Cheniere Energy, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Debt

Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

DEBT

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our debt consisted of the following (in millions):



	December 31,
	2017			2016
Long-term debt:
SPL
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (“2021 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized premium of $6 and $7	$	2,006		$	2,007
6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (“2022 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,000			1,000
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (“2023 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized premium of $5 and $6	1,505			1,506
5.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (“2024 SPL Senior Notes”)	2,000			2,000
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (“2025 SPL Senior Notes”)	2,000			2,000
5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (“2026 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,500			1,500
5.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (“2027 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,500			1,500
4.200% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (“2028 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $1 and zero	1,349			—
5.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2037 (“2037 SPL Senior Notes”)	800			—
2015 SPL Credit Facilities	—			314
Cheniere Partners
5.250% Senior Notes due 2025 (“2025 CQP Senior Notes”)	1,500			—
2016 CQP Credit Facilities	1,090			2,560
CCH
7.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (“2024 CCH Senior Notes”)	1,250			1,250
5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (“2025 CCH Senior Notes”)	1,500			1,500
5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (“2027 CCH Senior Notes”)	1,500			—
2015 CCH Credit Facility	2,485			2,381
CCH HoldCo II
11.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (“2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes”)	1,305			1,171
Cheniere
4.875% Convertible Unsecured Notes due 2021 (“2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $121 and $146	1,040			960
4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2045 (“2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $314 and $317	311			308
$750 million Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility (“Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility”)	—			—
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(305		)	(269		)
Total long-term debt, net	25,336			21,688

Current debt:
$1.2 billion SPL Working Capital Facility (“SPL Working Capital Facility”)	—			224
$350 million CCH Working Capital Facility (“CCH Working Capital Facility”)	—			—
Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities	—			23
Total current debt	—			247

Total debt, net	$	25,336		$	21,935

Below is a schedule of future principal payments that we are obligated to make, based on current construction schedules, on our outstanding debt at December 31, 2017 (in millions):



Years Ending December 31,	Principal Payments
2018	$	—
2019	55
2020	1,035
2021	3,161
2022	3,485
Thereafter	18,330
Total	$	26,066

Senior Notes

SPL Senior Notes

In February 2017, SPL issued an aggregate principal amount of $800 million of the 2037 SPL Senior Notes on a private placement basis in reliance on the exemption from registration provided for under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In March 2017, SPL issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.35 billion, before discount, of the 2028 SPL Senior Notes. Net proceeds of the offerings of the 2037 SPL Senior Notes and the 2028 SPL Senior Notes were $789 million and $1.33 billion, respectively, after deducting the initial purchasers’ commissions (for the 2028 SPL Senior Notes) and estimated fees and expenses. The net proceeds of the 2037 SPL Senior Notes, after provisioning for incremental interest required during construction, were used to prepay the then outstanding borrowings of $369 million under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities and, along with the net proceeds of the 2028 SPL Senior Notes, the remainder is being used to pay a portion of the capital costs in connection with the construction of Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project in lieu of the terminated portion of the commitments under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities.

In connection with the issuance of the 2037 SPL Senior Notes and the 2028 SPL Senior Notes, SPL terminated the remaining available balance of $1.6 billion under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, resulting in a write-off of debt issuance costs associated with the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities of $42 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.

The terms of the 2021 SPL Senior Notes, 2022 SPL Senior Notes, 2023 SPL Senior Notes, 2024 SPL Senior Notes, 2025 SPL Senior Notes, 2026 SPL Senior Notes, 2027 SPL Senior Notes and 2028 SPL Senior Notes (collectively with the 2037 SPL Senior Notes, the “SPL Senior Notes”) are governed by a common indenture (the “SPL Indenture”) and the terms of the 2037 SPL Senior Notes are governed by a separate indenture (the “2037 SPL Senior Notes Indenture”). Both the SPL Indenture and the 2037 SPL Senior Notes Indenture contain customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit SPL’s ability and the ability of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock, make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on capital stock or subordinated indebtedness or purchase, redeem or retire capital stock, sell or transfer assets, including capital stock of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries, restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries, incur liens, enter into transactions with affiliates, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of SPL’s assets and enter into certain LNG sales contracts. Subject to permitted liens, the SPL Senior Notes are secured on a pari passu first-priority basis by a security interest in all of the membership interests in SPL and substantially all of SPL’s assets. SPL may not make any distributions until, among other requirements, deposits are made into debt service reserve accounts as required and a debt service coverage ratio test of 1.25:1.00 is satisfied. Semi-annual principal payments for the 2037 SPL Senior Notes are due on March 15 and September 15 of each year beginning September 15, 2025. Interest on the SPL Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears.

At any time prior to three months before the respective dates of maturity for each series of the SPL Senior Notes (except for the 2026 SPL Senior Notes, 2027 SPL Senior Notes, 2028 SPL Senior Notes and 2037 SPL Senior Notes, in which case the time period is six months before the respective dates of maturity), SPL may redeem all or part of such series of the SPL Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the “make-whole” price (except for the 2037 SPL Senior Notes, in which case the redemption price is equal to the “optional redemption” price) set forth in the respective indentures governing the SPL Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. SPL may also, at any time within three months of the respective maturity dates for each series of the SPL Senior Notes (except for the 2026 SPL Senior Notes, 2027 SPL Senior Notes, 2028 SPL Senior Notes and 2037 SPL Senior Notes, in which case the time period is within six months of the respective dates of maturity), redeem all or part of such series of the SPL Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such series of the SPL Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

2025 CQP Senior Notes

In September 2017, Cheniere Partners issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion of the 2025 CQP Senior Notes, which are jointly and severally guaranteed by each of Cheniere Partners’ subsidiaries other than SPL and, subject to certain conditions governing the release of its guarantee, Sabine Pass LNG-LP, LLC (collectively, the “CQP Guarantors”). Net proceeds of the offering of approximately $1.5 billion, after deducting the initial purchasers’ commissions and estimated fees and expenses, were used to prepay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, resulting in a write-off of debt issuance costs associated with the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities of $25 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Borrowings under the 2025 CQP Senior Notes accrue interest at a fixed rate of 5.250%, and interest on the 2025 CQP Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. The 2025 CQP Senior Notes are governed by an indenture (the “CQP Indenture”), which contains customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of Cheniere Partners and the CQP Guarantors to incur liens and sell assets, enter into transactions with affiliates, enter into sale-leaseback transactions and consolidate, merge or sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the applicable entity’s properties or assets.

At any time prior to October 1, 2020, Cheniere Partners may redeem all or a part of the 2025 CQP Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 CQP Senior Notes redeemed, plus the “applicable premium” set forth in the CQP Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. In addition, at any time prior to October 1, 2020, Cheniere Partners may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 CQP Senior Notes with an amount of cash not greater than the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 105.250% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 CQP Senior Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. Cheniere Partners also may at any time on or after October 1, 2020 through the maturity date of October 1, 2025, redeem the 2025 CQP Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth in the CQP Indenture.

The 2025 CQP Senior Notes are Cheniere Partners’ senior obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with Cheniere Partners’ other existing and future unsubordinated debt and senior to any of its future subordinated debt. The 2025 CQP Senior Notes will be secured alongside the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities on a first-priority basis (subject to permitted encumbrances) with liens on (1) substantially all the existing and future tangible and intangible assets and rights of Cheniere Partners and the CQP Guarantors and equity interests in the CQP Guarantors (except, in each case, for certain excluded properties set forth in the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities) and (2) substantially all of the real property of SPLNG (except for excluded properties referenced in the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities). The liens securing the 2025 CQP Senior Notes would be released if (1) the aggregate principal amount of all indebtedness then outstanding under the term loans under the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities secured by such liens does not exceed $1.0 billion and (2) the aggregate amount of Cheniere Partners’ secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of the CQP Guarantors (other than the 2025 CQP Senior Notes or any other series of notes issued under the CQP Indenture) outstanding at any one time, together with all Attributable Indebtedness (as defined in the CQP Indenture) from sale-leaseback transactions (subject to certain exceptions), does not exceed the greater of (1) $1.5 billion and (2) 10% of net tangible assets. Upon the release of the liens securing the 2025 CQP Senior Notes, the limitation on liens covenant under the CQP Indenture will continue to govern the incurrence of liens by Cheniere Partners and the CQP Guarantors.

In connection with the closing of the sale of the 2025 CQP Senior Notes, Cheniere Partners and the CQP Guarantors entered into a registration rights agreement (the “CQP Registration Rights Agreement”). Under the CQP Registration Rights Agreement, Cheniere Partners and the CQP Guarantors have 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 any and all of the 2025 CQP Senior Notes for a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities of Cheniere Partners with terms identical in all material respects to the 2025 CQP Senior Notes sought to be exchanged (other than with respect to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate), within 360 days after September 18, 2017. Under specified circumstances, Cheniere Partners and the CQP Guarantors have also agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to resales of the 2025 CQP Senior Notes. Cheniere Partners will be obligated to pay additional interest on the 2025 CQP Senior Notes if it fails to comply with its obligation to register the 2025 CQP Senior Notes within the specified time period.

CCH Senior Notes

In May 2017, CCH issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion of the 2027 CCH Senior Notes. Net proceeds of the offering of approximately $1.4 billion, after deducting commissions, fees and expenses and provisioning for incremental interest required under the 2027 CCH Senior Notes during construction, were used to prepay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility, resulting in a write-off of debt issuance costs associated with the 2015 CCH Credit Facility of $33 million during the year ended December 31, 2017. Borrowings under the 2027 CCH Senior Notes accrue interest at a fixed rate of 5.125%.

The 2024 CCH Senior Notes, 2025 CCH Senior Notes and 2027 CCH Senior Notes (collectively, the “CCH Senior Notes”) are jointly and severally guaranteed by CCH’s subsidiaries, CCL, CCP and Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC (the “CCH Guarantors”). The indenture governing the CCH Senior Notes (the “CCH Indenture”) contains customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit CCH’s ability and the ability of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on membership interests or subordinated indebtedness or purchase, redeem or retire membership interests; sell or transfer assets, including membership or partnership interests of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries; restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries to CCH or any of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries; incur liens; enter into transactions with affiliates; dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of the properties or assets of CCH and its restricted subsidiaries taken as a whole; or permit any CCH Guarantor to dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets. Interest on the CCH Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears.

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

Credit Facilities

Below is a summary of our credit facilities outstanding as of December 31, 2017 (in millions):



	SPL Working Capital Facility		2016 CQP Credit Facilities		2015 CCH Credit Facility		CCH Working Capital Facility		Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility
Original facility size	$	1,200	$	2,800	$	8,404	$	350	$	750
Less:
Outstanding balance	—		1,090		2,485		—		—
Commitments prepaid or terminated	—		1,470		3,832		—		—
Letters of credit issued	730		20		—		164		—
Available commitment	$	470	$	220	$	2,087	$	186	$	750

Interest rate	LIBOR plus 1.75% or base rate plus 0.75%		LIBOR plus 2.25% or base rate plus 1.25% (1)		LIBOR plus 2.25% or base rate plus 1.25% (2)		LIBOR plus 1.50% - 2.00% or base rate plus 0.50% - 1.00%		LIBOR plus 3.25% or base rate plus 2.25%
Maturity date	December 31, 2020, with various terms for underlying loans		February 25, 2020, with principal payments due quarterly commencing on March 31, 2019		Earlier of May 13, 2022 or second anniversary of CCL Trains 1 and 2 completion date		December 14, 2021, with various terms for underlying loans		March 2, 2021


(1)	There is a 0.50% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans beginning on February 25, 2019.


(2)	There is a 0.25% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans following the completion of Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project as defined in the common terms agreement.

SPL Working Capital Facility

In September 2015, SPL entered into the SPL Working Capital Facility, which is intended to be used for loans to SPL (“SPL Working Capital Loans”), the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of SPL, as well as for swing line loans to SPL (“SPL Swing Line Loans”), primarily for certain working capital requirements related to developing and placing into operation the SPL Project. SPL may, from time to time, request increases in the commitments under the SPL Working Capital Facility of up to $760 million and, upon the completion of the debt financing of Train 6 of the SPL Project, request an incremental increase in commitments of up to an additional $390 million.

Loans under the SPL Working Capital Facility accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to LIBOR or the base rate (equal to the highest of the senior facility agent’s published prime rate, the federal funds effective rate, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, plus 0.50% and one month LIBOR plus 0.50%), plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans under the SPL Working Capital Facility is 1.75% per annum, and the applicable margin for base rate loans under the SPL Working Capital Facility is 0.75% per annum. Interest on SPL Swing Line Loans and loans deemed made in connection with a draw upon a letter of credit (“SPL LC Loans”) is due and payable on the date the loan becomes due. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each applicable LIBOR period, and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end of each fiscal quarter. However, if such base rate loan is converted into a LIBOR loan, interest is due and payable on that date. Additionally, if the loans become due prior to such periods, the interest also becomes due on that date.

SPL pays (1) a commitment fee equal to an annual rate of 0.70% on the average daily amount of the excess of the total commitment amount over the principal amount outstanding without giving effect to any outstanding SPL Swing Line Loans and (2) a letter of credit fee equal to an annual rate of 1.75% of the undrawn portion of all letters of credit issued under the SPL Working Capital Facility. If draws are made upon a letter of credit issued under the SPL Working Capital Facility and SPL does not elect for such draw (an “SPL LC Draw”) to be deemed an SPL LC Loan, SPL is required to pay the full amount of the SPL LC Draw on or prior to the business day following the notice of the SPL LC Draw. An SPL LC Draw accrues interest at an annual rate of 2.0% plus the base rate. As of December 31, 2017, no SPL LC Draws had been made upon any letters of credit issued under the SPL Working Capital Facility.

The SPL Working Capital Facility matures on December 31, 2020, and the outstanding balance may be repaid, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty upon three business days’ notice. SPL LC Loans have a term of up to one year. SPL Swing Line Loans terminate upon the earliest of (1) the maturity date or earlier termination of the SPL Working Capital Facility, (2) the date 15 days after such SPL Swing Line Loan is made and (3) the first borrowing date for a SPL Working Capital Loan or SPL Swing Line Loan occurring at least three business days following the date the SPL Swing Line Loan is made. SPL is required to reduce the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all SPL Working Capital Loans to zero for a period of five consecutive business days at least once each year.

The SPL Working Capital Facility contains conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of SPL under the SPL Working Capital Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of SPL as well as all of the membership interests in SPL on a pari passu basis with the SPL Senior Notes.

2016 CQP Credit Facilities

In February 2016, Cheniere Partners entered into the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities. The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities consist of: (1) a $450 million CTPL tranche term loan that was used to prepay the $400 million term loan facility (the “CTPL Term Loan”) in February 2016, (2) an approximately $2.1 billion SPLNG tranche term loan that was used to repay and redeem the approximately $2.1 billion of the senior notes previously issued by SPLNG in November 2016, (3) a $125 million debt service reserve credit facility (the “DSR Facility”) that may be used to satisfy a six-month debt service reserve requirement and (4) a $115 million revolving credit facility that may be used for general business purposes. In September 2017, Cheniere Partners issued the 2025 CQP Senior Notes and the net proceeds of the issuance were used to prepay $1.5 billion of the outstanding indebtedness under the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities.

The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to LIBOR or the base rate (equal to the highest of the prime rate, the federal funds effective rate, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, plus 0.50% and adjusted one month LIBOR plus 1.0%), plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans is 2.25% per annum, and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 1.25% per annum, in each case with a 0.50% step-up beginning on February 25, 2019. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each applicable LIBOR period (and at the end of every three month period within the LIBOR period, if any), and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end of each calendar quarter.

Cheniere Partners pays a commitment fee equal to an annual rate of 40% of the margin for LIBOR loans multiplied by the average daily amount of the undrawn commitment, payable quarterly in arrears. The DSR Facility and the revolving credit facility are both available for the issuance of letters of credit, which incur a fee equal to an annual rate of 2.25% of the undrawn portion with a 0.50% step-up beginning on February 25, 2019.

The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities mature on February 25, 2020, with principal payments due quarterly commencing on March 31, 2019. The outstanding balance may be repaid, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, except for interest hedging and interest rate breakage costs. The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities contain conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants and limit Cheniere Partners’ ability to make restricted payments, including distributions, to once per fiscal quarter as long as certain conditions are satisfied. Under the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, Cheniere Partners is required to hedge not less than 50% of the variable interest rate exposure on its projected aggregate outstanding balance, maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15x at the end of each fiscal quarter beginning March 31, 2019 and have a projected debt service coverage ratio of 1.55x in order to incur additional indebtedness to refinance a portion of the existing obligations.

The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by each subsidiary of Cheniere Partners other than (1) SPL and (2) certain subsidiaries of Cheniere Partners owning other development projects, as well as certain other specified subsidiaries and members of the foregoing entities.

2015 CCH Credit Facility

In May 2015, CCH entered into the 2015 CCH Credit Facility, which is being used to fund a portion of the costs associated with the development, construction, operation and maintenance of Stage 1 of the CCL Project. Borrowings under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility may be refinanced, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty; however, interest rate hedging and interest rate breakage costs may be incurred.

The principal of the loans made under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility must be repaid in quarterly installments, commencing on the earlier of (1) the first quarterly payment date occurring more than three calendar months following project completion and (2) a set date determined by reference to the date under which a certain LNG buyer linked to Train 2 of the CCL Project is entitled to terminate its SPA for failure to achieve the date of first commercial delivery for that agreement. Scheduled repayments will be based upon a 19-year tailored amortization, commencing the first full quarter after the project completion and designed to achieve a minimum projected fixed debt service coverage ratio of 1.55:1.

Loans under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to, at CCH’s election, LIBOR or the base rate, plus the applicable margin. The applicable margins for LIBOR loans are 2.25% prior to completion of Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project and 2.50% on completion and thereafter. The applicable margins for base rate loans are 1.25% prior to completion of Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project and 1.50% on completion and thereafter. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each applicable interest period and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end of each quarter. The 2015 CCH Credit Facility also requires CCH to pay a commitment fee at a rate per annum equal to 40% of the margin for LIBOR loans, multiplied by the outstanding undrawn debt commitments.

The obligations of CCH under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of CCH and its subsidiaries and by a pledge by CCH HoldCo I of its limited liability company interests in CCH.

Under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility, CCH is required to hedge not less than 65% of the variable interest rate exposure of its senior secured debt. CCH is restricted from making distributions under agreements governing its indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, the completion of the construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project, funding of a debt service reserve account equal to six months of debt service and achieving a historical debt service coverage ratio and fixed projected debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25:1.00.

CCH Working Capital Facility

In December 2016, CCH entered into the $350 million CCH Working Capital Facility, which is intended to be used for loans to CCH (“CCH Working Capital Loans”), the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of CCH, as well as for swing line loans to CCH (“CCH Swing Line Loans”) for certain working capital requirements related to developing and placing into operation the CCL Project. Loans under the CCH Working Capital Facility are guaranteed by the CCH Guarantors. CCH may, from time to time, request increases in the commitments under the CCH Working Capital Facility of up to the maximum allowed under the Common Terms Agreement that was entered into concurrently with the 2015 CCH Credit Facility.

Loans under the CCH Working Capital Facility, including CCH Working Capital Loans, CCH Swing Line Loans and loans made in connection with a draw upon any letter of credit (“CCH LC Loans” and collectively, the “Revolving Loans”) accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to LIBOR or the base rate (equal to the highest of (1) the federal funds rate, plus 0.50%, (2) the prime rate and (3) one month LIBOR plus 0.50%), plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR Revolving Loans ranges from 1.50% to 2.00% per annum, and the applicable margin for base rate Revolving Loans ranges from 0.50% to 1.00% per annum. Interest on CCH Working Capital Loans, CCH Swing Line Loans and CCH LC Loans is due and payable on the date the loan becomes due. Interest on LIBOR Revolving Loans is due and payable at the end of each LIBOR period, and interest on base rate Revolving Loans is due and payable at the end of each quarter.

CCH pays (1) a commitment fee equal to an annual rate of 40% of the applicable margin for LIBOR Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of the excess of the total commitment amount over the principal amount outstanding without giving effect to any outstanding CCH Swing Line Loans, (2) a letter of credit fee equal to an annual rate equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR Revolving Loans on the undrawn portion of all letters of credit issued under the CCH Working Capital Facility and (3) a letter of credit fronting fee equal to an annual rate of 0.20% of the undrawn portion of all letters of credit. Each of these fees is payable quarterly in arrears.

If draws are made upon a letter of credit issued under the CCH Working Capital Facility and CCH does not elect for such draw (a “CCH LC Draw”) to be deemed a CCH LC Loan, CCH is required to pay the full amount of the CCH LC Draw on or prior to the business day following the notice of the CCH LC Draw. A CCH LC Draw accrues interest at an annual rate of 2.00% plus the base rate.

The CCH Working Capital Facility matures on December 14, 2021, and CCH may prepay the Revolving Loans at any time without premium or penalty upon three business days’ notice and may re-borrow at any time. CCH LC Loans have a term of up to one year. CCH Swing Line Loans terminate upon the earliest of (1) the maturity date or earlier termination of the CCH Working Capital Facility, (2) the date that is 15 days after such CCH Swing Line Loan is made and (3) the first borrowing date for a CCH Working Capital Loan or CCH Swing Line Loan occurring at least four business days following the date the CCH Swing Line Loan is made. CCH is required to reduce the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all CCH Working Capital Loans to zero for a period of five consecutive business days at least once each year.

The CCH Working Capital Facility contains conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of CCH under the CCH Working Capital Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of CCH and the CCH Guarantors as well as all of the membership interests in CCH and each of the CCH Guarantors on a pari passu basis with the CCH Senior Notes and the 2015 CCH Credit Facility.

Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility

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

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

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

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

Convertible Notes

Below is a summary of our convertible notes outstanding as of December 31, 2017 (in millions):



	2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes			2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes			2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes
Aggregate original principal	$	1,000		$	1,000		$	625
Debt component, net of discount	$	1,040		$	1,305		$	311
Equity component	$	206		$	—		$	194
Maturity date	May 28, 2021			March 1, 2025			March 15, 2045
Contractual interest rate	4.875		%	11.0		%	4.25		%
Effective interest rate (1)	8.3		%	11.9		%	9.4		%
Remaining debt discount and debt issuance costs amortization period (2)	3.4 years			2.8 years			27.2 years


(1)	Rate to accrete the discounted carrying value of the convertible notes to the face value over the remaining amortization period.


(2)	We amortize any debt discount and debt issuance costs using the effective interest over the period through contractual maturity except for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes, which are amortized through the date they are first convertible by holders into our common stock.

2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes

In November 2014, we issued the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes on a private placement basis in reliance on the exemption from registration provided for under section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation S promulgated thereunder. The 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.875% per annum, which is payable in kind semi-annually in arrears by increasing the principal amount of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes outstanding. Beginning one year after the closing date, the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes will be convertible at the option of the holder into our common stock at the then applicable conversion rate, provided that the closing price of our common stock is greater than or equal to the conversion price on the conversion date. The initial conversion price was $93.64 and is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events. We have the option to satisfy the conversion obligation with cash, common stock or a combination thereof.

Under GAAP, certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion are required to be separately accounted for as liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer’s non-convertible debt borrowing rate. We determined that the fair value of the debt component was $809 million and the residual value of the equity component was $191 million as of the issuance date. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the carrying value of the equity component was $206 million and $205 million, respectively. The debt component is accreted to the total principal amount due at maturity by amortizing the debt discount. The effective rate of interest to amortize the debt discount was approximately 8.3% as of both December 31, 2017 and 2016. As of December 31, 2017, the if-converted value of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes did not exceed the principal balance.

2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes

In May 2015, CCH HoldCo II issued the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes on a private placement basis in reliance on the exemption from registration provided for under section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes were issued pursuant to the amended and restated note purchase agreement entered into among CCH HoldCo II, EIG Management Company, LLC, The Bank of New York Mellon, us and the note purchasers. The $1.0 billion principal of the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes will be used to partially fund costs associated with Stage 1 of the CCL Project. The 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 11.0% per annum, which is payable quarterly in arrears. Prior to the substantial completion of Train 2 of the CCL Project, interest on the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes will be paid entirely in kind. Following this date, the interest generally must be paid in cash; however, a portion of the interest may be paid in kind under certain specified circumstances. The 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes are secured by a pledge by us of 100% of the equity interests in CCH HoldCo II, and a pledge by CCH HoldCo II of 100% of the equity interests in CCH HoldCo I.

At CCH HoldCo II’s option, the outstanding 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes are convertible into our common stock, provided the total market capitalization of Cheniere at that time is not less than $10.0 billion, on or after the later of (1) 58 months from May 1, 2015 and (2) the substantial completion of Train 2 of the CCL Project (the “Eligible Conversion Date”). The conversion price for 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes converted at CCH HoldCo II’s option is the lower of (1) a 10% discount to the average of the daily volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of our common stock for the 90 trading day period prior to the date on which notice of conversion is provided and (2) a 10% discount to the closing price of our common stock on the trading day preceding the date on which notice of conversion is provided. At the option of the holders, the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes are convertible on or after the six-month anniversary of the Eligible Conversion Date, provided the total market capitalization of Cheniere at that time is not less than $10.0 billion, at a conversion price equal to the average of the daily VWAP of our common stock for the 90 trading day period prior to the date on which notice of conversion is provided. Conversions are also subject to various limitations and conditions.

CCH HoldCo II is restricted from making distributions to Cheniere under agreements governing its indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project are in commercial operation and a historical debt service coverage ratio and a projected fixed debt services coverage ratio of 1.20:1.00 are achieved.

2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes

In March 2015, we issued the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes to certain investors through a registered direct offering. The 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes were issued with an original issue discount of 20% and accrue interest at a rate of 4.25% per annum, which is payable semi-annually in arrears. We have the right, at our option, at any time after March 15, 2020, to redeem all or any part of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes at a redemption price payable in cash equal to the accreted amount of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to such redemption date. The conversion rate will initially equal 7.2265 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, which corresponds to an initial conversion price of approximately $138.38 per share of our common stock. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events. We have the option to satisfy the conversion obligation with cash, common stock or a combination thereof.

We determined that the fair value of the debt component of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes was $304 million and the residual value of the equity component was $196 million as of the issuance date, excluding debt issuance costs. As of both December 31, 2017 and 2016, the carrying value of the equity component, net of debt issuance costs, was $194 million. The debt component is accreted to the total principal amount due at maturity by amortizing the debt discount. The effective rate of interest to amortize the debt discount was approximately 9.4% as of both December 31, 2017 and 2016. As of December 31, 2017, the if-converted value of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes did not exceed the principal balance.

Restrictive Debt Covenants

As of December 31, 2017, each of our issuers was in compliance with all covenants related to their respective debt agreements.

Interest Expense

Total interest expense, including interest expense related to our convertible notes, consisted of the following (in millions):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Interest cost on convertible notes:
Interest per contractual rate	$	219		$	202		$	146
Amortization of debt discount	29			31			28
Amortization of debt issuance costs	7			5			3
Total interest cost related to convertible notes	255			238			177
Interest cost on debt excluding convertible notes	1,271			1,063			820
Total interest cost	1,526			1,301			997
Capitalized interest	(779		)	(813		)	(675		)
Total interest expense, net	$	747		$	488		$	322

Fair Value Disclosures

The following table shows the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our debt (in millions):



	December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Senior notes, net of premium or discount (1)	$	18,610	$	20,075	$	14,263	$	15,210
2037 SPL Senior Notes (2)	800		871		—		—
Credit facilities (3)	3,575		3,575		5,502		5,502
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes, net of discount (2)	1,040		1,136		960		983
2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes (2)	1,305		1,535		1,171		1,328
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, net of discount (4)	311		447		308		375

(1)

Includes 2021 SPL Senior Notes, 2022 SPL Senior Notes, 2023 SPL Senior Notes, 2024 SPL Senior Notes, 2025 SPL Senior Notes, 2026 SPL Senior Notes, 2027 SPL Senior Notes, 2028 SPL Senior Notes, 2025 CQP Senior Notes, 2024 CCH Senior Notes, 2025 CCH Senior Notes and 2027 CCH Senior Notes. The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotes obtained from broker-dealers or market makers of these senior notes and other similar instruments.


(2)	The Level 3 estimated fair value was calculated based on inputs that are observable in the market or that could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data, including our stock price and interest rates based on debt issued by parties with comparable credit ratings to us and inputs that are not observable in the market.

(3)

Includes 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, SPL Working Capital Facility, 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, 2015 CCH Credit Facility, CCH Working Capital Facility, Cheniere Revolving Credit Facility and Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities. The Level 3 estimated fair value approximates the principal amount because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and the debt may be repaid, in full or in part, at any time without penalty.


(4)	The Level 1 estimated fair value was based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical liabilities that we had the ability to access at the measurement date.