CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Transportation and storage of natural gas	$ 134,476	$ 130,568	$ 412,232	$ 407,897
LNG terminalling revenue	55,327	53,783	164,609	145,561
Other	2,896	2,212	7,912	6,870
Total operating revenues	192,699	186,563	584,753	560,328
Operating expenses:
Operation, maintenance and general	57,006	56,704	161,596	165,350
Operation, maintenance and general - affiliate	13,135	13,292	39,902	38,896
Depreciation and amortization	31,881	31,191	96,118	91,264
Taxes, other than on income	8,653	8,734	26,392	26,856
Total operating expenses	110,675	109,921	324,008	322,366
Operating income	82,024	76,642	260,745	237,962
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	(26,937)	(26,910)	(80,851)	(76,450)
Interest income - affiliates	2,170	2,294	6,483	6,449
Other, net	71	63	219	206
Total other expenses, net	(24,696)	(24,553)	(74,149)	(69,795)
Earnings before income taxes	57,328	52,089	186,596	168,167
Income taxes	21,903	20,577	65,340	69,310
Net earnings	$ 35,425	$ 31,512	$ 121,256	$ 98,857