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Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. - Quarter Report: 2007 September (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2007
Table of Contents

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 September 30, 2007

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. 001-33366

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

20-5913059

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

700 Milam Street, Suite 800

Houston, Texas

(Address of principal executive offices)

77002

(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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨                Accelerated filer ¨             Non-accelerated filer x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The issuer had 26,416,357 common units and 135,383,831 subordinated units outstanding as of October 31, 2007.

 



Table of Contents

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

         Page

Part I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

   1
 

Consolidated Combined Balance Sheets

   1
 

Consolidated Combined Statements of Operations

   2
 

Consolidated Combined Statements of Partners’ Capital (Deficit)

   3
 

Consolidated Combined Statements of Cash Flows

   4
 

Notes to Consolidated Combined Financial Statements

   5

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   13

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   21

Item 4.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

   22

Part II.    OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

   22

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

   22

 

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PART I. FI NANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item  1. Consolidated Financial Statements

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

CONSOLIDA TED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

    

Cheniere Energy
Partners, L.P.

September 30,

2007

   

Combined
Predecessor
Entities

December 31,
2006

 
     (unaudited)        
ASSETS     

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 9     $ 7  

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     190,276       176,324  

Accounts receivable

     1,439       —    

Interest receivable

     5,420       5,226  

Advances to affiliate

     1,356       379  

Prepaid expenses

     384       385  
                

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     198,884       182,321  

NON-CURRENT RESTRICTED CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     619,661       982,613  

NON-CURRENT RESTRICTED TREASURY SECURITIES

     75,023       —    

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     1,005,877       651,676  

DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS, NET

     30,859       33,970  

ADVANCES UNDER LONG-TERM CONTRACTS

     31,457       7,250  

OTHER

     66       284  
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,961,827     $ 1,858,114  
                
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (DEFICIT) OR OWNERS’ CAPITAL (DEFICIT)     

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Accounts payable

   $ 89     $ 758  

Accounts payable—affiliate

     61       223  

Accrued liabilities

     89,533       36,670  

Accrued liabilities—affiliate

     435       652  
                

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     90,118       38,303  

LONG-TERM DEBT

     2,032,000       2,032,000  

LONG-TERM DEBT—AFFILIATE

     282       —    

DEFERRED REVENUE

     40,000       40,000  

OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

     2,497       1,149  

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     —         —    

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (DEFICIT) OR OWNERS’ CAPITAL (DEFICIT)

    

Owners’ deficit, including deficits accumulated during development stage of $72,452 at December 31, 2006

     —         (253,338 )

Common unitholders (26,416,357 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2007)

     47,229       —    

Subordinated unitholders (135,383,831 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2007)

     (244,100 )     —    

General Partner interest (2% interest with 3,302,045 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2007)

     (6,199 )     —    
                

TOTAL PARTNERS’ DEFICIT OR OWNERS’ DEFICIT

     (203,070 )     (253,338 )
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ DEFICIT OR OWNERS’ DEFICIT

   $ 1,961,827     $ 1,858,114  
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated combined financial statements.

 

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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

CONSOLIDATED C OMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per unit data)

(unaudited)

 

    For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Period from
October 20,
2003 (Date of
Inception) to
September 30,
2007
 
    2007     2006     2007     2006    

REVENUES

  $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

EXPENSES

         

Legal

    52       2       128       2       2,355  

Professional

    165       59       368       557       1,939  

Technical consulting

    —         26       —         26       4,577  

Outside services

    107       —         107       —         107  

Land site rental

    371       373       1,142       1,144       2,657  

Depreciation expense

    67       13       131       35       194  

Labor and overhead charge from affiliate

    2,332       865       5,924       2,972       13,469  

Development reimbursement to affiliate

    —         4,527       —         4,527       4,527  

Other

    73       35       128       136       543  
                                       

TOTAL EXPENSES

    3,167       5,900       7,928       9,399       30,368  
                                       

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS

    (3,167 )     (5,900 )     (7,928 )     (9,399 )     (30,368 )

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

         

Interest income

    12,625       84       42,020       156       51,467  

Interest expense, net

    (20,570 )     —         (70,053 )     —         (85,517 )

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    —         —         —         —         (23,761 )

Derivative loss, net

    —         (966 )     —         (43 )     (20,234 )
                                       

TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

    (7,945 )     (882 )     (28,033 )     113       (78,045 )
                                       

NET LOSS

  $ (11,112 )   $ (6,782 )   $ (35,961 )   $ (9,286 )   $ (108,413 )
                                       

Less:

         

Net loss through March 25, 2007

        (12,128 )    
               

Net loss for partners from March 26, 2007 through September 30, 2007

      $ (23,833 )    
               

Allocation of net loss:

         

Limited partners’ interest

    (10,890 )       (23,356 )    

General partner’s interest

    (222 )       (477 )    
                     

Net loss for partners

  $ (11,112 )     $ (23,833 )    
                     

Basic and diluted net loss per limited partner unit

  $ (0.07 )     $ (0.14 )    
                     

Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding from the beginning of the period through September 30, 2007 used for basic and diluted net loss per unit calculation:

         

Common units

    26,416         26,416      

Subordinated units

    135,384         135,384      

See accompanying notes to consolidated combined financial statements.

 

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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

CONSOLIDATED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (DEFICIT)

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

    

Owners’

Equity

   

Common

Units

   

Subordinated

Units

   

General

Partner

Units

    Total  

Balance at October 20, 2003

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Net loss

     (2,763 )     —         —         —         (2,763 )
                                        

Balance at December 31, 2003

     (2,763 )     —         —         —         (2,763 )

Distributions

     (10,000 )     —         —         —         (10,000 )

Net loss

     (4,654 )     —         —         —         (4,654 )
                                        

Balance at December 31, 2004

     (17,417 )     —         —         —         (17,417 )

Capital contributions

     161,562       —         —         —         161,562  

Rescinded distribution

     10,000       —         —         —         10,000  

Change in fair value of derivative instrument

     1,814       —         —         —         1,814  

Net loss

     (4,263 )     —         —         —         (4,263 )
                                        

Balance at December 31, 2005

     151,696       —         —         —         151,696  

Capital contributions

     35,900       —         —         —         35,900  

Distributions

     (378,348 )     —         —         —         (378,348 )

Change in fair value of derivative instrument

     (1,814 )     —         —         —         (1,814 )

Net loss

     (60,772 )     —         —         —         (60,772 )
                                        

Balance at December 31, 2006

     (253,338 )     —         —         —         (253,338 )

Net loss through March 25, 2007

     (12,128 )     —         —         —         (12,128 )
                                        

Balance at March 25, 2007

     (265,466 )     —         —         —         (265,466 )

Contribution of net deficit investment to unit holders

     265,466       (35,434 )     (224,556 )     (5,476 )     —    

Proceeds from initial public offering, net of issuance costs

     —         98,442       —         —         98,442  

Net loss from March 26, 2007 through March 31, 2007

     —         (117 )     (598 )     (15 )     (730 )
                                        

Balance at March 31, 2007

     —         62,891       (225,154 )     (5,491 )     (167,754 )

Net loss

     —         (3,695 )     (18,946 )     (462 )     (23,103 )

Distributions

     —         (11,967 )     —         (246 )     (12,213 )
                                        

Balance at September 30, 2007

   $ —       $ 47,229     $ (244,100 )   $ (6,199 )   $ (203,070 )
                                        

See accompanying notes to consolidated combined financial statements.

 

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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

CONSOLIDATED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   

Period from
October 20, 2003
(Date of Inception)
to September 30,

2007

 
     2007     2006    

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net loss

   $ (35,961 )   $ (9,286 )   $ (108,413 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

      

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     131       35       194  

Non-cash derivative gain

     —         368       —    

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     2,843       —         2,925  

Interest income on restricted cash and cash equivalents

     (42,020 )     —         (51,467 )

Use of restricted cash and cash equivalents

     66,328       5,569       61,807  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —         —         23,750  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     8,550       2,810       30,183  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities—affiliate

     (156 )     (120 )     496  

Deferred revenue

     —         —         40,000  

Other

     7       617       232  
                        

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     (278 )     (7 )     (293 )

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Use of (investment in) restricted cash and cash equivalents

     331,402       (7,535 )     (825,697 )

LNG terminal construction-in-progress

     (307,066 )     (293,501 )     (931,453 )

Advances to EPC contractor, net of transfers to construction-in-progress

     —         5,354       —    

Advances under long-term contracts

     (34,567 )     (6,874 )     (41,329 )

Investment in restricted treasury securities

     (75,023 )     —         (75,023 )

Other

     (977 )     (60 )     (1,357 )
                        

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (86,231 )     (302,616 )     (1,874,859 )

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes

     —         —         2,032,000  

Debt issuance costs

     (740 )     (11,507 )     (61,682 )

Use of restricted cash and cash equivalents

     740       —         —    

Proceeds from issuance of common units

     98,442       —         98,442  

Proceeds from subordinated note—affiliate

     —         —         37,377  

Repayment of subordinated note—affiliate

     —         (37,377 )     (37,377 )

Borrowings from Sabine Pass credit facility

     —         351,500       383,400  

Repayment of Sabine Pass credit facility

     —         —         (383,400 )

Distribution to owners

     (12,213 )     —         (390,562 )

Borrowing under long-term debt—affiliate

     282       —         282  

Capital contributions by partner

     —         10       196,681  
                        

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     86,511       302,626       1,875,161  
                        

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     2       3       9  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—beginning of period

     7       5       —    
                        

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—end of period

   $ 9     $ 8     $ 9  
                        

See accompanying notes to consolidated combined financial statements.

 

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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

NOTE 1—Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (“Cheniere Partners”) is a publicly-held limited partnership. As of September 30, 2007, Cheniere Energy, Inc. (“Cheniere Energy”) owned 90.6% of the partnership through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cheniere LNG Holdings, LLC (“Holdings”), Cheniere Subsidiary Holdings, LLC (“Subsidiary Holdings”) and Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC (the “General Partner”). Cheniere Partners is a Delaware limited partnership formed on November 21, 2006 to develop, own and operate the Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) receiving and regasification facility in western Cameron Parish, Louisiana on the Sabine Pass Channel (the “Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal”). Cheniere Partners and Holdings, as a selling unitholder, completed an initial public offering (the “Cheniere Partners Offering”) of Cheniere Partners’ common units on March 26, 2007.

The following entities were included on a combined basis in the accompanying Consolidated Combined Financial Statements for periods prior to the Cheniere Partners Offering because they were entities under common control:

 

   

Cheniere Partners;

 

   

Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC (“Cheniere Investments”) is a Delaware limited liability company owned by Cheniere Partners and was formed on November 21, 2006 to hold 100% of the ownership interests in Sabine Pass GP and Sabine Pass LP;

 

   

Sabine Pass LNG-GP, Inc. (“Sabine Pass GP”) is a Delaware corporation that was owned by Holdings and was formed in 2004 to be the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (“Sabine Pass LNG”);

 

   

Sabine Pass LNG-LP, LLC (“Sabine Pass LP”) is a Delaware limited liability company that was owned by Holdings and was formed in 2004 to be the limited partner of Sabine Pass LNG; and

 

   

Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (“Sabine Pass LNG”) is a Delaware limited partnership formed with one general partner, Sabine Pass GP, and one limited partner, Sabine Pass LP, which owns the entire interest in the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. Sabine Pass LNG is in the development stage, and the purpose of this limited partnership is to own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal.

At the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering on March 26, 2007, the equity interests in Sabine Pass GP and Sabine Pass LP were contributed to Cheniere Investments, thereby resulting in Sabine Pass GP, Sabine Pass LP and Sabine Pass LNG becoming indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Cheniere Partners. From and after the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering, Cheniere Investments and these subsidiaries are consolidated with Cheniere Partners in the accompanying financial statements. As used in these Notes to Consolidated Combined Financial Statements, the terms “Cheniere Partners”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Cheniere Partners and its consolidated subsidiaries effective with the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering and the foregoing entities on a combined basis (the “Combined Predecessor Entities”) prior to the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context.

With the exception of Sabine Pass GP, we are not subject to either federal or state income tax, as the partners are taxed individually on their proportionate share of our earnings. Sabine Pass GP is a corporation and is subject to both federal and state income tax. However, since Sabine Pass GP’s inception, its activities have been strictly limited to holding a non-income or loss bearing general partner interest in Sabine Pass LNG and, thus, this entity has not realized any taxable net income to date and is not expected to realize any taxable net income in the future.

 

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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued

(unaudited)

 

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Combined Financial Statements of Cheniere Partners have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and 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. The Consolidated Combined Financial Statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior period information to the current presentation, including a $179.0 million reclassification between current Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and Non-Current Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents on our December 31, 2006 Consolidated Combined Balance Sheet. The reclassification had no effect on our overall consolidated combined financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of results for the year ended December 31, 2007.

For further information, refer to our combined financial statements and footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2006 included in our Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and declared effective on March 20, 2007.

NOTE 2—Development Stage Operations

We were formed on October 20, 2003 (the earliest formation date of the Combined Predecessor Entities). Operations to date have been devoted to pre-construction and construction activities. Our ultimate profitability will depend on, among other factors, the successful completion of construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and commencement of commercial operation, which is not expected until the second quarter of 2008 at the earliest. As of September 30, 2007, we had a cumulative deficit of $108.4 million.

NOTE 3—Initial Public Offering

Cheniere Partners and Holdings, as a selling unitholder, completed the Cheniere Partners Offering of 13,500,000 Cheniere Partners common units for $21.00 per common unit on March 26, 2007. Cheniere Partners received $98.4 million of net proceeds, after deducting the underwriting discount and structuring fee, upon its issuance of 5,054,164 common units to the public in the Cheniere Partners Offering. Holdings received $164.5 million of net proceeds, after deducting the underwriting discount and structuring fee, upon its sale of 8,445,836 common units. We did not receive any proceeds from the sale of common units by Holdings. Our common units are traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “CQP.”

Upon the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering on March 26, 2007, the following transactions occurred:

 

   

Holdings contributed through us to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Cheniere Investments, all of its equity interests in Sabine Pass GP and Sabine Pass LP, which own all of the equity interests in Sabine Pass LNG;

 

   

Cheniere Partners issued to Holdings 21,362,193 common units and 135,383,831 subordinated units;

 

   

Cheniere Partners issued to our general partner, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, 3,302,045 general partner units representing a 2% general partner interest in us and all of our incentive

 

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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued

(unaudited)

 

 

distribution rights, which will entitle our general partner to increasing percentages of the cash that we distribute in excess of $0.489 per unit per quarter;

 

   

we issued 5,054,164 common units to the public in the Cheniere Partners Offering;

 

   

Holdings sold 8,445,836 common units to the public in the Cheniere Partners Offering, after which Holdings and the public held an aggregate 89.8% and 8.2% limited partner interest in us, respectively;

 

   

our general partner entered into a services agreement with an affiliate of Cheniere Energy under which the affiliate will provide various general and administrative services for an annual administrative fee of $10.0 million (adjusted for inflation after January 1, 2007), with payment commencing January 1, 2009; and

 

   

our general partner entered into a services and secondment agreement with an affiliate of Cheniere Energy pursuant to which certain employees of the Cheniere Energy affiliate have been seconded to our general partner to provide operating and routine maintenance services with respect to the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal.

We used all of our net proceeds of $98.4 million from the sale of our common units in the Cheniere Partners Offering to purchase U.S. treasury securities that funded a distribution reserve for payment of initial quarterly distributions of $0.425 per common unit, as well as related quarterly distributions to our general partner, through the quarterly distribution to be made in respect of the quarter ending June 30, 2009.

NOTE 4—Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Treasury Securities

In November 2006, Sabine Pass LNG consummated a private offering of an aggregate principal amount of $2,032.0 million of senior secured notes consisting of $550.0 million of 7.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (the “2013 Notes”) and $1,482.0 million of 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (the “2016 Notes” and, collectively with the 2013 Notes, the “Sabine Pass LNG notes”) (see Note 7—Long-Term Debt). Under the terms and conditions of the Sabine Pass LNG notes, Sabine Pass LNG was required to fund cash reserve accounts for $335.0 million related to future interest payments through May 2009 and approximately $887.0 million to pay the remaining costs to complete the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. These cash accounts are primarily controlled by a collateral trustee, and therefore, are shown as Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents on the accompanying Consolidated Combined Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, $190.3 million and $176.3 million, respectively, of cash restricted for future interest payments due within one year and accrued construction costs have been classified as a current asset, and $619.7 million and $982.6 million, respectively, of cash restricted for remaining construction costs and future interest payments due beyond one year have been classified as a non-current asset on the accompanying Consolidated Combined Balance Sheets.

At the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering discussed above in Note 3, we funded a distribution reserve of $98.4 million, which was invested in U.S. treasury securities. The distribution reserve, including interest earned, will be used to pay quarterly distributions of $0.425 per common unit for all common units, as well as related distributions to our general partner, through the distribution made in respect of the quarter ending June 30, 2009. The U.S. treasury securities were acquired at a discount from their maturity values equal to an average of approximately 4.87% per year. In May and August of 2007, we used the distribution reserve to pay cash distributions to our unitholders. As of September 30, 2007, we classified the $75.0 million balance of U.S. treasury securities as Non-Current Restricted Treasury Securities on our Consolidated Combined Balance Sheet, as these securities had maturities greater than three months.

 

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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued

(unaudited)

 

NOTE 5—Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is comprised of LNG terminal construction-in-progress expenditures, LNG site and related costs and fixed assets, as follows (in thousands):

 

    

September 30,

2007

   

December 31,

2006

 

LNG TERMINAL COSTS

    

LNG terminal construction-in-progress

   $ 1,004,984     $ 651,369  

LNG site and related costs, net

     192       197  
                

Total LNG terminal costs

     1,005,176       651,566  

FIXED ASSETS

    

Computer and office equipment

     183       31  

Furniture and fixtures

     5       —    

Computer software

     36       33  

Leasehold improvements

     11       10  

Vehicles

     253       99  

Machinery and equipment

     403       —    

Accumulated depreciation

     (190 )     (63 )
                

Total fixed assets, net

     701       110  
                

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

   $ 1,005,877     $ 651,676  
                

Once the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal is placed into service, the LNG terminal construction-in-progress costs will be depreciated using the straight-line depreciation method. We are in the process of determining the most appropriate approach in grouping identifiable components with similar estimated useful lives. Estimated useful lives for components, once construction is completed, are currently estimated to range between 10 and 50 years.

Costs associated with the construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal have been capitalized as construction-in-progress since the date the project satisfied our criteria for capitalization. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, we capitalized $46.1 million and $12.2 million, respectively, of interest expense, which consisted primarily of interest expense qualifying to be capitalized, amortization of debt issuance costs and commitment fees related to the Sabine Pass LNG notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and a Sabine Pass LNG credit facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

NOTE 6—Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

    

September 30,

2007

  

December 31,

2006

Interest and related debt fees

   $ 50,761    $ 21,815

LNG terminal construction costs

     38,696      13,899

Affiliate

     435      652

Other

     76      956
             
   $ 89,968    $ 37,322
             

 

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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued

(unaudited)

 

NOTE 7—Long-Term Debt

As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, our long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

    

September 30,

2007

  

December 31,

2006

Sabine Pass LNG Notes

   $ 2,032,000    $ 2,032,000

Long-Term Note—Affiliate

     282      —  
             

Total Long-Term Debt

   $ 2,032,282    $ 2,032,000
             

Sabine Pass LNG Notes

In November 2006, Sabine Pass LNG consummated a private offering of an aggregate principal amount of $2,032.0 million of Sabine Pass LNG notes, consisting of $550.0 million of the 2013 Notes and $1,482.0 million of the 2016 Notes. In August 2007, Sabine Pass LNG concluded an exchange offer of its unregistered 2013 Notes and 2016 Notes for a like principal amount of notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

Interest on the Sabine Pass LNG notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 30 and November 30 of each year, beginning May 30, 2007. The Sabine Pass LNG 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 indenture governing the Sabine Pass LNG notes, except for permitted tax distributions, Sabine Pass LNG may not make distributions until certain conditions are satisfied. The indenture requires that Sabine Pass LNG apply its net operating cash flow (i) first, to fund with monthly deposits its next semiannual payment of approximately $75.5 million of interest on the Sabine Pass LNG notes, and (ii) second, to fund a one-time, permanent debt service reserve fund equal to one semiannual interest payment of approximately $75.5 million on the Sabine Pass LNG notes. Distributions from Sabine Pass LNG will be permitted only after phase 1 target completion, as defined in the indenture governing the Sabine Pass LNG notes, or such earlier date as project revenues are received, upon satisfaction of the foregoing funding requirements, after satisfying a fixed charge coverage ratio test of 2:1 and after satisfying other conditions specified in the indenture.

Long-Term Note—Affiliate

In March 2007, we entered into a $12.0 million unsecured revolving credit note with Cheniere LNG Financial Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, to be paid upon demand but no sooner than January 1, 2010, or the date on which we have sufficient available cash. The purpose of this note is to provide funds for the payment of certain public company and other expenses that cannot be funded by the Sabine Pass LNG notes. Borrowings under this note bear interest at a fixed 7.50% rate with unpaid interest compounded semi-annually. The outstanding principal plus interest as of September 30, 2007, was $282,000.

NOTE 8—Description of Equity Interests

The common units and subordinated units represent limited partner interests in us. The holders of the units are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and exercise the rights and privileges available to limited

 

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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued

(unaudited)

 

partners under our partnership agreement. On May 31, 2007, Holdings contributed all of its 135,383,831 subordinated units to Subsidiary Holdings.

The common units and general partner units have the right to receive minimum quarterly distributions of $0.425 and $0.069 per unit, respectively, plus any arrearages thereon, before any distribution is made to the holders of the subordinated units.

During the subordination period, the subordinated units will not be entitled to receive any distributions until the common units have received $0.425 per unit plus any arrearages from prior quarters. Subordinated units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis when the subordination period ends. The subordination period will end when we meet financial tests specified in the partnership agreement, but it generally cannot end before June 30, 2008.

The general partner interest is entitled to at least 2% of all distributions made by us. In addition, the general partner holds incentive distribution rights, which allow the general partner to receive a higher percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum distributions have been achieved and as additional target levels are met. The higher percentages range from 15% up to 50%.

NOTE 9—Advances Under Long-Term Contracts

We have entered into certain engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) contracts and purchase agreements related to the construction of our Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal that require us to make payments to fund costs that will be incurred or equipment that will be received in the future. Advances made under long-term contracts on purchase commitments are carried at face value and transferred to Property, Plant, and Equipment as the costs are incurred or equipment is received. As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, our Advances Under Long-term Contracts were $31.5 million and $7.3 million, respectively.

NOTE 10—Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of financial instruments is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged currently between willing parties. The carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Combined 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. We use available market data and valuation methodologies to estimate the fair value of debt. This disclosure is presented in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, and does not impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Financial Instruments (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2007    December 31, 2006
    

Carrying

Amount

   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value

2013 Notes (1)

   $ 550,000    $ 541,750    $ 550,000    $ 547,250

2016 Notes (1)

     1,482,000      1,452,360      1,482,000      1,478,295

Note to Affiliate (2)

     282      282      —        —  

Restricted Treasury Securities (3)

     75,203      77,279      —        —  

 

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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued

(unaudited)

 


(1) The fair value of the Sabine Pass LNG notes was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who made markets in these and similar instruments as of September 28, 2007 and December 29, 2006.
(2) The Note to Affiliate bears interest at a fixed 7.50% rate. Management estimates that the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of the fair value as of September 30, 2007.
(3) The fair value of our Restricted Treasury Securities was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who made markets in these and similar instruments as of September 28, 2007.

NOTE 11—Related Party Transactions

As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, we had $1.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of advances to affiliates.

Under the service agreements described below, we paid $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, we paid $3.9 million. For the period from October 20, 2003 (date of inception) to September 30, 2007, we paid $13.1 million.

TUA Agreement

Cheniere Marketing (“Cheniere Marketing”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, has reserved approximately 2.0 billion cubic feet per day (“Bcf/d”) of regasification capacity under a firm commitment terminal use agreement (“TUA”) and has agreed to make monthly payments to Sabine Pass LNG aggregating approximately $250.0 million per year for at least 19 years commencing January 1, 2009, plus payments of $5.0 million per month in 2008 commencing with commercial operations. Cheniere Energy has guaranteed Cheniere Marketing’s obligations under its TUA.

Service Agreements

Operation and Maintenance Agreement

In February 2005, Sabine Pass LNG entered into an Operation and Maintenance Agreement (“O&M Agreement”) with Cheniere LNG O&M Services, L.P. (“O&M Services”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy. Pursuant to the O&M Agreement, O&M Services has agreed to provide all necessary services required to construct, operate and maintain the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. The O&M Agreement will remain in effect until 20 years after substantial completion of the facility. Prior to substantial completion of the facility, Sabine Pass LNG is required to pay a fixed monthly fee of $95,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010). The fixed monthly fee will increase to $130,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010) upon substantial completion of the facility, and O&M Services may thereafter be entitled to a bonus equal to 50% of the salary component of labor costs in certain circumstances to be agreed upon between Sabine Pass LNG and O&M Services at the beginning of each operating year. In addition, Sabine Pass LNG is required to reimburse O&M Services for expenditures incurred by O&M Services on behalf of Sabine Pass LNG for operating expenses, which are comprised of labor, maintenance, land lease and insurance expenses and for maintenance capital expenditures.

Upon the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering, O&M Services assigned the O&M Agreement to our general partner, and O&M Services and our general partner entered into a services and secondment agreement pursuant to which certain employees of O&M Services have been seconded to our general partner to provide operating and routine maintenance services with respect to the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal under the

 

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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

A DEVELOPMENT STAGE ENTERPRISE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued

(unaudited)

 

direction, supervision and control of our general partner. Under this agreement, our general partner pays O&M Services amounts that it receives from Sabine Pass LNG under the O&M Agreement.

Management Services Agreements

In February 2005, Sabine Pass LNG entered into a Management Services Agreement (the “Sabine Pass LNG MSA”) with its general partner, Sabine Pass GP, which is our wholly-owned subsidiary. Pursuant to the Sabine Pass LNG MSA, Sabine Pass LNG appointed its general partner to manage the construction and operation of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, excluding those matters provided for under the O&M Agreement. The Sabine Pass LNG MSA terminates 20 years after the commercial start date set forth in the Total LNG USA, Inc. (“Total”) TUA. Prior to substantial completion of construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, Sabine Pass LNG is required to pay its general partner a monthly fixed fee of $340,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010); thereafter, the monthly fixed fee will increase to $520,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010).

In September 2006, the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG entered into a Management Services Agreement (the “General Partner MSA”) with Cheniere LNG Terminals, Inc. (“Cheniere Terminals”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy. Pursuant to this agreement, Cheniere Terminals provides the general partner with technical, financial, staffing and related support necessary to allow it to meet its obligations to Sabine Pass LNG under the Sabine Pass LNG MSA. Under this agreement with Cheniere Terminals, the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG pays Cheniere Terminals amounts that it receives from Sabine Pass LNG for management of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal.

Services Agreement

We entered into a services agreement with Cheniere Terminals upon the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering. Under this agreement, we will pay Cheniere Terminals an annual administrative fee of $10.0 million (adjusted for inflation after January 1, 2007) commencing January 1, 2009 for the provision of various general and administrative services provided for our benefit and will reimburse Cheniere Terminals for its services in an amount equal to the sum of all out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Cheniere Terminals that are directly related to our business or activities. The annual administrative fee includes expenses incurred by Cheniere Terminals to perform all technical, commercial, regulatory, financial, accounting, treasury, tax and legal staffing and related support and all management and other services necessary or reasonably requested on behalf of our partnership by our general partner in order to conduct our business as contemplated by our partnership agreement.

NOTE 12—Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Disclosures of Non-Cash Transactions

The following table provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (in thousands):

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

  

Period from

October 20, 2003

(Date of Inception)

to September 30,

2007

     2007    2006   

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized

   $ 38,242    $ —      $ 38,242

Construction-in-progress additions recorded as accrued liabilities

   $ 47,227    $ 37,030    $ 47,227

 

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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 are “forward-looking statements.” Included among “forward-looking statements” are, among other things:

 

   

statements regarding our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders;

 

   

statements relating to the construction and operation of the Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) receiving terminal, 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 and storage capacity, the number of storage tanks and docks, pipeline deliverability and the number of pipeline interconnections, if any;

 

   

statements relating to the construction and operation of facilities related to the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal;

 

   

our expected receipt of cash distributions from Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (“Sabine Pass LNG”);

 

   

statements regarding any financing transactions or arrangements, or ability to enter into such transactions or arrangements;

 

   

statements regarding any terminal use agreement (“TUA”) or other agreement to be entered into or 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 capacity that are, or may become, subject to TUAs or other contracts;

 

   

statements regarding counterparties to our TUAs, construction contracts and other contracts;

 

   

statements regarding any business strategy, any business plans or any other plans, forecasts, projections or objectives, any or all of which are subject to change;

 

   

statements regarding any assumptions, estimates, projections or conclusions;

 

   

statements regarding conflicts of interest with Cheniere Energy, Inc. (“Cheniere Energy”) and its affiliates;

 

   

statements regarding legislative, governmental, regulatory, administrative or other public body actions, requirements, permits, investigations, proceedings or decisions; and

 

   

any other statements that relate to non-historical or future information.

These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of terms such as “achieve,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “plan,” “project,” “propose,” “strategy” and similar terms. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they 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 speak only as of the date of this quarterly report.

As used herein, the terms “Cheniere Partners,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries effective March 26, 2007 upon the closing of its initial public offering described below, and to certain entities under common control prior to March 26, 2007 as described in Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Combined Financial Statements, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context.

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 Registration Statement on

 

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Form S-1, as amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and declared effective on March 20, 2007. 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.

BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

General

We are a publicly-held, Delaware limited partnership formed on November 21, 2006, by Cheniere Energy to develop, own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal currently under construction in western Cameron Parish, Louisiana on the Sabine Pass Channel. We are a development stage company without any revenues, operating cash flows or operating history. We currently do not expect that we will begin receiving any revenues from operations until the second quarter of 2008, at the earliest.

On March 26, 2007, we and Cheniere LNG Holdings, LLC (“Holdings”), a subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, completed a public offering of a total of 13,500,000 Cheniere Partners common units (the “Cheniere Partners Offering”). We received $98.4 million of net proceeds, after deducting the underwriting discount and structuring fees, upon issuance of 5,054,164 common units to the public in the Cheniere Partners Offering. We invested the $98.4 million of net proceeds we received from the Cheniere Partners Offering in U.S. treasury securities to fund a distribution reserve. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash Distributions to Unitholders” below.

As part of the Cheniere Partners Offering, Holdings, as a selling unitholder, received $164.5 million of net proceeds in connection with its sale of 8,445,836 Cheniere Partners common units. In April 2007, the underwriters of the Cheniere Partners Offering exercised their over-allotment option to purchase an additional 2,025,000 common units held by Holdings, with Holdings receiving all of the proceeds of the sale. As a result of these transactions, Cheniere Energy reduced its ownership interest in us to approximately 90.6%.

Our LNG Receiving Terminal Business

Our sole business is the development of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal currently under construction by our wholly-owned limited partnership, Sabine Pass LNG. We have entered into long-term TUAs with Total LNG USA, Inc. (“Total”), Chevron USA, Inc. (“Chevron”) and Cheniere Marketing, Inc. (“Cheniere Marketing”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, for an aggregate of 4.0 billion cubic feet per day (“Bcf/d”) of the available regasification capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal commenced in March 2005. We anticipate commencing commercial operation during the second quarter of 2008 with initial send out capacity of 2.6 Bcf/d and storage capacity of 10.1 Bcf. We expect to achieve full operability at 4.0 Bcf/d in the second quarter of 2009.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

General

The Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal project will require significant amounts of capital and is subject to risks and delays in completion. Even if successfully completed, the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal is not expected to begin to operate and generate significant cash flows before the second quarter of 2008.

We estimate that the aggregate cost to complete construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal will be approximately $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion, before financing costs. Our cost estimates are subject to change due to such items as cost overruns, change orders, increased component and material costs, escalation of labor costs and increased spending to maintain our construction schedule. As of September 30, 2007, we had incurred $940.5 million of construction costs.

 

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We currently expect that our capital resources requirements will be financed through the proceeds received from the issuance by Sabine Pass LNG of $2,032.0 million of senior secured notes (the “Sabine Pass LNG notes”) and cash flows under our three TUAs. We believe that we have adequate financial resources to complete the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and to meet our anticipated operating, maintenance and debt service requirements through the first half of 2009. Furthermore, we anticipate that:

 

   

our cash flows from operations will commence in the second quarter of 2008, when the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal is anticipated to commence commercial operation; and

 

   

beginning in the third quarter of 2009, cash flows from operations will be sufficient to cover all debt service on the Sabine Pass LNG notes and all of our other operating and maintenance costs.

To service our indebtedness, we will require significant amounts of cash. Prolonged delays in construction could prevent us from commencing operations when we anticipate and could prevent us from realizing anticipated cash flows. Our future liquidity may also be affected by the timing of construction financing availability in relation to our incurrence of construction costs and other outflows and by receipt of cash flows under the TUAs in relation to our incurrence of project and operating expenses. Moreover, many factors (including factors beyond our control) could result in a disparity between our liquidity sources and cash needs, including factors such as construction delays and breaches of construction agreements. After the construction period, our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, currently anticipated costs may increase or future borrowings may not be available to us in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the Sabine Pass LNG notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs, including operating expenses. The operation of our business is subject to many risks (many of which are beyond our control), including general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other developments.

Capital Resources

Customer TUAs

Each of the customers at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal must make capacity reservation fee payments under its TUA, which means that the customer will be obligated to pay the full contracted amount of monthly fees whether or not it uses any of its reserved capacity. Provided the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal has achieved commercial operation, which we expect will occur during the second quarter of 2008, these capacity reservation fee TUA payments will be made as follows:

 

   

Total has reserved approximately 1.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity and has agreed to make monthly payments to Sabine Pass LNG aggregating approximately $125.0 million per year for 20 years commencing April 1, 2009. Total, S.A. has guaranteed Total’s obligations under its TUA up to $2.5 billion, subject to certain exceptions;

 

   

Chevron has reserved approximately 1.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity and has agreed to make monthly payments to Sabine Pass LNG aggregating approximately $125.0 million per year for 20 years commencing not later than July 1, 2009. Chevron Corporation has guaranteed Chevron’s obligations under its TUA up to 80% of the fees payable by Chevron; and

 

   

Cheniere Marketing has reserved approximately 2.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity, is entitled to use any capacity not utilized by Total and Chevron and has agreed to make monthly payments to Sabine Pass LNG aggregating approximately $250.0 million per year for at least 19 years commencing January 1, 2009, plus payments of $5.0 million per month in 2008 commencing with commercial operations. Cheniere Energy has guaranteed Cheniere Marketing’s obligations under its TUA.

Each of Total and Chevron has paid us $20.0 million in nonrefundable advance capacity reservation fees, which will be amortized over a 10-year period as a reduction of each customer’s capacity reservation fees payable under its TUA.

 

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Use of Capital

Cash Distributions to Unitholders

For each calendar quarter through June 30, 2009, we will make initial quarterly cash distributions of $0.425 per unit on all outstanding common units, as well as related distributions to our general partner, using cash from the distribution reserve that was funded with the $98.4 million net proceeds received from the Cheniere Partners Offering. In May and August 2007, we used the distribution reserve to pay a cash distribution to unitholders. The initial distribution reflected the pro rata share of the partnership’s minimum quarterly distribution and covered the time period from the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering on March 26, 2007 through March 31, 2007. We believe that the amount of the distribution reserve, together with interest expected to be earned on that amount and cash from operations, if any, will be sufficient to allow us to pay the full quarterly distribution on all of our outstanding common units, as well as related distributions to our general partner, for each quarter through June 30, 2009. After the quarter ending June 30, 2009, we intend to pay distributions to our unitholders primarily from operating cash flows.

Related Party Services Agreements

Operation and Maintenance Agreement. In February 2005, Sabine Pass LNG entered into an Operation and Maintenance Agreement (“O&M Agreement”) with Cheniere LNG O&M Services, L.P. (“O&M Services”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy. Pursuant to the O&M Agreement, O&M Services has agreed to provide all necessary services required to construct, operate and maintain the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. The O&M Agreement will remain in effect until 20 years after substantial completion of the facility. Prior to substantial completion of the facility, Sabine Pass LNG is required to pay a fixed monthly fee of $95,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010). The fixed monthly fee will increase to $130,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010) upon substantial completion of the facility, and O&M Services will thereafter be entitled to a bonus equal to 50% of the salary component of labor costs in certain circumstances to be agreed upon between Sabine Pass LNG and O&M Services at the beginning of each operating year. In addition, Sabine Pass LNG is required to reimburse O&M Services for expenditures incurred by O&M Services on behalf of Sabine Pass LNG for operating expenses, which are comprised of labor, maintenance, land lease and insurance expenses and for maintenance capital expenditures.

Upon the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering, O&M Services assigned the O&M Agreement to our general partner, and O&M Services and our general partner entered into a services and secondment agreement pursuant to which certain employees of O&M Services have been seconded to our general partner to provide operating and routine maintenance services with respect to the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal under the direction, supervision and control of our general partner. Under this agreement, our general partner pays O&M Services amounts that it receives from Sabine Pass LNG under the O&M Agreement.

Management Services Agreements. In February 2005, Sabine Pass LNG entered into a Management Services Agreement (the “Sabine Pass LNG MSA”) with its general partner, Sabine Pass LNG–GP, Inc., which is our wholly-owned subsidiary. Pursuant to the Sabine Pass LNG MSA, Sabine Pass LNG appointed its general partner to manage the construction and operation of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, excluding those matters provided for under the O&M Agreement. The Sabine Pass LNG MSA terminates 20 years after the commercial start date set forth in the Total TUA. Prior to substantial completion of construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, Sabine Pass LNG is required to pay its general partner a monthly fixed fee of $340,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010); thereafter, the monthly fixed fee will increase to $520,000 (indexed for inflation beginning in 2010).

In September 2006, the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG entered into a Management Services Agreement with Cheniere LNG Terminals, Inc. (“Cheniere Terminals”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy. Pursuant to this agreement, Cheniere Terminals provides the general partner with technical, financial, staffing and related support necessary to allow it to meet its obligations to Sabine Pass LNG under the Sabine Pass LNG MSA. Under this agreement with Cheniere Terminals, the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG pays Cheniere Terminals amounts that it receives from Sabine Pass LNG for management of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal.

 

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Services Agreement. We entered into a services agreement with Cheniere Terminals upon the closing of the Cheniere Partners Offering. Under this agreement, we will pay Cheniere Terminals an annual administrative fee of $10.0 million (adjusted for inflation after January 1, 2007) commencing January 1, 2009 for the provision of various general and administrative services provided for our benefit and will reimburse Cheniere Terminals for its services in an amount equal to the sum of all out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by Cheniere Terminals that are directly related to our business or activities. The annual administrative fee includes expenses incurred by Cheniere Terminals to perform all technical, commercial, regulatory, financial, accounting, treasury, tax and legal staffing and related support and all management and other services necessary or reasonably requested on our behalf by our general partner in order to conduct our business as contemplated by our partnership agreement.

Public Company Expenses

As a public company we incur certain expenses that cannot be paid with proceeds from borrowings under our Sabine Pass LNG notes. In March 2007, we entered into a $12.0 million unsecured revolving note with Cheniere LNG Financial Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, which allows us to borrow funds to pay these expenses as required. The note bears interest at a rate of 7.50% with unpaid interest compounded semi-annually. This unsecured revolving note is repayable on demand but no sooner than the earlier of January 1, 2010 or the date on which we have sufficient available cash.

State Tax Sharing Agreement

In November 2006, Sabine Pass LNG entered into a state tax sharing agreement with Cheniere Energy. Under this agreement, Cheniere Energy has agreed to prepare and file all Texas franchise tax returns which it and Sabine Pass LNG are required to file on a combined basis and to timely pay the combined tax liability. If Cheniere Energy, in its sole discretion, demands payment, Sabine Pass LNG will pay to Cheniere Energy an amount equal to the Texas franchise tax that Sabine Pass LNG would be required to pay if its Texas franchise tax liability were computed on a separate company basis. This agreement contains similar provisions for other state and local taxes that Cheniere Energy and Sabine Pass LNG are required to file on a combined, consolidated or unitary basis. The agreement is effective for tax returns first due on or after January 1, 2008.

Other Capital Resources

Sabine Pass LNG Notes

In November 2006, Sabine Pass LNG consummated a private offering of an aggregate principal amount of $2,032.0 million of Sabine Pass LNG notes, consisting of $550.0 million of 7.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 and $1,482.0 million of 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2016. In August 2007, Sabine Pass LNG concluded an exchange offer of its unregistered 2013 Notes and 2016 Notes for a like principal amount of notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933. In August 2007, Sabine Pass LNG concluded an exchange of $525.0 million of the 2013 Notes and $1,482.0 million of the 2016 Notes for publicly registered notes.

We placed $335.0 million of the net proceeds in a reserve account to fund scheduled interest payments on the Sabine Pass LNG notes through May 2009. We also placed approximately $887.0 million in a construction account, which, until satisfaction of construction completion milestones, will only be applied to pay construction and startup costs of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and to pay other expenses incidental for us to complete construction of the project. We used the remaining net proceeds received from the issuance of the Sabine Pass LNG notes to repay indebtedness, to make a distribution to Holdings for the repayment of its outstanding term loan and to pay fees and expenses related to the issuance of the Sabine Pass LNG notes.

Interest on the Sabine Pass LNG notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 30 and November 30 of each year, beginning May 30, 2007. The Sabine Pass LNG 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.

 

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Under the indenture governing the Sabine Pass LNG notes, except for permitted tax distributions, Sabine Pass LNG may not make distributions until certain conditions are satisfied. The indenture requires that Sabine Pass LNG apply its net operating cash flow (i) first, to fund with monthly deposits its next semiannual payment of approximately $75.5 million of interest on the Sabine Pass LNG notes, and (ii) second, to fund a one-time, permanent debt service reserve fund equal to one semiannual interest payment of approximately $75.5 million on the Sabine Pass LNG notes. Distributions will be permitted only after phase 1 target completion, as defined in the indenture governing the Sabine Pass LNG notes, or such earlier date as project revenues are received, upon satisfaction of the foregoing funding requirements, after satisfying a fixed charge coverage ratio test of 2:1 and after satisfying other conditions specified in the indenture.

Long-Term Note—Affiliate

In March 2007, we entered into a $12.0 million unsecured revolving credit note with Cheniere LNG Financial Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, to be paid upon demand but no sooner than January 1, 2010, or the date on which we have sufficient available cash. The purpose of this note is to provide funds for the payment of certain public company and other expenses that cannot be funded by the Sabine Pass LNG notes. Borrowings under this note bear interest at a fixed 7.50% rate with unpaid interest compounded semi-annually. The outstanding principal of the note plus interest as of September 30, 2007, was $282,000.

Historical Cash Flows

The following table summarizes the changes in our cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands). Additional discussions of the key elements contributing to these changes follow the table.

 

    

For the Nine Months
Ended

September 30,

 
     2007     2006  

Cash provided by (used in):

    

Operating activities

   $ (278 )   $ (7 )

Investing activities

     (86,231 )     (302,616 )

Financing activities

     86,511       302,626  
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2     $ 3  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 9     $ 8  
                

Operating Activities—Net cash used in operating activities was $0.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $7,000 during the same period of 2006. The net $0.3 million amount used in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007 resulted from the funding of our operating activities primarily through the use of restricted cash and cash equivalents, as all cash and cash equivalents received from the issuance of the Sabine Pass LNG notes are restricted under the terms of the indenture. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, $66.3 million restricted cash was used in operating activities, compared to $5.6 million used in the same period of 2006. The lack of cash generated from operating activities is the direct result of the continued development of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal business. Operations to date have been devoted to pre-construction and construction activities.

Investing Activities—Net cash used in investing activities was $86.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $302.6 million during the same period of 2006. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we invested $307.1 million in the construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, and $34.6 million in advances under long-term contracts relating to the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, which were primarily funded by the use of $331.4 million of restricted cash

 

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and cash equivalents. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we invested $75.0 million in treasury securities from the net proceeds of our Cheniere Partners Offering that will be used to pay the $0.425 quarterly distribution on all common units, as well as related distributions to our general partner, through the distribution made in respect of the quarter ending June 30, 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we invested $293.5 million in the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal for construction costs, and $6.9 million in advances under long-term contracts relating to the construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal.

Financing Activates—Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $86.5 million compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $302.6 million during the same period in 2006. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we received net proceeds of $98.4 million from the issuance of our common units in connection with our Cheniere Partners Offering. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we received $351.5 million of proceeds from borrowings under the credit facility, which was subsequently terminated in connection with the issuance of the Sabine Pass LNG notes and resulted in our paying $11.5 million of debt issuance costs.

Our cash and cash equivalent ending balances were $9,000 and $7,000 as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, as substantially all cash and cash equivalents were restricted under the terms of the indenture governing the Sabine Pass LNG notes.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2007, we had no off-balance sheet debt or other such unrecorded obligations, and we have not guaranteed the debt of any other party.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

Overview

Our financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2007 reflected a net loss of $11.1 million, compared to a net loss of $6.8 million in the same period in 2006. Because we are a development stage company and our operations consist solely of constructing the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, we have not generated any operating revenues since inception.

Expenses

Total expenses decreased $2.7 million, or 45.8%, to $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $5.9 million in the same period in 2006. During the third quarter of 2006, we recognized $4.5 million in development expenses due to a reimbursement to an affiliate. Not including the impact of the recognition of this reimbursement, there was an increase in expenses of $1.8 million. The increase was primarily attributable to labor charges from an affiliate. Most of these labor charges were related to O&M Services’ employees who will ultimately be operating the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a substantial portion of these costs was expensed as it related to training and other activities not subject to capitalization.

Other Income (Expense)

Total other expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $7.9 million compared to other expenses of $0.9 million in the same period in 2006. The increase in other expense related to an increase in interest expense partially offset by an increase in interest income. Interest expense increased due to our average

 

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debt balance being much larger during the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006 as a result of the Sabine Pass LNG notes being outstanding, during which time the interest expense exceeded the amount of interest subject to capitalization. In the three months ended September 30, 2006, all of our interest expense incurred under the Sabine Pass credit facility in place at that time was subject to capitalization. Interest income increased in the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006 due to a significantly higher restricted cash and cash equivalent average balance during the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to a nominal restricted cash and cash equivalent average balance in the same period of 2006.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

Overview

Our financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 reflected a net loss of $36.0 million, compared to a net loss of $9.3 million in the same period in 2006. Because we are a development stage company and our operations consist solely of constructing the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, we have not generated any operating revenues since inception.

Expenses

Total expenses decreased $1.5 million, or 16.0%, to $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $9.4 million in the same period in 2006. During the third quarter of 2006, we recognized $4.5 million in development expenses due to a reimbursement to an affiliate. Not including the impact of the recognition of this reimbursement, there was an increase in expenses of $3.0 million. The increase was primarily attributable to labor charges from an affiliate. Most of these labor charges were related to O&M Services’ employees who will ultimately be operating the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a substantial portion of these costs was expensed as it related to training and other activities not subject to capitalization.

Other Income (Expense)

Total other expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $28.0 million compared to other income of $0.1 million in the same period in 2006. The increase in other expense related to an increase in interest expense not subject to capitalization partially offset by an increase in interest income. Interest expense increased due to our average debt balance being much larger in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as a result of the Sabine Pass LNG notes being outstanding, during which time the interest expense exceeded the amount of interest subject to capitalization. In the nine months ended September 30, 2006, all of our interest expense incurred under the Sabine Pass credit facility in place at that time was subject to capitalization. Interest income increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006 due to a significantly higher restricted cash and cash equivalent average balance during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to a nominal restricted cash and cash equivalent average balance in the same period of 2006.

OTHER MATTERS

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

The selection and application of accounting policies is an important process that has developed as our business activities have evolved and as the accounting rules have developed. Accounting rules generally do not involve a selection among alternatives but involve an implementation and interpretation of existing rules, and the use of judgment, to the specific set of circumstances existing in our business. We make every effort to comply properly with all applicable rules on or before their adoption, and we believe that the proper implementation and

 

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consistent application of the accounting rules are critical. However, not all situations are specifically addressed in the accounting literature. In these cases, we must use our best judgment to adopt a policy for accounting for these situations. We accomplish this by analogizing to similar situations and the accounting guidance governing them.

Accounting for LNG Activities

Generally, expenditures for direct construction activities, major renewals and betterments are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs and general and administrative activities are charged to expense as incurred. Beginning in 2006, site rental costs have been expensed as required by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position 13-1, Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred During a Construction Period.

During the construction period of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, we capitalize interest and other related debt costs in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 34, Capitalization of Interest Cost, as amended by SFAS No. 58, Capitalization of Interest Cost in Financial Statements That Include Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method (an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 34). Upon commencement of operations, capitalized interest, as a component of the total cost, will be amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset.

Revenue Recognition

LNG receiving terminal capacity reservation fees are recognized as revenue over the term of the respective TUAs. Advance capacity reservation fees are deferred initially and recognized as earned.

Cash Flow Hedges

As defined in SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, cash flow hedge transactions hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows (i.e., in our case, the variability of floating interest rate exposure). In the case of cash flow hedges, the hedged item (the underlying risk) is generally unrecognized (i.e., not recorded on the balance sheet prior to settlement), and any changes in the fair value, therefore, will not be recorded within earnings. Conceptually, if a cash flow hedge is effective, this means that a variable, such as a movement in interest rates, has been effectively fixed so that any fluctuations will have no net result on either cash flows or earnings. Therefore, if the changes in fair value of the hedged item are not recorded in earnings, then the changes in fair value of the hedging instrument (the derivative) must also be excluded from the income statement or else a one-sided net impact on earnings will be reported, despite the fact that the establishment of the effective hedge results in no net economic impact. To prevent such a scenario from occurring, SFAS No. 133 requires that the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge be recorded as an asset or liability on the balance sheet, but with the offset reported as part of other comprehensive income, to the extent that the hedge is effective. We assess, both at the inception of each hedge and on an on-going basis, whether the derivatives that are used in our hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. On an on-going basis, we monitor the actual dollar offset of the hedges’ market values compared to hypothetical cash flow hedges. Any ineffective portion will be reflected in earnings. Ineffectiveness is the amount of gains or losses from derivative instruments that are not offset by corresponding and opposite gains or losses on the expected future transaction.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We have cash investments that we manage based on internal investment guidelines that emphasize liquidity and preservation of capital. Such cash investments are stated at historical cost, which approximates fair market value on our Consolidated Combined Balance Sheets.

 

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Item 4. Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain a set of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed by us under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our general partner’s management, including our general partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on their evaluation as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

During the most recent fiscal quarter, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We regularly analyze current information and, as necessary, provide accruals for probable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters. In the opinion of management of our general partner and legal counsel, as of September 30, 2007, there were no known threatened or pending legal matters that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. In the future, we may be involved as a party to various legal proceedings, which are incidental to the ordinary course of business.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Each of the following exhibits is filed herewith:

 

10.1    Change Order 50 to Lump Sum Turnkey Engineering, Procurement and Construction Agreement dated December 18, 2004, between Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. and Bechtel Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Energy, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 6, 2007).
10.2    Change Order 6 to Engineer, Procure and Construct (EPC) LNG Unit Rate Soil Contract, dated July 21, 2006, between Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. and Remedial Construction Services, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Cheniere Energy, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 6, 2007).
10.3    Change Orders 2 and 3 to Agreement for Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Management of Construction Services for the Sabine Phase 2 Receiving, Storage and Regasification Terminal Expansion, dated July 21, 2006, between Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. and Bechtel Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-138916), filed on June 11, 2007).
10.4    Change Order 1, 2 and 3 to Engineer, Procure and Construct (EPC) LNG Tank Contract, dated July 21, 2006, between Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., Zachry Construction Corporation and Diamond LNG LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-138916), filed on June 11, 2007).

 

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10.5    Cooperative Endeavor Agreement & Payment in Lieu of Tax Agreement, dated October 23, 2007 (amending the Amended and Restated Terminal Use Agreement, dated November 9, 2006, by and between Cheniere Marketing, Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Cheniere Energy, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 6, 2007).
31.1    Certification by Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act
31.2    Certification by Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act
32.1    Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

By: Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC,

its general partner

/s/ Don A. Turkleson

                                                                                               

Don A. Turkleson

Chief Financial Officer (on behalf of the registrant

and as principal accounting officer)

Date: November 6, 2007

 

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