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Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
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3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2012
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| Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] | |
| Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Text Block] |
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and cash equivalents that are contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal, as follows:
Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. ("Sabine Pass LNG") has consummated private offerings of an aggregate principal amount of $2,215.5 million of Senior Notes (see Note 5—"Long-Term Debt"). Under the indenture governing the Senior Notes (the "Sabine Pass Indenture"), except for permitted tax distributions, Sabine Pass LNG may not make distributions until certain conditions are satisfied, including that there must be on deposit in an interest payment account an amount equal to one-sixth of the semi-annual interest payment multiplied by the number of elapsed months since the last semi-annual interest payment and there must be on deposit in a permanent debt service reserve fund an amount equal to one semi-annual interest payment of $82.4 million. Distributions are permitted only after satisfying the foregoing funding requirements, a fixed charge coverage ratio test of 2:1 and other conditions specified in the Sabine Pass Indenture.
As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we classified the permanent debt service reserve fund of $82.4 million as non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we classified $54.9 million and $13.7 million, respectively, as current restricted cash and cash equivalents for the payment of interest due within twelve months. These cash accounts are controlled by a collateral trustee, and, therefore, are shown as restricted cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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