Cheniere Energy Partners Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results
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CQP | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. ("Cheniere Partners") (NYSE Amex:CQP)
reported net income of $42.0 million, or $0.26 per limited partner unit
(basic and diluted), for the second quarter of 2009 compared to a net
loss of $24.5 million, or $0.15 per limited partner unit (basic and
diluted), for the corresponding period in 2008.
Results from operations increased $77.0 million, from an operating loss
of $2.7 million for the second quarter of 2008 to operating income of
$74.3 million for the second quarter of 2009 due to the initial 2.6
Bcf/d sendout and 10.1 Bcf storage capacity being placed into service
during the second half of 2008, the Cheniere Marketing, LLC ("Cheniere
Marketing") terminal use agreement ("TUA") becoming effective in October
2008 and the Total Gas and Power North America, Inc. ("Total") TUA
becoming effective April 1, 2009. Revenues for the second quarter
consist of payments made from Cheniere Marketing and Total under their
respective TUAs.
LNG receiving terminal operating expenses and depreciation and
amortization expenses increased by $8.5 million and $7.1 million,
respectively, as a result of the commencement of operations at the
terminal. General and administrative expenses increased to $5.5 million
in the second quarter 2009 compared to $2.3 million in the comparable
quarter 2008 due to an increase in the amount of service agreement
charges due to an adjustment for inflation and due to the commencement
of a services agreement with a subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, Inc. on
January 1, 2009.
Interest expense increased quarter over quarter primarily due to less
interest expense subject to capitalization during the period and
interest income decreased $3.0 million due to lower interest rates in
the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008.
Additionally, the second quarter of 2009 includes a $0.8 million gain on
derivative instruments compared to a loss of $11.5 million for the
second quarter of 2008 due to changes in natural gas commodity prices.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
As of June 30, 2009, the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal had begun
receiving capacity reservation fee payments from all three of its TUA
customers, Cheniere Marketing, Total and Chevron U.S.A. The latest TUA
commencement date became effective in July 2009 and the first monthly
payment was received in June.
At June 30, 2009, Cheniere Partners had cash and cash equivalents of
$128.8 million. These unrestricted funds are available for construction,
working capital and general purposes, including distributions to unit
holders.
At June 30, 2009, Cheniere Partners had restricted cash and cash
equivalents of $131.0 million, including approximately $82.4 million in
a permanent debt service reserve fund and $13.7 million for one month of
interest as required in the senior notes indenture and $34.9 million
available for potential cash distributions to Cheniere Partners' common
unit holders and general partner.
Sabine Pass LNG Receiving Terminal
The remaining construction of 1.4 Bcf/d sendout capacity and 6.7 Bcf of
storage capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal is nearing
completion and the LNG receiving terminal is expected to be fully
operational with sendout capacity of 4.0 Bcf/d and storage capacity of
16.8 Bcf by the third quarter of 2009. Total estimated construction
costs excluding financing costs are $1.559 billion with costs incurred
as of June 30, 2009 totaling $1.499 billion. Costs are anticipated to be
funded with available cash held by Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.
Unit Distributions
Cheniere Partners estimates its annualized distribution to unit holders
will be $1.70 per unit. Distributions for the second quarter of 2009 of
$0.425 per unit will be paid August 14, 2009.
Cheniere Partners owns 100 percent of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving
terminal located in western Cameron Parish, Louisiana on the Sabine Pass
Channel. Once construction is complete, the terminal will have sendout
capacity of 4.0 Bcf/d and storage capacity of 16.8 Bcf. Construction for
2.6 Bcf/d was completed in 2008 and construction for the remaining 1.4
Bcf/d is expected to be complete in the third quarter of this year.
Additional information about Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. may be found
on its website: www.cheniereenergypartners.com.
This press release contains certain statements that may include
"forward-looking statements" within the meanings of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts,
included herein are "forward-looking statements." Included among
"forward-looking statements" are, among other things, (i) statements
regarding Cheniere Energy Partners' business strategy, plans and
objectives and (ii) statements expressing beliefs and expectations
regarding the development of Cheniere Energy Partners' LNG receiving
terminal business. Although Cheniere Energy Partners believes that the
expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are
reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and
these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Cheniere Energy Partners'
actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these
forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors,
including those discussed in Cheniere Energy Partners' periodic reports
that are filed with and available from the Securities and Exchange
Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other
than as required under the securities laws, Cheniere Energy Partners
does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
Selected Financial Information
(in thousands, except per unit data) (1)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2009 (2) 2008 (2) 2009 (2) 2008 (2)
Revenues (4)
Operating costs and expenses $ 95,695 $ -- $ 158,244 --
LNG receiving terminal development expense (4) -- 234 -- 2,157
LNG receiving terminal operating expense 8,719 174 15,276 178
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 7,157 19 13,806 37
General and administrative expense (4) 5,537 2,321 11,484 4,476
Total operating costs and expenses 21,413 2,748 40,566 6,848
Income (loss) from operations 74,282 (2,748 ) 117,678 (6,848 )
Interest expense, net (4) (33,352 ) (13,594 ) (66,294 ) (29,893 )
Interest income 259 3,346 819 10,049
Derivative gain (loss) 762 (11,537 ) 3,324 (12,367 )
Other -- 20 12 31
Net Income (loss) $ 41,951 $ (24,513 ) $ 55,539 $ (39,028 )
Allocation of net income (loss) to Partners:
Limited Partners' Interest 41,112 (24,023 ) 54,428 (38,247 )
General Partner's Interest 839 (490 ) 1,111 (781 )
Net Income (loss) to Partners $ 41,951 $ (24,513 ) $ 55,539 $ (39,028 )
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per limited partner unit $ 0.26 $ (0.15 ) $ 0.34 $ (0.24 )
Weighted average limited partners units outstanding used for basic
and diluted net income (loss) per unit calculation:
Common units 26,416 26,416 26,416 26,416
Subordinated units 135,384 135,384 135,384 135,384
June 30, 2009 (3) December 31, 2008 (3)
(Unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents $ 128,767 $ 7
Restricted cash and cash equivalents 13,732 235,985
Other current assets (4) 18,344 10,111
Non-current restricted cash, cash equivalents and treasury securities 117,271 158,813
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,593,868 1,517,507
Debt issuance costs, net 28,862 30,748
Advances under long-term contracts 2,697 10,705
Advances to Affiliate - LNG Held for Commissioning (4) 9,767 9,923
Other assets 7,414 5,036
Total assets $ 1,920,722 $ 1,978,835
Current liabilities (4) $ 133,330 $ 107,003
Long-term debt, net of discount 2,108,887 2,107,673
Long-term debt - Related party 71,795 70,661
Deferred revenue, including affiliate 42,860 42,471
Other liabilities (4) 333 2,712
Total partner's deficit (436,483 ) (351,685 )
Total liabilities and partners' deficit $ 1,970,722 $ 1,978,835
(1) Please refer to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
(2) Consolidated operating results of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and
its consolidated subsidiaries for the three and six months ended June
30, 2009 and 2008.
(3) Consolidated balance sheets of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and
its consolidated subsidiaries.
(4) Amounts include transactions between Cheniere Partners and Cheniere
Energy, Inc. or subsidiaries of Cheniere Energy, Inc.
SOURCE: Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
Christina Cavarretta, 713-375-5100 (Investors)
Diane Haggard, 713-375-5259 (Media)
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