OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EQUITY 2 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended																										3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013 San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Southern California Gas Company [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Southern California Gas Company [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Unamortized Net Actuarial Loss [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Unamortized Net Actuarial Loss [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Unamortized Net Actuarial Loss [Member] San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Unamortized Net Actuarial Loss [Member] San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Unamortized Net Actuarial Loss [Member] Southern California Gas Company [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Unamortized Net Actuarial Loss [Member] Southern California Gas Company [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Unamortized Net Actuarial Loss [Member] Southern California Gas Company [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Unamortized Prior Service Credit [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Unamortized Prior Service Credit [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Unamortized Prior Service Credit [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Unamortized Prior Service Credit [Member] San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Unamortized Prior Service Credit [Member] San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Unamortized Prior Service Credit [Member] San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Unamortized Prior Service Credit [Member] Southern California Gas Company [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Unamortized Prior Service Credit [Member] Southern California Gas Company [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Unamortized Prior Service Credit [Member] Southern California Gas Company [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Financial Instrustments [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Financial Instrustments [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Financial Instrustments [Member] Southern California Gas Company [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Financial Instrustments [Member] Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Changes In Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Component Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss, Beginning Balance	$ (377)	[1]	$ (376)	[1]	$ (11)	[1]	$ (11)	[1]	$ (18)	[1]	$ (18)	[1]	$ (230)	[1]	$ (240)	[1]	$ (99)	[1]	$ (102)	[1]	$ (12)	[1]	$ (12)	[1]	$ (4)	[1]	$ (4)	[1]	$ (4)	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ (49)	[1]	$ (35)	[1]	$ (15)	[1]	$ (15)	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications	(113)	[1]	(119)	[1]									(136)	[1]	(126)	[1]																																	23	[1]	7	[1]
Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	271	[1]	276	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]	270	[1],[2]	270	[1],[2]	1	[1]	4	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]																											2	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]
Net Other Comprehensive Income	158	[1]	157	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]	134	[1]	144	[1]	1	[1]	4	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]																									23	[1]	9	[1]	1	[1]	1	[1]
Component Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss, Ending Balance	$ (219)	[1]	$ (219)	[1]	$ (10)	[1]	$ (10)	[1]	$ (17)	[1]	$ (17)	[1]	$ (96)	[1]	$ (96)	[1]	$ (98)	[1]	$ (98)	[1]	$ (11)	[1]	$ (11)	[1]	$ (4)	[1]	$ (4)	[1]	$ (4)	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ 1	[1]	$ (26)	[1]	$ (26)	[1]	$ (14)	[1]	$ (14)	[1]

[1] All amounts are net of income tax, if subject to tax, and exclude noncontrolling interests.

[2] Represents cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment related to the impairment of our Argentine investments in 2006, which is substantially offset by an accrued liability established at that time. We provide additional information about these investments in Note 4.