Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Unitholders' Equity

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Unitholders' Equity
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Partners' Capital Notes [Abstract]  
Unitholders' Equity UNITHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
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. Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash (as defined in our partnership agreement). Generally, our available cash is our cash on hand at the end of a quarter less the amount of any reserves established by our general partner. All distributions paid to date have been made from accumulated operating surplus as defined in the partnership agreement.

The holders of common units have the right to receive initial quarterly distributions of $0.425 per common unit, plus any arrearages thereon, before any distribution is made to the holders of the subordinated units. The holders of subordinated units will receive distributions only to the extent we have available cash above the initial quarterly distribution requirement for our common unitholders and general partner and certain reserves.  In July 2020, the board of directors of our general partner confirmed and approved that, following the distribution with respect to the three months ended June 30, 2020, the financial tests required for conversion of our subordinated units will be met under the terms of the partnership agreement. Accordingly, effective August 17, 2020, the first business day following the payment of the distribution, all of our subordinated units will be automatically converted into common units on a one-for-one basis and the subordination period will be terminated.

Although common unitholders are not obligated to fund losses of the Partnership, its capital account, which would be considered in allocating the net assets of the Partnership were it to be liquidated, continues to share in losses.

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 (“IDRs”), which allow the general partner to receive a higher percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the initial quarterly distributions have been achieved and as additional target levels are met, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest. The higher percentages range from 15% to 50%, inclusive of the general partner interest.
 
As of June 30, 2020, Cheniere, Blackstone CQP Holdco LP (“Blackstone CQP Holdco”) and the public owned a 48.6%, 41.2% and 8.2% interest in us, respectively. Cheniere’s ownership percentage includes its subordinated units and Blackstone CQP Holdco’s ownership percentage excludes any common units that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Blackstone Group, an affiliate of Blackstone CQP Holdco.