Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Financial Instruments (Tables)

v2.4.0.6
Financial Instruments (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Financial Instruments [Abstract]  
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping
The following table (in thousands) sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the fair value of our derivative instruments assets and liabilities at June 30, 2012
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets  for Identical Instruments
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total Carrying
Value
LNG Inventory Derivatives liability (1)
 
$

 
$
28

 
$

 
$
28

Fuel Derivatives liability (2)
 

 
664

 

 
664

 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
LNG Inventory Derivatives liability is classified as other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of LNG Inventory Derivatives are recorded in marketing and trading revenues on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We recorded marketing and trading losses of $1.0 million and marketing and trading revenues of $0.9 million related to LNG Inventory Derivatives in the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. We recorded marketing and trading revenues of $0.2 million and marketing and trading losses of $0.5 million related to LNG Inventory Derivatives in the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.
(2)
Fuel Derivatives liability is classified as other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of Fuel Derivatives are classified as derivative gain (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We recorded derivative gain of $0.3 million and derivative loss of $0.6 million related to Fuel Derivatives in the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 , respectively.
Schedule of Financial Instruments
Financial instruments (in thousands):
 
 
June 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
2013 Notes (1)
 
$
550,000

 
$
569,250

 
$
550,000

 
$
555,500

2016 Notes, net of discount (1)
 
1,644,765

 
1,722,892

 
1,642,418

 
1,650,630

Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes, net of discount (2)
 
203,176

 
200,637

 
194,724

 
186,740

2007 Term Loan (3)
 

 

 
298,000

 
292,728

2008 Loans (4)
 

 

 
282,293

 
282,293

 
(1)
The Level 2 estimated fair value of the Senior Notes, net of discount, was based on quotations obtained from broker-dealers who make markets in these and similar instruments based on the closing trading prices on June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, as applicable.
(2)
The Level 2 estimated fair value of our Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes was based on the closing trading prices on June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, as applicable.
(3)
The 2007 Term Loan was closely held by few holders, and purchases and sales were infrequent and were conducted on a bilateral basis without price discovery by us.  This loan was not rated and had unique covenants and collateral packages such that comparisons to other instruments were imprecise. Nonetheless, we provided an estimate of the fair value of this loan as of December 31, 2011 based on an index of the yield to maturity of CCC rated debt of other companies in the energy sector, resulting in Level 3 categorization. In January 2012, the 2007 Term Loan was paid in full.
(4)
In December 2010, the 2008 Loans were amended to, among other things: eliminate the "put rights" which had allowed the lenders to demand repayment of the 2008 Loans on the third, fifth, and seventh anniversaries thereof; allow for the early prepayment of the 2008 Loans; allow Cheniere for a limited period to sell Cheniere Partners common units held as collateral and prepay the 2008 Loans with the proceeds; and release restrictions on prepayments of other indebtedness of Cheniere as certain conditions are met. In addition, 96.6% of the lenders agreed to terminate their rights to exchange the 2008 Loans for Series B Preferred Stock of Cheniere. Pursuant to an amendment to the 2008 Loans adopted in September 2011, the outstanding principal amount of the 2008 Loans held by Scorpion was exchangeable for shares of Cheniere common stock at a price of $5.00 per share. The Level 3 estimated fair value of the 2008 Loans as of December 31, 2011 was determined to be the same as the carrying amount due to our ability to call the debt (other than the debt held by Scorpion) at anytime without penalty or a make-whole payment for an early redemption. In June 2012, the 2008 Loans were paid in full. Upon such payment, the credit agreement and related agreements were terminated.