CEI 2011 Form 10Q 2nd Qtr


 
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, 2011
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. 001-16383
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
95-4352386
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
700 Milam Street, Suite 800
 
 
Houston, Texas
 
77002
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(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  S    No  £
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes S    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 x
 
Non-accelerated filer    £
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  S
 
As of July 25, 2011, there were 82,722,458 shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. Common Stock, $0.003 par value, issued and outstanding.


 

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



i

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Consolidated Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 (in thousands, except share data)
 
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
ASSETS
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
162,561

 
$
74,161

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
72,525

 
73,062

Accounts and interest receivable
 
2,740

 
4,699

LNG inventory
 
4,588

 
1,212

Prepaid expenses and other
 
18,632

 
12,476

Total current assets
 
261,046

 
165,610

 
 
 
 
 
Non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
82,892

 
82,892

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
2,133,333

 
2,157,597

Debt issuance costs, net
 
37,585

 
41,656

Goodwill
 
76,819

 
76,819

Intangible assets
 
6,067

 
6,067

Other
 
22,065

 
22,866

Total assets
 
$
2,619,807

 
$
2,553,507

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND DEFICIT
 
 
 
 

Current liabilities
 
 
 
 

Accounts payable
 
$
1,413

 
$
1,283

Current debt
 
298,000

 

Accrued liabilities
 
38,061

 
38,459

Deferred revenue
 
26,363

 
26,592

Other
 
360

 

Total current liabilities
 
364,197

 
66,334

 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net of discount
 
2,645,609

 
2,918,579

Long-term debt—related party, net of discount
 
9,462

 
8,930

Deferred revenue
 
27,500

 
29,994

Other non-current liabilities
 
3,364

 
2,280

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ deficit
 
 
 
 

Preferred stock, $.0001 par value, 5.0 million shares authorized, none issued
 

 

Common stock, $.003 par value
 
 
 
 

Authorized: 240.0 million shares at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 

Issued and outstanding: 82.7 million shares and 67.8 million shares at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
 
248

 
204

Treasury stock: 1.7 million shares and 1.5 million shares at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, at cost
 
(6,065
)
 
(4,338
)
Additional paid-in-capital
 
541,444

 
404,125

Accumulated deficit
 
(1,148,459
)
 
(1,061,449
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(259
)
 
(173
)
Total stockholders' deficit
 
(613,091
)
 
(661,631
)
Non-controlling interest
 
182,766

 
189,021

Total deficit
 
(430,325
)
 
(472,610
)
Total liabilities and deficit
 
$
2,619,807

 
$
2,553,507


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

1

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LNG terminal revenues
 
$
67,302

 
$
66,337

 
$
137,303

 
$
133,164

Marketing and trading
 
4,606

 
1,029

 
13,054

 
13,170

Oil and gas sales
 
884

 
884

 
1,653

 
1,421

Other
 
18

 
25

 
31

 
37

Total revenues
 
72,810

 
68,275

 
152,041

 
147,792

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating costs and expenses
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
General and administrative expense
 
19,378

 
16,910

 
40,889

 
36,128

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
15,625

 
15,612

 
31,011

 
31,236

LNG terminal and pipeline operating expense
 
7,853

 
9,807

 
18,048

 
22,619

LNG terminal and pipeline development expense
 
13,356

 
1,143

 
21,793

 
1,861

Oil and gas production and exploration costs
 
137

 
113

 
275

 
211

Total operating costs and expenses
 
56,349

 
43,585

 
112,016

 
92,055

Income from operations
 
16,461

 
24,690

 
40,025

 
55,737

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of equity method investment
 

 
128,329

 

 
128,329

Interest expense, net
 
(64,587
)
 
(66,950
)
 
(128,741
)
 
(134,145
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 

 
(1,011
)
 

 
(1,011
)
Derivative gain (loss), net
 
(448
)
 
(44
)
 
(448
)
 
461

Other income
 
118

 
158

 
227

 
152

Total other income (expense)
 
(64,917
)
 
60,482

 
(128,962
)
 
(6,214
)
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest
 
(48,456
)
 
85,172

 
(88,937
)
 
49,523

Income tax provision
 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before non-controlling interest
 
(48,456
)
 
85,172

 
(88,937
)
 
49,523

Non-controlling interest
 
1,285

 
505

 
1,927

 
987

Net income (loss)
 
$
(47,171
)
 
$
85,677

 
$
(87,010
)
 
$
50,510

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders—basic
 
$
(0.67
)
 
$
1.55

 
$
(1.26
)
 
$
0.92

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders—diluted
 
$
(0.67
)
 
$
0.86

 
$
(1.26
)
 
$
0.62

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—basic
 
70,630

 
55,317

 
68,800

 
55,161

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—diluted
 
70,630

 
116,596

 
68,800

 
110,610


 














The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

2

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
Other
 
Non-
 
Total
 
 
Common Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
Paid-in
 
Accumulated
 
Comprehensive
 
controlling
 
Equity
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Deficit
 
Loss
 
Interest
 
(Deficit)
Balance — December 31, 2010
 
67,761

 
$
204

 
1,463

 
$
(4,338
)
 
$
404,125

 
$
(1,061,449
)
 
$
(173
)
 
$
189,021

 
$
(472,610
)
Issuances of stock
 
12,650

 
38

 

 

 
122,974

 

 

 

 
123,012

Issuances of restricted stock
 
2,504

 
6

 

 

 
(7
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
Forfeitures of restricted stock
 
(23
)
 

 
22

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation
 

 

 

 

 
14,352

 

 

 

 
14,352

Treasury stock acquired
 
(188
)
 

 
188

 
(1,727
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1,727
)
Comprehensive income:  Foreign currency translation
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(86
)
 

 
(86
)
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,927
)
 
(1,927
)
Sale of common units to non-controlling interest
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
8,978

 
8,978

Distribution to non-controlling interest
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(13,306
)
 
(13,306
)
Net loss
 

 

 

 

 

 
(87,010
)
 

 

 
(87,010
)
Balance — June 30, 2011
 
82,704

 
$
248

 
1,673

 
$
(6,065
)
 
$
541,444

 
$
(1,148,459
)
 
$
(259
)
 
$
182,766

 
$
(430,325
)

 


















The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

3

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(87,010
)
 
$
50,510

Adjustments to reconcile net loss attributable to common stockholders to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of limited partnership investment
 

 
(128,329
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 

 
1,011

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
31,011

 
31,236

Amortization of debt issuance and debt discount
 
14,093

 
13,705

Non-cash compensation
 
14,352

 
9,945

Use of (investment in) restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
(9,090
)
 
41,250

Non-cash derivative loss
 
319

 
164

Non-controlling interest
 
(1,927
)
 
(987
)
Non-cash interest expense
 
15,627

 
17,428

Use of cash for accrued interest
 

 
(60,899
)
Other
 
(525
)
 
(4,668
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
2,046

 
(3,539
)
LNG inventory
 
(3,376
)
 
32,100

Accounts and interest receivable
 
1,766

 
(16,190
)
Deferred revenue
 
(2,723
)
 
(2,086
)
Prepaid expenses and other
 
(4,085
)
 
(1,255
)
Net cash used in operating activities
 
(29,522
)
 
(20,604
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
 

Proceeds from sale of limited partnership investment
 

 
104,330

Use of restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
5,473

 
4,214

LNG terminal and pipeline construction-in-process, net
 
(5,480
)
 
(3,065
)
Distributions from limited partnership investment
 

 
3,900

Other
 
(858
)
 
220

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
(865
)
 
109,599

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
 
Sale of common stock, net
 
123,305

 

Debt repurchases
 

 
(104,681
)
Use of restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
4,154

 
16,680

Distributions to non-controlling interest
 
(13,306
)
 
(13,196
)
Sale of common units by restricted affiliate
 
8,978

 

Purchase of treasury shares
 
(2
)
 
(681
)
Other
 
(4,342
)
 
(1,549
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
118,787

 
(103,427
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
88,400

 
(14,432
)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period
 
74,161

 
88,372

Cash and cash equivalents—end of period
 
$
162,561

 
$
73,940








The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

4

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


NOTE 1—Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Cheniere Energy, Inc. have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with 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. As used herein, the terms "Cheniere," "the Company," "we," "our" and "us" refer to Cheniere Energy, Inc. and its wholly owned or controlled subsidiaries, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context.

Results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2011.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period information to conform to the current presentation.  The reclassifications had no effect on our overall consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

NOTE 2—Recent Accounting Policies

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2011-05, "Comprehensive Income (ASC Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income" ("ASU 2011-05"), which amends current comprehensive income guidance. This accounting update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity. Instead, the Company must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 will be effective for public companies during the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as it only requires a change in the format of the current presentation.

NOTE 3—Liquidity

As of June 30, 2011, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $162.6 million available to Cheniere, which excludes cash and cash equivalents and other working capital available to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. ("Cheniere Partners"), a publicly traded partnership in which we own a 90.3% interest, and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. ("Sabine Pass LNG"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere Partners. We also had restricted cash and cash equivalents of $155.4 million, which were designated for the following purposes: $96.1 million for interest payments related to the Senior Notes described below; $4.6 million for Sabine Pass LNG's working capital; $50.8 million for Cheniere Partners' working capital; and $3.9 million for other restricted purposes. Although results are consolidated for financial reporting, Cheniere, Cheniere Partners and Sabine Pass LNG operate with independent capital structures.

As of May 31, 2011, we reclassified $298.0 million of debt from long-term liability to a current liability because our 2007 Term Loan was due within 12 months as of May 31, 2011. We believe we will have sufficient unrestricted cash, liquid assets, cash generated from our operations and access to capital markets to satisfy our debt obligations and fund our operations. In order to satisfy our principal payment due in May 2012, we will need to extend or retire our indebtedness, which may be accomplished by refinancing our existing indebtedness, issuing equity or other securities, selling assets or through a combination of the foregoing and will be dependent on factors such as worldwide natural gas and capital market conditions.

5


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(unaudited)



NOTE 4—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:
 
Senior Notes Debt Service Reserve
 
Sabine Pass LNG has consummated private offerings of an aggregate principal amount of $2,215.5 million of Senior Notes (See Note 10—"Debt and Debt—Related Parties"). 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, 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 and a fixed charge coverage ratio test of 2:1 must be satisfied.

As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we classified $13.7 million as current restricted cash and cash equivalents for the payment of interest due within twelve months. As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we classified the permanent debt service reserve fund of $82.4 million as non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents. These cash accounts are controlled by a collateral trustee, and, therefore, are shown as restricted cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
   
Other Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, $55.3 million and $53.3 million, respectively, of current restricted cash and cash equivalents was primarily related to cash and cash equivalents held by Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners that were considered restricted to Cheniere.  As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, due to various other contractual restrictions, $3.5 million and $6.1 million had been classified as current restricted cash and cash equivalents, respectively, and $0.5 million had been classified as non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NOTE 5—LNG Inventory

LNG inventory is recorded at cost and is subject to the lower of cost or market ("LCM") adjustments at the end of each period.  Inventory cost is determined using the average cost method. Recoveries of losses resulting from interim period LCM adjustments are recorded when market price recoveries occur on the same inventory in the same fiscal year.  These recoveries are recognized as gains in later interim periods with such gains not exceeding previously recognized losses.  As of June 30, 2011, we had 831,000 million British thermal units ("MMBtu") of LNG inventory recorded at $4.6 million, and at December 31, 2010, we had 326,000 MMBtu of LNG inventory recorded at $1.2 million on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NOTE 6—Variable Interest Entity
In March 2010, Cheniere Marketing, LLC ("Cheniere Marketing") entered into various agreements (the "LNGCo Agreements") with JPMorgan LNG Co. ("LNGCo"), an indirect subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co., effective April 1, 2010, under which Cheniere Marketing agreed to develop and maintain commercial and trading opportunities in the LNG industry and present any such opportunities exclusively to LNGCo. Cheniere Marketing also agreed to provide, or arrange for the provision of, all of the operations and administrative services required by LNGCo in connection with any LNG cargoes purchased by LNGCo, including negotiating agreements and arranging for transporting, receiving, storing, hedging and regasifying LNG cargoes. Cheniere Marketing does not have the authority to contractually bind LNGCo under the LNGCo Agreements. In the event LNGCo declines to purchase an LNG cargo presented to it by Cheniere Marketing under the LNGCo Agreements, Cheniere Marketing may pursue the opportunity on its own behalf or present it to third parties. The term of the LNGCo Agreements is two years; however, either party may terminate without penalty. In return for the services to be provided by Cheniere Marketing, LNGCo will pay a fixed fee to Cheniere Marketing and may pay additional fees depending upon the gross margins of each transaction and the aggregate gross margin earned during the term of the LNGCo Agreements.


6


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(unaudited)


During the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, we recognized $4.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively, of marketing and trading revenues from LNGCo. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, we recognized $3.1 million of marketing and trading revenues from LNGCo. As of June 30, 2011, Cheniere Marketing’s maximum exposure to loss relating to LNGCo was $2.5 million.  A portion of this $2.5 million represents our fixed fee receivable and is reported as accounts and interest receivable, and the remaining portion represents our margin deposit receivable and is reported as prepaid expense and other current assets and is to be paid to Cheniere Marketing upon the completion or termination of the LNGCo Agreements.

NOTE 7—Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consists of LNG terminal and natural gas pipeline costs, LNG site and related costs, investments in oil and gas properties, and fixed assets, as follows (in thousands):
 
 
June 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
LNG terminal costs
 
 
 
 
LNG terminal
 
$
1,639,184

 
$
1,638,811

LNG terminal construction-in-process
 
44,945

 
39,393

LNG site and related costs, net
 
3,485

 
3,362

Accumulated depreciation
 
(103,687
)
 
(82,246
)
Total LNG terminal costs, net
 
1,583,927

 
1,599,320

 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas pipeline costs
 
 

 
 

Natural gas pipeline
 
563,732

 
563,714

Natural gas pipeline construction-in-process
 
2,542

 
2,484

Pipeline right-of-ways
 
18,455

 
18,455

Accumulated depreciation
 
(45,405
)
 
(37,939
)
Total natural gas pipeline costs, net
 
539,324

 
546,714

 
 
 
 
 
Oil and gas properties, successful efforts method
 
 

 
 

Proved
 
4,165

 
3,872

Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
(3,027
)
 
(2,604
)
Total oil and gas properties, net
 
1,138

 
1,268

 
 
 
 
 
Fixed assets
 
 

 
 

Computers and office equipment
 
5,518

 
5,472

Furniture and fixtures
 
4,509

 
4,509

Computer software
 
12,601

 
12,526

Leasehold improvements
 
7,318

 
7,318

Other
 
1,615

 
1,453

Accumulated depreciation
 
(22,617
)
 
(20,983
)
Total fixed assets, net
 
8,944

 
10,295

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
$
2,133,333

 
$
2,157,597

 
LNG Terminal Costs
 
Depreciation expense related to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal totaled $10.7 million and $10.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Depreciation expense related to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal totaled $21.4 million and $21.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Natural Gas Pipeline Costs
 
Depreciation expense related to our Creole Trail pipeline totaled $3.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. Depreciation expense related to our Creole Trail pipeline totaled $7.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.
  

7


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(unaudited)


Fixed Assets
 
Depreciation expense related to our fixed assets totaled $0.8 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Depreciation expense related to our fixed assets totaled $1.6 million and $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

NOTE 8—Non-controlling Interest

We have consolidated certain joint ventures and partnerships because we have a controlling interest in these ventures. Therefore, the entities’ financial statements are consolidated in our Consolidated Financial Statements and the entities’ other equity is recorded as a non-controlling interest. The following table sets forth the components of our non-controlling interest balance since inception attributable to third-party investors’ interests at June 30, 2011 (in thousands): 
Net proceeds from Cheniere Partners’ issuance of common units (1)
$
107,420

Net proceeds from Holdings’ sale of Cheniere Partners common units (2)
203,946

Distributions to Cheniere Partners’ non-controlling interest
(106,114
)
Non-controlling interest share of loss of Cheniere Partners
(22,486
)
Non-controlling interest at June 30, 2011
$
182,766

 
(1)
In March and April 2007, we and Cheniere Partners completed a public offering of 15,525,000 Cheniere Partners common units (the "Cheniere Partners Offering"). Cheniere Partners received $98.4 million in net proceeds from the issuance of its common units to the public. Prior to January 1, 2009, a company was able to elect an accounting policy of recording a gain or loss on the sale of common equity of a subsidiary equal to the amount of proceeds received in excess of the carrying value of the parent’s investment. Effective January 1, 2009, the sale of common equity of a subsidiary is accounted for as an equity transaction. In January 2011, Cheniere Partners initiated an at-the-market program to sell up to 1.0 million common units, the proceeds from which would be used primarily to fund development costs associated with the liquefaction project. As of June 30, 2011, Cheniere Partners had sold 0.5 million common units with net proceeds of $9.0 million.
(2)
In conjunction with the Cheniere Partners Offering, Cheniere LNG Holdings, LLC ("Holdings") sold a portion of the Cheniere Partners common units held by it to the public, realizing proceeds net of offering costs of $203.9 million, which included $39.4 million of net proceeds realized once the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 2,025,000 common units from Holdings. Due to the subordinated distribution rights on our subordinated units, we have recorded those proceeds as a non-controlling interest.

NOTE 9—Accrued Liabilities

As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): 
 
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
Accrued interest expense and related debt fees
 
$
15,732

 
$
15,732

Payroll
 
9,013

 
11,466

LNG liquefaction costs
 
7,588

 
1,402

Debt issuance costs
 

 
4,101

LNG terminal costs
 
455

 
1,953

Other accrued liabilities
 
5,273

 
3,805

Total accrued liabilities
 
$
38,061

 
$
38,459


8


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(unaudited)



NOTE 10—Debt and Debt—Related Parties

As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our debt consisted of the following (in thousands): 
 
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
Current debt
 
 
 
 
2007 Term Loan
 
$
298,000

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt (including related parties)
 
 
 
 
Senior Notes
 
2,215,500

 
2,215,500

2007 Term Loan
 

 
298,000

2008 Loans (including related parties)
 
278,284

 
262,657

Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes
 
204,630

 
204,630

Total long-term debt
 
2,698,414

 
2,980,787

Debt discount
 
 

 
 

Senior Notes
 
(25,429
)
 
(27,777
)
Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes
 
(17,914
)
 
(25,501
)
Total debt discount
 
(43,343
)
 
(53,278
)
Long-term debt (including related parties), net of discount
 
$
2,655,071

 
$
2,927,509

 
Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes
 
In November 2006, Sabine Pass LNG issued an aggregate principal amount of $2,032.0 million of Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes"), consisting of $550.0 million of 7¼% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (the "2013 Notes") and $1,482.0 million of 7½% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (the "2016 Notes"). In September 2008, Sabine Pass LNG issued an additional $183.5 million, before discount, of 2016 Notes whose terms were identical to the previously outstanding 2016 Notes. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 30 and November 30 of each year. The 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.

Under the Sabine Pass Indenture, except for permitted tax distributions, Sabine Pass LNG may not make distributions until certain conditions are satisfied: 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 approximately $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. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, Sabine Pass LNG made distributions of $155.6 million after satisfying all the applicable conditions in the Sabine Pass Indenture. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, Sabine Pass LNG made distributions of $211.8 million after satisfying all the applicable conditions in the Sabine Pass Indenture.
 
Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes
 
In July 2005, we consummated a private offering of $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"). The notes bear interest at a rate of 2¼% per year. The notes are convertible at any time into our common stock under certain circumstances at an initial conversion rate of 28.2326 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, which is equal to a conversion price of approximately $35.42 per share. As of June 30, 2011, no holders had elected to convert their notes at the conversion rate.
 
We may redeem some or all of the notes on or before August 1, 2012, for cash equal to 100% of the principal plus any accrued and unpaid interest if in the previous 10 trading days the volume-weighted average price of our common stock exceeds $53.13, subject to adjustment, for at least five consecutive trading days. In the event of such redemption, we will make an additional payment equal to the present value of all remaining scheduled interest payments through August 1, 2012, discounted at the U.S. Treasury securities rate plus 50 basis points. The indenture governing the notes contains customary reporting requirements.
 

9


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(unaudited)


We adopted, on January 1, 2009, an accounting standard that requires issuers of certain convertible debt instruments to separately account for the liability component and the equity component represented by the embedded conversion option in a manner that will reflect that entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods.  The following table summarizes the liability component of the Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes (in thousands):
 
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2010
Principal amount
 
$
204,630

 
$
204,630

Unamortized discount
 
(17,914
)
 
(25,501
)
Net carry amount
 
$
186,716

 
$
179,129

 
The unamortized discount is being amortized through the August 2012 maturity of the Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes.  Interest expense for the Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes, including the debt discount amortization, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 was $5.2 million and $10.1 million, respectively.  Interest expense for the Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes, including the debt discount amortization, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 was $4.8 million and $9.4 million, respectively.  The effective interest rate as of June 30, 2011 was 10.9% for the Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes. 

2007 Term Loan
 
In May 2007, Cheniere Subsidiary Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere, entered into a $400.0 million credit agreement ("2007 Term Loan"). Borrowings under the 2007 Term Loan generally bear interest at a fixed rate of 9¾% per annum. Interest is calculated on the unpaid principal amount of the 2007 Term Loan outstanding and is payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. The 2007 Term Loan will mature on May 31, 2012. The 2007 Term Loan is secured by a pledge of our 135,383,831 subordinated units in Cheniere Partners.

In May 2010, we sold our 30% interest in Freeport LNG Development, L.P., which was pledged as security of the 2007 Term Loan, to institutional investors for net proceeds of $104.3 million. The net proceeds from the sale were used to prepay $102.0 million of the 2007 Term Loan in May 2010. As of December 31, 2010, $298.0 million was outstanding under the 2007 Term Loan and included in long-term debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the second quarter of 2011, we reclassified $298.0 million of debt from long-term liability to current liability because our 2007 Term Loan was due within 12 months as of May 31, 2011.
 
2008 Loans
 
In August 2008, we entered into a credit agreement pursuant to which we obtained $250.0 million in convertible term loans ("2008 Loans"). The 2008 Loans have a maturity date in 2018. The 2008 Loans bear interest at a fixed rate of 12% per annum, except during the occurrence of an event of default during which time the rate of interest will be 14% per annum. Interest is due semi-annually on the last business day of January and July. At our option, until August 15, 2011, accrued interest may be added to the principal on each semi-annual interest date. The aggregate amount of all accrued interest to August 15, 2011 will be payable upon the maturity date. The 2008 Loans are secured by Cheniere's rights and fees payable under management services agreements with Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners, by Cheniere's 10.9 million common units in Cheniere Partners, by the equity and assets of Cheniere's pipeline entities, by the equity of various other subsidiaries and certain other assets and subsidiary guarantees.

In June 2010, the 2008 Loans were amended to permit all funds on deposit in the TUA Reserve Account to be applied to the prepayment of the accrued interest on the loans outstanding under the 2008 Loans, with any remainder to be applied to the prepayment of the principal balance of such 2008 Loans. As a result, $63.6 million from the TUA Reserve Account was used to prepay $60.9 million of accrued interest and $2.7 million of principal of the 2008 Loans.


10


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(unaudited)


The outstanding principal amount for Scorpion Capital Partners, LP ("Scorpion"), the holder of 3.4% of the 2008 Loans as of June 30, 2011, is exchangeable for Cheniere's Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share ("Series B Preferred Stock"), with voting rights limited to the equivalent of approximately 1.7 million shares of Cheniere common stock at June 30, 2011. The exchange ratio is one share of Series B Preferred Stock for each $5,000 of outstanding borrowings, subject to adjustment. The aggregate preferred stock is exchangeable into shares of our common stock at a price of $5.00 per share pursuant to a broadly syndicated offering. No portion of any accrued interest is eligible for conversion into Series B Preferred Stock. On June 16, 2011, our stockholders approved a proposal to permit Scorpion to convert its 2008 Loans directly into common stock, to hold such shares of common stock, and to allow Scorpion to vote the common stock as any other stockholder. The portion of outstanding principal amount for Scorpion is classified as related party long-term debt because Scorpion is an affiliate of one of Cheniere's directors.

As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we classified $9.5 million and $8.9 million, respectively, as part of Long-Term Debt—Related Parties on our Consolidated Balance Sheets because a related party then held these portions of this debt.

NOTE 11—Financial Instruments

We entered into financial derivatives to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows attributable to the future sale of LNG inventory and to hedge the price risk attributable to future purchases of natural gas to be utilized as fuel to operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Changes in the fair value of our derivatives are reported in earnings because they do not meet the criteria to be designated as a hedging instrument that is required to qualify for cash flow hedge accounting.
 
The estimated fair value of financial instruments is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged currently between willing parties. The fair value of our commodity futures contracts are based on inputs that are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, resulting in Level 1 categorization of such measurements. The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities at June 30, 2011 (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
Derivatives asset
 
$
12

 

 

 
$
12

Derivatives liability
 
$
(331
)
 

 

 
$
(331
)
 
Derivatives asset reflects natural gas swap positions classified as other current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These positions were entered into to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows attributable to the future sale of LNG inventory. Gains or losses in these positions are classified as marketing and trading revenues on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We recorded marketing and trading revenues (losses) of $0.2 million and ($0.5) million related to these positions in the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. We recorded marketing and trading revenues (losses) of ($2.1) million and $4.3 million related to these positions in the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.

Derivatives liability reflects natural gas swap positions classified as other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These positions were entered into to mitigate the price risk from future purchases of natural gas to be utilized as fuel to operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Gains or losses in these positions are classified as derivative gain (loss), net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We recorded derivative gain (loss), net of ($0.4) million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2011. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, Sabine Pass LNG had derivative positions to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows attributable to the future sale of its LNG inventory. We recorded derivative gain (loss), net of ($0.04) million and $0.5 million related to these positions in the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.
 
The estimated fair value of financial instruments, including those financial instruments for which the fair value option was not elected are set forth in the table below. The carrying amounts reported on our 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.
 

11


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(unaudited)


Financial Instruments (in thousands):
 
 
June 30, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
2013 Notes (1)
 
$
550,000

 
$
563,750

 
$
550,000

 
$
541,750

2016 Notes, net of discount (1)
 
1,640,071

 
1,681,073

 
1,637,723

 
1,523,082

Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes, net of discount (2)
 
186,716

 
170,192

 
179,129

 
131,660

2007 Term Loan (3)
 
298,000

 
298,197

 
298,000

 
297,464

2008 Loans (4)
 
278,284

 
278,284

 
262,657

 
262,657

 
(1)
The fair value of the Senior Notes, net of discount, is based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who made markets in these and similar instruments as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, as applicable.
(2)
The fair value of our Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes is based on the closing trading prices on June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, as applicable.
(3)
The 2007 Term Loan is closely held by few holders, and purchases and sales are infrequent and are conducted on a bilateral basis without price discovery by us.  This loan is not rated and has unique covenants and collateral packages such that comparisons to other instruments would be imprecise. Nonetheless, we have provided an estimate of the fair value of this loan as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 based on an index of the yield to maturity of CCC rated debt of other companies in the energy sector.
(4)
In December 2010, the 2008 Loans were amended to, among other things, eliminate the Lenders' Put Rights, allow for the early prepayment of the 2008 Loans, allow Cheniere to sell Cheniere Partners common units held as collateral and prepay the 2008 Loans with the proceeds and release restrictions on prepayments of other indebtedness at Cheniere as certain conditions are met. In addition, 96.6% of the lenders agreed to terminate their rights to convert the 2008 Loans into Series B Preferred Stock of Cheniere. The fair value of the 2008 Loans as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was determined to be the same as the carrying amount due to our ability to call the debt at anytime without penalty or a make-whole payment for an early redemption.

NOTE 12—Income Taxes

We are not presently a taxpayer and have not recorded a net liability for international, federal or state income taxes in any of the periods included in the accompanying financial statements. Our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 include no income tax benefits.

During the third quarter of 2010, largely due to the increased level of trading activity in our shares, we experienced an ownership change within the provisions of Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") Section 382 that will subject approximately $855 million of our existing net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards to the annual NOL utilization limitations.  The applicable Section 382 limitation may have affected our ability to fully utilize our existing tax NOL carryforwards.  Our ability to fully utilize our existing tax NOL carryforwards is dependent on increasing the recognition of built-in gains in the five-year period following the above-referenced ownership change. We will continue to monitor trading activity in our shares which may cause an additional ownership change which may ultimately affect our ability to fully utilize our existing tax NOL carryforwards.

12


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(unaudited)



NOTE 13—Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders ("EPS") excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution and is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued.
 
The following table reconciles basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands except for loss per share):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
70,630

 
55,317

 
68,800

 
55,161

Dilutive common stock options (1)
 

 
5,990

 

 
5,937

Dilutive Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes (2)
 

 
5,777

 

 

Dilutive 2008 Loans (3)
 

 
49,512

 

 
49,512

Diluted
 
70,630

 
116,596

 
68,800

 
110,610

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(0.67
)
 
$
1.55

 
$
(1.26
)
 
$
0.92

Diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(0.67
)
 
$
0.86

 
$
(1.26
)
 
$
0.62

 
(1)
Stock options, phantom stock and unvested stock of 8.1 million and 7.2 million shares representing securities that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future, were not included in the diluted net loss per share computations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, because they would have been anti-dilutive.
(2)
Common shares of 5.8 million issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and the six months ended June 30, 2010, were not included in the diluted computation because the computation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders utilizing the "if-converted" method would be anti-dilutive.
(3)
Common shares of 1.7 million issuable upon conversion of the 2008 Loans for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 were not included in the diluted computation because the computation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders utilizing the "if-converted" method would be anti-dilutive.

NOTE 14—Comprehensive Loss

The following table is a reconciliation of our net loss attributable to common stockholders to our comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(47,171
)
 
$
85,677

 
$
(87,010
)
 
$
50,510

Other comprehensive income (loss) items:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency translation
 
(26
)
 
(82
)
 
(86
)
 
(70
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(47,197
)
 
$
85,595

 
$
(87,096
)
 
$
50,440


NOTE 15—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,
 
 
2011
 
2010
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
98,986

 
$
156,898


13


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(unaudited)



NOTE 16—Business Segment Information

We have three operating business segments: LNG terminal business, natural gas pipeline business and LNG and natural gas marketing business. These operating segments reflect lines of business for which separate financial information is produced internally and are subject to evaluation by our chief operating decision makers in deciding how to allocate resources.
 
Our LNG terminal business segment consists of the operational Sabine Pass LNG terminal, approximately 90.3% owned at June 30, 2011, in western Cameron Parish, Louisiana on the Sabine Pass Channel and two other LNG terminals that are in various stages of development at the following locations: Corpus Christi LNG, 100% owned, near Corpus Christi, Texas; and Creole Trail LNG, 100% owned, at the mouth of the Calcasieu Channel in central Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
 
Our natural gas pipeline business segment consists of the Creole Trail Pipeline, consisting of 94 miles of natural gas pipeline connecting the Sabine Pass LNG terminal to numerous interconnection points with existing interstate natural gas pipelines in southwest Louisiana, and other natural gas pipelines in various stages of development to provide access to North American natural gas markets.

Our LNG and natural gas marketing business segment is seeking to monetize the 2.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal held by a subsidiary of Cheniere Partners; develop a portfolio of long-term, short-term, and spot LNG purchase and sale agreements; assist Cheniere Partners' subsidiary in negotiations with potential customers for bi-directional service at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal; and enter into business relationships for the domestic marketing of natural gas imported by Cheniere Marketing as LNG to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.
 

14


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(unaudited)


The following table summarizes revenues, net income (loss) from operations and total assets for each of our operating segments (in thousands):
 
 
Segments
 
 
LNG Terminal
 
Natural
Gas Pipeline
 
LNG & Natural Gas Marketing
 
Corporate and Other (1)
 
Total
Consolidation
As of or for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Revenues
 
$
67,302

 
$
18

 
$
4,606

 
$
884

 
$
72,810

Intersegment revenues (losses) (2) (3)
 
6,432

 
14

 
(6,063
)
 
(383
)
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
10,845

 
3,743

 
258

 
779

 
15,625

Non-cash compensation
 
634

 
165

 
2,124

 
3,417

 
6,340

Income (loss) from operations
 
35,928

 
(5,852
)
 
(7,791
)
 
(5,824
)
 
16,461

Interest expense, net
 
(43,399
)
 
(11,389
)
 

 
(9,799
)
 
(64,587
)
Interest income
 
62

 

 
11

 
10

 
83

Goodwill
 
76,819

 

 

 

 
76,819

Total assets
 
1,865,312

 
547,243

 
61,995

 
145,257

 
2,619,807

Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets
 
3,608

 
160

 
12

 
363

 
4,143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of or for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Revenues
 
$
66,337

 
$
26

 
$
1,028

 
$
884

 
$
68,275

Intersegment revenues (losses) (4) (5) (6) (7)
 
63,759

 
24

 
(63,058
)
 
(725
)
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
10,674

 
3,728

 
264

 
946

 
15,612

Non-cash compensation
 
376

 
121

 
1,040

 
2,098

 
3,635

Income (loss) from operations
 
101,850

 
(5,497
)
 
(67,091
)
 
(4,572
)
 
24,690

Interest expense, net
 
(45,922
)
 
(11,260
)
 

 
(9,768
)
 
(66,950
)
Interest income
 
96

 

 
30

 
16

 
142

Goodwill
 
76,819

 

 

 

 
76,819

Total assets
 
1,920,528

 
561,737

 
94,771

 
30,445

 
2,607,481

Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets
 
917

 
60

 
(349
)
 
(12
)
 
616

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of or for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Revenues
 
$
137,303

 
$
31

 
$
13,055

 
$
1,652

 
$
152,041

Intersegment revenues (losses) (2) (3)
 
11,214

 
25

 
(10,856
)
 
(383
)
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
21,685

 
7,497

 
519

 
1,310

 
31,011

Non-cash compensation
 
1,206

 
341

 
5,662

 
7,142

 
14,351

Income (loss) from operations
 
69,712

 
(11,348
)
 
(7,030
)
 
(11,309
)
 
40,025

Interest expense, net
 
(86,634
)
 
(22,618
)
 

 
(19,489
)
 
(128,741
)
Interest income
 
123

 

 
32

 
12

 
167

Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets
 
6,169

 
84

 
12

 
435

 
6,700

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of or for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Revenues
 
$
133,164

 
$
37

 
$
13,170

 
$
1,421

 
$
147,792

Intersegment revenues (losses) (4) (5) (6) (7)
 
127,710

 
255

 
(126,736
)
 
(1,229
)
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
21,363

 
7,496

 
572

 
1,805

 
31,236

Non-cash compensation
 
844

 
254

 
3,601

 
5,286

 
9,985

Income (loss) from operations
 
200,533

 
(10,848
)
 
(125,279
)
 
(8,669
)
 
55,737

Interest expense, net
 
(92,360
)
 
(22,394
)
 

 
(19,391
)
 
(134,145
)
Interest income
 
162

 

 
44

 
33

 
239

Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets
 
1,937

 
(105
)
 
(349
)
 
(76
)
 
1,407

 
(1)
Includes corporate activities, oil and gas exploration, development and exploitation activities and certain intercompany eliminations. Our oil and gas exploration, development and exploitation operating activities have been included in the corporate and other column due to the lack of a material impact that these activities have on our consolidated financial statements.

15


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(unaudited)


(2)
Intersegment revenues related to our LNG terminal segment are primarily from tug revenues from Cheniere Marketing and the receipt of 80% of gross margins earned by Cheniere Marketing in monetizing the TUA capacity of Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC ("Cheniere Investments") at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in the three and six months ended June 30, 2011. These LNG terminal segment intersegment revenues are eliminated with intersegment expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3)
Intersegment losses related to our LNG and natural gas marketing segment are primarily from Cheniere Marketing's tug costs and the payment of 80% of gross margins earned by Cheniere Marketing in monetizing the TUA capacity of Cheniere Investments at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in the three and six months ended June 30, 2011. These LNG terminal segment intersegment costs are eliminated with intersegment revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(4)
Intersegment revenues related to our LNG terminal segment are primarily from TUA capacity reservation fee revenues and tug revenues of $62.8 million and $125.5 million that were received from our LNG and natural gas marketing segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. These LNG terminal segment intersegment revenues are eliminated with intersegment expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(5)
Intersegment revenues related to our natural gas pipeline segment are primarily from transportation fees charged by our natural gas pipeline segment to our LNG terminal and LNG and natural gas marketing segments to transport natural gas that was regasified at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.  These natural gas pipeline segment intersegment revenues are eliminated with intersegment expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(6)
Intersegment losses related to our LNG and natural gas marketing segment are primarily from TUA capacity reservation fee expenses and tug costs of $62.8 million and $125.5 million that were incurred from our LNG terminal segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. These costs and expenses are classified as marketing trading gains (losses) as they are considered capacity contracts related to our energy trading and risk management activities. These LNG and natural gas marketing segment intersegment costs and expenses are eliminated with intersegment revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(7)
Intersegment losses related to corporate and other are from various transactions between our LNG terminal, natural gas pipeline and LNG and natural gas marketing segments in which revenue recorded by one operating segment is eliminated with a non-revenue line item (i.e., operating expense or is capitalized) by the other operating segment.

NOTE 17—Share-Based Compensation

We have granted options to purchase common stock to employees, consultants and outside directors under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan ("1997 Plan") and the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan ("2003 Plan"). We recognize our share-based payments to employees and outside directors in the consolidated financial statements based on their fair values at the date of grant. We recognize our share-based payments to consultants in the consolidated financial statements based on their fair values at the end of each period. The calculated fair value is recognized as expense (net of any capitalization) over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the straight-line method.
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, the total share-based compensation expense recognized in our net loss attributable to common stockholders was $6.3 million and $3.6 million, respectively.  For the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, the total share-based compensation expense recognized in our net loss attributable to common stockholders was $14.4 million and $9.9 million, respectively.  
 
The total unrecognized compensation cost at June 30, 2011 relating to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the 1997 Plan and 2003 Plan was $13.9 million. The total unrecognized compensation cost at June 30, 2011 is expected to be recognized over 4.0 years, with a weighted average period of 0.9 years.
 
We received no proceeds from the exercise of stock options in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

16

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 or incorporated herein by reference are “forward-looking statements.” Included among “forward-looking statements” are, among other things:
 
statements relating to the construction or operation of each of our proposed liquefied natural gas ("LNG") terminals or our proposed pipelines or liquefaction facilities, or expansions or extensions thereof, 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, transportation, liquefaction and storage capacity, the number of storage tanks, LNG trains, docks, pipeline deliverability and the number of pipeline interconnections, if any; 
statements that we expect to receive an order from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") authorizing us to construct and operate proposed LNG receiving terminals, liquefaction facilities or pipelines by certain dates, or at all; 
statements regarding future levels of domestic natural gas production, supply or consumption; future levels of LNG imports into North America; sales of natural gas in North America or other markets; exports of LNG from North America; and the transportation, other infrastructure or prices related to natural gas, LNG or other energy sources or hydrocarbon products; 
statements regarding any financing or refinancing transactions or arrangements, or ability to enter into such transactions or arrangements, whether on the part of Cheniere or any subsidiary or at the project level; 
statements regarding any 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, liquefaction or storage capacity that are, or may become, subject to such commercial arrangements; 
statements regarding counterparties to our commercial contracts, construction contracts and other contracts;
statements regarding any business strategy, any business plans or any other plans, forecasts, projections or objectives, including potential revenues and capital expenditures, any or all of which are subject to change; 
statements regarding legislative, governmental, regulatory, administrative or other public body actions, requirements, permits, investigations, proceedings or decisions;  
statements regarding our anticipated LNG and natural gas marketing activities; and 
any other statements that relate to non-historical or future information.
 
These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "achieve," "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "develop," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "plan," "potential," "project," "propose," "strategy" and similar terms and phrases, or by the use of future tense. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do 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 are made as of the date of and speak only as of the date of this quarterly report.
 
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, 2010. 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.

As used herein, the terms "Cheniere," "the Company," "we," "our" and "us" refer to Cheniere Energy, Inc. and its wholly owned or controlled subsidiaries.

17



Introduction
 
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 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. Our discussion and analysis includes the following subjects:
 
Overview of Business
Overview of Significant 2011 Events
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Results of Operations
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Overview of Business
 
 We own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana through our 90.3% ownership interest in and management agreements with Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. ("Cheniere Partners") (NYSE Amex Equities: CQP), which is a publicly traded partnership we created in 2007.  We also own and operate the Creole Trail Pipeline, which interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with markets in North America.  One of our subsidiaries, Cheniere Marketing, LLC ("Cheniere Marketing"), is marketing LNG and natural gas on its own behalf and on behalf of Cheniere Partners, and is working to monetize LNG storage and regasification capacity reserved by Cheniere Partners at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.  Cheniere Partners is developing a liquefaction project to provide bi-directional LNG import and export service at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. We are in various stages of developing other LNG terminal and pipeline related projects, each of which, among other things, will require acceptable commercial and financing arrangements before we make a final investment decision.

Overview of Significant 2011 Events

Our significant accomplishments during the first six months of 2011, and through the date of this Form 10-Q include the following: 
In January 2011, Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC ("Sabine Liquefaction") and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. ("Sabine Pass LNG"), both wholly owned subsidiaries of Cheniere Partners, submitted an application to the FERC requesting authorization to site, construct and operate liquefaction and export facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.
In May 2011, Sabine Liquefaction received an order from the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") with authorization to export domestically produced natural gas from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal as LNG to any country that has, or in the future develops, the capacity to import LNG and with which trade is permissible.
In June 2011, we sold 12.7 million shares of Cheniere common stock in an underwritten public offering for net cash proceeds of $123.3 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Although consolidated for financial reporting, Cheniere, Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners operate with independent capital structures. We expect the cash needs for Sabine Pass LNG's operating activities will be met through operating cash flows and existing unrestricted cash. We expect the cash needs for Cheniere Partners' operating activities will be met through operating cash flows from Sabine Pass LNG, existing unrestricted cash and the issuance of Cheniere Partners common units. We expect the cash needs of Cheniere's operating activity will be met by utilizing existing unrestricted cash, management fees from Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners, distributions from our investment in Cheniere Partners and operating cash flows from our pipeline and LNG and natural gas marketing businesses.


18

The following table presents (in thousands) Cheniere's restricted and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents for each portion of our capital structure as of June 30, 2011. All restricted and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents held by Cheniere Partners and Sabine Pass LNG are considered restricted as to usage or withdrawal by Cheniere:
 
 
Sabine
Pass LNG
 
Cheniere Partners
 
Other Cheniere
 
Consolidated Cheniere
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$

 
$
162,561

 
$
162,561

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
100,686

(1)
50,767

(2)
3,964

 
155,417

Total
 
$
100,686

 
$
50,767

 
$
166,525

 
$
317,978

 
 
(1)    All cash and cash equivalents presented above for Sabine Pass LNG are considered restricted to us, but $4.6 million is considered unrestricted for Sabine Pass LNG.
(2)    All cash and cash equivalents presented above for Cheniere Partners are considered restricted to us, but $55.3 million is considered unrestricted for Cheniere Partners including the $4.6 million considered unrestricted for Sabine Pass LNG.

As of June 30, 2011, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $162.6 million available to Cheniere. In addition, we had consolidated restricted cash and cash equivalents of $155.4 million (which included cash and cash equivalents and other working capital available to Cheniere Partners, in which we own a 90.3% interest, and Sabine Pass LNG) designated for the following purposes: $96.1 million for interest payments related to the Senior Notes described below; $4.6 million for Sabine Pass LNG's working capital; $50.8 million for Cheniere Partners' working capital; and $3.9 million for other restricted purposes. Although results are consolidated for financial reporting, Cheniere, Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners operate with independent capital structures.

As of May 31, 2011, we reclassified $298.0 million of debt from long-term liability to a current liability because our 2007 Term Loan was due within 12 months as of May 31, 2011. We believe we will have sufficient unrestricted cash, liquid assets, cash generated from our operations and access to capital markets to satisfy our debt obligations and fund our operations. In order to satisfy our principal payment due in May 2012, we will need to extend or retire our indebtedness, which may be accomplished by refinancing our existing indebtedness, issuing equity or other securities, selling assets or through a combination of the foregoing and will be dependent on factors such as worldwide natural gas and capital market conditions.

LNG Terminal Business
 
Cheniere Partners
 
Our ownership interest in the Sabine Pass LNG terminal is held through Cheniere Partners. We own approximately 90.3% of Cheniere Partners in the form of 10,891,357 common units, 135,383,831 subordinated units and a 2% general partner interest. Cheniere Partners owns a 100% interest in Sabine Pass LNG, which is operating the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.
 
We receive quarterly equity distributions from Cheniere Partners, and we receive management fees for managing Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, we received $9.3 million in distributions on our common units, no distributions on our subordinated units and $0.5 million in distributions on our general partner interest. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we received fees of $5.4 million under our management agreement with Cheniere Partners and fees of $4.0 million under our management agreement with Sabine Pass LNG.

The common unit and general partner distributions are being funded from cash flows generated by Sabine Pass LNG's third-party TUA customers. The subordinated unit distributions we received in 2010 were funded from cash flows generated by Sabine Pass LNG's TUA with Cheniere Marketing. Effective July 1, 2010, Cheniere Marketing assigned its TUA with Sabine Pass LNG for 2.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal to Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC ("Cheniere Investments"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere Partners. As a result of Cheniere Marketing's assignment of its TUA to Cheniere Investments, we have not received distributions on our subordinated units since the distribution made with respect to the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

During the subordination period, the common units have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus in an amount equal to the initial quarterly distribution of $0.425 per quarter, plus any arrearages in the payment of the initial quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units that we own. As a result of Cheniere Marketing's assignment of its TUA to Cheniere Investments, Cheniere Marketing no longer makes the approximately $250 million per year of payments to Sabine Pass LNG, and Cheniere Partners will not make distributions on our subordinated units unless it generates additional cash flow from Sabine Pass

19

LNG's excess capacity or new business. Therefore, distributions to us on our subordinated units and conversion of the subordinated units into common units will depend upon the future business development of Cheniere Partners. We expect that additional cash flows generated by its liquefaction project or other new Cheniere Partners business would be used to make quarterly distributions on our subordinated units before any increase in distributions to the common unitholders.

We and Cheniere Partners amended, effective as of July 1, 2010, the fee structure for the various general and administrative services provided by us for Cheniere Partners' benefit and changed it from a fixed fee to a variable fee. The amended and restated services agreement provides that fees will be paid quarterly from Cheniere Partners' unrestricted cash and cash equivalents remaining after making distributions to the common unitholders and the general partner in respect of each quarter and retaining certain reserves. Our ability to receive management fees from Cheniere Partners is dependent on our ability to, among other things, manage Cheniere Partners' and Sabine Pass LNG's operating and administrative expenses, monetize the 2.0 Bcf/d regasification capacity under the Cheniere Investments TUA (as discussed below) and develop new projects through either internal development or acquisition to increase cash flow. The fixed management fees payable by Sabine Pass LNG remain unchanged.

Concurrently with the TUA assignment, Cheniere Investments entered into a Variable Capacity Rights Agreement ("VCRA") with Cheniere Marketing. Under the terms of the VCRA, Cheniere Marketing is responsible for monetizing Cheniere Investments' TUA capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and is obligated to pay Cheniere Investments 80% of the expected gross margin of each cargo of LNG it arranges for delivery to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. To the extent payments from Cheniere Marketing to Cheniere Investments under the VCRA or new Cheniere Partners' business increase Cheniere Partners' available cash in excess of the common unit and general partner distributions and certain reserves, the cash would be distributed to us in the form of distributions on our subordinated units and related general partner distributions. During the term of the VCRA, Cheniere Marketing is responsible for the payment of taxes and new regulatory costs under the TUA. Cheniere has guaranteed all of Cheniere Marketing's payment obligations under the VCRA.

In January 2011, Cheniere Partners initiated an at-the-market program to sell up to 1.0 million common units, the proceeds from which would be used primarily to fund development costs associated with the liquefaction project. As of June 30, 2011, Cheniere Partners had sold 0.5 million common units with net proceeds of $9.0 million.

Sabine Pass LNG Terminal
 
Approximately 2.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal has been reserved under two long-term third-party TUAs, under which Sabine Pass LNG’s customers are required to pay fixed monthly fees, whether or not they use the LNG terminal. Capacity reservation fee TUA payments are made by our third-party TUA customers as follows:
 
Total Gas and Power North America, Inc. ("Total") has reserved approximately 1.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity and is obligated to make monthly capacity payments to Sabine Pass LNG aggregating approximately $125 million per year for 20 years that commenced April 1, 2009. Total, S.A. has guaranteed Total’s obligations under its TUA up to $2.5 billion, subject to certain exceptions; and 
Chevron U.S.A. Inc. ("Chevron") has reserved approximately 1.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity and is obligated to make monthly capacity payments to Sabine Pass LNG aggregating approximately $125 million per year for 20 years that commenced July 1, 2009. Chevron Corporation has guaranteed Chevron’s obligations under its TUA up to 80% of the fees payable by Chevron.

The remaining approximately 2.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity has been reserved by Cheniere Partners through a TUA between Cheniere Investments and Sabine Pass LNG. Cheniere Investments is obligated to make monthly capacity payments to Sabine Pass LNG aggregating approximately $250 million per year through at least September 30, 2028; however, the revenue earned by Sabine Pass LNG and the capacity payments under the TUA are eliminated upon consolidation of our financial statements.

Under each of these TUAs, Sabine Pass LNG is entitled to retain 2% of the LNG delivered for the customer's account.

Liquefaction Project

In June 2010, Cheniere Partners initiated a project to add liquefaction services at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal that would transform the terminal into a bi-directional facility capable of liquefying natural gas and exporting LNG in addition to importing and regasifying foreign-sourced LNG. As currently contemplated, the liquefaction project would be designed and permitted for up to four LNG trains, each with a nominal production capacity of approximately 4.0 mtpa. We anticipate LNG export from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal could commence as early as 2015, and may be constructed in phases, with each LNG train commencing operations approximately six to nine months after the previous LNG train.

20


We intend for Sabine Liquefaction to enter into long-term commercial contracts for at least 3.5 mtpa (approximately 0.5 Bcf/d) per LNG train, before reaching a final investment decision regarding the development of the LNG trains. We are negotiating definitive agreements with potential customers.

In August 2010, Sabine Liquefaction received approval from the FERC to begin the pre-filing process required to seek authorization to commence construction of the liquefaction project. In January 2011, the pre-filing period was completed and therefore Sabine Liquefaction submitted an application to the FERC requesting authorization to site, construct and operate liquefaction and export facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. In September 2010, the DOE granted Sabine Liquefaction an order authorizing Sabine Liquefaction to export up to the equivalent of approximately 800 Bcf per year (approximately 16 mtpa) of domestically produced LNG from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal to Free Trade Agreement ("FTA") countries for a 30-year term, beginning on the earlier of the date of first export or September 7, 2020. In May 2011, Sabine Liquefaction received an order from the DOE with authorization to export domestically produced natural gas to any country that has, or in the future develops, the capacity to import LNG and with which trade is permissible. Under the order, Sabine Liquefaction received long-term, multi-contract authority to export on its behalf, or as agent for others, up to the equivalent of approximately 800 Bcf per year (approximately 16 mtpa) of domestically produced natural gas as LNG. The authorization commences on the earlier of the date of the first export or five years from the date of issuance of the authorization. The authorization is conditioned upon the satisfactory completion of the FERC review process and upon Sabine Liquefaction commencing export operations within seven years of the issuance of the order.

Sabine Liquefaction has engaged Bechtel Corporation ("Bechtel") to complete front-end engineering and design work and will negotiate a lump-sum, turnkey contract based on an open book cost estimate. We currently estimate that total construction costs will be consistent with other recent liquefaction expansion projects constructed by Bechtel, or approximately $400 per metric ton, before financing costs. We have additional work to complete with Bechtel to be able to make an estimate specific to our site and project. Our cost estimates are subject to change due to factors such as changes in design, increased component and material costs, escalation of labor costs, cost overruns and increased spending to maintain a construction schedule.

In December 2010, Sabine Liquefaction engaged SG Americas Securities, LLC, the U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary of Societe Generale Corporate & Investment Banking for general financial strategy and planning in connection with the development and financing of liquefaction facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.

Cheniere Partners will contemplate making a final investment decision to commence construction of the liquefaction project upon, among other things, entering into acceptable commercial arrangements, receiving regulatory authorization to construct and operate the liquefaction assets and obtaining adequate financing.

Other LNG terminals
 
We will contemplate making final investment decisions to construct our Corpus Christi and Creole Trail LNG terminal projects upon, among other things, entering into acceptable commercial and financing arrangements for the applicable project. 

Natural Gas Pipeline Business
 
The Creole Trail Pipeline, consisting of 94 miles of natural gas pipeline, is currently in-service and operating. We will contemplate making a final investment decision to construct the remaining 59 miles of the Creole Trail Pipeline, the Corpus Christi Pipeline, the Cheniere Southern Trail Pipeline and the Burgos Hub Project upon, among other things, receiving all required authorizations to construct and operate the applicable pipeline (and storage facility in the case of the Burgos Hub Project), to the extent not already obtained, and entering into acceptable commercial and financing arrangements for the applicable project. We do not expect to spend significant funds on these projects in the near-term.

LNG and Natural Gas Marketing Business
 
The accounting treatment for LNG inventory differs from the treatment for derivative positions such that the economics of Cheniere Marketing's activities are not transparent in the consolidated financial statements until all LNG inventory is sold and all
derivative positions are settled. Our LNG inventory is recorded as an asset at cost and is subject to lower of cost or market ("LCM") adjustments at the end of each reporting period. The LCM adjustment market price is based on period-end natural gas spot prices, and any gain or loss from an LCM adjustment is recorded in our earnings at the end of each period. Revenue and cost of goods sold are not recognized in our earnings until the LNG is sold. Generally, our unrealized derivatives positions at the end of each period extend into the future to hedge the cash flow from future sales of our LNG inventory or to take market positions and hedge exposure associated with LNG and natural gas. These positions are measured at fair value, and we record the gains and losses

21

from the change in their fair value currently in earnings. Thus, earnings from changes in the fair value of our derivatives may not be offset by losses from LCM adjustments to our LNG inventory because the LCM adjustments that may be made to LNG inventory are based on period-end spot prices that are different from the time periods of the prices used to fair value our derivatives. Any losses from changes in the fair value of our derivatives will not be offset by gains until the LNG is actually sold.

LNGCo Agreements

In March 2010, Cheniere Marketing entered into various agreements (the "LNGCo Agreements") with JPMorgan LNG Co. ("LNGCo"), effective April 1, 2010, under which Cheniere Marketing agreed to develop and maintain commercial and trading opportunities in the LNG industry and present any such opportunities exclusively to LNGCo. Cheniere Marketing also agreed to provide, or arrange for the provision of, all of the operations and administrative services required by LNGCo in connection with any LNG cargoes purchased by LNGCo, including negotiating agreements and arranging for transporting, receiving, storing, hedging and regasifying LNG cargoes. Cheniere Marketing does not have the authority to contractually bind LNGCo under the LNGCo Agreements. In the event LNGCo declines to purchase an LNG cargo presented to it by Cheniere Marketing under the LNGCo Agreements, Cheniere Marketing may pursue the opportunity on its own behalf or present it to third parties. The term of the LNGCo Agreements is two years; however, either party may terminate without penalty. In return for the services to be provided by Cheniere Marketing, LNGCo will pay a fixed fee to Cheniere Marketing and may pay additional fees depending upon the gross margins of each transaction and the aggregate gross margin earned during the term of the LNGCo Agreements.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, we recognized $4.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively, of marketing and trading revenues from LNGCo. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, we recognized $3.1 million of marketing and trading revenues from LNGCo. As of June 30, 2011, Cheniere Marketing’s maximum exposure to loss relating to LNGCo was $2.5 million.  A portion of this $2.5 million represents our fixed fee receivable and is reported as accounts and interest receivable, and the remaining portion represents our margin deposit receivable and is reported as prepaid expense and other current assets and is to be paid to Cheniere Marketing upon the completion or termination of the LNGCo Agreements.

Corporate and Other Activities
 
We are required to maintain corporate general and administrative functions to serve our business activities described above.  We believe we will have sufficient unrestricted cash, liquid assets, cash generated from our operations and access to capital markets to satisfy our debt obligations and fund our operations. As of May 31, 2011, we reclassified $298.0 million of debt from a long-term liability to a current liability because our 2007 Term Loan was due within 12 months as of May 31, 2011. In order to satisfy our principal payment in May 2012, we will need to extend or retire our indebtedness, which may be accomplished by refinancing our existing indebtedness, issuing equity or other securities, selling assets or through a combination of the foregoing and will be dependent on factors such as worldwide natural gas and capital market conditions.


22

Sources and Uses of Cash
 
The following table summarizes (in thousands) the sources and uses of our cash and cash equivalents for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010. 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 report. Additional discussion of these items follows the table. 
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
2011
 
2010
Sources of cash and cash equivalents
 
 
 
Sale of common stock, net
$
123,305

 
$

Proceeds from sale of limited partnership investment

 
104,330

Use of restricted cash and cash equivalents
9,627

 
20,894

Distribution from limited partner investment in Freeport LNG Development, L.P.

 
3,900

Sale of common units by restricted affiliate
8,978

 

Other

 
220

Total sources of cash and cash equivalents
141,910

 
129,344

 
 
 
 
Uses of cash and cash equivalents
 

 
 

Operating cash flow
(29,522
)
 
(20,604
)
Debt repurchases

 
(104,681
)
Distributions to non-controlling interest
(13,306
)
 
(13,196
)
LNG terminal and pipeline construction-in-process, net
(5,480
)
 
(3,065
)
Other
(5,202
)
 
(2,230
)
Total uses of cash and cash equivalents
(53,510
)
 
(143,776
)
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
88,400

 
(14,432
)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period
74,161

 
88,372

Cash and cash equivalents—end of period
$
162,561

 
$
73,940

    
Sale of Common Stock

In June 2011, we sold 12.7 million shares of Cheniere common stock in an underwritten public offering at a price of $10.35 per share. We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes.

 Proceeds from sale of limited partnership investment
 
In May 2010, we sold our 30% interest in Freeport LNG Development, L.P. ("Freeport LNG") to institutional investors for net proceeds of $104.3 million.

Use of Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

In the six months ended June 30, 2011, $9.6 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents were used primarily to pay for construction activity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and to pay distributions to non-controlling interest owners of Cheniere Partners. In the six months ended June 30, 2010, the $20.9 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents were used primarily to make distributions of $13.2 million to non-controlling interests, to repurchase debt of $2.7 million, to pay for construction activities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal of $1.5 million and for other items of $3.5 million.

Sale of Common Units by Restricted Affiliate

In January 2011, Cheniere Partners initiated an at-the-market program to sell up to 1.0 million common units, the proceeds from which would be used primarily to fund development costs associated with the liquefaction project. As of June 30, 2011, Cheniere Partners had received $9.0 million in net proceeds from its sale of common units.

Operating Cash Flow
 
Operating cash flow decreased $8.9 million, from a $20.6 million use of cash in the six months ended June 30, 2010 to a $29.5 million use of cash in the six months ended June 30, 2011. Net cash used in operations related primarily to the general

23

administrative overhead costs, pipeline operations costs, LNG and natural gas marketing overhead, offset by earnings from our LNG and natural gas marketing business.

Debt Repurchases
 
In the six months ended June 30, 2010, we used $104.7 million of cash and cash equivalents to repurchase a portion of our long-term debt. In the second quarter of 2010, we used $102.0 million of the net proceeds from the sale of our limited partner interest in Freeport LNG to partially prepay the 2007 Term Loan. In addition, as a result of the assignment of the Cheniere Marketing TUA in the second quarter of 2010, we used $2.7 million to partially prepay the 2008 Loans.

Distributions to Non-Controlling Interest

In the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, Cheniere Partners distributed $13.3 million and $13.2 million, respectively, to its non-affiliated common unitholders.
   
Debt Agreements
 
The following table (in thousands) and the explanatory paragraphs following the table summarize our various debt agreements as of June 30, 2011
 
 
Sabine
Pass LNG, L.P.
 
Cheniere Energy
Partners, L.P.
 
Other Cheniere Energy, Inc.
 
Consolidated Cheniere Energy,
Inc.
Current debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007 Term Loan
 
$

 
$

 
$
298,000

 
$
298,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt (including related party)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Notes
 
$
2,215,500

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,215,500

2008 Loans (including related party)
 

 

 
278,284

 
278,284

Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes
 

 

 
204,630

 
204,630

Total long-term debt
 
2,215,500

 

 
482,914

 
2,698,414

Debt discount
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Senior Notes (1)
 
(25,429
)
 

 

 
(25,429
)
Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes (2)
 

 

 
(17,914
)
 
(17,914
)
Total debt discount
 
(25,429
)
 

 
(17,914
)
 
(43,343
)
Long-term debt (including related party), net of discount
 
$
2,190,071

 
$

 
$
465,000

 
$
2,655,071

 
(1)
In September 2008, Sabine Pass LNG issued an additional $183.5 million, par value, of 2016 Notes.  The net proceeds from the additional issuance of the 2016 Notes were $145.0 million.  The difference between the par value and the net proceeds is the debt discount, which will be amortized through the maturity of the 2016 Notes. 
(2)
Effective as of January 1, 2009, we are required to record a debt discount on our Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes.  The unamortized discount will be amortized through the maturity of the Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes.

Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes
 
In July 2005, we consummated a private offering of $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"). The notes bear interest at a rate of 2¼% per year. The notes are convertible at any time into our common stock under certain circumstances at an initial conversion rate of 28.2326 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, which is equal to a conversion price of approximately $35.42 per share. As of June 30, 2011, no holders had elected to convert their notes at the conversion rate.
 
We may redeem some or all of the notes on or before August 1, 2012, for cash equal to 100% of the principal plus any accrued and unpaid interest if in the previous 10 trading days the volume-weighted average price of our common stock exceeds $53.13, subject to adjustment, for at least five consecutive trading days. In the event of such redemption, we will make an additional payment equal to the present value of all remaining scheduled interest payments through August 1, 2012, discounted at the U.S. Treasury securities rate plus 50 basis points. The indenture governing the notes contains customary reporting requirements.

As discussed in Note 10—"Debt and Debt—Related Parties" of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we adopted

24

on January 1, 2009 an accounting standard that requires issuers of certain convertible debt instruments to separately account for the liability component and the equity component represented by the embedded conversion option in a manner that will reflect that entity's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest costs are recognized in subsequent periods. The fair value of the embedded conversion option at the date of issuance of the Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes was determined to be $134.0 million and has been recorded as a debt discount to the Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes, with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital. At June 30, 2011, the unamortized debt discount to the Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes was $17.9 million.

Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes
 
In November 2006, Sabine Pass LNG issued an aggregate principal amount of $2,032.0 million of Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes"), consisting of $550.0 million of 7¼% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (the "2013 Notes") and $1,482.0 million of 7½% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (the "2016 Notes"). In September 2008, Sabine Pass LNG issued an additional $183.5 million, before discount, of 2016 Notes whose terms were identical to the previously outstanding 2016 Notes. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 30 and November 30 of each year. The 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.

Under the Sabine Pass Indenture, except for permitted tax distributions, Sabine Pass LNG may not make distributions until certain conditions are satisfied: 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 approximately $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. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, Sabine Pass LNG made distributions of $155.6 million after satisfying all the applicable conditions in the Sabine Pass Indenture. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, Sabine Pass LNG made distributions of $211.8 million after satisfying all the applicable conditions in the Sabine Pass Indenture.
 
2007 Term Loan
 
In May 2007, Cheniere Subsidiary Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere, entered into a $400.0 million credit agreement ("2007 Term Loan"). Borrowings under the 2007 Term Loan generally bear interest at a fixed rate of 9¾% per annum. Interest is calculated on the unpaid principal amount of the 2007 Term Loan outstanding and is payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. The 2007 Term Loan will mature on May 31, 2012. The 2007 Term Loan is secured by a pledge of our 135,383,831 subordinated units in Cheniere Partners.

In May 2010, we sold our 30% interest in Freeport LNG to institutional investors for net proceeds of $104.3 million. The net proceeds from the sale were used to prepay $102.0 million of the 2007 Term Loan in May 2010. As of December 31, 2010, $298.0 million was outstanding under the 2007 Term Loan and included in long-term debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the second quarter of 2011, we reclassified $298.0 million of debt from long-term liability to current liability because our 2007 Term Loan was due within 12 months as of May 31, 2011.

2008 Loans

In August 2008, we entered into a credit agreement pursuant to which we obtained $250.0 million in convertible term loans ("2008 Loans"). The 2008 Loans have a maturity date in 2018. The 2008 Loans bear interest at a fixed rate of 12% per annum, except during the occurrence of an event of default during which time the rate of interest will be 14% per annum. Interest is due semi-annually on the last business day of January and July. At our option, until August 15, 2011, accrued interest may be added to the principal on each semi-annual interest date. The aggregate amount of all accrued interest to August 15, 2011 will be payable upon the maturity date. The 2008 Loans are secured by Cheniere's rights and fees payable under management services agreements with Sabine Pass LNG and Cheniere Partners, by Cheniere's 10.9 million common units in Cheniere Partners, by the equity and assets of Cheniere's pipeline entities, by the equity of various other subsidiaries and certain other assets and subsidiary guarantees.

In June 2010, the 2008 Loans were amended to permit all funds on deposit in the TUA Reserve Account to be applied to the prepayment of the accrued interest on the loans outstanding under the 2008 Loans, with any remainder to be applied to the prepayment of the principal balance of such 2008 Loans. As a result, $63.6 million from the TUA Reserve Account was used to prepay $60.9 million of accrued interest and $2.7 million of principal of the 2008 Loans.


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The outstanding principal amount for Scorpion Capital Partners, LP ("Scorpion"), the holder of 3.4% of the 2008 Loans as of June 30, 2011, is exchangeable for Cheniere's Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share ("Series B Preferred Stock"), with voting rights limited to the equivalent of approximately 1.7 million shares of Cheniere common stock at June 30, 2011. The exchange ratio is one share of Series B Preferred Stock for each $5,000 of outstanding borrowings, subject to adjustment. The aggregate preferred stock is exchangeable into shares of our common stock at a price of $5.00 per share pursuant to a broadly syndicated offering. No portion of any accrued interest is eligible for conversion into Series B Preferred Stock. On June 16, 2011, our stockholders approved a proposal to permit Scorpion to convert its 2008 Loans directly into common stock, to hold such shares of common stock, and to allow Scorpion to vote the common stock as any other stockholder. The portion of outstanding principal amount for Scorpion is classified as related party long-term debt because Scorpion is an affiliate of one of Cheniere's directors.

As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we classified $9.5 million and $8.9 million, respectively, as part of Long-Term Debt—Related Parties on our Consolidated Balance Sheets because a related party then held these portions of this debt.

Issuances of Common Stock
 
During the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, we issued 0.2 million shares and 0.4 million shares of restricted stock, respectively, to new and existing employees.  During the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, we issued 2.5 million and 1.2 million shares of restricted stock, respectively, to new and existing employees.  

In June 2011, we sold 12.7 million common shares at a price of $10.35 per share in an underwritten public offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011 vs. Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Overall Operations
 
Our consolidated net loss attributable to common stockholders increased $132.9 million, from net income of $85.7 million, or $1.55 per share (basic) and $0.86 per share (diluted), in the three months ended June 30, 2010 to a net loss of $47.2 million, or $0.67 per share (basic and diluted), in the three months ended June 30, 2011. This increase in net loss was primarily due to the $128.3 million gain in May 2010 from the sale of our 30% interest in Freeport LNG. In addition, the increase in net loss is a result of increased development expense, which was partially offset by increased marketing and trading revenue and decreased LNG terminal and pipeline operating expenses and decreased interest expense, net.
  
Gain on Sale of Equity Method Investment
 
In May 2010, we sold our 30% interest in Freeport LNG and recognized a net $128.3 million gain. The gain was comprised of net proceeds received of $104.3 million and $24.0 million of distributions in excess of income.

LNG Terminal and Pipeline Development Expense

LNG terminal and pipeline development expense increased $12.3 million, from $1.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2010 to $13.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. This increase resulted from costs incurred to develop the liquefaction project at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.


26

Marketing and Trading Revenue
 
Operating results from marketing and trading activities are presented on a net basis on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Marketing and trading revenues represent the margin earned on the purchase and transportation costs of LNG and subsequent sales of natural gas to third parties. Our marketing and trading revenues also include pretax derivative gains/losses and inventory lower-of-cost-or-market adjustments, if any.  See table below (in thousands) for itemized comparison of each major type of energy trading and risk management activity:
 
 
Three Month Period Ended
 
 
June 30,
 
 
2011
 
2010
Physical natural gas sales, net of costs
 
$
(473
)
 
$
929

Gain (loss) from derivatives
 
153

 
(2,104
)
Other energy trading activities
 
4,926

 
2,204

Total LNG and natural gas marketing gain
 
$
4,606

 
$
1,029

 
 
Marketing and trading revenues increased $3.6 million, from $1.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2010 to $4.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. The $3.6 million increase in marketing and trading revenue is primarily a result of increased other energy trading revenue in the second quarter of 2011 resulting from LNGCo revenue and decreased losses from derivatives resulting from the change in market index prices for natural gas in 2011 as compared to 2010.

LNG Terminal and Pipeline Operating Expense

Our LNG terminal and pipeline operating expenses include costs incurred to operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and the Creole Trail Pipeline.

Operating and maintenance expense decreased $1.9 million, from $9.8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2010 to $7.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. This decrease primarily resulted from decreased fuel costs in 2011 as a result of efficiencies in our LNG inventory management.
  
Interest Expense, net
 
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, decreased $2.4 million, from $67.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2010 to $64.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011. This decrease in interest expense resulted from the reduction of our indebtedness during the second quarter of 2010.

Results of Operations

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 vs. Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Overall Operations
 
Our consolidated net loss attributable to common stockholders increased $137.5 million, from net income of $50.5 million, or $0.92 per share (basic) and $0.62 per share (diluted), in the six months ended June 30, 2010 to a net loss of $87.0 million, or $1.26 per share (basic and diluted), in the six months ended June 30, 2011. This increase in net loss was primarily due to the $128.3 million gain in May 2010 from the sale of our 30% interest in Freeport LNG. In addition, the increase in net loss is a result of increased development expense, which was partially offset by decreased LNG terminal and pipeline operating expenses and decreased interest expense, net.
  
Gain on Sale of Equity Method Investment
 
In May 2010, we sold our 30% interest in Freeport LNG and recognized a net gain of $128.3 million. The gain was comprised of net proceeds received of $104.3 million and $24.0 million of distributions in excess of income.


27

LNG Terminal and Pipeline Development Expense

LNG terminal and pipeline development expense increased $19.9 million, from $1.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2010 to $21.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011. This increase resulted from costs incurred to develop the liquefaction project at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.