CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Net income (loss) $ 719 $ 282 $ 1,110 $ 1,060
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Total other comprehensive loss (13) (165) (59) (264)
Comprehensive income     1,050 773
Preferred dividends of subsidiary 0 0 (1) (1)
Pretax amount [Member]        
Net income (loss) 904 263 1,276 1,257
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Foreign currency translation adjustments (28) (92) 51 (197)
Financial instruments 23 (128) (214) (122)
Pension and other postretirement benefits 4 7 8 11
Total other comprehensive loss (1) (213) (155) (308)
Comprehensive income 903 50 1,121 949
Preferred dividends of subsidiary     (1) (1)
Comprehensive income, after preferred dividends of subsidiary     1,120 948
Income tax (expense) benefit [Member]        
Net income (loss) (282) (15) (284) (276)
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Foreign currency translation adjustments 0 0 0 0
Financial instruments (10) 50 100 48
Pension and other postretirement benefits (2) (2) (4) (4)
Total other comprehensive loss (12) 48 96 44
Comprehensive income (294) 33 (188) (232)
Preferred dividends of subsidiary     0 0
Comprehensive income, after preferred dividends of subsidiary     (188) (232)
Net-of-tax amount [Member]        
Net income (loss) 622 248 992 981
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Foreign currency translation adjustments (28) (92) 51 (197)
Financial instruments 13 (78) (114) (74)
Pension and other postretirement benefits 2 5 4 7
Total other comprehensive loss (13) (165) (59) (264)
Comprehensive income 609 83 933 717
Preferred dividends of subsidiary     (1) (1)
Comprehensive income, after preferred dividends of subsidiary     932 716
Noncontrolling Interests (after-tax) [Member]        
Net income (loss) 97 34 118 79
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Foreign currency translation adjustments (7) (8) (2) (21)
Financial instruments 5 (3) 1 (2)
Pension and other postretirement benefits 0 0 0 0
Total other comprehensive loss (2) (11) (1) (23)
Comprehensive income 95 23 117 56
Preferred dividends of subsidiary     0 0
Comprehensive income, after preferred dividends of subsidiary     117 56
Total [Member]        
Net income (loss) 719 282 1,110 1,060
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Foreign currency translation adjustments (35) (100) 49 (218)
Financial instruments 18 (81) (113) (76)
Pension and other postretirement benefits 2 5 4 7
Total other comprehensive loss (15) (176) (60) (287)
Comprehensive income 704 106 1,050 773
Preferred dividends of subsidiary     (1) (1)
Comprehensive income, after preferred dividends of subsidiary     1,049 772
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member]        
Net income (loss) 194 182 418 463
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Comprehensive income     422 463
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member] | Pretax amount [Member]        
Net income (loss) 274 245 623 660
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Financial instruments 0 0 0  
Total other comprehensive loss 0 0 0  
Comprehensive income 274 245 623 660
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member] | Income tax (expense) benefit [Member]        
Net income (loss) (91) (75) (204) (217)
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Financial instruments 0 0 0  
Total other comprehensive loss 0 0 0  
Comprehensive income (91) (75) (204) (217)
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member] | Net-of-tax amount [Member]        
Net income (loss) 183 170 419 443
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Financial instruments 0 0 0  
Total other comprehensive loss 0 0 0  
Comprehensive income 183 170 419 443
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests (after-tax) [Member]        
Net income (loss) 11 12 (1) 20
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Financial instruments 5 (1) 4  
Total other comprehensive loss 5 (1) 4  
Comprehensive income 16 11 3 20
San Diego Gas and Electric Company [Member] | Total [Member]        
Net income (loss) 194 182 418 463
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Financial instruments 5 (1) 4  
Total other comprehensive loss 5 (1) 4  
Comprehensive income 199 181 422 463
Southern California Gas Company [Member]        
Net income (loss) 0 (8) 199 277
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Total other comprehensive loss 1   1  
Comprehensive income     200 277
Southern California Gas Company [Member] | Pretax amount [Member]        
Net income (loss) 21 (28) 274 368
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Financial instruments 1   1  
Total other comprehensive loss 1   1  
Comprehensive income 22 (28) 275 368
Southern California Gas Company [Member] | Income tax (expense) benefit [Member]        
Net income (loss) (21) 20 (75) (91)
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Financial instruments 0   0  
Total other comprehensive loss 0   0  
Comprehensive income (21) 20 (75) (91)
Southern California Gas Company [Member] | Net-of-tax amount [Member]        
Net income (loss) 0 (8) 199 277
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Financial instruments 1   1  
Total other comprehensive loss 1   1  
Comprehensive income $ 1 $ (8) $ 200 $ 277