OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - OTHER INCOME (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	$ 31		$ 8		$ 74		$ 16
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] | Allowance for Cost of Equity Funds Used During Construction [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	18		10		33		19
Southern California Gas Company [Member] | Allowance for Cost of Equity Funds Used During Construction [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	4		4		8		8
Allowance for Cost of Equity Funds Used During Construction [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	22		14		41		27
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] | Regulatory Interest, Net [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	1		1		1
Regulatory Interest, Net [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	1				1		(1)
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] | Gains (losses) on interest rate and foreign exchange instruments [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net			(25)	[1]			(34)	[1]
Gains (losses) on interest rate and foreign exchange instruments [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	2	[2]	(14)	[2]	12	[2]	(23)	[2]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	11	[3]	2	[3]	19	[3]	5	[3]
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] | Other Income, Sundry [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	(6)		(2)		(5)		(1)
Southern California Gas Company [Member] | Other Income, Sundry [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	(1)		(2)		(2)		(2)
Other Income, Sundry [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	(5)		6		1		8
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	13		(16)		29		(16)
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	$ 3		$ 2		$ 6		$ 6

[1] Related to Otay Mesa VIE.

[2] Sempra Energy Consolidated includes Otay Mesa VIE and additional instruments.

[3] Represents investment gains on dedicated assets in support of our executive retirement and deferred compensation plans. These amounts are partially offset by corresponding changes in compensation expense related to the plans.