Cheniere Reports Strong Second Quarter 2021 Results and Raises Full Year 2021 Guidance

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cheniere Energy, Inc. (“Cheniere”) (NYSE American: LNG) today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2021.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA¹ of approximately $1.0 billion and $2.5 billion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. Distributable Cash Flow¹ of approximately $340 million and $1.09 billion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, an increase of approximately 30% over the first half of 2020. Net loss² of $329 million and net income² of $64 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively.
• Increasing full year 2021 Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA guidance to $4.6 - $4.9 billion and full year 2021 Distributable Cash Flow guidance to $1.8 - $2.1 billion due primarily to improved LNG market margins and an increase in forecasted LNG production.
• In the first half of 2021, we fully repaid the remaining outstanding borrowings under the Cheniere Term Loan Facility and fully repaid Cheniere’s 4.875% convertible notes due May 2021 with $500 million of available cash and $124 million from borrowings under the Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility, in line with previously announced capital allocation priorities.
• In July, Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage III, LLC (“CCL Stage III”) entered into an Integrated Production Marketing (“IPM”) agreement with Tourmaline Oil Marketing Corp. (“Tourmaline”) under which CCL Stage III will purchase 140,000 MMBtu per day of natural gas from Tourmaline at a price based on the Platts Japan Korea Marker (JKM), for a term of approximately 15 years beginning in early 2023.
• Year to date, we have entered into fixed-fee LNG sales agreements with multiple counterparties for portfolio volumes aggregating approximately 12 million tonnes of LNG to be delivered between 2021 and 2032.
• S&P Global Ratings changed the outlook of Cheniere and Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (“Cheniere Partners”) credit ratings to positive from negative.

CEO COMMENT

“Our strong second quarter results are the product of our relentless focus on operational excellence and continued strength in the global LNG market,” said Jack Fusco, Cheniere’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our outlook for the balance of the year has improved yet again, with sustained higher LNG prices and an improved production forecast from our LNG facilities enabling us to increase our full year 2021 financial guidance for the third consecutive quarter.”

“We executed our third IPM transaction in support of Corpus Christi Stage 3, this time with Tourmaline, the largest natural gas producer in Canada. This transaction further reinforces our track record of creating collaborative, innovative solutions to meet our customers’ needs and support Cheniere’s growth. We remain focused on leveraging our market-leading LNG platform to continue to commercialize new LNG capacity, supported by robust LNG market fundamentals.”

2021 REVISED FULL YEAR FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

SUMMARY AND REVIEW OF FINANCIAL RESULTS

Net income decreased $526 million and $508 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, as compared to the corresponding 2020 periods, primarily due to an approximately $434 million and $881 million unfavorable impact from non-cash changes in fair value of commodity, foreign exchange (“FX”), and interest rate derivatives for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and the non-recurrence of net accelerated revenues recognized from cancelled LNG cargoes during the three months ended June 30, 2020 of $405 million. These impacts were partially offset by increased volume and margin per MMBtu of LNG sold, a favorable income tax benefit, decreased interest expense and decreased net income attributable to non-controlling interest. The impact was also offset in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from a higher than normal contribution from LNG and natural gas portfolio optimization activities due to significant volatility in LNG and natural gas markets during first quarter 2021.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, total margins³ were negatively impacted by approximately $591 million and $711 million related to changes in fair value of commodity and FX derivatives, primarily related to the impact of commodity curve shifts on our agreements for the purchase of natural gas, including our long-term Integrated Production Marketing (“IPM”) agreements, and on our forward sales of LNG. The changes in fair value of commodity and FX derivatives were substantially non-cash for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

Our IPM agreements and certain gas supply agreements qualify as derivatives, requiring mark-to-market (“MTM”) accounting. From period to period, we will experience non-cash gains and losses as price movements occur in the underlying commodity curves related to these forward purchases of natural gas. The long-term duration and international price basis of our IPM agreements make them particularly susceptible to fluctuations in fair market value from period to period. While operationally we seek to eliminate commodity risk by matching our natural gas purchases and LNG sales on the same pricing index, our long-term LNG SPAs do not currently qualify for MTM accounting, meaning that the fair market value impact of only one side of the transaction is recognized on our financial statements until the delivery of natural gas and sale of LNG occurs. Our IPM agreements are designed to provide stable margins on purchases of natural gas and sales of LNG over the life of the agreement and have a fixed fee component, similar to that of LNG sold under our long-term, fixed fee LNG SPAs.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA decreased $370 million, or 27%, during the three months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to the comparable 2020 period, primarily due to a decrease in total margins due to the non-recurrence of accelerated revenues recognized from cancelled LNG cargoes during the three months ended June 30, 2020, which was partially offset by increased volumes and margins per MMBtu of LNG recognized in income, primarily related to increased LNG pricing realized on cargoes sold on a short-term basis by our marketing affiliate.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA increased $43 million, or 2%, during the six months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to the comparable 2020 period, primarily due to higher volume and increased margins per MMBtu of LNG recognized in income, primarily related to increased LNG pricing realized on cargoes sold on a short-term basis by our marketing affiliate, and a higher than normal contribution from LNG and natural gas portfolio optimization activities in the first quarter of 2021, partially offset by the non-recurrence of accelerated revenues recognized from cancelled LNG cargoes during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, we recognized $708 million and $761 million, respectively, in LNG revenues associated with cancelled LNG cargoes, of which $458 million would have been recognized subsequent to June 30, 2020 had the cargoes been lifted pursuant to the delivery schedules with the customers. LNG revenues during the three months ended June 30, 2020 excluded $53 million that would have otherwise been recognized during the quarter if the cargoes were lifted pursuant to the delivery schedules with the customers. We did not have any such revenue timing impacts during the three months ended June 30, 2021. LNG revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2021 exclude $38 million that would have been recognized during the period if the cargoes were lifted pursuant to the delivery schedules with the customers.

Share-based compensation expenses included in income totaled $31 million and $63 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, compared to $29 million and $57 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.

Our financial results are reported on a consolidated basis. Our ownership interest in Cheniere Partners (NYSE American: CQP) as of June 30, 2021 consisted of 100% ownership of the general partner and a 48.6% limited partner interest.

BALANCE SHEET MANAGEMENT

Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2021, our total consolidated liquidity position was approximately $6 billion. We had cash and cash equivalents of $1.8 billion on a consolidated basis, of which $1.2 billion was held by Cheniere Partners. In addition, we had current restricted cash of $424 million, $1.1 billion of available commitments under our Revolving Credit Facility, $907 million of available commitments under the Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC Working Capital Facility, $750 million of available commitments under Cheniere Partners’ credit facilities, and $804 million of available commitments under the Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (“SPL”) Working Capital Facility.

Key Financial Transactions and Updates

Year to date, SPL has entered into a series of note purchase agreements for the sale of approximately $347 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes due 2037 (the “2037 SPL Private Placement Senior Secured Notes”) on a private placement basis. The 2037 SPL Private Placement Senior Secured Notes are expected to be issued in the second half of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, and the net proceeds will be used to refinance a portion of SPL’s outstanding 6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 and related fees, costs and expenses. The 2037 SPL Private Placement Senior Secured Notes will be fully amortizing, with a weighted average life of over 10 years.

LIQUEFACTION PROJECTS UPDATE

As of July 31, 2021, approximately 1,675 cumulative LNG cargoes totaling approximately 115 million tonnes of LNG have been produced, loaded and exported from our liquefaction projects.

Construction Progress as of June 30, 2021

Liquefaction Projects Overview

SPL Project

Through Cheniere Partners, we operate five natural gas liquefaction Trains and are constructing one additional Train for a total production capacity of approximately 30 million tonnes per annum (“mtpa”) of LNG at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal (the “SPL Project”).

CCL Project

We operate three Trains for a total production capacity of approximately 15 mtpa of LNG near Corpus Christi, Texas (the “CCL Project”).

Corpus Christi Stage 3

We are developing an expansion adjacent to the CCL Project for up to seven midscale Trains with an expected total production capacity of over 10 mtpa of LNG (“Corpus Christi Stage 3”). We expect to commence construction of the Corpus Christi Stage 3 project upon, among other things, entering into an engineering, procurement, and construction contract and additional commercial agreements, and obtaining adequate financing.

INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

We will host a conference call to discuss our financial and operating results for the second quarter 2021 on Thursday, August 5, 2021, at 11 a.m. Eastern time / 10 a.m. Central time. A listen-only webcast of the call and an accompanying slide presentation may be accessed through our website at www.cheniere.com. Following the call, an archived recording will be made available on our website.

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About Cheniere

Cheniere Energy, Inc. is the leading producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the United States, reliably providing a clean, secure, and affordable solution to the growing global need for natural gas. Cheniere is a full-service LNG provider, with capabilities that include gas procurement and transportation, liquefaction, vessel chartering, and LNG delivery. Cheniere has one of the largest liquefaction platforms in the world, consisting of the Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi liquefaction facilities on the U.S. Gulf Coast, with expected total production capacity of approximately 45 million tonnes per annum of LNG operating or under construction. Cheniere is also pursuing liquefaction expansion opportunities and other projects along the LNG value chain. Cheniere is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and has additional offices in London, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C.

For additional information, please refer to the Cheniere website at www.cheniere.com and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to disclosing financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the accompanying news release contains non-GAAP financial measures. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow are non-GAAP financial measures that we use to facilitate comparisons of operating performance across periods. These non-GAAP measures should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for our U.S. GAAP measures of performance and the financial results calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP and reconciliations from these results should be carefully evaluated.

Non-GAAP measures have limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or in lieu of an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP and should be evaluated only on a supplementary basis.

Forward-Looking Statements

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 or present facts or conditions, included herein are “forward-looking statements.” Included among “forward-looking statements” are, among other things, (i) statements regarding Cheniere’s financial and operational guidance, business strategy, plans and objectives, including the development, construction and operation of liquefaction facilities, (ii) statements regarding expectations regarding regulatory authorizations and approvals, (iii) statements expressing beliefs and expectations regarding the development of Cheniere’s LNG terminal and pipeline businesses, including liquefaction facilities, (iv) statements regarding the business operations and prospects of third parties, (v) statements regarding potential financing arrangements, (vi) statements regarding future discussions and entry into contracts, (vii) statements relating to the amount and timing of share repurchases, and (viii) statements regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our business and operating results. Although Cheniere believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Cheniere’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in Cheniere’s periodic reports that are filed with and available from the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required under the securities laws, Cheniere does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

(Financial Tables and Supplementary Information Follow)

LNG VOLUME SUMMARY

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we exported 496 TBtu and 976 TBtu of LNG, respectively, from our liquefaction projects, of which 28 TBtu in the six month period was related to commissioning activities. 23 TBtu of LNG exported from our liquefaction projects and sold on a delivered basis was in transit as of June 30, 2021, none of which related to commissioning activities.

The following table summarizes the volumes of operational and commissioning LNG that were loaded from our liquefaction projects and for which the financial impact was recognized on our Consolidated Financial Statements during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021:

In addition, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we recognized the financial impact of 14 TBtu and 28 TBtu of LNG on our Consolidated Financial Statements related to LNG cargoes sourced from third parties.

CARGO CANCELLATION REVENUE SUMMARY

The following table summarizes the timing impacts of revenue recognition related to cancelled cargoes on our revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 (in millions):

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

Regulation G Reconciliations

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

The following table reconciles our Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to U.S. GAAP results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (in millions):

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is commonly used as a supplemental financial measure by our management and external users of our consolidated financial statements to assess the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structures, or historical cost basis. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flows from operations or net income (loss) as defined by U.S. GAAP and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

We believe Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA provides relevant and useful information to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating the effectiveness of our operating performance in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of financial and operating performance.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by taking net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders before net income attributable to non-controlling interest, interest expense, net of capitalized interest, changes in the fair value and settlement of our interest rate derivatives, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and adjusting for the effects of certain non-cash items, other non-operating income or expense items, and other items not otherwise predictive or indicative of ongoing operating performance, including the effects of modification or extinguishment of debt, impairment expense and loss on disposal of assets, changes in the fair value of our commodity and FX derivatives prior to contractual delivery or termination, non-cash compensation expense, and non-recurring costs related to our response to the COVID-19 outbreak which are incremental to and separable from normal operations. The change in fair value of commodity and FX derivatives is considered in determining Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA given that the timing of recognizing gains and losses on these derivative contracts differs from the recognition of the related item economically hedged. We believe the exclusion of these items enables investors and other users of our financial information to assess our sequential and year-over-year performance and operating trends on a more comparable basis and is consistent with management’s own evaluation of performance.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow

The following table reconciles our actual Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow to Net income attributable to common stockholders for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and forecast amounts for full year 2021 (in billions):

Distributable Cash Flow is defined as cash received, or expected to be received, from Cheniere’s ownership and interests in Cheniere Partners, cash received (used) by Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC and Cheniere’s integrated marketing function (other than cash for capital expenditures) less interest, taxes and maintenance capital expenditures associated with Cheniere and not the underlying entities. Management uses this measure and believes it provides users of our financial statements a useful measure reflective of our business’s ability to generate cash earnings to supplement the comparable GAAP measure.

We believe Distributable Cash Flow is a useful performance measure for management, investors and other users of our financial information to evaluate our performance and to measure and estimate the ability of our assets to generate cash earnings after servicing our debt, paying cash taxes and expending sustaining capital, that could be used for discretionary purposes such as common stock dividends, stock repurchases, retirement of debt, or expansion capital expenditures. Management uses this measure and believes it provides users of our financial statements a useful measure reflective of our business’s ability to generate cash earnings to supplement the comparable GAAP measure. Distributable Cash Flow is not intended to represent cash flows from operations or net income (loss) as defined by U.S. GAAP and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

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Cheniere Energy, Inc.

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Source: Cheniere Energy, Inc.

Released August 5, 2021