HOUSTON, Dec. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheniere Energy, Inc. ("Cheniere") (NYSE MKT: LNG) announced today that its subsidiary, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC ("Corpus Christi Liquefaction"), has entered into a liquefied natural gas ("LNG") sale and purchase agreement ("SPA") with EDP Energias de Portugal S.A. ("EDP") under which EDP has agreed to purchase approximately 0.77 million tonnes per annum ("mtpa") of LNG upon the commencement of operations of Train 3 of the LNG export facility being developed near Corpus Christi, Texas (the "Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project"). The Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project is being designed and permitted for up to three trains, with aggregate design production capacity of approximately 13.5 mtpa of LNG.

Under the SPA, EDP will purchase LNG on a free on board basis (FOB) for a purchase price indexed to the monthly Henry Hub price plus a fixed component. LNG will be loaded onto EDP's vessels. The term of the SPA will extend for twenty years beyond the date of first commercial delivery of the third train of the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project, with an extension option of up to ten years. Deliveries from Train 3 are expected to occur as early as 2019.

"EDP, Portugal's largest supplier of electricity and second largest supplier of gas, is the second customer to contract for LNG on Train 3 of the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project," said Charif Souki, Chairman and CEO. "We have entered into SPAs aggregating approximately 8.42 mtpa of LNG and are in discussions with additional counterparties for agreements that would commence with Train 3. We expect to complete all necessary steps to reach a final investment decision and begin construction by early 2015."

The SPA is subject to certain conditions precedent, including but not limited to Corpus Christi Liquefaction receiving regulatory approvals, securing necessary financing arrangements and making a final investment decision to construct Train 3 of the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project.

EDP, a vertically integrated utility company, is the largest generator, distributor and supplier of electricity in Portugal and has significant operations in electricity and gas in Spain. EDP is the third largest electricity generation company and one of the largest distributors of gas in the Iberian Peninsula.  EDP is a significant company in global energy markets, maintaining a presence in 13 countries, serving more than 9.8 million electricity customers from 1.2 million gas supply points and employing over 12,000 individuals worldwide. On December 31, 2013, EDP had an installed capacity of 23.0 GW. Additional information about EDP can be found on its website located at www.EDP.pt/en.

Cheniere Energy, Inc. is a Houston-based energy company primarily engaged in LNG-related businesses, and owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and Creole Trail Pipeline in Louisiana. Cheniere is pursuing related business opportunities both upstream and downstream of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Through its subsidiary, Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., Cheniere is developing a liquefaction project at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities for up to six LNG trains, each of which will have a design production capacity of approximately 4.5 mtpa ("Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project"). Construction has begun on LNG Trains 1 through 4 at the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project. Cheniere has also initiated a project to develop liquefaction facilities near Corpus Christi, Texas. The Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project is being designed and permitted for up to three LNG trains, with aggregate design production capacity of up to 13.5 mtpa and would include three LNG storage tanks with capacity of 10.1 Bcfe and two LNG carrier docks. Commencement of construction for the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project is subject, but not limited, to obtaining regulatory approvals, entering into long-term customer contracts sufficient to underpin financing of the project, obtaining financing, and Cheniere making a final investment decision. We believe LNG exports from the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project could commence as early as 2018. Additional information about Cheniere Energy, Inc. may be found on its website located at http://www.cheniere.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 fact, included herein are "forward-looking statements." Included among "forward-looking statements" are, among other things, (i) statements regarding Cheniere's business strategy, plans and objectives, including the construction and operation of liquefaction facilities, (ii) statements regarding our expectations regarding regulatory authorizations and approvals, (iii) statements expressing beliefs and expectations regarding the development of Cheniere's LNG terminal and pipeline businesses, including liquefaction facilities, (iv) statements regarding the business operations and prospects of third parties, (v) statements regarding potential financing arrangements and (vi) statements regarding future discussions and entry into contracts. Although Cheniere believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Cheniere's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in Cheniere's periodic reports that are filed with and available from the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required under the securities laws, Cheniere does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE Cheniere Energy, Inc.