Exhibit 99.1
CHENIERE
ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. NEWS RELEASE
Cheniere
Energy Partners Declares Quarterly Distributions
Houston, Texas – January 21, 2010
– Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE AMEX: CQP) today declared (i) a
cash distribution per common unit of $0.425 ($1.70 annualized) to unit holders
of record as of February 1, 2010, (ii) a cash distribution per subordinated unit
of $0.425 ($1.70 annualized) to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy,
Inc. and (iii) a cash distribution of $1.4 million to its general
partner. All of these distributions are payable on February 12,
2010.
Cheniere
Energy Partners, L.P. owns 100 percent of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal
located in western Cameron Parish, Louisiana on the Sabine Pass Channel. The
terminal has send-out capacity of 4.0 Bcf/d and storage capacity of 16.9
Bcf. Additional information about Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. may
be found on its website: www.cheniereenergypartners.com.
US
Income Tax Withholding on MLP Distributions Received by Non-US
Unitholders
US income
tax withholding generally applies to distributions made to foreign unit holders
in 2010 and in later years. Nominees that receive quarterly cash
distributions from us which are to be paid directly to (or for the account of)
any foreign person by such nominees are treated as the US tax withholding agent
with respect to these cash distributions, and the obligation to withhold US
income tax from such distributions will be imposed solely on such
nominees. Foreign unit holders must obtain a taxpayer identification
number from the Internal Revenue Service and provide that number to the nominee
withholding agent on a Form W8-BEN (or applicable substitute form) in order to
be able to claim an income tax credit in the foreign unit holder’s annual US
federal income tax return for the withholding taxes paid with respect to our
quarterly distributions.
We have
determined that the minimum quarterly cash distributions received by foreign
persons beginning in 2010 are subject to US income tax withholding under
applicable Internal Revenue Service guidelines. Nominees receiving
quarterly cash distributions from us on behalf of foreign persons beginning in
2010 should consider this determination in meeting their withholding tax
obligations for quarterly distributions paid to, or on behalf of, all foreign
unit holders during 2010. We will provide similar guidance to
nominees on an annual basis as required under the applicable Internal Revenue
Service guidelines.
This
press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements,
other than statements of historical facts, included herein are "forward-looking
statements." Included among "forward-looking statements" are, among other
things, (i) statements regarding Cheniere Energy Partners’ business strategy,
plans and objectives and (ii) statements expressing beliefs and expectations
regarding the development of Cheniere Energy Partners' LNG receiving terminal
business. Although Cheniere Energy Partners believes that the
expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they
do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may
prove to be incorrect. Cheniere Energy Partners' actual results could
differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as
a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in Cheniere Energy
Partners' periodic reports that are filed with and available from the Securities
and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press
release. Other than as required under the securities laws, Cheniere
Energy Partners does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking
statements.
Investors: Christina
Cavarretta, 713-375-5104
Media: Diane Haggard,
713-375-5259