INCOME TAXES - DEFERRED INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred income tax assets:
Less: valuation allowances	$ 144	$ 164
Deferred income taxes, noncurrent	155	141
Deferred income taxes	2,577	2,321
Sempra Energy Consolidated [Member]
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Differences in financial and tax bases of fixed assets, investments and other assets	4,052	3,517
U.S. state and non-U.S. withholding tax on repatriation of foreign earnings	153	382
Regulatory balancing accounts	468	359
Right-of-use assets – operating leases	131	0
Property taxes	44	41
Other deferred income tax liabilities	93	133
Total deferred income tax liabilities	4,941	4,432
Deferred income tax assets:
Tax credits	1,136	1,114
Net operating losses	911	723
Postretirement benefits	200	261
Compensation-related items	161	170
Operating lease liabilities	131	0
Other deferred income tax assets	72	82
Accrued expenses not yet deductible	52	66
Deferred income tax assets before valuation allowances	2,663	2,416
Less: valuation allowances	144	164
Total deferred income tax assets	2,519	2,252
Net deferred income tax liability	2,422	2,180
Deferred income taxes, noncurrent	155	141
Deferred income taxes	2,577	2,321
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member]
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Differences in financial and tax bases of fixed assets, investments and other assets	1,735	1,578
Regulatory balancing accounts	141	84
Right-of-use assets – operating leases	32	0
Property taxes	30	29
Other deferred income tax liabilities	14	10
Total deferred income tax liabilities	1,952	1,701
Deferred income tax assets:
Tax credits	6	6
Postretirement benefits	37	58
Compensation-related items	6	5
Operating lease liabilities	32	0
Other deferred income tax assets	7	6
Accrued expenses not yet deductible	9	4
State income taxes	7	6
Total deferred income tax assets	104	85
Net deferred income tax liability	1,848	1,616
Deferred income taxes	1,848	1,616
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Differences in financial and tax bases of fixed assets, investments and other assets	1,246	1,077
Regulatory balancing accounts	327	283
Right-of-use assets – operating leases	22	0
Property taxes	14	13
Other deferred income tax liabilities	1	2
Total deferred income tax liabilities	1,610	1,375
Deferred income tax assets:
Tax credits	3	3
Postretirement benefits	120	140
Compensation-related items	25	25
Operating lease liabilities	22	0
Other deferred income tax assets	14	14
Accrued expenses not yet deductible	15	13
State income taxes	8	3
Total deferred income tax assets	207	198
Net deferred income tax liability	1,403	1,177
Deferred income taxes	$ 1,403	$ 1,177