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Long-Term Debt (Notes)
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Mar. 31, 2015
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| Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term Debt |
LONG-TERM DEBT
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we incurred $160.1 million and $128.6 million of total interest cost, respectively, of which we capitalized and deferred $117.2 million and $88.3 million, respectively, of interest cost, including amortization of debt issuance costs, primarily related to the construction of the first four Trains of the Liquefaction Project.
Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes
As of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Sabine Pass LNG had an aggregate principal amount of $1,665.5 million, before discount, of the 2016 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes and $420.0 million of the 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes outstanding. Borrowings under the 2016 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes and 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes accrue interest at a fixed rate of 7.50% and 6.50%, respectively. The terms of the 2016 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes and 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes are substantially similar. Interest on the Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. Subject to permitted liens, the Sabine Pass LNG Senior 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.
Sabine Pass LNG may redeem all or part of the 2016 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal plus any accrued and unpaid interest plus the greater of:
Sabine Pass LNG may redeem all or part of the 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes at any time on or after November 1, 2016, at fixed redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. Sabine Pass LNG may also, at its option, redeem all or part of the 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes at any time prior to November 1, 2016, at a “make-whole” price set forth in the indenture governing the 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. At any time before November 1, 2015, Sabine Pass LNG may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes at a redemption price of 106.5% of the principal amount of the 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, in an amount not to exceed the net proceeds of one or more completed equity offerings as long as Sabine Pass LNG redeems the 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes within 180 days of the closing date for such equity offering and at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes originally issued remains outstanding after the redemption.
Under the Sabine Pass LNG Indentures, except for permitted tax distributions, Sabine Pass LNG may not make distributions until certain conditions are satisfied as described in Note 3—Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, Sabine Pass LNG made distributions of $70.8 million and $63.4 million, respectively, after satisfying all the applicable conditions in the Sabine Pass LNG Indentures.
SPL Senior Notes
In February 2013 and April 2013, SPL issued an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 billion, before premium, of the 2021 SPL Senior Notes. In April 2013 and May 2014, SPL issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion, before premium, of the 2023 SPL Senior Notes. Borrowings under the 2021 SPL Senior Notes and 2023 SPL Senior Notes accrue interest at a fixed rate of 5.625%. In November 2013, SPL issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion of the 2022 SPL Senior Notes, for which borrowings accrue interest at a fixed rate of 6.25%. In May 2014, SPL issued an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 billion of the 2024 SPL Senior Notes, for which borrowings accrue interest at a fixed rate of 5.75%. In March 2015, SPL issued an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 billion of the 2025 SPL Senior Notes, for which borrowings accrue interest at a fixed rate of 5.625%. Interest on the SPL Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears.
The terms of the SPL Senior Notes are governed by a common indenture (the “SPL Indenture”). The SPL Indenture contains customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit SPL’s ability and the ability of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock, make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; purchase, redeem or retire capital stock; sell or transfer assets, including capital stock of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries; restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; incur liens; enter into transactions with affiliates; consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of SPL’s assets; and enter into certain LNG sales contracts. Subject to permitted liens, the SPL Senior Notes are secured on a pari passu first-priority basis by a security interest in all of the membership interests in SPL and substantially all of SPL’s assets. SPL may not make any distributions until, among other requirements, substantial completion of Trains 1 and 2 has occurred, deposits are made into debt service reserve accounts and a debt service coverage ratio for the prior 12-month period and a projected debt service coverage ratio for the upcoming 12-month period of 1.25:1.00 are satisfied.
At any time prior to three months before the respective dates of maturity for each series of the SPL Senior Notes, SPL may redeem all or part of such series of the SPL Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the “make-whole” price set forth in the SPL Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. SPL may also, at any time within three months of the respective maturity dates for each series of the SPL Senior Notes, redeem all or part of such series of the SPL Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such series of the SPL Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.
In connection with the closing of the sale of the 2025 SPL Senior Notes, SPL entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated March 3, 2015 (the “2025 Liquefaction Registration Rights Agreement”). Under the terms of the 2025 Liquefaction Registration Rights Agreement, SPL has agreed, and any future guarantors of the 2025 SPL Senior Notes will agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange any and all of the 2025 SPL Senior Notes for a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities of SPL with terms identical in all material respects to the respective 2025 SPL Senior Notes sought to be exchanged (other than with respect to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate), and that are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. SPL has agreed, and any future guarantors of the 2025 SPL Senior Notes will agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective within 360 days after March 3, 2015. Under specified circumstances, SPL has also agreed, and any future guarantors will also agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to resales of the 2025 SPL Senior Notes. SPL will be obligated to pay additional interest if it fails to comply with its obligations to register the 2025 SPL Senior Notes within the specified time periods.
2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities
In May 2013, SPL entered into the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities aggregating $5.9 billion. The 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities are being used to fund a portion of the costs of developing, constructing and placing into operation the first four Trains of the Liquefaction Project. The 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities will mature on the earlier of May 28, 2020 or the second anniversary of the completion date of the first four Trains of the Liquefaction Project, as defined in the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities. Borrowings under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities may be refinanced, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, except for interest rate hedging and interest rate breakage costs. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, SPL had $0.9 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively, of available commitments, and no outstanding borrowings as of both dates, under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities.
SPL made an initial $100.0 million borrowing under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities in June 2013 after meeting the required conditions precedent. In November 2013, in conjunction with SPL’s issuance of the 2022 SPL Senior Notes, SPL terminated approximately $885 million of commitments under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities. In May 2014, SPL repaid its borrowings under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities upon the issuance of the Additional 2023 SPL Senior Notes and the 2024 SPL Senior Notes, as well as terminated approximately $2.1 billion of commitments under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities.
In March 2015, in conjunction with SPL’s issuance of the 2025 SPL Senior Notes, SPL terminated approximately $1.8 billion of commitments under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities. This termination resulted in a write-off of debt issuance costs and deferred commitment fees associated with the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities of $89.0 million in March 2015.
Borrowings under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to, at SPL’s election, LIBOR or the base rate, plus the applicable margin. The applicable margins for LIBOR loans range from 2.3% to 3.0% prior to the completion of Train 4 and from 2.3% to 3.25% after such completion, depending on the applicable 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facility. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each LIBOR period. The 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities require SPL to pay certain up-front fees to the agents and lenders in the aggregate amount of approximately $144 million and provide for a commitment fee calculated at a rate per annum equal to 40% of the applicable margin for LIBOR loans, multiplied by the average daily amount of the undrawn commitment due quarterly in arrears. Annual administrative fees must also be paid to the agent and the trustee. The principal of the loans made under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities must be repaid in quarterly installments, commencing with the earlier of the last day of the first full calendar quarter after the Train 4 completion date, as defined in the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities, or September 30, 2018. Scheduled repayments are based upon an 18-year amortization profile, with the remaining balance due upon the maturity of the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities.
Under the terms and conditions of the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities, all cash held by SPL is controlled by a collateral agent. These funds can only be released by the collateral agent upon satisfaction of certain terms and conditions related to the use of proceeds, and are classified as restricted on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities contain conditions precedent for any subsequent borrowings, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of SPL under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities are secured by substantially all of the assets of SPL as well as all of the membership interests in SPL on a pari passu basis with the SPL Senior Notes.
Under the terms of the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities, SPL is required to hedge not less than 75% of the variable interest rate exposure of its projected outstanding borrowings, calculated on a weighted average basis in comparison to its anticipated draw of principal. See Note 5— Derivative Instruments.
2017 CTPL Term Loan
In May 2013, CTPL entered into the 2017 CTPL Term Loan, which is being used to fund modifications to the Creole Trail Pipeline and for general business purposes. CTPL incurred $10.0 million of direct lender fees that were recorded as a debt discount. The 2017 CTPL Term Loan matures in 2017 when the full amount of the outstanding principal obligations must be repaid. CTPL’s loans may be repaid, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty. As of March 31, 2015, CTPL had borrowed the full amount of $400.0 million available under the 2017 CTPL Term Loan.
Borrowings under the 2017 CTPL Term Loan accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to, at CTPL’s election, LIBOR or the base rate, plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans is 3.25%. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each LIBOR period.
Under the terms and conditions of the 2017 CTPL Term Loan, all cash reserved to pay interest during construction is controlled by a collateral agent. These funds can only be released by the collateral agent upon satisfaction of certain terms and conditions, and are classified as restricted cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. CTPL is also required to pay annual fees to the administrative and collateral agents.
The 2017 CTPL Term Loan contains customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of CTPL under the 2017 CTPL Term Loan are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the personal property of CTPL and all of the general partner and limited partner interests in CTPL.
Cheniere Partners has guaranteed (i) the obligations of CTPL under the 2017 CTPL Term Loan if the maturity of the CTPL loans is accelerated following the termination by SPL of a transportation precedent agreement in limited circumstances and (ii) the obligations of Cheniere Investments, Cheniere Partners’ wholly owned subsidiary, in connection with its obligations under an equity contribution agreement (a) to pay operating expenses of CTPL until CTPL receives revenues under a service agreement with SPL and (b) to fund interest payments on the CTPL loans after the funds in an interest reserve account have been exhausted.
SPL LC Agreement
In April 2014, SPL entered into a $325.0 million senior letter of credit and reimbursement agreement (the “SPL LC Agreement”) that it uses for the issuance of letters of credit for certain working capital requirements related to the Liquefaction Project. SPL pays (a) a commitment fee in an amount equal to an annual rate of 0.75% of an amount equal to the unissued portion of letters of credit available pursuant to the SPL LC Agreement and (b) a letter of credit fee equal to an annual rate of 2.5% of the undrawn portion of all letters of credit issued under the SPL LC Agreement. If draws are made upon any letters of credit issued under the SPL LC Agreement, the amount of the draw will be deemed a loan issued to SPL. SPL is required to pay the full amount of this loan on or prior to the business day immediately succeeding the deemed issuance of the loan. These loans accrue interest at a rate of 2.0% plus the base rate as defined in the SPL LC Agreement. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, SPL had issued letters of credit in an aggregate amount of $72.5 million and $9.5 million, respectively, and as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, no draws had been made upon any letters of credit issued under the SPL LC Agreement.
Fair Value Disclosures
The following table (in thousands) shows the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our long-term debt:
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