Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Changes in Assets and Liabilities, Exclusive of Changes Shown Separately
Accounts receivable, net	$ 81	$ (10)
Inventories	125	125
Accrued pensions	1	(194)
Accounts payable	(53)	(61)
Income taxes payable/receivable	(23)	245
Derivative assets and liabilities	30	(9)
Gas inventory equalization	114	204
Postretirement obligation	(142)	(52)
Other assets	159	93
Other liabilities	(101)	(101)
Total Changes in Assets and Liabilities, Exclusive of Changes Shown Separately	$ 191	$ 240

Period Increase Decrease in Gas Inventory Equlaization

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in amount due within one year (or one business cycle) from customers for the credit sale of goods and services.

+ References

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the period in the amount due for taxes based on the reporting entity's earnings or attributable to the entity's income earning process (business presence) within a given jurisdiction.

+ References

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the assets (liabilities) created through trading commodity-based derivative instruments.

+ References

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate value of all inventory held by the reporting entity, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities.

+ References

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period of all assets and liabilities used in operating activities.

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in other assets used in operating activities not separately disclosed in the statement of cash flows. May include changes in other current assets, other noncurrent assets, or a combination of other current and noncurrent assets.

+ References

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in other liabilities used in operating activities not separately disclosed in the statement of cash flows. May include changes in other current liabilities, other noncurrent liabilities, or a combination of other current and noncurrent liabilities.

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amount due to fund non-pension benefits provided to former, retired, and disabled employees.

+ References

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in prepaid pension costs.

+ References

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