Commitments and Contingencies |
3 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Mar. 31, 2016 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments and Contingencies |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Cheniere has various contractual obligations which are recorded as liabilities in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments and other executed contracts which do not meet the definition of a liability as of March 31, 2016, are not recognized as liabilities.
Parallax Litigation
In 2015, our wholly owned subsidiary, Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC (“CLNGT”), entered into discussions with Parallax Enterprises, LLC (“Parallax Enterprises”) regarding the potential joint development of two liquefaction plants in Louisiana (the “Potential Liquefaction Transactions”). While the parties negotiated regarding the Potential Liquefaction Transactions, CLNGT loaned Parallax Enterprises approximately $46 million, as reflected in a secured note dated April 23, 2015, as amended on June 30, 2015, September 30, 2015, and November 4, 2015 (the “Secured Note”). The Secured Note was secured by all assets of Parallax Enterprises and its subsidiary entities. On June 30, 2015, Parallax Enterprises’ parent entity, Parallax Energy LLC (“Parallax Energy”), executed a Pledge and Guarantee Agreement further securing repayment of the Secured Note by providing a parent guaranty and a pledge of all of the equity of Parallax Enterprises in satisfaction of the Secured Note (the “Pledge Agreement”). CLNGT and Parallax Enterprises never executed a definitive agreement to pursue the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. The Secured Note matured on December 11, 2015, and Parallax Enterprises failed to make payment. On February 3, 2016, CLNGT filed an action against Parallax Energy, Parallax Enterprises, and certain of Parallax Enterprises’ subsidiary entities, styled Cause No. 4:16-cv-00286, Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC v. Parallax Energy LLC, et al., in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Texas Suit”). CLNGT asserted claims in the Texas Suit for (1) recovery of all amounts due under the Secured Note and (2) declaratory relief establishing that CLNGT is entitled to enforce its rights under the Secured Note and Pledge Agreement in accordance with each instrument’s terms and that CLNGT has no obligations of any sort to Parallax Enterprises concerning the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. On March 11, 2016, Parallax Enterprises and the other defendants in the Texas Suit moved to dismiss the suit for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. CLNGT has responded to that motion, and it remains pending before the court.
On March 11, 2016, Parallax Enterprises filed a suit against us and CLNGT styled Civil Action No. 62-810, Parallax Enterprises LLP v. Cheniere Energy, Inc. and Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC, in the 25th Judicial District Court of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana (the “Louisiana Suit”), wherein Parallax Enterprises asserted claims for breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, detrimental reliance, unjust enrichment, and violation of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act. Parallax Enterprises predicated its claims in the Louisiana Suit on an allegation that we and CLNGT breached a purported agreement to jointly develop the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. Parallax Enterprises seeks $400 million in alleged economic damages and rescission of the Secured Note. On April 11, 2016, we and CLNGT removed the Louisiana Suit to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, where it is pending as Civil Action No. 2:16-cv-03209-CJB-SS. On April 18, 2016, we and CLNGT filed a motion in the Louisiana Suit seeking (1) dismissal of all claims against us for lack of personal jurisdiction, (2) dismissal, stay, or transfer of the suit to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas in deference to the first-filed Texas Suit, and (3) alternatively, transfer of the suit for convenience of the parties and witnesses. Our motion is set for oral argument on May 18, 2016. We do not expect that the resolution of this litigation will have a material adverse impact on our financial results.
Obligations under Certain Guarantee Contracts
Cheniere and certain of its subsidiaries enter into guarantee arrangements in the normal course of business to facilitate transactions with third parties. These arrangements include financial guarantees, letters of credit and debt guarantees. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were no liabilities recognized under these guarantee arrangements.
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