Sabine Pass LNG 10-Q 1 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Entity [Abstract]	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.
Entity Central Index Key	'0001379714
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	'10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1
Amendment Flag	'false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	0

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$14,315	$14,994
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	53,013	14,959
Accounts and interest receivable	176	0
Accounts receivable—affiliate	2,220	2,615
LNG inventory	4,072	10,430
Advances to affiliate	6,807	4,025
Prepaid expenses and other	5,943	5,149
Total current assets	86,546	52,172
Non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents	76,106	76,106
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,423,958	1,433,822
Debt issuance costs, net	15,828	16,871
Other	19,764	17,239
Total assets	1,622,202	1,596,210
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts Payable	2,457	1,420
Accrued liabilities	55,675	21,153
Due to affiliates	4,736	18,721
Deferred revenue	26,722	26,593
Deferred revenue—affiliate	21,872	21,786
Total current liabilities	111,462	89,673
Long-term debt, net of discount	2,072,981	2,071,807
Deferred revenue	16,500	17,500
Deferred revenue—affiliate	19,626	17,173
Other non-current liabilities	273	276
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Partners' Capital [Abstract]	'	'
Partners' deficit	-598,640	-600,219
Total liabilities and partners' deficit	$1,622,202	$1,596,210

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues	'		'
Revenues	$66,410		$66,061
Revenues—affiliates	64,324		63,819
Total revenues	130,734		129,880
Expenses	'		'
Operating and maintenance expense	9,316		8,284
Operating and maintenance expense—affiliate	3,693		6,048
Depreciation expense	10,615		10,612
General and administrative expense	-11		534
General and administrative expense—affiliate	2,826		2,826
Total expenses	26,439		28,304
Income from operations	104,295		101,576
Other income (expense)	'		'
Interest expense, net	-40,270		-40,262
Derivative gain, net	242	[1]	515	[1]
Other income	4		25
Total other expense	-40,024		-39,722
Net income	$64,271		$61,854
[1]	Excludes settlements of hedges of the exposure to price risk attributable to future purchases of natural gas to be utilized as fuel to operate our terminal for which we have elected the normal purchase normal sale exemption from derivative accounting.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Par

Consolidated Statements of Partners' Deficit (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Partners' Capital Beginning of Period	($600,219)
Non-cash contributions from limited partner	745
Distributions to limited partner	-63,437
Net income	64,271
Partners' Capital End of Period	-598,640
General Partner Sabine Pass LNG-GP, LLC [Member]	'
Partners' Capital Beginning of Period	0
Non-cash contributions from limited partner	0
Distributions to limited partner	0
Net income	0
Partners' Capital End of Period	0
Limited Partner Sabine Pass LNG-LP, LLC [Member]	'
Partners' Capital Beginning of Period	-600,219
Non-cash contributions from limited partner	745
Net income	64,271
Partners' Capital End of Period	($598,640)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net income	$64,271	$61,854
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Investment in restricted cash and cash equivalents for certain operating activities	-38,054	-38,053
Depreciation	10,615	10,612
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount	2,217	2,210
Other	10	-518
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	39,011	39,350
Due to affiliates	-11,016	3,167
Deferred revenue	-871	-2,210
Deferred revenue—affiliate	86	-517
Advances to affiliate	-2,782	-3,186
Accounts receivable—affiliate	395	574
Other	-1,116	726
Net cash provided by operating activities	62,766	74,009
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	-8	-45
Net cash used in investing activities	-8	-45
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Distribution to limited partner	-63,437	-76,702
Nets cash used in financing activities	-63,437	-76,702
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-679	-2,738
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	14,994	5,202
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	$14,315	$2,464

Basis_of_Presentation_Notes

Basis of Presentation (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. As used in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the terms "Sabine Pass LNG," "we", "us" and "our" refer to Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. and its wholly owned subsidiary, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context.
	Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2014.
	We are a disregarded entity for federal and state income tax purposes. Our taxable income or loss, which may vary substantially from the net income or loss reported on our Consolidated Statements of Income, is able to be included in the federal income tax return of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. ("Cheniere Partners"), a publicly traded partnership which indirectly owns us. Accordingly, no provision or liability for federal or state income taxes is included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
	For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Restricted_Cash_and_Cash_Equiv

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	RESTRICTED CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of funds that are contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal, are controlled by a collateral trustee and have been presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Restricted cash and cash equivalents include the following:
	We have consummated private offerings of an aggregate principal amount of $1,665.5 million, before discount, of 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (the "2016 Notes") and $420.0 million of 6.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes") See Note 6—"Long-Term Debt". Collectively, the 2016 Notes and the 2020 Notes are referred to as the "Senior Notes." Under the indentures governing the Senior Notes (the "Sabine Pass LNG Indentures"), except for permitted tax distributions, we may not make distributions until certain conditions are satisfied, including the condition that there must be on deposit in an interest payment account an amount equal to one-sixth of the semi-annual interest payment multiplied by the number of elapsed months since the last semi-annual interest payment and there must be on deposit in a permanent debt service reserve fund an amount equal to one semi-annual interest payment. Distributions are permitted only after satisfying the foregoing funding requirements, a fixed charge coverage ratio test of 2:1 and other conditions specified in the Sabine Pass LNG Indentures.
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we classified $53.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively, as current restricted cash and cash equivalents for the payment of interest due within twelve months. As of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we classified the permanent debt service reserve fund of $76.1 million as non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_N

Property Plant and Equipment (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment consists of LNG terminal costs and fixed assets, as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	LNG terminal costs
	LNG terminal	$	1,642,731		$	1,642,007
	LNG terminal construction-in-process	7			9
	LNG site and related costs, net	147			149
	Accumulated depreciation	(219,280		)	(208,729		)
	Total LNG terminal costs, net	1,423,605			1,433,436
	Fixed assets
	Machinery and equipment	1,189			1,189
	Computer and office equipment	424			424
	Vehicles	629			599
	Other	698			697
	Accumulated depreciation	(2,587		)	(2,523		)
	Total fixed assets, net	353			386
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,423,958		$	1,433,822
	Depreciation expense related to our LNG terminal totaled $10.6 million and $10.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Financial_Instruments_Financia

Financial Instruments Financial Instruments (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Financial Instruments Disclosure	'
	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	Derivative Instruments
	We have entered into certain instruments to hedge the exposure to price risk attributable to future purchases of natural gas to be utilized as fuel to operate our LNG terminal ("Fuel Derivatives").
	The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value of our derivative assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, which are classified as prepaid expenses and other in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
		Fair Value Measurements as of
		31-Mar-14														31-Dec-13
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
		(Level 1)														(Level 1)
	Fuel Derivatives asset	$	—			$	19			$	—		$	19		$	—		$	27		$	—	$	27
	The estimated fair values of our Fuel Derivatives are the amounts at which the instruments could be exchanged currently between willing parties. We value these derivatives using observable commodity price curves and other relevant data. Derivative assets and liabilities arising from our derivative contracts with the same counterparty are reported on a net basis, as all counterparty derivative contracts provide for net settlement.
	Commodity Derivatives
	We recognize all derivative instruments that qualify for derivative accounting treatment as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value unless they qualify for, and we elect, the normal purchase normal sale exemption.  For our Fuel Derivatives in which we have not elected the normal purchase normal sale exemption, changes in fair value are reported in earnings. For transactions in which we have elected the normal purchase normal sale exemption, gains and losses are not reflected on our Consolidated Statements of Income until the period of delivery.
	The use of derivative instruments exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments in instances where our Fuel Derivatives are in an asset position. Except for the fuel hedges with our affiliate described below, our commodity derivative transactions are executed through over-the-counter contracts which are subject to nominal credit risk as these transactions are settled on a daily margin basis with investment grade financial institutions. We are required by these financial institutions to use margin deposits as credit support for our commodity derivative activities. Collateral of $0.5 million and $0.7 million deposited for such contracts, which has not been reflected in the derivative fair value tables, is included in the other current assets balance as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	During the second quarter of 2013, we began to enter into forward contracts under an International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreement with Cheniere Marketing, LLC ("Cheniere Marketing"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, Inc. ("Cheniere"), to hedge the exposure to price risk attributable to future purchases of natural gas to be utilized as fuel to operate our terminal. We elected to account for these physical hedges of future fuel purchases as normal purchase normal sale transactions, exempt from fair value accounting. We had not posted collateral with Cheniere Marketing for such forward contracts as of March 31, 2014.
	The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value and location of our Fuel Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:
					Fair Value Measurements as of
		Balance Sheet Location			March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Fuel Derivatives asset	Prepaid expenses and other			$	19			$	27
	The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value and settlements of our Fuel Derivatives recorded in derivative gain, net on our Consolidated Statements of Income during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Fuel Derivatives gain (1)	$	242			$	515
	(1)Excludes settlements of hedges of the exposure to price risk attributable to future purchases of natural gas to be utilized
	as fuel to operate our terminal for which we have elected the normal purchase normal sale exemption from derivative accounting.
	Balance Sheet Presentation
	Our Fuel Derivatives are presented on a net basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as described above. The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value of our Fuel Derivatives outstanding on a gross and net basis:
			Gross Amounts Recognized				Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
	Offsetting Derivative Assets													Derivative Instrument			Cash Collateral Received (Paid)			Net Amount
	As of March 31, 2014:
	Fuel Derivatives		$	19			$	—			$	19		$	—		$	—		$	19
	As of December 31, 2013:
	Fuel Derivatives		27				—				27			—			—			27
	Other Financial Instruments
	The estimated fair value of our other financial instruments, including those financial instruments for which the fair value option was not elected, are set forth in the table below.  The carrying amounts reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, interest receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.
	The following table (in thousands) shows the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our other financial instruments:
		March 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Carrying				Estimated				Carrying			Estimated
		Amount				Fair Value (1)				Amount			Fair Value (1)
	2016 Notes, net of discount	$	1,652,981			$	1,824,478			$	1,651,807		$	1,868,607
	2020 Notes	420,000				441,000				420,000			432,600
	-1	The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who make markets in these and similar instruments based on the closing trading prices on March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as applicable.

Accrued_Liabilities_Accrued_Li

Accrued Liabilities Accrued Liabilities (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	ACCRUED LIABILITIES
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, accrued liabilities (including amounts due to affiliates) consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Interest and related debt fees	$	53,013	$	14,959
	LNG terminal costs	1,612		1,612
	Other	1,050		4,582
	Total accrued liabilities	55,675		21,153
	Accrued liabilities—affiliate	3,723		17,756
	Total accrued liabilities (including affiliate)	$	59,398	$	38,909

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_No

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt	'
	LONG-TERM DEBT
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Long-term debt
	2016 Notes		$	1,665,500		$	1,665,500
	2020 Notes		420,000			420,000
	Total long-term debt		2,085,500			2,085,500
	Long-term debt discount
	2016 Notes		(12,519		)	(13,693		)
	Total long-term debt, net of discount		$	2,072,981		$	2,071,807
	Senior Notes
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had an aggregate principal amount of $1,665.5 million, before discount, of the 2016 Notes and $420.0 million of the 2020 Notes outstanding. Borrowings under the 2016 Notes and 2020 Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.50% and 6.50%, respectively. The terms of the 2016 Notes and the 2020 Notes are substantially similar. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. Subject to permitted liens, the Senior Notes are secured on a first-priority basis by a security interest in all of our equity interests and substantially all of our operating assets.
	We may redeem all or part of our 2016 Notes at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal plus any accrued and unpaid interest plus the greater of:
	•	1.0% of the principal amount of the 2016 Notes; or
	•	the excess of: a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the 2016 Notes plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the 2016 Notes (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over b) the principal amount of the 2016 Notes, if greater.
	We may redeem all or part of our 2020 Notes at any time on or after November 1, 2016, at fixed redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the 2020 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. We may also, at our option, redeem all or part of the 2020 Notes at any time prior to November 1, 2016, at a "make-whole" price set forth in the indenture governing the 2020 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. At any time before November 1, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes at a redemption price of 106.5% of the principal amount of the 2020 Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, in an amount not to exceed the net proceeds of one or more completed equity offerings as long as we redeem the 2020 Notes within 180 days of the closing date for such equity offering and at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes originally issued remains outstanding after the redemption.
	Under the Sabine Pass LNG Indentures, except for permitted tax distributions, we may not make distributions until certain conditions are satisfied, including: (i) there must be on deposit in an interest payment account an amount equal to one-sixth of the semi-annual interest payment multiplied by the number of elapsed months since the last semi-annual interest payment, and (ii) there must be on deposit in a permanent debt service reserve fund an amount equal to one semi-annual interest payment. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we made distributions of $63.4 million and $76.7 million, respectively, after satisfying all the applicable conditions in our indentures.

Related_Party_Transactions_Rel

Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure	'
	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $6.8 million and $4.0 million, respectively, of advances to affiliates. In addition, we have entered into the following related party transactions:
	Terminal Use Agreement
	Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC ("Sabine Pass Liquefaction"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere Partners, obtained approximately 2.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity under a terminal use agreement ("TUA") with us as a result of an assignment in July 2012 by Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC ("Cheniere Investments"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere Partners, of its rights, title and interest under its TUA with us. Sabine Pass Liquefaction is obligated to make monthly capacity payments to us aggregating approximately $250 million per year, continuing until at least 20 years after Sabine Pass Liquefaction delivers its first commercial cargo at Sabine Pass Liquefaction's facilities under construction. We entered into a terminal use rights assignment and agreement ("TURA") with Sabine Pass Liquefaction and Cheniere Investments pursuant to which Cheniere Investments has the right to use Sabine Pass Liquefaction's reserved capacity under the TUA and has the obligation to make the monthly capacity payments required by the TUA to us. Cheniere Investments' right to use capacity at our LNG terminal will be reduced as each of Trains 1 through 4 reaches commercial operations. The percentage of the monthly capacity payments payable by Cheniere Investments will be reduced from 100% to zero (unless Cheniere Investments utilizes terminal use capacity after Train 4 reaches commercial operations), and the percentage of the monthly capacity payments payable by Sabine Pass Liquefaction will increase by the amount that Cheniere Investments' percentage decreases. Cheniere Partners has guaranteed Sabine Pass Liquefaction's obligations under the TUA and the obligations of Cheniere Investments under the TURA.
	Service Agreements
	We have entered into a long-term operation and maintenance agreement (the "O&M Agreement") with Cheniere Investments pursuant to which we receive all necessary services required to operate and maintain our LNG receiving terminal. We are required to pay a fixed monthly fee of $130,000 (indexed for inflation) under the O&M Agreement, and the counterparty is entitled to a bonus equal to 50% of the salary component of labor costs in certain circumstances to be agreed upon between us and the counterparty at the beginning of each operating year. In addition, we are required to reimburse the counterparty for its operating expenses, which consist primarily of labor expenses. Cheniere Investments provides the services required under the O&M Agreement pursuant to a secondment agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere.
	We have entered into a long-term management services agreement (the "MSA") with Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC ("Cheniere Terminals"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere, pursuant to which Cheniere Terminals manages the operation of our LNG receiving terminal, excluding those matters provided for under the O&M Agreement. We are required to pay Cheniere Terminals a monthly fixed fee of $520,000 (indexed for inflation) under the MSA.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded general and administrative expense—affiliate of $2.8 million, and we recorded operations and maintenance expense—affiliate of $3.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively, under the foregoing service agreements.
	Agreement to Fund Our Cooperative Endeavor Agreements ("CEAs")
	In July 2007, we executed CEAs with various Cameron Parish, Louisiana taxing authorities that allow them to collect certain annual property tax payments in 2007 through 2016. This ten-year initiative represents an aggregate commitment of up to $25.0 million, and we will make resources available to the Cameron Parish taxing authorities on an accelerated basis in order to aid in their reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Rita. In exchange for our advance payments of annual ad valorem taxes, Cameron Parish will grant us a dollar for dollar credit against future ad valorem taxes to be levied against our LNG terminal starting in 2019. In September 2007, we entered into an agreement with Cheniere Marketing, pursuant to which Cheniere Marketing would pay us additional TUA revenues equal to any and all amounts payable under the CEAs in exchange for a similar amount of credits against future TUA payments it would owe us under its TUA starting in 2019. In June 2010, Cheniere Marketing assigned its TUA to Cheniere Investments and concurrently entered into a variable capacity rights agreement ("VCRA"), allowing Cheniere Marketing to utilize Cheniere Investments' capacity under the TUA after the assignment. In July 2012, Cheniere Investments entered into an amended and restated VCRA with Cheniere Marketing in order for Cheniere Investments to utilize during construction of the Liquefaction Project the capacity rights granted under the TURA. Cheniere Marketing will continue to fund the CEAs during the term of the amended and restated VCRA and, in exchange, Cheniere Marketing will receive the benefit of any future credits.
	These advance tax payments were recorded to other non-current assets, and payments from Cheniere Marketing that we utilized to make the ad valorem tax payments were recorded as deferred revenue—affiliate. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $19.6 million and $17.2 million, respectively, of other non-current assets resulting from ad valorem tax payments and non-current deferred revenue—affiliate resulting from these payments received from Cheniere Marketing.
	Contracts for Sale and Purchase of Natural Gas and LNG
	We are able to sell and purchase natural gas and LNG under agreements with Cheniere Marketing. Under these agreements, we purchase natural gas or LNG from Cheniere Marketing at a sales price equal to the actual purchase cost paid by Cheniere Marketing to suppliers of the natural gas or LNG, plus any third-party costs incurred by Cheniere Marketing in respect of the receipt, purchase and delivery of the natural gas or LNG to our LNG terminal. As a result, we record the purchases of natural gas and LNG from Cheniere Marketing to be utilized as fuel to operate our LNG terminal as operating and maintenance expense. We recorded $0.5 million and $0.9 million of natural gas purchased from Cheniere Marketing under these agreements as operating and maintenance expense in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We recorded revenues—affiliate of zero and $0.9 million for natural gas sold to Cheniere Marketing under these agreements in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Tug Boat Lease Sharing Agreement
	In connection with our tug boat lease, Sabine Pass Tug Services, LLC ("Tug Services"), our wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a tug sharing agreement with Cheniere Marketing to provide its LNG cargo vessels with tug boat and marine services at our LNG terminal. Tug Services recorded revenues—affiliate from Cheniere Marketing of $0.7 million pursuant to this agreement in each of the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	LNG Site Sublease Agreement
	In June 2012, we entered into an agreement with Sabine Pass Liquefaction to sublease a portion of our terminal site for its liquefaction project. The annual sublease payment is $0.5 million. The initial term of the sublease expires on December 31, 2034, with options to renew for five 10-year extensions with similar terms as the initial term. The annual sublease payment will be adjusted for inflation every five years based on a consumer price index, as defined in the sublease agreement. We recognized $0.1 million of sublease revenue from Sabine Pass Liquefaction as a credit to operating and maintenance expense—affiliate on our Consolidated Statements of Income in each of the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. As used in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the terms "Sabine Pass LNG," "we", "us" and "our" refer to Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. and its wholly owned subsidiary, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context.
	Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2014.
	We are a disregarded entity for federal and state income tax purposes. Our taxable income or loss, which may vary substantially from the net income or loss reported on our Consolidated Statements of Income, is able to be included in the federal income tax return of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. ("Cheniere Partners"), a publicly traded partnership which indirectly owns us. Accordingly, no provision or liability for federal or state income taxes is included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
	For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property Plant and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment consists of LNG terminal costs and fixed assets, as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	LNG terminal costs
	LNG terminal	$	1,642,731		$	1,642,007
	LNG terminal construction-in-process	7			9
	LNG site and related costs, net	147			149
	Accumulated depreciation	(219,280		)	(208,729		)
	Total LNG terminal costs, net	1,423,605			1,433,436
	Fixed assets
	Machinery and equipment	1,189			1,189
	Computer and office equipment	424			424
	Vehicles	629			599
	Other	698			697
	Accumulated depreciation	(2,587		)	(2,523		)
	Total fixed assets, net	353			386
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,423,958		$	1,433,822

Financial_Instruments_Tables

Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Fair Value of Derivative Assets and Liabilities	'
	The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value of our derivative assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, which are classified as prepaid expenses and other in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
		Fair Value Measurements as of
		31-Mar-14														31-Dec-13
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
		(Level 1)														(Level 1)
	Fuel Derivatives asset	$	—			$	19			$	—		$	19		$	—		$	27		$	—	$	27
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments by Balance Sheet Location	'
	The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value and location of our Fuel Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:
					Fair Value Measurements as of
		Balance Sheet Location			March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Fuel Derivatives asset	Prepaid expenses and other			$	19			$	27
Derivative Gross Presentation on Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	Our Fuel Derivatives are presented on a net basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as described above. The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value of our Fuel Derivatives outstanding on a gross and net basis:
			Gross Amounts Recognized				Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets				Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
	Offsetting Derivative Assets													Derivative Instrument			Cash Collateral Received (Paid)			Net Amount
	As of March 31, 2014:
	Fuel Derivatives		$	19			$	—			$	19		$	—		$	—		$	19
	As of December 31, 2013:
	Fuel Derivatives		27				—				27			—			—			27
Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments	'
	The following table (in thousands) shows the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our other financial instruments:
		March 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Carrying				Estimated				Carrying			Estimated
		Amount				Fair Value (1)				Amount			Fair Value (1)
	2016 Notes, net of discount	$	1,652,981			$	1,824,478			$	1,651,807		$	1,868,607
	2020 Notes	420,000				441,000				420,000			432,600
	-1	The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who make markets in these and similar instruments based on the closing trading prices on March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as applicable.
Derivative gain (loss), net [Member]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	'
	The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value and settlements of our Fuel Derivatives recorded in derivative gain, net on our Consolidated Statements of Income during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Fuel Derivatives gain (1)	$	242			$	515
	(1)Excludes settlements of hedges of the exposure to price risk attributable to future purchases of natural gas to be utilized
	as fuel to operate our terminal for which we have elected the normal purchase normal sale exemption from derivative accounting.

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	'
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, accrued liabilities (including amounts due to affiliates) consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Interest and related debt fees	$	53,013	$	14,959
	LNG terminal costs	1,612		1,612
	Other	1,050		4,582
	Total accrued liabilities	55,675		21,153
	Accrued liabilities—affiliate	3,723		17,756
	Total accrued liabilities (including affiliate)	$	59,398	$	38,909

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-Term Debt	'
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Long-term debt
	2016 Notes	$	1,665,500		$	1,665,500
	2020 Notes	420,000			420,000
	Total long-term debt	2,085,500			2,085,500
	Long-term debt discount
	2016 Notes	(12,519		)	(13,693		)
	Total long-term debt, net of discount	$	2,072,981		$	2,071,807

Restricted_Cash_and_Cash_Equiv1

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Rate
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Current restricted cash and cash equivalents	$53,013,000	$14,959,000
Non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents	76,106,000	76,106,000
2016 Notes [Member]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	1,665,500,000	1,665,500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.50%	7.50%
2020 Notes [Member]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	420,000,000	420,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.50%	6.50%
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	$2,085,500,000	$2,085,500,000
Debt instrument fixed charge coverage ratio	2	'

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	$1,423,958	'	$1,433,822
Depreciation	10,615	10,612	'
LNG terminal costs [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	-219,280	'	-208,729
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,423,605	'	1,433,436
Depreciation	10,600	10,500	'
LNG terminal [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,642,731	'	1,642,007
LNG terminal construction-in-process [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	7	'	9
LNG site and related costs, net [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	147	'	149
Fixed assets [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	-2,587	'	-2,523
Property, plant and equipment, net	353	'	386
Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,189	'	1,189
Computer and Office Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	424	'	424
Vehicles [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	629	'	599
Other [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$698	'	$697

Financial_Instruments_Fair_Val

Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Derivative Assets and Liabilities (Details) (Fuel Derivatives [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fuel Derivatives asset	$19	$27
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fuel Derivatives asset	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fuel Derivatives asset	19	27
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fuel Derivatives asset	$0	$0

Financial_Instruments_Fair_Val1

Financial Instruments - Fair Value by Balance Sheet Location of Fuel Derivatives (Details) (Fuel Derivatives [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fuel Derivatives asset	$19,000	$27,000
Other Current Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative collateral deposited	500,000	700,000
Prepaid Expenses And Other [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fuel Derivatives asset	$19,000	$27,000

Financial_Instruments_Derivati

Financial Instruments - Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'
Fuel Derivatives gain	$242	[1]	$515	[1]
[1]	Excludes settlements of hedges of the exposure to price risk attributable to future purchases of natural gas to be utilized as fuel to operate our terminal for which we have elected the normal purchase normal sale exemption from derivative accounting.

Financial_Instruments_Derivati1

Financial Instruments - Derivatives Gross Presentation on Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) (Fuel Derivatives [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fuel Derivatives [Member]	'	'
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amounts Recognized	$19	$27
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0	0
Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	19	27
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets - Derivative Instrument	0	0
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets - Cash Collateral Received (Paid)	$0	$0

Financial_Instruments_Schedule

Financial Instruments - Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
2016 Notes, net of discount [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	$1,652,981		$1,651,807
2016 Notes, net of discount [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	1,824,478	[1]	1,868,607	[1]
2020 Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	420,000		420,000
2020 Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	$441,000	[1]	$432,600	[1]
[1]	(1)The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who make markets in these and similar instruments based on the closing trading prices on March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as applicable.

Accrued_Liabilities_Details

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Interest and related debt fees	$53,013	$14,959
LNG terminal costs	1,612	1,612
Other	1,050	4,582
Total accrued liabilities	55,675	21,153
Accrued liabilities - affiliate	3,723	17,756
Total accrued liabilities (including affiliate)	$59,398	$38,909

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Long

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-term debt, net of discount	$2,072,981,000	$2,071,807,000
2016 Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	1,665,500,000	1,665,500,000
Long-term debt discount	-12,519,000	-13,693,000
2020 Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	420,000,000	420,000,000
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	$2,085,500,000	$2,085,500,000

LongTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Distributions to limited partner	$63,437,000	'	'
2016 Notes [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	1,665,500,000	'	1,665,500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.50%	'	7.50%
Redemption of Debt Instrument, Percentage	100.00%	'	'
Percentage of debt principal additional for redemption	1.00%	'	'
Discount rate over Treasury Rate to calculate fair value ratio of redemption price	0.50%	'	'
2020 Notes [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	420,000,000	'	420,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.50%	'	6.50%
Debt redemption period from equity offering closing date	'180 days	'	'
Debt Instrument, Original Principal Remaining Requirement of Redemption, Percentage	65.00%	'	'
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	2,085,500,000	'	2,085,500,000
Distributions to limited partner	$63,437,000	$76,700,000	'
Period prior to November 1, 2015 [Member] | 2020 Notes [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Redemption of Debt Instrument, Percentage	106.50%	'	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount That May Be Redeemed	35.00%	'	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Advances to affiliate	$6,807,000	'	$4,025,000
General and administrative expense—affiliate	2,826,000	2,826,000	'
Operating and maintenance expense—affiliate	3,693,000	6,048,000	'
Revenues—affiliates	64,324,000	63,819,000	'
Service Agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating and maintenance expense—affiliate	3,800,000	6,100,000	'
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member] | LNG Terminal Capacity Agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Regasification capacity	2	'	'
Related Party Transactions, Commitments, Annual Reservation Fee Payment	250,000,000	'	'
Sabine Pass Liquefaction [Member] | LNG site and related costs, net [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues—affiliates	100,000	100,000	'
Related Party Transaction, Annual Sublease Payment	500,000	'	'
Number Of Available Lease Extensions	5	'	'
Term of available extension	'10 years	'	'
Review Period for Inflation Adjustment	'5 years	'	'
Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC [Member] | Operation and Maintenance Agreement [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction, Committed Monthly Fee	130,000	'	'
Related Party Transaction, Bonus Percentage Entitled Upon Meeting Certain Criteria	50.00%	'	'
Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC [Member] | Management Services Agreement [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction, Committed Monthly Fee	520,000	'	'
Cheniere Marketing, LLC [Member] | Cooperative Endeavor Agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction, Tax Initiative Commitment	25,000,000	'	'
Due from Related Parties, Noncurrent	19,600,000	'	17,200,000
Cheniere Marketing, LLC [Member] | Contract for the purchase of LNG [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	500,000	900,000	'
Cheniere Marketing, LLC [Member] | Contracts for Sale of Natural Gas [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues—affiliates	0	900,000	'
Sabine Pass Tug Services, LLC [Member] | Tug Boat Lease Sharing Agreement [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues—affiliates	$700,000	$700,000	'