OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EQUITY 4 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Expense Associated With Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, financial instruments	$ (2)		$ (3)		$ 3		$ (8)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, pension and other postretirement benefits	2		(7)		5		(4)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, financial instruments	2		2		1		3
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Income Tax Expense Associated With Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, pension and other postretirement benefits	1		0		1		0
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Income Tax Expense Associated With Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, financial instruments	0		1		0		1
Total Shareholders' Equity
Income Tax Expense Associated With Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, financial instruments	(2)	[1]	(3)	[1]	3	[1]	(8)	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, pension and other postretirement benefits	2	[1]	(7)	[1]	5	[1]	(4)	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, financial instruments	2	[1]	2	[1]	1	[1]	3	[1]
Total Shareholders' Equity | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Income Tax Expense Associated With Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, pension and other postretirement benefits	1	[1]	0	[1]	1	[1]	0	[1]
Total Shareholders' Equity | Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Income Tax Expense Associated With Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, financial instruments	0	[1]	1	[1]	0	[1]	1	[1]
Noncontrolling Interests
Income Tax Expense Associated With Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, financial instruments	0		0		0		0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, pension and other postretirement benefits	0		0		0		0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, financial instruments	0		0		0		0
Noncontrolling Interests | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Income Tax Expense Associated With Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, pension and other postretirement benefits	0		0		0		0
Noncontrolling Interests | Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Income Tax Expense Associated With Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, financial instruments	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

[1] Shareholders' equity of Sempra Energy Consolidated, SDG&E or SoCalGas as indicated in left margin.