Cheniere Energy, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2015 Results

HOUSTON, Oct. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheniere Energy, Inc. ("Cheniere") (NYSE MKT: LNG) reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $297.8 million, or $1.31 per share (basic and diluted), for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $89.6 million, or $0.40 per share (basic and diluted), for the comparable 2014 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Cheniere reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $684.0 million, or $3.02 per share (basic and diluted), compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $389.3 million, or $1.74 per share (basic and diluted), during the corresponding period of 2014.

Significant items for the three months ended September 30, 2015 resulted in a loss of $134.2 million and are related to derivative loss primarily associated with the changes in long-term LIBOR during the period, and development expense, partially offset by changes in operating and maintenance expense associated with the increase in fair value of certain natural gas purchase agreements related to gas procurement for the liquefaction project currently under construction at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities (the "Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project"). Significant items for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 resulted in a loss of $343.8 million and are related to derivative loss, loss on early extinguishment of debt, and development expense, partially offset by changes in operating and maintenance expense described above.

Included in general and administrative expense were non-cash compensation expenses of $27.1 million and $85.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $21.2 million and $80.4 million for the comparable 2014 periods, respectively.

Results are reported on a consolidated basis and include our ownership interest in Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. ("Cheniere Partners") (NYSE MKT: CQP), which is based on our 100% ownership of the general partner of Cheniere Partners and 80.1% ownership interest in Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC (NYSE MKT: CQH) which owns a 55.9% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners.

Recent Significant Events

• In July 2015, we entered into a liquefied natural gas ("LNG") Sale and Purchase Agreement ("SPA") with Central El Campesino for approximately 0.6 million tonnes per annum ("mtpa") through our subsidiary, Cheniere Marketing International LLP ("Cheniere Marketing"). Volumes are to be delivered ex-ship ("DES") for 20 years beginning in 2019 from the liquefaction project currently under construction near Corpus Christi, Texas (the "Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project").
• Cheniere Marketing entered into LNG sales arrangements with Électricité de France, S.A. ("EDF") for the delivery of LNG cargoes on a DES basis. The sales arrangements with EDF cover the delivery of up to approximately 189 million MMBtus total through 2018.
• Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC ("SPL") entered into a $1.2 billion working capital facility that will be used primarily for certain working capital requirements related to developing and placing into operation the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project.

Liquefaction Projects Update

Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project

Through Cheniere Partners, we are developing up to six natural gas liquefaction trains ("Trains"), each with an expected nominal production capacity of approximately 4.5 mtpa of LNG, at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities.

The Trains are in various stages of development:

• Construction on Trains 1 and 2 began in August 2012, and as of September 30, 2015, the overall project completion percentage for Trains 1 and 2 was approximately 95.2%, which is ahead of the contractual schedule. Based on our current construction schedule, we anticipate that Train 1 will produce LNG as early as late 2015.
• Construction on Trains 3 and 4 began in May 2013, and as of September 30, 2015, the overall project completion percentage for Trains 3 and 4 was approximately 73.6%, which is ahead of the contractual schedule. We expect Trains 3 and 4 to become operational in late 2016 and 2017, respectively.
• The permitting process for Trains 5 and 6 has been completed. In April 2015, Cheniere Partners received U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") authorization to site, construct, and operate Trains 5 and 6. In June 2015, Cheniere Partners received authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") to export LNG to non-free trade agreement ("non-FTA") countries.
• Construction on Train 5 began on June 30, 2015, and we expect Train 5 to commence operations as early as 2018. We expect to commence construction on Train 6 upon entering into acceptable commercial arrangements and obtaining adequate financing.

Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project

We are developing up to five Trains, each with an expected nominal production capacity of approximately 4.5 mtpa of LNG, as part of the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project.

The Trains are in various stages of development:

• Construction on Trains 1 and 2 began in May 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the overall project completion percentage for Trains 1 and 2 was approximately 22.8%, with engineering, procurement and construction approximately 82.0%, 32.0% and less than 1% complete, respectively. The construction of the Corpus Christi Pipeline is planned to commence in 2016.
• We have entered into an SPA for approximately 0.8 mtpa of LNG volumes that commence with Train 3 and will contemplate making an FID to commence construction upon entering into additional SPAs. To date, we have obtained sufficient financing commitments and all necessary regulatory permits required to support the development of Trains 1 through 3.
• Trains 4 and 5 are under development. We have initiated the regulatory process by filing the NEPA pre-filing request with the FERC and requesting authorization from the DOE to export LNG to both FTA and non-FTA countries. In August, the DOE granted authorization to export LNG from Trains 4 and 5 to FTA countries.

Timelines for Liquefaction Projects

Cheniere Energy, Inc. is a Houston-based energy company primarily engaged in LNG-related businesses and owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and Creole Trail Pipeline in Louisiana. Cheniere is pursuing related business opportunities both upstream and downstream of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Through its subsidiary, Cheniere Partners, Cheniere is developing a liquefaction project at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities for up to six Trains, each of which is expected to have a nominal production capacity of approximately 4.5 mtpa of LNG. Construction has begun on Trains 1 through 5 of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project. Cheniere is also developing liquefaction facilities near Corpus Christi, Texas. The Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project is being designed for up to five Trains, with expected aggregate nominal production capacity of approximately 22.5 mtpa of LNG, four LNG storage tanks with capacity of approximately 13.5 Bcfe and two LNG carrier docks. Construction has begun on the first two Trains of the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project. Cheniere has agreed in principle to partner with Parallax Enterprises, LLC for the development of up to 11 mtpa of LNG production capacity through Parallax's two mid-scale natural gas liquefaction projects, Live Oak LNG and Louisiana LNG.

For additional information, please refer to the Cheniere website at www.cheniere.com and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking statements" within the meanings of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are "forward-looking statements." Included among "forward-looking statements" are, among other things, (i) statements regarding Cheniere's business strategy, plans and objectives, including the development, construction and operation of liquefaction facilities, (ii) statements regarding expectations regarding regulatory authorizations and approvals, (iii) statements expressing beliefs and expectations regarding the development of Cheniere's LNG terminal and pipeline businesses, including liquefaction facilities, (iv) statements regarding the business operations and prospects of third parties, (v) statements regarding potential financing arrangements and (vi) statements regarding future discussions and entry into contracts. Although Cheniere believes 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. Cheniere's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in Cheniere's periodic reports that are filed with and available from the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required under the securities laws, Cheniere does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

 (Financial Tables Follow)

As of September 30, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,340.3 million available to Cheniere. In addition, we had current and non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents of $771.1 million (which included current and non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents available to Cheniere Partners, SPL, Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., and Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC.) designated for the following purposes: $327.2 million for the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project, $11.3 million for Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline, L.P., $129.1 million for interest payments related to the Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. senior secured notes, $71.3 million for the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project, and $232.2 million for other restricted purposes.

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SOURCE Cheniere Energy, Inc.