v2.4.1.9
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EQUITY 2 (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, beginning balance $ (497)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax [1],[2] $ (228)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax [1]  
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassifications Net Of Tax (116)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax [1] (57)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax [1]  
Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 0us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax [1] 12us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax [1]  
Net Other Comprehensive Income (116)sre_NetOtherComprehensiveIncome [1] (45)sre_NetOtherComprehensiveIncome [1]  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, ending balance (613)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax [1] (273)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax [1]  
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, beginning balance     (12)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= sre_SanDiegoGasAndElectricCompanyMember		 [2]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, ending balance (12)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= sre_SanDiegoGasAndElectricCompanyMember		   (12)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= sre_SanDiegoGasAndElectricCompanyMember		 [2]
Southern California Gas Company [Member]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, beginning balance     (18)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= sre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember		 [2]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, ending balance (18)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= sre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember		   (18)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= sre_SouthernCaliforniaGasCompanyMember		 [2]
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, beginning balance (322)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember		 [1] (129)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember		 [1]  
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassifications Net Of Tax (62)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember		 [1] (43)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember		 [1]  
Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 0us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember		 [1] 0us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember		 [1]  
Net Other Comprehensive Income (62)sre_NetOtherComprehensiveIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember		 [1] (43)sre_NetOtherComprehensiveIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember		 [1]  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, ending balance (384)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember		 [1] (172)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember		 [1]  
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Unamortized Gain Loss [Member]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, beginning balance (83)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember		 [1] (73)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember		 [1]  
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassifications Net Of Tax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember		 [1] 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember		 [1]  
Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 1us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember		 [1] 3us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember		 [1]  
Net Other Comprehensive Income 1sre_NetOtherComprehensiveIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember		 [1] 3sre_NetOtherComprehensiveIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember		 [1]  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, ending balance (82)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember		 [1] (70)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember		 [1]  
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Prior Service Cost Credit [Member]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, beginning balance (2)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember		 [1] 0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember		 [1]  
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassifications Net Of Tax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember		 [1] 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember		 [1]  
Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 0us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember		 [1] 0us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember		 [1]  
Net Other Comprehensive Income 0sre_NetOtherComprehensiveIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember		 [1] 0sre_NetOtherComprehensiveIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember		 [1]  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, ending balance (2)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember		 [1] 0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember		 [1]  
Accumulated Net Gain Loss From Designated Or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, beginning balance (90)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember		 [1] (26)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember		 [1]  
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassifications Net Of Tax (54)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember		 [1] (14)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember		 [1]  
Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (1)us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember		 [1] 9us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember		 [1]  
Net Other Comprehensive Income (55)sre_NetOtherComprehensiveIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember		 [1] (5)sre_NetOtherComprehensiveIncome
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember		 [1]  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, ending balance $ (145)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember		 [1] $ (31)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember		 [1]  
[1]
All amounts are net of income tax, if subject to tax, and exclude noncontrolling interests.
[2]
Derived from audited financial statements.