CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement [Abstract]
Transportation and storage of natural gas	$ 573,755	$ 561,354	$ 607,366
LNG terminalling revenue	219,789	199,182	134,026
Other	10,106	8,914	7,769
Total operating revenues	803,650	769,450	749,161
Operating expenses:
Operating, maintenance and general	220,833	216,359	237,035
Operating, maintenance and general - affiliate	57,529	54,898	47,573
Depreciation and amortization	128,011	123,009	113,648
Taxes, other than on income	34,852	36,063	34,537
Total operating expenses	441,225	430,329	432,793
Operating income	362,425	339,121	316,368
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	(107,927)	(103,458)	(84,496)
Interest income - affiliates	8,777	8,642	8,970
Other, net	219	151	1,473
Total other expenses, net	(98,931)	(94,665)	(74,053)
Earnings before income taxes	263,494	244,456	242,315
Income taxes	94,839	96,801	92,100
Net earnings	$ 168,655	$ 147,655	$ 150,215