EXHIBIT 99.1 Cheniere Energy Reports Third Quarter 2006 Results HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2006--Cheniere Energy, Inc. (AMEX:LNG) reported a net loss of $33.1 million, or $0.61 per basic and diluted share, for the third quarter of 2006, compared to net income of $8.0 million, or $0.15 and $0.14 per basic and diluted share, respectively, during the corresponding period in 2005. The major factors contributing to the net loss during the third quarter of 2006 were an income tax provision of $15.1 million, charges for general and administrative expenses of ("G&A") $12.0 million, interest expense of $10.9 million, and LNG receiving terminal and pipeline development expenses of $2.9 million. These were partially offset by interest income of $11.1 million. The major factors contributing to our net income of $8.0 million during the third quarter of 2005 were a $20.2 million gain on the sale of our investment in Gryphon Exploration Company and interest income of $4.5 million, which were partially offset by G&A expenses of $6.5 million, interest expense of $5.1 million and LNG receiving terminal and pipeline development expenses of $4.1 million. Cheniere's working capital at September 30, 2006 was $681.6 million, compared with $810.1 million at December 31, 2005. The decrease was primarily the result of working capital used for the following: the construction of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal, non-current restricted cash securing a letter of credit associated with a purchase order to purchase pipe related to the Creole Trail natural gas pipeline, initial site preparation at the Corpus Christi LNG receiving terminal, and working capital used in operating activities. These uses were partially offset by $351.5 million drawn under the amended Sabine Pass Credit Facility. For additional information please refer to the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cheniere Energy, Inc. Cheniere is developing a network of three, 100% owned LNG receiving terminals and related natural gas pipelines along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The three terminals will have an aggregate send-out capacity of 9.9 billion cubic feet per day. Cheniere is pursuing related LNG business opportunities both upstream and downstream of the terminals. Cheniere is also the founder and holds a 30% limited partner interest in a fourth LNG receiving terminal. Cheniere is based in Houston, Texas, with offices in Johnson Bayou, Louisiana, and Paris, France. Additional information about Cheniere may be found on the company's web site at www.cheniere.com. This press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein are "forward-looking statements." Included among "forward-looking statements" are, among other things, (i) statements regarding Cheniere's business strategy, plans and objectives and (ii) statements expressing beliefs and expectations regarding the development of Cheniere's LNG receiving terminal business. 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) Cheniere Energy, Inc. Selected Financial Information (in thousands) (1) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, --------------------- --------------------- 2006 2005 2006 2005 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- (as (as adjusted)(2) adjusted)(2) Revenues $737 $729 $1,572 $2,154 Operating costs and expenses LNG receiving terminal and pipeline development expenses 2,923 4,127 6,730 14,902 Exploration costs 661 246 2,089 1,347 Oil and gas production costs 61 78 166 166 Impairment of fixed assets 1,628 -- 1,628 -- Depreciation, depletion and amortization 896 362 2,080 816 General and administrative expenses 12,044 6,523 37,669 17,114 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total operating costs and expenses 18,213 11,336 50,362 34,345 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Loss from operations (17,476) (10,607) (48,790) (32,191) Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate -- 20,206 -- 20,206 Equity in net loss of limited partnership -- (2,261) -- (3,232) Derivative gain (loss) (966) 931 (44) 264 Interest expense (10,886) (5,058) (33,120) (5,058) Interest income 11,100 4,541 30,978 8,114 Other income 201 295 485 722 Income tax provision (15,079) -- (2,045) -- Minority interest -- -- -- 97 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income (loss) $(33,106) $8,047 $(52,536) $(11,078) ========== ========== ========== ========== Net income (loss) per common share--basic $(0.61) $0.15 $(0.97) $(0.21) ========== ========== ========== ========== Net income (loss) per common share-- diluted $(0.61) $0.14 $(0.97) $(0.21) ========== ========== ========== ========== Weighted average number of common shares outstanding-- basic 54,496 53,938 54,361 53,358 ========== ========== ========== ========== Weighted average number of common shares outstanding-- diluted 54,496 55,749 54,361 53,358 ========== ========== ========== ========== September 30, December 31, 2006 2005 ----------------- ----------------- (unaudited) (as adjusted) (2) Cash and cash equivalents $586,787 $692,592 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 139,623 160,885 Other current assets 19,277 17,986 Non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents 100,098 16,500 Property, plant and equipment, net 624,026 280,106 Debt issuance costs, net 47,401 43,008 Goodwill 76,844 76,844 Other assets 18,046 2,226 ----------------- ----------------- Total assets $1,612,102 $1,290,147 ================= ================= Current liabilities $64,096 $61,322 Long-term debt 1,264,500 917,500 Deferred revenue 41,000 41,000 Other liabilities 24,681 1,784 Stockholders' equity 217,825 268,541 ----------------- ----------------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,612,102 $1,290,147 ================= ================= (1) Please refer to Cheniere Energy, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (2) Effective January 1, 2006, Cheniere converted from the full cost method of accounting to the successful efforts method of accounting for its investment in oil and gas properties. The change in accounting methods constitutes a "Change in Accounting Principle," requiring that all prior period financial statements be adjusted to reflect the results and balances that would have been reported had the company been following the successful efforts method of accounting from its inception. The cumulative effect of the change in accounting method as of December 31, 2005 was to reduce the balance of our net investment in oil and gas properties and retained earnings by $18.0 million. The change in accounting methods resulted in an increase in net income of $369,000 and a decrease in the net loss of $296,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, and had no significant impact on earnings per share (basic and diluted) for these respective periods. The change in method of accounting has no impact on cash or working capital. CONTACT: Cheniere Energy, Inc., Houston David Castaneda, 713-265-0202 Vice President Investor Relations or Christina Cavarretta, 713-265-0208 Manager Investor Relations