COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due, Current	$ 41
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	107
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	107
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Four Years	108
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Five Years	108
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due Thereafter	2,100
Increase (Decrease) In Purchase Commitment Amount	2,600
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments	(50)
Decrease In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Fulfillment	174
Increase In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, New Contracts	124
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due, Current	(64)
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	14
Sempra Mexico [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	57
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due, Current	27
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	15
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	15
Sempra Natural Gas [Member]
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due, Current	(70)
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	31
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	14
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due In Four Years	(4)
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due In Five Years	(13)
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due Thereafter	(400)
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments	35
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due, Current	(6)
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	5
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	7
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Four Years	7
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Five Years	7
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due Thereafter	15
Sempra Natural Gas [Member] | Operations And Maintenance Mesquite Power [Member]
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due, Current	1
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	2
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	2
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Four Years	2
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Five Years	2
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due Thereafter	27
Sempra Renewables [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	33
Guarantee Obligations Maximum Exposure	89
Guarantee Obligations Current Carrying Value	3
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due, Current	30
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	3
Operating Leases [Line Items]
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments, Due Current	1
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	2
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	2
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	2
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	2
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	75
Operations And Maintenance Mesquite Power [Member] | Sempra Natural Gas [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	$ 36