Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022
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 number 001-33366
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 20-5913059 | ||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
700 Milam Street, Suite 1900
Houston, Texas 77002
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(713) 375-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests | CQP | NYSE American |
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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||||||||||||||
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | ||||||||||||||
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of April 29, 2022, the registrant had 484,027,123 common units outstanding.
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
DEFINITIONS
As used in this quarterly report, the terms listed below have the following meanings:
Common Industry and Other Terms
ASU | Accounting Standards Update | |||||||
Bcf | billion cubic feet | |||||||
Bcf/d | billion cubic feet per day | |||||||
Bcf/yr | billion cubic feet per year | |||||||
Bcfe | billion cubic feet equivalent | |||||||
DOE | U.S. Department of Energy | |||||||
EPC | engineering, procurement and construction | |||||||
FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board | |||||||
FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | |||||||
FTA countries | countries with which the United States has a free trade agreement providing for national treatment for trade in natural gas | |||||||
GAAP | generally accepted accounting principles in the United States | |||||||
Henry Hub | the final settlement price (in USD per MMBtu) for the New York Mercantile Exchange’s Henry Hub natural gas futures contract for the month in which a relevant cargo’s delivery window is scheduled to begin | |||||||
IPM agreements | integrated production marketing agreements in which the gas producer sells to us gas on a global LNG index price, less a fixed liquefaction fee, shipping and other costs | |||||||
LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate | |||||||
LNG | liquefied natural gas, a product of natural gas that, through a refrigeration process, has been cooled to a liquid state, which occupies a volume that is approximately 1/600th of its gaseous state | |||||||
MMBtu | million British thermal units; one British thermal unit measures the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit | |||||||
mtpa | million tonnes per annum | |||||||
non-FTA countries | countries with which the United States does not have a free trade agreement providing for national treatment for trade in natural gas and with which trade is permitted | |||||||
SEC | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | |||||||
SPA | LNG sale and purchase agreement | |||||||
TBtu | trillion British thermal units; one British thermal unit measures the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit | |||||||
Train | an industrial facility comprised of a series of refrigerant compressor loops used to cool natural gas into LNG | |||||||
TUA | terminal use agreement |
1
Abbreviated Legal Entity Structure
The following diagram depicts our abbreviated legal entity structure as of March 31, 2022, including our ownership of certain subsidiaries, and the references to these entities used in this quarterly report:
![cqp-20220331_g1.jpg](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001383650/000138365022000018/cqp-20220331_g1.jpg)
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “CQP,” “the Partnership,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including SPLNG, SPL and CTPL.
2
ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in millions, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||
LNG revenues | $ | 2,488 | $ | 1,669 | ||||||||||
LNG revenues—affiliate | 757 | 214 | ||||||||||||
Regasification revenues | 68 | 67 | ||||||||||||
Other revenues | 15 | 13 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 3,328 | 1,963 | ||||||||||||
Operating costs and expenses | ||||||||||||||
Cost of sales (excluding items shown separately below) | 2,562 | 948 | ||||||||||||
Cost of sales—affiliate | 5 | 42 | ||||||||||||
Operating and maintenance expense | 170 | 149 | ||||||||||||
Operating and maintenance expense—affiliate | 38 | 34 | ||||||||||||
Operating and maintenance expense—related party | 12 | 10 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expense | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expense—affiliate | 23 | 21 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 153 | 139 | ||||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses | 2,966 | 1,345 | ||||||||||||
Income from operations | 362 | 618 | ||||||||||||
Other expense | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | (203) | (217) | ||||||||||||
Loss on modification or extinguishment of debt | — | (54) | ||||||||||||
Total other expense | (203) | (271) | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 159 | $ | 347 | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common unit | $ | (0.11) | $ | 0.64 | ||||||||||
Weighted average number of common units outstanding used for basic and diluted net income (loss) per common unit calculation | 484.0 | 484.0 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except unit data)
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
ASSETS | (unaudited) | |||||||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,156 | $ | 876 | ||||||||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 136 | 98 | ||||||||||||
Trade and other receivables, net of current expected credit losses | 434 | 580 | ||||||||||||
Accounts receivable—affiliate | 290 | 232 | ||||||||||||
Accounts receivable—related party | — | 1 | ||||||||||||
Advances to affiliate | 150 | 141 | ||||||||||||
Inventory | 149 | 176 | ||||||||||||
Current derivative assets | 24 | 21 | ||||||||||||
Other current assets | 93 | 87 | ||||||||||||
Other current assets—affiliate | 2 | — | ||||||||||||
Total current assets | 2,434 | 2,212 | ||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | 16,915 | 16,830 | ||||||||||||
Operating lease assets | 96 | 98 | ||||||||||||
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization | 11 | 12 | ||||||||||||
Derivative assets | 30 | 33 | ||||||||||||
Other non-current assets, net | 172 | 173 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 19,658 | $ | 19,358 | ||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 24 | $ | 21 | ||||||||||
Accrued liabilities | 1,159 | 1,073 | ||||||||||||
Accrued liabilities—related party | 5 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Due to affiliates | 32 | 67 | ||||||||||||
Deferred revenue | 116 | 155 | ||||||||||||
Deferred revenue—affiliate | — | 1 | ||||||||||||
Current operating lease liabilities | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Current derivative liabilities | 256 | 16 | ||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 1,600 | 1,345 | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt, net of premium, discount and debt issuance costs | 17,184 | 17,177 | ||||||||||||
Operating lease liabilities | 87 | 89 | ||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | 2,999 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Other non-current liabilities—affiliate | 18 | 18 | ||||||||||||
Partners' equity (deficit) | ||||||||||||||
Common unitholders’ interest (484.0 million units issued and outstanding at both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021) | (1,870) | 1,024 | ||||||||||||
General partner’s interest (2% interest with 9.9 million units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021) | (360) | (306) | ||||||||||||
Total partners' equity (deficit) | (2,230) | 718 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities and partners' equity (deficit) | $ | 19,658 | $ | 19,358 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(in millions)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Unitholders’ Interest | General Partner’s Interest | Total Partners’ Deficit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Units | Amount | Units | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2021 | 484.0 | $ | 1,024 | 9.9 | $ | (306) | $ | 718 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | — | 157 | — | 2 | 159 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
— | (2,712) | — | — | (2,712) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common units, $0.700/unit | — | (339) | — | — | (339) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
General partner units | — | — | — | (56) | (56) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2022 | 484.0 | $ | (1,870) | 9.9 | $ | (360) | $ | (2,230) |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Unitholders’ Interest | General Partner’s Interest | Total Partners’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Units | Amount | Units | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2020 | 484.0 | $ | 714 | 9.9 | $ | (175) | $ | 539 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | — | 340 | — | 7 | 347 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common units, $0.655/unit | — | (316) | — | — | (316) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
General partner units | — | — | — | (35) | (35) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2021 | 484.0 | $ | 738 | 9.9 | $ | (203) | $ | 535 | |||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | 159 | $ | 347 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 153 | 139 | |||||||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs, premium and discount | 7 | 8 | |||||||||
Loss on modification or extinguishment of debt | — | 54 | |||||||||
Total losses on derivative instruments, net | 525 | 2 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used for) settlement of derivative instruments | (9) | 20 | |||||||||
Other | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
Trade and other receivables, net of current expected credit losses | 88 | (56) | |||||||||
Accounts receivable—affiliate | (74) | 86 | |||||||||
Advances to affiliate | (8) | 18 | |||||||||
Inventory | 25 | 4 | |||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 13 | 24 | |||||||||
Accrued liabilities—related party | 1 | (1) | |||||||||
Due to affiliates | (20) | (20) | |||||||||
Deferred revenue | (39) | (36) | |||||||||
Other, net | (24) | (6) | |||||||||
Other, net—affiliate | (1) | 2 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 800 | 588 | |||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | (87) | (146) | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (87) | (146) | |||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||||||
Proceeds from issuances of debt | — | 1,500 | |||||||||
Redemptions and repayments of debt | — | (1,500) | |||||||||
Debt issuance and other financing costs | — | (19) | |||||||||
Debt extinguishment costs | — | (40) | |||||||||
Distributions to owners | (395) | (351) | |||||||||
Other | — | 3 | |||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (395) | (407) | |||||||||
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents | 318 | 35 | |||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period | 974 | 1,307 | |||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents—end of period | $ | 1,292 | $ | 1,342 |
Balances per Consolidated Balance Sheet:
March 31, | |||||
2022 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,156 | |||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 136 | ||||
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,292 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
6
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
NOTE 1—NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
We own the natural gas liquefaction and export facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana at Sabine Pass (the “Sabine Pass LNG Terminal”) which has six operational Trains, with Train 6 achieving substantial completion on February 4, 2022, for a total production capacity of approximately 30 mtpa of LNG (the “Liquefaction Project”). The Sabine Pass LNG Terminal also has operational regasification facilities that include five LNG storage tanks, vaporizers and two marine berths, with an additional marine berth that is under construction. We also own a 94-mile pipeline through our subsidiary, CTPL, that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with a number of large interstate pipelines (the “Creole Trail Pipeline”).
As of March 31, 2022, Cheniere owned 48.6% of our limited partner interest in the form of 239.9 million of our common units. Cheniere also owns 100% of our general partner interest and our incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”).
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of CQP have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Reclassifications that are not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements, if any, are made to prior period financial information to conform to the current year presentation.
Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2022.
We are not subject to either federal or state income tax, as our partners are taxed individually on their allocable share of our taxable income.
Recent Accounting Standards
ASU 2020-04
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This guidance primarily provides temporary optional expedients which simplify the accounting for contract modifications to existing debt agreements expected to arise from the market transition from LIBOR to alternative reference rates. The optional expedients were available to be used upon issuance of this guidance but we have not yet applied the guidance because we have not yet modified any of our existing contracts for reference rate reform. Once we apply an optional expedient to a modified contract and adopt this standard, the guidance will be applied to all subsequent applicable contract modifications until December 31, 2022, at which time the optional expedients are no longer available.
NOTE 2—UNITHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The common units represent limited partner interests in us. The holders of the units are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash (as defined in our partnership agreement). Generally, our available cash is our cash on hand at the end of a quarter less the amount of any reserves established by our general partner. All distributions paid to date have been made from accumulated operating surplus as defined in the partnership agreement.
Although common unitholders are not obligated to fund losses of the Partnership, its capital account, which would be considered in allocating the net assets of the Partnership were it to be liquidated, continues to share in losses.
The general partner interest is entitled to at least 2% of all distributions made by us. In addition, the general partner holds IDRs, which allow the general partner to receive a higher percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from
7
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
operating surplus as additional target levels are met, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest. The higher percentages range from 15% to 50%, inclusive of the general partner interest.
As of March 31, 2022, our total securities beneficially owned in the form of common units were held 48.6% by Cheniere, 41.4% by CQP Target Holdco L.L.C. (“CQP Target Holdco”) and other affiliates of Blackstone Inc. (“Blackstone”) and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (“Brookfield”) and 8.0% by the public. All of our 2% general partner interest was held by Cheniere. CQP Target Holdco’s equity interests are 50.00% owned by BIP Chinook Holdco L.L.C., an affiliate of Blackstone and 50.00% owned by BIF IV Cypress Aggregator (Delaware) LLC, an affiliate of Brookfield. The ownership of CQP Target Holdco, Blackstone and Brookfield are based on their most recent filings with the SEC.
NOTE 3—RESTRICTED CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of funds that are contractually or legally restricted as to usage or withdrawal and have been presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had $136 million and $98 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents, respectively.
Pursuant to the accounts agreement entered into with the collateral trustee for the benefit of SPL’s debt holders, SPL is required to deposit all cash received into reserve accounts controlled by the collateral trustee. The usage or withdrawal of such cash is restricted to the payment of liabilities related to the Liquefaction Project and other restricted payments.
NOTE 4—TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES, NET OF CURRENT EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES
Trade and other receivables, net of current expected credit losses consisted of the following (in millions):
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
SPL trade receivables | $ | 411 | $ | 546 | ||||||||||
Other receivables | 23 | 34 | ||||||||||||
Total trade and other receivables, net of current expected credit losses | $ | 434 | $ | 580 |
NOTE 5—INVENTORY
Inventory consisted of the following (in millions):
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Materials | $ | 89 | $ | 86 | ||||||||||
LNG | 33 | 45 | ||||||||||||
Natural gas | 25 | 43 | ||||||||||||
Other | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Total inventory | $ | 149 | $ | 176 |
NOTE 6—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation consisted of the following (in millions):
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
LNG terminal | ||||||||||||||
LNG terminal and interconnecting pipeline facilities | $ | 19,432 | $ | 16,973 | ||||||||||
LNG terminal construction-in-process | 524 | 2,746 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated depreciation | (3,044) | (2,893) | ||||||||||||
Total LNG terminal, net of accumulated depreciation | 16,912 | 16,826 | ||||||||||||
Fixed assets | ||||||||||||||
Fixed assets | 28 | 29 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated depreciation | (25) | (25) | ||||||||||||
Total fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | $ | 16,915 | $ | 16,830 |
8
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
The following table shows depreciation expense and offsets to LNG terminal costs (in millions):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Depreciation expense | $ | 152 | $ | 138 | ||||||||||
Offsets to LNG terminal costs (1) | 148 | — |
(1)We recognize offsets to LNG terminal costs related to the sale of commissioning cargoes because these amounts were earned or loaded prior to the start of commercial operations of the respective Trains of the Liquefaction Project during the testing phase for its construction.
NOTE 7—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
We have entered into commodity derivatives consisting of natural gas supply contracts, including those under SPL’s IPM agreement, for the commissioning and operation of the Liquefaction Project (“Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”) and associated economic hedges (“Financial Liquefaction Supply Derivatives,” and collectively with the Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives, the “Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”).
We recognize our derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. None of our derivative instruments are designated as cash flow or fair value hedging instruments, and changes in fair value are recorded within our Consolidated Statements of Income to the extent not utilized for the commissioning process, in which case it is capitalized.
The following table shows the fair value of our derivative instruments that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions):
Fair Value Measurements as of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives asset (liability) | $ | (26) | $ | (13) | $ | (3,162) | $ | (3,201) | $ | 2 | $ | (13) | $ | 38 | $ | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We value our Liquefaction Supply Derivatives using a market-based approach or option-based approach incorporating present value techniques, as needed, using observable commodity price curves, when available, and other relevant data.
The fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives is predominantly driven by observable and unobservable market commodity prices and, as applicable to our natural gas supply contracts, our assessment of the associated events deriving fair value including, but not limited to, evaluation of whether the respective market exists from the perspective of market participants as infrastructure is developed.
We include a portion of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy as the fair value is developed through the use of internal models which incorporate significant unobservable inputs. In instances where observable data is unavailable, consideration is given to the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. This includes assumptions about market risks, such as future prices of energy units for unobservable periods, liquidity and volatility.
9
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
The Level 3 fair value measurements of natural gas positions within our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives could be materially impacted by a significant change in certain natural gas and international LNG prices. The following table includes quantitative information for the unobservable inputs for our Level 3 Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives as of March 31, 2022:
Net Fair Value Liability (in millions) | Valuation Approach | Significant Unobservable Input | Range of Significant Unobservable Inputs / Weighted Average (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives | $(3,162) | Market approach incorporating present value techniques | Henry Hub basis spread | $(1.578) - $0.215 / $(0.004) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Option pricing model | International LNG pricing spread, relative to Henry Hub (2) | 104% - 459% / 206% |
(1)Unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative fair value of the instruments.
(2)Spread contemplates U.S. dollar-denominated pricing.
Increases or decreases in basis or pricing spreads, in isolation, would decrease or increase, respectively, the fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives.
The following table shows the changes in the fair value of our Level 3 Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives (in millions):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 38 | $ | (21) | ||||||||||
Realized and mark-to-market losses: | ||||||||||||||
Included in cost of sales | (53) | (12) | ||||||||||||
Purchases and settlements: | ||||||||||||||
Purchases (1) | (3,141) | 1 | ||||||||||||
Settlements | (6) | (4) | ||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | (3,162) | $ | (36) | ||||||||||
Change in unrealized losses relating to instruments still held at end of period | $ | (53) | $ | (12) |
(1)Includes any assignments during the period.
All counterparty derivative contracts provide for the unconditional right of set-off in the event of default. We have elected to report derivative assets and liabilities arising from our derivative contracts with the same counterparty on a net basis. The use of derivative instruments exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments in instances when our derivative instruments are in an asset position. Additionally, counterparties are at risk that we will be unable to meet our commitments in instances where our derivative instruments are in a liability position. We incorporate both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of our derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we have considered the impact of any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, set-off rights and guarantees.
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives
SPL has entered into primarily index-based Liquefaction Supply Derivatives. The remaining minimum terms of the physical natural gas supply contracts range up to 15 years, some of which commence upon the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent. The terms of the Financial Liquefaction Supply Derivatives range up to approximately two years.
The forward notional amount for our Liquefaction Supply Derivatives was approximately 5,550 TBtu and 5,194 TBtu as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, excluding notional amounts associated with extension options that were uncertain to be taken as of March 31, 2022.
10
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
Fair Value and Location of Derivative Assets and Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
The following table shows the fair value and location of our Liquefaction Supply Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
Fair Value Measurements as of (1) | ||||||||||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets Location | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Current derivative assets | $ | 24 | $ | 21 | ||||||||||
Derivative assets | 30 | 33 | ||||||||||||
Total derivative assets | 54 | 54 | ||||||||||||
Current derivative liabilities | (256) | (16) | ||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | (2,999) | (11) | ||||||||||||
Total derivative liabilities | (3,255) | (27) | ||||||||||||
Derivative asset (liability), net | $ | (3,201) | $ | 27 |
(1)Does not include collateral posted with counterparties by us of $32 million and $7 million, which are included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
The following table shows the effect and location of our Liquefaction Supply Derivatives recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Income (in millions):
Loss Recognized in Consolidated Statements of Income | ||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Income Location (1) | Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Cost of sales | $ | (525) | $ | (2) | ||||||||||
(1)Does not include the realized value associated with derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery. Fair value fluctuations associated with commodity derivative activities are classified and presented consistently with the item economically hedged and the nature and intent of the derivative instrument.
Consolidated Balance Sheets Presentation
Our derivative instruments are presented on a net basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as described above. The following table shows the fair value of our derivatives outstanding on a gross and net basis (in millions):
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives | ||||||||
As of March 31, 2022 | ||||||||
Gross assets | $ | 74 | ||||||
Offsetting amounts | (20) | |||||||
Net assets | $ | 54 | ||||||
Gross liabilities | $ | (3,266) | ||||||
Offsetting amounts | 11 | |||||||
Net liabilities | $ | (3,255) | ||||||
As of December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
Gross assets | $ | 79 | ||||||
Offsetting amounts | (25) | |||||||
Net assets | $ | 54 | ||||||
Gross liabilities | $ | (33) | ||||||
Offsetting amounts | 6 | |||||||
Net liabilities | $ | (27) |
11
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
NOTE 8—ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in millions):
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Accrued natural gas purchases | $ | 692 | $ | 786 | ||||||||||
Interest costs and related debt fees | 215 | 180 | ||||||||||||
LNG terminal and related pipeline costs | 240 | 101 | ||||||||||||
Other accrued liabilities | 12 | 6 | ||||||||||||
Total accrued liabilities | $ | 1,159 | $ | 1,073 |
NOTE 9—DEBT
Debt consisted of the following (in millions):
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
SPL: | ||||||||||||||
Senior Secured Notes: | ||||||||||||||
5.625% due 2023 | $ | 1,500 | $ | 1,500 | ||||||||||
5.75% due 2024 | 2,000 | 2,000 | ||||||||||||
5.625% due 2025 | 2,000 | 2,000 | ||||||||||||
5.875% due 2026 | 1,500 | 1,500 | ||||||||||||
5.00% due 2027 | 1,500 | 1,500 | ||||||||||||
4.200% due 2028 | 1,350 | 1,350 | ||||||||||||
4.500% due 2030 | 2,000 | 2,000 | ||||||||||||
4.27% weighted average rate due 2037 | 1,282 | 1,282 | ||||||||||||
Total SPL Senior Secured Notes | 13,132 | 13,132 | ||||||||||||
$1.2 billion Working Capital Revolving Credit and Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement (“2020 SPL Working Capital Facility”) | — | — | ||||||||||||
Total debt - SPL | 13,132 | 13,132 | ||||||||||||
CQP: | ||||||||||||||
Senior Notes: | ||||||||||||||
4.500% due 2029 | 1,500 | 1,500 | ||||||||||||
4.000% due 2031 | 1,500 | 1,500 | ||||||||||||
3.25% due 2032 | 1,200 | 1,200 | ||||||||||||
Total CQP Senior Notes | 4,200 | 4,200 | ||||||||||||
CQP Credit Facilities executed in 2019 (“2019 CQP Credit Facilities”) | — | — | ||||||||||||
Total debt - CQP | 4,200 | 4,200 | ||||||||||||
Total debt | 17,332 | 17,332 | ||||||||||||
Unamortized premium, discount and debt issuance costs, net | (148) | (155) | ||||||||||||
Total long-term debt, net of premium, discount and debt issuance costs | $ | 17,184 | $ | 17,177 |
12
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
Credit Facilities
Below is a summary of our credit facilities outstanding as of March 31, 2022 (in millions):
2020 SPL Working Capital Facility | 2019 CQP Credit Facilities | |||||||||||||
Total facility size | $ | 1,200 | $ | 750 | ||||||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||||
Outstanding balance | — | — | ||||||||||||
Letters of credit issued | 368 | — | ||||||||||||
Available commitment | $ | 832 | $ | 750 | ||||||||||
Priority ranking | Senior secured | Senior secured | ||||||||||||
Interest rate on available balance | LIBOR plus 1.125% - 1.750% or base rate plus 0.125% - 0.750% | LIBOR plus 1.25% - 2.125% or base rate plus 0.25% - 1.125% | ||||||||||||
Weighted average interest rate of outstanding balance | n/a | n/a | ||||||||||||
Commitment fees on undrawn balance | 0.20% | 0.49% | ||||||||||||
Maturity date | March 19, 2025 | May 29, 2024 |
Restrictive Debt Covenants
The indentures governing our senior notes and other agreements underlying our debt contain customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, may limit us and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions. We and SPL are restricted from making distributions under agreements governing our and SPL’s indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, deposits are made into any required debt service reserve accounts and a historical debt service coverage ratio and projected debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25:1.00 is satisfied.
As of March 31, 2022, we and SPL were in compliance with all covenants related to our respective debt agreements.
Interest Expense
Total interest expense, net of capitalized interest consisted of the following (in millions):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Total interest cost | $ | 224 | $ | 247 | |||||||
Capitalized interest | (21) | (30) | |||||||||
Total interest expense, net of capitalized interest | $ | 203 | $ | 217 |
Fair Value Disclosures
The following table shows the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our debt (in millions):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Amount | Estimated Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior notes — Level 2 (1) | $ | 16,050 | $ | 16,507 | $ | 16,050 | $ | 17,496 | ||||||||||||||||||
Senior notes — Level 3 (2) | 1,282 | 1,297 | 1,282 | 1,466 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotes obtained from broker-dealers or market makers of these senior notes and other similar instruments.
(2)The Level 3 estimated fair value was calculated based on inputs that are observable in the market or that could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data, including interest rates based on debt issued by parties with comparable credit ratings to us and inputs that are not observable in the market.
The estimated fair value of our credit facilities approximates the principal amount outstanding because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and the debt may be repaid, in full or in part, at any time without penalty.
13
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
NOTE 10—REVENUES FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
The following table represents a disaggregation of revenue earned from contracts with customers (in millions):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
LNG revenues | $ | 2,488 | $ | 1,669 | ||||||||||
LNG revenues—affiliate | 757 | 214 | ||||||||||||
Regasification revenues | 68 | 67 | ||||||||||||
Other revenues | 15 | 13 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 3,328 | $ | 1,963 |
Contract Assets and Liabilities
The following table shows our contract assets, net of current expected credit losses, which are classified as other current assets and other non-current assets, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Contract assets, net of current expected credit losses | $ | 1 | $ | 1 |
The following table reflects the changes in our contract liabilities, which we classify as deferred revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | ||||||||
Deferred revenue, beginning of period | $ | 155 | ||||||
Cash received but not yet recognized in revenue | 116 | |||||||
Revenue recognized from prior period deferral | (155) | |||||||
Deferred revenue, end of period | $ | 116 |
The following table reflects the changes in our contract liabilities to affiliate, which we classify as deferred revenue—affiliate and other non-current liabilities—affiliate on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | ||||||||
Deferred revenue—affiliate, beginning of period | $ | 3 | ||||||
Cash received but not yet recognized in revenue | 3 | |||||||
Revenue recognized from prior period deferral | (3) | |||||||
Deferred revenue—affiliate, end of period | $ | 3 |
Transaction Price Allocated to Future Performance Obligations
Because many of our sales contracts have long-term durations, we are contractually entitled to significant future consideration which we have not yet recognized as revenue. The following table discloses the aggregate amount of the transaction price that is allocated to performance obligations that have not yet been satisfied:
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unsatisfied Transaction Price (in billions) | Weighted Average Recognition Timing (years) (1) | Unsatisfied Transaction Price (in billions) | Weighted Average Recognition Timing (years) (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
LNG revenues | $ | 51.2 | 8 | $ | 49.3 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
LNG revenues—affiliate | 2.0 | 3 | 2.1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Regasification revenues | 1.8 | 4 | 1.9 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 55.0 | $ | 53.3 |
(1)The weighted average recognition timing represents an estimate of the number of years during which we shall have recognized half of the unsatisfied transaction price.
14
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
We have elected the following exemptions which omit certain potential future sources of revenue from the table above:
(1)We omit from the table above all performance obligations that are part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.
(2)The table above excludes substantially all variable consideration under our SPAs and TUAs. We omit from the table above all variable consideration that is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation or to a wholly unsatisfied promise to transfer a distinct good or service that forms part of a single performance obligation when that performance obligation qualifies as a series. The amount of revenue from variable fees that is not included in the transaction price will vary based on the future prices of Henry Hub throughout the contract terms, to the extent customers elect to take delivery of their LNG, and adjustments to the consumer price index. Certain of our contracts contain additional variable consideration based on the outcome of contingent events and the movement of various indexes. We have not included such variable consideration in the transaction price to the extent the consideration is considered constrained due to the uncertainty of ultimate pricing and receipt. Approximately 67% and 51% of our LNG revenues from contracts included in the table above during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, were related to variable consideration received from customers. 100% of our LNG revenues—affiliate from contracts included in the table above during both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were related to variable consideration received from customers. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, approximately 6% and 3%, respectively, of our regasification revenues were related to variable consideration received from customers.
We may enter into contracts to sell LNG that are conditioned upon one or both of the parties achieving certain milestones such as reaching a final investment decision on a certain liquefaction Train, obtaining financing or achieving substantial completion of a Train and any related facilities. These contracts are considered completed contracts for revenue recognition purposes and are included in the transaction price above when the conditions are considered probable of being met.
NOTE 11—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Below is a summary of our related party transactions as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Income (in millions):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
LNG revenues—affiliate | |||||||||||||||||
Cheniere Marketing Agreements | $ | 745 | $ | 210 | |||||||||||||
Contracts for Sale and Purchase of Natural Gas and LNG | 12 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
Total LNG revenues—affiliate | 757 | 214 | |||||||||||||||
Cost of sales—affiliate | |||||||||||||||||
Cheniere Marketing Agreements | — | 34 | |||||||||||||||
Contracts for Sale and Purchase of Natural Gas and LNG | 5 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
Total cost of sales—affiliate | 5 | 42 | |||||||||||||||
Operating and maintenance expense—affiliate | |||||||||||||||||
Services Agreements | 38 | 34 | |||||||||||||||
Operating and maintenance expense—related party | |||||||||||||||||
Natural Gas Transportation and Storage Agreements | 12 | 10 | |||||||||||||||
General and administrative expense—affiliate | |||||||||||||||||
Services Agreements | 23 | 21 | |||||||||||||||
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had $290 million and $232 million, respectively, of accounts receivable—affiliate under the agreements described below.
15
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
Cheniere Marketing Agreements
Cheniere Marketing SPA
Cheniere Marketing has an SPA (“Base SPA”) with SPL to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, any LNG produced by SPL in excess of that required for other customers at a price of 115% of Henry Hub plus $3.00 per MMBtu of LNG.
In May 2019, SPL and Cheniere Marketing entered into an amendment to the Base SPA to remove certain conditions related to the sale of LNG from Trains 5 and 6 of the Liquefaction Project and provide that cargoes rejected by Cheniere Marketing under the Base SPA can be sold by SPL to Cheniere Marketing at a contract price equal to a portion of the estimated net profits from the sale of such cargo.
Cheniere Marketing Master SPA
SPL has an agreement with Cheniere Marketing that allows the parties to sell and purchase LNG with each other by executing and delivering confirmations under this agreement.
Cheniere Marketing Letter Agreements
Cheniere Marketing has letter agreements with SPL to purchase up to 306 cargoes to be delivered between 2022 and 2027 at a weighted average price of $1.95 plus 115% of Henry Hub.
In December 2020, SPL and Cheniere Marketing entered into a letter agreement for the sale of up to 30 cargoes that were delivered in 2021 at a price of 115% of Henry Hub plus $0.728 per MMBtu.
Facility Swap Agreement
In August 2020, SPL entered into an arrangement with subsidiaries of Cheniere to provide the ability, in limited circumstances, to potentially fulfill commitments to LNG buyers in the event operational conditions impact operations at either the Sabine Pass or Corpus Christi liquefaction facilities. The purchase price for such cargoes would be (i) 115% of the applicable natural gas feedstock purchase price or (ii) a free-on-board U.S. Gulf Coast LNG market price, whichever is greater.
Natural Gas Transportation and Storage Agreements
SPL is party to various natural gas transportation and storage agreements and CTPL is party to an operational balancing agreement with a related party in the ordinary course of business for the operation of the Liquefaction Project, with initial primary terms of up to 10 years with extension rights. This related party is partially owned by Brookfield, who indirectly acquired a portion of our limited partner interests in September 2020 through its purchase of a portion of CQP Target Holdco’s equity interests. In addition to the amounts recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Income in the table above, we recorded accrued liabilities—related party of $5 million and $4 million as March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, with this related party.
Services Agreements
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had $150 million and $141 million of advances to affiliates, respectively, under the services agreements described below. The non-reimbursement amounts incurred under these agreements are recorded in general and administrative expense—affiliate.
16
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
CQP Services Agreement
We have a services agreement with Cheniere Terminals, a subsidiary of Cheniere, pursuant to which Cheniere Terminals is entitled to a quarterly non-accountable overhead reimbursement charge of $3 million (adjusted for inflation) for the provision of various general and administrative services for our benefit. In addition, Cheniere Terminals is entitled to reimbursement for all audit, tax, legal and finance fees incurred by Cheniere Terminals that are necessary to perform the services under the agreement.
Cheniere Investments Information Technology Services Agreement
Cheniere Investments has an information technology services agreement with Cheniere, pursuant to which Cheniere Investments’ subsidiaries receive certain information technology services. On a quarterly basis, the various entities receiving the benefit are invoiced by Cheniere Investments according to the cost allocation percentages set forth in the agreement. In addition, Cheniere is entitled to reimbursement for all costs incurred by Cheniere that are necessary to perform the services under the agreement.
SPLNG O&M Agreement
SPLNG has a long-term operation and maintenance agreement (the “SPLNG O&M Agreement”) with Cheniere Investments pursuant to which SPLNG receives all necessary services required to operate and maintain the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. SPLNG pays a fixed monthly fee of $130,000 (indexed for inflation) under the SPLNG O&M Agreement and the cost of a bonus equal to 50% of the salary component of labor costs in certain circumstances to be agreed upon between SPLNG and Cheniere Investments at the beginning of each operating year. In addition, SPLNG is required to reimburse Cheniere Investments for its operating expenses, which consist primarily of labor expenses. Cheniere Investments provides the services required under the SPLNG O&M Agreement pursuant to a secondment agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere. All payments received by Cheniere Investments under the SPLNG O&M Agreement are required to be remitted to such subsidiary.
SPLNG MSA
SPLNG has a long-term management services agreement (the “SPLNG MSA”) with Cheniere Terminals, pursuant to which Cheniere Terminals manages the operation of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, excluding those matters provided for under the SPLNG O&M Agreement. SPLNG pays a monthly fixed fee of $520,000 (indexed for inflation) under the SPLNG MSA.
SPL O&M Agreement
SPL has an operation and maintenance agreement (the “SPL O&M Agreement”) with Cheniere Investments pursuant to which SPL receives all of the necessary services required to construct, operate and maintain the Liquefaction Project. Before each Train of the Liquefaction Project is operational, the services to be provided include, among other services, obtaining governmental approvals on behalf of SPL, preparing an operating plan for certain periods, obtaining insurance, preparing staffing plans and preparing status reports. After each Train is operational, the services include all necessary services required to operate and maintain the Train. Prior to the substantial completion of each Train of the Liquefaction Project, in addition to reimbursement of operating expenses, SPL is required to pay a monthly fee equal to 0.6% of the capital expenditures incurred in the previous month. After substantial completion of each Train, for services performed while the Train is operational, SPL will pay, in addition to the reimbursement of operating expenses, a fixed monthly fee of $83,333 (indexed for inflation) for services with respect to the Train. Cheniere Investments provides the services required under the SPL O&M Agreement pursuant to a secondment agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere. All payments received by Cheniere Investments under the SPL O&M Agreement are required to be remitted to such subsidiary.
SPL MSA
SPL has a management services agreement (the “SPL MSA”) with Cheniere Terminals pursuant to which Cheniere Terminals manages the construction and operation of the Liquefaction Project, excluding those matters provided for under the SPL O&M Agreement. The services include, among other services, exercising the day-to-day management of SPL’s affairs and
17
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
business, managing SPL’s regulatory matters, managing bank and brokerage accounts and financial books and records of SPL’s business and operations, entering into financial derivatives on SPL’s behalf and providing contract administration services for all contracts associated with the Liquefaction Project. Prior to the substantial completion of each Train of the Liquefaction Project, SPL pays a monthly fee equal to 2.4% of the capital expenditures incurred in the previous month. After substantial completion of each Train, SPL will pay a fixed monthly fee of $541,667 (indexed for inflation) for services with respect to such Train.
CTPL O&M Agreement
CTPL has an amended long-term operation and maintenance agreement (the “CTPL O&M Agreement”) with Cheniere Investments pursuant to which CTPL receives all necessary services required to operate and maintain the Creole Trail Pipeline. CTPL is required to reimburse Cheniere Investments for its operating expenses, which consist primarily of labor expenses. Cheniere Investments provides the services required under the CTPL O&M Agreement pursuant to a secondment agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere. All payments received by Cheniere Investments under the CTPL O&M Agreement are required to be remitted to such subsidiary.
CTPL MSA
CTPL has a management services agreement (the “CTPL MSA”) with Cheniere Terminals pursuant to which Cheniere Terminals manages the operations and business of the Creole Trail Pipeline, excluding those matters provided for under the CTPL O&M Agreement. The services include, among other services, exercising the day-to-day management of CTPL’s affairs and business, managing CTPL’s regulatory matters, managing bank and brokerage accounts and financial books and records of CTPL’s business and operations, providing contract administration services for all contracts associated with the Creole Trail Pipeline and obtaining insurance. CTPL is required to reimburse Cheniere Terminals for the aggregate of all costs and expenses incurred in the course of performing the services under the CTPL MSA.
Agreement to Fund SPLNG’s Cooperative Endeavor Agreements
SPLNG has executed Cooperative Endeavor Agreements (“CEAs”) with various Cameron Parish, Louisiana taxing authorities that allowed them to collect certain advanced payments of annual ad valorem taxes from SPLNG from 2007 through 2016. This initiative represented an aggregate commitment of $25 million over 10 years in order to aid in their reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Rita. In exchange for SPLNG’s advance payments of annual ad valorem taxes, Cameron Parish shall grant SPLNG a dollar-for-dollar credit against future ad valorem taxes to be levied against the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal early as 2019. Beginning in September 2007, SPLNG entered into various agreements with Cheniere Marketing, pursuant to which Cheniere Marketing would pay SPLNG additional TUA revenues equal to any and all amounts payable by SPLNG to the Cameron Parish taxing authorities under the CEAs. In exchange for such amounts received as TUA revenues from Cheniere Marketing, SPLNG will make payments to Cheniere Marketing equal to the dollar-for-dollar credit applied to the ad valorem tax levied against the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal in the given year.
On a consolidated basis, these advance tax payments were recorded to other non-current assets, and payments from Cheniere Marketing that SPLNG utilized to make the ad valorem tax payments were recorded as obligations. We had $3 million and $2 million in due to affiliates and $14 million and $15 million of other non-current liabilities—affiliate as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, from these payments received from Cheniere Marketing.
Contracts for Sale and Purchase of Natural Gas and LNG
SPLNG is able to sell and purchase natural gas and LNG under agreements with Cheniere Marketing. Under these agreements, SPLNG purchases natural gas or LNG from Cheniere Marketing at a sales price equal to the actual purchase price paid by Cheniere Marketing to suppliers of the natural gas or LNG, plus any third party costs incurred by Cheniere Marketing with respect to the receipt, purchase and delivery of natural gas or LNG to the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal.
SPL has an agreement with CCL that allows them to sell and purchase natural gas from each other. Natural gas purchased under this agreement is initially recorded as inventory and then to cost of sales—affiliate upon its sale, except for purchases related to commissioning activities which are capitalized as LNG terminal construction-in-process. Natural gas sold under this agreement is recorded as LNG revenues—affiliate.
18
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
Terminal Marine Services Agreement
In connection with its tug boat lease, Tug Services entered into an agreement with Cheniere Terminals to provide its LNG cargo vessels with tug boat and marine services at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal. The agreement also provides that Tug Services shall contingently pay Cheniere Terminals a portion of its future revenues. Accordingly, Tug Services distributed $1 million during each of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 to Cheniere Terminals, which is recognized as part of the distributions to our general partner interest holders on our Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Equity (Deficit).
LNG Terminal Export Agreement
SPLNG and Cheniere Marketing have an LNG terminal export agreement that provides Cheniere Marketing the ability to export LNG from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal. SPLNG did not record any revenues associated with this agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
State Tax Sharing Agreements
SPLNG, SPL and CTPL each have a state tax sharing agreement with Cheniere. Under these agreements, Cheniere has agreed to prepare and file all state and local tax returns which each of the entities and Cheniere are required to file on a combined basis and to timely pay the combined state and local tax liability. If Cheniere, in its sole discretion, demands payment, each of the respective entities will pay to Cheniere an amount equal to the state and local tax that each of the entities would be required to pay if its state and local tax liability were calculated on a separate company basis. To date, there have been no state and local tax payments demanded by Cheniere under the tax sharing agreements. The agreements for SPLNG, SPL and CTPL are effective for tax returns due on or after January 2008, August 2012 and May 2013, respectively.
NOTE 12—NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON UNIT
Net income (loss) per common unit for a given period is based on the distributions that will be made to the unitholders with respect to the period plus an allocation of undistributed net loss based on provisions of the partnership agreement, divided by the weighted average number of common units outstanding. Distributions paid by us are presented on the Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Equity (Deficit). On April 25, 2022, we declared a cash distribution of $1.050 per common unit to unitholders of record as of May 5, 2022 and the related general partner distribution to be paid on May 13, 2022. These distributions consist of a base amount of $0.775 per unit and a variable amount of $0.275 per unit.
The two-class method dictates that net income for a period be reduced by the amount of available cash that will be distributed with respect to that period and that any residual amount representing undistributed net income to be allocated to common unitholders and other participating unitholders to the extent that each unit may share in net income as if all of the net income for the period had been distributed in accordance with the partnership agreement. Undistributed income is allocated to participating securities based on the distribution waterfall for available cash specified in the partnership agreement. Undistributed losses (including those resulting from distributions in excess of net income) are allocated to common units and other participating securities on a pro rata basis based on provisions of the partnership agreement. Distributions are treated as distributed earnings in the computation of earnings per common unit even though cash distributions are not necessarily derived from current or prior period earnings.
19
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income and the allocation of net income to the common units, the subordinated units, the general partner units and IDRs for purposes of computing basic and diluted net income (loss) per unit (in millions, except per unit data).
Total | Limited Partner Common Units | General Partner Units | IDR | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 159 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Declared distributions | 733 | 508 | 15 | 210 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assumed allocation of undistributed net loss (1) | $ | (574) | (562) | (12) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Assumed allocation of net income | $ | (54) | $ | 3 | $ | 210 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average units outstanding | 484.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net loss per unit | $ | (0.11) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 347 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Declared distributions | 356 | 320 | 7 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assumed allocation of undistributed net loss (1) | $ | (9) | (8) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Assumed allocation of net income | $ | 312 | $ | 7 | $ | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average units outstanding | 484.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per unit | $ | 0.64 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Under our partnership agreement, the IDRs participate in net income only to the extent of the amount of cash distributions actually declared, thereby excluding the IDRs from participating in undistributed net loss.
NOTE 13—CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION
The following table shows external customers with revenues of 10% or greater of total revenues from external customers and external customers with trade and other receivables, net of current expected credit losses and contract assets, net of current expected credit losses balances of 10% or greater of total trade and other receivables, net of current expected credit losses from external customers and contract assets, net of current expected credit losses from external customers, respectively:
Percentage of Total Revenues from External Customers | Percentage of Trade and Other Receivables, Net and Contract Assets, Net from External Customers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | March 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer A | 28% | 27% | 31% | 28% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer B | 13% | 14% | 15% | 17% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer C | 17% | 18% | 15% | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer D | 15% | 15% | 17% | 14% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer E | 11% | * | * | 12% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer F | * | * | * | 12% |
* Less than 10%
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CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)
NOTE 14—SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
The following table provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (in millions):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Cash paid during the period for interest on debt, net of amounts capitalized | $ | 161 | $ | 185 | |||||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | |||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation funded with accounts payable and accrued liabilities (including affiliate) | 386 | 229 | |||||||||
Novation of IPM agreement from Cheniere Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage III, LLC (“CCL Stage III”) | (2,712) | — |
Novation of IPM Agreement from CCL Stage III
In March 2022, in connection with a prior commitment from Cheniere to collateralize financing for Train 6 of the Liquefaction Project, SPL and CCL Stage III, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere, entered into an agreement to assign to SPL an IPM agreement to purchase 140,000 MMBtu per day of natural gas at a price based on the Platts Japan Korea Marker (“JKM”), for a term of approximately 15 years beginning in early 2023. The transaction has been accounted for as a transfer between entities under common control, which required us to recognize the obligations assumed at the historical basis of Cheniere. Upon the transfer, which occurred on March 15, 2022, we recognized $2.7 billion in distributions to Cheniere’s common unitholder interest within our Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Equity (Deficit) based on our assumption of current derivative liabilities and derivative liabilities of $0.1 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively.
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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 or present facts or conditions, included herein or incorporated herein by reference are “forward-looking statements.” Included among “forward-looking statements” are, among other things:
•statements regarding our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders;
•statements regarding our expected receipt of cash distributions from SPLNG, SPL or CTPL;
•statements that we expect to commence or complete construction of our proposed LNG terminal, liquefaction facility, pipeline facility or other projects, or any expansions or portions thereof, by certain dates, or at all;
•statements regarding future levels of domestic and international natural gas production, supply or consumption or future levels of LNG imports into or exports from North America and other countries worldwide or purchases of natural gas, regardless of the source of such information, or the transportation or other infrastructure or demand for and prices related to natural gas, LNG or other hydrocarbon products;
•statements regarding any financing transactions or arrangements, or our ability to enter into such transactions;
•statements regarding our future sources of liquidity and cash requirements;
•statements relating to the construction of our Trains, including statements concerning the engagement of any EPC contractor or other contractor and the anticipated terms and provisions of any agreement with any EPC or other contractor, and anticipated costs related thereto;
•statements regarding any SPA or other agreement to be entered into or performed substantially in the future, including any revenues anticipated to be received and the anticipated timing thereof, and statements regarding the amounts of total LNG regasification, natural gas liquefaction or storage capacities that are, or may become, subject to contracts;
•statements regarding counterparties to our commercial contracts, construction contracts and other contracts;
•statements regarding our planned development and construction of additional Trains, including the financing of such Trains;
•statements that our Trains, when completed, will have certain characteristics, including amounts of liquefaction capacities;
•statements regarding our business strategy, our strengths, our business and operation plans or any other plans, forecasts, projections, or objectives, including anticipated revenues, capital expenditures, maintenance and operating costs and cash flows, any or all of which are subject to change;
•statements regarding legislative, governmental, regulatory, administrative or other public body actions, approvals, requirements, permits, applications, filings, investigations, proceedings or decisions;
•statements regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our business and operating results, including any customers not taking delivery of LNG cargoes, the ongoing creditworthiness of our contractual counterparties, any disruptions in our operations or construction of our Trains and the health and safety of Cheniere’s employees, and on our customers, the global economy and the demand for LNG; and
•any other statements that relate to non-historical or future information.
All of these types of statements, other than statements of historical or present facts or conditions, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “achieve,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “pursue,” “target,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions
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made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe that such estimates are reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties beyond our control. In addition, assumptions may prove to be inaccurate. We caution that the forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report are not guarantees of future performance and that such statements may not be realized or the forward-looking statements or events may not occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors described in this quarterly report and in the other reports and other information that we file with the SEC, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement or provide reasons why actual results may differ, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Introduction
The following discussion and analysis presents management’s view of our business, financial condition and overall performance and should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. This information is intended to provide investors with an understanding of our past performance, current financial condition and outlook for the future.
Our discussion and analysis includes the following subjects:
Overview
We are a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership formed by Cheniere in 2006. We provide clean, secure and affordable LNG to integrated energy companies, utilities and energy trading companies around the world. We aspire to conduct our business in a safe and responsible manner, delivering a reliable, competitive and integrated source of LNG to our customers.
LNG is natural gas (methane) in liquid form. The LNG we produce is shipped all over the world, turned back into natural gas (called “regasification”) and then transported via pipeline to homes and businesses and used as an energy source that is essential for heating, cooking and other industrial uses. Natural gas is a cleaner-burning, abundant and affordable source of energy. When LNG is converted back to natural gas, it can be used instead of coal, which reduces the amount of pollution traditionally produced from burning fossil fuels, like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter that enters the air we breathe. Additionally, compared to coal, it produces significantly fewer carbon emissions. By liquefying natural gas, we are able to reduce its volume by 600 times so that we can load it onto special LNG carriers designed to keep the LNG cold and in liquid form for efficient transport overseas.
We own the natural gas liquefaction and export facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana at Sabine Pass (the “Sabine Pass LNG Terminal”), one of the largest LNG production facilities in the world, which has six operational Trains, with Train 6 achieving substantial completion on February 4, 2022, for a total production capacity of approximately 30 mtpa of LNG (the “Liquefaction Project”). The Sabine Pass LNG Terminal also has operational regasification facilities that include five LNG storage tanks with aggregate capacity of approximately 17 Bcfe, two existing marine berths and one under construction that can each accommodate vessels with nominal capacity of up to 266,000 cubic meters and vaporizers with regasification capacity of approximately 4 Bcf/d. We also own a 94-mile pipeline through our subsidiary, CTPL, that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with a number of large interstate pipelines (the “Creole Trail Pipeline”).
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Our customer arrangements provide us with significant, stable and long-term cash flows. We contract our anticipated production capacity under SPAs, in which our customers are generally required to pay a fixed fee with respect to the contracted volumes irrespective of their election to cancel or suspend deliveries of LNG cargoes, and under IPM agreements, in which the gas producer sells gas on a global LNG index price, less a fixed liquefaction fee, shipping and other costs. Our long-term customer arrangements form the foundation of our business and provide us with significant, stable, long-term cash flows. We have contracted approximately 80% of the total production capacity from the Liquefaction Project with approximately 16 years of weighted average remaining life as of March 31, 2022. In March 2022, the DOE authorized the export of an additional 152.64 Bcf/yr of domestically produced LNG by vessel from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal through December 31, 2050 to non-FTA countries, that were previously authorized for FTA countries only. For further discussion of the contracted future cash flows under our revenue arrangements, see the liquidity and capital resources disclosures in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
We remain focused on operational excellence and customer satisfaction. Increasing demand for LNG has allowed us to expand our liquefaction infrastructure in a financially disciplined manner. We have increased available liquefaction capacity at our Liquefaction Project as a result of debottlenecking and other optimization projects. We hold a significant land position at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal, which provides opportunity for further liquefaction capacity expansion. The development of this site or other projects, including infrastructure projects in support of natural gas supply and LNG demand, will require, among other things, acceptable commercial and financing arrangements before we can make a final investment decision (“FID”).
Additionally, we are committed to the responsible and proactive management of our most important environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) impacts, risks and opportunities. Cheniere published its 2020 Corporate Responsibility (“CR”) report, which details our strategy and progress on ESG issues, as well as our efforts on integrating climate considerations into our business strategy and taking a leadership position on increased environmental transparency, including conducting a climate scenario analysis and our plan to provide LNG customers with Cargo Emission Tags. In April 2022, Cheniere announced a collaboration with natural gas midstream companies, methane detection technology providers and leading academic institutions to implement quantification, monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions at natural gas gathering, processing, transmission and storage systems specific to our supply chain. Cheniere’s CR report is available at cheniere.com/IMPACT. Information on our website, including the CR report, is not incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Overview of Significant Events
Our significant events since January 1, 2022 and through the filing date of this Form 10-Q include the following:
Strategic
•In February 2022, in connection with a prior commitment from Cheniere to collateralize financing for Train 6 of the Liquefaction Project:
◦Cheniere Marketing, LLC entered into agreements to novate to SPL SPAs entered into with ENN LNG (Singapore) Pte Ltd. and a subsidiary of Glencore plc, with effective dates of January 1, 2023 and February 17, 2022, respectively, aggregating approximately 21 million tonnes of LNG to be delivered between 2023 and 2035.
◦Our Board of Directors approved the entry by SPL into (i) an agreement to novate to SPL an IPM agreement between Cheniere Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage III, LLC (“CCL Stage III”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere (as purchaser), and Tourmaline Oil Marketing Corp., a subsidiary of Tourmaline Oil Corp (as supplier), to purchase 140,000 MMBtu per day of natural gas at a price based on the Platts Japan Korea Marker (“JKM”), for a term of approximately 15 years beginning in early 2023 (the “Tourmaline IPM”) and (ii) a free on board SPA with Cheniere Marketing International LLP to sell LNG associated with the natural gas to be supplied under the IPM agreement. The agreement to assign the Tourmaline IPM agreement from CCL Stage III to SPL was executed and the assignment was effective on March 15, 2022.
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Operational
•As of April 30, 2022, over 1,600 cumulative LNG cargoes totaling over 110 million tonnes of LNG have been produced, loaded and exported from the Liquefaction Project.
•On February 4, 2022, substantial completion of Train 6 of the Liquefaction Project was achieved.
Financial
•In February 2022, we announced the initiation of quarterly distributions to be comprised of a base amount plus a variable amount, which began with the distribution related to the first quarter of 2022. The common unit distribution with respect to the first quarter of 2022 is comprised of a base amount equal to $0.775 ($3.10 annualized), and a variable amount equal to the remaining available cash per unit or $0.275, which takes into consideration, among other things, amounts reserved for annual debt repayment and capital allocation goals, anticipated capital expenditures to be funded with cash, and cash reserves to provide for the proper conduct of the business.
Results of Operations
The following charts summarize the total revenues and total LNG volumes loaded from our Liquefaction Project during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:
![cqp-20220331_g2.jpg](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001383650/000138365022000018/cqp-20220331_g2.jpg)
![cqp-20220331_g3.jpg](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001383650/000138365022000018/cqp-20220331_g3.jpg)
(1) | The three months ended March 31, 2021 excludes eight TBtu that were loaded at our affiliate’s facility. |
Net income
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share data) | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | |||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 159 | $ | 347 | $ | (188) | ||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common unit | (0.11) | 0.64 | (0.75) |
Net income decreased by $188 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 from the comparable period in 2021, primarily a result of a loss on the derivative liability associated with the Tourmaline IPM agreement following its assignment to SPL from CCL Stage III in March 2022. See Overview of Significant Events for further discussion of the assignment. The associated loss following the assignment was primarily attributed to SPL’s lower credit risk profile relative to that of CCL Stage III, resulting in a higher derivative liability given reduced risk of SPL’s own nonperformance.
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We enter into derivative instruments to manage our exposure to commodity-related marketing and price risk. Derivative instruments are reported at fair value on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In some cases, the underlying transactions being economically hedged are accounted for under the accrual method of accounting, whereby revenues and expenses are recognized only upon delivery, receipt or realization of the underlying transaction. Because the recognition of derivative instruments at fair value has the effect of recognizing gains or losses relating to future period exposure, and given the significant volumes, long-term duration and volatility in price basis for certain of our derivative contracts, use of derivative instruments may result in continued volatility of our results of operations based on changes in market pricing, counterparty credit risk and other relevant factors, notwithstanding the operational intent to mitigate risk exposure over time.
Revenues
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except volumes) | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | |||||||||||||||||
LNG revenues | $ | 2,488 | $ | 1,669 | $ | 819 | ||||||||||||||
LNG revenues—affiliate | 757 | 214 | 543 | |||||||||||||||||
Regasification revenues | 68 | 67 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 15 | 13 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 3,328 | $ | 1,963 | $ | 1,365 | ||||||||||||||
LNG volumes recognized as revenues (in TBtu) (1) | 372 | 325 | 47 | |||||||||||||||||
(1)The three months ended March 31, 2021 includes eight TBtu that were loaded at our affiliate’s facility.
Total revenues increased by approximately $1.4 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2022, from the comparable period in 2021, primarily due to increased revenues per MMBtu as a result of increases in Henry Hub prices and, to a lesser extent, higher volumes of LNG delivered between the periods as a result of production from Train 6 of the Liquefaction Project, which achieved substantial completion on February 4, 2022.
Prior to substantial completion of a Train, amounts received from the sale of commissioning cargoes from that Train are offset against LNG terminal construction-in-process, because these amounts are earned or loaded during the testing phase for the construction of that Train. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we realized offsets to LNG terminal costs of $148 million, corresponding to 13 TBtu that were related to the sale of commissioning cargoes from the Liquefaction Project. We did not realize any offsets to LNG terminal costs during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Also included in LNG revenues are sales of certain unutilized natural gas procured for the liquefaction process and gains and losses from derivative instruments, which include the realized value associated with a portion of derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery. We recognized revenues of $54 million and $48 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to these transactions.
Operating costs and expenses
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | $ | 2,562 | $ | 948 | $ | 1,614 | ||||||||||||||
Cost of sales—affiliate | 5 | 42 | (37) | |||||||||||||||||
Operating and maintenance expense | 170 | 149 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating and maintenance expense—affiliate | 38 | 34 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating and maintenance expense—related party | 12 | 10 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expense | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expense—affiliate | 23 | 21 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 153 | 139 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses | $ | 2,966 | $ | 1,345 | $ | 1,621 | ||||||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2022 from the three months ended March 31, 2021, primarily as a result of increased cost of sales. Cost of sales includes costs incurred directly for the production and delivery of LNG from the Liquefaction Project, to the extent those costs are not utilized for the commissioning process. Cost of sales increased during the three months ended March 31, 2022 from the comparable 2021 period primarily as a
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result of the increased cost of natural gas feedstock as a result of higher US natural gas prices and, to a lesser extent, from increased volume of LNG delivered. Cost of sales also includes change in fair value of commodity derivatives to secure natural gas feedstock for the Liquefaction Project, costs associated with the sale of certain unutilized natural gas procured for the liquefaction process, variable transportation and storage costs and other costs to convert natural gas into LNG. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, cost of sales additionally included an unfavorable change in the valuation associated with the Tourmaline IPM agreement that was assigned to SPL in March 2022, primarily as a result of credit risk as described in the Net income section above.
Operating and maintenance expense (including affiliate and related party) primarily includes costs associated with operating and maintaining the Liquefaction Project. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, operating and maintenance expense increased from the comparable period in 2021, primarily due to increased natural gas transportation and storage capacity demand charges, generally as a result of an additional Train in operation during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Operating and maintenance (including affiliates) also includes third party service and maintenance, insurance, regulatory costs and other operating costs.
Other income (expense)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | $ | 203 | $ | 217 | $ | (14) | ||||||||||||||
Loss on modification or extinguishment of debt | — | 54 | (54) | |||||||||||||||||
Total other expense | $ | 203 | $ | 271 | $ | (68) |
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022 from the comparable period in 2021 primarily as a result of the reduction of outstanding debt between the periods, which was offset by the reduction in the portion of total interest costs eligible for capitalization as construction of Train 6 of the Liquefaction Project, which achieved substantial completion on February 4, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we incurred $224 million and $247 million of total interest cost, respectively, of which we capitalized $21 million and $30 million, respectively.
Loss on modification or extinguishment of debt decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022 from the comparable period in 2021 due to the recognition of debt extinguishment costs relating to the payment of early redemption fees and premiums and write off of unamortized debt issuance costs with the redemption of the 5.250% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 CQP Senior Notes”).
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following information describes our ability to generate and obtain adequate amounts of cash to meet our requirements in the short term and the long term. In the short term, we expect to meet our cash requirements using operating cash flows and available liquidity, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents and available commitments under our credit facilities. In the long term, we expect to meet our cash requirements using operating cash flows and other future potential sources of liquidity, which may include debt offerings by us or our subsidiaries and equity offerings by us. The table below provides a summary of our available liquidity (in millions). Future material sources of liquidity are discussed below.
March 31, 2022 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,156 | |||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents designated for the Liquefaction Project | 136 | ||||
Available commitments under our credit facilities (1): | |||||
$1.2 billion Working Capital Revolving Credit and Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement | 832 | ||||
CQP Credit Facilities executed in 2019 | 750 | ||||
Total available commitments under our credit facilities | 1,582 | ||||
Total available liquidity | $ | 2,874 |
(1)Available commitments represent total commitments less loans outstanding and letters of credit issued under each of our credit facilities as of March 31, 2022. See Note 9—Debt of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our credit facilities and other debt instruments.
Our liquidity position subsequent to March 31, 2022 is driven by future sources of liquidity and future cash requirements. Future sources of liquidity are expected to be composed of (1) cash receipts from executed contracts, under which we are contractually entitled to future consideration, and (2) additional sources of liquidity, from which we expect to receive cash although the cash is not underpinned by executed contracts. Future cash requirements are expected to be composed of (1) cash payments under executed contracts, under which we are contractually obligated to make payments, and (2) additional cash requirements, under which we expect to make payments although we are not contractually obligated to make the payments under executed contracts.
Although material sources of liquidity and material cash requirements are presented below from a consolidated standpoint, we and our subsidiary SPL operate with independent capital structures. Certain restrictions under debt instruments executed by our subsidiaries limit its ability to distribute cash, including the following:
•SPL is required to deposit all cash received into restricted cash and cash equivalents accounts under certain of their debt agreements. The usage or withdrawal of such cash is restricted to the payment of liabilities related to the Liquefaction Project and other restricted payments. The majority of the cash held by SPL that is restricted to CQP relates to advance funding for operation and construction of the Liquefaction Project; and
•SPL is restricted by affirmative and negative covenants included in certain of its debt agreements in its ability to make certain payments, including distributions, unless specific requirements are satisfied.
Notwithstanding the restrictions noted above, we believe that sufficient flexibility exists to enable each independent capital structure to meet its currently anticipated cash requirements. The sources of liquidity at SPL primarily fund the cash requirements of SPL, and any remaining liquidity not subject to restriction, as supplemented by liquidity provided by SPLNG, is available to enable CQP to meet its cash requirements.
Supplemental Guarantor Information
The $1.5 billion of 4.500% Senior Notes due 2029, the $1.5 billion of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2031 and the $1.2 billion of 3.25% Senior Notes due 2032 (collectively, the “CQP Senior Notes”), are jointly and severally guaranteed by each of our subsidiaries other than SPL and, subject to certain conditions governing its guarantee, Sabine Pass LP (each a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “CQP Guarantors”).
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The CQP Guarantors’ guarantees are full and unconditional, subject to certain release provisions including (1) the sale, disposition or transfer (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) of the capital stock or all or substantially all of the assets of the CQP Guarantors, (2) upon the liquidation or dissolution of a Guarantor, (3) following the release of a Guarantor from its guarantee obligations and (4) upon the legal defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of obligations under the indenture governing the CQP Senior Notes. In the event of a default in payment of the principal or interest by us, whether at maturity of the CQP Senior Notes or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted against the CQP Guarantors to enforce the guarantee.
The rights of holders of the CQP Senior Notes against the CQP Guarantors may be limited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or state fraudulent transfer or conveyance law. Each guarantee contains a provision intended to limit the Guarantor’s liability to the maximum amount that it could incur without causing the incurrence of obligations under its guarantee to be a fraudulent conveyance or transfer under U.S. federal or state law. However, there can be no assurance as to what standard a court will apply in making a determination of the maximum liability of the CQP Guarantors. Moreover, this provision may not be effective to protect the guarantee from being voided under fraudulent conveyance laws. There is a possibility that the entire guarantee may be set aside, in which case the entire liability may be extinguished.
The following tables include summarized financial information of CQP (“Parent Issuer”), and the CQP Guarantors (together with the Parent Issuer, the “Obligor Group”) on a combined basis. Investments in and equity in the earnings of SPL and, subject to certain conditions governing its guarantee, Sabine Pass LP (collectively with SPL, the “Non-Guarantors”), which are not currently members of the Obligor Group, have been excluded. Intercompany balances and transactions between entities in the Obligor Group have been eliminated. Although the creditors of the Obligor Group have no claim against the Non-Guarantors, the Obligor Group may gain access to the assets of the Non-Guarantors upon bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of the Non-Guarantors due to its investment in these entities. However, such claims to the assets of the Non-Guarantors would be subordinated to the any claims by the Non-Guarantors’ creditors, including trade creditors.
Summarized Balance Sheets (in millions) | March 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,156 | $ | 876 | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable from Non-Guarantors | 25 | 49 | ||||||||||||
Other current assets | 49 | 53 | ||||||||||||
Current assets—affiliate | 145 | 137 | ||||||||||||
Current assets with Non-Guarantors | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Total current assets | 1,376 | 1,116 | ||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | 2,401 | 2,422 | ||||||||||||
Other non-current assets, net | 116 | 119 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 3,893 | $ | 3,657 | ||||||||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Due to affiliates | $ | 147 | $ | 167 | ||||||||||
Deferred revenue from Non-Guarantors | 22 | 22 | ||||||||||||
Other current liabilities | 109 | 95 | ||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 278 | 284 | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt, net of premium, discount and debt issuance costs | 4,155 | 4,154 | ||||||||||||
Other non-current liabilities | 86 | 87 | ||||||||||||
Non-current liabilities—affiliate | 15 | 15 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 4,534 | $ | 4,540 |
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Summarized Statement of Income (in millions) | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | |||||||
Revenues | $ | 85 | ||||||
Revenues from Non-Guarantors | 133 | |||||||
Total revenues | 218 | |||||||
Operating costs and expenses | 48 | |||||||
Operating costs and expenses—affiliate | 49 | |||||||
Total operating costs and expenses | 97 | |||||||
Income from operations | 120 | |||||||
Net income | 75 |
Sources and Uses of Cash
The following table summarizes the sources and uses of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in millions). The table presents capital expenditures on a cash basis; therefore, these amounts differ from the amounts of capital expenditures, including accruals, which are referred to elsewhere in this report. Additional discussion of these items follows the table.
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 800 | $ | 588 | |||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (87) | (146) | |||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (395) | (407) | |||||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents | $ | 318 | $ | 35 | |||||||
Operating Cash Flows
Our operating cash net inflows during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $800 million and $588 million, respectively. The $212 million increase in operating cash inflows in 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily related to increases in cash payments on LNG delivered due to increases in price per MMBtu and volume delivered, partially offset by higher operating cash outflows primarily due to higher natural gas feedstock costs.
Investing Cash Flows
Cash outflows for property, plant and equipment were primarily for the construction costs for Train 6 of the Liquefaction Project, which achieved substantial completion on February 4, 2022. These costs are capitalized as construction-in-process until achievement of substantial completion.
Financing Cash Flows
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion of the 2031 CQP Senior Notes and incurred $19 million of debt issuance costs related to this issuance. The proceeds of this issuance, together with cash on hand, were used to redeem all the outstanding 2025 CQP Senior Notes, and we paid $40 million of debt extinguishment costs, mainly related to premiums associated with this redemption. We did not have any debt activity during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
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Cash Distributions to Unitholders
Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash (as defined in our partnership agreement). Our available cash is our cash on hand at the end of a quarter less the amount of any reserves established by our general partner. All distributions paid to date have been made from accumulated operating surplus. The following provides a summary of distributions paid by us during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:
Total Distribution (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date Paid | Period Covered by Distribution | Distribution Per Common Unit | Common Units | General Partner Units | Incentive Distribution Rights | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February 14, 2022 | October 1 - December 31, 2021 | $ | 0.700 | $ | 339 | $ | 8 | $ | 47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
February 12, 2021 | October 1 - December 31, 2020 | 0.655 | 316 | 7 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In addition, Tug Services distributed $1 million during each of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 to Cheniere Terminals in accordance with their terminal marine service agreement, which is recognized as part of the distributions to our general partner interest holders.
On April 25, 2022, we declared a cash distribution of $1.050 per common unit to unitholders of record as of May 5, 2022 and the related general partner distribution to be paid on May 13, 2022. These distributions consist of a base amount of $0.775 per unit and a variable amount of $0.275 per unit.
Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting estimates from those disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year December 31, 2021.
Recent Accounting Standards
For a summary of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1—Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Marketing and Trading Commodity Price Risk
We have entered into commodity derivatives consisting of natural gas supply contracts for the commissioning and operation of the Liquefaction Project (“Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”). In order to test the sensitivity of the fair value of the Liquefaction Supply Derivatives to changes in underlying commodity prices, management modeled a 10% change in the commodity price for natural gas for each delivery location as follows (in millions):
March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Change in Fair Value | Fair Value | Change in Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives | $ | (3,201) | $ | 518 | $ | 27 | $ | 1 |
See Note 7—Derivative Instruments of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details about our derivative instruments.
ITEM 4. 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
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Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, our general partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
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.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We may in the future be involved as a party to various legal proceedings, which are incidental to the ordinary course of business. We regularly analyze current information and, as necessary, provide accruals for probable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters. Other than discussed below, there have been no material changes to the legal proceedings disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) Matter
Certain of our subsidiaries are in discussions with the LDEQ to resolve self-reported deviations arising from operation of the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal and the commissioning of the Liquefaction Project, and relating to certain requirements under its Title V Permit. The matter involves deviations self-reported to LDEQ pursuant to the Title V Permit and covering the time period from January 1, 2012 through March 25, 2016. On April 11, 2016, certain of our subsidiaries received a Consolidated Compliance Order and Notice of Potential Penalty (the “Compliance Order”) from LDEQ covering deviations self-reported during that time period. Certain of our subsidiaries continue to work with LDEQ to resolve the matters identified in the Compliance Order. We do not expect that any ultimate sanction will have a material adverse impact on our financial results.
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) Matter
In February 2018, the PHMSA issued a Corrective Action Order (the “CAO”) to SPL in connection with a minor LNG leak from one tank and minor vapor release from a second tank at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal (the “2018 SPL tank incident”). These two tanks have been taken out of operational service while we conduct analysis, repair and remediation. On April 20, 2018, SPL and PHMSA executed a Consent Agreement and Order (the “Consent Order”) that replaces and supersedes the CAO. On July 9, 2019, PHMSA and FERC issued a joint letter setting out operating conditions required to be met prior to SPL returning the tanks to service. In July 2021, PHMSA issued a Notice of Probable Violation (“NOPV”) and Proposed Civil Penalty to SPL alleging violations of federal pipeline safety regulations relating to the 2018 SPL tank incident and proposing civil penalties totaling $2,214,900. On September 16, 2021, PHMSA issued an Amended NOPV that reduced the proposed penalty to $1,458,200. On October 12, 2021, SPL responded to the Amended NOPV, electing not to contest the alleged violations in the Amended NOPV and electing to pay the proposed reduced penalty. PHMSA notified SPL in a letter dated November 9, 2021 that the case was considered “closed.” On March 9, 2022, PHMSA and FERC issued conditional approval to return one of the two tanks to service. SPL continues to coordinate with PHMSA and FERC to address the matters relating to the 2018 SPL tank incident, including repair approach and related analysis. We do not expect that the Consent Order and related analysis, repair and remediation or resolution of the NOPV will have a material adverse impact on our financial results or operations.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
* | Filed herewith. | ||||
** | Furnished herewith. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities 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 | ||||||||||
Date: | May 3, 2022 | By: | /s/ Zach Davis | ||||||||
Zach Davis | |||||||||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||
(on behalf of the registrant and as principal financial officer) | |||||||||||
Date: | May 3, 2022 | By: | /s/ David Slack | ||||||||
David Slack | |||||||||||
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer | |||||||||||
(on behalf of the registrant and as principal accounting officer) |
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