Index to Financial Statements

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to            

Commission File No. 001-33366

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

20-5913059

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

700 Milam Street, Suite 800

Houston, Texas

(Address of principal executive offices)

77002

(Zip Code)

(713) 375-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨             Accelerated filer  ¨            

Non-accelerated filer  x             Smaller reporting company  ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨    No  x

The issuer had 26,416,357 common units and 135,383,831 subordinated units outstanding as of August 1, 2008.

 

 

 


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   1
    Item 1.   

Consolidated Financial Statements

   1
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   1
  

Consolidated Combined Statements of Operations

   2
  

Consolidated Combined Statements of Partners’ Deficit

   3
  

Consolidated Combined Statements of Cash Flows

   4
  

Notes to Consolidated Combined Financial Statements

   5
    Item 2.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   17
    Item 3.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   27
    Item 4.   

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

   27

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

   28
    Item 1.   

Legal Proceedings

   28
    Item 6.   

Exhibits

   28

 

i


Index to Financial Statements

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

     June 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
ASSETS     

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 8     $ 13  

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     183,913       191,179  

Accounts and interest receivable

     2,950       5,584  

Accounts receivable—affiliate

     20,909       —    

Advances to affiliate

     33,466       1,709  

Prepaid expenses and other

     7,013       432  
                

Total current assets

     248,259       198,917  

NON-CURRENT RESTRICTED CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     38,715       453,843  

NON-CURRENT RESTRICTED TREASURY SECURITIES

     42,206       63,923  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     1,417,341       1,127,289  

DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS, NET

     28,010       29,895  

ADVANCES UNDER LONG-TERM CONTRACTS

     10,378       28,497  

ADVANCES TO AFFILIATE – LNG HELD FOR COMMISSIONING

     64,459       —    

LNG HELD FOR COMMISSIONING

     957       —    

OTHER

     5,045       2,614  
                

Total assets

   $ 1,855,370     $ 1,904,978  
                
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ OR OWNERS’ DEFICIT     

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Accounts payable

   $ 1,574     $ 63  

Accrued liabilities

     50,568       52,309  

Accrued liabilities—affiliate

     3,574       1,048  

Derivative liabilities—affiliate

     7,740       —    
                

Total current liabilities

     63,456       53,420  

LONG-TERM DEBT

     2,032,000       2,032,000  

LONG-TERM DEBT – AFFILIATE

     1,486       645  

DEFERRED REVENUE

     44,971       42,583  

OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

     2,914       3,847  

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     —         —    

PARTNERS’ OR OWNERS’ DEFICIT

    

Owners’ deficit, including deficit accumulated during development stage of $160,432 at June 30, 2008 and $121,404 at December 31, 2007

     —         —    

Common unitholders (26,416,357 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2008)

     5,225       33,923  

Subordinated unitholders (135,383,831 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2008)

     (286,755 )     (254,752 )

General partner interest (2% interest with 3,302,045 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2008)

     (7,927 )     (6,688 )
                

Total partners’ or owners’ deficit

     (289,457 )     (227,517 )
                

Total liabilities and partners’ or owners’ deficit

   $ 1,855,370     $ 1,904,978  
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated combined financial statements.

 

1


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

CONSOLIDATED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per unit data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Period from
October 20,
2003 (Date of
Inception) to
June 30,

2008
 
   2008     2007     2008     2007    

REVENUES

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

EXPENSES

          

Legal

     24       76       88       76       2,471  

Professional

     225       71       799       202       3,240  

Technical consulting

     —         —         —         —         4,577  

Land site rental

     341       370       746       771       3,778  

Depreciation expense

     19       43       37       64       136  

Labor and overhead charge from affiliate

     1,546       2,268       4,309       3,592       20,075  

Phase 2—Stage 1 development reimbursement to affiliate

     —         —         —         —         4,527  

Public relations

     50       —         50       —         1,311  

Other

     543       46       819       55       1,690  
                                        

TOTAL EXPENSES

     2,748       2,874       6,848       4,760       41,805  
                                        

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS

     (2,748 )     (2,874 )     (6,848 )     (4,760 )     (41,805 )

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

          

Interest income

     3,346       14,549       10,049       29,394       71,721  

Interest expense, net

     (13,594 )     (23,666 )     (29,893 )     (49,483 )     (134,017 )

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —         —         —         —         (23,761 )

Derivative loss, net

     (11,537 )     —         (12,367 )     —         (32,600 )

Other

     20       —         31       —         30  
                                        

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE

     (21,765 )     (9,117 )     (32,180 )     (20,089 )     (118,627 )
                                        

NET LOSS

   $ (24,513 )   $ (11,991 )   $ (39,028 )   $ (24,849 )   $ (160,432 )
                                        

Less:

          

Net loss through March 25, 2007

           (12,128 )  
                

Net loss for partners from March 26, 2007 through June 30, 2007

         $ (12,721 )  
                

Allocation of net loss:

          

Limited partners’ interest

     (24,023 )     (11,751 )     (38,247 )     (12,467 )  

General partner’s interest

     (490 )     (240 )     (781 )     (254 )  
                                  

Net loss for partners

   $ (24,513 )   $ (11,991 )   $ (39,028 )   $ (12,721 )  

Basic and diluted net loss per limited partner unit

   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.07 )   $ (0.24 )   $ (0.08 )  

Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding from the beginning of the period through June 30, 2007 used for basic and diluted net loss per unit calculation:

          

Common units

     26,416       26,416       26,416       26,416    

Subordinated units

     135,384       135,384       135,384       135,384    
                                  
     161,800       161,800       161,800       161,800    
                                  

See accompanying notes to consolidated combined financial statements.

 

2


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

CONSOLIDATED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ DEFICIT

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Partners’
Deficit
    Common
Units
    Subordinated
Units
    General
Partner
Units
    Total  

Balance at October 20, 2003

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Net loss

     (2,763 )     —         —         —         (2,763 )
                                        

Balance at December 31, 2003

     (2,763 )     —         —         —         (2,763 )

Distributions

     (10,000 )     —         —         —         (10,000 )

Net loss

     (4,654 )     —         —         —         (4,654 )
                                        

Balance at December 31, 2004

     (17,417 )     —         —         —         (17,417 )

Capital contributions

     161,562       —         —         —         161,562  

Rescinded distribution

     10,000       —         —         —         10,000  

Change in fair value of derivative instrument

     1,814       —         —         —         1,814  

Net loss

     (4,263 )     —         —         —         (4,263 )
                                        

Balance at December 31, 2005

     151,696       —         —         —         151,696  

Capital contributions

     35,900       —         —         —         35,900  

Distributions

     (378,348 )     —         —         —         (378,348 )

Change in fair value of derivative instrument

     (1,814 )     —         —         —         (1,814 )

Net loss

     (60,772 )     —         —         —         (60,772 )
                                        

Balance at December 31, 2006

     (253,338 )     —         —         —         (253,338 )

Net loss through March 25, 2007

     (12,128 )     —         —         —         (12,128 )
                                        

Balance at March 25, 2007

     (265,466 )     —         —         —         (265,466 )

Contribution of net deficit investment to unitholders

     265,466       (35,434 )     (224,556 )     (5,476 )     —    

Proceeds from initial public offering, net of issuance costs

     —         98,442       —         —         98,442  

Net loss from March 26, 2007 through December 31, 2007

     —         (5,892 )     (30,196 )     (736 )     (36,824 )

Distributions

     —         (23,193 )     —         (476 )     (23,669 )
                                        

Balance at December 31, 2007

     —         33,923       (254,752 )     (6,688 )     (227,517 )

Net loss

     —         (6,244 )     (32,003 )     (781 )     (39,028 )

Distributions

     —         (22,454 )     —         (458 )     (22,912 )
                                        

Balance at June 30, 2008

   $ —       $ 5,225     $ (286,755 )   $ (7,927 )   $ (289,457 )
                                        

See accompanying notes to consolidated combined financial statements.

 

3


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

CONSOLIDATED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Period from
October 20, 2003
(Date of Inception)
to June 30,

2008
 
    2008     2007    

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     

Net loss

  $ (39,028 )   $ (24,849 )   $ (160,432 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

     

Depreciation

    37       64       135  

Non-cash derivative loss

    7,740       —         7,401  

Interest income on restricted cash and cash equivalents

    (12,136 )     (29,394 )     (61,774 )

Use of restricted cash and cash equivalents

    67,988       64,254       171,031  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

    1,898       1,895       6,386  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    —         —         23,750  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

     

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    3,571       (11,849 )     5,601  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities—affiliate

    2,526       (217 )     3,586  

Accounts and interest receivable

    2,634       —         (2,592 )

Deferred revenue

    2,388       —         44,971  

Advances to affiliate

    (31,757 )     —         (31,757 )

Prepaid and other

    (6,689 )     16       (6,075 )
                       

NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    (828 )     (80 )     231  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     

Use of (investment in) restricted cash and cash equivalents

    365,335       219,199       (333,565 )

LNG terminal construction-in-process

    (292,447 )     (215,340 )     (1,347,735 )

Advances to affiliate—LNG held for commissioning, net of amounts transferred to LNG terminal contruction-in-process

    (64,459 )     —         (64,459 )

Purchases of LNG held for commissioning, net of amounts transferred to LNG terminal construction-in-process

    (957 )     —         (957 )

Advances under long-term contracts

    (7,472 )     (13,956 )     (53,109 )

Investment in restricted treasury securities

    —         (86,304 )     (63,923 )

Other

    —         (1,285 )     (1,996 )
                       

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    —         (97,686 )     (1,865,744 )

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     

Use of restricted cash and cash equivalents

    22,925       641       23,650  

Borrowings from long-term note—affiliate

    815       79       1,460  

Proceeds from issuance of common units

    —         98,442       98,442  

Debt issuance costs

    (13 )     (641 )     (61,798 )

Proceeds from issuance of Sabine Pass LNG notes

    —         —         2,032,000  

Proceeds from subordinated note—affiliate

    —         —         37,377  

Repayment of subordinated note—affiliate

    —         —         (37,377 )

Borrowings from Sabine Pass credit facility

    —         —         383,400  

Repayment of Sabine Pass credit facility

    —         —         (383,400 )

Distribution to owners

    (22,912 )     (756 )     (424,928 )

Affiliate payable

    8       13       35,123  

Capital contributions by partner

    —         —         161,572  
                       

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    823       97,778       1,865,521  
                       

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    (5 )     12       8  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—beginning of period

    13       7       —    
                       

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—end of period

  $ 8     $ 19     $ 8  
                       

See accompanying notes to consolidated combined financial statements.

 

4


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

NOTE 1—Nature of Operations

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (“Cheniere Partners”) is a publicly-held limited partnership. As of June 30, 2008, Cheniere Energy, Inc. (“Cheniere”) owned 90.6% of the partnership through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cheniere Subsidiary Holdings, LLC (“Subsidiary Holdings”), Cheniere Common Units Holding, LLC and Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC (the “General Partner”). Cheniere Partners is a Delaware limited partnership formed on November 21, 2006 to own and operate the Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) receiving and regasification facility in western Cameron Parish, Louisiana on the Sabine Pass Channel (the “Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal”). Cheniere Partners and Cheniere LNG Holdings, LLC (“Holdings”), as a selling unitholder, completed an initial public offering (the “Cheniere Partners Offering”) of Cheniere Partners’ common units on March 26, 2007.

The following entities were included on a combined basis in the accompanying Consolidated Combined Financial Statements for periods prior to the Cheniere Partners Offering because they were entities under common control:

 

   

Cheniere Partners;

 

   

Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC (“Cheniere Investments”) is a Delaware limited liability company owned by Cheniere Partners and was formed on November 21, 2006 to hold 100% of the ownership interests in Sabine Pass GP and Sabine Pass LP;

 

   

Sabine Pass LNG-GP, Inc. (“Sabine Pass GP”) is a Delaware corporation that was owned by Holdings and was formed in 2004 to be the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (“Sabine Pass LNG”);

 

   

Sabine Pass LNG-LP, LLC (“Sabine Pass LP”) is a Delaware limited liability company that was owned by Holdings and was formed in 2004 to be the limited partner of Sabine Pass LNG; and

 

   

Sabine Pass LNG is a Delaware limited partnership formed with one general partner, Sabine Pass GP, and one limited partner, Sabine Pass LP, which owns the entire interest in the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. Sabine Pass LNG is in the development stage, and the purpose of this limited partnership is to own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal.

At the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering on March 26, 2007, the equity interests in Sabine Pass GP and Sabine Pass LP were contributed to Cheniere Investments, thereby resulting in Sabine Pass GP, Sabine Pass LP and Sabine Pass LNG becoming indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Cheniere Partners. From and after the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering, Cheniere Investments and these subsidiaries are consolidated with Cheniere Partners in the accompanying financial statements. As used in these Notes to Consolidated Combined Financial Statements, the terms “Cheniere Partners”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Cheniere Partners and its consolidated subsidiaries effective with the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering and the foregoing entities on a combined basis (the “Combined Predecessor Entities”) prior to the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context.

With the exception of Sabine Pass GP, we are not subject to either federal or state income tax, as the partners are taxed individually on their proportionate share of our earnings. Sabine Pass GP is a corporation and is subject to both federal and state income tax. However, since Sabine Pass GP’s inception, its activities have been strictly limited to holding a non-income or loss bearing general partner interest in Sabine Pass LNG and, thus, this entity has not realized any taxable net income to date and is not expected to realize any taxable net income in the future.

 

5


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Combined Financial Statements of Cheniere Partners have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and 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. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of results for the year ending December 31, 2008.

For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE 2—Development Stage Operations

We were formed on October 20, 2003 (the earliest formation date of the Combined Predecessor Entities). Operations to date have been devoted to pre-construction and construction activities. Our ultimate profitability will depend on, among other factors, the successful completion of construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and commencement of commercial operation. As of June 30, 2008, we had a cumulative net loss of $160.4 million since inception.

NOTE 3—Advances to Affiliate-LNG Held for Commissioning and LNG Held for Commissioning

In connection with the construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, we require LNG to perform certain commissioning activities, as follows:

 

   

Cool down – A minimum amount of LNG will be used to cool down the LNG receiving terminal. Cool down represents the amount of LNG required to cool the LNG receiving terminal to its normal operating temperature.

 

   

LNG heel – A certain amount of LNG will be used to establish a level of LNG inventory in each LNG storage tank and in the LNG receiving terminal piping in order for the LNG receiving terminal to function properly.

 

   

Equipment commissioning – The remaining amount of the LNG will be used to commission the equipment in the LNG receiving terminal to ensure that it performs at designed specifications. Equipment commissioning will result in natural gas being sold.

LNG purchased directly by Sabine Pass LNG is recorded at historical cost and classified as a non-current asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as LNG Held for Commissioning. LNG purchased on Sabine Pass LNG’s behalf by Cheniere Marketing that has been funded by Sabine Pass LNG is recorded at historical cost and classified as a non-current asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as Advances to Affiliate—LNG Held for Commissioning (see Note 11—Related Party Transactions); for this LNG, Cheniere Marketing holds title to the LNG at all times, sells all redelivered LNG and remits the net proceeds from such sales back to Sabine Pass LNG. The LNG used in the commissioning process is capitalized net of amounts received from the sale of natural gas.

 

6


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

As of June 30, 2008, Sabine Pass LNG or Cheniere Marketing on its behalf had acquired a total of three LNG commissioning cargoes for the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and we have unloaded the LNG into the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. As of June 30, 2008, our Advances to Affiliate—LNG Held for Commissioning were $64.5 million and our LNG Held for Commissioning was $1.0 million.

NOTE 4—Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and U.S. Treasury Securities

Restricted cash and cash equivalents and U.S. treasury securities are comprised of cash that has been contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal, as follows:

Sabine Pass LNG Receiving Terminal Construction Reserve

In November 2006, Sabine Pass LNG issued an aggregate principal amount of $2,032.0 million of Senior Secured Notes consisting of $550.0 million of 7 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (the “2013 Notes”) and $1,482.0 million of 7 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (the “2016 Notes” and collectively with the 2013 Notes, the “Sabine Pass LNG notes”) (see Note 8—“Long-term Debt”). Under the terms and conditions of the Sabine Pass LNG notes, we were required to fund a cash reserve account for approximately $887 million to pay construction costs for the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. The cash account is controlled by a collateral trustee, and therefore, is shown as restricted cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, $42.6 million and $40.2 million related to accrued construction costs were classified as part of current restricted cash and cash equivalents, and $26.8 million and $380.2 million related to remaining construction costs were classified as a non-current asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively.

Sabine Pass LNG Notes Debt Service Reserve

As described above, Sabine Pass LNG consummated a private offering of an aggregate principal amount of $2,032.0 million Sabine Pass LNG notes (see Note 8—“Long-term Debt”). Under the terms and conditions of the Sabine Pass LNG notes, we were required to fund a cash reserve account of $335.0 million related to future interest payments on the Sabine Pass LNG notes through May 2009. The cash account is controlled by a collateral trustee, and therefore, is shown as restricted cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, $141.3 million and $151.0 million related to the payment of interest due within twelve months had been classified as part of current restricted cash, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, $61.8 million related to the remaining payments of interest through May 2009 had been classified as part of non-current restricted cash.

Distribution Reserve

At the closing of our initial public offering, we funded a distribution reserve of $98.4 million, which was invested in U.S. treasury securities. The distribution reserve, including interest earned thereon, will be used to pay quarterly distributions of $0.425 per common unit for all common units, as well as related distributions to our general partner, through the distribution made in respect of the quarter ending June 30, 2009. The U.S. treasury securities were acquired at a discount from their maturity values equal to an average of approximately 4.87% per year. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we classified the $42.2 million and $63.9 million balance of U.S. treasury securities as non-current restricted U.S. treasury securities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively, as these securities had original maturities greater than three months.

 

7


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

NOTE 5—Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consists of LNG terminal construction-in-process expenditures, LNG site and related costs and fixed assets, as follows (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 

LNG TERMINAL COSTS

    

LNG terminal construction-in-process

   $ 1,416,187     $ 1,126,162  

LNG site and related costs, net

     187       191  
                

Total LNG terminal costs

   $ 1,416,374     $ 1,126,353  
                

FIXED ASSETS

    

Computers and office equipment

   $ 204     $ 203  

Vehicles

     421       522  

Machinery and equipment

     751       411  

Other

     84       68  

Accumulated depreciation

     (493 )     (268 )
                

Total fixed assets, net

   $ 967     $ 936  
                

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net

   $ 1,417,341     $ 1,127,289  
                

Once the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal is constructed, the LNG terminal construction-in-process costs will be depreciated using the straight-line depreciation method. The identifiable components of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal with similar estimated useful lives have a depreciable range between 10 and 50 years. Depreciation will begin once construction is complete.

Costs associated with the construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal have been capitalized as construction-in-process since the date the project satisfied our criteria for capitalization. For the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, and from date of inception through June 30, 2008, we capitalized $47.6 million, $27.9 million and $141.4 million of interest expense related to the construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, respectively.

NOTE 6—Advances Under Long-term Contracts

We have entered into certain engineering, procurement and construction contracts and purchase agreements related to the construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal that require us to make payments to fund costs that will be incurred or equipment that will be received in the future. Advances made under long-term contracts on purchase commitments are carried at face value and transferred to property, plant and equipment as the costs are incurred or equipment is received. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our Advances Under Long-term Contracts were $10.4 million and $28.5 million, respectively.

 

8


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

NOTE 7—Accrued Liabilities

As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007

Interest and related debt fees

   $ 13,005    $ 13,005

LNG terminal construction costs

     37,453      39,051

Affiliate

     3,574      1,048

Other

     110      253
             

Accrued liabilities

   $ 54,142    $ 53,357
             

NOTE 8—Long-term Debt

As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007

Sabine Pass LNG notes

   $ 2,032,000    $ 2,032,000

Long-term note to affiliate

     1,486      645
             

Total Long-Term Debt

   $ 2,033,486    $ 2,032,645
             

Sabine Pass LNG Notes

In November 2006, Sabine Pass LNG issued an aggregate principal amount of $2,032.0 million of Sabine Pass LNG notes, consisting of $550.0 million of the 2013 Notes and $1,482.0 million of the 2016 Notes.

We placed $335.0 million of the net proceeds in a reserve account to fund scheduled interest payments on the Sabine Pass LNG notes through May 2009. Interest on the Sabine Pass LNG notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 30 and November 30 of each year. The Sabine Pass LNG notes are secured on a first-priority basis by a security interest in all of Sabine Pass LNG’s equity interests and substantially all of its operating assets.

Under the indenture governing the Sabine Pass LNG notes, except for permitted tax distributions, Sabine Pass LNG may not make distributions until certain conditions are satisfied. The indenture requires that Sabine Pass LNG apply its net operating cash flow (i) first, to fund with monthly deposits its next semiannual payment of approximately $75.5 million of interest on the Sabine Pass LNG notes, and (ii) second, to fund a one-time, permanent debt service reserve fund equal to one semiannual interest payment of approximately $75.5 million on the Sabine Pass LNG notes. Distributions from Sabine Pass LNG will be permitted only after phase 1 target completion of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, as defined in the indenture governing the Sabine Pass LNG notes, or such earlier date as project revenues are received, upon satisfaction of the foregoing funding requirements, after satisfying a fixed charge coverage ratio test of 2:1 and after satisfying other conditions specified in the indenture. We achieved phase 1 target completion in July 2008.

Long-Term Note—Affiliate

In March 2007, we entered into a $12.0 million unsecured revolving credit note with Cheniere LNG Financial Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere, to be paid upon demand but no sooner than

 

9


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

January 1, 2010, or the date on which we have sufficient available cash. The purpose of this note is to provide funds for the payment of certain public company and other expenses that cannot be funded by the Sabine Pass LNG notes. Borrowings under this note bear interest at a fixed 7.50% rate with unpaid interest compounded semi-annually. The outstanding principal plus interest as of June 30, 2008, was $1.5 million.

NOTE 9—Description of Equity Interests

The common units and subordinated units represent limited partner interests in us. The holders of the units are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. In May 2007, Holdings contributed all of its 135,383,831 subordinated units that it received in connection with the initial public offering to Subsidiary Holdings, and in April 2008, Holdings contributed all of its 10,891,357 common units that it received in connection with the initial public offering to Cheniere Common Units Holding, LLC.

The common units and general partner units have the right to receive minimum quarterly distributions of $0.425 and $0.069 per unit, respectively, plus any arrearages thereon, before any distribution is made to the holders of the subordinated units.

During the subordination period, the subordinated units will not be entitled to receive any distributions until the common units have received $0.425 per unit plus any arrearages from prior quarters. Subordinated units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis when the subordination period ends. The subordination period will end when we meet financial tests specified in the partnership agreement.

The general partner interest is entitled to at least 2% of all distributions made by us. In addition, the general partner holds incentive distribution rights, which allow the general partner to receive a higher percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum distributions have been achieved and as additional target levels are met. The higher percentages range from 15% up to 50%.

NOTE 10—Financial Instruments

On our behalf, Cheniere Marketing has entered into financial derivatives to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows attributable to the future sale of natural gas from our LNG commissioning cargoes (“LNG commissioning cargo derivatives”). The net cost (LNG commissioning cargo purchase price less natural gas sales proceeds) of our LNG commissioning cargoes is capitalized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as it is directly related to the LNG receiving terminal construction and is incurred to place the LNG receiving terminal in usable condition. However, changes in the fair value of our LNG commissioning cargo derivatives are reported in earnings because they are not able to be designated in a qualifying hedging relationship in accordance with FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157) and SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (FAS 159). As a result of the adoption, we elected not to measure any additional financial assets or liabilities at fair value, other than those which were recorded at fair value prior to the adoption.

 

10


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

The estimated fair value of financial instruments is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged currently between willing parties. The financial liabilities at June 30, 2008 measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):

 

     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Instruments
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
   Total Carrying
Value at
June 30, 2008

Derivatives payables

   $ 7,704    $ 36    $ —      $ 7,740
                           

Total liabilities at fair value

   $ 7,704    $ 36    $ —      $ 7,740
                           

Derivatives payables reflect positions held by Sabine Pass LNG related to natural gas swaps entered into to mitigate the price risk from sales of excess LNG purchased for commissioning and performance testing.

SFAS No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments (SFAS 107) requires the disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments, including those financial instruments for which the SFAS 159 fair value option was not elected. The carrying amounts reported on the 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 carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments for which SFAS 159 was not elected are as follows:

Financial Instruments (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2008    December 31, 2007
   Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value

2013 Notes (1)

   $ 550,000    $ 497,750    $ 550,000    $ 525,250

2016 Notes (1)

     1,482,000      1,326,390      1,482,000      1,404,195

Note to Affiliate (2)

     1,486      1,486      645      645

Restricted U.S. treasury securities (3)

     42,206      45,272      63,923      66,984

 

(1) The fair value of the Sabine Pass LNG notes was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who made markets in these and similar instruments as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, as applicable.
(2) The Note to Affiliate bears interest at a fixed 7.50% rate. Management estimates that the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of the fair value as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, as applicable.
(3) The fair value of our Restricted U.S. Treasury Securities was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who made markets in these and similar instruments as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, as applicable.

NOTE 11—Related Party Transactions

As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had $33.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of Advances to Affiliates. As of June 30, 2008, we had $64.5 million of Advances to Affiliate—LNG Held for Commissioning on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Under the LNG lease agreement described below, we had $64.5 million recorded as Advance to Affiliates—LNG Held for Commissioning on our Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the purchase by Cheniere Marketing of commissioning cargoes, and had $30.7 million recorded as current Advances to Affiliate on our Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the establishment of broker margins by Cheniere Marketing for financial hedging of these commissioning cargoes as of June 30, 2008.

 

11


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

Under the service agreements described below, we paid $1.3 million during each of the three-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. For each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, we paid $2.6 million. For the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to June 30, 2008, we paid $17.0 million.

LNG Lease Agreement

In June 2008, Sabine Pass LNG entered into an agreement in the form of a lease with Cheniere Marketing that enabled Sabine Pass LNG to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows of Sabine Pass LNG’s commissioning cargoes. The agreement permits Cheniere Marketing to deliver LNG to the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and to receive regasified LNG for redelivery as natural gas in exchange for the use of the properties of the LNG to cool the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal down. Under the terms of the agreement, Sabine Pass LNG pays Cheniere Marketing a fixed fee based on the delivered quantity of LNG in each LNG cargo. Sabine Pass LNG assumes full price risk of the purchase and sale of the LNG and also finances all activities relating to the LNG. Cheniere Marketing holds title to the LNG at all times and sells all redelivered LNG and remits the net proceeds from such sales back to Sabine Pass LNG.

LNG purchased on Sabine Pass LNG’s behalf by Cheniere Marketing that has been funded by Sabine Pass LNG is recorded at historical cost and classified as a non-current asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as Advances to Affiliate—LNG Held for Commissioning. LNG that is lost, used as fuel or sold results in the reduction of Advances to Affiliate—LNG Held for Commissioning on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at historical cost. During the second quarter of 2008, Sabine Pass LNG advanced Cheniere Marketing funds to purchase LNG. At June 30, 2008, we had $64.5 million recorded as Advances to Affiliate—LNG Held for Commissioning on our Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the purchase of commissioning cargoes, and $30.7 million recorded as current Advances to Affiliate on our Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the establishment of broker margins by Cheniere Marketing for financial hedging of the leased LNG. In addition, during the second quarter of 2008, Sabine Pass LNG incurred fixed fees from Cheniere Marketing of $0.6 million that we capitalized as Property, Plant and Equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Service Agreements

Operation and Maintenance Agreement

In February 2005, Sabine Pass LNG entered into an Operation and Maintenance Agreement (“O&M Agreement”) with Cheniere LNG O&M Services, LLC (“O&M Services”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere. Pursuant to the O&M Agreement, O&M Services has agreed to provide all necessary services required to construct, operate and maintain the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. The O&M Agreement will remain in effect until 20 years after substantial completion of the facility. Prior to substantial completion of the facility, Sabine Pass LNG is required to pay a fixed monthly fee of $95,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010). The fixed monthly fee will increase to $130,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010) upon substantial completion of the facility, and O&M Services may thereafter be entitled to a bonus equal to 50% of the salary component of labor costs in certain circumstances to be agreed upon between Sabine Pass LNG and O&M Services at the beginning of each operating year. In addition, Sabine Pass LNG is required to reimburse O&M Services for expenditures incurred by O&M Services on behalf of Sabine Pass LNG for operating expenses, which are comprised primarily of labor expenses.

Upon the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering, O&M Services assigned the O&M Agreement to our general partner, and O&M Services and our general partner entered into a services and secondment agreement

 

12


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

pursuant to which certain employees of O&M Services have been seconded to our general partner to provide operating and routine maintenance services with respect to the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal under the direction, supervision and control of our general partner. Under this agreement, our general partner pays O&M Services amounts that it receives from Sabine Pass LNG under the O&M Agreement. Under the O&M Agreement, we paid $0.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. For the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, we paid $0.6 million. For the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to June 30, 2008, we paid $3.7 million.

Management Services Agreements

In February 2005, Sabine Pass LNG entered into a Management Services Agreement (the “Sabine Pass LNG MSA”) with its general partner, Sabine Pass GP, which is our wholly-owned subsidiary. Pursuant to the Sabine Pass LNG MSA, Sabine Pass LNG appointed its general partner to manage the construction and operation of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, excluding those matters provided for under the O&M Agreement. The Sabine Pass LNG MSA terminates 20 years after the commercial start date set forth in the terminal use agreement (“TUA”) with Total LNG USA, Inc. Prior to substantial completion of construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, Sabine Pass LNG is required to pay its general partner a monthly fixed fee of $340,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010); thereafter, the monthly fixed fee will increase to $520,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010). Under the Sabine Pass LNG MSA, Sabine Pass LNG paid $1.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. Sabine Pass LNG paid $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. For the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to June 30, 2008, Sabine Pass LNG paid $13.3 million.

In September 2006, the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG entered into a Management Services Agreement (the “General Partner MSA”) with Cheniere LNG Terminals, Inc. (“Cheniere Terminals”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere. Pursuant to this agreement, Cheniere Terminals provides the general partner with technical, financial, staffing and related support necessary to allow it to meet its obligations to Sabine Pass LNG under the Sabine Pass LNG MSA. Under this agreement with Cheniere Terminals, the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG pays Cheniere Terminals amounts that it receives from Sabine Pass LNG for management of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. Under this services agreement, Sabine Pass GP paid $1.0 million during each of the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. Sabine Pass GP paid $2.0 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. For the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to June 30, 2008, Sabine Pass GP paid $7.5 million.

Services Agreement

We entered into a services agreement with Cheniere Terminals upon the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering. Under this agreement, we will pay Cheniere Terminals an annual administrative fee of $10.0 million (adjusted for inflation after January 1, 2007) commencing January 1, 2009 for the provision of various general and administrative services provided for our benefit and will reimburse Cheniere Terminals for its services in an amount equal to the sum of all out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Cheniere Terminals that are directly related to our business or activities. The annual administrative fee includes expenses incurred by Cheniere Terminals to perform all technical, commercial, regulatory, financial, accounting, treasury, tax and legal staffing and related support and all management and other services necessary or reasonably requested on behalf of our partnership by our general partner in order to conduct our business as contemplated by our partnership agreement.

 

13


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

Agreement to Fund Sabine Pass LNG’s Cooperative Endeavor Agreements

In July 2007, Sabine Pass LNG executed Cooperative Endeavor Agreements (“CEAs”) with various Cameron Parish, Louisiana taxing authorities that allow them to accelerate certain of Sabine Pass LNG’s property tax payments scheduled to begin in 2019. This ten-year initiative represents an aggregate $25.0 million commitment, and 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 Sabine Pass LNG’s advance payments of ad valorem taxes, Cameron Parish will grant Sabine Pass LNG a dollar for dollar credit against future ad valorem taxes to be levied against the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal starting in 2019. In September 2007, Sabine Pass LNG entered into an agreement with Cheniere Marketing pursuant to which Cheniere Marketing will advance Sabine Pass LNG any and all amounts payable under the CEAs in exchange for a similar amount of credits against future ad valorem reimbursements it would owe Sabine Pass LNG under its TUA starting in 2019. These advance ad valorem tax payments were recorded to Other Assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and payments from Cheniere Marketing that we utilized to make the early payment of taxes were recorded as Deferred Revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had $5.0 million and $2.6 million of Other Assets and Deferred Revenue, respectively, resulting from accelerated ad valorem tax payments.

Contracts for Sale and Purchase of Natural Gas

In 2007, Sabine Pass LNG entered into the following natural gas purchase and sale contracts with Cheniere Marketing:

Contract for the Sale of Natural Gas from Commissioning Cargoes

We require several LNG cargoes to cool down and commission the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal at the end of the construction process. Sabine Pass LNG entered into a contract with Cheniere Marketing for the sale of natural gas regasified from commissioning LNG cargoes at a sales price equal to the actual market price received by Cheniere Marketing in reselling the natural gas less any third-party costs incurred by Cheniere Marketing in respect of the receipt, delivery and resale of the natural gas, and less an administrative fee paid to Cheniere Marketing. Sabine Pass LNG sold $7.3 million of natural gas to Cheniere Marketing under this contract during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. For the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to June 30, 2008, Sabine Pass LNG sold $7.3 million of natural gas to Cheniere Marketing under this contract.

Sale of Natural Gas from Boil-off

Sabine Pass LNG entered into a contract for the sale to Cheniere Marketing of natural gas that has boiled off from LNG inventory in the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal at a sales price equal to the actual market price received by Cheniere Marketing in reselling the natural gas less any third-party costs incurred by Cheniere Marketing in respect of the receipt, delivery and resale of the natural gas and less an administrative fee paid to Cheniere Marketing. Sabine Pass LNG did not sell any natural gas to Cheniere Marketing under this contract for the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to June 30, 2008.

Purchase of Natural Gas for Fuel

Sabine Pass LNG entered into a contract for the purchase of natural gas from Cheniere Marketing to use as fuel at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal at a sales price equal to the actual purchase cost paid by Cheniere

 

14


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

Marketing to suppliers of the natural gas less any third-party costs incurred by Cheniere Marketing in respect of the receipt, purchase, and delivery of the natural gas to the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and less an administrative fee paid to Cheniere Marketing. Sabine Pass LNG did not purchase any natural gas from Cheniere Marketing under this contract for the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to June 30, 2008.

Contract for the Purchase of LNG Commissioning Cargoes

In November 2007, Sabine Pass LNG entered into a contract with Cheniere Marketing to procure and deliver to the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal the LNG cargoes it requires for commissioning. Sabine Pass LNG will reimburse Cheniere Marketing for its actual third-party costs incurred in obtaining these cargoes. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, Sabine Pass LNG paid zero and $25.6 million to Cheniere Marketing under this contract for its initial LNG commissioning cargo, respectively. For the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to June 30, 2008, we paid $25.6 million to Cheniere Marketing under this contract for the purchase of LNG commissioning cargoes.

Contract for the Sale of Retained LNG

As partial compensation for the terminaling services that Sabine Pass LNG provides its customers at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, Sabine Pass LNG retains 2% of the LNG that customers bring to the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, which Sabine Pass LNG will use primarily as fuel for revaporization and self-generated power. In September 2007, Sabine Pass LNG entered into a contract with Cheniere Marketing for the sale of excess retainage at a market index-related sales price. Sabine Pass LNG did not sell any excess retainage to Cheniere Marketing under this contract for the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to June 30, 2008.

Contract for the Exclusive Use of a LNG Vessel During the Commissioning Process

J & S Cheniere S.A. (“J&S Cheniere”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere, and Cheniere Marketing are parties to a time charter agreement for the Celestine River LNG vessel. In March 2008, Sabine Pass LNG entered into a contract with J&S Cheniere and Cheniere Marketing for exclusive use of this LNG vessel during our commissioning process until the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal’s commercial start date. Sabine Pass LNG is responsible for all amounts that would otherwise be payable by J&S Cheniere or Cheniere Marketing under their time charter agreement. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, we capitalized $4.4 million and $16.3 million, respectively, related to LNG vessel costs under this contract.

Contract for the Exclusive Use of Tugs During the Commissioning Process

Sabine Pass Tug Services, LLC (“Sabine Pass Tug Services”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere, and Cheniere Marketing are parties to a marine services sharing agreement for the use of tug boats (“tugs”). In March 2008, Sabine Pass LNG entered into a contract with Sabine Pass Tug Services and Cheniere Marketing for exclusive use of the tugs during our commissioning process until the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal’s commercial start date. Sabine Pass LNG is responsible for all amounts that would otherwise be payable by Sabine Pass Tug Services and Cheniere Marketing under their marine services sharing agreement. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, we capitalized $1.8 million and $3.1 million, respectively, related to tug costs under this contract.

 

15


Index to Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(unaudited)

 

TUA Agreement

Cheniere Marketing has reserved approximately 2.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity under a firm commitment TUA and has agreed to make monthly payments to Sabine Pass LNG aggregating approximately $250.0 million per year for at least 19 years commencing January 1, 2009, plus payments of $5.0 million per month in 2008 commencing with commercial operations. Cheniere has guaranteed Cheniere Marketing’s obligations under its TUA.

NOTE 12—Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Disclosures of Non-cash Transactions

The following table provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
   Period from
October 20, 2003
(Date of Inception)
to June 30,

2008
   2008    2007   

Cash paid for:

        

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

   $ 27,932    $ 56,388    $ 121,574

Construction-in-process and debt issuance additions funded with accrued liabilities

   $ 77,368    $ 29,120    $ 77,368

 

16


Index to Financial Statements
Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This quarterly report contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are “forward-looking statements.” Included among “forward-looking statements” are, among other things:

 

   

statements regarding our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders;

 

   

statements relating to the construction and operation of the Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) receiving terminal, including statements concerning the completion or expansion thereof by certain dates or at all, the costs related thereto and certain characteristics, including amounts of regasification and storage capacity, the number of storage tanks and docks;

 

   

statements relating to the construction and operation of facilities related to the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal;

 

   

our expected receipt of cash distributions from Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (“Sabine Pass LNG”);

 

   

statements regarding any financing transactions or arrangements, or ability to enter into such transactions or arrangements;

 

   

statements regarding any terminal use agreement (“TUA”) or other commercial arrangements presently contracted, optioned or marketed or potential arrangements to be performed substantially in the future, including any cash distributions and revenues anticipated to be received and the anticipated timing thereof, and statements regarding the amounts of total LNG regasification capacity that are, or may become, subject to TUAs or other contracts;

 

   

statements regarding counterparties to our TUAs, construction contracts and other contracts;

 

   

statements regarding any business strategies, any business plans or any other plans, forecasts, projections or objectives, any or all of which are subject to change;

 

   

statements regarding conflicts of interest with Cheniere Energy, Inc. (“Cheniere Energy”) and its affiliates;

 

   

statements regarding legislative, governmental, regulatory, administrative or other public body actions, requirements, permits, investigations, proceedings or decisions; and

 

   

any other statements that relate to non-historical or future information.

These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of terms such as “achieve,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “propose,” “strategy” and similar terms. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this quarterly report.

As used herein, the terms “Cheniere Partners,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries effective March 26, 2007 upon the closing of its initial public offering, and to certain entities under common control prior to March 26, 2007, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements or provide reasons why actual results may differ.

The following discussion and analysis presents management’s view of our business, financial condition and overall performance and should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Combined Financial Statements and the accompanying notes in Item 1. “Consolidated Financial Statements.” This information is intended to provide investors with an understanding of our past performance, current financial condition and outlook for the future.

OVERVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Sabine Pass LNG, we own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal currently under construction in western Cameron Parish, Louisiana on the Sabine Pass Channel. We are a development stage company without any revenues, operating cash flows or operating history. We expect that we will begin receiving $5 million per month of TUA payments commencing when we begin commercial operations and Cheniere Marketing, Inc. (“Cheniere Marketing”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, begins making capacity reservation fee payments under its TUA with Sabine Pass LNG. This is currently anticipated to occur in the third quarter or fourth quarter of 2008.

Subject to the completion of routine punch list items, as of June 30, 2008, we had completed construction of the initial 2.6 Bcf/d of send out capacity and 10.1 Bcf of storage capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. The terminal is operating and able to accept commercial cargoes. The commissioning process was initiated in April 2008 and is estimated to be completed in the third or fourth quarter of 2008. To date, three LNG cargoes have been obtained for the commissioning process and we expect to obtain one more cargo to complete the process. Construction for the remaining 1.4 Bcf/d was approximately 79% complete as of the end of the second quarter.

We will contemplate making a final investment decision to commence construction of the Cheniere Southern Trail Pipeline upon, among other things, entering into acceptable commercial arrangements, receiving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s authorization to construct and operate the pipeline and obtaining adequate financing to construct the Cheniere Southern Trail Pipeline.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Construction Costs

Our estimated aggregate cost to construct the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal is approximately $1,462 million, before operating expenses during construction, future commissioning costs, and financing costs, an increase of approximately $36 million from our estimate as of March 31, 2008 due to commissioning costs not previously budgeted. Our estimated total construction, commissioning and operating cost budget through the achievement of full operability is approximately $1,559 million. As of June 30, 2008, we incurred approximately $1,437 million of our total budget. Our remaining construction, commissioning and operating costs are anticipated to be funded from restricted cash and cash equivalents designated for construction, working capital or additional financing.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

TUA Revenues

Beginning in 2009, each of the customers at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal must make the full contracted amount of capacity reservation fee payments under its TUA whether or not it uses any of its reserved capacity. Provided the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal has achieved commercial operations, capacity reservation fee TUA payments will be made by the following Sabine Pass LNG customers:

 

   

Total LNG USA, Inc. (“Total”) has reserved approximately 1.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity and has agreed to make monthly capacity payments to Sabine Pass LNG aggregating approximately $125 million per year for 20 years commencing April 1, 2009. Total, S.A. has guaranteed Total’s obligations under its TUA up to $2.5 billion, subject to certain exceptions;

 

   

Chevron U.S.A., Inc. (“Chevron”) has reserved approximately 1.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity and has agreed to make monthly capacity payments to Sabine Pass LNG aggregating approximately $125 million per year for 20 years commencing not later than July 1, 2009. Chevron Corporation has guaranteed Chevron’s obligations under its TUA up to 80% of the fees payable by Chevron; and

 

   

Cheniere Marketing has reserved the remaining 2.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity, and is entitled to use any capacity not utilized by Total and Chevron. Cheniere Marketing has agreed to make monthly capacity payments to Sabine Pass LNG aggregating approximately $250 million per year for at least 19 years commencing January 1, 2009, plus capacity payments of $5 million per month during 2008 after the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal commences commercial operations. Cheniere Energy has guaranteed Cheniere Marketing’s obligations under its TUA.

Cheniere Marketing has a limited operating history, limited capital, and no credit rating. Cheniere Energy, which has a non-investment grade corporate rating, has guaranteed the obligations of Cheniere Marketing under its TUA. In addition, the LNG and natural gas marketing business activities of Cheniere Marketing have recently been downsized.

In April 2008, Cheniere Energy, the parent company of Cheniere Marketing, reported that unless it was successful in obtaining a sufficient number of LNG cargoes within the next 12 months or entering into a strategic transaction, it would need to obtain additional sources of funding during the first quarter of 2009. On August 11, 2008, Cheniere Energy announced that it had accepted a commitment for a $250.0 million financing, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals, completion of definitive documentation and the absence of any change, development or event that would be expected to have a material adverse effect on Cheniere Energy or its industry, business, financial condition or prospects.

Cheniere Energy advised that, assuming closing of the $250.0 million convertible security financing, it is confident that they will be able to conduct its business, including making payments pursuant to its TUA, for at least the next 3 years. However, if Cheniere Energy is not successful in closing this $250 million financing, or entering into another strategic transaction, or obtaining a sufficient number of LNG cargos, it will be required to obtain an alternative source of funding during the first quarter of 2009 in order to ensure Cheniere Marketing’s ability to meet its obligations under its TUA.

Available Cash

As of June 30, 2008, we had minimal unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. However, we had $264.8 million in restricted cash and cash equivalents and U.S. treasury securities, which were designated for the following purposes: $69.4 million for construction costs of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal; $141.3 million for interest payments through May 2009 related to the Sabine Pass LNG notes described below; and $54.1 million for cash distributions through the distribution made in respect of the quarter ending June 2009 to our common unitholders and related distributions to our general partner.

Regardless of whether we receive revenues from Cheniere Marketing under its TUA (or Cheniere Energy, on its guarantee), we expect to have sufficient cash flow from our Total and Chevron TUAs to meet our

 

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Index to Financial Statements

operating expenditures, debt service requirements and, subject to declaration by our board of directors, distributions on all of our common and general partner units; however, if Sabine Pass LNG does not receive revenues from Cheniere Marketing’s TUA or a replacement revenue source after June 30, 2009, the fixed charge coverage ratio test under the Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes indenture will not be satisfied. Until the fixed charge coverage ratio test for a given quarter is met, Sabine Pass LNG will not be permitted to make distributions to us and we will not be able to make corresponding distributions to our unitholders. During any period when Sabine Pass LNG is not permitted to make distributions to us, our common unitholders will be entitled to accrue any distribution arrearages owed on their units, which will be distributable to them once the fixed charge coverage ratio test is satisfied and we receive cash from Sabine Pass LNG.

Future Uses of Cash

Sabine Pass LNG Notes

Interest payments of approximately $75.5 million are due on May 30 and November 30 of each year on the $2,032.0 million of Sabine Pass LNG senior secured notes, consisting of $550.0 million of 7 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 and $1,482.0 million of 7 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2016. Under the indenture governing the Sabine Pass LNG notes, except for permitted tax distributions, Sabine Pass LNG may not make distributions until certain conditions are satisfied. The indenture requires that Sabine Pass LNG apply its net operating cash flow (i) first, to fund with monthly deposits its next semiannual payment of approximately $75.5 million of interest on the Sabine Pass LNG notes, and (ii) second, to fund a one-time, permanent debt service reserve fund equal to one semiannual interest payment of approximately $75.5 million on the Sabine Pass LNG notes. Distributions will be permitted only after phase 1 target completion of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, as defined in the indenture governing the Sabine Pass LNG notes, or such earlier date as project revenues are received, upon satisfaction of the foregoing funding requirements, after satisfying a fixed charge coverage ratio test of 2:1 and after satisfying other conditions specified in the indenture. We achieved phase 1 target completion in July 2008. As of June 30, 2008, we had $141.3 million in an interest reserve account as restricted cash and cash equivalents for interest payments through May 2009 related to the Sabine Pass LNG notes. Beginning with the payment due November 30, 2009, we intend to make interest payments primarily from operating cash flows.

Cash Distributions to Unitholders

For each calendar quarter through June 30, 2009, we will make quarterly cash distributions of $0.425 per unit on all outstanding common units, as well as related distributions to our general partner, using cash from a $98.4 million distribution reserve that was funded with proceeds from our initial public offering and are held as restricted cash and cash equivalents. After the quarter ended June 30, 2009, we intend to pay distributions to our unitholders primarily from operating cash flows, subject to satisfying the fixed charge coverage ratio test of 2:1. After payment of the distributions with respect to the six months ended June 30, 2008, $54.1 million remained in the distribution reserve.

Services Agreements

Sabine Pass LNG has entered into a 20-year operation and maintenance agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy pursuant to which we receive all necessary services required to construct, operate and maintain the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. Prior to substantial completion of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, Sabine Pass LNG is required to pay a fixed monthly fee of $95,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010) under the agreement. The fixed monthly fee will increase to $130,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010) upon substantial completion of the facility, and the counterparty will thereafter be entitled to a bonus equal to 50% of the salary component of labor costs in certain circumstances to be agreed upon between Sabine Pass LNG and the counterparty at the beginning of each operating year. In addition, Sabine Pass LNG is required to reimburse the counterparty for its operating expenses, which are comprised primarily of labor expenses.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Sabine Pass LNG has also entered into a 20-year management services agreement with its general partner, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of us, pursuant to which its general partner has been appointed to manage the construction and operation of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, excluding those matters provided for under the foregoing operation and maintenance agreement. Sabine Pass LNG’s general partner has correspondingly entered into a management services agreement with Cheniere LNG Terminals, Inc. (“Cheniere Terminals”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, pursuant to which Cheniere Terminals provides the general partner with technical, financial, staffing and related support necessary to allow it to meet its obligations to Sabine Pass LNG under its management services agreement. Prior to substantial completion of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, Sabine Pass LNG is required to pay its general partner a monthly fixed fee of $340,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010); thereafter, the monthly fixed fee will increase to $520,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010). Sabine Pass LNG’s general partner is required to pay Cheniere Terminals for all amounts that it receives under its management services agreement with Sabine Pass LNG.

We entered into a services agreement with Cheniere Terminals pursuant to which we will pay Cheniere Terminals an annual administrative fee of $10 million (adjusted for inflation after January 1, 2007) commencing January 1, 2009 for the provision of various general and administrative services for our benefit following the closing of our initial public offering. In addition, we will reimburse Cheniere Terminals for its services in an amount equal to the sum of all out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Cheniere Terminals that are directly related to our business or activities.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, we paid an aggregate of $1.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively, under the foregoing services agreement from restricted cash and cash equivalents. For the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to June 30, 2008, we paid $17.0 million. Until substantial completion of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and revenues are received under the TUAs, we anticipate continuing to utilize restricted cash and cash equivalents to satisfy our obligations under these service agreements.

Long-Term Note—Affiliate

In March 2007, we entered into a $12.0 million unsecured revolving credit note with Cheniere LNG Financial Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, to be paid upon demand but no sooner than January 1, 2010, or the date on which we have sufficient available cash. The purpose of this note is to provide funds for the payment of certain public company and other expenses that cannot be funded by the Sabine Pass LNG notes. Borrowings under this note bear interest at a fixed 7.50% rate with unpaid interest compounded semi-annually. The outstanding principal plus interest as of June 30, 2008 was $1.5 million.

State Tax Sharing Agreement

In November 2006, Sabine Pass LNG entered into a state tax sharing agreement with Cheniere Energy. Under this agreement, Cheniere Energy has agreed to prepare and file all Texas franchise tax returns which it and Sabine Pass LNG are required to file on a combined basis and to timely pay the combined tax liability. If Cheniere Energy, in its sole discretion, demands payment, Sabine Pass LNG will pay to Cheniere Energy an amount equal to the Texas franchise tax that Sabine Pass LNG would be required to pay if its Texas franchise tax liability were computed on a separate company basis. This agreement contains similar provisions for other state and local taxes that Cheniere Energy and Sabine Pass LNG are required to file on a combined, consolidated or unitary basis. The agreement is effective for tax returns first due on or after January 1, 2008. We do not expect to make any tax payments under this agreement for 2008.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Historical Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table summarizes the sources and uses of our cash and cash equivalents for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2008, and the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to June 30, 2008. The table presents capital expenditures on a cash basis; therefore, these amounts differ from the amounts of capital expenditures, including accruals that are referred to elsewhere in this document. Additional discussion of these items follows the table (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Period from
October 20, 2003
(Date of Inception)
to June 30,

2008
 
     2008     2007    

SOURCES OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

      

Use of restricted cash and cash equivalents

   $ 388,260     $ 219,840     $ 23,650  

Borrowings from debt

     —         —         2,415,400  

Capital contribution by partner

     —         —         161,572  

Proceeds from issuance of common units in partnership

     —         98,442       98,442  

Affiliate payable

     8       13       35,123  

Borrowings from debt—affiliate

     815       79       1,460  

Proceeds from subordinated note—affiliate

     —         —         37,377  

Operating cash flow

     —         —         231  
                        

Total sources of cash and cash equivalents

     389,083       318,374       2,773,255  

USES OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

      

LNG terminal construction-in-process

     (292,447 )     (215,340 )     (1,347,735 )

Advances to affiliate—LNG held for commissioning, net of amounts transferred to LNG terminal construction-in-process

     (64,459 )     —         (64,459 )

Purchases of LNG held for commissioning, net of amounts transferred to LNG terminal construction-in- process

     (957 )     —         (957 )

Investment in restricted cash and cash equivalents

     —         —         (333,565 )

Investment in restricted treasury securities

     —         (86,304 )     (63,923 )

Operating cash flow

     (828 )     (80 )     —    

Repayment of debt

     —         —         (383,400 )

Repayment of subordinated note—affiliate

     —         —         (37,377 )

Distributions to owners

     (22,912 )     (756 )     (424,928 )

Debt issuance costs

     (13 )     (641 )     (61,798 )

Advances under long-term contracts

     (7,472 )     (13,956 )     (53,109 )

Other

     —         (1,285 )     (1,996 )
                        

Total uses of cash and cash equivalents

     (389,088 )     (318,362 )     (2,773,247 )
                        

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (5 )   $ 12     $ 8  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 8     $ 19     $ 8  
                        

Use of restricted cash and cash equivalents

Under the indenture governing the Sabine Pass LNG notes, a portion of the proceeds from the Sabine Pass LNG notes are required to be used for scheduled interest payments through May 2009 and to fund the cost to complete construction of our LNG receiving terminal. Due to these restrictions imposed by the indenture, the proceeds are not presented as cash and cash equivalents. Therefore, when proceeds from the Sabine Pass LNG notes are used, they are presented as a source of cash and cash equivalents. In the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the $388.3 million and $219.8 million, respectively, of restricted cash and cash equivalents were primarily used to pay for construction activities at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal.

LNG terminal construction-in-process

Capital expenditures for the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal were $292.4 million, $215.3 million and $1,347.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, and the period from October 20, 2003

 

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Index to Financial Statements

(inception) to June 30, 2008, respectively. Our capital expenditures increased in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007 as a result of increased construction activity in preparation for the commissioning process at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal.

Advances to affiliate—LNG held for commissioning, net of amounts transferred to LNG terminal construction-in- process

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we advanced $64.5 million for the purchase of LNG for commissioning, net of amounts transferred to LNG terminal construction-in- process.

Advances under long-term contracts

Advances under long-term contracts decreased in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007 as a result of us nearing construction completion of the initial send out capacity of approximately 2.6 Bcf/d and storage capacity of approximately 10.1 Bcf at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal received equipment that Sabine Pass LNG had previously advanced payment for under long-term contracts.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of June 30, 2008, we had no “off-balance sheet arrangements” that may have a current or future material affect on our financial position or results of operations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 vs. Three Months Ended June 30, 2007

Overall Operations

Our net loss was $24.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008, or a 104% increase from our net loss in the three months ended June 30, 2007. The $12.5 million increase in the net loss was primarily due to losses on derivatives and decreased interest income, which was partially offset by decreased interest expense.

Derivative Loss

During the three months ended June 30, 2008, we incurred $11.5 million of derivative losses. We entered into natural gas swaps to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows from sales of excess LNG purchased for commissioning and performance testing during the three months ended June 30, 2008.

Interest Income

Interest income decreased $11.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. This decrease was a result of less restricted cash invested during the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, decreased $10.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. This decrease in interest expense primarily resulted from an increase in construction costs and consequently an increase in capitalized interest in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 vs. Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

Overall Operations

Our net loss was $39.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008, a 57% increase from our net loss in the six months ended June 30, 2007. The $14.2 million increase in the net loss was primarily due to losses on derivatives and decreased interest income, which was partially offset by decreased interest expense.

Derivative Loss

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we incurred $12.4 million of derivative losses. We entered into natural gas swaps to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows from sales of excess LNG purchased for commissioning and performance testing during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Interest Income

Interest income decreased $19.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. This decrease was a result of less restricted cash invested during the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, decreased $19.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. This decrease in interest expense primarily resulted from an increase in construction costs and consequently an increase in capitalized interest in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.

OTHER MATTERS

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

The selection and application of accounting policies is an important process that has developed as our business activities have evolved and as the accounting rules have developed. Accounting rules generally do not involve a selection among alternatives but involve an implementation and interpretation of existing rules, and the use of judgment, to the specific set of circumstances existing in our business. In preparing our financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we make every effort to comply properly with all applicable rules on or before their adoption, and we believe that the proper implementation and consistent application of the accounting rules are critical. However, not all situations are specifically addressed in the accounting literature. In these cases, we must use our best judgment to adopt a policy for accounting for these situations. We accomplish this by analogizing to similar situations and the accounting guidance governing them.

Accounting for LNG Activities

Generally, expenditures for direct construction activities, major renewals and betterments are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs and general and administrative activities are charged to expense as incurred.

Beginning in 2006, site rental costs have been expensed as required by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position 13-1, Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred During a Construction Period.

During the construction period of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, we capitalize interest and other related debt costs in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 34, Capitalization of Interest Cost, as amended by SFAS No. 58, Capitalization of Interest Cost in Financial Statements That Include

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method (an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 34). Upon commencement of operations, capitalized interest, as a component of the total cost, will be amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset.

In connection with the construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, we require LNG to perform certain commissioning activities, as follows:

 

   

Cool down—A minimum amount of LNG will be used to cool down the LNG receiving terminal. Cool down represents the amount of LNG required to cool the LNG receiving terminal to its normal operating temperature.

 

   

LNG heel—A certain amount of LNG will be used to establish a level of LNG inventory in each LNG storage tank and in the LNG receiving terminal piping in order for the LNG receiving terminal to function properly.

 

   

Equipment commissioning—The remaining amount of the LNG will be used to commission the equipment in the LNG receiving terminal to ensure that it performs at designed specifications. Equipment commissioning will result in natural gas being sold.

LNG purchased for commissioning activities is recorded at cost and classified as a non-current asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as LNG held for commissioning. As the LNG held for commissioning is used to cool down the LNG receiving terminal and establish LNG heel in the LNG receiving terminal, we capitalize the portion used. The LNG used in the commissioning process is capitalized net of amounts received from the sale of natural gas.

Revenue Recognition

LNG receiving terminal capacity reservation fees are recognized as revenue over the term of the respective TUAs. Advance capacity reservation fees are initially deferred and recognized as earned.

Cash Flow Hedges

We have used, and may in the future use, derivative instruments to limit our exposure to variability in expected future cash flows. As defined in SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, cash flow hedge transactions hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows (i.e., in our case, the variability of floating interest rate exposure). In the case of cash flow hedges, the hedged item (the underlying risk) is generally unrecognized (i.e., not recorded on the balance sheet prior to settlement), and any changes in the fair value, therefore, will not be recorded within earnings. Conceptually, if a cash flow hedge is effective, this means that a variable, such as a movement in interest rates, has been effectively fixed so that any fluctuations will have no net result on either cash flows or earnings. Therefore, if the changes in fair value of the hedged item are not recorded in earnings, then the changes in fair value of the hedging instrument (the derivative) must also be excluded from the income statement or else a one-sided net impact on earnings will be reported, despite the fact that the establishment of the effective hedge results in no net economic impact. To prevent such a scenario from occurring, SFAS No. 133 requires that the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge be recorded as an asset or liability on the balance sheet, but with the offset reported as part of other comprehensive income, to the extent that the hedge is effective. We assess, both at the inception of each hedge and on an on-going basis, whether the derivatives that are used in our hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. On an on-going basis, we monitor the actual dollar offset of the hedges’ market values compared to hypothetical cash flow hedges. Any ineffective portion of the cash flow hedges will be reflected in earnings. Ineffectiveness is the amount of gains or losses from derivative instruments that are not offset by corresponding and opposite gains or losses on the expected future transaction.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

New Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis (the fair value option) with changes in fair value reported in earnings. We recorded our derivative contracts at fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended (SFAS 133). The adoption of SFAS 159 had no impact on the Financial Statements, as management did not elect the fair value option for any financial instruments or other assets and liabilities.

On January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157) as it relates to financial assets and financial liabilities. In February 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on at least an annual basis, until January 1, 2009 for calendar year-end entities. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Combined Financial Statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (SFAS 161). SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities, including (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133, and (iii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. This standard becomes effective for us on January 1, 2009. Earlier adoption of SFAS 161 and, separately, comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption are encouraged. As SFAS 161 only requires enhanced disclosures, this standard will have no impact on our Consolidated Combined Financial Statements.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP FAS 142-3”). This FSP amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”). The intent of this FSP is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141R, and other GAAP. This FSP is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact of FSP FAS 142-3 but do not expect the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our Consolidated Combined Financial Statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP. This statement will be effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s amendments to AU section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We are currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 162 but do not expect the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our Consolidated Combined Financial Statements.

 

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Index to Financial Statements
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Cash Investments

We have cash investments that we manage based on internal investment guidelines that emphasize liquidity and preservation of capital. Such cash investments are stated at historical cost, which approximates fair market value on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Sabine Pass LNG Derivative Commodity Price Risk

Sabine Pass LNG entered into natural gas NYMEX swaps accounted for as derivatives. The NYMEX swaps were entered into to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows related to commissioning cargoes purchased by Cheniere Marketing in the second quarter of 2008 that are expected to be sold as part of the testing phase of the commissioning process. Sabine Pass LNG entered into a total of 4,495,000 MMBtu of August 2008 NYMEX swaps with one counterparty for which we will receive fixed prices of $11.87 to $13.41 per MMBtu. At June 30, 2008, the value of the derivatives was a liability of $7.7 million.

 

Item 4. Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain a set of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed by us under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our general partner’s management, including our general partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, our general partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

During the most recent fiscal quarter, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In the future, we may be involved as a party to various legal proceedings, which are incidental to the ordinary course of business. We regularly analyze current information and, as necessary, provide accruals for probable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters. In the opinion of management of our general partner and legal counsel, as of June 30, 2008, there were no known threatened or pending legal matters that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact on our consolidated combined results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Each of the following exhibits is filed herewith:

 

  10.1    Change Orders 57 and 58 to Lump Sum Turnkey Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement, dated December 18, 2004, between Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. and Bechtel Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Cheniere Energy, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 11, 2008)
  10.2    LNG Lease Agreement, dated June 24, 2008, between Cheniere Marketing, Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Cheniere Energy, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 11, 2008)
  31.1    Certification by Chief Executive Offer required by Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act
  31.2    Certification by Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act
  32.1    Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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Index to Financial Statements

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
By:  

Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC,

its general partner

 

/s/    Jerry D. Smith

 

Jerry D. Smith

Chief Accounting Officer (on behalf of the registrant and as principal accounting officer)

  Date: August 11, 2008

 

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