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Description of Equity Interests
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3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2012
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| Description of Equity Interests [Abstract] | |
| Partners' Capital Notes Disclosure [Text Block] |
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. On May 31, 2007, Cheniere LNG Holdings, LLC contributed all of its 135,383,831 subordinated units to Cheniere
Subsidiary Holdings, LLC ("Cheniere Subsidiary Holdings").
The common units have the right to receive minimum quarterly distributions of $0.425, plus any arrearages thereon, before any distribution is made to the holders of the subordinated units. Subordinated units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis when we meet financial tests specified in the partnership agreement. Although common and subordinated unitholders are not obligated to fund losses of the partnership, their capital accounts, which would be considered in allocating the net assets of the partnership were it to be liquidated, continue 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, 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%.
In January 2011, we initiated an at-the-market program to sell up to 1.0 million common units the proceeds from which are used primarily to fund development costs associated with our liquefaction project. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we sold 0.5 million common units with net proceeds of $9.0 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we sold 0.1 million common units with net proceeds of $2.8 million. In addition, we received $0.1 million in net proceeds from our general partner in connection with the exercise of its right to maintain its 2% ownership interest in us during the three months ended March 31, 2012. We paid $0.1 million in commissions to Miller Tabak + Co., Inc., as sales agent, in connection with the at-the-market program during the three months ended March 31, 2012.
In September 2011, we sold 3.0 million common units in an underwritten public offering and 1.1 million common units to Cheniere Common Units Holding, LLC ("Cheniere Common Units Holding") at a price of $15.25 per common unit. We received net proceeds of approximately $60 million that we are using for general business purposes, including development costs associated with our liquefaction project.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, we also received $1.5 million in net proceeds from our general partner in connection with the exercise of its right to maintain its 2% ownership interest in us.
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