OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EQUITY 3 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013
Interest Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	$ 3		$ 9
Interest Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	2		6
Interest Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member] | Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss			1
Cost of Natural Gas, Electric Fuel and Purchased Power [Member] | Commodity Contracts Not Subject To Rate Recovery [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss			(5)
Equity Earnings Before Income Tax [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss			270
Equity Earnings Before Income Tax [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	3		7
Income Before Tax [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	6		11
Income Before Tax [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	5	[1]	12	[1]
Income Before Tax [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	2	[1]	3	[1]
Income Tax Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	(2)		(1)
Income Tax Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member] | Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss			0
Income Tax Expense [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	(2)	[1]	(5)	[1]
Income Tax Expense [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	(1)	[1]	(1)	[1]
Income After Tax [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	4		10
Income After Tax [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member] | Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss			1
Income After Tax [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	3	[1]	7	[1]
Income After Tax [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	1	[1]	2	[1]
Earnings Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	(2)		(6)
Earnings Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	(2)		(6)
Total [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	0		0
Total [Member] | Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss	$ 2		$ 4

[1] Amounts are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see "Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits" above).