OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligations, Balance as of January 1	$ 2,056	[1]	$ 1,925	[1]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Accretion Expense	49		46
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred	2		2
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate	(135)	[2],[3]	(6)	[2],[3]
Asset Retirement Obligations, Balance as of June 30	1,972	[1]	1,967	[1]
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligations, Balance as of January 1	741	[1]	698	[1]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Accretion Expense	22		21
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate	(30)	[2],[3]
Asset Retirement Obligations, Balance as of June 30	733	[1]	719	[1]
Asset Retirement Obligations, Increase in Asset Service Lives, Beginning Rate	2.00%
Asset Retirement Obligations, Increase in Asset Service Lives, Ending Rate	7.00%
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligations, Balance as of January 1	1,253	[1]	1,175	[1]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Accretion Expense	25		24
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate	(105)	[2],[3]
Asset Retirement Obligations, Balance as of June 30	$ 1,173	[1]	$ 1,199	[1]
Asset Retirement Obligations, Increase in Asset Service Lives, Beginning Rate	4.00%
Asset Retirement Obligations, Increase in Asset Service Lives, Ending Rate	6.00%

[1] The current portions of the obligations are included in Other Current Liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] The decrease in asset retirement obligations in 2013 at SDG&E is due to revised estimates related to the 2012 General Rate Case. These revisions included increases in asset service lives ranging from 2 percent to 7 percent, and lower estimated cost of removal.

[3] The decrease in asset retirement obligations in 2013 at SoCalGas is due to revised estimates related to the 2012 General Rate Case, including increases in asset service lives ranging from 4 percent to 6 percent. The decreases in the obligations were partially offset by a higher estimated cost of removal.