COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Luz Del Sur [Member]
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due, Current	$ (186)
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	1
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	(6)
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Four Years	(6)
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Five Years	(6)
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due Thereafter	(51)
Chilquinta Energia [Member]
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due, Current	(127)
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	31
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	34
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Four Years	37
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Five Years	37
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due Thereafter	344
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due, Current	65
Contractual Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	2
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due, Current	(37)
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	1
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	(4)
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Four Years	(4)
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due In Five Years	(4)
Increase (Decrease) In Purchased Power Commitments, Payments Due Thereafter	(159)
Increase (Decrease) In Purchase Commitment Amount	(207)
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments	81
Decrease In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Fulfillment	291
Increase In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, New Contracts	372
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due, Current	(108)
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	116
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	9
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Four Years	7
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Five Years	5
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due Thereafter	52
Sempra South American Utilities [Member]
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) In Purchase Commitment Amount	102
Sempra Mexico [Member]
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments	(135)
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due, Current	(71)
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	(32)
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	(32)
Sempra Natural Gas [Member]
Payments Under Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due, Current	(282)
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	(54)
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	(55)
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due In Four Years	(65)
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due In Five Years	(76)
Increase (Decrease) In Liquefied Natural Gas Commitments, Payments Due Thereafter	(1,800)
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments	62
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due, Current	(8)
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Two Years	16
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Three Years	11
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Four Years	9
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due In Five Years	8
Increase (Decrease) In Natural Gas Contracts Commitments, Payments Due Thereafter	26
Sempra Renewables [Member]
Operating Leases [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	2
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	2
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	2
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	2
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	59
Sunrise Powerlink Construction [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Contractual Commitment Annual Escalation Percentage	2.00%
Contractual Commitment Number of Years	58
Contractual Commitment Future Annual Payment Amount	3
Natural Gas Infrastructure Construction [Member] | Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	61
Electric Distribution And Generation Plant [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	$ 67