Derivative Instruments - Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities		$ 1,199		$ 1,199		$ 1,169
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Derivative gain (loss), net [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gain (loss), net		(17)	$ 21	(119)	$ 119
CCH Interest Rate Forward Start Derivatives [Member] | Derivative gain (loss), net [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gain (loss), net		(61)	0	(68)	0
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Derivative gain (loss), net [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gain (loss), net		0	2	0	13
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member] | LNG revenues [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gain (loss), net	[1]	22	(58)	180	(128)
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member] | Cost of sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gain (loss), net	[1]	(17)	0	(68)	0
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | LNG revenues [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gain (loss), net	[1],[2]	0	0	1	0
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Cost of sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gain (loss), net	[1],[2],[3]	(139)	21	0	(32)
FX Derivatives [Member] | LNG revenues [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gain (loss), net		43	1	52	11
CCL [Member] | Natural Gas Supply Agreement [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Cost of sales		23	$ 0	59	$ 0
Accrued liabilities		$ 1		$ 1

[1] Fair value fluctuations associated with commodity derivative activities are classified and presented consistently with the item economically hedged and the nature and intent of the derivative instrument.

[2] Does not include the realized value associated with derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery.

[3] Includes $23 million and $59 million that CCL recorded in cost of sales under a natural gas supply contract with a related party during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. Of this amount, $1 million was included in accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2019. CCL did not have any transactions during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 under this contract.