FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Foreign Currency Risk (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 British pounds swap, maturing 2032 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 British pounds swap, maturing 2032 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2011 Norwegian kroner swap, maturing 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Norwegian kroner swap, maturing 2012 NOK	Dec. 31, 2011 Singapore dollar swap, maturing 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Singapore dollar swap, maturing 2012 SGD	Dec. 31, 2011 Currency swap Cash flow hedging Golar Winter Lease USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 Currency swap Cash flow hedging Golar Winter Lease USD ($)
Mark-to-market swaps valuation:
Unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains)	$ 1,669	$ (5,180)	$ 12,955							$ 800	$ 3,000
Notional value				$ 111,128	£ 60,462	$ 4,211	26,000	$ 12,134	15,800
Average forward rate USD foreign currency				1.5803	1.5803	0.1619	0.1619	0.7674	0.7674

- Definition

The aggregate unrealized foreign currency transaction gain (loss) (pretax) included in determining net income for the reporting period. Represents the aggregate of gains (losses) on transactions that are unsettled as of the balance sheet date, which is therefore an adjustment to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by or used in continuing operations. Excludes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting entity's financial statements. For certain entities, primarily banks, that are dealers in foreign exchange, foreign currency transaction gains (losses) may be disclosed as dealer gains (losses).

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