HOUSTON, May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheniere Energy, Inc. ("Cheniere") (NYSE MKT: LNG) reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $117.1 million, or $0.54 per share (basic and diluted), for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $56.4 million, or $0.43 per share (basic and diluted), for the comparable 2012 period.  Results include significant items of $34.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, and $22.7 million for the comparable 2012 period, related to liquefied natural gas ("LNG") terminal and pipeline development expenses primarily for the liquefaction facilities Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. ("Cheniere Partners") is developing at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities (the "Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project") and the proposed liquefaction facilities being developed by us near Corpus Christi, Texas (the "Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project") and derivative losses primarily due to the change in fair value of interest rate derivatives that were entered into by Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC ("Sabine Pass Liquefaction") in August 2012 in connection with its $3.6 billion senior secured credit facility (the "Liquefaction Credit Facility"). 

(Logo:  https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090611/AQ31545LOGO)

Results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 were also impacted by increases in general and administrative expenses of $65.8 million compared to the comparable 2012 period primarily due to the February 2013 granting of awards under the long-term incentive plan related to Trains 3 and 4 of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project.  Included in general and administrative expenses were non-cash compensation expenses of $59.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and $2.1 million for the comparable 2012 period. 

Results are reported on a consolidated basis and include our ownership interest in Cheniere Partners, which was 56.4% as of March 31, 2013.

Overview of Recent Significant Events

• In February 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction issued an aggregate principal amount of $1,500 million of 5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the "2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes").  In April 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction issued an additional $1,500 million of notes, including an aggregate principal amount of $500 million of the 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes and $1,000 million of 5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the "2023 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes").  The $500 million aggregate principal amount constitutes a further issuance of and forms a single series with the 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes.  Net proceeds from these offerings are intended to be used to pay capital costs incurred in connection with the construction of Train 1 and Train 2 of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project in lieu of a portion of the commitments under the Liquefaction Credit Facility;
• In February 2013, Cheniere Partners sold 17.6 million common units for net proceeds, after deducting expenses, of $372.4 million, which includes the general partner's proportionate capital contribution of approximately $7.4 million.  Cheniere Partners intends to use the proceeds from this offering for costs associated with the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project; and
• In March 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction entered into an LNG sale and purchase agreement ("SPA") with Centrica plc ("Centrica") that commences upon the date of first commercial delivery for Train 5 and includes an annual contract quantity of 91.25 million MMBtu of LNG and a fixed fee of $3.00 per MMBtu, equating to expected annual contracted cash flow from fixed fees of $274 million.

Liquefaction Projects Update

Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project

Cheniere Partners continues to make progress on the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project, which is being developed for up to six natural gas liquefaction trains ("Trains"), each with a nominal production capacity of approximately 4.5 mmtpa.  The Trains are in various stages of development.

• Train 1 and Train 2 have received all Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") and Department of Energy ("DOE") approvals.  We have secured approximately $5.9 billion of required financing to construct Train 1 and Train 2 and have commenced construction.  As of March 31, 2013, the overall project for Train 1 and Train 2 was approximately 26% complete.  The estimated substantial completion dates for Train 1 and Train 2 are ahead of the contractual schedule for guaranteed substantial completion, and we anticipate that Train 1 will achieve initial LNG production in late 2015.
• Train 3 and Train 4 have received all FERC and DOE approvals, and we have entered into a lump sum turnkey EPC contract with Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. ("Bechtel") for Train 3 and Train 4.  Construction of Train 3 and Train 4 and the related facilities is expected to commence upon, among other things, obtaining financing commitments sufficient to fund construction and making a positive final investment decision.  We are in the process of securing the required financing for the construction of Train 3 and Train 4 and expect construction to begin in the first half of 2013.
• We recently began the development of Train 5 and Train 6.  We have completed two SPAs for approximately 3.75 mmtpa, in aggregate, of LNG volumes that commence with the start of Train 5 operations. Bechtel has begun preliminary engineering on Train 5 and Train 6, and we have commenced the regulatory approval process.  In February 2013, we commenced the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA") pre-filing process with FERC, and we expect to file a formal application with FERC in the second half of 2013.  In February 2013 and in April 2013, we filed export applications with the DOE for exports to all current and future countries with which the U.S. has a Free Trade Agreement ("FTA") as well as to any country with which the U.S. does not have an FTA in effect for the SPA with Total Gas & Power North America, Inc. and the Centrica SPA, respectively.

Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project

As currently contemplated, the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project is being designed for up to three Trains with aggregate nominal production capacity of up to 15 mmtpa.  We have engaged Bechtel to complete front-end engineering and design work and expect to have project cost estimates in the second half of 2013.

In August 2012, we filed applications with the FERC for authorization to site, construct and operate the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project and with the DOE requesting multi-contract authorization to export up to 767 Bcf per year (approximately 15 mmtpa) of domestically produced LNG from the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project to FTA and non-FTA countries.  In October 2012, the DOE granted us authority to export 15 mmtpa of domestically produced LNG to FTA countries from the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project.

We will contemplate making a final investment decision to commence construction of the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project based upon, among other things, entering into acceptable commercial arrangements, receiving all regulatory approvals and obtaining financing.

Timelines for Liquefaction Projects

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 Trains, each with a nominal production capacity of approximately 4.5 mmtpa. Construction has begun on Train 1 and Train 2 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 Trains, with aggregate nominal production capacity of up to 15 mmtpa of LNG and which 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, entering into an engineering, procurement and construction contract, obtaining financing, and Cheniere making a final investment decision. We believe LNG exports from the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project could commence as early as 2017.

For additional information, please refer to the Cheniere Energy, Inc. website at www.cheniere.com  and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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.

(Financial Table Follows)

As of March 31, 2013, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $178.0 million available to Cheniere. In addition, we had consolidated restricted cash and cash equivalents of $2,189.2 million (which included cash and cash equivalents and other working capital available to Cheniere Partners, in which we own a 56.4% interest, and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. ("Sabine Pass LNG")) designated for the following purposes: $2,042.3 million for the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project and for Cheniere Partners' working capital; $131.5 million for interest payments related to Sabine Pass LNG's senior secured notes; $2.5 million for Sabine Pass LNG's working capital; and $12.9 million for other restricted purposes.

SOURCE Cheniere Energy, Inc.