OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EQUITY 3 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Energy-related businesses	$ 352		$ 328		$ 970		$ 963
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Grand total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	4		5		26		281
San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Grand total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	1		1		2		2
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Grand total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	2		0		2		1
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Foreign current translation adjustments					0	[1]	270	[1]
Interest Rate And Foreign Exchange Instruments [Member]
Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Interest expense	8		3		17		9
Interest Rate Instruments [Member]
Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Gain on sale of assets	(5)		0		(3)		0
Equity earnings before income tax	2		3		7		7
Interest Rate Instruments [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Interest expense	3		2		8		6
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3)		(2)		(8)		(6)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax for Financial Instruments	0		0		0		0
Interest Rate Instruments [Member] | Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Interest expense					0		1
Income tax expense					0		0
Net of tax					0		1
Commodity Contracts Not Subject To Rate Recovery [Member]
Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Energy-related businesses	(2)		0		8		(5)
Financial Instrustments [Member]
Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Total before income tax	3		6		29		11
Income tax expense	(1)		(2)		(8)		(1)
Net of tax	2		4		21		10
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3)		(2)		(8)		(6)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax for Financial Instruments	(1)		2		13		4
Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Pension and other postretirement costs	8	[2]	5	[2]	21	[2]	12	[2]
Income tax expense	(3)		(2)		(8)		(5)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax for Pensions and postretirement benefits	5		3		13		7
Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member] | San Diego Gas and Electric Company and Subsidiary [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Pension and other postretirement costs	1	[2]	2	[2]	3	[2]	3	[2]
Income tax expense	0		(1)		(1)		(1)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax for Pensions and postretirement benefits	1		1		2		2
Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member] | Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Pension and other postretirement costs	4	[2]	0	[2]	4	[2]	0	[2]
Income tax expense	(2)		0		(2)		0
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax for Pensions and postretirement benefits	$ 2		$ 0		$ 2		$ 0

[1] 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.

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