INCOME TAXES - DEFERRED INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Less: valuation allowances	$ 164	$ 133
Deferred income taxes, noncurrent	151	170
Deferred income taxes	2,571	2,767
Sempra Energy Consolidated [Member]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract]
Differences in financial and tax bases of fixed assets, investments and other assets	3,780	4,233
U.S. state and non-U.S. withholding tax on repatriation of foreign earnings	382	360
Regulatory balancing accounts	359	376
Property taxes	41	37
Other deferred income tax liabilities	130	117
Total deferred income tax liabilities	4,692	5,123
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Tax credits	1,114	1,066
Net operating losses	725	968
Compensation-related items	181	199
Postretirement benefits	255	251
Other deferred income tax assets	92	115
Accrued expenses not yet deductible	69	60
Deferred income tax assets before valuation allowances	2,436	2,659
Less: valuation allowances	164	133
Total deferred income tax assets	2,272	2,526
Net deferred income tax liability	2,420	2,597
Deferred income taxes, noncurrent	151	170
Deferred income taxes	2,571	2,767
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract]
Differences in financial and tax bases of fixed assets, investments and other assets	1,578	1,472
Regulatory balancing accounts	84	113
Property taxes	29	26
Other deferred income tax liabilities	10	10
Total deferred income tax liabilities	1,701	1,621
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Tax credits	6	7
Net operating losses	0	0
Compensation-related items	5	5
Postretirement benefits	58	43
Other deferred income tax assets	6	19
State income taxes	6	14
Accrued expenses not yet deductible	4	3
Total deferred income tax assets	85	91
Net deferred income tax liability	1,616	1,530
Deferred income taxes	1,616	1,530
Southern California Gas Company [Member]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract]
Differences in financial and tax bases of fixed assets, investments and other assets	1,077	987
Regulatory balancing accounts	283	271
Property taxes	13	12
Other deferred income tax liabilities	2	1
Total deferred income tax liabilities	1,375	1,271
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Tax credits	3	15
Net operating losses	0	58
Compensation-related items	25	25
Postretirement benefits	140	152
Other deferred income tax assets	14	7
State income taxes	3	7
Accrued expenses not yet deductible	13	12
Total deferred income tax assets	198	276
Net deferred income tax liability	1,177	995
Deferred income taxes	$ 1,177	$ 995