy Text Block8false0sre_FairValueMeasurementPolicyTextBlocksrefalsenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00NOTE 8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTSFair Value of Financial InstrumentsThe fair values of certain of our financial instruments (cash, temporary investments, accounts and notes receivable, dividends and accounts payable, short-term debt and customer deposits) approximate their carrying amounts. falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseFair Value Measurement Policy Text Block9false0sre_SegmentPolicyTextBlocksrefalsenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00We evaluate each segment's performance based on its contribution to Sempra Energy's reported earnings. The Sempra Utilities operate in essentially separate service territories, under separate regulatory frameworks and rate structures set by the CPUC. The Sempra Utilities' operations are based on rates set by the CPUC and the FERC. We describe the accounting policies of our segments in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report. falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSegment Policy Text Block10false0sre_NewAccountingStandardsPolicysrefalsenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00NOTE 2. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS There are no recent accounting pronouncements that are anticipated to have an impact on or are related to our financial condition, results of operations, or disclosures.falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseNew Accounting Standards Policy19SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)UnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue