OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - OTHER INCOME (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	$ 12		$ 66		$ 86		$ 82
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] | Allowance for Cost of Equity Funds Used During Construction [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	21		11		54		30
Southern California Gas Company [Member] | Allowance for Cost of Equity Funds Used During Construction [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	5		2		13		10
Allowance for Cost of Equity Funds Used During Construction [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	26		13		67		40
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] | Regulatory Interest, Net [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net					1
Regulatory Interest, Net [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net			1		1
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] | Gains (losses) on interest rate and foreign exchange instruments [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net			(17)	[1]			(51)	[1]
Gains (losses) on interest rate and foreign exchange instruments [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	(26)	[2]	(17)	[2]	(14)	[2]	(40)	[2]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	(6)	[3]	10	[3]	13	[3]	15	[3]
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member] | Other Income, Sundry [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	5		4				3
Southern California Gas Company [Member] | Other Income, Sundry [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	(2)				(4)		(2)
Other Income, Sundry [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	18		59	[4]	19		67	[4]
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	26		(2)		55		(18)
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	$ 3		$ 2		$ 9		$ 8

[1] Related to Otay Mesa VIE.

[2] Sempra Energy Consolidated includes Otay Mesa VIE and additional instruments.

[3] Represents investment (losses) gains on dedicated assets in support of our executive retirement and deferred compensation plans. These amounts are partially offset by corresponding changes in compensation expense related to the plans.

[4] Amounts in 2010 include proceeds from a legal settlement of $48 million.