OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - INVENTORY (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory [Line Items]
Energy Related Inventory, Natural Gas in Storage	$ 182	$ 240
Energy Related Inventory, Liquefied Natural Gas	11	16
Energy Related Inventory, Materials And Supplies	164	152
Inventory, Total	357	408	[1]
S D G E Segment [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Energy Related Inventory, Natural Gas in Storage	1	3
Energy Related Inventory, Materials And Supplies	72	79
Inventory, Total	73	82
So Cal Gas Segment [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Energy Related Inventory, Natural Gas in Storage	42	128
Energy Related Inventory, Materials And Supplies	27	23
Inventory, Total	69	151
Sempra South American Utilities Segment [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Energy Related Inventory, Materials And Supplies	40	34
Inventory, Total	40	34
Sempra Mexico Segment [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Energy Related Inventory, Liquefied Natural Gas	6	8
Energy Related Inventory, Materials And Supplies	15	8
Inventory, Total	21	16
Sempra Natural Gas Segment [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Energy Related Inventory, Natural Gas in Storage	139	109
Energy Related Inventory, Liquefied Natural Gas	5	8
Energy Related Inventory, Materials And Supplies	7	5
Inventory, Total	151	122
Sempra Renewables Segment [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Energy Related Inventory, Materials And Supplies	3	3
Inventory, Total	$ 3	$ 3

[1] Derived from audited financial statements.