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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     )

Filed by the Registrant x Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

Check the appropriate box:

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

Notes:

Reg. §240.14a-101.

SEC 1913 (3-99)

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CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

700 Milam Street, Suite 800

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 375-5000

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

909 Texas Avenue

Houston, Texas 77002

http://www.cheniere.com/corporate/2014_annual_meeting.shtml.

By order of the Board of Directors

Cara E. Carlson

Corporate Secretary

April 28, 2014

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CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

700 Milam Street, Suite 800

Houston, Texas 77002

(713)  375-5000

PROXY STATEMENT

Why did I receive these proxy materials?

We are providing these proxy materials in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (“Cheniere,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), a Delaware corporation, of proxies to be voted at our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

You are invited to attend our Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) on June 12, 2014, beginning at 9:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time. The Meeting will be held in the Crystal Ballroom at the Post Rice Lofts, 909 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas 77002.

This Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, proxy card and 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, are first being mailed to stockholders on or about April 28, 2014.

Do I need a ticket to attend the Meeting?

You will need an admission ticket or proof of ownership to enter the Meeting.

If your shares are held beneficially in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record and you plan to attend the Meeting, you must present proof of your ownership of Cheniere stock, as of April 14, 2014, such as a bank or brokerage account statement, to be admitted to the Meeting. If you would rather have an admission ticket, you can obtain one in advance by mailing a written request with proof of your ownership of Cheniere stock as of April 14, 2014, to:

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

Attention: Investor Relations

700 Milam Street, Suite 800

Houston, Texas 77002

If you have any questions about attending the Meeting, you may contact Investor Relations at info@cheniere.com or 713-375-5100.

Stockholders also must present a valid government-issued picture identification in order to be admitted to the Meeting.

No cameras, recording equipment, electronic devices, large bags, briefcases or packages will be permitted at the Meeting.

Who is entitled to vote at the Meeting?

Holders of Cheniere common stock at the close of business on April 14, 2014 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to receive this Notice and to vote their shares at the Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 237,899,730 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the Meeting.

What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

If your shares are registered directly in your name with Cheniere’s transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you are considered the “stockholder of record” of those shares. The Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, proxy card and 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, have been sent directly to you by Cheniere.

If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other holder of record, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of such shares held in street name. The Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, proxy card and 2013 Annual Report on

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Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, have been forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other holder of record, who is considered the stockholder of record of those shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other holder of record on how to vote your shares by using the voting instruction card included in the mailing or by following their instructions for voting by telephone or on the Internet.

How do I vote?

You may vote using any of the following methods:

By mail

You may submit your proxy vote by mail by signing a proxy card if your shares are registered or, for shares held beneficially in street name, by following the voting instructions included by your broker, trustee or nominee, and mailing it in the enclosed envelope. If you provide specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as you have instructed. If you do not indicate your voting preferences, your shares will be voted as recommended by the Board; provided, however, if you are a beneficial owner, your bank, broker or other holder of record is not permitted to vote your shares on the following proposals if your bank, broker or other holder of record does not receive voting instructions from you: Proposal 1 to elect directors; Proposal 2 to approve, on an advisory and non-binding basis, the compensation awarded to the Company’s named executive officers for the year 2013; Proposal 3 to approve the 2014-2018 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program; and Proposal 4 to approve Amendment No. 2 to the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan.

By telephone or on the Internet

If you have telephone or Internet access, you may submit your proxy vote by following the instructions provided on your proxy card or voting instruction form. If you are a beneficial owner, the availability of telephone and Internet voting will depend on the voting processes of your broker, bank or other holder of record. Therefore, we recommend that you follow the voting instructions in the materials you receive.

In person at the Meeting

If you are the stockholder of record, you have the right to vote in person at the Meeting. If you are the beneficial owner, you are also invited to attend the Meeting. Since a beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the Meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from your broker, bank or other holder of record that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the Meeting.

Can I revoke my proxy?

If you are a stockholder of record, you can revoke your proxy before it is exercised by:

If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your bank, broker or other holder of record. You may also vote in person at the Meeting if you obtain a legal proxy as described in the answer to the preceding question.

What shares are included on the proxy card?

If you are a stockholder of record, you will receive a proxy card for the shares you hold in certificate form or in book-entry form. If you are a beneficial owner, you will receive voting instructions from your bank, broker or other holder of record.

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Is there a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting?

The names of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Meeting will be available at the Meeting and for ten days prior to the Meeting for any purpose germane to the Meeting. The list will be available between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time, at our offices at 700 Milam Street, Suite 800, Houston, Texas 77002, by contacting the Corporate Secretary of the Company.

What are the voting requirements to elect the directors and to approve each of the proposals discussed in this Proxy Statement?

The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum at the Meeting, the Meeting may be adjourned from time to time without notice, other than an announcement at the Meeting, until a quorum shall be present. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” represented by submitted proxies will be included in the calculation of the number of the shares present at the Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum. “Broker non-votes” occur when a bank, broker or other holder of record holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because that holder does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.

Proposal 1—Directors are elected by a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting, meaning that the number of votes cast “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director. If you are a beneficial owner, your bank, broker or other holder of record may not vote your shares with respect to Proposal 1 without specific instructions from you as to how to vote with respect to the election of each of the ten nominees for director because the election of directors is not considered a “routine” matter. Abstentions and broker non-votes represented by submitted proxies will not be taken into account in determining the outcome of the election of directors.

Proposal 2—To be approved, Proposal 2 regarding the compensation awarded to the Company’s named executive officers for the year 2013 must receive the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares entitled to vote on the matter present in person or by proxy at the Meeting. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board of Directors or the Company. If you are a beneficial owner, your bank, broker or other holder of record may not vote your shares with respect to Proposal 2 without specific instructions from you because Proposal 2 is not considered a “routine” matter. Abstentions will be counted “against” Proposal 2. Broker non-votes will not count as shares entitled to vote on the matter.

Proposal 3—To be approved, Proposal 3 to approve the 2014-2018 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program must receive the approval of a majority of votes cast on the proposal, meaning that the number of votes “for” Proposal 3 must exceed the number of votes “against” it. If you are a beneficial owner, your bank, broker or other holder of record may not vote your shares with respect to Proposal 3 without specific instructions from you because Proposal 3 is not considered a “routine” matter. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be taken into account in determining the outcome of Proposal 3.

Proposal 4—To be approved, Proposal 4 to approve Amendment No. 2 to the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan must receive the approval of a majority of votes cast on the proposal, meaning that the number of votes “for” Proposal 4 must exceed the number of votes “against” it. If you are a beneficial owner, your bank, broker or other holder of record may not vote your shares with respect to Proposal 4 without specific instructions from you because Proposal 4 is not considered a “routine” matter. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be taken into account in determining the outcome of Proposal 4.

Proposal 5—To be approved, Proposal 5 to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP must receive the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares entitled to vote on the matter present in person or by proxy at the Meeting. Proposal 5 is considered a “routine” matter and, therefore, if you are a beneficial owner, your bank, broker or other holder of record has the authority to vote your shares on Proposal 5 if you have not furnished voting instructions within a specified period of time prior to the Meeting. Abstentions will be counted as a vote against Proposal 5.

What if a director nominee does not receive a majority of votes cast?

Our Amended and Restated Bylaws (“By-Laws”) require directors to be elected by the majority of the votes cast with respect to such director (i.e., the number of votes cast “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director). If a nominee who is serving as a director is not elected at the Meeting and no one else is elected in place of that director, then, under Delaware law, the director would continue to serve on the Board as a “holdover director.” However, under our By-Laws, the holdover director is required to tender his or her resignation to the Board. The Governance and Nominating Committee of the

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Board then would consider the resignation and recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, or whether some other action should be taken. The Board of Directors would then make a decision whether to accept the resignation taking into account the recommendation of the Governance and Nominating Committee. The director who tenders his or her resignation will not participate in the Governance and Nominating Committee’s or the Board’s decision. The Board is required to disclose publicly (by a press release and a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission) its decision regarding the tendered resignation and, if the tendered resignation is rejected, the rationale behind the decision within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results.

Could other matters be decided at the Meeting?

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we do not know of any matters to be raised at the Meeting other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement. If other matters are properly presented for consideration at the Meeting, the persons named in your proxy card will have the discretion to vote on those matters for you.

Who will pay for the cost of this proxy solicitation?

We will pay the cost of soliciting proxies. Proxies may be solicited on our behalf by directors, officers or employees in person or by telephone, electronic transmission and facsimile transmission. We have hired Morrow & Co., LLC, 470 West Ave., Stamford, CT 06902, to solicit proxies. We will pay Morrow & Co., LLC a fee of $9,000 plus expenses for these services.

Who will count the vote?

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., an independent third party, will tabulate the votes.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2014 Annual Meeting to be held on June 12, 2014

The Proxy Statement, including the Notice of Annual Meeting and 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, are available on our website at http://www.cheniere.com/corporate/ 2014_annual_meeting.shtml. Please note that the Notice of Annual Meeting is not a form for voting, and presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials, which contain important information and are available on the Internet or by mail. We encourage our stockholders to access and review the proxy materials before voting.

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PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Directors and Nominees

The Board of Directors currently consists of eleven members. The Board was previously divided into three classes, and prior to 2013, the directors of only one of the three classes were elected at each annual meeting for a three-year term. However, at a special meeting of stockholders in 2013, the stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide for the phased elimination of the classified structure of the Board over a three-year period, beginning with the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders.

This year, there are ten nominees standing for election as directors at the Meeting, for a term of one year. The terms of the three directors previously designated as Class II directors will expire at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders. Beginning with the 2015 annual meeting, all directors will be elected annually at the annual meeting for a one-year term expiring at the following annual meeting.

The Board of Directors has nominated Charif Souki, Vicky A. Bailey, G. Andrea Botta, Keith F. Carney, David I. Foley, Randy A. Foutch, David B. Kilpatrick, Donald F. Robillard, Jr., Neal A. Shear and Heather R. Zichal for election as directors. Each nominee, if elected, will hold office for a one-year term expiring at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders and will serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

Except for Messrs. Foutch, Robillard and Shear and Ms. Zichal, each of the director nominees currently serves on the Board and was elected by the Company’s stockholders. Mr. Foutch was appointed to the Board in July 2013 and was first brought to the attention of our Governance and Nominating Committee by Mr. Souki, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President. Two new positions will be created on the Board for Mr. Robillard and Mr. Shear who were first brought to the attention of our Governance and Nominating Committee by Mr. Foutch and Mr. Botta, respectively. Ms. Zichal has been nominated to replace current director Walter L. Williams and was first brought to the attention of our Governance and Nominating Committee by its Chairman, Mr. Deutch. If elected by the Company’s stockholders, Mr. Robillard, Mr. Shear and Ms. Zichal will be appointed by the Board following the Meeting. Each of the nominees has consented to serve as a director if elected or re-elected.

In keeping with Cheniere’s director retirement policy, Mr. Williams, elected to the Board in 1996, will not stand for re-election.

Unless your proxy specifies otherwise, it is intended that the shares represented by your proxy will be voted for the election of these ten nominees. If you are a beneficial owner, your bank, broker or other holder of record is not permitted to vote your shares on Proposal 1 to elect directors if the bank, broker or other holder of record does not receive voting instructions from you. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named. The Board is unaware of any circumstances likely to render any nominee unavailable.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the ten nominees as directors of the Company, to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

The individuals listed below currently serve or are nominated to serve on the Board of the Company.

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Director Biographies

Charif Souki, a co-founder of the Company, is Chairman of the Company’s Board and Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. In December 2002, Mr. Souki assumed the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer. He relinquished the title of President in April 2005 and was re-elected President again in April 2008. From June 1999 to December 2002, he was Chairman of the Board and an independent investment banker. From September 1997 until June 1999, he was Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors, and he served as Secretary from July 1996 until September 1997. Mr. Souki has over 20 years of independent investment banking experience in the oil and gas industry and has specialized in providing financing for small capitalization companies with an emphasis on the oil and gas industry. Mr. Souki is a director, Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC (“Cheniere Partners GP”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the general partner of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (“Cheniere Partners”), a publicly-traded limited partnership that is operating the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Mr. Souki is also a director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC (“Cheniere Partners Holdings”), a publicly-traded subsidiary of the Company. Mr. Souki is also a director and Chief Executive Officer of the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. Mr. Souki has not held any other public company directorship positions in the past five years. Mr. Souki received a B.A. from Colgate University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Souki has extensive experience with the Company as Chief Executive Officer of Cheniere, Cheniere Partners GP and the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., and is responsible for developing the companies’ overall strategy and vision and implementing the business plans. In addition, with over 20 years of experience as an investment banker specializing in the oil and gas industry, Mr. Souki brings a unique perspective on the energy business to our Board.

Vicky A. Bailey is a member of our Compensation Committee and Section 162(m) Subcommittee, Audit Committee and Governance and Nominating Committee. Since November 2005, Ms. Bailey has been President of Anderson Stratton International, LLC, a strategic consulting and government relations company in Washington, D.C. She was a partner with Johnston & Associates, LLC, a public relations firm in Washington, D.C., from March 2004 through October 2005. Prior to joining Johnston & Associates, LLC, Ms. Bailey served as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Policy and International Affairs from 2001 through February 2004. From 2000 until May 2001, she was President and a director of PSI Energy, Inc., the Indiana electric utility subsidiary of Cinergy Corp. Prior to joining PSI Energy, Ms. Bailey was a Commissioner on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission beginning in 1993. Ms. Bailey currently serves as a director of EQT Corporation, a publicly-traded integrated energy company and Cleco Corp., a publicly-traded energy services company. In January 2010, Ms. Bailey was appointed as a member of the Secretary of Energy’s Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future. She received a B.S. in industrial management from Purdue University and completed the Advanced Management Program at The Wharton School in 2013.

Skills and Qualifications: Ms. Bailey has extensive knowledge of the energy industry, including significant experience with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and government and public relations. She brings a diversified perspective to our Board based on her experience as a strategic consultant, a former energy executive and having served as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Policy and International Affairs.

G. Andrea Botta is Chairman of our Audit Committee. Mr. Botta has served as President of Glenco LLC (“Glenco”), a private investment company, since February 2006. Prior to joining Glenco, Mr. Botta served as managing director of Morgan Stanley from 1999 to February 2006. Before joining Morgan Stanley, he was President of EXOR America, Inc. (formerly IFINT-USA, Inc.) from 1993 until September 1999 and for more than five years prior thereto, Vice President of Acquisitions of IFINT-USA, Inc. He currently serves on the board of directors of Graphic Packaging Holding Company. Mr. Botta earned a degree in economics and business administration from the University of Torino in 1976.

Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Botta brings a unique international perspective to our Board and significant financial expertise. He has over 30 years of investing experience primarily in private equity investing.

Nuno Brandolini is a director of the Company. Mr. Brandolini is a general partner of Scorpion Capital Partners, L.P., a private equity firm organized as a small business investment company (SBIC). Prior to forming Scorpion Capital and its predecessor firm, Scorpion Holding, Inc., in 1995, Mr. Brandolini served as Managing Director of Rosecliff, Inc., a leveraged buyout fund co-founded by Mr. Brandolini in 1993. Prior to 1993, Mr. Brandolini was a Vice President in the investment banking department of Salomon Brothers, Inc., and a Principal with the Batheus Group and Logic Capital, two venture capital firms. Mr. Brandolini began his career as an investment banker with Lazard Freres & Co. During the past five years, Mr. Brandolini served as a director of Miravant Medical Technologies, a pharmaceutical preparations company. Mr. Brandolini currently serves as a director of Lilis Energy, Inc., an oil and gas exploration and production company. Mr. Brandolini received a law degree from the University of Paris and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School.

Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Brandolini brings a unique financial perspective to our Board based on his extensive experience as an investment banker and having actively managed private equity investments for almost 20 years.

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Keith F. Carney is the Lead Director of the Board and a member of our Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. He currently is engaged in private investments. From October 2001 through December 2005, Mr. Carney was President of Dolomite Advisors, LLC, an investment firm. Mr. Carney served as Executive Vice President of the Company from 1997 through August 2001 and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company from July 1996 through November 1997. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Carney was a securities analyst in the oil and gas exploration/production sector with Smith Barney, Inc. from 1992 to 1996. From 1982 to 1990, he was employed by Shell Oil as an exploration geologist. Mr. Carney has not held any other public company directorship positions in the past five years. He received an M.S. in geology from Lehigh University in 1982 and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Denver in 1992.

Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Carney has extensive experience in the oil and gas industry and significant knowledge and expertise about Cheniere and its subsidiaries based on his long history with Cheniere serving as former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company. Mr. Carney brings significant executive-level experience in the oil and gas industry as well as significant expertise about the Company’s operations to our Board.

John M. Deutch is Chairman of our Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Deutch is an Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) and has been a member of the MIT faculty since 1970. Mr. Deutch has served in significant government posts throughout his career, including Director of Energy Research and Undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, Undersecretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Director of Central Intelligence. In addition, he has authored over 140 technical publications. During the past five years, he also served as a director of Citigroup, Inc., a publicly-traded financial banking company, Schlumberger N.V. (Schlumberger Limited), a publicly-traded oil, gas and field services company, Cummins Inc., a publicly-traded engines and turbine company and Raytheon Company, a publicly-traded company. Mr. Deutch earned a B.A. in History and Economics from Amherst College and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from MIT.

Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Deutch has extensive knowledge in the areas of technology, energy, international security and public policy. He brings a diversified perspective about the energy industry to our Board having served in significant government and academic posts throughout his career as well as on many commissions during several presidential administrations. Mr. Deutch also served in a number of positions for the U.S. Department of Energy.

David I. Foley is a director of the Company. Mr. Foley is a Senior Managing Director in the Private Equity Group of The Blackstone Group L.P., an investment and advisory firm (“Blackstone”), and Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone Energy Partners L.P. Prior to joining Blackstone in 1995, Mr. Foley was an employee of AEA Investors Inc., a private equity investment firm, from 1991 to 1993 and a consultant with The Monitor Company, a business management consulting firm, from 1989 to 1991. Mr. Foley currently serves as a director of Kosmos Energy Ltd. and PBF Energy, Inc. He is also a director of Cheniere Partners GP. Mr. Foley’s appointments to the boards of directors of the Company and Cheniere Partners GP were made pursuant to an investor rights agreement that was entered into by the Company, Cheniere Partners GP, Blackstone CQP Holdco, LP (“Blackstone Holdco”) and various other related parties in connection with Blackstone Holdco’s purchase of Class B units in Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. Mr. Foley received a B.A. and a Master of Arts in economics from Northwestern University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Foley brings a unique financial perspective to our Board based on his extensive experience having actively managed private equity investments for over 20 years.

Randy A. Foutch is a member of the Compensation Committee, the Section 162(m) Subcommittee and the Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Foutch founded Laredo Petroleum, Inc., a publicly-traded Mid-Continent focused oil and natural gas exploration and production company, where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Foutch is currently serving on the board of directors of Helmerich & Payne, Inc., a publicly-traded oil and gas drilling company, and served on the board of directors of Bill Barrett Corporation, a publicly-traded oil and gas exploration and production company, from 2006 to August 2011. Mr. Foutch is a member of the National Petroleum Council, America’s Natural Gas Alliance and the Advisory Council of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas, Austin. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Texas and a Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Houston.

Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Foutch has over 35 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Foutch founded Laredo Petroleum, Inc. and has been successful in founding other oil and gas companies and serves in director positions of various oil and gas companies. As a result, he provides a strong operational and strategic background and has valuable business, leadership and management experience and insights into many aspects of the operations of exploration and production companies.

Paul J. Hoenmans is a member of our Audit Committee and Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Hoenmans is retired with over 35 years of senior executive level experience in the oil and gas industry. He served Mobil Oil Corporation in various executive capacities, most recently as director and Executive Vice President, with overall responsibility for policy, strategy, performance and stakeholder contact. From 1986 through 1996, he served as the President of Mobil Oil Corporation’s exploration and production division, with worldwide responsibility for upstream operations. Mr. Hoenmans held various other positions of

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senior executive level responsibility with Mobil since 1975, over both upstream and downstream operations worldwide throughout the Americas, Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Scandinavia. Mr. Hoenmans has not held any other public company directorship positions in the past five years. He received a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of British Columbia.

Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Hoenmans has over 35 years of senior executive level experience in the oil and gas industry, including overall responsibility for policy, strategy, performance and stakeholder contact as well as worldwide responsibility for upstream operations. Mr. Hoenmans brings significant executive-level experience in the oil and gas industry as well as an international perspective to our Board.

David B. Kilpatrick is Chairman of our Compensation Committee and Section 162(m) Subcommittee. Mr. Kilpatrick has over 30 years of executive, management and operating experience in the oil and gas industry. Since 1998, he has been the President of Kilpatrick Energy Group, a consulting firm to oil and gas companies. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Kilpatrick was the President and Chief Operating Officer for Monterey Resources, Inc., an independent oil and gas company in California. From 1982 to 1996, he held various managerial positions at Santa Fe Energy Resources, an oil and gas production company. Mr. Kilpatrick is currently serving as a director of the California Independent Petroleum Association and the Independent Oil Producers Agency. He is also currently serving as a director of BreitBurn Energy Partners, L.P., a publicly-traded independent oil and gas limited partnership. During the past five years, Mr. Kilpatrick served as a director of PYR Energy Corporation, a publicly-traded crude petroleum and natural gas company and Whittier Energy Corporation, a publicly-traded oil and gas field exploration services company. Mr. Kilpatrick received a B.S. in petroleum engineering from the University of Southern California and a B.A. in geology and physics from Whittier College.

Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Kilpatrick has over 30 years of executive, management and operating experience in the oil and gas industry and brings significant executive-level and consulting experience in the oil and gas industry to our Board.

Donald F. Robillard, Jr. is nominated as a director of the Company. Mr. Robillard is the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and a director of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., a private holding company with interests in oil and gas exploration and production, refining, real estate development, private equity investments and ranching. Mr. Robillard began his association with Hunt Consolidated in 1983 and has held his current position since March 2007. Mr. Robillard is currently on the board of directors of Helmerich & Payne, Inc., a publicly-traded oil and gas drilling company. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and the National Association of Corporate Directors. Mr. Robillard received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas, Austin.

Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Robillard has over 35 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and over 20 years of senior management experience. Mr. Robillard brings significant executive-level experience in the oil and gas industry, including experience with project financing for LNG facilities.

Neal A. Shear is nominated as a director of the Company. Mr. Shear is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Higgs Capital Management, a commodity focused hedge fund, and is also affiliated with Silver Ridge, a private investment company. Prior to Higgs Capital Management, Mr. Shear served as Global Head of Securities at UBS Investment Bank from January 2010 to March of 2011. From May 2008 to December 2009, Mr. Shear was a Partner at Apollo Global Management, LLC, where he served as the Head of the Commodities Division. Prior to Apollo Global Management, Mr. Shear spent 26 years at Morgan Stanley serving in various roles including Head of the Commodities Division, Global Head of Fixed Income, Co-Head of Institutional Sales and Trading, and Chair of the Commodities Business. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. Mr. Shear received a B.S from the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business Management in 1976 and a M.B.A. from Cornell University, Johnson School of Business in 1978.

Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Shear brings a unique financial perspective to our Board based on his more than 30 years of experience managing commodity activity and investments.

Heather R. Zichal is nominated as a director of the Company. Ms. Zichal is currently an independent energy consultant. Ms. Zichal previously served as the Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change from January 2009 to November 2013. Prior to serving as Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, Ms. Zichal served as the Energy and Environmental Policy Director to the 2008 Obama presidential campaign. She previously served as the Legislative Director to Senator John Kerry after managing energy and environmental issues in his 2004 presidential campaign. Prior to this, Ms. Zichal served as Legislative Director for Reps. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rush Holt (D-NJ). Ms. Zichal received her B.S. in Environmental Policy and Science from Rutgers University.

Skills and Qualifications: Ms. Zichal has extensive knowledge of the domestic and global energy markets as well as the U.S. regulatory environment. She brings a diversified perspective about the energy industry to our Board having served in significant government positions during her career.

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GOVERNANCE INFORMATION

Director Independence

The Board determines the independence of each director and nominee for election as a director in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the NYSE MKT LLC independence standards, which are listed below. The Board also considers relationships that a director may have:

The NYSE MKT LLC independence standards state that the following list of persons shall not be considered independent:

As of April 2014, the Board determined that Messrs. Botta, Brandolini, Carney, Deutch, Foutch, Hoenmans, Kilpatrick, Robillard, Shear and Williams and Mses. Bailey and Zichal are independent, and none of them has a relationship that may interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

Board Leadership Structure. Mr. Souki serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. From time to time, the Board considers whether Mr. Souki continues to be the appropriate person to serve in the combined role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Board has determined that Mr. Souki should continue to serve in the combined role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer based on various factors. First, as a co-founder of the Company, Mr. Souki’s leadership and vision for the Company have been instrumental in its development and its overall strategy in the LNG marketplace. Second, the Company’s execution of its liquefaction projects is dependent on Mr. Souki’s continued leadership. Finally, Mr. Souki has the confidence of the Board and the Company to continue to implement the Company’s business plan.

In addition to these factors, the Company has in place sound counter-balancing mechanisms to ensure the continued accountability of the Chief Executive Officer to the Board. These counter-balancing mechanisms include:

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The Board does not believe that its leadership structure affects the Board’s role in risk oversight. See the discussion on the “Board’s Role in Risk Oversight” below. The Board does not currently have a policy as to whether the role of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman should be separate, and it has the ability to separate these roles in the future if it determines that such a separation would be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.

Independent Lead Director. In light of the fact that the Company’s Chairman position is held by a non-independent director, the Board has established the position of Lead Director to provide independent leadership to the Board. The Lead Director’s role exists to ensure that the Board operates independently of management and that directors have an independent leadership contact. Mr. Carney currently serves as the Lead Director of the Board. The responsibilities of the Lead Director, which have been formally adopted by the Board, outline the Lead Director’s role. The responsibilities of the Lead Director are to:

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight. Risks that could affect the Company are an integral part of Board and committee deliberations throughout the year. The Board has oversight responsibility for assessing the primary risks (including liquidity, credit, operations and regulatory compliance) facing the Company, the relative magnitude of these risks and management’s plan for mitigating these risks. In addition to the Board’s oversight responsibility, the committees of the Board consider the risks within their areas of responsibility. The Board and its committees receive regular reports directly from members of management who are responsible for oversight of particular risks within the Company. The Audit Committee discusses with management the Company’s major financial and risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company’s risk assessment and risk management policies. The Board and its committees regularly discuss the risks related to the Company’s business strategy at their meetings.

Director Nominations and Qualifications

Director Nomination Policy and Procedures. Our Director Nomination Policy and Procedures are attached to the Governance and Nominating Committee’s written charter as Exhibit A, which is available on our website at www.cheniere.com. The Governance and Nominating Committee considers suggestions for potential director nominees to the Board of Directors from any source, including current members of the Board of Directors and our management, advisors and stockholders. The Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors evaluates potential nominees by reviewing their qualifications, results of personal and reference interviews and any other information deemed relevant. Director nominees are recommended to the Board of Directors by the Governance and Nominating Committee. The full Board of Directors will select and recommend candidates for nomination as directors for stockholders to consider and vote upon at the annual stockholders’ meeting. The Governance and Nominating Committee reviews and considers any candidates submitted by a stockholder or stockholder group in the same manner as all other candidates.

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Qualifications for consideration as a director nominee vary according to the particular areas of expertise being sought as a complement to the existing Board composition. However, minimum criteria for selection of members to serve on our Board of Directors include the following:

Practices for Considering Diversity. The minimum criteria for selection of members to serve on our Board of Directors ensures that the Governance and Nominating Committee selects director nominees taking into consideration that the Board will benefit from having directors that represent a diversity of experience and backgrounds. Director nominees are selected so that the Board represents a diversity of experience in areas needed to foster the Company’s business success, including experience in the energy industry, finance, consulting, international affairs, public service, governance and regulatory compliance. Each year the Board of Directors and each committee participates in a self-assessment or evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board and its committees. These evaluations assess the diversity of talents, expertise, and occupational and personal backgrounds of the Board members.

Stockholder Nominations for Director. A stockholder of the Company who was a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for below is delivered to the Corporate Secretary, who is entitled to vote at the meeting of stockholders called for the election of directors and upon such election or proposed business and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in our By-Laws may nominate candidates for election to the Board of Directors. Nominations made by a stockholder must be made by giving timely notice in writing to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at the following address: Corporate Secretary, Cheniere Energy, Inc., 700 Milam Street, Suite 800, Houston, Texas 77002. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered not later than the close of business on the 90^th day, nor earlier than the close of business on the 120^th day, prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. Assuming that our 2015 annual meeting is held during June 2015 as anticipated, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered no earlier than February 12, 2015 and not later than March 14, 2015. However, if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120^th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90^th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10^th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company. In no event will the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting of stockholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. A stockholder’s notice must include information about the stockholder and the nominee, as required by our By-Laws, which are available on our website at www.cheniere.com.

Director Qualifications. The Board has concluded that, in light of our business and structure, each of our directors possesses relevant experience, qualifications, attributes and skills and should continue to serve on our Board as of the date of this Proxy Statement. The primary qualifications of our directors are further discussed under “Director Biographies” above.

Director Retirement Policy. The Board has adopted a mandatory director retirement policy that requires each director who has attained the age of 75 to retire from the Board at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held in the year at which his or her current term expires unless the Board determines such mandate for a particular director is not at the time in the best interests of the Company. The Board believes this policy will ensure a healthy rotation of directors, which will promote the continued influx of new ideas and perspectives to the Board.

Code of Conduct and Ethics

Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, is available on the Company’s website at www.cheniere.com.

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Meetings and Committees of the Board

Our operations are managed under the broad supervision and direction of the Board of Directors, which has the ultimate responsibility for the establishment and implementation of the Company’s general operating philosophy, objectives, goals and policies. Pursuant to delegated authority, certain Board functions are discharged by the Board’s standing Audit, Compensation and Governance and Nominating Committees. Members of the Audit, Compensation and Governance and Nominating Committees for a given year are selected by the Board following the annual stockholders’ meeting. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors held 13 meetings. Each incumbent member of the Board, except Mr. Foutch who joined the Board in July 2013 and Mr. Brandolini, attended or participated in at least 75% of the aggregate number of (i) Board meetings and (ii) committee meetings held by each committee of the Board on which the director served. During 2013, Mr. Foutch attended or participated in at least 75% of the aggregate number of Board meetings and meetings of committees on which he served since he joined the Board in July 2013. Although directors are not required to attend annual stockholders’ meetings, they are encouraged to attend such meetings. At the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders, nine of the ten members of the Board of Directors then serving were present.

Committee Membership (* indicates Chairman) as of December 31, 2013

Audit Committee

Each member of the Audit Committee has been determined by the Board to be “independent” as defined by the NYSE MKT, LLC listing standards and by the SEC, and the Board has determined that Mr. Botta and Mr. Carney are each an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. The Audit Committee held 8 meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

The Audit Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website at www.cheniere.com. The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the audits of the Company’s financial statements. The Audit Committee assists the Board in overseeing:

The Audit Committee maintains a channel of communication among the independent auditor, principal financial and accounting officers, director-internal audit, compliance officer and the Board concerning our financial and compliance position and affairs. The Audit Committee has and may exercise all powers and authority of the Board in connection with carrying out its functions and responsibilities and has sole authority to select and retain the independent auditor, and authority to engage and determine funding for independent legal, accounting or other advisers. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is oversight, and it recognizes that the Company’s management is responsible for preparing the Company’s financial statements and complying with applicable laws and regulations.

Governance and Nominating Committee

Each member of the Governance and Nominating Committee has been determined by the Board to be “independent” as defined by the NYSE MKT LLC listing standards and by the SEC. The Governance and Nominating Committee held 1 meeting during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

The Governance and Nominating Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website at www.cheniere.com. The Governance and Nominating Committee is appointed by the Board to develop and maintain the Company’s corporate

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governance policies. The Governance and Nominating Committee also oversees our Director Nomination Policy and Procedures. The Governance and Nominating Committee has the following duties and responsibilities, among others:

Compensation Committee

Each member of the Compensation Committee has been determined by the Board to be “independent” as defined by the NYSE MKT LLC listing standards and by the SEC. The Compensation Committee held 9 meetings during 2013. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation policies, practices and plans of the Company pursuant to a written charter, which is available on our website at www.cheniere.com. The Chairman of the Compensation Committee, in consultation with other Compensation Committee members, members of management and the compensation consultant, determines the agenda and dates of Compensation Committee meetings.

Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), a public company’s corporate income tax deduction is capped at $1 million per year for amounts paid to the company’s chief executive officer and any of the three other highest paid executives, excluding the chief financial officer, who are employed as of the end of the year. However, the $1 million cap does not apply to performance-based compensation that is paid because of the attainment of one or more pre-established and objective performance goals adopted by a compensation committee consisting of two or more “outside directors.” For a member of a compensation committee to be considered an outside director under Section 162(m) of the Code, the director must not:

Mr. Carney and Mr. Williams, members of the Compensation Committee, are former officers of Cheniere and Cheniere LNG, Inc., respectively, and, as such, are not considered independent under the Code. In order for performance-based compensation to meet the exemption of the $1 million cap, a Section 162(m) Subcommittee of all of the Compensation Committee members except Mr. Carney and Mr. Williams exists. Mr. Kilpatrick serves as Chairman of the Section 162(m) Subcommittee. The purpose of the Section 162(m) Subcommittee is to consider and approve performance-based awards under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Section 162(m) Subcommittee did not hold any meetings during 2013.

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The Compensation Committee’s charter is reviewed annually. Changes to the charter must be approved by the Board on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. The charter provides that the Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain, oversee and terminate any compensation consultant, independent legal counsel or other adviser engaged to assist in the evaluation of compensation of directors and executive officers of the Company, including the sole authority to approve such adviser’s fees and other retention terms. Pursuant to the charter, the Compensation Committee and/or Section 162(m) Subcommittee have the following duties and responsibilities, among others:

Review of Compensation Risk

The Compensation Committee considered the risks associated with our compensation policies and practices in 2013. The Compensation Committee concluded that our compensation policies and practices were not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company and did not include risk-taking incentives or encourage our employees, including our executive officers, to take excessive risks in order to receive larger awards. As part of this analysis, the Compensation Committee considered the individual components of our executive officers’ compensation, the performance measures required to be achieved to earn cash bonus and equity awards and the vesting schedule of the equity awards. In concluding that our incentive plans do not promote excessive risk, the Compensation Committee considered the following factors, among others:

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Mr. Carney and Mr. Williams, who serve as members of the Compensation Committee, were previously officers of Cheniere and Cheniere LNG, Inc., respectively. Mr. Carney served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company from July 1996 through November 1997 and Executive Vice President from 1997 through August 2001. Mr. Williams served as President of Cheniere LNG, Inc., from February 1997 until June 2008, and as President and Chief Executive Officer from September 1997 until June 1999. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the compensation committee of any other company that has an executive officer serving as a member of our Board of Directors. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors of any other company that has an executive officer serving as a member of our Compensation Committee.

Director Compensation

The compensation paid to our directors for the year ended December 31, 2013, is set forth in the following table:

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During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Board of Directors approved compensation, payable as of June 6, 2013, of $180,000 to non-employee directors for service for the period from the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders through the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Board also awarded the Chairman of the Audit Committee, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and the Lead Director additional compensation of $20,000 each and the Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee additional compensation of $10,000 for the additional time required to perform their responsibilities. In order to provide the directors some flexibility on the type and timing of the compensation, directors were given the option to elect payment of such amounts 100% in restricted stock or 50% in restricted stock and 50% in cash. Cash payments are made quarterly. The number of shares of restricted stock issued was determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported by the NYSE MKT LLC on the date payable (for June 6, 2013: $28.00 and for July 18, 2013: $30.15). The directors’ restricted stock vests on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers

The following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of each of our executive officers, as of April 15, 2014, all of whom serve at the request of the Board of Directors and are subject to annual appointment by the Board:

Charif Souki, a co-founder of the Company, is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and President. Further information regarding Mr. Souki is provided above under “Director Biographies.”

Meg A. Gentle has served as Executive Vice President—Marketing since February 2014 and served as Senior Vice President—Marketing from June 2013 to February 2014. Prior to June 2013, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since March 2009. Prior to March 2009, she served as Senior Vice President—Strategic Planning & Finance since February 2008. Prior to February 2008, she served as Vice President of Strategic Planning since September 2005 and Manager of Strategic Planning since June 2004. Prior to joining Cheniere, Ms. Gentle spent eight years in energy market development, economic evaluation, and long-range planning. She conducted international business development and strategic planning for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, a publicly-traded integrated energy company, from January 1998 to May 2004 and energy market analysis for Pace Global Energy Services, an energy management and consulting firm, from August 1996 to December 1998. Ms. Gentle is currently a director of Cheniere Partners GP and Cheniere Partners Holdings. Ms. Gentle received her B.A. in Economics and International Affairs from James Madison University in May 1996 and her M.B.A. from Rice University in May 2004.

R. Keith Teague has served as Executive Vice President—Asset Group since February 2014 and served as Senior Vice President—Asset Group since April 2008. Mr. Teague has also served as President of Cheniere Pipeline Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, since January 2005. Prior to April 2008, he served as Vice President—Pipeline Operations beginning in May 2006. Mr. Teague began his career with the Company in February 2004 as Director of Facility Planning. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Teague served as the Director of Strategic Planning for the CMS Panhandle Companies from December 2001 until September 2003. Mr. Teague is currently a director, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cheniere Partners GP and a director of Cheniere Partners Holdings. Mr. Teague is also President of the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. and is responsible for the development, construction and operation of the Company’s LNG terminal and pipeline assets. Mr. Teague received a B.S. in civil engineering from Louisiana Tech University and an M.B.A. from Louisiana State University.

Jean Abiteboul has served as Senior Vice President—International since November 2007. Since February 2006, Mr. Abiteboul has also served as Executive Director, Cheniere LNG Services S.A.R.L., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. From 1975 until February 2006, he held different positions within Gaz de France, a publicly-traded natural gas distribution company, including Secretary to the Board of Directors from 2004 until 2006; International Executive Vice President from 2003 to 2004; Executive Vice President, Gas Supply, Trading and Marketing from 2002 until 2003; and Executive Vice President, Gas Supply from 1998 to 2003. He also served on the Board of Directors of Tejas Power Corporation (USA), Gas Metropolitan (Canada), Sceptre Resources (Canada) and other affiliated companies of Gaz de France in Europe. Mr. Abiteboul graduated as an Engineer from Ecole Centrale de Lyon and obtained a Diploma in Economics from Université de Lyon.

Anatol Feygin has served as Senior Vice President—Strategy and Corporate Development since March 2014. Prior to joining Cheniere, Mr. Feygin worked with Loews Corporation from November 2007 to March 2014, most recently as their Vice President, Energy Strategist and Senior Portfolio Manager. Prior to joining Loews, Mr. Feygin spent three years at Bank of America as Head of Global Commodity Strategy. Mr. Feygin began his career at J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as Senior Analyst, Natural Gas Pipelines and Distributors. Mr. Feygin earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University and his MBA in Finance from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at NYU.

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Katie Pipkin has served as Senior Vice President—Business Development and Communications since February 2014. Ms. Pipkin previously served as Vice President of Finance & Investor Relations since June 2010. Ms. Pipkin began her career with the Company in September 2007 as Vice President of Investor Relations. Prior to joining the Company, she was an analyst at Lehman Brothers in the regulated and unregulated natural gas sector. Ms. Pipkin earned a B.B.A. degree in finance from the University of Texas.

Greg W. Rayford has served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company since March 2011. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Rayford served as corporate partner of Andrews Kurth LLP with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and corporate and commercial transactions from July 2007 to February 2011. Prior to July 2007, he served as corporate counsel at Science Applications International Corporation, a scientific, engineering and technology applications company. Prior to that, Mr. Rayford was a corporate partner of Kirkland & Ellis LLP where his experience included various strategic and leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations, divestitures, venture capital and minority investments, and public and private offerings of debt and equity securities. Mr. Rayford earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin Law School and his B.B.A. in Finance Investment and Banking from the University of Wisconsin.

Michael J. Wortley has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since January 2014. Prior to January 2014, he served as Vice President, Strategy and Risk of the Company since January 2013. Prior to January 2013, he served as Vice President—Business Development and President of Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, since September 2011. Prior to September 2011, Mr. Wortley served as Vice President—Strategic Planning since January 2009 and Manager—Strategic New Business since August 2007. Prior to joining the Company in February 2005, Mr. Wortley spent five years in oil and gas corporate development, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, a publicly-traded oil and gas exploration and production company. Mr. Wortley began his career as an Internal Auditor with Union Pacific Resources Corporation, a publicly-traded oil and gas exploration and production company subsequently acquired by Anadarko. Mr. Wortley is currently a director and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cheniere Partners GP, and a director and the Chief Financial Officer of Cheniere Partners Holdings. Mr. Wortley is also Chief Financial Officer of the general partner of Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. Mr. Wortley received a B.B.A. degree in Finance from Southern Methodist University.

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and By-laws provide that the Company shall indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent possible under Delaware law. These indemnification provisions require the Company to indemnify such persons against certain liabilities and expenses to which they may become subject by reason of their service as a director or officer of the Company or any of its affiliated enterprises. The provisions also set forth certain procedures, including the advancement of expenses, that apply in the event of a claim for indemnification.

We have also entered into an Indemnification Agreement with each member of our Board of Directors and each officer of the Company. The Indemnification Agreement provides for indemnification for all expenses and claims that a director or officer incurs as a result of actions taken, or not taken, on behalf of the Company while serving as a director, officer, employee, controlling person, agent or fiduciary of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, with such indemnification to be paid within 25 days after demand. The Indemnification Agreement provides that no indemnification will generally be provided (1) for claims brought by the director or officer, except for a claim of indemnity under the Indemnification Agreement, if the Company approves the bringing of such claim, or if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires providing indemnification because the director or officer has been successful on the merits of such claim, (2) for claims under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), (3) if the director or officer did not act in good faith or in a manner reasonably believed by the director or officer to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, (4) if the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful in a criminal proceeding, or (5) if the director or officer is adjudged liable to the Company. Indemnification will be provided to the extent permitted by law, the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and By-laws, and to a greater extent if by law the scope of coverage is expanded after the date of the Indemnification Agreement. In all events, the scope of coverage will not be less than what is in existence on the date of the Indemnification Agreement.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP

As of April 15, 2014, there were 237,899,730 shares of common stock outstanding. The information provided below summarizes the beneficial ownership of directors, nominees for director, named executive officers set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table,” and owners of more than 5% of outstanding common stock. “Beneficial Ownership” generally includes those shares of Company common stock that a person has the power to vote, sell or acquire within 60 days. It includes shares of Company common stock that are held directly and also shares held indirectly through a relationship, a position as a trustee or under a contract or understanding.

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of common stock of the Company owned of record and beneficially as of April 15, 2014, by each director, nominee for director and named executive officer set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. On April 15, 2014, the directors and executive officers of the Company beneficially owned an aggregate of 14,196,620 shares of common stock (approximately 6.0% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the time).

The table also presents the ownership of common units of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and common shares of Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC owned of record or beneficially as of April 15, 2014, by each director, nominee for director and named executive officer set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. The Company owns a majority interest in Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC and Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC owns a majority interest in Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. As of April 15, 2014, there were 57,078,848 common units, 135,383,831 subordinated units, 145,333,334 Class B units and 6,893,796 general partner units of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. outstanding and 231,700,000 common shares of Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC outstanding.

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Owners of More than Five Percent of Outstanding Stock

The following table shows the beneficial owners known by us to own more than five percent of our voting stock as of April 15, 2014.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) describes the material elements of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) and describes the objectives and principals underlying the Company’s executive compensation program, the compensation decisions we have recently made under these programs and the factors we considered in making these decisions.

Our NEOs for 2013 who are covered in this CD&A include:

Executive Summary: 2013 in Review

Overview

We are a Houston-based energy company primarily engaged in liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) related businesses. We own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and Creole Trail Pipeline in Louisiana through our partial ownership interest in and management agreements with Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (“Cheniere Partners”), which is a publicly-traded partnership we created in 2007. The Sabine Pass LNG terminal has regasification facilities owned by Cheniere Partners’ wholly owned subsidiary, Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (“Sabine Pass LNG”). Sabine Pass LNG currently has two third-party long-term terminal use agreements that generate fixed fees of approximately $250 million annually.

Cheniere Partners is developing and constructing natural gas liquefaction facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities through a wholly owned subsidiary, Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (“Sabine Pass Liquefaction”). Cheniere Partners plans to construct up to six natural gas liquefaction trains (“Trains”) which are in various stages of development. Each Train is expected to have nominal production capacity of approximately 4.5 metric tons per annum (“mtpa”) of LNG. We commenced construction of Trains 1 and 2 and the related new facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in August 2012. Construction of Trains 3 and 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal began in May 2013. We are developing Trains 5 and 6 and commenced the regulatory approval process for these Trains in February 2013. Sabine Pass Liquefaction has entered into four fixed price, 20-year sale and purchase agreements (“SPAs”) with third parties that in the aggregate equate to approximately 16 mtpa of LNG that commence with the date of first commercial delivery for Trains 1 through 4, which are fully permitted. In addition, Sabine Pass Liquefaction has entered into two fixed price, 20-year SPAs with third parties for another 3.75 mtpa of LNG that commence with the date of first commercial delivery for Train 5, which has not yet received regulatory approval for construction. Upon completion of Trains 1 through 4, the fixed fee portion to be paid by the customers to Sabine Pass Liquefaction will be approximately $2.3 billion annually, and $2.9 billion annually if we make a positive final investment decision with respect to Train 5.

We are also developing a second natural gas liquefaction and export facility near Corpus Christi, Texas. As currently contemplated, the proposed Corpus Christi LNG terminal would be designed for up to three Trains with expected aggregate nominal production capacity of approximately 13.5 mtpa of LNG. We will make a final investment decision upon the completion of entering into a sufficient amount of SPAs, obtaining financing commitments and receiving regulatory approvals.

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LIQUEFACTION PROJECTS MILESTONES

Sabine Pass

Corpus Christi

Sabine Pass Trains 5-6

Trains 1-2

Trains 3-4

Initiate Permitting Process

Commercial Agreements

2014

2014

EPC Contract

2015

Financing Commitments

2014

2015

Regulatory Approvals

2014/15

2015

Issue Notice to Proceed

2015

2015

Commence Operations

2015/16

2016/17

2018/19

2018/19

2013 Business Highlights and Company Performance

Our strong performance against our operational and corporate performance goals and significant progress towards our strategic business plan drove dramatic stock price appreciation in 2013. This past year marked an unprecedented high in our stock price of over $44—more than double 2012’s high of $21, and an exponential increase over the high five years ago of $2. These increases resulted in shareholder returns unsurpassed by our peers as demonstrated by our one-year and five-year stock price appreciation depicted in the chart below:

Stock Price Performance

In 2013 specifically, we delivered strong performance against our operational and corporate performance goals and significant progress towards our strategic business plan. Significant achievements included:

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2013 Compensation at a Glance

Our NEO’s compensation in 2013 was driven by a year of unprecedented gains in share price and the achievement of key strategic accomplishments and is summarized below:

Pay for Performance Alignment in 2013

The chart below highlights, for our CEO, the alignment of our three-year relative realizable pay to our relative three-year total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance. We define realizable pay, for Cheniere and the companies in our peer group, as the three-year total cash paid (base salary and annual bonus) plus the year-end 2013 value of equity granted during the most recent three-year period. The individual peer companies are represented by the dots on the chart. The chart below demonstrates strong alignment between pay and CEO performance, with Cheniere positioned at the 100th percentile.

Pay for Performance Alignment in 2013

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Strong Corporate Governance

We seek to abide by good compensation governance practices. The Compensation Committee regularly considers the competitive market trends and seeks to understand the views of our stockholders, including the results of our annual advisory vote on executive compensation, when adopting new, emerging compensation best practices or considering changes to existing policies. Examples of practices implemented include the following:

2013 Say on Pay Vote and Stockholder Engagement

In 2013, we received support of approximately 57% of our stockholders who cast an advisory vote on the Company’s say on pay proposal on the compensation paid to our NEOs. While we received majority support, our preference is to have more stockholders understand and approve our compensation plans. We take such voting results seriously and have made active and frequent efforts to engage our stockholders to understand the reasons for the voting pattern. The Compensation Committee and management also undertook a thorough review of our executive compensation program and spent a significant amount of time designing the 2014-2018 LTIP.

The 2014-2018 LTIP is entirely performance-based and driven solely by total shareholder return. It also provides a continuing incentive for management to develop future projects and drive stock price appreciation. In this Proxy Statement, we are asking stockholders to provide an advisory vote on the pay to our NEOs for 2013 as set forth in this CD&A and to approve the 2014-1018 LTIP, including the amount of shares required to support the 2014-2018 LTIP.

We have been actively engaging in dialogue with a significant number of investors to ensure that they benefit in tandem with the Company and our executive officers. We are committed to maintaining regular dialogue with our investors to solicit feedback on our executive compensation and the 2014-2018 LTIP. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors value these discussions and encourage stockholders to provide their feedback. Proposal 3 beginning on page 45 of this Proxy Statement includes a detailed description of the 2014-2018 LTIP.

Philosophy and Objectives of Our Executive Compensation

General

Our executive compensation programs and objectives are based on our need to attract, retain and motivate executives with the talent and experience necessary for us to achieve our strategic business plan. We need to hire the highest caliber executives available in the global LNG marketplace and we compete for talent with larger energy companies. We believe our executive team

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and all of our employees are motivated to perform at their highest levels when performance-based pay is a significant portion of their compensation. While we spend considerable time benchmarking levels of pay against similarly situated executives in the marketplace, we do not have a set formula for targeting pay at any particular level of the marketplace. Rather, we use such information as a market point of reference, from which the Compensation Committee applies discretion in setting compensation and making decisions for a company that is uniquely positioned both in terms of business development and achievements for the year.

In recent years, our philosophy has supported giving a high degree of discretion to our Compensation Committee to make determinations, based on recommendations from management, as to appropriate compensation levels as they relate to commensurate levels of achievement. We believe that our Compensation Committee members’ experience and intricate knowledge of the Company’s path to meet its strategic long-term goals is the best basis on which to assess appropriate levels of compensation. We do not believe that tailoring our compensation program to a one-size fits all formulaic approach to meet certain compensation test requirements is appropriate where it is contrary to the goals of attracting, motivating and retaining the highest caliber of talent necessary to achieve our long-term strategic plan and drive shareholder value.

Pay Mix

Our executive compensation programs are designed to result in payouts that are closely aligned with company and shareholder performance. Our NEOs receive an annual base salary and are entitled to annual performance-based cash awards to incentivize them to achieve annual operational and corporate performance goals. The largest component of our NEOs’ compensation, however, is paid in performance-based equity awards to incentivize our executive officers to perform at their highest levels to obtain our strategic business plan and to align management’s interests with our stockholders’ interests. As a result, the vast majority of our NEO’s pay is variable, at-risk and pays out only upon achievement of performance. The following charts demonstrate the breakdown of elements in our NEO’s compensation for 2013:

Process for Determining Executive Compensation

Role of Compensation Committee and Management in Compensation Decisions

The Compensation Committee reviews and approves annual compensation, including the competitiveness of each component of the total compensation package, for our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and each of our Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents. The Compensation Committee also reviews and approves the performance goals established by management which are required to be achieved for the executive officers to earn variable compensation. The performance goals are consistent with operational and corporate performance goals related to the strategic business plan of the Company.

Our Human Resources department and independent compensation consultant support the Compensation Committee in this effort but all compensation decisions for our NEOs are ultimately made by the Compensation Committee. All compensation

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recommendations reflect input from our Human Resources department and independent compensation consultant based on the Company’s performance and their review of external market data. At the end of the year, the CEO proposes base salaries and annual bonus awards for the Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents to the Compensation Committee which then reviews, discusses and modifies, as appropriate, these recommendations. The Compensation Committee approves base salaries for the Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents based on external market data and individual considerations. The Compensation Committee also evaluates whether the annual objectives and corporate performance goals for the year have been achieved to determine the total amount of the bonus pool, as recommended by the CEO, and the amount of the annual bonus awards for each of the Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents. The Compensation Committee also reviews and approves long-term equity awards for the Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents and CEO. The Compensation Committee generally meets in executive session to discuss and determine the amount of our CEO’s compensation. No member of the management team, including the CEO, has a role in determining his or her own compensation.

Independent Compensation Consultant

The Compensation Committee has been delegated the authority by the Board to retain any compensation consultant to be used to assist the Compensation Committee and management in the evaluation of compensation decisions. The Compensation Committee engaged Deloitte Consulting LLP (“Deloitte”) from May 2006 through October 2013 to provide the Compensation Committee with advice and assistance related to the design of our incentive compensation plans. In October 2013, the Compensation Committee engaged Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLP (“PM&P”) as its independent compensation consultant.

The independent compensation consultant reports to the Compensation Committee Chairman and has direct access to Compensation Committee members. The independent compensation consultant attends Compensation Committee meetings on request and also meets with the Compensation Committee in executive session without management present. During 2013, the Company used certain Deloitte affiliates for additional services not related to executive compensation. The aggregate fees the Company paid to Deloitte’s affiliates for these additional services was $214,025, and the aggregate fees the Company paid to Deloitte for executive compensation consulting services was $107,450 during 2013. With respect to engaging Deloitte and PM&P, we considered whether any conflict of interest existed under the SEC rules and NYSE MKT LLC listing standards. We reviewed the following related to each consultant in our evaluation: (1) other services provided to us by the consultant; (2) fees paid by us as a percentage of the consulting firm’s total revenue; (3) policies or procedures maintained by the consulting firm that are designed to prevent a conflict of interest; (4) any business or personal relationships between the individual consultants involved in the engagement and a member of the Compensation Committee; (5) any Company stock owned by the individual consultants involved in the engagement; and (6) any business or personal relationships between our executive officers and the consulting firm or the individual consultants involved in the engagement. We concluded that there were no conflicts of interest that prevented Deloitte or PM&P from serving as an independent consultant to the Compensation Committee on executive compensation matters.

Peer Group and Benchmarking

Each year, the Compensation Committee, with the assistance of management and our independent compensation consultant, reviews external market data to determine the competitiveness of the total compensation package of our NEOs. The market data selected is representative of the energy industry within which we operate and includes companies relative to our business activity with which we compete for executive talent. The Compensation Committee reviews the following components of each NEO’s compensation relative to the amount paid to executives in similar positions within the market data: base salary, annual cash bonuses and equity compensation. The market data serves as a point of reference for measuring the compensation of our NEOs, but individual compensation decisions are made based on a combination of considerations, including the Company’s overall performance; the individual roles, responsibilities and performance of each of the NEOs; and market competitiveness. As mentioned in our philosophy, we are not bound by rigid benchmark data in setting compensation; rather, such information is used as a market reference for the Compensation Committee when it exercises discretion in making compensation decisions.

We benchmark our executive compensation against both nationally recognized published survey data as well as proxy data from our peer group. With the assistance of our independent compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee reviews base salary, total cash compensation, equity compensation and total direct compensation for similar executive positions from published survey data and proxy data from our peer group. The Towers Watson Energy Services Executive Compensation Survey we used in 2013 reflected compensation data for executives in U.S. energy companies with total assets ranging from $2.5 billion to $39.5 billion. Attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit A is the list of companies included in the Towers Watson 2013 Energy Services Executive Compensation Survey.

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The peer group we used to benchmark compensation against for 2013 is indicated below. Our peer group was developed based on a list of energy companies we consider most representative of us in type of business and that we measure our performance against. All of the companies in our peer group are companies we compete with for executive talent. In 2013, it was determined we should remove two companies, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (“Energy Transfer”) and Kinder Morgan, Inc. (“Kinder Morgan”), based on their business operations and market capitalization. The new peer group was used to benchmark the 2014 base salary adjustments.

Components of Our Executive Compensation

Overview

The components of our NEO’s compensation in 2013 are provided in the following table:

Base Salary

The base salaries of our NEOs are designed to be comparable to like positions in the marketplace from where we recruit executive talent. However, historically and in 2013, our NEOs’ base salaries trended well below the median of the market. During 2013, the Compensation Committee, with the assistance of PM&P and management, began reviewing recommended base salary increases for the NEOs to be competitive with base salaries in the marketplace in which we compete for executive talent.

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On December 6, 2013, the Compensation Committee approved base salary increases to bring our NEOs closer to the market median with the exception of our CEO. These base salary increases were effective December 30, 2013. Consistent with our compensation philosophy, the Compensation Committee decided not to increase Mr. Souki’s base salary but rather rely on the performance-based elements of his pay to ensure that he is fairly compensated.

Annual Cash Bonus

In 2013, annual cash bonuses (the “Annual Cash Bonus”) were payable to our NEOs pursuant to our 2011-2013 Bonus Plan. This plan was designed to pay Annual Cash Bonuses from a pool that is funded based on the achievement of operational and corporate performance goals, reassessed annually, that are related to the strategic business plan of the Company. The Annual Cash Bonus pool is distributed to all employees of the Company based on individual performance, including the NEOs.

The operational and corporate performance goals to establish funding for the 2013 performance year Annual Cash Bonus pool were approved by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the year. The 2013 operational and corporate performance goals, and the corresponding outcomes reached by year end, included the following:

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Based on the above results, on November 22, 2013, the Compensation Committee approved the funding of an Annual Cash Bonus pool for all employees, including the NEOs, in the amount of $32 million for 2013. In determining the amount of the Annual Cash Bonus pool, the Compensation Committee and management discussed the amount of last year’s cash bonuses and determined 2013 Annual Cash Bonuses, when adjusted for increased headcount, should be approximately 10% greater than last year’s bonuses based on 2013’s performance relative to 2012 in addition to the significant shareholder value that was created as a result of the Company’s strong stock price appreciation in 2013.

A portion of the Annual Cash Bonus pool was allocated by the Compensation Committee to each of the NEOs based on a recommendation by the CEO and such NEO’s contributions in 2013. Prior to determining the Annual Cash Bonuses for each NEO, the Compensation Committee reviewed the market data to compare the cash bonus opportunities of our NEOs under the 2011-2013 Bonus Plan for the 2013 performance year to such opportunities of similar executive officer positions in the market data. In determining the amount of each NEO’s Annual Cash Bonus, the Compensation Committee compared each NEO’s new base salary amount, proposed Annual Cash Bonus amount and total cash compensation to the market data. Management and the Compensation Committee believe the Annual Cash Bonus payout must be competitive and the relationship between performance results and pay is strengthened when there are incentive opportunities for superior performance. Based on such information, the Compensation Committee approved Annual Cash Bonuses for each of the NEOs, payable on December 23, 2013, as follows:

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Long-Term Incentive Award

The 2011-2013 Bonus Plan also provided for long-term equity-based incentive opportunities (“LTI Awards”) for our NEOs. The 2011-2013 Bonus Plan is a sub-plan under the Company’s 2011 Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), which was approved by the stockholders in June 2011. On December 12, 2012, pursuant to the 2011-2013 Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee approved LTI Awards for all employees of the Company, including the NEOs, which are earned based on our achievement of specific goals related to: (1) construction of Trains 3 and 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, and (2) the Company’s stock price appreciation.

Like the Annual Cash Bonus pool, the Compensation Committee determined the amount of the long-term incentive award pool based on important Company performance measures – specifically, expected cash flows generated pursuant to the LNG sale and purchase agreements entered into for Trains 3 and 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Based on these measures, the long-term incentive award pool was funded with 18 million shares of restricted stock. Each of our NEOs received a LTI Award for construction of Trains 3 and 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in the form of restricted stock on February 18, 2013, that took into account the executive officer’s individual achievements regarding Trains 3 and 4. The amount of the executive officers’ LTI Awards for Trains 3 and 4 were intended to be consistent with the percentage of the pool they received for construction of Trains 1 and 2 and to incentivize completion of the project.

The following table shows the market cap growth that was realized by our stockholders between 2011 and 2013 compared to the value at vesting of the LTI Awards for Trains 1 through 4 realized by management.

Market Cap Growth

A portion of each NEO’s LTI Award for construction of Trains 3 and 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal was granted as a milestone award (“Milestone Award”), with vesting of the Milestone Award conditional on certain milestones relating to financing and constructing Trains 3 and 4, and a portion was granted as a stock price award (“Stock Price Award”), with vesting of the Stock Price Award conditional on the achievement of minimum average Company stock price hurdles. The following table sets forth the LTI Awards for construction of Trains 3 and 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and the vesting schedule for the awards for each of the NEOs.

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On May 28, 2013, the first installment of 30% of the Milestone Awards vested upon the closing of financing and issuance of notice to proceed (“NTP”) to begin construction of Trains 3 and 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. The remaining installments of the Milestone Awards will vest as follows: (i) 20% will vest upon payment of 60% of the original contract price of the EPC Contract; (ii) 20% will vest upon substantial completion of construction of Train 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, and (iii) 30% will vest on the first anniversary of substantial completion of construction of Train 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. The performance milestones will continue to apply if an NEO’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in the grant agreements), by the NEO for Good Reason (as defined in the grant agreements), by the Company due to the Disability (as defined in the grant agreements) of the NEO or due to the death of the NEO following any such termination of employment, such that the Milestone Award will vest if and only if the applicable performance milestones are achieved. A NEO’s Milestone Award will vest in full in the event the Company terminates the NEO’s employment without Cause (as defined in the grant agreements) or the NEO terminates his or her employment for Good Reason (as defined in the grant agreements) within one year after the effective date of a Change of Control (as defined in the grant agreements) of the Company.

The Stock Price Awards vested in two 50% installments based on the achievement of $25 and $35 average Company stock price hurdles. On May 22, 2013, the first installment of 50% of the Stock Price Awards vested based on the achievement of an average closing stock price of the Company of $25 (as reported on the NYSE MKT LLC), and on December 6, 2013, the second installment of 50% of the Stock Price Awards vested based on the achievement of an average closing stock price of the Company of $35 (as reported on the NYSE MKT LLC). The determination of the attainment of the average closing stock price was based on any 120-day average stock price of the Company after the grant date of the Stock Price Awards, calculated based on calendar days and on a rolling basis. The Stock Price Awards were designed based on the anticipated valuation of the Company’s stock price for construction of the first four Trains at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and to incentivize growth in the Company’s share price up to $35 per share, a hurdle that was achieved much earlier than anticipated in December 2013.

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Other Executive Compensation and Benefits

Benefits

We offer the same benefits package to all of our employees and executive officers. The Cheniere Retirement Plan is a tax-qualified 401(k) savings plan pursuant to which we match 100% up to the lesser of 6% of salary deferrals or the maximum deferrals permitted by law. We also offer all employees medical, dental and vision benefits as well as a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan and health and dependent care reimbursement arrangements. In addition, employees are covered by short-term and long-term disability, basic life insurance equal to two times base salary and voluntary life (elective) insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. We also provide voluntary home and auto insurance programs for our employees. We do not offer a defined benefit pension plan to any of our employees or executive officers.

Perquisites

Perquisites are not a significant part of our compensation program and are provided to the executive officers on a limited basis. Because Mr. Souki’s duties require him to spend a significant amount of time traveling, the Company pays for charter flights for Mr. Souki for business purposes. Mr. Souki’s personal guests are permitted to fly on such charter flights on occasion at nominal or no incremental cost to the Company. In addition, Mr. Souki occasionally uses Company-chartered aircraft to commute to the Company’s headquarters. We pay for the costs of overseas assignments for all of our employees, including certain of our NEOs, and we have entered into an indefinite term employment agreement with Mr. Abiteboul in compliance with foreign laws.

Compensatory Arrangement for Overseas or Foreign NEOs

Outside of arrangements with overseas or foreign employees, we do not have employment agreements with our NEOs. Ms. Gentle began serving as Senior Vice President—Marketing of the Company and President of Cheniere Marketing, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, in June 2013. On July 24, 2013, the Compensation Committee approved an Assignment Letter for Ms. Gentle to assign her to the London office, effective August 19, 2013. Ms. Gentle’s assignment will continue until August 18, 2015, unless it is terminated earlier on three months’ written notice or extended by mutual agreement. Ms. Gentle’s assignment may also be terminated if any required visa or work permit in the U.K. is withdrawn or refused. Ms. Gentle remains an at-will employee of the Company at all times during her assignment, subject to the existing terms and conditions of her employment. Ms. Gentle also continues to be eligible to participate in the Company’s bonus plan and the 2011-2013 Bonus Plan and any other incentive plan arrangements that may be approved by the Compensation Committee. We have agreed to a tax equalization arrangement so that Ms. Gentle will receive the same amount of compensation, after taxes, while on assignment as she would have received had she remained resident in the United States. Ms. Gentle will also receive certain allowances in connection with her assignment. Additional information about Ms. Gentle’s Assignment Letter is provided below in “Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.”

On January 30, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved the Terms and Conditions of Employment (the “U.K. Employment Agreement”) between Jean Abiteboul, Senior Vice President-International of the Company, and Cheniere Supply & Marketing, Inc. (U.K. Establishment) (“Cheniere Supply & Marketing”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Mr. Abiteboul was previously seconded by the Company to Cheniere Supply & Marketing pursuant to an amendment to his French employment agreement dated February 20, 2006, as amended. Pursuant to the U.K. Employment Agreement, Mr. Abiteboul’s French employment agreement was terminated and his employment was transferred to Cheniere Supply & Marketing. He will serve as President of Cheniere Supply & Marketing and will continue to report to the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. Mr. Abiteboul’s employment under the U.K. Employment Agreement will continue until terminated by either party on six months’ written notice or by Cheniere Supply & Marketing at any time for cause. The U.K. Employment Agreement also includes a six month non-competition and non-solicitation covenant by Mr. Abiteboul. Mr. Abiteboul is eligible to receive a discretionary bonus subject to performance and on terms and at a level as determined by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the U.K. Employment Agreement. In addition, Mr. Abiteboul will receive a housing allowance and a car allowance of, in each case subject to all deductions required by law. Cheniere Supply & Marketing will pay 60% of the total contributions paid to the Caisse des Français de l’Etranger (CFE) in relation to health insurance as well as additional health insurance (mutuelle) and retirement benefits (AGIRC /ARRCO) of Mr. Abiteboul, and Mr. Abiteboul will pay the remaining 40%. Additional information about Mr. Abiteboul’s French employment agreement is provided below in the Summary Compensation under “Compensatory Arrangements for Certain Executive Officers.”

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Change of Control Agreements

In 2008, the Compensation Committee approved Change of Control Agreements for certain employees of the Company, including the NEOs, which provide for a potential cash payment payable upon a change of control of the Company. The Change of Control Agreements were adopted in recognition that the possibility of a change of control existed and that such possibility, and the uncertainty it may create, may result in the distraction or departure of employees to the detriment of the Company and the stockholders. The Change of Control Agreements were designed to ensure that certain employees designated by management and confirmed by the Compensation Committee were not unduly distracted by the circumstances attendant to the possibility of a change of control and to encourage their continued attention and dedication to our necessary operations.

The Change of Control Agreements provide for the same formula for all participating employees. Specifically, upon a change in control, a cash payment in an amount equal to one times the employees’ base salaries in effect at or immediately prior to the change of control will be payable to participating employees. The cash payments are payable within 30 days of the effective date of the change of control. A cessation of an employee’s employment at the previously designated level (including as a result of death or disability) for any reason, a termination of an employee other than for Cause (as defined in the Change of Control Agreements), and a termination by the employee for good reason that occurs not more than three months prior to a change of control will be deemed to be a termination of employment pursuant to a change of control provided the employee demonstrates that such cessation or termination of employment was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a change of control or the employee’s termination otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a change of control. The Change of Control Agreements expire on December 31 of each calendar year, but are automatically extended for an additional year each January 1 unless the Compensation Committee determines and the Company provides notice to employees that the Change of Control Agreements will not be extended.

2014 Compensation Matters

On January 30, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved the range of bonus opportunities available to the NEO’s under the Company’s annual bonus program as set forth in the table below.

On January 30, 2014, the Compensation Committee adopted the 2014-2018 LTIP, subject to stockholder approval. Proposal 3 beginning on page 45 of this Proxy Statement includes a detailed description of the 2014-2018 LTIP.

Miscellaneous Compensation Matters

Stock Ownership Guidelines

The Board of Directors believes that they and the executive officers should demonstrate their commitment to the Company by owning a significant amount of Company stock. As a result, since April 3, 2008 (and amended in 2009) we have had rigorous stock ownership guidelines as follows:

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All non-employee directors and executive officers are expected to be in full compliance with the guidelines by the fifth anniversary of the original effective date (April 3, 2008) of the guidelines or within five years of initial appointment to a position subject to the guidelines, with certain ownership thresholds that must be met in the interim period. If a non-employee director or executive officer is not in compliance with the guidelines, he or she is required to retain the entire after-tax value of Company stock received upon the vesting of stock awards and the exercise of stock options until the interim threshold requirements or compliance with the guidelines is achieved. The Board of Directors recognizes that there may be occasions in which the guidelines place a severe hardship on the individual and has delegated discretion to the Governance and Nominating Committee to determine whether an exemption should be granted to the individual in such instances. All of our non-employee directors were in compliance with the guidelines as of June 6, 2013, and all of our executive officers were in compliance with the guidelines as of December 31, 2013.

Guidelines for Granting Equity-Based Awards

We recognize that granting equity awards presents specific legal, tax and accounting issues and therefore, we adopted guidelines on December 17, 2007, for all grants of equity-based awards. The guidelines have been revised for grants that are made pursuant to the 2011 Plan that was approved by our stockholders in June 2011. The guidelines reflect the Company’s prior practices for granting equity-based awards.

Under the guidelines, all equity awards granted to employees subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act must be approved by the Compensation Committee or the Section 162(m) Subcommittee, and all stock options granted to members of the Board of Directors must be approved by the Compensation Committee or the Board. The Board established an Equity Grant Committee and appointed the Chairman of the Board as the sole member of such committee to act on behalf of the Board and the Compensation Committee in granting restricted stock and stock options to eligible plan participants (other than executive officers), subject to certain limitations. The Board has also authorized the CEO to designate eligible plan participants (other than executive officers) to be recipients of stock options and to determine the terms of such stock options, subject to certain limitations. The Compensation Committee periodically ratifies all stock options granted by the CEO and Equity Grant Committee and restricted stock granted by the Equity Grant Committee. Under the provisions of the 2011 Plan, stock options cannot be granted at an exercise price less than the closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock as reported on the NYSE MKT LLC on the grant date.

Tax and Accounting Considerations

In designing our compensation programs, we take into account the various tax, accounting and disclosure rules associated with various forms of compensation. We also review and consider the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and design our compensation programs with the intent that they comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. We generally seek to preserve tax deductions for executive compensation but recognize that it may be beneficial to grant compensation that is not fully tax deductible when we believe it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

David B. Kilpatrick, Chairman

Vicky A. Bailey

Keith F. Carney

Randy A. Foutch

Walter L. Williams

April 2, 2014

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION

The following table and narrative text sets forth the total compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our CEO and CFO and our three other most highly compensated executive officers for 2013, who are referred to as our “NEOs” in the following compensation tables. Ms. Gentle was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until June 15, 2013, at which time the Board appointed Mr. Thames as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Ms. Gentle as Senior Vice President—Marketing. Mr. Thames left the Company on March 7, 2014.

Summary Compensation Table

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All Other Compensation included in the Summary Compensation Table

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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

The following table and narrative text describe the stock awards made to the NEOs during 2013.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards During Fiscal Year 2013

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Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Compensatory Arrangements for Certain Executive Officers

On July 24, 2013, the Compensation Committee approved an Assignment Letter for Ms. Gentle to assign her to the London office, effective August 19, 2013. Ms. Gentle’s assignment will continue until August 18, 2015, unless it is terminated earlier on three months’ written notice or extended by mutual agreement. Ms. Gentle’s assignment may also be terminated if any required visa or work permit in the U.K. is withdrawn or refused. Ms. Gentle remains an at-will employee of the Company at all times during her assignment, subject to the existing terms and conditions of her employment. Ms. Gentle also continues to be eligible to participate in the Company’s bonus plan and the 2011-2013 Bonus Plan and any other incentive plan arrangements that may be approved by the Compensation Committee. Pursuant to the Assignment Letter, the Company agreed to a tax equalization arrangement so that Ms. Gentle will receive the same amount of compensation, after taxes, while on assignment as she would have received had she remained resident in the United States. Ms. Gentle will also receive certain allowances in connection with her assignment. Ms. Gentle’s Assignment Letter is also described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under “Compensatory Arrangements for Overseas or Foreign NEOs.”

During 2013, Mr. Abiteboul had an employment agreement with our French subsidiary for an unlimited term. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Abiteboul received a fixed annual gross salary that was reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and a portion of which was an expatriation allowance. He was also entitled to receive an annual bonus and an annual award of equity each in an amount up to 100 percent of his annual salary. Mr. Abiteboul’s compensation was subject to deductions for social security, including his social security contribution, additional retirement and social welfare contributions, medical insurance and unemployment insurance, as provided by French law. Mr. Abiteboul participated in permanent and private medical insurance arrangements in France and was entitled to a death in-service benefit. The Company provided Mr. Abiteboul with use of a Company-owned car and the Company paid for insurance, fuel, parking and maintenance expenses related to the car, personal tax services, club memberships, discretionary French retirement plan contributions and home telecommunication services for Mr. Abiteboul. The agreement provided for non-compete and non-solicitation obligations on the part of Mr. Abiteboul for a period of 12 months following the termination of the agreement. In consideration for the non-compete obligation, Mr. Abiteboul would have received a monthly indemnity equal to 30 percent of his average fixed monthly salary over the previous 12-month period; provided, however, the Company was entitled to waive the non-compete obligation upon notice to Mr. Abiteboul. In April 2010, the Compensation Committee approved an amendment to Mr. Abiteboul’s employment agreement to provide for a secondment arrangement with Cheniere Supply & Marketing and Mr. Abiteboul. As a result of Mr. Abiteboul’s secondment, Mr. Abiteboul no longer received the expatriation allowance effective April 30, 2010. On January 30, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved a U.K. Employment Agreement between Mr. Abiteboul and Cheniere Supply & Marketing. Pursuant to the U.K. Employment Agreement, Mr. Abiteboul’s French employment agreement was terminated and his employment was transferred to Cheniere Supply & Marketing. Additional information about Mr. Abiteboul’s U.K. Employment Agreement is provided above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under “Compensatory Arrangements for Overseas or Foreign NEOs.”

Annual Cash Bonus

On November 22, 2013, the Compensation Committee approved the funding of an Annual Cash Bonus pool for all employees, including the NEOs, in the amount of $32 million for 2013. In 2013, the Annual Cash Bonuses were payable to our NEOs pursuant to our 2011-2013 Bonus Plan. The operational and corporate performance goals to establish funding for the 2013 performance year Annual Cash Bonus pool were approved by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the year. The 2013 operational and corporate performance goals, and the corresponding outcomes reached by year end, are described in detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under “Annual Cash Bonus.” A portion of the Annual Cash Bonus pool was allocated by the Compensation Committee to each of the NEOs based on a recommendation by the CEO and such NEO’s contributions in 2013. The Annual Cash Bonuses were paid to all employees, including the NEO’s, on December 23, 2013.

LTI Award

On February 18, 2013, each of our NEOs received a LTI Award for construction of Trains 3 and 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in the form of restricted stock. A portion of each NEO’s LTI Award for construction of Trains 3 and 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal

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was granted as a Milestone Award, with vesting of the Milestone Award conditional on certain milestones relating to financing and constructing Trains 3 and 4, and a portion was granted as a Stock Price Award, with vesting of the Stock Price Award conditional on the achievement of minimum average Company stock price hurdles. On May 28, 2013, the first installment of 30% of the Milestone Awards vested upon the closing of financing and issuance of NTP to commence construction of Trains 3 and 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. The remaining installments of the Milestone Awards will vest as follows: (i) 20% will vest upon payment of 60% of original contract price of the EPC Contract; (ii) 20% will vest upon substantial completion of Train 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal; and (iii) 30% will vest on the first anniversary of substantial completion of Train 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. The Stock Price Awards vested in two 50% installments based on the achievement of $25 and $35 average Company stock price hurdles. On May 22, 2013, the first installment of 50% of the Stock Price Awards vested based on the achievement of an average closing stock price of the Company (as reported on the NYSE MKT LLC) of $25, and on December 6, 2013, the second installment of 50% of the Stock Price Awards vested based on the achievement of an average closing stock price of the Company of $35 (as reported on the NYSE MKT LLC). The table in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under “Long-Term Incentive Award” on page 31 of this proxy statement sets forth the LTI Awards for construction of Trains 3 and 4 at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and the vesting schedule for the awards for each of the NEOs.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

The following table reflects the number of securities underlying unexercised stock options held by the NEOs as of December 31, 2013, the exercise price of the unexercised stock options and the date of expiration of the unexercised stock options. The table also reflects the total number and aggregate value of unvested restricted stock held by the NEOs as of December 31, 2013.