RESTRICTED CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted cash and short-term investment balances:
Restricted cash and short-term investments	$ 1,551	$ 213,282
Amount of restricted cash excluded due to financial covenants	25,000
Short-term restricted cash and short-term investments:
Short-term restricted cash and short-term investments	1,551	28,012
Projects
Restricted cash and short-term investment balances:
Restricted cash	1,551	3,500
Short-term restricted cash and short-term investments:
Restricted cash	1,551	3,500
Capital lease obligations
Restricted cash and short-term investment balances:
Total security lease deposits for lease obligations	0	190,516
Short-term restricted cash and short-term investments:
Lease security deposits	0	5,246
Secured debt \| Mazo facility
Restricted cash and short-term investment balances:
Restricted cash and short-term investments	0	10,254
Short-term restricted cash and short-term investments:
Restricted cash and short-term investments	0	10,254
Secured debt \| Golar Freeze facility
Restricted cash and short-term investment balances:
Restricted cash	0	9,012
Short-term restricted cash and short-term investments:
Restricted cash	$ 0	$ 9,012

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Amount Excluded Due to Financial Covenants

No definition available.

Name:	glng_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAmountExcludedDueToFinancialCovenants
Namespace Prefix:	glng_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Restricted Cash and Short-term Investments

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	glng_RestrictedCashAndShortTermInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	glng_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Restricted Cash and Short-term Investments, Current

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	glng_RestrictedCashAndShortTermInvestmentsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	glng_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Security Deposit, Current

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	glng_SecurityDepositCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	glng_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-BRD

-Paragraph 80

-Subparagraph Exhibit 4-8, 3

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-Chapter 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Cash and investments whose use in whole or in part is restricted for the long-term, generally by contractual agreements or regulatory requirements. For use in an unclassified balance sheet.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The current cash, cash equivalents and investments that are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. Includes current cash equivalents and investments that are similarly restricted as to withdrawal, usage or disposal.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsCurrentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of an asset, typically cash, provided to a counterparty to provide certain assurance of performance by the entity pursuant to the terms of a written or oral agreement, such as a lease.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecurityDeposit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant