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Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Policies)
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12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2014
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| Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
Our Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cheniere Energy, Inc. and its majority owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cheniere and entities in which it holds a controlling interest. As a result, the Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cheniere Holdings and Cheniere Partners and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Investments in non-controlled entities, over which Cheniere has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method. In applying the equity method of accounting, the investments are initially recognized at cost, and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of earnings, losses and distributions. Other investments are carried at original cost. Investments accounted for using the equity method and cost method are reported as a component of other assets.
Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior period information to the current presentation. The reclassifications had no effect on our overall consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, including those related to the value of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, collectability of accounts receivable, derivative instruments, asset retirement obligations (“AROs”), income taxes including valuation allowances for net deferred tax assets, share-based compensation and fair value measurements. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ from these estimates.
Fair Value
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Hierarchy Levels 1, 2 and 3 are terms for the priority of inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Hierarchy Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Hierarchy Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. Hierarchy Level 3 inputs are inputs that are not observable in the market.
In determining fair value, we use observable market data when available, or models that incorporate observable market data. In addition to market information, we incorporate transaction-specific details that, in management’s judgment, market participants would take into account in measuring fair value. We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize our use of unobservable inputs in arriving at fair value estimates.
Recurring fair-value measurements are performed for commodity derivatives and interest rate derivatives as disclosed in Note 5—Derivative Instruments. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value. The fair value of debt is the estimated amount we would have to pay to repurchase our debt, including any premium or discount attributable to the difference between the stated interest rate and market interest rate at each balance sheet date. Debt fair values, as disclosed in Note 9—Long-Term Debt, are based on quoted market prices for identical instruments, if available, or based on valuations of similar debt instruments. Non-financial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value include certain assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination, intangible assets, goodwill and AROs.
Revenue Recognition
LNG regasification capacity reservation fees are recognized as revenue over the term of the respective TUAs. Advance capacity reservation fees are initially deferred and amortized over a 10-year period as a reduction of a customer’s regasification capacity reservation fees payable under its TUA. Under each of these TUAs, Sabine Pass LNG is entitled to retain 2% of LNG delivered for each customer’s account at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, which is recognized as revenues as Sabine Pass LNG performs the services set forth in each customer’s TUA.
LNG and Natural Gas Marketing
We have determined that our LNG and natural gas marketing business activities are energy trading and risk management activities for trading purposes and have elected to present these activities on a net basis on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Marketing and trading revenues represent the margin earned on the purchase and transportation of LNG purchases and subsequent sales of natural gas to third parties. These energy trading and risk management activities include, but are not limited to: purchase of LNG and natural gas, transportation contracts and derivatives. Below is a brief description of our accounting treatment of each type of energy trading and risk management activity and how we account for each:
Purchase of LNG and natural gas
The purchase value of LNG or natural gas inventory is recorded as an asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at the cost to acquire the product. Our inventory is subject to lower of cost or market adjustment each quarter. Recoveries of losses resulting from interim period lower of cost or market adjustments are made due to market price recoveries on the same inventory in the same fiscal year and are recognized as gains in later interim periods with such gains not exceeding previously recognized losses. Any adjustment to our inventory is recorded on a net basis as LNG and natural gas marketing revenue on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Transportation contracts
We enter into transportation contracts with respect to the transport of LNG or natural gas to a specific location for storage or sale. Transportation costs that are incurred during the purchase of LNG or natural gas are capitalized as part of the acquisition costs of the product. Transportation costs incurred to sell LNG or natural gas are recorded on a net basis as LNG and natural gas marketing revenue on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
LNG Inventory Derivatives
We use derivative instruments to hedge cash flows attributable to the future sale of LNG inventory. Gains and losses in positions to hedge the cash flows attributable to the future sale of LNG inventory are classified as marketing and trading revenues on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of funds that are contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal and have been presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Amounts that are designated as restricted cash and cash equivalents are contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal and will not become available to us as cash and cash equivalents. For these amounts, we have presented increases and decreases as “Investments in (uses of) restricted cash and cash equivalents” in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. These amounts that represent non-cash transactions within our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows present the effect of sources and uses of restricted cash and cash equivalents as they relate to the changes to assets and liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Restricted cash and cash equivalents are presented on a gross basis within each of those categories so as to reconcile the change in non-cash activity that occurs on the balance sheet from period to period.
LNG Inventory
LNG inventory is recorded at cost and is subject to lower of cost or market (“LCM”) adjustments at the end of each period. LNG inventory cost is determined using the average cost method. Our LCM adjustments primarily related to LNG inventory purchased to maintain the cryogenic readiness of the regasification facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal that are recorded in operating and maintenance expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Recoveries of losses resulting from interim period LCM adjustments are recorded when market price recoveries occur on the same inventory in the same fiscal year. These recoveries are recognized as gains in later interim periods with such gains not exceeding previously recognized losses. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $24.5 million, $26.9 million and $20.4 million, respectively, as operating and maintenance expense as a result of LCM adjustments primarily related to LNG inventory purchased to maintain the cryogenic readiness of the regasification facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.
Accounting for LNG Activities
Generally, we begin capitalizing the costs of our LNG terminals and related pipelines once the individual project meets the following criteria: (i) regulatory approval has been received, (ii) financing for the project is available and (iii) management has committed to commence construction. Prior to meeting these criteria, most of the costs associated with a project are expensed as incurred. These costs primarily include professional fees associated with front-end engineering and design work, costs of securing necessary regulatory approvals, and other preliminary investigation and development activities related to our LNG terminals and related pipelines.
Generally, costs that are capitalized prior to a project meeting the criteria otherwise necessary for capitalization include: land and lease option costs that are capitalized as property, plant and equipment and certain permits that are capitalized as intangible LNG assets. The costs of lease options are amortized over the life of the lease once obtained. If no lease is obtained, the costs are expensed.
We capitalize interest and other related debt costs during the construction period of our LNG terminal. Upon commencement of operations, capitalized interest, as a component of the total cost, will be amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for construction activities, major renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs and general and administrative activities are charged to expense as incurred. Interest costs incurred on debt obtained for the construction of property, plant and equipment are capitalized as construction-in-process over the construction period or related debt term, whichever is shorter. We depreciate our property, plant and equipment using the straight-line depreciation method. Upon retirement or other disposition of property, plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the account, and the resulting gains or losses are recorded in other operating costs and expenses.
Management tests property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment might not be recoverable. In performing this test, an undiscounted cash flow analysis is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are independent of cash flows from other assets. If the sum of the undiscounted future net cash flows is less than the net book value of the property, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess, if any, of the property’s net book value over its estimated fair value. We have recorded no impairments related to property, plant and equipment for 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Regulated Natural Gas Pipelines
The Creole Trail Pipeline and Corpus Christi Pipeline are subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) in accordance with the Natural Gas Act of 1938 and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978. The economic effects of regulation can result in a regulated company recording as assets those costs that have been or are expected to be approved for recovery from customers, or recording as liabilities those amounts that are expected to be required to be returned to customers, in a rate-setting process in a period different from the period in which the amounts would be recorded by an unregulated enterprise. Accordingly, we record assets and liabilities that result from the regulated rate-making process that may not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. We continually assess whether regulatory assets are probable of future recovery by considering factors such as applicable regulatory changes and recent rate orders applicable to other regulated entities. Based on this continual assessment, we believe the existing regulatory assets are probable of recovery. These regulatory assets and liabilities are primarily classified in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as other assets and other liabilities. We periodically evaluate their applicability under GAAP, and consider factors such as regulatory changes and the effect of competition. If cost-based regulation ends or competition increases, we may have to reduce our asset balances to reflect a market basis less than cost and write off the associated regulatory assets and liabilities.
Items that may influence our assessment are:
Natural gas pipeline costs include amounts capitalized as an Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”). The rates used in the calculation of AFUDC are determined in accordance with guidelines established by the FERC. AFUDC represents the cost of debt and equity funds used to finance our natural gas pipeline additions during construction. AFUDC is capitalized as a part of the cost of our natural gas pipelines. Under regulatory rate practices, we generally are permitted to recover AFUDC, and a fair return thereon, through our rate base after our natural gas pipelines are placed in service.
Derivative Instruments
We use derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to cash flow variability from commodity price and interest rate risk. Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets or liabilities depending on the derivative position and the expected timing of settlement, unless they satisfy criteria and we elect the normal purchases and sales exception. When we have the contractual right and intend to net settle, derivative assets and liabilities are reported on a net basis.
Changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments are recorded in current earnings, unless we elect to apply hedge accounting and meet specified criteria, including completing contemporaneous hedge documentation. We did not have any derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
From time to time, we have elected cash flow hedge accounting for derivatives that we use to hedge the exposure to volatility in floating-rate interest payments. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, to the extent the hedge is effective, are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We reclassify gains and losses on the hedges from accumulated other comprehensive loss into interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as the hedged item is recognized. Any change in the fair value resulting from ineffectiveness is recognized immediately as derivative gain (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We use regression analysis to determine whether we expect a derivative to be highly effective as a cash flow hedge, prior to electing hedge accounting and also to determine whether all derivatives designated as cash flow hedges have been effective. We perform these effectiveness tests prior to designation for all new hedges and on a quarterly basis for all existing hedges. We calculate the actual amount of ineffectiveness on our cash flow hedges using the “dollar offset” method, which compares changes in the expected cash flows of the hedged transaction to changes in the value of expected cash flows from the hedge. We discontinue hedge accounting when our effectiveness tests indicate that a derivative is no longer highly effective as a hedge; when the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised; when the hedged item matures, is sold or repaid; or when we determine that the occurrence of the hedged forecasted transaction is not probable. When we discontinue hedge accounting but continue to hold the derivative, prospective changes in fair value of the derivative instrument are recorded in income. Once we conclude that the hedged forecasted transaction becomes probable of not occurring, the amount remaining in accumulated other comprehensive loss pertaining to the previously designated derivatives is reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss and into income.
See Note 5—Derivative Instruments for additional details about our derivative instruments.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. We maintain cash balances at financial institutions, which may at times be in excess of federally insured levels. We have not incurred losses related to these balances to date.
The use of derivative instruments exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments. Our commodity derivative transactions are executed through over-the-counter contracts which are subject to nominal credit risk as these transactions are settled on a daily margin basis with investment grade financial institutions. Collateral deposited for such contracts is recorded as an other current asset and not netted within the derivative fair value. Our interest rate derivative instruments are placed with investment grade financial institutions whom we believe are acceptable credit risks. We monitor counterparty creditworthiness on an ongoing basis; however, we cannot predict sudden changes in counterparties’ creditworthiness. In addition, even if such changes are not sudden, we may be limited in our ability to mitigate an increase in counterparty credit risk. Should one of these counterparties not perform, we may not realize the benefit of some of our derivative instruments.
Sabine Pass LNG has entered into certain long-term TUAs with unaffiliated third parties for regasification capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Sabine Pass LNG is dependent on the respective counterparties’ creditworthiness and their willingness to perform under their respective TUAs. Sabine Pass LNG has mitigated this credit risk by securing TUAs for a significant portion of its regasification capacity with creditworthy third-party customers with a minimum Standard & Poor’s rating of AA.
Sabine Pass Liquefaction has entered into six fixed price 20-year SPAs with six unaffiliated third parties. Corpus Christi Liquefaction has entered into nine fixed price 20-year SPAs with seven unaffiliated third parties. Sabine Pass Liquefaction and Corpus Christi Liquefaction are dependent on the respective counterparties’ creditworthiness and their willingness to perform under their respective SPAs.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of the assets of businesses acquired. The goodwill on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is associated with our LNG terminal reporting unit. We determine our reporting units by identifying each unit that engaged in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, had operating results regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of resource allocation and performance assessment, and had discrete financial information.
Goodwill is assessed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that impairment of the carrying value of goodwill is likely, but no less often than annually. During the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2013, we performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill in accordance with FASB guidance, which permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If we fail the qualitative test, then we must compare our estimate of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recorded, as necessary. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value, if any, of that goodwill. We determine the implied fair value of the goodwill in the same manner as determining the amount of goodwill to be recognized in a business combination.
We completed our annual assessment of goodwill impairment during the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2013, and the tests indicated no impairment. As discussed above regarding our use of estimates, our judgments and assumptions are inherent in our estimate of future cash flows used to determine the estimate of the reporting unit’s fair value. The use of alternate judgments and/or assumptions could result in the recognition of impairment charges in the Consolidated Financial Statements. A lower fair value estimate in the future for our LNG terminal reporting unit could result in an impairment of goodwill. Factors that could trigger a lower fair value estimate include significant negative industry or economic trends, cost increases, disruptions to our business, regulatory or political environment changes or other unanticipated events.
Long-Term Debt
Our debt consists of long-term secured debt securities, convertible debt securities, and credit facilities with banks and other lenders. Debt issuances are placed directly by us or through securities dealers or underwriters and are held by institutional and retail investors.
Debt is recorded on our balance sheet at par value adjusted for unamortized discount or premium. Discounts, premiums, and costs directly related to the issuance of debt are amortized over the life of the debt and are recorded in interest expense, net using the effective interest method. Gains and losses on the extinguishment of debt are recorded in gains and losses on the extinguishment of debt on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Debt issuance costs consist primarily of arrangement fees, professional fees, legal fees and printing costs. These costs are recorded as debt issuance costs on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are being amortized to interest expense or property, plant and equipment over the term of the related debt facility. Upon early retirement of debt or amendment to a debt agreement, certain fees are written off to loss on early extinguishment of debt.
Asset Retirement Obligations
We recognize AROs for legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset and for conditional AROs in which the timing or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within our control. The fair value of a liability for an ARO is recognized in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying amount is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. Our recognition of AROs is described below.
Currently, the Sabine Pass LNG terminal is our only constructed and operating LNG terminal. Based on the real property lease agreements at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, at the expiration of the term of the leases we are required to surrender the LNG terminal in good working order and repair, with normal wear and tear and casualty expected. Our property lease agreements at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal have terms of up to 90 years including renewal options. We have determined that the cost to surrender the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in good order and repair, with normal wear and tear and casualty expected, is zero. Therefore, we have not recorded an ARO associated with the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.
Currently, the Creole Trail Pipeline is our only constructed and operating natural gas pipeline. We believe that it is not feasible to predict when the natural gas transportation services provided by the Creole Trail Pipeline will no longer be utilized. In addition, our right-of-way agreements associated with the Creole Trail Pipeline have no stipulated termination dates. Therefore, we have concluded that due to advanced technology associated with current natural gas pipelines and our intent to operate the Creole Trail Pipeline as long as supply and demand for natural gas exists in the United States, we have not recorded an ARO associated with the Creole Trail Pipeline.
Share-based Compensation
We have awarded share-based compensation in the form of stock, restricted stock, stock options and phantom units that are more fully described in Note 11—Share-Based Compensation. A summary of our accounting policy for share-based awards follows.
We recognize share-based compensation at fair value on the date of grant. The fair value is recognized as expense (net of any capitalization) over the requisite service period. For equity-classified share-based compensation awards (which include stock, restricted stock to employees and non-employee directors and stock options), compensation cost is recognized based on the grant-date fair value using the quoted market price of Cheniere’s common stock and not subsequently remeasured. The fair value is recognized as expense (net of any capitalization) using the straight-line basis for awards that vest based on service and market conditions and using the accelerated recognition method for awards that vest based on performance conditions. We estimate the service periods for performance awards utilizing a probability assessment based on when we expect to achieve the performance conditions. For liability-classified share-based compensation awards (which include restricted stock to non-employees and phantom units), compensation cost is initially recognized on the grant date using estimated payout levels. Compensation cost is subsequently adjusted quarterly to reflect the updated estimated payout levels based on the changes in the Company’s stock price.
Non-controlling Interests
When we consolidate a subsidiary, we include 100% of the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of the subsidiary in our Consolidated Financial Statements, even if we own less than 100% of the subsidiary. Non-controlling interests represent third-party ownership in the net assets of our consolidated subsidiaries and are presented as a component of equity. Changes in our ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in deconsolidation are recognized within equity. See Note 7—Non-controlling Interests for additional details about our non-controlling interest.
Income Taxes
Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred taxes on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the current period’s provision for income taxes. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying value of our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will expire before realization of the benefit or future deductibility is not probable. A valuation allowance equal to our federal and state net deferred tax asset balance has been established due to the uncertainty of realizing the tax benefits related to our federal and state net deferred tax assets.
We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the tax position.
Net Loss Per Share
Net loss per share (“EPS”) is computed in accordance with GAAP. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and were dilutive. Basic and diluted EPS for all periods presented are the same since the effect of our options and unvested stock is anti-dilutive to our net loss per share. Stock options and unvested stock representing securities that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future that were not included in the diluted computation because they would have been anti-dilutive for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, were 10.4 million shares, 14.1 million shares and 4.4 million shares, respectively. In addition, 14.3 million shares issuable upon conversion of the 2021 Convertible Unsecured Notes, as described in Note 9—Long-Term Debt, were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for 2014 because the computation of diluted net loss per share utilizing the “if-converted” method would be anti-dilutive.
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| Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The condensed financial statements represent the financial information required by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X 5-04 for Cheniere Energy, Inc. (“Cheniere”).
In the condensed financial statements, Cheniere’s investments in affiliates are presented under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the assets and liabilities of affiliates are not consolidated. The investments in net assets of the affiliates are recorded in the balance sheets. The loss from operations of the affiliates is reported on a net basis as investment in affiliates (investment in and equity in net losses of affiliates).
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