Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Debt and Debt-Related Parties

v2.4.0.8
Debt and Debt-Related Parties
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Debt and Debt-related Parties
DEBT AND DEBT—RELATED PARTIES
 
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, our long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands): 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2013
 
2012
Long-term debt
 
 
 
 
2016 Notes
 
$
1,665,500

 
$
1,665,500

2020 Notes
 
420,000

 
420,000

2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes
 
2,000,000

 

2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes
 
1,000,000

 

2023 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes
 
1,000,000

 

2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility
 

 
100,000

2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities
 
100,000

 

CTPL Credit Facility
 
400,000

 

Total long-term debt
 
6,585,500

 
2,185,500

 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt premium (discount)
 
 

 
 

2016 Notes
 
(13,693
)
 
(18,387
)
2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes
 
11,562

 

CTPL Credit Facility
 
(7,096
)
 

Total long-term debt, net of discount
 
$
6,576,273

 
$
2,167,113


 
Below is a schedule of future principal payments that we are obligated to make on our outstanding debt at December 31, 2013 (in thousands): 
 
 
Payments Due for the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
Total
 
2014
 
2015 to 2016
 
2017 to 2018
 
Thereafter
Debt:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 Notes
 
$
1,665,500

 
$

 
$
1,665,500

 
$

 
$

2020 Notes
 
420,000

 

 

 

 
420,000

2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes
 
2,000,000

 

 

 

 
2,000,000

2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes
 
1,000,000

 

 

 

 
1,000,000

2023 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes
 
1,000,000

 

 

 

 
1,000,000

2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities
 
100,000

 

 

 

 
100,000

CTPL Credit Facility
 
400,000

 

 

 
400,000

 

Total Debt
 
$
6,585,500

 
$

 
$
1,665,500

 
$
400,000

 
$
4,520,000


 
Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes
 
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, Sabine Pass LNG had an aggregate principal amount of  $1,665.5 million, before discount, of the 2016 Notes and $420.0 million of the 2020 Notes outstanding. Borrowings under the 2016 Notes and 2020 Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.50% and 6.50%, respectively. The terms of the 2016 Notes and the 2020 Notes are substantially similar. Interest on the Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. Subject to permitted liens, the Sabine Pass LNG Senior Notes are secured on a first-priority basis by a security interest in all of Sabine Pass LNG's equity interests and substantially all of its operating assets.

Sabine Pass LNG may redeem some or all of its 2016 Notes at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal plus any accrued and unpaid interest plus the greater of:
1.0% of the principal amount of the 2016 Notes; or
the excess of: a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the 2016 Notes plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the 2016 Notes (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over b) the principal amount of the 2016 Notes, if greater.
Sabine Pass LNG may redeem all or part of the 2020 Notes at any time on or after November 1, 2016, at fixed redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the 2020 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. Sabine Pass LNG may also, at its option, redeem all or part of the 2020 Notes at any time prior to November 1, 2016, at a "make-whole" price set forth in the indenture governing the 2020 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. At any time before November 1, 2015, Sabine Pass LNG may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes at a redemption price of 106.5% of the principal amount of the 2020 Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, in an amount not to exceed the net proceeds of one or more completed equity offerings as long as Sabine Pass LNG redeems the 2020 Notes within 180 days of the closing date for such equity offering and at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes originally issued remains outstanding after the redemption.

Under the Sabine Pass LNG Indentures, except for permitted tax distributions, Sabine Pass LNG may not make distributions until certain conditions are satisfied: there must be on deposit in an interest payment account an amount equal to one-sixth of the semi-annual interest payment multiplied by the number of elapsed months since the last semi-annual interest payment, and there must be on deposit in a permanent debt service reserve fund an amount equal to one semi-annual interest payment. Distributions are permitted only after satisfying the foregoing funding requirements, a fixed charge coverage ratio test of 2:1 and other conditions specified in the Sabine Pass LNG Indentures. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Sabine Pass LNG made distributions of $348.9 million, $333.5 million and $313.6 million, respectively, after satisfying all the applicable conditions in the Sabine Pass LNG Indentures.

Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes

In February 2013 and April 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction issued an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 billion, before premium, of the 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes. In April 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction also issued $1.0 billion of the 2023 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes. Borrowings under the 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes and 2023 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.625%. In November 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion of the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes. Borrowings under the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.25%. Interest on the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears.

The terms of the 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes and the 2023 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes are governed by a common indenture (the "Indenture"). The Indenture contains customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit Sabine Pass Liquefaction's ability and the ability of Sabine Pass Liquefaction's restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock, make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on capital stock or subordinated indebtedness or purchase, redeem or retire capital stock, sell or transfer assets, including capital stock of Sabine Pass Liquefaction's restricted subsidiaries, restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries, incur liens, enter into transactions with affiliates, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of Sabine Pass Liquefaction's assets and enter into certain LNG sales contracts. Subject to permitted liens, the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes are secured on a pari passu first-priority basis by a security interest in all of the membership interests in Sabine Pass Liquefaction and substantially all of Sabine Pass Liquefaction's assets. Sabine Pass Liquefaction may not make any distributions until, among other requirements, substantial completion of Trains 1 and 2 has occurred, deposits are made into debt service reserve accounts and a debt service coverage ratio for the prior 12-month period and a projected debt service coverage ratio for the upcoming 12-month period of 1.25:1.00 are satisfied.

At any time prior to November 1, 2020, with respect to the 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, or December 15, 2021, with respect to the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, or January 15, 2023, with respect to the 2023 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, Sabine Pass Liquefaction may redeem all or a part of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, at a redemption price equal to the "make-whole" price set forth in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. Sabine Pass Liquefaction also may at any time on or after November 1, 2020, with respect to the 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, or December 15, 2021, with respect to the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, or January 15, 2023, with respect to the 2023 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, redeem the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

In connection with the issuance of the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, Sabine Pass Liquefaction also entered into a registration rights agreement (the "2022 Liquefaction Registration Rights Agreement"). Under the 2022 Liquefaction Registration Rights Agreement, Sabine Pass Liquefaction has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes for a like aggregate principal amount of SEC-registered notes with terms identical in all material respects to the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes (other than with respect to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate) within 360 days after November 25, 2013.  Under specified circumstances, Sabine Pass Liquefaction may be required to file a shelf registration statement to cover resales of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes.  If Sabine Pass Liquefaction fails to satisfy this obligation, Sabine Pass Liquefaction may be required to pay additional interest to holders of the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes under certain circumstances.

2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities

In May 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction closed the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities aggregating $5.9 billion. The 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities are being used to fund a portion of the costs of developing, constructing and placing into operation the first four Trains of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project. The 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities will mature on the earlier of May 28, 2020 or the second anniversary of the completion date of the first four Trains of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project, as defined in the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities. Borrowings under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities may be refinanced, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, except for interest rate hedging and interest rate breakage costs. Sabine Pass Liquefaction made a $100.0 million borrowing under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities in June 2013 after meeting the required conditions precedent. Sabine Pass Liquefaction had $5.0 billion of available commitments under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities as of December 31, 2013 as a result of its initial $100.0 million borrowing and the termination of $885 million of commitments in connection with issuance of the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes in November 2013 as described below.

Borrowings under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities bear interest at a variable rate per annum equal to, at Sabine Pass Liquefaction's election, the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or the base rate, plus the applicable margin. The applicable margins for LIBOR loans range from 2.3% to 3.0% prior to the completion of Train 4 and from 2.3% to 3.25% after such completion, depending on the applicable 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facility. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each LIBOR period. The 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities required Sabine Pass Liquefaction to pay certain up-front fees to the agents and lenders in the aggregate amount of approximately $144 million and provide for a commitment fee calculated at a rate per annum equal to 40% of the applicable margin for LIBOR loans, multiplied by the average daily amount of the undrawn commitment due quarterly in arrears. Annual administrative fees must also be paid to the agent and the trustee. The principal of the loans made under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities must be repaid in quarterly installments, commencing with the earlier of the last day of the first full calendar quarter after the Train 4 completion date, as defined in the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities, and September 30, 2018. Scheduled repayments are based upon an 18-year amortization profile, with the remaining balance due upon the maturity of the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities.

Under the terms and conditions of the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities, all cash held by Sabine Pass Liquefaction is controlled by a collateral agent. These funds can only be released by the collateral agent upon satisfaction of certain terms and conditions related to the use of proceeds, and are classified as restricted on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities contain conditions precedent for the second borrowing and any subsequent borrowings, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of Sabine Pass Liquefaction under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities are secured by substantially all of the assets of Sabine Pass Liquefaction as well as all of the membership interests in Sabine Pass Liquefaction on a pari passu basis with the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes.
Under the terms of the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities, Sabine Pass Liquefaction is required to hedge not less than 75% of the variable interest rate exposure of its projected outstanding borrowings, calculated on a weighted average basis in comparison to its anticipated draw of principal. See Note 11— "Financial Instruments".

In November 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction issued the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, and a portion of the available commitments pursuant to the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities was terminated. Net proceeds from the offering of approximately $978 million are intended to be used to pay a portion of the capital costs in connection with the construction of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project in lieu of the terminated portion of the commitments under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities. The 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Notes are pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior debt of Sabine Pass Liquefaction. As a result of Sabine Pass Liquefaction's issuance of the 2022 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes in November 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction has terminated $885 million of commitments under the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities. This termination resulted in a write-off of debt issuance costs and deferred commitment fees associated with the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities of $43.3 million in November 2013.

2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility

 In July 2012, Sabine Pass Liquefaction entered into the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility with a syndicate of lenders. The 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility was intended to be used to fund a portion of the costs of developing, constructing and placing into operation Trains 1 and 2 of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project. In May 2013, the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility was amended and restated with the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities and $100.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility were repaid in full.

The 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility had a maturity date of the earlier of July 31, 2019 or the second anniversary of the completion date of Trains 1 and 2 of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project. Borrowings under the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility could have been refinanced, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, except for interest rate hedging and interest rate breakage costs. Sabine Pass Liquefaction made a $100.0 million borrowing under the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility in August 2012 after meeting the required conditions precedent.

Borrowings under the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility bore interest at a variable rate equal to, at Sabine Pass Liquefaction's election, LIBOR or the base rate, plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans was 3.50% during construction and 3.75% during operations. Interest on LIBOR loans was due and payable at the end of each LIBOR period. The 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility required Sabine Pass Liquefaction to pay certain up-front fees to the agents and lenders in the aggregate amount of approximately $178 million and provided for a commitment fee calculated at a rate per annum equal to 40% of the applicable margin for LIBOR loans, multiplied by the average daily amount of the undrawn commitment. Annual administrative fees were also required to be paid to the agent and the trustee. The principal of loans made under the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility had to be repaid in quarterly installments, commencing with the last day of the first calendar quarter ending at least three months following the completion of Trains 1 and 2 of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project. Scheduled repayments were based upon an 18-year amortization profile, with the remaining balance due upon the maturity of the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility.

Under the terms and conditions of the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility, all cash held by Sabine Pass Liquefaction was controlled by the collateral agent. These funds could only be released by the collateral agent upon satisfaction of certain terms and conditions related to the use of proceeds, and the cash balance of $100.0 million held in these accounts as of December 31, 2012 was classified as restricted on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility contained conditions precedent for the second borrowing and any subsequent borrowings, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of Sabine Pass Liquefaction under the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility were secured by substantially all of the assets of Sabine Pass Liquefaction as well as all of the membership interests in Sabine Pass Liquefaction, and a security interest in Cheniere Partners' rights under the Blackstone Unit Purchase Agreement on a pari passu basis with the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes.

Under the terms of the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility, Sabine Pass Liquefaction was required to hedge not less than 75% of the variable interest rate exposure of its projected outstanding borrowings, calculated on a weighted average basis in comparison to its anticipated draw of principal. See Note 11—"Financial Instruments".

In February 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction issued the 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes to refinance a portion of the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility, and a portion of available commitments pursuant to the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility was suspended. In April 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction issued an aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million of additional 2021 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes and $1.0 billion of 2023 Sabine Pass Liquefaction Senior Notes, and as a result, approximately $1.4 billion of commitments under the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility were terminated. The termination of these commitments in April 2013 and the amendment and restatement of the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility with the 2013 Liquefaction Credit Facilities in May 2013 resulted in a write-off of debt issuance costs and deferred commitment fees associated with the 2012 Liquefaction Credit Facility of $88.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2013.

CTPL Credit Facility

In May 2013, CTPL entered into the CTPL Credit Facility, which will be used to fund modifications to the Creole Trail Pipeline and for general business purposes. CTPL incurred $10.0 million of direct lender fees that were recorded as a debt discount. The CTPL Credit Facility matures in 2017 when the full amount of the outstanding principal obligations must be repaid. CTPL's loans may be repaid, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty. As of December 31, 2013, CTPL had borrowed the full amount of $400.0 million available under the CTPL Credit Facility.

Borrowings under the CTPL Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate per annum equal to, at CTPL's election, LIBOR or the base rate, plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans is 3.25%. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each LIBOR period.

Under the terms and conditions of the CTPL Credit Facility, all cash reserved to pay interest during construction is controlled by a collateral agent. These funds can only be released by the collateral agent upon satisfaction of certain terms and conditions, and are classified as restricted on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. CTPL is also required to pay annual fees to the administrative and collateral agents.

The CTPL Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of CTPL under the CTPL Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the personal property of CTPL and all of the general partner and limited partner interests in CTPL.

Cheniere Partners has guaranteed (i) the obligations of CTPL under the CTPL Credit Facility if the maturity of the CTPL loans is accelerated following the termination by Sabine Pass Liquefaction of a transportation precedent agreement in limited circumstances and (ii) the obligations of Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC ("Cheniere Investments"), Cheniere Partners' wholly owned subsidiary, in connection with its obligations under an equity contribution agreement (a) to pay operating expenses of CTPL until CTPL receives revenues under a service agreement with Sabine Pass Liquefaction and (b) to fund interest payments on the CTPL loans after the funds in an interest reserve account have been exhausted.