EXHIBIT 99.1
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS LP HOLDINGS, LLC NEWS RELEASE
Cheniere Partners Holdings Reports Second Quarter 2018 Results and Reconfirms Full Year 2018 Dividend Guidance
Houston, Texas - August 9, 2018 - Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC (“Cheniere Partners Holdings”) (NYSE American: CQH) reported net income of $125.0 million, or $0.54 per common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2018, compared to net income of $4.5 million, or $0.02 per common share, for the comparable 2017 period.
Cheniere Partners Holdings reported net income of $247.8 million, or $1.07 per common share, for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to net income of $9.0 million, or $0.04 per common share, for the comparable 2017 period.
Results include the distributions received from our limited partner interest in Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (“Cheniere Partners”), a publicly traded limited partnership (NYSE American: CQP).
The increase in net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, was driven by increased equity income from our investment in Cheniere Partners primarily as a result of distributions being paid to our subordinated units, an increase in common units held by us subsequent to the conversion of Class B units into common units on August 2, 2017, and an increase in quarterly distributions per unit received from Cheniere Partners.
Our only business consists of owning Cheniere Partners common units and subordinated units representing an aggregate approximately 48.6% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners as of June 30, 2018.
In June 2018, we reached a definitive agreement with Cheniere Energy, Inc. (“Cheniere”) (NYSE American: LNG) under which Cheniere will acquire all of the publicly-held shares of Cheniere Partners Holdings not already owned by Cheniere in a stock for share transaction pursuant to which our shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.4750 shares of Cheniere common stock for each outstanding publicly-held share of Cheniere Partners Holdings. The transaction is expected to close by the end of third quarter 2018, subject to customary closing conditions. Upon consummation of the transaction, Cheniere Partners Holdings will merge with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere.
Summary 2018 Full Year Dividend Guidance
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| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 2018 |
| Dividend per Share | | | | | $ | 2.25 |
| - | $ | 2.35 |
|
SPL Project Update
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| | |
| | SPL Project
|
| Liquefaction Train | Train 5 | Train 6 |
| Project Status | Commissioning | Permitted |
Project Completion Percentage(1) | 95.1% | — |
| Expected Substantial Completion | 1H 2019 | — |
Note: Project update excludes Trains in operation
(1) Project completion percentage as of June 30, 2018
Through Cheniere Partners, we are developing up to six natural gas liquefaction Trains (“Trains”) at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities (the “SPL Project”). Each Train is expected to have a nominal production capacity, which is prior to adjusting for planned maintenance, production reliability, and potential overdesign, of approximately 4.5 million tonnes per annum (“mtpa”) of LNG and an adjusted nominal production capacity of approximately 4.3 to 4.6 mtpa of LNG. Trains 1 through 4 are operational, Train 5 is undergoing commissioning, and Train 6 is being commercialized and has all necessary regulatory approvals in place.
Dividends
When Cheniere Partners makes cash distributions to us with respect to our Cheniere Partners units, we will pay dividends to our shareholders consisting of the cash that we receive from Cheniere Partners, less income taxes and reserves established by our Board of Directors.
Investor Conference Call and Webcast
Cheniere Energy, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its financial and operating results for the second quarter on Thursday, August 9, 2018, at 10 a.m. Eastern time / 9 a.m. Central time. A listen-only webcast of the call and an accompanying slide presentation may be accessed through our website at www.cheniere.com. Following the call, an archived recording will be made available on our website. The call and accompanying slide presentation may include financial and operating results or other information regarding Cheniere Partners Holdings.
About Cheniere Partners Holdings
Cheniere Partners Holdings owns an approximately 48.6% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners as of June 30, 2018. Cheniere Partners Holdings’ only business consists of owning Cheniere Partners units and, accordingly, its results of operations and financial condition are dependent on the performance of Cheniere Partners. Cheniere Partners is constructing and operating natural gas liquefaction facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Cheniere Partners plans to construct up to six natural gas liquefaction Trains, which are in various stages of development, construction, and operations. Trains 1 through 4 are operational, Train 5 is undergoing commissioning, and Train 6 is being commercialized and has all necessary regulatory approvals in place. Each liquefaction Train is expected to have a nominal production capacity, which is prior to adjusting for planned maintenance, production reliability, and potential overdesign, of approximately 4.5 mtpa of LNG and an adjusted nominal production capacity of approximately 4.3 to 4.6 mtpa of LNG. Cheniere Partners also owns and operates regasification facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and the Creole Trail Pipeline, which interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with a number of large interstate pipelines.
For additional information, please refer to the Cheniere Partners Holdings website at www.cheniere.com and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements that may include “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical or present facts or conditions, included herein are “forward-looking statements.” Included among “forward-looking statements” are, among other things, (i) statements regarding Cheniere Partners’ and Cheniere Partners Holdings’ business strategy, plans and objectives, including the development, construction and operation of liquefaction facilities, (ii) statements regarding expectations regarding regulatory authorizations and approvals, (iii) statements expressing beliefs and expectations regarding the development of Cheniere Partners’ LNG terminal and liquefaction business, (iv) statements regarding the business operations and prospects of third parties, (v) statements regarding potential financing arrangements, (vi) statements regarding future discussions and entry into contracts, and (viii) statements regarding the anticipated completion of the proposed transaction with Cheniere and the timing thereof. Although Cheniere Partners Holdings believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Cheniere Partners Holdings’ actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in Cheniere Partners Holdings’ periodic reports that are filed with and available from the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required under the securities laws, Cheniere Partners Holdings does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.
(Financial Tables Follow)
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS LP HOLDINGS, LLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data) (1)
(unaudited)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended |
| | June 30, | | June 30, |
| | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Equity income from investment in Cheniere Partners | $ | 131,930 |
| | $ | 5,085 |
| | $ | 251,866 |
| | $ | 10,169 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Expenses | |
| | | | |
| | |
| General and administrative expense | 2,760 |
| | 345 |
| | 3,109 |
| | 691 |
|
| General and administrative expense—affiliate | 269 |
| | 263 |
| | 538 |
| | 527 |
|
| Total expenses | 3,029 |
| | 608 |
| | 3,647 |
| | 1,218 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Income before income taxes | 128,901 |
| | 4,477 |
| | 248,219 |
| | 8,951 |
|
| Income tax provision | (3,907 | ) | | — |
| | (419 | ) | | — |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Net income | $ | 124,994 |
| | $ | 4,477 |
| | $ | 247,800 |
| | $ | 8,951 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Net income per common share—basic and diluted | $ | 0.54 |
| | $ | 0.02 |
| | $ | 1.07 |
| | $ | 0.04 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—basic and diluted | 231,700 |
| | 231,700 |
| | 231,700 |
| | 231,700 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Cash dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.560 |
| | $ | 0.020 |
| | $ | 1.070 |
| | $ | 0.040 |
|
| |
| (1) | Please refer to the Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS LP HOLDINGS, LLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts) (1)
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | June 30, | | December 31, |
| | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| ASSETS | | (unaudited) | | |
| Current assets | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 329 |
| | $ | 659 |
|
| Prepaid and other current assets | | 326 |
| | 55 |
|
| Total current assets | | 655 |
| | 714 |
|
| | | | | |
| Deferred tax asset, net | | 224 |
| | — |
|
| Total assets | | $ | 879 |
| | $ | 714 |
|
| | | | | |
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | |
| Current liabilities | | | | |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | $ | 360 |
| | $ | 76 |
|
| | | | | |
| Shareholders’ equity | | | | |
| Common shares: unlimited shares authorized, 231.7 million shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 | | 664,931 |
| | 664,931 |
|
| Director voting share: 1 share authorized, issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 | | — |
| | — |
|
| Additional paid-in-capital | | (271,757 | ) | | (271,757 | ) |
| Accumulated deficit | | (392,655 | ) | | (392,536 | ) |
| Total shareholders’ equity | | 519 |
| | 638 |
|
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 879 |
| | $ | 714 |
|
| |
| (1) | Please refer to the Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
CONTACTS:
Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC
|
| |
| Investors | |
| Randy Bhatia | 713-375-5479 |
| Megan Light | 713-375-5492 |
| or | |
| Media Relations | |
| Eben Burnham-Snyder | 713-375-5764 |
