COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Environmental Policy [Abstract]
Environmental Costs, Policy	ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Our operations are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws. We also are subject to regulations related to hazardous wastes, air and water quality, land use, solid waste disposal and the protection of wildlife. These laws and regulations require that we investigate and correct the effects of the release or disposal of materials at sites associated with our past and our present operations. These sites include those at which we have been identified as a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) under the federal Superfund laws and similar state laws. In addition, we are required to obtain numerous governmental permits, licenses and other approvals to construct facilities and operate our businesses. The related costs of environmental monitoring, pollution control equipment, cleanup costs, and emissions fees are significant. Increasing national and international concerns regarding global warming and mercury, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions could result in requirements for additional pollution control equipment or significant emissions fees or taxes that could adversely affect Sempra Natural Gas and Sempra Mexico. The California Utilities' costs to operate their facilities in compliance with these laws and regulations generally have been recovered in customer rates. We generally capitalize the significant costs we incur to mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination or extend the life, increase the capacity, or improve the safety or efficiency of property used in current operations.
Legal Costs Policy [Abstract]
Legal Fees, Policy	LEGAL FEES Legal fees that are associated with a past event for which a liability has been recorded are accrued when it is probable that fees also will be incurred. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS We 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 coverage and could materially adversely affect our business, cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. Unless otherwise indicated, we are unable to estimate reasonably possible losses in excess of any amounts accrued.

Disclosure of accounting policy for obligations that resulted from improper or other-than normal operation of a long-lived asset in the past. This accounting policy may address (1) whether the related remediation costs are expensed or capitalized, (2) whether the obligation is measured on a discounted basis, (3) the event, situation, or set of circumstances that generally triggers recognition of loss contingencies arising from the entity's environmental remediation-related obligations, and (4) the timing of recognition of any recoveries.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 90-8

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13231-110859

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 30

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2175709

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13185-110859

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 96-1

-Paragraph 99, 100, 101, 147, 148, 149, 150, 152, 153, 154

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 14

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6571209&loc=d3e13669-110860

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 89-13

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

Disclosure of 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.

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