UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
 
 
 
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017
OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to            
colorlogoonwhitecmyka12.gif
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
 
 
Delaware
001-16383
95-4352386
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(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)
 
 
 
 
 
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  x   No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).  Yes  x   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. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
 
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  x
As of April 28, 2017, the issuer had 237,881,592 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
 



CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





i


DEFINITIONS
As used in this quarterly report, the terms listed below have the following meanings: 

Common Industry and Other Terms
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
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
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, an energy unit
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
 
Securities and Exchange Commission
SPA
 
LNG sale and purchase agreement
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 Organizational Structure

The following diagram depicts our abbreviated organizational structure as of March 31, 2017, including our ownership of certain subsidiaries, and the references to these entities used in this quarterly report:
orgcharta43.jpg
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Cheniere,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE MKT: LNG) and its consolidated subsidiaries, including our publicly traded subsidiaries, Cheniere Partners (NYSE MKT: CQP) and Cheniere Holdings (NYSE MKT: CQH).
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to the “CCH Group” refer to CCH HoldCo II, CCH HoldCo I, CCH, CCL and CCP, collectively. References to the “CCL Stage III entities” refer to Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage III, LLC and Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline Stage III, LLC.

2


PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share data)





 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
ASSETS
(unaudited)
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
923

 
$
876

Restricted cash
1,000

 
860

Accounts and other receivables
290

 
218

Inventory
113

 
160

Derivative assets
19

 
24

Other current assets
74

 
100

Total current assets
2,419

 
2,238

 
 
 
 
Non-current restricted cash
1,018

 
91

Property, plant and equipment, net
22,016

 
20,635

Debt issuance costs, net
244

 
277

Non-current derivative assets
44

 
83

Goodwill
77

 
77

Other non-current assets, net
238

 
302

Total assets
$
26,056

 
$
23,703

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 
 

Current liabilities
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
54

 
$
49

Accrued liabilities
683

 
637

Current debt, net
24

 
247

Deferred revenue
63

 
73

Derivative liabilities
47

 
71

Total current liabilities
871

 
1,077

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net
24,088

 
21,688

Non-current deferred revenue
5

 
5

Non-current derivative liabilities
38

 
45

Other non-current liabilities
59

 
49

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 15)


 


 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5.0 million shares authorized, none issued

 

Common stock, $0.003 par value
 
 
 

Authorized: 480.0 million shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
 
 
 
Issued: 250.1 million shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016


 


Outstanding: 237.9 million shares and 238.0 million shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
1

 
1

Treasury stock: 12.2 million shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, at cost
(375
)
 
(374
)
Additional paid-in-capital
3,218

 
3,211

Accumulated deficit
(4,180
)
 
(4,234
)
Total stockholders’ deficit
(1,336
)
 
(1,396
)
Non-controlling interest
2,331

 
2,235

Total equity
995

 
839

Total liabilities and equity
$
26,056

 
$
23,703


3


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data) 
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues
 
 
 
LNG revenues
$
1,143

 
$
3

Regasification revenues
68

 
65

Other revenues

 
1

Total revenues
1,211

 
69

 
 
 
 
Operating costs and expenses
 
 
 
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)
624

 
15

Operating and maintenance expense
78

 
36

Development expense
3

 
2

Selling, general and administrative expense
54

 
66

Depreciation and amortization expense
70

 
24

Restructuring expense
6

 
7

Impairment expense

 
10

Total operating costs and expenses
835

 
160

 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
376

 
(91
)
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense)
 
 
 
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
(165
)
 
(76
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(42
)
 
(1
)
Derivative gain (loss), net
1

 
(181
)
Other income
2

 
1

Total other expense
(204
)
 
(257
)
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest
172


(348
)
Income tax provision


(1
)
Net income (loss)
172


(349
)
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
118


(28
)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
54


$
(321
)






Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted
$
0.23


$
(1.41
)
 





Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—basic
232.4


228.1

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—diluted
232.7

 
228.1

 




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4



CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated Deficit
 
Non-controlling Interest
 
Total
Equity
 
Shares
 
Par Value Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2016
238.0

 
$
1

 
12.2

 
$
(374
)
 
$
3,211

 
$
(4,234
)
 
$
2,235

 
$
839

Issuance of stock to acquire additional interest in Cheniere Holdings

 

 

 

 
2

 

 
(2
)
 

Forfeitures of restricted stock
(0.1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 
5

 

 

 
5

Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 
118

 
118

Distributions to non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 
(20
)
 
(20
)
Net income

 

 

 

 

 
54

 

 
54

Balance at March 31, 2017
237.9

 
$
1

 
12.2

 
$
(375
)
 
$
3,218

 
$
(4,180
)
 
$
2,331

 
$
995


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5



CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
172

 
$
(349
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization expense
70

 
24

Share-based compensation expense
24

 
16

Non-cash interest expense
20

 
17

Amortization of debt issuance costs, deferred commitment fees, premium and discount
17

 
13

Loss on early extinguishment of debt
42

 
1

Total losses on derivatives, net
44

 
182

Net cash used for settlement of derivative instruments
(29
)
 
(9
)
Impairment expense

 
10

Other

 
1

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts and other receivables
(6
)
 
1

Inventory
54

 
(2
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(76
)
 
(28
)
Deferred revenue
(11
)
 
(1
)
Other, net
(12
)
 
(7
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
309

 
(131
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
(1,319
)
 
(1,150
)
Other
29

 
(18
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,290
)
 
(1,168
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuances of debt
2,862

 
1,908

Repayments of debt
(703
)
 
(415
)
Debt issuance and deferred financing costs
(43
)
 
(49
)
Distributions and dividends to non-controlling interest
(20
)
 
(20
)
Payments related to tax withholdings for share-based compensation
(1
)
 
(1
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
2,095

 
1,423

 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
1,114

 
124

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period
1,827

 
1,736

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period
$
2,941

 
$
1,860



Balances per Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash and cash equivalents
$
923

 
$
1,095

Restricted cash
1,000

 
733

Non-current restricted cash
1,018

 
32

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
2,941

 
$
1,860



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6


  
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)



NOTE 1—NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

We are currently developing and constructing two natural gas liquefaction and export facilities. The Sabine Pass LNG terminal is located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, on the Sabine-Neches Waterway less than four miles from the Gulf Coast. Cheniere Partners is developing, constructing and operating natural gas liquefaction facilities (the “SPL Project”) at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities through a wholly owned subsidiary, SPL. Cheniere Partners plans to construct up to six Trains, which are in various stages of development, construction and operations. Trains 1 through 3 have commenced commercial operations, Train 4 is undergoing commissioning, Train 5 is under construction and Train 6 is being commercialized and has all necessary regulatory approvals in place. The Sabine Pass LNG terminal has operational regasification facilities owned by Cheniere Partners’ wholly owned subsidiary, SPLNG, and a 94-mile pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with a number of large interstate pipelines through a wholly owned subsidiary, CTPL.

In the second quarter of 2016, we started production at the SPL Project and began recognizing LNG revenues, which include fees that are received pursuant to our SPAs and our integrated LNG marketing activities. We also recognize regasification revenues, which include LNG regasification capacity reservation fees that are received pursuant to our TUAs and tug services fees that are received by Sabine Pass Tug Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SPLNG.

We are developing and constructing a second natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal, which is on nearly 2,000 acres of land that we own or control near Corpus Christi, Texas, and a pipeline facility (collectively, the “CCL Project”) through wholly owned subsidiaries CCL and CCP, respectively. The CCL Project is being developed in two stages for up to three Trains.

The CCL Stage III entities, our wholly owned subsidiaries, are also developing two additional Trains and one LNG storage tank at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal adjacent to the CCL Project, along with a second natural gas pipeline. We are also in various stages of developing other projects which, among other things, will require acceptable commercial and financing arrangements before we make a final investment decision (“FID”).

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Cheniere have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and 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 year ended December 31, 2016. In our opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior period information to the current presentation.  The reclassifications had no effect on our overall consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2017.


7


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


NOTE 2—RESTRICTED CASH
 
Restricted cash consists of funds that are contractually 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, restricted cash consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Current restricted cash
 
 
 
 
SPL Project
 
$
531

 
$
358

CQP and cash held by guarantor subsidiaries
 
225

 
247

CCL Project
 
143

 
197

Cash held by our subsidiaries restricted to Cheniere
 
101

 
58

Total current restricted cash
 
$
1,000

 
$
860

 
 
 
 
 
Non-current restricted cash
 
 
 
 
SPL Project
 
$
1,000

 
$

CCL Project
 

 
73

Other
 
18

 
18

Total non-current restricted cash
 
$
1,018

 
$
91


NOTE 3—ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, accounts and other receivables consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Trade receivables
 
 
 
 
SPL
 
$
92

 
$
88

Cheniere Marketing
 
185

 
121

Other accounts receivable
 
13

 
9

Total accounts and other receivables
 
$
290

 
$
218


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 SPL Project and other restricted payments.

NOTE 4—INVENTORY

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, inventory consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Natural gas
 
$
19

 
$
15

LNG
 
28

 
50

LNG in-transit
 
20

 
58

Materials and other
 
46

 
37

Total inventory
 
$
113

 
$
160



8


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


NOTE 5—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property, plant and equipment, net consists of LNG terminal costs and fixed assets and other, as follows (in millions):
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
LNG terminal costs
 
 
 
 
LNG terminal
 
$
10,414

 
$
7,978

LNG terminal construction-in-process
 
11,972

 
12,995

LNG site and related costs
 
77

 
41

Accumulated depreciation
 
(618
)
 
(555
)
Total LNG terminal costs, net
 
21,845

 
20,459

Fixed assets and other
 
 

 
 

Computer and office equipment
 
13

 
13

Furniture and fixtures
 
17

 
17

Computer software
 
86

 
85

Leasehold improvements
 
42

 
43

Land
 
61

 
61

Other
 
21

 
22

Accumulated depreciation
 
(69
)
 
(65
)
Total fixed assets and other, net
 
171

 
176

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
$
22,016

 
$
20,635


Depreciation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $70 million and $24 million, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we realized offsets to LNG terminal costs of $131 million and $14 million, respectively, that were related to the sale of commissioning cargoes because these amounts were earned prior to the start of commercial operations, during the testing phase for the construction of the SPL Project.

NOTE 6—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
 
We have entered into the following derivative instruments that are reported at fair value:
interest rate swaps to hedge the exposure to volatility in a portion of the floating-rate interest payments under certain of our credit facilities (“Interest Rate Derivatives”);
commodity derivatives consisting of natural gas supply contracts for the commissioning and operation of the SPL Project (“Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”) and associated economic hedges (collectively, the “Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”);
financial derivatives to hedge the exposure to the commodity markets in which we have contractual arrangements to purchase or sell physical LNG (“LNG Trading Derivatives”); and
foreign currency exchange (“FX”) contracts to hedge exposure to currency risk associated with operations in countries outside of the United States (“FX Derivatives”).
None of our derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedging instruments, and changes in fair value are recorded within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

9


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)



The following table (in millions) shows the fair value of our derivative instruments that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, which are classified as derivative assets, non-current derivative assets, derivative liabilities or non-current derivative liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Fair Value Measurements as of
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
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
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives liability
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(6
)
 
$

 
$
(6
)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives asset

 
16

 

 
16

 

 
13

 

 
13

CCH Interest Rate Derivatives liability

 
(75
)
 

 
(75
)
 

 
(86
)
 

 
(86
)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives asset (liability)
(2
)
 

 
41

 
39

 
(4
)
 
(2
)
 
79

 
73

LNG Trading Derivatives asset (liability)

 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
 
2

 
(5
)
 

 
(3
)
FX Derivatives asset

 
1

 

 
1

 

 

 

 


There have been no changes to our evaluation of and accounting for our derivative positions designated as Level 1 during the three months ended March 31, 2017. See Note 7—Derivative Instruments of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for additional information.

We value our Interest Rate Derivatives using valuations based on the initial trade prices. Using an income-based approach, subsequent valuations are based on observable inputs to the valuation model including interest rate curves, risk adjusted discount rates, credit spreads and other relevant data. The estimated fair values of our economic hedges related to the LNG Trading Derivatives are the amounts at which the instruments could be exchanged currently between willing parties. We value these derivatives using observable commodity price curves and other relevant data. We estimate the fair values of our FX Derivatives with a market approach using observable FX rates and other relevant data.

The fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives is predominantly driven by market commodity basis prices and our assessment of the associated conditions precedent, including evaluating whether the respective market is available as pipeline infrastructure is developed. Upon the completion and placement into service of relevant pipeline infrastructure to accommodate marketable physical gas flow, we recognize a gain or loss based on the fair value of the respective natural gas supply contracts as of the reporting date.

The fair value of substantially all of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives is developed through the use of internal models which are impacted by inputs that are unobservable in the marketplace. As a result, the fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives is designated as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. The curves used to generate the fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives are based on basis adjustments applied to forward curves for a liquid trading point. In addition, there may be observable liquid market basis information in the near term, but terms of a particular Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives contract may exceed the period for which such information is available, resulting in a Level 3 classification. In these instances, the fair value of the contract incorporates extrapolation assumptions made in the determination of the market basis price for future delivery periods in which applicable commodity basis prices were either not observable or lacked corroborative market data. Internal fair value models include conditions precedent to the respective long-term natural gas supply contracts. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, some of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives existed within markets for which the pipeline infrastructure is under development to accommodate marketable physical gas flow.


10


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


The following table includes quantitative information for the unobservable inputs for our Level 3 Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives as of March 31, 2017:
 
 
Net Fair Value Asset
(in millions)
 
Valuation Technique
 
Significant Unobservable Input
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs Range
Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives
 
$41
 
Income Approach
 
Basis Spread
 
$(0.345) - $0.081

The following table (in millions) shows the changes in the fair value of our Level 3 Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
79

 
$
32

Realized and mark-to-market losses:
 
 
 
 
Included in cost of sales (1)
 
(41
)
 
(2
)
Purchases and settlements:
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 
4

 

Settlements (1)
 
(1
)
 

Balance, end of period
 
$
41

 
$
30

Change in unrealized gains relating to instruments still held at end of period
 
$
(41
)
 
$
(2
)
 
    
(1)
Does not include the decrease in fair value of $1 million related to the realized gains capitalized during the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Derivative assets and liabilities arising from our derivative contracts with the same counterparty are reported on a net basis, as all counterparty derivative contracts provide for net settlement. 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. Our derivative instruments are subject to contractual provisions which provide for the unconditional right of set-off for all derivative assets and liabilities with a given counterparty in the event of default.

Interest Rate Derivatives

SPL had entered into interest rate swaps (“SPL Interest Rate Derivatives”) to protect against volatility of future cash flows and hedge a portion of the variable interest payments on the credit facilities it entered into in June 2015 (the “2015 SPL Credit Facilities”). In March 2017, SPL settled the SPL Interest Rate Derivatives and recognized a derivative loss of $7 million in conjunction with the termination of approximately $1.6 billion of commitments under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, as discussed in Note 10—Debt.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 there were no changes to the terms of the interest rate swaps (“CQP Interest Rate Derivatives”) entered into by CQP to hedge a portion of the variable interest payments on the credit facilities it entered into in February 2016 (the “2016 CQP Credit Facilities”) or the interest rate swaps (“CCH Interest Rate Derivatives”) entered into by CCH to hedge a portion of the variable interest payments on its credit facility (the “2015 CCH Credit Facility”). See Note 7—Derivative Instruments of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for additional information.

As of March 31, 2017, we had the following Interest Rate Derivatives outstanding:
 
 
Initial Notional Amount
 
Maximum Notional Amount
 
Effective Date
 
Maturity Date
 
Weighted Average Fixed Interest Rate Paid
 
Variable Interest Rate Received
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives
 
$225 million
 
$1.3 billion
 
March 22, 2016
 
February 29, 2020
 
1.19%
 
One-month LIBOR
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives
 
$29 million
 
$5.5 billion
 
May 20, 2015
 
May 31, 2022
 
2.29%
 
One-month LIBOR


11


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


The following table (in millions) shows the fair value and location of our Interest Rate Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives
 
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives
 
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives
 
Total
 
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives
 
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives
 
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives
 
Total
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-current derivative assets
 
$

 
$
16

 
$

 
$
16

 
$

 
$
16

 
$

 
$
16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
 

 

 
(38
)
 
(38
)
 
(4
)
 
(3
)
 
(43
)
 
(50
)
Non-current derivative liabilities
 

 

 
(37
)
 
(37
)
 
(2
)
 

 
(43
)
 
(45
)
Total derivative liabilities
 

 

 
(75
)
 
(75
)
 
(6
)
 
(3
)
 
(86
)
 
(95
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative asset (liability), net
 
$

 
$
16

 
$
(75
)
 
$
(59
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
13

 
$
(86
)
 
$
(79
)

The following table (in millions) shows the changes in the fair value and settlements of our Interest Rate Derivatives recorded in derivative gain (loss), net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives loss
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(11
)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives gain (loss)
 
2

 
(10
)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives gain (loss)
 
1

 
(160
)

Commodity Derivatives

The following table (in millions) shows the fair value and location of our Liquefaction Supply Derivatives and LNG Trading Derivatives (collectively, “Commodity Derivatives”) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives (1)
 
LNG Trading Derivatives (2)
 
Total
 
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives (1)
 
LNG Trading Derivatives (2)
 
Total
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative assets
$
16

 
$
2

 
$
18

 
$
13

 
$
7

 
$
20

Non-current derivative assets
28

 

 
28

 
67

 

 
67

Total derivative assets
44

 
2

 
46

 
80

 
7

 
87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
(9
)
 
(7
)
 
(10
)
 
(17
)
Non-current derivative liabilities
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 

 

Total derivative liabilities
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
(10
)
 
(7
)
 
(10
)
 
(17
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative asset (liability), net
$
39

 
$
(3
)
 
$
36

 
$
73

 
$
(3
)
 
$
70

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notional amount (in million MMBtu) (3)
1,214

 
6

 
 
 
1,117

 

 
 
 
    
(1)
Does not include collateral of $5 million and $6 million deposited for such contracts, which is included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
(2)
Does not include collateral of $11 million and $10 million deposited for such contracts, which are included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

12


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


(3)
SPL had secured up to approximately 2,051 million MMBtu and 1,994 million MMBtu of natural gas feedstock through natural gas supply contracts as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
The following table (in millions) shows the changes in the fair value, settlements and location of our Commodity Derivatives recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Statement of Operations Location (1)
 
2017
 
2016
LNG Trading Derivatives gain (loss)
LNG revenues
 
$
(6
)
 
$
5

Liquefaction Supply Derivatives loss (2)
Cost of sales
 
39

 
4

 
(1)
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.
(2)    Does not include the realized value associated with derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery.

FX Derivatives

The following table (in millions) shows the fair value and location of our FX Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements as of
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
FX Derivatives
Derivative assets
 
$
1

 
$
4

FX Derivatives
Derivative liabilities
 

 
(4
)

The total notional amount of our FX Derivatives was $3 million and $11 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
    
The following table (in millions) shows the changes in the fair value of our FX Derivatives recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
Statement of Operations Location
 
2017
 
2016
FX Derivatives loss
 
LNG revenues
 
$

 
$
(2
)


13


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


Balance Sheet Presentation

Our derivative instruments are presented on a net basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as described above. The following table (in millions) shows the fair value of our derivatives outstanding on a gross and net basis:
 
 
Gross Amounts Recognized
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Offsetting Derivative Assets (Liabilities)
 
 
 
As of March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives
 
$
17

 
$
(1
)
 
$
16

CCH Interest Rate Derivatives
 
(82
)
 
7

 
(75
)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives
 
48

 
(4
)
 
44

Liquefaction Supply Derivatives
 
2

 
(7
)
 
(5
)
LNG Trading Derivatives
 
7

 
(5
)
 
2

LNG Trading Derivatives
 
4

 
(9
)
 
(5
)
FX Derivatives
 
1

 

 
1

As of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 


SPL Interest Rate Derivatives
 
$
(6
)
 
$

 
$
(6
)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives
 
16

 

 
16

CQP Interest Rate Derivatives
 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives
 
(95
)
 
9

 
(86
)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives
 
82

 
(2
)
 
80

Liquefaction Supply Derivatives
 
(11
)
 
4

 
(7
)
LNG Trading Derivatives
 
21

 
(15
)
 
6

LNG Trading Derivatives
 
(17
)
 
8

 
(9
)
FX Derivatives
 
5

 
(1
)
 
4

FX Derivatives
 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)

NOTE 7—OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, other non-current assets consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Advances made under EPC and non-EPC contracts
 
$
20

 
$
69

Advances made to municipalities for water system enhancements
 
99

 
99

Advances and other asset conveyances to third parties to support LNG terminals
 
46

 
53

Tax-related payments and receivables
 
28

 
31

Equity method investments
 
10

 
10

Cost method investments
 
5

 
5

Other
 
30

 
35

Total other non-current assets, net
 
$
238

 
$
302


Our cost method investments consist of interests in privately-held companies without a readily determinable fair value. The Company’s cost method investments are assessed for impairment quarterly. We determined that it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of these investments on a regular basis and do not reassess the fair value of cost method investments if there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. We did not identify events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of these investments during the three months ended March 31, 2017.


14


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


NOTE 8—NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
 
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we owned 82.7% and 82.6%, respectively, of Cheniere Holdings as well as the director voting share, with the remaining non-controlling interest held by the public. Cheniere Holdings owns a 55.9% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners in the form of 12.0 million common units, 45.3 million Class B units and 135.4 million subordinated units, with the remaining non-controlling interest held by Blackstone CQP Holdco LP and the public. We also own 100% of the general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights in Cheniere Partners. Both Cheniere Holdings and Cheniere Partners are accounted for as variable interest entities. For further information regarding variable interest entities, refer to our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

NOTE 9—ACCRUED LIABILITIES
  
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in millions): 
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Interest costs and related debt fees
 
$
198

 
$
273

Compensation and benefits
 
52

 
56

LNG terminals and related pipeline costs
 
408

 
284

Other accrued liabilities
 
25

 
24

Total accrued liabilities
 
$
683

 
$
637

 

15


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


NOTE 10—DEBT
 
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our debt consisted of the following (in millions): 
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Long-term debt:
 
 
 
 
SPL
 
 
 


5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (“2021 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized premium of $7 and $7
 
$
2,007

 
$
2,007

6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (“2022 SPL Senior Notes”)
 
1,000

 
1,000

5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (“2023 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized premium of $5 and $6
 
1,505

 
1,506

5.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (“2024 SPL Senior Notes”)
 
2,000

 
2,000

5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (“2025 SPL Senior Notes”)
 
2,000

 
2,000

5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (“2026 SPL Senior Notes”)
 
1,500

 
1,500

5.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (“2027 SPL Senior Notes”)
 
1,500

 
1,500

4.200% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (“2028 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $1 and zero
 
1,349

 

5.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2037 (“2037 SPL Senior Notes”)
 
800

 

2015 SPL Credit Facilities
 

 
314

Cheniere Partners
 
 
 
 
2016 CQP Credit Facilities
 
2,560

 
2,560

CCH
 
 
 
 
7.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (“2024 CCH Senior Notes”)
 
1,250

 
1,250

5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (“2025 CCH Senior Notes”)
 
1,500

 
1,500

2015 CCH Credit Facility
 
2,929

 
2,381

CCH HoldCo II
 
 
 
 
11.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (“2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes”)
 
1,203

 
1,171

Cheniere
 
 
 
 
4.875% Convertible Unsecured Notes due 2021 (“2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $140 and $146
 
966

 
960

4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2045 (“2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $316 and $317
 
309

 
308

$750 million Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility (“Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility”)
 

 

Unamortized debt issuance costs
 
(290
)
 
(269
)
Total long-term debt, net
 
24,088

 
21,688

 
 
 
 
 
Current debt:
 
 
 
 
$1.2 billion SPL Working Capital Facility (“SPL Working Capital Facility”)
 

 
224

$350 million CCH Working Capital Facility (“CCH Working Capital Facility”)
 

 

Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities
 
24

 
23

Total current debt, net
 
24

 
247

 
 
 
 
 
Total debt, net
 
$
24,112

 
$
21,935


2017 Debt Issuances and Redemptions

Senior Notes

In February 2017, SPL issued an aggregate principal amount of $800 million of the 2037 SPL Senior Notes on a private placement basis in reliance on the exemption from registration provided for under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In March 2017, SPL issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.35 billion, before discount, of the 2028 SPL Senior Notes. Net proceeds of the offerings of the 2037 SPL Senior Notes and the 2028 SPL Senior Notes were $789 million and $1.33 billion, respectively, after deducting the initial purchasers’ commissions (for the 2028 SPL Senior Notes) and estimated fees and

16


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


expenses. The net proceeds of the 2037 SPL Senior Notes were used to repay the then outstanding borrowings of $369 million under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities and, along with the net proceeds of the 2028 SPL Senior Notes, the remainder is being used to pay a portion of the capital costs in connection with the construction of Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project in lieu of the terminated portion of the commitments under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities.
  
In connection with the issuance of the 2037 SPL Senior Notes and the 2028 SPL Senior Notes, SPL terminated the remaining available balance of $1.6 billion under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, resulting in a write-off of debt issuance costs associated with the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities of $42 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The 2037 SPL Senior Notes and the 2028 SPL Senior Notes accrue interest at fixed rates of 5.00% and 4.200%, respectively, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears. The terms of the 2037 SPL Senior Notes are governed by an indenture which contains customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit SPL’s ability and the ability of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock, make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on capital stock or subordinated indebtedness or purchase, redeem or retire capital stock, sell or transfer assets, including capital stock of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries, restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries, incur liens, enter into transactions with affiliates, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of SPL’s assets and enter into certain LNG sales contracts. The 2028 SPL Senior Notes are governed by the same common indenture as the other senior notes, which also contains customary terms and events of default, covenants and redemption terms.

At any time prior to six months before the respective dates of maturity of the 2037 SPL Senior Notes and the 2028 SPL Senior Notes, SPL may redeem all or part of such notes at a redemption price equal to the “optional redemption” price for the 2037 SPL Senior Notes or the “make-whole” price for the 2028 SPL Senior Notes, as set forth in the respective indentures governing the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. SPL may also, at any time within six months of the respective maturity dates for the 2037 SPL Senior Notes and the 2028 SPL Senior Notes, redeem all or part of such notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

In connection with the issuance of the 2028 SPL Senior Notes, SPL entered into a registration rights agreement (the “SPL Registration Rights Agreement”). Under the terms of the SPL Registration Rights Agreement, SPL has agreed, and any future guarantors will agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange any and all of the 2028 SPL Senior Notes for a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities of SPL with terms identical in all material respects to the 2028 SPL Senior Notes sought to be exchanged (other than with respect to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate), within 360 days after March 6, 2017. Under specified circumstances, SPL has also agreed, and any future guarantors will also agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to resales of the 2028 SPL Senior Notes. SPL will be obligated to pay additional interest on the 2028 SPL Senior Notes if it fails to comply with its obligation to register them within the specified time period.

Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility

In March 2017, we entered into the Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility that may be used to fund, through loans and letters of credit, equity capital contributions to CCH HoldCo II and its subsidiaries for the development of the CCL Project and, provided that certain conditions are met, for general corporate purposes. No advances or letters of credit under the Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility are available until either (1) Cheniere’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents are less than $500 million or (2) Train 4 of the SPL Project has achieved substantial completion. We incurred $16 million of debt issuance costs related to the Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Loans under the Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to LIBOR or the base rate (equal to the highest of (1) the prime rate, (2) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (3) one month LIBOR plus 1.00%), plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans is 3.25% per annum, and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 2.25% per annum. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each LIBOR period, and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end of each calendar quarter. We will also pay (1) a commitment fee on the average daily amount of undrawn commitments at an annual rate of 0.75%, payable quarterly in arrears, and (2) a letter of credit fee at an annual rate equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR loans on the undrawn portion of all letters of credit issued under the Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility. Draws on any letters of credit will accrue interest at an annual rate equal to the base rate plus 2.0%.

17


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


 
The Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility matures on March 2, 2021 and contains representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants customary for companies like Cheniere with lenders of the type participating in the Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility that limit our ability to make restricted payments, including distributions, unless certain conditions are satisfied, as well as limitations on indebtedness, guarantees, hedging, liens, investments and affiliate transactions. Under the terms of the Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility, we are required to ensure that the sum of our unrestricted cash and the amount of undrawn commitments under the Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility is at least equal to the lesser of (1) 20% of the commitments under the Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility and (2) $100 million.

The Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest (subject to permitted liens and other customary exceptions) in substantially all of our assets, including our interests in our direct subsidiaries (excluding CCH HoldCo II).

Credit Facilities

Below is a summary (in millions) of our credit facilities outstanding as of March 31, 2017:
 
 
SPL Working Capital Facility
 
2016 CQP Credit Facilities
 
2015 CCH Credit Facility
 
CCH Working Capital Facility
 
Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility
Original facility size
 
$
1,200

 
$
2,800

 
$
8,404

 
$
350

 
$
750

Outstanding balance
 

 
2,560

 
2,929

 

 

Commitments prepaid or terminated
 

 

 
2,420

 

 

Letters of credit issued
 
377

 
50

 

 
82

 

Available commitment

$
823


$
190


$
3,055


$
268


$
750

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate
 
LIBOR plus 1.75% or base rate plus 0.75%
 
LIBOR plus 2.25% or base rate plus 1.25% (1)
 
LIBOR plus 2.25% or base rate plus 1.25% (2)
 
LIBOR plus 1.50% - 2.00% or base rate plus 0.50% - 1.00%
 
LIBOR plus 3.25% or base rate plus 2.25%
Maturity date
 
December 31, 2020, with various terms for underlying loans
 
February 25, 2020, with principals due quarterly commencing on February 19, 2019
 
Earlier of May 13, 2022 or second anniversary of CCL Trains 1 and 2 completion date
 
December 14, 2021, with various terms for underlying loans
 
March 2, 2021
 
(1)
There is a 0.50% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans beginning on February 25, 2019.
(2)
There is a 0.25% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans following completion of the first two Trains of the CCL Project.

18


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)



Convertible Notes

Below is a summary (in millions) of our convertible notes outstanding as of March 31, 2017:
 
 
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes
 
2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes
 
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes
Aggregate original principal
 
$
1,000

 
$
1,000

 
$
625

Debt component, net of discount
 
$
966

 
$
1,203

 
$
309

Equity component
 
$
205

 
$

 
$
194

Interest payment method
 
Paid-in-kind

 
Paid-in-kind (1)

 
Cash

Conversion by us (2)
 

 
(3)

 
(4)

Conversion by holders (2)
 
(5)

 
(6)

 
(7)

Conversion basis
 
Cash and/or stock

 
Stock

 
Cash and/or stock

Conversion value in excess of principal
 
$

 
$

 
$

Maturity date
 
May 28, 2021

 
March 1, 2025

 
March 15, 2045

Contractual interest rate
 
4.875
%
 
11.0
%
 
4.25
%
Effective interest rate
 
8.3
%
 
11.9
%
 
9.4
%
Remaining debt discount and debt issuance costs amortization period (8)
 
4.2 years

 
3.5 years

 
28.0 years

 
(1)
Prior to the substantial completion of Train 2 of the CCL Project, interest will be paid entirely in kind. Following this date, the interest generally must be paid in cash; however, a portion of the interest may be paid in kind under certain specified circumstances.
(2)
Conversion is subject to various limitations and conditions.
(3)
Convertible on or after the later of March 1, 2020 and the substantial completion of Train 2 of the CCL Project, provided that our market capitalization is not less than $10.0 billion (“Eligible Conversion Date”). The conversion price is the lower of (1) a 10% discount to the average of the daily volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of our common stock for the 90 trading day period prior to the date notice is provided, and (2) a 10% discount to the closing price of our common stock on the trading day preceding the date notice is provided.
(4)
Redeemable at any time after March 15, 2020 at a redemption price payable in cash equal to the accreted amount of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to such redemption date.
(5)
Initially convertible at $93.64 (subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events), provided that the closing price of our common stock is greater than or equal to the conversion price on the conversion date.
(6)
Convertible on or after the six-month anniversary of the Eligible Conversion Date, provided that our total market capitalization is not less than $10.0 billion, at a price equal to the average of the daily VWAP of our common stock for the 90 trading day period prior to the date on which notice of conversion is provided.
(7)
Prior to December 15, 2044, convertible only under certain circumstances as specified in the indenture; thereafter, holders may convert their notes regardless of these circumstances. The conversion rate will initially equal 7.2265 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, which corresponds to an initial conversion price of approximately $138.38 per share of our common stock (subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events).
(8)
We amortize any debt discount and debt issuance costs using the effective interest over the period through contractual maturity except for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes, which are amortized through the date they are first convertible by holders into our common stock.


19


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


Interest Expense

Total interest expense, including interest expense related to our convertible notes, consisted of the following (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Interest cost on convertible notes:
 
 
 
Interest per contractual rate
$
53

 
$
49

Amortization of debt discount
7

 
9

Amortization of debt issuance costs
2

 
1

Total interest cost related to convertible notes
62

 
59

Interest cost on debt excluding convertible notes
292


234

Total interest cost
354

 
293

Capitalized interest
(189
)
 
(217
)
Total interest expense, net
$
165

 
$
76


Fair Value Disclosures

The following table (in millions) shows the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our debt:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Senior notes, net of premium or discount (1)
 
$
15,611

 
$
16,738

 
$
14,263

 
$
15,210

2037 SPL Senior Notes (2)
 
800

 
826

 

 

Credit facilities (3)
 
5,513

 
5,513

 
5,502

 
5,502

2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes, net of discount (2)
 
966

 
1,025

 
960

 
983

2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes (2)
 
1,203

 
1,398

 
1,171

 
1,328

2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, net of discount (4)
 
309

 
422

 
308

 
375

 
(1)
Includes 2021 SPL Senior Notes, 2022 SPL Senior Notes, 2023 SPL Senior Notes, 2024 SPL Senior Notes, 2025 SPL Senior Notes, 2026 SPL Senior Notes, 2027 SPL Senior Notes, 2028 SPL Senior Notes, 2024 CCH Senior Notes and 2025 CCH Senior Notes. 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 our stock price and interest rates based on debt issued by parties with comparable credit ratings to us and inputs that are not observable in the market. 
(3)
Includes 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, SPL Working Capital Facility, 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, 2015 CCH Credit Facility, CCH Working Capital Facility, Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility and Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities. The Level 3 estimated fair value approximates the principal amount 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. 
(4)
The Level 1 estimated fair value was based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical liabilities that we had the ability to access at the measurement date.

NOTE 11—RESTRUCTURING EXPENSE
  
During 2015 and 2016, we initiated and implemented certain organizational changes to simplify our corporate structure, improve our operational efficiencies and implement a strategy for sustainable, long-term stockholder value creation through financially disciplined development, construction, operation and investment.  As a result of these efforts, we recorded $6 million and $7 million of restructuring charges and other costs associated with restructuring and operational efficiency initiatives during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, for which the majority of these charges required, or will require, cash expenditure. Included in these amounts are $3 million and $6 million for share-based compensation during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  All charges were recorded within the line item entitled “restructuring expense” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and substantially all related to severance and other employee-related costs. As of both

20


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had $6 million of accrued restructuring charges and other costs that were recorded as part of accrued liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Organizational initiatives have been completed as of March 31, 2017.

NOTE 12—INCOME TAXES
  
We are not presently a taxpayer for federal or state income tax purposes and have not recorded a provision for federal or state income taxes in any of the periods included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. The net provision was immaterial for the three months ended March 31, 2017 for foreign income taxes. We have recorded a net provision of $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 for foreign income taxes.

We experienced an ownership change within the provisions of Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 382 in 2008, 2010 and 2012. An analysis of the annual limitation on the utilization of our net operating losses (“NOLs”) was performed in accordance with IRC Section 382. It was determined that IRC Section 382 will not limit the use of our NOLs in full over the carryover period. We will continue to monitor trading activity in our shares which may cause an additional ownership change which could ultimately affect our ability to fully utilize our existing NOL carryforwards.

NOTE 13—SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
  
We have granted stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units, phantom units and options to purchase common stock to employees, outside directors and a consultant under the Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, 2011 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2011 Plan”), the 2015 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan and the 2015 Employee Inducement Incentive Plan.

In January 2017, the issuance of awards with respect to 7.8 million shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2011 Plan was approved at a special meeting of our shareholders. In February 2017, our Board of Directors approved the award of 0.9 million restricted stock units and 0.2 million target performance stock units under the 2011 Plan to certain employees as part of the Long-Term Incentive program implemented in 2017. Restricted stock unit awards vest ratably over a three-year service period on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, subject to forfeiture upon termination except in certain events and acceleration upon certain events including death or disability. Performance stock units provide for three-year cliff vesting with payouts based on the Company’s cumulative distributable cash flow per share from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 compared to a pre-established performance target. The number of shares that may be earned at the end of the vesting period ranges from 50 to 200 percent of the target award amount if the threshold performance is met. Both restricted stock units and performance stock units will be settled in Cheniere common stock and are classified as equity awards.

Total share-based compensation consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
 
Equity Awards
 
Liability Awards
 
Total
Awards
 
Equity Awards
 
Liability Awards
 
Total
Awards
Total share-based compensation
 
$
5

 
$
27

 
$
32

 
$
13

 
$
4

 
$
17

Capitalized share-based compensation
 
(1
)
 
(7
)
 
(8
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Total share-based compensation expense
 
$
4

 
$
20

 
$
24

 
$
12


$
4

 
$
16

 
For a further discussion of the Cheniere’s Equity Incentive Plans, see Note 15—Share-Based Compensation of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 

21


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


NOTE 14—NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued. The dilutive effect of stock options and unvested stock is calculated using the treasury-stock method and the dilutive effect of convertible securities is calculated using the if-converted method.

The following table (in millions, except per share data) reconciles basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
232.4

 
228.1

Dilutive unvested stock
 
0.3

 

Diluted
 
232.7

 
228.1

 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders
 
$
0.23

 
$
(1.41
)

Potentially dilutive securities that were not included in the diluted net income (loss) per share computations because their effect would have been anti-dilutive were as follows (in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Stock options and unvested stock (1)
 
1.2

 
2.0

Convertible notes (2)
 
16.5

 
16.0

Total potentially dilutive common shares
 
17.7

 
18.0

 
(1)
Does not include 5.1 million shares and 5.4 million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of unvested stock because the performance conditions had not yet been satisfied as of March 31, 2017 and 2016.
(2)
Includes number of shares in aggregate issuable upon conversion of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes and the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes. There were no shares included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes because substantive non-market-based contingencies underlying the eligible conversion date have not been met as of March 31, 2017.

NOTE 15—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have various contractual obligations which are recorded as liabilities in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments and other executed contracts which do not meet the definition of a liability as of March 31, 2017, are not recognized as liabilities.

Obligations under Certain Guarantee Contracts

Cheniere and certain of its subsidiaries enter into guarantee arrangements in the normal course of business to facilitate transactions with third parties. These arrangements include financial guarantees, letters of credit and debt guarantees. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no liabilities recognized under these guarantee arrangements.

22


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)



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. In the opinion of management, as of March 31, 2017, there were no pending legal matters that would reasonably be expected to have a material impact on our operating results, financial position or cash flows.

NOTE 16—BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
  
During the first quarter of 2017, we finalized our organizational changes to simplify our corporate structure, improve our operational efficiencies and implement a strategy for sustainable, long-term stockholder value creation through financially disciplined development, construction, operation and investment.  As a result of these efforts, we revised the way we manage our business, which resulted in a change to our reportable segments. We previously had two reportable segments: LNG terminal segment and LNG and natural gas marketing segment. We have now determined that we operate as a single operating and reportable segment. Our chief operating decision maker makes resource allocation decisions and assesses performance based on financial information presented on a consolidated basis in the delivery of an integrated source of LNG to our customers.

Customer Concentration

The following table shows customers with revenues of 10% or greater of total revenues and customers with accounts receivable balances of 10% or greater of total accounts receivables:
 
 
Percentage of Total Revenues
 
Percentage of Accounts Receivable
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Customer A
 
33%
 
—%
 
28%
 
34%
Customer B
 
13%
 
—%
 
14%
 
21%
Customer C
 
10%
 
—%
 
24%
 
28%
Customer D
 
19%
 
—%
 
16%
 
—%
Customer E
 
—%
 
—%
 
—%
 
12%

NOTE 17—SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The following table (in millions) provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
163

 
$
15

 
The balance in property, plant and equipment, net funded with accounts payable and accrued liabilities was $503 million and $577 million as of March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


23


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


NOTE 18—RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting standards that had not been adopted by the Company as of March 31, 2017:
Standard
 
Description
 
Expected Date of Adoption
 
Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and subsequent amendments thereto
 
This standard provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model which replaces and supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance and requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard requires that the costs to obtain and fulfill contracts with customers should be recognized as assets and amortized to match the pattern of transfer of goods or services to the customer if expected to be recoverable. The standard also requires enhanced disclosures. This guidance may be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented subject to allowable practical expedients (“full retrospective approach”) or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption (“modified retrospective approach”).
 
January 1, 2018
 
We continue to evaluate the effect of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Preliminarily, we plan to adopt this standard using the full retrospective approach and we do not currently anticipate that the adoption will have a material impact upon our revenues. The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued and may issue in the future amendments and interpretive guidance which may cause our evaluation to change. Furthermore, we routinely enter into new contracts and we cannot predict with certainty whether the accounting for any future contract under the new standard would result in a significant change from existing guidance. Because this assessment is preliminary and the accounting for revenue recognition is subject to significant judgment, this conclusion could change as we finalize our assessment. We have not yet determined the impact that recognizing fulfillment costs as assets will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)
 
This standard requires a lessee to recognize leases on its balance sheet by recording a lease liability representing the obligation to make future lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. A lessee is permitted to make an election not to recognize lease assets and liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. The standard also modifies the definition of a lease and requires expanded disclosures. This guidance may be early adopted, and must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach with certain available practical expedients.
 
January 1, 2019

 
We continue to evaluate the effect of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Preliminarily, we anticipate a material impact from the requirement to recognize all leases upon our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Because this assessment is preliminary and the accounting for leases is subject to significant judgment, this conclusion could change as we finalize our assessment. We have not yet determined the impact of the adoption of this standard upon our results of operations or cash flows, whether we will elect to early adopt this standard or which, if any, practical expedients we will elect upon transition.
ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory
 
This standard requires the immediate recognition of the tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers other than inventory. This guidance may be early adopted, but only at the beginning of an annual period, and must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach.
 
January 1, 2018

 
We are currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.


24


CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED
(unaudited)


Additionally, the following table provides a brief description of recent accounting standards that were adopted by the Company during the reporting period:
Standard
 
Description
 
Date of Adoption
 
Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory
 
This standard requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This guidance may be early adopted and must be adopted prospectively.
 
January 1, 2017
 
The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
 
This standard primarily requires the recognition of excess tax benefits for share-based awards in the statement of operations and the classification of excess tax benefits as an operating activity within the statement of cash flows. The guidance also allows an entity to elect to account for forfeitures when they occur. This guidance may be early adopted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period.
 
January 1, 2017

 
Upon adoption of this guidance, we made a cumulative effect adjustment to accumulated deficit for all excess tax benefits not previously recognized, offset by the change in valuation allowance, and for our election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.

ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
 
This standard simplifies the measurement of goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement for an entity to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation. An entity will instead measure the impairment as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. This guidance may be early adopted beginning January 1, 2017, and must be adopted prospectively.
 
January 1, 2017

 
The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.



25