v3.6.0.2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - NONRECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASURES (Details) $ in Millions |  |  | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 26, 2016 USD ($) | Jul. 16, 2014 USD ($) MW | May 31, 2016 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Jul. 31, 2014 MW | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Sep. 29, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 27, 2016 | Sep. 25, 2016 | Mar. 29, 2016 USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Remeasurement of equity method investment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 617 | $ 0 | $ 0 |  |  |  |
Equity method investment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,080 | $ 2,889 |  |  |  |  |
Rockies Express [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership percentage in equity method investee |  |  | 25.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | GdC [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of investment | $ 1,144 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
% of fair value measurement | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Range of inputs | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | TdM [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of investment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 145 |  |  |
% of fair value measurement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100.00% |  |  |
Range of inputs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100.00% |  |  |
Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Energia Sierra Juarez Wind Project [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of investment |  | $ 26 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
% of fair value measurement |  | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Range of inputs |  | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Rockies Express [Member] | Level 2 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of investment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 440
% of fair value measurement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100.00%
Range of inputs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100.00%
Carrying Amount [Member] | TdM [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of investment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 154 |  |  |  |  |  |
Carrying Amount [Member] | Energia Sierra Juarez Wind Project [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of investment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 38 |  |  |  |  |  |
Sempra Mexico [Member] | GdC [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquired percentage interest | 50.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership percentage in equity method investee | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100.00% | 50.00% |
Remeasurement of equity method investment | $ 617 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain on acquisition of remaining voting rights, net of tax | 432 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of investment | 1,144 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investment | 520 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reclassification adjustment from AOCI | (7) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of business combination | $ 2,288 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sempra Mexico [Member] | TdM [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other than temporary impairment in investment |  |  |  |  |  | $ 131 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other than temporary impairment in investment, net of tax |  |  |  |  |  | $ 111 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sempra Mexico [Member] | Energia Sierra Juarez Wind Project [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership percentage in equity method investee |  | 50.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sempra Mexico [Member] | Energia Sierra Juarez Wind Project [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership percentage in equity method investee |  | 50.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Generating capacity (in mw) | MW |  | 155 |  |  | 155 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash consideration received |  | $ 24 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash |  | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain attributable to remeasurement, after tax |  | 7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from sale |  | $ 26 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sempra LNG & MIdstream [Member] | Rockies Express [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership percentage in equity method investee |  |  |  | 25.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25.00%
Fair value of investment |  |  |  | $ 440 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investment |  |  |  | 484 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other than temporary impairment in investment |  |  |  | 44 |  |  | $ 44 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other than temporary impairment in investment, net of tax |  |  |  | 27 |  |  | $ 27 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from sale of investments |  |  | $ 443 | $ 440 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Acquisition of Remaining Voting Rights, Net of Tax + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossonAcquisitionofRemainingVotingRightsNetofTax
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Equity Method Investment Other Than Temporary Impairment Net Of Tax Benefit + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_Equitymethodinvestmentotherthantemporaryimpairmentnetoftaxbenefit
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Fair Value Inputs, Percentage of Fair Value Measurement + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_FairValueInputsPercentageofFairValueMeasurement
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair Value Inputs, Range of Inputs + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_FairValueInputsRangeofInputs
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_GainAttributableToRemeasurementAfterTax
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, On Equity Method Investment, Net of Tax + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentfromAOCIOnEquityMethodInvestmentNetofTax
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Power Plant, Energy Generating Capacity + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_PowerPlantEnergyGeneratingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | num:powerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sre_Proceedsfromsaleofassetsandinvestments
Namespace Prefix: | sre_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956515&loc=d3e1392-128463 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount recognized for assets, including goodwill, in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956791&loc=d3e4845-128472 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition In a business combination achieved in stages, this element represents the amount of gain recognized by the entity as a result of remeasuring to fair value the equity interest in the acquiree it held before the business combination. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (g)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956515&loc=d3e1392-128463 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Reduction in cash due to no longer including the former subsidiary's cash in the consolidated entity's cash. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CashDivestedFromDeconsolidation
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 32 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49116238&loc=d3e32787-111569 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755396&loc=d3e33749-111570 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 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Fair value portion of investments in an entity not consolidated. Includes, but is not limited to, investments in an entity that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership, an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group, an entity which the company has significant influence, but does not have control and subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity or cost method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19190-110258 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVenturesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash inflow associated with the amount received from the sale of a portion of the company's business, for example a segment, division, branch or other business, during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3179-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash inflow associated with the sale of equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=sre_RockiesExpressMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueAxis=us-gaap_MarketApproachValuationTechniqueMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=sre_GasoductosDeChihuahuaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=sre_TdMMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=sre_EnergiaSierraJuarezWindProjectMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis=us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=sre_SempraMexicoMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=sre_EnergiaSierraJuarezWindProjectMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=sre_SempraNaturalGasMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |