UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 001-36842
NEXTDECADE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | | |
| Delaware | 46-5723951 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| |
| 1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 3300 | |
| Houston, Texas | 77002 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 574-1880
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | |
| Title of each Class: | Trading Symbol: | Name of each exchange on which registered: |
| Common stock $0.0001 par value | NEXT | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Large accelerated filer | x | Accelerated filer | o |
| Non-accelerated filer | o | Smaller reporting company | x |
| | Emerging growth company | o |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. x
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. o
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1.1 billion as of June 28, 2024 based on the per share closing sale price of $7.94 on that date.
260,442,494 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, were outstanding as of February 20, 2025.
Documents incorporated by reference: Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the registrant's Annual Meeting of Stockholders (to be filed within 120 days of the close of the registrant's fiscal year) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
NEXTDECADE CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Organizational Structure
The following diagram depicts our abbreviated organizational structure as of December 31, 2024 with references to the names of certain entities discussed in this Annual Report.
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “NextDecade,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to NextDecade Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, strategy and plans, and our expectations for future operations and economic performance, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “contemplate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “continue,” “design,” “assume,” “budget,” “forecast,” “target” and other words and terms of similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
We have based these forward-looking statements on assumptions and analysis made by us in light of our current expectations, perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Our future financial position and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements are subject to change and inherent risks and uncertainties, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should consider our forward-looking statements in light of a number of factors that may cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements including, but not limited to:
•our progress in the development of our liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) liquefaction and export project and any carbon capture and storage projects (“CCS projects”) we may develop and the timing of that progress;
•the timing and cost of the development, construction and operation of the first three liquefaction trains and related common facilities (“Phase 1”) of the multi-plant integrated natural gas and liquefaction and LNG export terminal facility to be located at the Port of Brownsville in southern Texas (the “Rio Grande LNG Facility”);
•the availability and frequency of cash distributions available to us from our joint venture which owns Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility;
•the timing and cost of the development of subsequent liquefaction trains at the Rio Grande LNG Facility;
•the ability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy Rio Grande's significant debt service obligations or to refinance such obligations ahead of their maturity;
•restrictions imposed by NextDecade's or Rio Grande's debt agreements that limit flexibility in operating its business;
•increases in interest rates increasing the cost of servicing Rio Grande's indebtedness;
•our reliance on third parties to successfully complete the Rio Grande LNG Facility, any CCS projects we develop, and related pipelines and other infrastructure;
•our ability to develop and implement CCS projects;
•our ability to secure additional debt and equity financing in the future, including any refinancing of outstanding indebtedness, on commercially acceptable terms;
•the accuracy of estimated costs for the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects;
•our ability to achieve operational characteristics of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects, when completed, including amounts of liquefaction capacities and amount of CO2 captured and stored, and any differences in such operational characteristics from our expectations;
•the development risks, operational hazards and regulatory approvals applicable to our LNG and CCS project development, construction and operation activities and those of our third-party contractors and counterparties;
•the ability to obtain or maintain governmental approvals to construct or operate the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects, including in relation to the August 2024 decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals;
•technological innovation which may lessen our anticipated competitive advantage or demand for our offerings;
•the global demand for and price of LNG;
•the availability of LNG vessels worldwide;
•changes in legislation and regulations relating to the LNG and carbon capture industries, including environmental laws and regulations that impose significant compliance costs and liabilities;
•scope of implementation of carbon pricing regimes aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
•global development and maturation of emissions reduction credit markets;
•adverse changes to existing or proposed carbon tax incentive regimes;
•global pandemics, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the conflict in the Middle East, other sources of volatility in the energy markets and their impact on our business and operating results, including any disruptions in our operations or development of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and the health and safety of our employees, and on our customers, the global economy and the demand for LNG or carbon capture;
•risks related to doing business in and having counterparties in foreign countries, including as a result of tariffs;
•our ability to maintain the listing of our securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market or another securities exchange or quotation medium;
•changes adversely affecting the businesses in which we are engaged;
•management of growth;
•general economic conditions, including inflation and rising interest rates;
•our ability to generate cash; and
•the result of future financing efforts and applications for customary tax incentives.
Should one or more of the foregoing risks or uncertainties materialize in a way that negatively impacts us, or should the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. In addition, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement.
Please read “Risk Factors” contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties mentioned above and for a discussion of other risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements and hereafter in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and public communications. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made by us in the context of these risks and uncertainties.
Summary of Risk Factors
We believe that the principal risks associated with our business, and consequently the principal risks associated with an investment in our common stock, are as follows:
Risks Related to our Business and the Industry in which we Operate
•The substantial amount of indebtedness incurred to finance construction of Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility may adversely affect Rio Grande’s cash flow and its ability to operate its business, remain in compliance with debt covenants and make payments on its indebtedness.
•Restrictions in debt agreements may prevent certain beneficial transactions.
•Conducting a portion of our operations through joint ventures in which we do not have 100% ownership interest, and which are not operated solely for the benefit of our stockholders, exposes us and our stockholders to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control.
•Our projects are in the development and construction phases, and the success of such projects is unpredictable; as such, positive cash flows and even revenues will be several years away, if they occur at all.
•We will be required to seek additional debt and equity financing in the future to complete future phases of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and the development of CCS projects and may not be able to secure such financing on acceptable terms, or at all.
•We may be subject to risks related to doing business in, and having counterparties based in, foreign countries.
•Costs for the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects are subject to various factors.
•We will be dependent on third-party contractors for the successful completion of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, CCS projects and related infrastructure, and any failure by our contractors to perform their contractual obligations could have a material adverse impact on our projects.
•Our ability to generate cash is substantially dependent upon us entering into satisfactory contracts with third parties and the performance of those third parties under those contracts.
•Our exposure to the performance and credit risks of counterparties may adversely affect our operating results, liquidity and access to financing.
•Our construction and operations activities will be subject to a number of development risks, operational hazards, regulatory approvals and other risks which may not be fully covered by insurance, and which could cause cost overruns and delays that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects.
•Failure of exported LNG to be a competitive source of energy for international markets could adversely affect our customers and could materially and adversely affect our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.
•Decreases in the global demand for and price of natural gas (versus the price of imported LNG) could lead to reduced development of LNG projects worldwide.
•There may be shortages of LNG vessels worldwide, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects.
•The operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and any CCS project may be subject to significant operating hazards and uninsured risks, one or more of which may create significant liabilities and losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects.
Risks Related to Governmental Regulation
•The decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals could impact Rio Grande’s ability to complete Phase 1, the cost to complete Phase 1, the timing of the completion of Phase 1, our ability to take a final investment decision on Trains 4 and 5, our ability to develop additional expansion trains at the Rio Grande LNG Facility, and our ability to achieve expected investment returns.
•The construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility remains subject to further governmental approvals, and some approvals may be subject to further conditions, review and/or revocation and other legal and regulatory risks, which may result in delays, increased costs or decreased cash flows.
•The Rio Grande LNG Facility will be subject to a number of environmental laws and regulations that impose significant compliance costs, and existing and future environmental and similar laws and regulations could result in increased compliance costs, liabilities or additional operating restrictions.
•Changes in legislation and regulations or interpretations thereof, such as those relating to the importation and exportation of LNG and incentives for reduction of emissions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects and could cause additional expenditures and delays in connection with the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects and their construction.
Risks Related to our Securities
•Raising additional capital may cause dilution to existing stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights. Additionally, sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or other securities in the public market could cause our stock price to fall.
•Our largest stockholders will substantially influence our Company for the foreseeable future, including the outcome of matters requiring shareholder approval, and such control may prevent you and other stockholders from influencing significant corporate decisions and may result in conflicts of interest that could cause our stock price to decline.
•Attention to sustainability and environmental, social and governance matters may impact our business, financial results or stock price and climate change concerns may pose challenges to our operating model.
Item 1. Business
Company Overview and Formation
NextDecade Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is a Houston-based energy company primarily engaged in construction and development activities related to the liquefaction of natural gas and sale of LNG and the capture and storage of CO2 emissions. We are constructing and developing a natural gas liquefaction and export facility located in the Rio Grande Valley near Brownsville, Texas (the “Rio Grande LNG Facility”). The Rio Grande LNG Facility has received Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) approval and Department of Energy (“DOE”) FTA and non-FTA authorizations for the construction of up to five liquefaction trains and LNG exports totaling up to 27 million tonnes per annum (“MTPA”). Please see "Rio Grande LNG Facility Activity - Governmental Permits, Approvals and Authorizations" for more information regarding our FERC permit. The Rio Grande LNG Facility has three liquefaction trains and related infrastructure ("Phase 1") under construction and liquefaction trains 4 and 5 are currently being commercialized. We are also developing and beginning the permitting process for expansion trains 6 through 8 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility and developing a potential carbon capture and storage (“CCS”) project at the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
We were incorporated in Delaware on May 21, 2014, and were formed for the purpose of acquiring, through a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization, or other similar business combination, one or more businesses or entities. On July 24, 2017, one of our subsidiaries merged with and into NextDecade LLC, an LNG development company founded in 2010 to develop LNG export projects and associated pipelines. Prior to the merger with NextDecade LLC, we had no operations and our assets consisted of cash proceeds received in connection with our initial public offering.
We are focused on constructing and operating the Rio Grande LNG Facility safely, efficiently, on schedule, and on budget. We seek to deliver secure, economically attractive, and sustainable energy solutions through the development and operation of liquefaction and CCS infrastructure.
Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “NEXT.”
Rio Grande LNG Facility Activity
Liquefaction Facilities Overview
Through our partially owned subsidiary, Rio Grande LNG, LLC ("Rio Grande"), we are constructing and developing the Rio Grande LNG Facility on the north shore of the Brownsville Ship Channel. The site is located on 984 acres of land which has been leased long-term and includes 15 thousand feet of frontage on the Brownsville Ship Channel. We believe the site is advantaged due to its proximity to abundant natural gas resources in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale, access to an uncongested waterway for vessel loading, and location in a region that has historically been subject to fewer and less severe weather events relative to other locations along the US Gulf Coast. The Rio Grande LNG Facility has been approved by the FERC and authorized by the DOE to export up to 27 MTPA of LNG from up to five liquefaction trains. Please see "Rio Grande LNG Facility Activity - Governmental Permits, Approvals and Authorizations" for more information regarding our FERC permit. Phase 1 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility is under construction, Trains 4 and 5 are currently being commercialized, and we are developing and beginning the permitting process for Trains 6 through 8.
In July 2023, Rio Grande commenced construction on Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility following a positive final investment decision (“FID”) and the closing of project financing by Rio Grande, which owns Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility. Construction will be completed by Bechtel Energy Inc. (“Bechtel”) under fully wrapped, lump-sum turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”) contracts, and the facility will utilize Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (“APCI”) liquefaction technology, which is the predominant liquefaction technology utilized globally.
Pursuant to a joint venture agreement with equity partners for ownership of Rio Grande, we expect to receive up to approximately 20.8% of distributions of available cash generated from Phase 1 operations, provided that a majority of the cash distributions to which we are otherwise entitled will be paid for any distribution period only after our equity partners receive an agreed distribution threshold in respect of such distribution period and certain other deficit payments from prior distribution periods, if any, are made.
Phase 1 LNG Sale and Purchase Agreements
Rio Grande has entered into long-term LNG Sale and Purchase Agreements (“SPAs”) with nine creditworthy counterparties for aggregate volumes of approximately 16.15 MTPA of LNG, which is over 90% of the expected Phase 1 nameplate LNG production capacity. The SPAs have a weighted average term of 19.2 years. Under these SPAs, the
customers will purchase LNG from Rio Grande for a price consisting of a fixed fee per MMBtu of LNG plus a variable fee per MMBtu of LNG, with the variable fees structured to cover the expected cost of natural gas plus fuel and other sourcing costs to produce LNG. In certain circumstances, customers may elect to cancel or suspend deliveries of LNG cargoes, in which case the customers would still be required to pay the fixed fee with respect to cargoes that are not delivered. A portion of the fixed fee under each SPA will be subject to annual adjustment for inflation. The SPAs and contracted volumes to be made available under the SPAs are not tied to a specific train; however, the commencement of the term of each SPA is tied to a specified train.
These SPAs help create a stable foundation of predictable, long-term cash flows to Rio Grande. We believe our SPAs are attractive to our customers for several reasons, including long-term reliable supply, volumes to support growing demand for LNG and to replace customers' contracts with legacy LNG suppliers, diversification of supply portfolios in terms of geography, price indexation, delivery points, and/or tenor, flexibility of volumes with no destination restrictions, and the ability of our LNG to help our customers achieve their environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) goals.
Each of these SPAs is currently effective, and deliveries of LNG under these SPAs will commence on the respective Date of First Commercial Delivery (“DFCD”), which is primarily tied to the substantial completion or guaranteed substantial completion dates of specific trains as defined in each SPA. In aggregate, the approximately 14.65 MTPA of Phase 1 Henry Hub-linked SPAs have average fixed fees, unadjusted for inflation, totaling approximately $1.8 billion expected to be paid annually.
Marketing of Uncontracted Volumes
Rio Grande expects to sell any commissioning LNG volumes and operational LNG volumes in excess of SPA volumes into the LNG market through spot, short-term, and medium-term agreements. Rio Grande has entered into certain time charter agreements and expects to enter into additional time charter agreements with vessel owners to provide shipping capacity for LNG sales related to its existing delivered ex-ship SPA, commissioning volumes, and expected portfolio volumes.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction (“EPC”)
Rio Grande entered into fully wrapped, lump-sum turnkey contracts with Bechtel, a well-established and reputable LNG engineering and construction firm, for the engineering, procurement, and construction of Phase 1, and one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries entered into a corresponding contract in regards to Train 4 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility, under which Bechtel has generally guaranteed cost, performance, and schedule. Under the Phase 1 and Train 4 EPC contracts, Bechtel is responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup of liquefaction trains and their respective related infrastructure.
On July 12, 2023, Rio Grande issued final notice to proceed to Bechtel under the EPC contracts for Phase 1. Total expected capital costs for Phase 1 are estimated to be approximately $18.0 billion, including EPC costs, estimated owner’s costs, contingencies, and financing costs, and including amounts spent prior to FID under limited notices to proceed.
Natural Gas Transportation and Supply
We are in the process of executing a substantial and diversified natural gas feedstock sourcing and transportation strategy to spread risk exposure across multiple contracts, counterparties, and pricing hubs. We expect to enter into gas supply arrangements with a wide range of suppliers, and we also expect to leverage trading platforms and exchanges to lock in natural gas supply prices and/or hedge risk.
Rio Grande has executed agreements for transportation of natural gas to the Rio Grande LNG Facility on both a firm and interruptible basis to support commissioning and operations and provide the ability to purchase natural gas supplies at the Agua Dulce Hub, giving Rio Grande access to prolific gas production from the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale and providing significant flexibility to obtain competitively priced natural gas feedstock.
We believe our proximity to major reserve basins and shale plays, increasing pipeline capacity in the area, a significant amount of natural gas production and infrastructure development, as well as our existing contracts and discussions with some of the largest regional operators, represent key elements of a comprehensive and effective feed gas strategy.
Final Investment Decision on Train 4 and Train 5 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility
We expect to make a positive final investment decision and commence construction of Trains 4 and 5 and related infrastructure at the Rio Grande LNG Facility, subject to, among other things, maintaining requisite governmental approvals, finalizing and entering into EPC contracts, entering into appropriate commercial arrangements, and obtaining adequate financing to construct each train and related infrastructure.
The Company has finalized an EPC contract with Bechtel for Train 4 and related infrastructure. Pricing under the EPC Contract for Train 4 was valid through December 31, 2024, and a pricing refresh is in process and is expected to be completed in 2025.
The Company continues to advance commercial discussions with multiple potential counterparties and expects to finalize commercial arrangements for Train 4 in the coming months to support a positive FID on Train 4. The Company entered into an LNG SPA with ADNOC for the sale of 1.9 MTPA of LNG from Train 4, as well as a non-binding Heads of Agreement (HoA) with Aramco for a 20-year SPA for the sale of 1.2 MTPA of LNG from Train 4. The Company is working with Aramco to finalize a binding SPA. Additionally, an affiliate of TotalEnergies SE ("TotalEnergies") has an LNG purchase option of 1.5 MTPA for Train 4, and the Company expects TotalEnergies to exercise the option.
The Company expects to finance construction of Train 4 and associated infrastructure utilizing a combination of debt and equity funding. The Company expects to enter into bank facilities for the debt portion of the funding. In connection with consummating the Rio Grande Phase 1 equity joint venture, the Company's equity partners each have options to invest in Train 4 equity, which, if exercised, would provide approximately 60% of the equity funding required for Train 4. Inclusive of these options, NextDecade currently expects to fund 40% of the equity commitments for Train 4, and to have an initial economic interest of 40% in Train 4, increasing to 60% after its equity partners achieve certain returns on their investments in Train 4. The Company expects to make a positive FID on Train 4 after commercial and financing arrangements are finalized.
The Company is also progressing the development and commercialization of Train 5. TotalEnergies holds an LNG purchase option for 1.5 MTPA for Train 5, and the Rio Grande Phase 1 equity partners have options to invest in Train 5 equity which are identical to their options to participate in Train 4 equity.
Development of Additional Liquefaction Capacity
The Company is developing and beginning the permitting process for additional liquefaction capacity at the Rio Grande LNG Facility site beyond Trains 1 through 5. Trains 6 through 8 are wholly owned by NextDecade and are cumulatively expected to increase the Company's total liquefaction capacity by approximately 18 MTPA once constructed and placed into operation.
Train 6 is being developed inside the existing levee at the Rio Grande LNG Facility site and adjacent to Trains 1 through 5. The Company expects to pre-file an application with FERC for Train 6 in 2025 and a full application with FERC in early 2026. Trains 7 and 8 are being developed on the site outside of the existing levee.
Governmental Permits, Approvals and Authorizations
We are required to obtain governmental approvals and authorizations to implement our proposed business strategy, which includes the design, construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and the export of LNG from the U.S. to foreign countries. The design, siting, construction and operation of LNG export facilities and the export of LNG is a regulated activity and is subject to Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (the "NGA"). Federal law has bifurcated regulatory jurisdiction of LNG export activities. The FERC has jurisdiction to authorize the siting, construction and operation of LNG export facilities. The DOE has jurisdiction over the import and export of the natural gas commodity, including natural gas in the form of LNG. The FERC also has jurisdiction over the siting, construction and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines under Section 7 of the NGA and regulates interstate pipelines’ rates and terms and conditions of service under Sections 4 and 5 of the NGA. In 2002, the FERC established a policy of not regulating the terms and conditions of service for LNG import or export facilities or requiring that LNG import or export facilities operate as “open access” facilities for all customers. The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which amended the NGA, codified this policy until January 1, 2015, and the FERC has not indicated that it intends to depart from its policy of not regulating the terms or conditions of service or requiring that LNG import or export facilities operate on an open access basis.
Although the FERC acts as the lead agency with jurisdiction over LNG import and export facilities, other federal and state agencies act as cooperating agencies, coordinating with the FERC to evaluate applications for LNG export facilities. These agencies include the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (the “PHMSA”), the U.S. Coast Guard (the “Coast Guard”), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the International Boundary and Water Commission and other federal agencies with jurisdiction over potential environmental impacts of LNG export facility construction and operation. Certain federal laws, such as the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act, delegate authority over certain actions to state agencies, like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Railroad Commission of Texas. In reviewing an application for an LNG import or export facility or an interstate natural gas pipeline, the FERC also works with these state agencies that have jurisdiction over certain aspects of LNG facility or interstate natural gas pipeline construction or operation.
In particular, the PHMSA has established safety standards for interstate natural gas pipelines and LNG facilities. Similarly, the Coast Guard has established safety regulations for marine operations at LNG facilities and the operation of LNG carriers. The FERC, the PHMSA and the Coast Guard entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in 2004 that establishes the FERC’s primary role in evaluating LNG facility applications and defines the process for coordinating the review of an LNG import or export facility application with the PHMSA and the Coast Guard. In 2018, the FERC and the PHMSA entered into a separate Memorandum of Understanding that establishes the process and timeline by which the PHMSA should determine whether an LNG facility will meet the PHMSA’s LNG safety siting standards.
We have obtained all major permits required to build the Rio Grande LNG Facility and export LNG, including FERC approval and DOE FTA and non-FTA authorizations for the construction of up to five liquefaction trains and LNG exports totaling up to 27 MTPA.
On November 22, 2019, we received the Order from FERC authorizing the siting, construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility. On August 13, 2020, the FERC approved the change of the design for the Rio Grande LNG Facility from six trains to five trains. On September 22, 2021, Rio Grande received the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permit issued under CWA Section 404/RHA – Section 10.
On September 7, 2016, Rio Grande obtained an authorization for export of LNG to countries with which the U.S. has a Free Trade Agreement (“FTA”) on its own behalf and as an agent for others for a term of 30 years. On February 10, 2020, the DOE issued its “Opinion and Order Granting Long-Term Authorization to Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations to Rio Grande" in DOE/FE Order No. 4492. In addition, on October 21, 2020, the DOE issued its Order Extending Export Term for Authorization to Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations through December 31, 2050.
Following receipt of the FERC Order, two requests for re-hearing were filed. One of those requests for rehearing also requested that the FERC stay the Order. On January 23, 2020, the FERC issued its Order on Rehearing and Stay in which the FERC rejected all challenges presented in the requests for rehearing and the request for stay of the Order. The parties who filed the requests for re-hearing petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (“D.C. Circuit”) to review the Order and the order denying rehearing. On August 3, 2021, the D.C. Circuit denied all the arguments raised in the challenges, except for two technical issues dealing with environmental justice and GHG emissions, which were remanded to the FERC for further consideration. The D.C. Circuit did so without vacatur, and accordingly, the Rio Grande LNG Facility's authorization from the FERC remained legally valid and enforceable. On April 21, 2023, FERC issued its order responding to the D.C. Circuit’s 2021 remand of the FERC Order, reaffirming its prior finding that the siting, construction, and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility is not inconsistent with the public interest (“Remand Order”). Parties sought rehearing of the Remand Order, which FERC denied by operation of law on June 22, 2023, and subsequently issued a substantive order on the merits upholding the conclusions in the Remand Order, and its reaffirmation of the FERC Order. On August 17, 2023, parties petitioned the D.C. Circuit for review of the Remand Order.
On November 24, 2023, a motion was filed with FERC to stay construction of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, which FERC denied on January 24, 2024. On February 2, 2024, parties filed a motion of the D.C Circuit to stay construction of the Rio Grande LNG Facility. On March 1, 2024, the motion to stay was denied by the D.C. Circuit.
On August 6, 2024, the D.C. Circuit issued a decision vacating FERC's reauthorization of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and remanding the case to FERC again on the grounds that FERC should have issued a supplemental EIS related to environmental justice issues during its remand process, as well as with regard to FERC's consideration of the CCS proposal we had filed in November 2021.
We withdrew our FERC application for the CCS facilities on August 30, 2024. On September 13, 2024, FERC issued notice of its intent to prepare a supplemental EIS in response to the D.C. Circuit's decision vacating the Remand Order. The notice set forth a schedule providing for issuance of a draft of the supplemental EIS in March 2025, the final supplemental EIS by the end of July 2025, and issuance of a final order by November 20, 2025. FERC has continued to act on our implementation filings and to authorize construction activities.
On October 21, 2024, the Company filed a petition for rehearing and rehearing en banc with the D.C. Circuit. On December 9, 2024, petitioners in the case and FERC filed responses to the Company's request for rehearing, and the Court's decision is pending.
The D.C. Circuit's decision will not be effective until the Court has issued its mandate, which is not expected to occur until the appeals process has been completed. The Company expects to take all available legal and regulatory actions, including but not limited to appellate actions and other strategies, to ensure that construction on Phase 1 will continue and that necessary regulatory approvals are maintained to enable the FID of Trains 4 and 5 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
NEXT Carbon Solutions
NEXT Carbon Solutions (“NCS”) is developing a potential end-to-end carbon capture and storage (“CCS”) project at the Rio Grande LNG Facility, focused on post-combustion carbon capture. The potential CCS project at the Rio Grande LNG Facility is in early development, and the Company is exploring subsurface and technology options for the project as well as potential avenues for commercialization. The Company expects that development of the CCS project at the Rio Grande LNG Facility may lead to CCS project opportunities at third-party industrial facilities in the future.
Corporate and Other Activities
We are required to maintain corporate and general and administrative functions to serve our business activities described above, including construction of Phase 1 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility, the development of Train 4, Train 5, and additional liquefaction expansion capacity, and the development of a potential CCS project at the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
Competition
We are subject to a high degree of competition in all aspects of our business. See “Item 1.A — Risk Factors —Competition in the industries in which we operate is intense, and some of our competitors have greater financial, technological and other resources.”
The Rio Grande LNG Facility will compete with liquefaction facilities worldwide to supply LNG to the global market. In this market, we will compete with a variety of companies, such as independent, technology-driven companies, state-owned companies, and other independent oil and natural gas companies and utilities. Many of these competitors have longer operating histories, more development experience, greater name recognition, greater access to the LNG market, more employees, and substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we currently possess.
NEXT Carbon Solutions will compete with other providers of CCS services, including traditional original end manufacturers, EPC firms and midstream transportation and storage companies in offering CCS solutions. Our competitors in the CCS space may have longer operating histories, more development experience, greater name recognition, greater access to the CCS market, more employees and substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we currently possess.
Employees
As of December 31, 2024, we had 237 full-time employees. We have no collective bargaining agreements with our employees.
Offices
Our principal executive offices are located at 1000 Louisiana St., Suite 3300, Houston, Texas, 77002, and our telephone number is (713) 574-1880.
Available Information
Our internet website address is www.next-decade.com. We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing information for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included on our website under the heading “Investors.” Accordingly, investors should monitor such portion of our website, in addition to following our press releases and SEC filings. Within our website under the heading “Investors,” we make available free of charge our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed with or furnished to the SEC under applicable securities laws. These materials are made available as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file such materials with or furnish such materials to the SEC. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this document. In addition, we intend to disclose on our website any amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Conduct and Ethics that are required to be publicly disclosed pursuant to rules of the SEC.
The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
We are subject to uncertainties and risks due to the nature of the business activities we conduct. The following information describes certain uncertainties and risks that could affect our business, financial condition or results of operations or could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or expectations contained in our forward-looking statements. This section does not describe all risks applicable to us, our industry or our business, and it is intended only as a summary of known material risks that are specific to us. We may experience additional risks and uncertainties not currently
known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to our Business and the Industry in which we Operate
The substantial amount of indebtedness incurred to finance construction of Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility may adversely affect Rio Grande’s cash flow and its ability to operate its business, remain in compliance with debt covenants and make payments on its indebtedness.
Rio Grande has incurred a substantial amount of indebtedness. This substantial level of indebtedness increases the possibility that Rio Grande may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay, when due, the principal or interest on such indebtedness or to refinance such indebtedness ahead of its scheduled maturity. This indebtedness and obligations thereunder could have other important consequences to you as a stockholder. For example:
•any failure to comply with the obligations of any of Rio Grande’s debt instruments, including financial and other restrictive covenants, could result in an event of default under the applicable instrument;
•Rio Grande may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse change in government regulation affecting Rio Grande’s ability to pay obligations when due;
•Rio Grande may need to dedicate a substantial portion of its future cashflow from operations to payments on indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, other general corporate purposes and any future dividends or share repurchases;
•the ability to refinance Rio Grande’s indebtedness will depend on the condition of credit markets and capital markets, and its financial condition at such time. Any refinancing could be at higher interest rates and may require compliance with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict business operations;
•we may have limited flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in Rio Grande’s business and the industry in which it operates; and
•our indebtedness may place Rio Grande at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors that have less debt.
Restrictions in debt agreements may prevent certain beneficial transactions.
In addition to restrictions on the ability of Rio Grande to make distributions or incur additional indebtedness, the agreements governing Rio Grande’s indebtedness also contain various other covenants that may prevent it from engaging in beneficial transactions, including limitations on the ability of Rio Grande or certain of its subsidiaries to:
•make distributions or certain investments;
•incur additional indebtedness;
•purchase, redeem or retire equity interests;
•sell or transfer assets;
•incur liens;
•enter into transactions with affiliates; and
•consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of its assets.
A breach of the covenants and other restrictions in any of Rio Grande’s indebtedness could result in an event of default thereunder. Such a default may allow the holders of such indebtedness to accelerate the related indebtedness which may result in foreclosure on Rio Grande’s assets or equity interests in Rio Grande.
Our wholly owned subsidiary, Rio Grande LNG Super Holdings, LLC ("Super Holdings"), has entered into a credit agreement (the "Corporate Credit Agreement") that provides for a $175 million senior secured loan. The Corporate Credit Agreement includes covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of Super Holdings to incur additional indebtedness, make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on equity interests or subordinated indebtedness or purchase, redeem, or retire equity interests, sell or transfer assets, incur liens or dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge. Upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default under the Corporate Credit Agreement (and after all applicable cure periods have elapsed), the majority lenders may, by notice to Super Holdings accelerate the loans thereunder, terminate any outstanding loan commitments and exercise all contractual and legal rights in relation to the collateral.
Conducting a portion of our operations through joint ventures in which we do not have 100% ownership interest, and which are not operated solely for the benefit of our stockholders, exposes us and our stockholders to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control.
We currently operate parts of our business through a joint venture, Rio Grande LNG Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Intermediate Holdings”) in which we do not have 100% ownership interest, and we may enter into additional joint ventures in the future. Joint ventures and minority investments inherently involve a lesser degree of control over business operations, thereby potentially increasing the financial, legal, operational and/or compliance risks associated with the joint venture or minority investment. For example, except for the Member Reserved Matters (as defined below), the affairs of Intermediate Holdings will otherwise be managed by a board of managers (the “Intermediate Holdings Board”). The Intermediate Holdings Board will be composed of up to four managers appointed by us (the “Class A Managers”), including one Class A Manager designated by Global LNG North America Corp., a subsidiary of TotalEnergies SE, and managers appointed by members holding a minimum percentage of the Class B limited liability company interests in Intermediate Holdings (the “Class B Managers”). Approval of any matter by the Intermediate Holdings Board will require the consent of a majority of the Class A Managers voting on the matter and Class B Managers representing a majority of the Class B limited liability company interests in Intermediate Holdings voting for such matter, as applicable; provided that (i) certain specified “qualified matters,” “supermajority matters,” and “unanimous matters” are reserved to the approval of the members of Intermediate Holdings (the "Member Reserved Matters") holding a requisite percentage of the applicable classes of limited liability company interests in Intermediate Holdings, and (ii) related party transactions will be subject to approval in accordance with the procedures specified in the JV Agreement. Pursuant to the JV Agreement, we will be entitled to receive up to approximately 20.8% of distributions of available cash of Intermediate Holdings to its members during operations; provided, that a majority of the Intermediate Holdings distributions to which we are otherwise entitled will be paid for any distribution period only after the Financial Investors receive an agreed distribution threshold in respect of such distribution period and certain other deficit payments from prior distribution periods, if any, are made. Any such shortfall in distributions that we would otherwise have been entitled to will accrue as an arrearage to be paid out in future periods in which Intermediate Holdings meets the applicable target distribution threshold for the Financial Investors. Challenges and risks presented by joint venture structures not otherwise present with respect to our wholly-owned subsidiaries and direct operations, include:
•our joint ventures may fail to generate the expected financial results, and the return may be insufficient to justify our investment of effort and/or funds;
•we may not control the joint ventures or our venture partners may hold veto rights over certain actions;
•the level of oversight, control and access to management information we are able to exercise with respect to these operations may be lower compared to our wholly-owned businesses, which may increase uncertainty relating to the financial condition of these operations, including the credit risk profile;
•we may experience impasses or disputes with our joint venture partners on certain decisions, which could require us to expend additional resources to resolve such impasses or disputes, including litigation or arbitration;
•we may not have control over the timing or amount of distributions from the joint ventures;
•our joint venture partners may have business or economic interests that are inconsistent with ours and may take actions contrary to our interests;
•our joint venture partners may fail to fund capital contributions or fail to fulfill their obligations as partners;
•the arrangements governing our joint ventures may contain restrictions on the conduct of our business and may contain certain conditions or milestone events that may never be satisfied or achieved;
•we may suffer losses as a result of actions taken by our venture partners with respect to our joint ventures; and
•it may be difficult for us to exit joint ventures if an impasse arises or if we desire to sell our interest for any reason.
We believe an important element in the success of any joint venture is a solid relationship between the members of that venture. If there is a change in ownership, a change of control, a change in management or management philosophy, a change in business strategy or another event with respect to a member of our joint venture that adversely impacts the relationship between the venture partners, it could adversely impact such venture.
If our partners are unable or unwilling to invest in our joint venture in the manner that is anticipated or otherwise fail to meet their contractual obligations, the joint venture may be unable to adequately perform and conduct its respective operations, or may require us to provide, or make other arrangements for additional financing for the joint venture. Such financing may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
Joint venture partners, controlling shareholders, management or other persons or entities who control them may have economic or business interests, strategies or goals that are inconsistent with ours. Business decisions or other actions or omissions of the joint venture partners, controlling shareholders, management or other persons or entities who control them may adversely affect the value of our investment, result in litigation or regulatory action against us and otherwise damage our reputation. Any such circumstance could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and/or prospects.
Our projects are in the development and construction phases, and the success of such projects is unpredictable; as such, positive cash flows and even revenues will be several years away, if they occur at all.
We are not expected to generate cash flow, or even obtain revenues, from our LNG liquefaction and export activities unless and until the Rio Grande LNG Facility is operational. Additionally, we do not expect to generate cash flow from our CCS projects until such projects are installed and operational. Accordingly, distributions to investors may be limited, delayed, or non-existent.
Our cash flow and consequently our ability to distribute earnings will be dependent upon our ability to complete Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and future phases of development and implement CCS systems and thereafter generate cash and net operating income from operations. Rio Grande’s ability to complete the Rio Grande LNG Facility, as discussed further below, is dependent upon, among other things, performance of third-party contractors and customers under their agreements with Rio Grande. NEXT Carbon Solutions’ ability to install CCS systems at third-party industrial facilities, as discussed further below, is dependent on the development of front-end engineering and design (“FEED”) offerings and contracting with third parties to install CCS systems in their industrial facilities. We do not expect Rio Grande to generate any revenue until the completion of construction of Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility or NEXT Carbon Solutions to generate any revenue until successful installation of CCS systems at third-party facilities. After Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility is completed or our CCS systems are installed in third-party industrial facilities, financing and numerous other factors may reduce our cash flow. As a result, we may not make distributions of any amount or any distributions may be delayed.
We will be required to seek additional debt and equity financing in the future to complete future phases of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and the development of CCS projects and may not be able to secure such financing on acceptable terms, or at all.
Since we will be unable to generate any revenue while we are in the development and construction stages, which will be for multiple years with respect to Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, we will need additional financing to provide the capital required to execute our business plan. We will need significant additional funding to develop and construct future phases of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects as well as for working capital requirements and other operating and general corporate purposes.
Our ability to obtain the capital necessary to fund development and construction of future projects will depend on the condition of the credit and capital markets, which could become constrained due to factors outside our control. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise sufficient capital on acceptable terms, or at all. If sufficient capital is not available on satisfactory terms, we may be required to delay, scale back or eliminate the development of business opportunities, and our operations and financial condition may be adversely affected to a significant extent.
Additional debt financing for future phases of development at the Rio Grande LNG Facility, if obtained, may involve agreements that include liens on subsequent trains or other assets and covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as paying dividends or making distributions, incurring additional debt, acquiring or disposing of assets and increasing expenses. Debt financing would also be required to be repaid regardless of our operating results.
In addition, the ability to obtain financing for future phases of the Rio Grande LNG Facility is expected to be contingent upon, among other things, entry into EPC agreements for construction of subsequent trains and sufficient long-term commercial agreements prior to the commencement of construction. For additional information regarding our ability to enter into such agreements, see “— Our ability to generate cash is substantially dependent upon us entering into satisfactory contracts with third parties and the performance of those third parties under those contracts.”
We may be subject to risks related to doing business in, and having counterparties based in, foreign countries.
We may engage in operations or make substantial commitments to and investments in, and enter into agreements with, counterparties located outside the U.S., which would expose us to political, governmental and economic instability and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We also may participate in global carbon capture credit markets to the extent those develop and become available to our CCS projects or their customers.
Any disruption caused by these factors could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects. Risks associated with potential operations, commitments and investments outside of the U.S. include but are not limited to risks of:
•currency exchange restrictions and currency fluctuations;
•war or terrorist attack;
•expropriation or nationalization of assets;
•renegotiation or nullification of existing contracts or international trade arrangements;
•changing political conditions;
•macro-economic conditions impacting key markets and sources of supply;
•changing laws and policies affecting trade, taxation, incentives, financial regulation, immigration, and investment, including laws and policies regarding the verification and trading of carbon capture credits;
•the implementation of tariffs by the U.S. or foreign countries in which we do business;
•duplicative taxation by different governments;
•general hazards associated with the assertion of sovereignty over areas in which operations are conducted, transactions occur, or counterparties are located; and
•the unexpected credit rating downgrade of countries in which our LNG customers are based.
As our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, any operations conducted outside the U.S. or transactions denominated in foreign currencies would face additional risks of fluctuating currency values and exchange rates, hard currency shortages and controls on currency exchange. In addition, we would be subject to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and exchange rate changes on our financial reports when translating our assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses from operations or transactions outside of the U.S. into U.S. dollars at the then-applicable exchange rates. These translations could result in changes to our results of operations from period to period.
Tariffs issued by the United States government could have an adverse effect on our future operations.
The United States government recently has announced or imposed broad-ranging tariffs. Other countries have announced or imposed counter-tariffs on U.S.-produced items. If these tariffs or counter-tariffs were to take effect and we were unable to pass through the additional costs to us, we could experience materially lower margins, lost sales, and an overall adverse effect on our future results of operations.
Costs for the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects are subject to various factors.
Construction costs for the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects will be subject to various factors such as economic and market conditions, government policy, claims and litigation risk, competition, the final terms of any definitive agreement for services with EPC service providers, change orders, delays in construction, legal and regulatory requirements, unanticipated regulatory delays, site issues, increased component and material costs, escalation of labor costs, labor disputes, increased spending to maintain construction schedules and other factors. In particular, costs are expected to be substantially affected by:
•global prices of nickel, steel, concrete, pipe, aluminum and other component parts of the Rio Grande LNG Facility or CCS projects and the contractual terms upon which our contractors are able to source and procure required materials;
•any U.S. import tariffs or quotas on steel, aluminum, pipe or other component parts of the Rio Grande LNG Facility or CCS projects, which may raise the prices of certain materials used in the Rio Grande LNG Facility;
•commodity and consumer prices (principally, natural gas, crude oil and fuels that compete with them in our target markets) on which our economic assumptions are based;
•the exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar with other currencies;
•changes in regulatory regimes in the U.S. and the countries to which we will be authorized to sell LNG;
•changes in regulatory regimes in the U.S. and the countries that seek to develop and regulate a market for the trading of global carbon capture credits;
•levels of competition in the U.S. and worldwide;
•changes in the tax regimes in the countries to which we sell LNG or in which we operate;
•cost inflation relating to the personnel, materials and equipment used in our operations;
•delays caused by events of force majeure or unforeseeable climatic events;
•interest rates; and
•synergy benefits associated with the development of multiple phases of the Rio Grande LNG Facility using identical design and construction philosophies.
Our EPC agreements for Phase 1 allocate certain cost risks to Bechtel; however, events related to the above activities may cause actual costs of the Rio Grande LNG Facility to vary from the range, combination and timing of assumptions used for projected costs of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, in addition to affecting our willingness to make a positive FID on future phases of development at the Rio Grande LNG Facility or on CCS projects. Such variations may be material and adverse, and an investor may lose all or a portion of its investment.
We will be dependent on third-party contractors for the successful completion of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, CCS projects and related infrastructure, and any failure by our contractors to perform their contractual obligations could have a material adverse impact on our projects.
The construction of the Rio Grande LNG Facility is expected to take several years, will be confined to a limited geographic area and could be subject to delays, cost overruns, labor disputes and other factors that could adversely affect financial performance or impair our ability to execute our scheduled business plan.
Timely and cost-effective completion of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and any CCS projects in conformity with agreed-upon specifications will be highly dependent upon the performance of third-party contractors pursuant to their agreements. We have not yet entered into definitive agreements with certain of the contractors, advisors and consultants necessary for the development and construction for future phases of development at the Rio Grande LNG Facility or any CCS projects. We may not be able to successfully enter into such construction agreements on terms or at prices that are acceptable to us.
Further, faulty construction that does not conform to our design and quality standards may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. For example, improper equipment installation may lead to a shortened life of our equipment, increased operations and maintenance costs or a reduced availability or production capacity of the affected facility. The ability of our third-party contractors to perform successfully under any agreements to be entered into is dependent on a number of factors, including force majeure events and such contractors’ ability to:
•design, engineer and receive critical components and equipment necessary for the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects to operate in accordance with specifications and address any start-up and operational issues that may arise in connection with the commencement of commercial operations;
•attract, develop and retain skilled personnel and engage and retain third-party subcontractors, and address any labor issues that may arise;
•post required construction bonds and comply with the terms thereof, and maintain their own financial condition, including adequate working capital;
•adhere to any warranties the contractors provide in their EPC contracts; and
•respond to difficulties such as equipment failure, delivery delays, schedule changes and failure to perform by subcontractors, some of which are beyond their control, and manage the construction process generally, including engaging and retaining third-party contractors, coordinating with other contractors and regulatory agencies and dealing with inclement weather conditions.
Furthermore, we may have disagreements with our third-party contractors about different elements of the construction process, which could lead to the assertion of rights and remedies under the related contracts, resulting in a contractor’s unwillingness to perform further work on the relevant project. We may also face difficulties in commissioning a newly constructed facility at the Rio Grande LNG Facility. Any of the foregoing issues or significant project delays in the development or construction of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and, to the extent applicable, CCS projects could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Commissioning and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility will also require the ability to deliver natural gas to the Rio Grande LNG Facility via pipelines, certain of which are under development and construction and will require securing rights-of-way along the proposed route. Negotiation to secure these rights-of-way could give rise to recalcitrant
landowners or competitive projects, which could result in additional time needed to secure the route and, consequently, delays in, or abandonment of, construction. Pipeline construction could also be delayed or abandoned for any of many other reasons, such as it becoming economically disadvantageous to the owner, a failure to obtain or maintain all necessary permits, approvals and licenses for the construction and operation, mechanical or structural failures, inadvertent damages during construction, natural disasters, or any terrorist attack, including cyberterrorism. Any such delays in pipeline construction could delay the development of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and its becoming operational.
Our ability to generate cash is substantially dependent upon us entering into satisfactory contracts with third parties and the performance of those third parties under those contracts.
We have entered into nine commercial arrangements with customers for products and services from the Rio Grande LNG Facility, each of which is subject to preconditions including the Rio Grande LNG Facility becoming operational. We are dependent on each customer’s continued willingness and ability to perform its obligations under its sale and purchase agreement. We are also exposed to the credit risk of any guarantor of these customers’ obligations under their respective sale and purchase agreement in the event that we must seek recourse under a guaranty. If any customer fails to perform its obligations under its sale and purchase agreement, our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects could be materially and adversely affected, even if we were ultimately successful in seeking damages from that customer or its guarantor for a breach of the sale and purchase agreement.
We have not yet entered into any definitive commercial arrangements with third parties desiring to install our CCS systems in their industrial facilities. We also have not entered into, and may never be able to enter into, satisfactory commercial arrangements with third-party suppliers of feedstock or other required supplies to the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
Our business strategy regarding how and when the Rio Grande LNG Facility’s export capacity or, LNG produced by the Rio Grande LNG Facility, or CCS systems are marketed may change based on market factors. Without limitation, our business strategy may change due to inability to enter into agreements with customers or based on our or market participants’ views regarding future supply and demand of LNG, prices, available worldwide natural gas liquefaction capacity or regasification capacity, the availability and efficiency of a market for carbon capture credits or other factors. If efforts to market LNG produced by the Rio Grande LNG Facility, the Rio Grande LNG Facility’s expansion export capacity, or our CCS systems are not successful, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
Our exposure to the performance and credit risks of counterparties may adversely affect our operating results, liquidity and access to financing.
Our operations involve our entering into various construction, purchase and sale, supply and other transactions with numerous third parties. In such arrangements, we will be exposed to the performance and credit risks of our counterparties, including the risk that one or more counterparties fail to perform their obligations under the applicable agreement. Some of these risks may increase during periods of commodity price volatility. In some cases, we will be dependent on a single counterparty or a small group of counterparties, all of whom may be similarly affected by changes in economic and other conditions. These risks include, but are not limited to, risks related to the construction discussed above in “We will be dependent on third-party contractors for the successful completion of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects, and these contractors may be unable to complete the Rio Grande LNG Facility or CCS projects or may build a non-conforming Rio Grande LNG Facility or CCS projects.” Defaults by suppliers, customers and other counterparties may adversely affect our operating results, liquidity and access to additional financing.
Our construction and operations activities will be subject to a number of development risks, operational hazards, regulatory approvals and other risks which may not be fully covered by insurance, and which could cause cost overruns and delays that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects.
Development and construction of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects will be subject to the risks of delay or cost overruns inherent in any construction project resulting from numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the following:
•difficulties or delays in obtaining, or failure to obtain, sufficient debt or equity financing on reasonable terms;
•failure to obtain or maintain all necessary government and third-party permits, approvals and licenses, or to comply with all the terms and conditions of those authorizations, for the construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects, or litigation concerning such permits, approvals and licenses;
•failure to obtain or maintain commercial agreements that generate sufficient revenue to support the financing and construction of the Rio Grande LNG Facility or CCS projects;
•difficulties in engaging qualified contractors necessary to the construction of the contemplated Rio Grande LNG Facility or CCS projects;
•shortages of equipment, materials or skilled labor;
•natural disasters and catastrophes, such as hurricanes, explosions, fires, floods, industrial accidents and terrorism;
•delays in the delivery of ordered materials;
•work stoppages and labor disputes;
•opposition from environmental and social groups, landowners, tribal groups, local groups and other advocates could result in organized protests, attempts to block or sabotage our construction activities or operations, intervention in regulatory or administrative proceedings involving our assets, or lawsuits or other actions designed to prevent, disrupt or delay the construction or operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility or CCS projects;
•competition with other domestic and international LNG export facilities;
•unanticipated changes in domestic and international market demand for and supply of natural gas and LNG, which will depend in part on supplies of and prices for alternative energy sources and the discovery of new sources of natural resources;
•insufficiency in domestic and international market demand for verified carbon capture credits;
•unexpected or unanticipated additional improvements; and
•adverse general economic conditions.
Delays beyond the estimated development periods, as well as cost overruns, could increase the cost of completion beyond the amounts that are currently estimated, which could require us to obtain additional sources of financing to fund the activities until the Rio Grande LNG Facility is constructed and operational, which could cause further delays. The need for additional financing may also make the Rio Grande LNG Facility uneconomic. Any delay in completion of the Rio Grande LNG Facility may also cause a delay in the receipt of revenues projected from the Rio Grande LNG Facility or cause a loss of one or more customers. As a result, any significant construction delay, whatever the cause, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects.
Rio Grande LNG Facility operations will be subject to all of the hazards inherent in the receipt and processing of natural gas to LNG, and associated short-term storage including:
•damage to pipelines and plants, related equipment, loading terminal, and surrounding properties caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and other natural disasters, acts of terrorism and acts of third parties;
•damage from subsurface and/or waterway activity (for example, sedimentation of shipping channel access);
•leaks of natural gas, or natural gas liquids, or losses of natural gas, or natural gas liquids, as a result of the malfunction of equipment or facilities;
•fires, ruptures and explosions;
•other hazards that could also result in personal injury and loss of life, pollution and suspension of operations; and
•hazards experienced by other operators that may affect our operations by instigating increased regulations and oversight.
Any of these risks could adversely affect our ability to conduct operations or result in substantial loss to us as a result of claims for:
•injury or loss of life;
•damage to and destruction of property, natural resources and equipment;
•pollution and other environmental damage;
•regulatory investigations and penalties;
•suspension of our operations;
•failure to perform contractual obligations; and
•repair and remediation costs.
Due to the scale of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, we may encounter capacity limits in insurance markets, thereby limiting our ability to economically obtain insurance with our desired level of coverage limits and terms. With respect to the Rio Grande LNG Facility or CCS projects, we may elect not to obtain insurance for any or all of these risks if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, contractual liabilities and pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. The occurrence of an event that is not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may experience increased labor costs, and the unavailability of skilled workers or our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could adversely affect us. In addition, changes in our senior management or other key personnel could affect our business operations.
We are dependent upon the available labor pool of skilled employees authorized to work in the U.S. We compete with other energy companies and other employers to attract and retain qualified personnel with the technical skills and experience required to construct and operate our facilities and pipelines and to provide our customers with the highest quality service. A shortage in the labor pool of skilled workers able to legally work in the U.S. or other general inflationary pressures or changes in applicable laws and regulations could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified personnel and could require an increase in the wage and benefits packages that we offer, thereby increasing our operating costs. Any increase in our operating costs could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.
We depend on our executive officers for various activities. We do not maintain key person life insurance policies on any of our personnel. Although we have arrangements relating to compensation and benefits with certain of our executive officers, we do not have any employment contracts or other agreements with key personnel binding them to provide services for any particular term. The loss of the services of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Technological innovation, competition or other factors may negatively impact our anticipated competitive advantage or our processes.
Our success will depend on our ability to create and maintain a competitive position in the natural gas liquefaction and carbon capture and storage industries. We do not have any exclusive rights to any of the liquefaction technologies that we will be utilizing in the Rio Grande LNG Facility. In addition, the LNG technology we are using in the Rio Grande LNG Facility may face competition due to the technological advances of other companies or solutions, including more efficient and cost-effective processes or entirely different approaches developed by one or more of our competitors or others. Although we have applied for and obtained patents relating to our CCS processes and rely on other procedures to protect our intellectual property, we may be unable to prevent third parties from utilizing our intellectual property; see “— We depend on our intellectual property for our CCS projects, and our failure to protect that intellectual property could adversely affect the future growth and success of our CCS business.”
Continuing technological changes in the market for carbon capture solutions could make our CCS projects less competitive or obsolete, either generally or for particular applications. Our future success will depend upon our ability to develop and introduce a variety of new capabilities and enhancements to our CCS offerings to address the changing needs of the carbon capture markets. Delays in introducing enhancements, the failure to choose correctly among technical alternatives or the failure to offer innovative products or enhancements at competitive prices may cause existing and potential customers to utilize competing projects or solutions.
We depend on our intellectual property for our CCS projects, and our failure to protect that intellectual property could adversely affect the future growth and success of our CCS business.
We rely on a combination of internal procedures, nondisclosure agreements, licenses, patents, trademarks and copyright law to protect our intellectual property and know-how. Our intellectual property rights may not be successfully asserted in the future or may be invalidated, circumvented or challenged. For example, we frequently explore and evaluate potential relationships and projects with other parties, which often require that we provide the potential partner with confidential technical information.
While confidentiality agreements are typically put in place, there is a risk the potential partner could violate the confidentiality agreement and use our technical information for its own benefit or the benefit of others or compromise the confidentiality. We have applied for and obtained some U.S. patents and will continue to evaluate the registration of additional patents, as appropriate. We cannot guarantee that any of our pending applications will be approved. Moreover, even if the applications are approved, third parties may seek to oppose or otherwise challenge them. A failure to obtain registrations in the United States or elsewhere could limit our ability to protect our proprietary processes and could impede our business. Further, the protection of our intellectual property may require expensive investment in protracted litigation
and the investment of substantial management time and there is no assurance we ultimately would prevail or that a successful outcome would lead to an economic benefit that is greater than the investment in the litigation.
In addition, we may be unable to prevent third parties from using our intellectual property rights and know-how without our authorization or from independently developing intellectual property that is the same as or similar to ours. The unauthorized use of our know-how by third parties could reduce or eliminate any competitive advantage we have developed, cause us to lose sales or otherwise harm our CCS business or increase our expenses as we attempt to enforce our rights.
Failure of exported LNG to be a competitive source of energy for international markets could adversely affect our customers and could materially and adversely affect our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.
Operations of the Rio Grande LNG Facility will be dependent upon our ability to deliver LNG supplies from the U.S., which is primarily dependent upon LNG being a competitive source of energy internationally. The success of the Rio Grande LNG Facility is dependent, in part, on the extent to which LNG can, for significant periods and in significant volumes, be supplied from North America and delivered to international markets at a lower cost than the cost of alternative energy sources. Through the use of improved exploration technologies, additional sources of natural gas may be discovered outside the U.S., which could increase the available supply of natural gas outside the U.S. and could result in natural gas in those markets being available at a lower cost than that of LNG exported to those markets. The price of domestic natural gas, which is subject to change for reasons outside our control, also affects the competitiveness of U.S.-sourced LNG exports.
Additionally, the Rio Grande LNG Facility will be subject to the risk of LNG price competition at times when we need to replace any existing LNG sale and purchase contract, whether due to natural expiration, default or otherwise, or enter into new LNG sale and purchase contracts. Factors relating to competition may prevent us from entering into a new or replacement LNG sale and purchase contract on economically comparable terms as prior LNG sale and purchase contracts, or at all. Factors which may negatively affect potential demand for LNG from our liquefaction projects are diverse and include, among others:
•increases in worldwide LNG production capacity and availability of LNG for market supply;
•decreases in demand for LNG or increases in demand for LNG, but at levels below those required to maintain current price equilibrium with respect to supply;
•increases in the cost of natural gas feedstock supplied to any project;
•decreases in the cost of competing sources of natural gas or alternate sources of energy such as coal, heavy fuel oil, diesel, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind and solar;
•decrease in the price of non-U.S. LNG, including decreases in price as a result of contracts indexed to lower oil prices;
•increases in capacity and utilization of nuclear power and related facilities;
•increases in the cost of LNG shipping; and
•displacement of LNG by pipeline natural gas or alternate fuels in locations where access to these energy sources is not currently available.
Political instability in foreign countries that import natural gas, or strained relations between such countries and the U.S. may also impede the willingness or ability of LNG suppliers, purchasers and merchants in such countries to import LNG from the U.S. Furthermore, some foreign purchasers of LNG may have economic or other reasons to obtain their LNG from non-U.S. markets or our competitors’ liquefaction facilities in the U.S.
As a result of these and other factors, LNG may not be a competitive source of energy internationally. The failure of LNG to be a competitive supply alternative to local natural gas, oil and other alternative energy sources in markets accessible to our customers could adversely affect the ability of our customers to deliver LNG from the U.S. on a commercial basis. Any significant impediment to the ability to deliver LNG from the U.S. generally or from the Rio Grande LNG Facility specifically could have a material adverse effect on our customers and our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.
Decreases in the global demand for and price of natural gas (versus the price of imported LNG) could lead to reduced development of LNG projects worldwide.
We are subject to risks associated with the development, operation and financing of domestic LNG facilities. The development of domestic LNG facilities and projects is generally based on assumptions about the future price of natural gas and LNG and the conditions of the global natural gas and LNG markets. Natural gas and LNG prices have been, and are likely to remain in the future, volatile and subject to wide fluctuations that are difficult to predict. As a result, our activities will expose us to risks of commodity price movements, which we believe could be mitigated by entering into long-term LNG sales contracts. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in entering into or maintaining long-term LNG sales contracts. Additionally, the global LNG market could shift toward the use of shorter-term LNG sales contracts.
Fluctuations in commodity prices may create a mismatch between natural gas and petroleum prices, which could have a significant impact on our future revenues. Commodity prices and volumes are volatile due to many factors over which we have no control, including competing liquefaction capacity in North America; the international supply and receiving capacity of LNG; LNG marine transportation capacity; weather conditions affecting production or transportation of LNG from the Rio Grande LNG Facility; domestic and global demand for natural gas; the effect of government regulation on the production, transportation and sale of natural gas; oil and natural gas exploration and production activities; the development of and changes in the cost of alternative energy sources for natural gas and political and economic conditions worldwide.
Our activities are also dependent on the price and availability of materials for the construction of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, such as nickel, aluminum, pipe, and steel, which may be subject to import tariffs in the U.S. market and are all also subject to factors affecting commodity prices and volumes. In addition, authorities with jurisdiction over wholesale power rates in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere, as well as independent system operators overseeing some of these markets, may impose price limitations, bidding rules and other mechanisms which may adversely impact or otherwise limit trading margins and lead to diminished opportunities for gain. We cannot predict the impact energy trading may have on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Further, the development of the Rio Grande LNG Facility takes a substantial amount of time, requires significant capital investment, may be delayed by unforeseen and uncontrollable factors and is dependent on our financial viability and ability to market LNG internationally.
The reduction or elimination of government incentives could adversely affect our business, financial condition, future results and cash flows.
We expect our CCS projects, following successful construction and deployment, to generate revenue from a combination of sources, including fees from source facilities, government incentives and carbon credits. Government incentives include federal income tax credits under Section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), which currently provides a federal income tax credit per metric ton of carbon captured and permanently stored. The availability of these government incentives have a significant effect on the economics and viability of our CCS projects, and any reduction or elimination of such incentives could adversely affect the growth of our CCS business, our financial condition and our future results.
Competition in the industries in which we operate is intense, and some of our competitors have greater financial, technological and other resources.
We plan to operate in the highly competitive area of LNG production and face intense competition from independent, technology-driven companies as well as from both major and other independent oil and natural gas companies and utilities.
Many competing companies have secured access to, or are pursuing development or acquisition of, LNG facilities and deployment of carbon capture processes in North America. We may face competition from major energy companies and others in pursuing our proposed business strategy. Some of these competitors have longer operating histories, more development experience, greater name recognition, superior tax incentives, more employees and substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we currently possess. NEXT Carbon Solutions will compete with other providers of CCS services, traditional original equipment manufacturers, EPC firms and midstream transportation and storage companies in offering CCS solutions. Our competitors in the CCS space may have greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we currently possess. The superior resources that some of these competitors have available for deployment could allow them to compete successfully against us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects.
There may be shortages of LNG vessels worldwide, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects.
The construction and delivery of LNG vessels requires significant capital and long construction lead times, and the availability of the vessels could be delayed to the detriment of our business and customers due to the following:
•an inadequate number of shipyards constructing LNG vessels and a backlog of orders at these shipyards;
•political or economic disturbances in the countries where the vessels are being constructed;
•changes in governmental regulations or maritime self-regulatory organizations;
•work stoppages or other labor disturbances at the shipyards;
•bankruptcies or other financial crises of shipbuilders;
•quality or engineering problems;
•weather interference or catastrophic events, such as a major earthquake, tsunami, or fire; or
•shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary construction materials.
We will rely on third-party engineers to estimate the future capacity ratings and performance capabilities of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects, and these estimates may prove to be inaccurate.
We will rely on third parties for the design and engineering services underlying our estimates of the future capacity ratings and performance capabilities of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects. Any of such facilities, when constructed, may not have the capacity ratings and performance capabilities that we intend or estimate. Failure of any of our facilities to achieve our intended capacity ratings and performance capabilities could prevent us from achieving the commercial start dates or otherwise impact the generation of revenue under our future commercial agreements and could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.
We may not be successful in developing or constructing all of our proposed expansion projects.
We may not be able to successfully develop or construct some of our proposed expansion trains at the Rio Grande LNG Facility, whether due to lack of commercial interest, inability to obtain financing, inability to obtain adequate supply of materials and equipment to complete construction of our projects, inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals (including as a result of political factors, environmental concerns or public opposition) or otherwise. Our ability to develop additional liquefaction facilities will also depend on the availability and pricing of LNG and natural gas in North America and other places around the world. If we are unable or unwilling to develop and construct additional expansion trains, our prospects for growth will be limited.
Carbon credit markets may not develop as quickly or efficiently as we anticipate or at all.
The continued development of global carbon credit marketplaces will be crucial for the successful deployment of our CCS processes, as we expect carbon credits to be a significant source of future revenue. The efficiency of the voluntary carbon credit market is currently affected by several concerns, including insufficiency of demand, the risk that reduction credits could be counted multiple times and a lack of standardization of credit verification. Delayed development of a global carbon credit market could negatively impact the commercial viability of our CCS projects and could limit the growth of the business and adversely impact our financial condition and future results.
The operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and any CCS project may be subject to significant operating hazards and uninsured risks, one or more of which may create significant liabilities and losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects.
The plan of operations for the Rio Grande LNG Facility is subject to the inherent risks associated with LNG operations, including explosions, pollution, release of toxic substances, fires, hurricanes and other adverse weather conditions, and other hazards, each of which could result in significant delays in commencement or interruptions of operations and/or result in damage to or destruction of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and assets or damage to persons and property. These risks may similarly affect CCS projects and their host facilities.
We do not, nor do we intend to, maintain insurance against all these risks and losses. We may not be able to maintain desired or required insurance in the future at rates that we consider reasonable. The occurrence of a significant event not fully insured or indemnified against could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.
We are dependent on a limited number of customers for the purchase of LNG.
The number of potential LNG customers is limited. Some potential purchasers of the LNG to be produced from the Rio Grande LNG Facility are new to the LNG business and have limited experience in the industry. We will be reliant upon the ability of these customers to enter into satisfactory downstream arrangements in their home markets for the licenses to import and sell regasified LNG. Some of these jurisdictions are heavily regulated and dominated by state entities. In certain instances, customers may require credit enhancement measures in order to satisfy project-financing requirements.
Objections from local communities or environmental groups can delay the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
Some local communities and/or environmental groups have voiced opposition to the proposed construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility as negatively impacting the environment, wildlife, cultural heritage sites or the public health of residents. Objections from local communities or environmental groups could cause delays, limit access to or increase the cost of construction capital, cause reputational damage and impede us in obtaining or renewing permits. For instance, environmental activists have attempted to intervene in the permitting process of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and persuade regulators to deny necessary permits or seek to overturn permits that have been issued. These third-party actions can materially increase the costs and cause delays in the permitting process and could cause us to not proceed with the development of the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
The Rio Grande LNG Facility will be dependent on the availability of gas supply at the Agua Dulce Hub.
Rio Grande has executed agreements for transportation of natural gas to the Rio Grande LNG Facility on both a firm and interruptible basis to support commissioning and operations and provide the ability to purchase natural gas supplies at the Agua Dulce Hub, giving Rio Grande access to prolific gas production from the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale and providing significant flexibility to obtain competitively priced natural gas feedstock. We expect Rio Grande to have access to multiple interconnects to the existing natural gas pipeline grid located at the Agua Dulce Hub. As the interconnects are expected to be at the Agua Dulce Hub, it is expected that gas will be available for purchase in large volumes at commercially acceptable prices. Nonetheless, disruptions in upstream supply sources or increased market demand could impact the availability of gas supply to the header system, which would result in curtailments at the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
Each liquefaction train for the Rio Grande LNG Facility is expected to involve the transportation for liquefaction of approximately 0.9 Bcf/day of natural gas, for a total of 4.5 Bcf/day for five liquefaction trains at full build-out. Gas sales agreements for the supply of these volumes could entail negotiations with multiple parties for firm and interruptible gas supply and transportation services to the pipeline header system, as well as pipeline interconnects and ancillary operational agreements. Delays caused by third parties in the course of negotiating agreements and constructing the required interconnects could delay the start of commercial operations for the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
Litigation could expose us to significant costs and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are, or may become, party to various lawsuits, arbitrations, mediations, regulatory proceedings and claims, which may include lawsuits, arbitrations, mediations, regulatory proceedings or claims relating to commercial liability, product recalls, product liability, product claims, employment matters, environmental matters, breach of contract, intellectual property, indemnification, stockholder suits, derivative actions or other aspects of our business.
Litigation (including the other types of proceedings identified above) is inherently unpredictable, and although we may believe we have meaningful defenses in these matters, we may incur judgments or enter into settlements of claims that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The costs of responding to or defending litigation may be significant and may divert the attention of management away from our strategic objectives. There may also be adverse publicity associated with litigation that may decrease customer confidence in our business or our management, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately found liable.
Risks Related to Governmental Regulation
The decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals could impact Rio Grande’s ability to complete Phase 1, the cost to complete Phase 1, the timing of the completion of Phase 1, our ability to take a final investment decision on Trains 4 and 5, our ability to develop additional expansion trains at the Rio Grande LNG Facility, and our ability to achieve expected investment returns.
We are required to obtain and maintain governmental approvals and authorizations to implement our proposed business strategy, which includes the design, construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and the export of LNG from the U.S. to foreign countries. As described in more detail in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview of Business and Significant Developments—Significant Recent Events—Regulatory,” on August 6, 2024, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the FERC reauthorization for the siting, construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility. We intend to pursue available legal remedies against judicial challenges and are engaged in active resolution of the requisite issues to ensure that the affected permit remains in effect; however, there is no guarantee as to how long any agency proceedings and judicial challenges will take to resolve, whether there will be any delays in construction activities or whether Rio Grande will ultimately succeed in maintaining the permit in its issued form or in a suitable replacement form. These uncertainties could cause Phase 1 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility to be subject to increased costs, adverse impacts to completion timing, or adverse impacts to the ability to complete construction of Phase 1. This could adversely affect the ability for Rio Grande and its owners, including us, to successfully implement our business strategy or achieve expected returns. Similarly, these uncertainties could impact the timing of, and our ability to develop and take a final investment decision on, any expansion trains at the Rio Grande LNG Facility. In addition, the bank credit facilities obtained by Rio Grande to finance a substantial portion of Phase 1 costs require maintenance of material governmental approvals. To the extent Rio Grande becomes unable to satisfy such requirement as set forth in the credit agreements or reach other accommodations with its lenders, its ability to continue borrowing under such credit facilities could be negatively impacted, which in turn could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
The construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility remains subject to further governmental approvals, and some approvals may be subject to further conditions, review and/or revocation and other legal and regulatory risks, which may result in delays, increased costs or decreased cash flows.
We are required to obtain and maintain governmental approvals and authorizations to implement our proposed business strategy, which includes the design, construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and the export of LNG from the U.S. to foreign countries. As described above under “Business—Governmental Permits, Approvals and Authorizations,” the design, construction and operation of LNG export facilities is a highly regulated activity in the U.S., subject to a number of permitting requirements, regulatory approvals and ongoing safety and operational compliance programs, and certain of our authorizations have been challenged by project opponents and remain subject to ongoing regulatory proceedings. There is no guarantee that we will obtain or, once obtained, maintain these governmental authorizations, approvals and permits. While the FERC has authorized the construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, it is conducting a supplemental EIS in response to action by the D.C. Circuit. Furthermore, additional approvals from FERC Staff will be required as we proceed with its construction and commissioning. Failure to obtain, or failure to obtain on a timely basis, or failure to maintain any of these governmental authorizations, approvals and permits (including potentially as a result of the D.C. Circuit's decision regarding the Remand Order or FERC's actions in response to that decision) could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Authorizations obtained from the FERC, the DOE and other federal and state regulatory agencies also contain ongoing conditions and compliance requirements, and additional approval and permit requirements may be imposed. We do not know whether or when any such approvals or permits can be obtained, or whether any existing or potential interventions or other actions by third parties will interfere with our ability to obtain and maintain such permits or approvals. If we are unable to obtain and maintain the necessary approvals and permits, including as a result of untimely notices or filings, we may not be able to recover our investment in the Rio Grande LNG Facility. Additionally, government disruptions, such as a U.S. government shutdown or the lack of quorum to issue decisions in regulatory agencies, may delay or halt our ability to obtain and maintain necessary approvals and permits. There is no assurance that we will obtain and maintain these governmental permits, approvals and authorizations, or that we will be able to obtain them on a timely basis, and failure to obtain and maintain any of these permits, approvals or authorizations could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects. In the future, additional regulatory approvals may be required or significant costs may be incurred due to changes in laws and regulations or for other reasons.
In addition, some of these governmental authorizations, approvals and permits require extensive environmental review. We cannot predict or control whether our authorizations, approvals or permits will attract significant opposition or whether the permitting process will be lengthened due to complexities and appeals. Some groups have perceived, and other groups could perceive, that the proposed construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility could negatively impact the environment or cultural heritage sites. Objections from such groups could cause delays, damage to reputation and difficulties in obtaining governmental authorizations, approvals or permits or prevent the obtaining of such authorizations, approvals or permits altogether. Although the necessary authorizations, approvals and permits to construct and operate the Rio Grande LNG Facility have been obtained, such authorizations, approvals and permits may be subject to ongoing regulatory proceedings, as well as conditions imposed by regulatory agencies, and may be subject to additional legal proceedings not involving us, which is customary for U.S. LNG projects.
The Rio Grande LNG Facility will be subject to a number of environmental laws and regulations that impose significant compliance costs, and existing and future environmental and similar laws and regulations could result in increased compliance costs, liabilities or additional operating restrictions.
Our business will be subject to extensive federal, state and local regulations and laws, including regulations and restrictions on discharges and releases to the air, land and water and the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes in connection with the development, construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility. Failure to comply with these regulations and laws could result in the imposition of administrative, civil and criminal sanctions.
These regulations and laws, which include the federal Clean Air Act, the Oil Pollution Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and analogous state and local laws and regulations, will restrict, prohibit or otherwise regulate the types, quantities and concentration of substances that can be released into the environment in connection with the construction and operation of our facilities. Additionally, these regulations and laws will require and have required us to obtain and maintain permits, with respect to our facilities, prepare environmental impact assessments, provide governmental authorities with access to our facilities for inspection and provide reports related to compliance. Violation of these laws and regulations could lead to substantial liabilities, fines and penalties, the denial or revocation of permits necessary for our operations, governmental orders to shut down our facilities or to capital expenditures related to pollution control or remediation equipment that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects. Federal and state laws impose liability, without regard to fault or the lawfulness of the original conduct, for the release of certain types or quantities of hazardous substances into the environment. As the owner and operator of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS systems, we could be liable for the costs of cleaning up hazardous substances released into the environment and for damage to natural resources.
In addition, future federal, state and local legislation and regulations, such as regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation of LNG, and the sequestration of carbon dioxide may impose unforeseen burdens and increased costs on our business that could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. As an international shipper of LNG, our operations could also be impacted by environmental laws applicable under international treaties or foreign jurisdictions.
Unethical conduct and non-compliance with applicable laws could have a significant adverse effect on our business.
Incidents of unethical behavior, fraudulent activity, corruption or non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations could be damaging to our operations and reputation and may subject us to criminal and civil penalties or loss of operating licenses. Due to the global nature of the LNG business and the diversity of jurisdictions in which our customers operate, it is possible that a prospective counterparty could be accused of behavior that falls short of our expectations in this regard, leading to reputational damage and potential legal liabilities, notwithstanding our best efforts to prevent such behaviors.
Changes in legislation and regulations or interpretations thereof, such as those relating to the importation and exportation of LNG and incentives for reduction of emissions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects and could cause additional expenditures and delays in connection with the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects and their construction.
The laws, rules and regulations applicable to our business, including federal agencies’ interpretations of and policies under such laws rules and regulations, are subject to change, either through new or modified regulations enacted on the federal, state or local level or by a change in policy of the agencies charged with enforcing such regulations. For example, the provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that codified the FERC’s policy of not regulating the terms and conditions of service for LNG import or export facilities expired in 2015. Although the FERC has not indicated that it intends to depart from this policy, there can be no assurance it will not do so in the future. The nature and extent of any changes in these laws, rules, regulations and policies may be unpredictable and may have material adverse effects on our business. Future legislation and regulations or changes in existing legislation and regulations, or interpretations thereof, such as those relating to (i) the liquefaction, storage, or regasification of LNG, or its transportation, and (ii) the capture of CO2, its transportation and sequestration, could cause additional expenditures, restrictions and delays in connection with our operations as well as other future projects, the extent of which cannot be predicted and which may require us to limit substantially, delay or cease operations in some circumstances. Revised, reinterpreted or additional laws and regulations that result in increased compliance costs or additional operating costs and restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our business, the ability to expand our business, including into new markets, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects.
Further, in the first few days of his second term in office, President Trump issued a series of executive orders signaling a shift in environmental and energy policy, which could result in significant regulatory changes in the future. For instance, President Trump issued executive orders which revoked prior executive orders and initiatives related to environmental justice and clean energy. While the extent of the Trump Administration's changes to the environmental regulatory landscape in the United States is unknown at this time, it is possible that additional changes in the future could impact our operations.
In addition, our CCS systems may benefit from federal, state and local governmental incentives, mandates or other programs promoting the reduction of emissions. Any changes to or termination of these programs could reduce demand for our CCS systems, impair our ability to obtain financing, and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to utilize any future federal income tax credits.
Our LNG and CCS activities are in the construction stage and development stage, respectively, and have not historically generated any revenue; consequently, as of December 31, 2024, we had significant deferred tax assets primarily resulting from net operating losses for federal income tax purposes. See Note 12 — Income Taxes in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. To the extent we are not able to monetize federal income tax credits that we generate under Section 45Q or a successor provision, either by transferring such credit or electing to receive a direct payment equal to such credit, we would have to take such federal income tax credits against our taxable income. There is no assurance that we will be able to transfer these federal income tax credits or generate taxable income or otherwise be able to monetize the value represented by these federal income tax credits.
Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) may be limited as a result of ownership changes under Section 382 of the Code.
The Code contains provisions that limit the utilization of NOLs and tax credit carryforwards if there has been a change in ownership as described in Section 382 of the Code (“Section 382”). Such an ownership change occurs if the aggregate stock ownership of certain stockholders, generally stockholders beneficially owning five percent or more of a corporation’s common stock, applying certain look-through and aggregation rules, increases by more than 50 percentage points over such stockholders’ lowest percentage ownership during the testing period, generally three years. Substantial changes in the Company's ownership have occurred that may limit or reduce the amount of NOL carryforwards that the Company could utilize in the future to offset taxable income. At December 31, 2024, we had federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $370.5 million. Approximately $26.1 million of these NOL carryforwards will expire between 2034 and 2038.
Limitations imposed on our ability to use NOLs to offset future taxable income may cause U.S. federal income taxes to be paid earlier than otherwise would be paid if such limitations were not in effect and could cause such NOLs and other tax attributes to expire unused. Similar rules and limitations may apply for state and foreign income tax purposes. If we experience such an ownership change, it is possible that a significant portion of our tax attributes could be limited for use to offset future taxable income.
Risks Relating to our Securities
Our common stock could be delisted from Nasdaq.
Our common stock is currently listed on Nasdaq. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq. If we fail to comply with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq, our common stock may become subject to delisting. If Nasdaq delists our common stock from trading on its exchange for failure to meet the continued listing standards, we and our stockholders could face significant material adverse consequences including:
•a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
•a limited amount of analyst coverage; and
•a decreased ability for us to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
The market price of our common stock has fluctuated in the past and is likely to fluctuate in the future. Holders of our common stock could lose all or part of their investment.
The securities markets in general and our common stock have experienced significant price and volume volatility. The market price and trading volume of our common stock may continue to experience significant fluctuations due not only to general stock market conditions but also to a change in sentiment in the market regarding our operations, business
prospects or those of companies in our industry. In addition to the other risk factors discussed in this section, the price and volume volatility of our common stock may be affected by:
•domestic and worldwide supply of and demand for natural gas and corresponding fluctuations in the price of natural gas;
•fluctuations in our quarterly or annual financial results or those of other companies in our industry;
•issuance of additional equity securities which causes further dilution to stockholders;
•sales of a high volume of shares of our common stock by our stockholders (including sales by our directors, executive officers, and other employees) or the perception or expectation that such sales may occur;
•short sales, hedging, and other derivative transactions on shares of our common stock;
•the volume of shares of our common stock available for public sale;
•operating and stock price performance of companies that investors deem comparable to us;
•events affecting other companies that the market deems comparable to us;
•changes in government regulation or proposals applicable to us;
•actual or potential non-performance by any customer or a counterparty under any agreement;
•announcements made by us or our competitors of significant contracts;
•changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
•general conditions in the industries in which we operate;
•general economic conditions; and
•the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock or changes in financial or other estimates by analysts.
The stock prices of companies in the LNG industry have experienced wide fluctuations that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of these companies. Following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation often has been initiated against a company. If any class action litigation is initiated against us, we may incur substantial costs and our management’s attention may be diverted from our operations, which could materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Raising additional capital may cause dilution to existing stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights. Additionally, sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or other securities in the public market could cause our stock price to fall.
We may seek the additional capital necessary to fund our operations through public or private equity offerings and debt financings. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, existing stockholders’ ownership interests will be diluted, and the terms may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect their rights as a stockholder. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. In addition, sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or other securities in the public market could occur at any time. These sales, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our common stock.
Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation grants our board of directors the power to designate and issue additional shares of common and/or preferred stock.
Our authorized capital consists of 480,000,000 shares of common stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Our preferred stock may be designated into series pursuant to authority granted by our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and on approval from our board of directors (the “Board of Directors” or “Board”). The Board of Directors, without any action by our common stockholders, may designate and issue additional shares of preferred stock in such classes or series as it deems appropriate and establish the rights, preferences and privileges of such shares, including dividends, liquidation and voting rights. The rights of holders of other classes or series of stock that may be issued could be superior to the rights of holders of our common stock. The designation and issuance of shares of capital stock having preferential rights could adversely affect other rights appurtenant to shares of our common stock.
Our largest stockholders will substantially influence our Company for the foreseeable future, including the outcome of matters requiring shareholder approval, and such control may prevent you and other stockholders from influencing significant corporate decisions and may result in conflicts of interest that could cause our stock price to decline.
As of February 20, 2025, affiliates of TotalEnergies SE, HGC NEXT INV LLC and Ninteenth Investment Company (collectively, the “Large Stockholders”) beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately 45% of the combined voting power of our outstanding shares of common stock. As a result, the Large Stockholders have the ability to influence the election of our directors and the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, such as: (i) a merger or a sale of our Company, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and (iii) amendments to our articles of incorporation and bylaws. This concentration of voting power and control could have a significant effect in delaying, deferring or preventing an action that might otherwise be beneficial to our other stockholders and be disadvantageous to our stockholders with interests different from those entities and individuals. Additionally, three members of our Board of Directors are affiliated with certain Large Stockholders. The Large Stockholders also have significant control over our business, policies and affairs by their affiliates serving as directors of our Company. They may also exert influence in delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company, even if such change in control would benefit the other stockholders of the Company. In addition, the significant concentration of stock ownership may adversely affect the market value of the Company’s common stock due to investors’ perception that conflicts of interest may exist or arise.
The exercise of outstanding warrants may have a dilutive effect on our common stock.
We issued warrants together with the issuances of our Convertible Preferred Stock (the “2022 Warrants”) and the entry into the Corporate Credit Agreement (the “2024 Warrants” and together with the 2022 Warrants, the “Common Stock Warrants”). As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding 2022 Warrants represented the right to acquire in the aggregate a number of shares of our common stock equal to approximately 15 basis points (0.15%) of all outstanding shares of Company common stock, measured on a fully diluted basis, on the applicable exercise date with a strike price of $0.01 per share. The 2022 Warrants have a fixed three-year term that commenced on the closings of the issuances of the associated Convertible Preferred Stock. The 2022 Warrants may only be exercised by holders thereof at the expiration of such three-year term.
The 2024 Warrants were issued on December 31, 2024 in two equal tranches and are exercisable at any time before December 31, 2029 for an aggregate of approximately 7.2 million shares of Company common stock, with the first tranche exercisable at $7.15 per share and the second tranche exercisable at $9.30 per share.
To the extent the Common Stock Warrants are exercised, additional shares of our common stock will be issued, which will result in dilution to the holders of our common stock and increase the number of shares eligible for resale in the public market. Sales of substantial numbers of such shares in the public market or the fact that such warrants may be exercised could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Provisions of our charter documents or Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent us from being acquired even if being acquired would be beneficial to our stockholders and could make it more difficult to change management.
Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control that stockholders might otherwise consider favorable, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. In addition, these provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempt by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult to replace or remove our Board of Directors. Among other things, these provisions include:
•elimination of our stockholders’ ability to call special meetings of stockholders;
•elimination of our stockholders’ ability to act by written consent;
•an advance notice requirement for stockholder proposals and nominations for members of our Board of Directors;
•a classified Board of Directors, the members of which serve staggered three-year terms;
•the express authority of our Board of Directors to make, alter or repeal the Bylaws;
•the authority of our Board of Directors to determine the number of director seats on our Board of Directors; and
•the authority of our Board of Directors to issue preferred stock with such terms as it may determine.
In addition, the Certificate of Incorporation provides, subject to limited exceptions, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any claims, including (i) any derivative actions or proceedings brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or any wrongdoing by, a director, officer or employee or (iii) any action asserting a claim pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws or (v) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions described above. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision that is contained in the Certificate of Incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Attention to sustainability and environmental, social and governance matters may impact our business, financial results or stock price and climate change concerns may pose challenges to our operating model.
In recent years, attention has been given to sustainability and ESG commitments and other activities. A number of advocacy groups, both domestically and internationally, have campaigned for governmental and private action to promote change at public companies related to ESG matters, including through the investment and voting practices of investment advisers, public pension funds, universities and other members of the investing community. These activities include increasing attention and demands for action related to climate change, promoting the use of substitutes to fossil fuel products, and encouraging the divestment of companies in the fossil fuel industry. While there are some other governments and actors taking different approaches, these activities could negatively impact negotiations with potential customers or financial counterparties, reduce demand for our products, reduce our profits, increase the potential for investigations and litigation, impair our brand and have negative impacts on the price of our common stock and access to capital markets.
In addition, organizations that provide information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have developed ratings systems for evaluating companies on their approach to ESG matters and informing investment and voting decisions. There has been investor demand for ESG investing opportunities, and many large institutional investors have committed to increasing the percentage of their portfolios that are allocated towards ESG-focused investments. As a result, there has been a proliferation of ESG-focused investment funds seeking ESG-oriented investment products. If we obtain an unfavorable ESG rating or if we are unable to meet the investment or lending criteria set by these investors and funds, our stock may be omitted from such ESG-oriented investment products, which may lead to investors allocating a portion of their capital away from us, our cost of capital increasing, the price of our common stock being negatively impacted, and our reputation being negatively affected.
We could also incur additional costs and require additional resources to monitor, report, and comply with various ESG practices and current or emerging regulatory requirements, including with respect to climate change and sustainability. Further, we are currently assessing the potential impacts of the adopted or proposed laws, as well as other sustainability and climate-related disclosure obligations and evolving legal and regulatory requirements, to which we may be subject. Enhanced sustainability and climate-related disclosure requirements could lead to reputational or other harm to our relationships with regulators, employees, customers, investors or other stakeholders.
Furthermore, we also could face an increased risk of ESG‐related litigation suits, including climate-related litigation, with respect to our operations or disclosures. Claims have been made against certain energy companies alleging that greenhouse gas emissions from oil, gas and LNG operations constitute a public nuisance under federal and state law. Private individuals or public entities also could attempt to enforce environmental laws and regulations against us and could seek personal injury and property damages or other remedies. Additionally, governments and private parties are also increasingly filing suits, or initiating regulatory action, based on allegations that certain public statements regarding ESG-related matters by companies are false and misleading “greenwashing” campaigns that violate deceptive trade practices and consumer protection statutes or that climate-related disclosures made by companies are inadequate. Similar issues can also arise when aspirational statements such as net-zero or carbon neutrality targets are made without clear plans. There has also been an increase in litigation alleging that corporate diversity, equity and inclusion programs may discriminate against certain groups. Although we are not currently a party to any such litigation currently, unfavorable rulings against us in any such case brought against us in the future could significantly impact our operations and could have an adverse impact on our financial condition.
Finally, as of January 31, 2025, the Trump Administration had issued a series of executive orders that signal a shift in the United States' energy and climate change policy. Among other directives, such executive orders: (i) direct
federal agencies to identify and exercise emergency authorities to facilitate conventional energy production, transportation, and refining, and call for the use of emergency regulations to expedite energy infrastructure projects; (ii) promote energy exploration and production on federal lands and waters; (iii) mandate a review of existing regulations that may burden domestic energy development; and (iv) pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
General Risk Factors
The Russia-Ukraine conflict, conflict in the Middle East and other sources of volatility in the energy markets may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects, including our efforts to reach a final investment decision with respect to the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
In February 2022, Russia, one of the world’s largest producers of natural gas, launched an invasion of Ukraine. These actions resulted in a number of countries, including the United States and members of the European Union, announcing sanctions against Russia. Additionally, the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, which was built to provide 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Europe annually, has been affected by geopolitical issues and incurred damage that has been investigated as possible sabotage. The current geopolitical climate in Europe is unstable and conflict may further escalate. While it is difficult to anticipate the impact the sanctions announced to date may have on our operations, any further sanctions imposed or actions taken by the U.S. or other countries, and any retaliatory measures by Russia in response, such as restrictions on energy supplies from Russia to countries in the region, could have a significant and uncertain impact on the natural gas industry. In addition, the Israel-Hamas war and maritime attacks in the Red Sea have caused further geopolitical uncertainty, especially as it related to the energy industry.
A sustained disruption in the capital markets from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and hostilities in the Middle East, specifically with respect to the energy industry, could negatively impact our ability to raise capital. In the past, we have financed our operations by the issuance of equity and equity-based securities. However, we cannot predict when macro-economic disruption stemming from geopolitical uncertainty may occur. This macro-economic disruption may disrupt our ability to raise additional capital to finance our operations in the future, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and prospects, and could ultimately cause our business to fail.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, such as risks related to the development of the CCS projects and the Rio Grande LNG Facility, including postponement in making a positive FID on the Rio Grande LNG Facility, doing business in foreign countries, obtaining governmental approvals, and exported LNG remaining a competitive source of energy for international markets, global demand for and price of natural gas, and fluctuation in the price of our common stock.
The ultimate outcome of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including resulting tensions among the United States, North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Russia, disruption to the production and supply of natural gas throughout Europe, cyberwarfare and economic instability, could impact our operations or disrupt our ability to access the capital markets. The duration of the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and hostilities in the Middle East is uncertain, and we may continue to experience materially adverse impacts to our business as a result of their global economic impact, including any recession that has occurred or may occur in the future, and lasting effects on the price of natural gas.
Cyberattacks targeting systems and infrastructure used in our business may adversely impact our operations.
We depend on digital technology in many aspects of our business, including the processing and recording of financial and operating data, analysis of information, and communications with our employees and third parties. Cyberattacks on our systems and those of third-party vendors and other counterparties occur frequently and have grown in sophistication. A successful cyberattack on us or a vendor or other counterparty could have a variety of adverse consequences, including theft of proprietary or commercially sensitive information, data corruption, interruption in communications, disruptions to our existing or planned activities or transactions, and damage to third parties, any of which could have a material adverse impact on us. Further, as cyberattacks continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any vulnerabilities to cyberattacks.
Terrorist attacks, including cyberterrorism, or military campaigns involving us or our projects could result in delays in, or cancellation of, construction or closure of the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
A terrorist or military incident involving the Rio Grande LNG Facility or any industrial facility that hosts a CCS project may result in delays in, or cancellation of, construction of the Rio Grande LNG Facility or the relevant CCS project, which would increase our costs and prevent us from obtaining expected cash flows. A terrorist incident could also result in temporary or permanent closure of the Rio Grande LNG Facility or such host industrial facility, which could increase costs and decrease cash flows, depending on the duration of the closure. Operations at the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS
projects could also become subject to increased governmental scrutiny that may result in additional security measures at a significant incremental cost. In addition, the threat of terrorism and the impact of military campaigns may lead to continued volatility in prices for natural gas that could adversely affect our business and customers, including the ability of our suppliers or customers to satisfy their respective obligations under our commercial agreements. Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism, including cyberterrorism, or war, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict or hostilities in the Middle East, could also materially adversely affect our ability to raise capital. The continuation of these developments may subject our construction and operations to increased risks, as well as increased costs, and, depending on their ultimate magnitude, could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Risk Management and Strategy
Our cybersecurity program vision is to secure our information, people, and assets. It plays a critical role in our overall risk management strategy, where cyber risks are identified and actively managed through preventive and mitigating measures. Our Cybersecurity design principles of Secure by Design and Depth in Defense help us to design and evaluate our cybersecurity initiatives and are grounded in frameworks such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Cybersecurity Framework, ISO 27001, and industry-specific regulations. While this approach does not imply compliance with any specific technical standards or requirements, these frameworks serve as a guide to help us identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks that are relevant to our business.
We continuously evaluate our people, processes, and technology, adjusting our program as needed to keep up with the evolving cyber risk landscape. As part of our ongoing training and preparedness efforts, we regularly conduct phishing simulations and penetration testing campaigns to ensure our employees are well-equipped to recognize various phishing emails and other similar threats.
We actively back up our data to minimize the risk of data loss. To safeguard against unauthorized access and data breaches, we encrypt sensitive information both in transit and at rest. Additionally, we have implemented access controls and multi-factor authentication to ensure that only authorized personnel can access critical data. To further enhance security and ensure operational continuity, we partner with third-party IT service providers and Managed Services vendors who continuously monitor our infrastructure, conducting ongoing network and endpoint surveillance.
We develop and implement robust cybersecurity standards and procedures that address access control, data encryption, use of assets, and data protection. We ensure that all employees, contractors, and third-party vendors adhere to these standards and receive training on cybersecurity best practices.
Governance
Our cybersecurity team resides within Digital & Information Technology function and reports to ML Madhavaro, our Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, who is responsible for the delivery of a robust and risk-based cybersecurity program, including threat detection and response, risk management, security architecture, vulnerability management, incident response, and security awareness. Mr. Madhavarao has decades of experience managing strategic technology operations, including the identification of cybersecurity risk and the defense of information technology assets from global threats. Cyber governance oversight is provided by the Chief Financial Officer and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Incident Response Reporting
Our strength in incident response reporting comes from our proactive and transparent approach to swiftly and effectively addressing cybersecurity incidents. We prioritize preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of a cybersecurity incident, while maintaining a robust response and recovery program. We have established a comprehensive incident response framework that allows us to detect, respond to, and mitigate threats with precision and speed according to our plan. Our strategy includes clear communication channels, defined roles and responsibilities, and regular drills and simulations to ensure we are always prepared.
In the event of an incident, we follow strict reporting protocols, promptly notifying the relevant regulatory authorities, affected customers, and stakeholders. We maintain transparency and accountability throughout the process, which helps us mitigate the impact of cyber threats and reinforces our commitment to proactive cybersecurity risk management and response.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, there were no cybersecurity incidents or threats that had a material impact on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Item 2. Properties
We currently lease approximately 90,000 square feet of office space for general and administrative purposes in Houston, Texas under a lease agreement that expires on December 31, 2035.
Rio Grande has entered into a lease agreement (the “Rio Grande Site Lease”) with the Brownsville Navigation District of Cameron County, Texas (“BND”) pursuant to which Rio Grande has leased approximately 984 acres of land situated near Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas for the purposes of constructing, operating, and maintaining the Rio Grande LNG Facility and gas treatment and gas pipeline facilities. The initial term of the Rio Grande Site Lease expires on July 12, 2053 (the “Primary Term”). Rio Grande has the option to renew and extend the term of the Rio Grande Site Lease beyond the Primary Term for up to two consecutive renewal periods of ten years each provided that it has not caused an event of default under the Rio Grande Site Lease.
We do not own or lease any other real property that is materially important to our business. We believe that our current properties are adequate for our current needs and that additional office space will be available when and as needed.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
On August 6, 2024, the D.C. Circuit issued a decision vacating FERC's reauthorization of the Rio Grande LNG Facility on the grounds that FERC should have issued a supplemental EIS during its remand process. The order was issued as the outcome of an appeal by petitioners of the Remand Order issued by FERC on April 21, 2023. The Remand Order was issued by FERC, following the D.C. Circuit's remand of FERC's original November 22, 2019 order, to reaffirm FERC's original order authorizing the siting, construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, and reiterated that the Rio Grande LNG Facility is not inconsistent with the public interest under the Natural Gas Act Section 3.
On October 21, 2024, the Company filed a petition for rehearing and rehearing en banc with the D.C. Circuit. The D.C. Circuit's decision will not be effective until the Court has issued its mandate, which is not expected to occur until the appeals process has been completed.
We expect to take all available legal and regulatory actions, including but not limited to, appellate actions and other strategies, to ensure that construction on Phase 1 will continue and that necessary regulatory approvals are maintained to enable the FID of Trains 4 and 5 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information, Holders and Dividends
Our common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol “NEXT.”
As of February 20, 2025, 260.4 million shares of Company common stock were outstanding held by approximately 61 record owners. All shares of Company common stock held in street name are recorded in our stock register as being held by one stockholder.
We currently intend to retain earnings to finance the growth and development of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on Company common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future change in our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors in light of our financial condition, capital requirements, earnings, prospects and any restrictions under any financing agreements, as well as other factors it deems relevant.
Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer
The following table summarizes stock repurchases for the three months ended December 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | | Average Price Paid Per Share (2) | | Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
a Part of Publicly
Announced Plans | | Maximum Number of
Units That May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans |
| October 2024 | | 9,179 | | $ | 4.91 | | | — | | — |
| November 2024 | | 4,165 | | $ | 6.65 | | | — | | — |
| December 2024 | | 7,371 | | $ | 7.06 | | | — | | — |
(1)Represents shares of Company common stock surrendered to us by participants in our 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) to settle the participants’ personal tax liabilities that resulted from the lapsing of restrictions on shares awarded to the participants under the 2017 Plan.
(2)The price paid per share of Company common stock was based on the closing trading price of Company common stock on the dates on which we repurchased shares of Company common stock from the participants under the 2017 Plan.
Item 6. [Reserved]
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Introduction
The following discussion and analysis presents management’s view of our business, financial condition and overall performance and should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes in “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” This information is intended to provide investors with an understanding of our past performance, current financial condition and outlook for the future. Our discussion and analysis include the following subjects:
•Overview of Business
•Overview of Significant Events
•Liquidity and Capital Resources
•Contractual Obligations
•Results of Operations
•Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
•Recent Accounting Standards
Overview of Business
NextDecade Corporation engages in construction and development activities related to the liquefaction of natural gas and sale of LNG and the capture and storage of CO2 emissions. We are constructing and developing a natural gas liquefaction and export facility located in the Rio Grande Valley near Brownsville, Texas (the “Rio Grande LNG Facility”). The Rio Grande LNG Facility has received Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) approval and Department of Energy (“DOE”) FTA and non-FTA authorizations for the construction of up to five liquefaction trains and LNG exports totaling up to 27 million tonnes per annum (“MTPA”). Please see "Rio Grande LNG Facility Activity - Governmental Permits, Approvals and Authorizations" for more information regarding our FERC permit. The Rio Grande LNG Facility has three liquefaction trains and related infrastructure ("Phase 1") under construction and liquefaction trains 4 and 5 are currently being commercialized. We are also developing and beginning the permitting process for expansion trains 6 through 8 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility and developing a potential carbon capture and storage (“CCS”) project at the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
Overview of Significant Events
Significant developments since January 1, 2024 and through the date of this 10-K include the following:
Development and Construction
•Under the EPC contracts with Bechtel, Phase 1 progress is tracked for Train 1, Train 2, and the common facilities on a combined basis and Train 3 on a separate basis. As of January 2025:
◦The overall project completion percentage for Trains 1 and 2 and the common facilities of the Rio Grande LNG Facility was 38.1%, which is in line with the schedule under the EPC contract. Within this project completion percentage, engineering was 84.9% complete, procurement was 69.2% complete, and construction was 10.6% complete.
◦The overall project completion percentage for Train 3 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility was 15.3%, which is also in line with the schedule under the EPC contract. Within this project completion percentage, engineering was 33.5% complete, procurement was 32.8% complete, and construction was 0.4% complete.
•In February 2025, the Company provided additional information regarding its development of additional liquefaction capacity at the Rio Grande LNG Facility. beyond Trains 1 through 5. Trains 6 through 8 are wholly owned by NextDecade and are cumulatively expected to increase the Company's total liquefaction capacity by approximately 18 MTPA once constructed and placed into operation.
◦Train 6, with expected LNG production capacity of approximately 6 MTPA, is being developed inside the existing levee at the site and adjacent to Trains 1 through 5. A pre-filing application with FERC for Train 6 is expected in 2025, and a full FERC application is expected in early 2026.
◦Trains 7 and 8, with a total expected LNG production capacity of approximately 12 MTPA, are being developed on the site outside of the existing levee.
Strategic and Commercial
•In May 2024, the Company entered into a 20-year LNG SPA with ADNOC for the sale of 1.9 MTPA of LNG from Train 4 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility for 20 years, on a free on board (“FOB”) basis at a price indexed to Henry Hub, subject to a positive FID on Train 4.
•In June 2024, the Company entered into a non-binding Heads of Agreement (HoA) with Aramco for a 20-year LNG SPA for offtake from Train 4 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility. Under the terms of the HoA, Aramco expects to purchase 1.2 MTPA of LNG for 20 years, on an FOB basis at a price indexed to Henry Hub. Aramco and the Company are in the process of negotiating a binding LNG SPA, and once executed, the SPA will be subject to a positive FID on Train 4.
•In July 2024, the Company appointed Tarik Skeik as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Skeik has over 20 years of experience delivering complex global mega projects in LNG, oil and petrochemicals across North America, the Middle East, and Asia. He led the completion and start-up of six greenfield assets, and his experience includes the planning and execution through initial operation of projects including the Huizhou Chemicals Complex in China, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures in the U.S., Banyu Urip in Indonesia, Kearl Expansion in Canada, and QatarGas 2 in Qatar.
•In August 2024, the Company entered into an EPC contract with Bechtel for Train 4 and related infrastructure. Pricing under the EPC contract for Train 4 and related infrastructure was valid through December 31, 2024, and a pricing refresh is in process and is expected to be completed in 2025.
Financial
•In January 2024, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, NextDecade LNG, LLC ("NextDecade LLC"), entered into a credit agreement that provided for a $50 million senior secured revolving credit facility with additional capacity of $12.5 million to cover interest. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility were used for general corporate purposes, including development costs related to Train 4 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bore interest at SOFR or the base rate plus an applicable margin as defined in the credit agreement. All outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and interest term loan were repaid in December 2024 utilizing proceeds from the senior secured loan issued in December 2024 and described below.
•In February 2024, Rio Grande issued and sold $190 million of senior secured notes in a private placement transaction to finance a portion of Phase 1. The senior secured notes were issued on February 9, 2024, and resulted in a reduction in the commitments outstanding under Rio Grande's existing bank credit facilities for Phase 1. These senior secured notes will be amortized over a period of approximately 18 years beginning in mid-2029, with a final maturity in June 2047. These senior secured notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.85% and rank pari passu to Rio Grande's existing senior secured financings.
•In June 2024, Rio Grande issued $1.115 billion of senior secured notes in a private placement, and net proceeds were utilized to reduce outstanding borrowings and commitments under existing Rio Grande bank credit facilities for Phase 1. These senior secured notes will be amortized over a period of 18 years beginning in September 2029, with a final maturity in September 2047. These senior secured notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.58% and rank pari passu to Rio Grande's existing senior secured financings. Including this transaction, the Company has
refinanced a total of over $1.85 billion of the original $11.1 billion Rio Grande term loan facilities since a positive FID was reached on Phase 1 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility in July 2023.
•In December 2024, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Rio Grande LNG Super Holdings, LLC ("Super Holdings"), entered into a credit agreement (the "Corporate Credit Agreement") which provided for a $175 million senior secured loan. Proceeds from the senior secured loan were disbursed at closing on December 31, 2024, and net proceeds were used to repay outstanding borrowings under the NextDecade LLC January 2024 $50 million revolving credit facility and $12.5 million interest term loan, and will be used to fund working capital and general corporate purposes, including development expenses for expansion trains at the Rio Grande LNG Facility. Borrowings under the senior secured loan bear interest at 12.0%, with interest payable quarterly. Interest may be paid in-kind until March 31, 2027 and up to 50% in-kind thereafter. The senior secured loan matures six years from the closing date.
•In conjunction with the closing of the Corporate Credit Agreement, the Company issued warrants in two equal tranches that are exercisable for an aggregate of approximately 7.2 million shares of NextDecade common stock to the lender of the senior secured loan. The warrants are exercisable for five years after the closing date. The first tranche of the warrants are exercisable at $7.15 per share, which represents the 30-day volume weighted average trading price for the 30 trading-day period immediately preceding the closing date, and the second tranche of the warrants are exercisable at $9.30 per share.
Regulatory
•In August 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (the "Court") issued a decision vacating FERC's reauthorization of the Rio Grande LNG Facility on the grounds that FERC should have issued a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") during its reauthorization process.
•On September 13, 2024, FERC issued notice of its intent to prepare a supplemental EIS in response to the Court's decision. The notice set forth a schedule providing for the issuance of a draft of the supplemental EIS in March 2025, the final supplemental EIS by the end of July 2025, and issuance of a final order by November 20, 2025.
•On October 21, 2024, the Company filed a petition for rehearing and rehearing en banc with the Court. On December 9, 2024, petitioners in the case and FERC filed responses to the Company's request for rehearing, and the Court's decision is pending.
•The Court's decision will not be effective until the Court has issued its mandate, which is not expected to occur until after the appeals process has been completed. At this time, construction continues on Phase 1 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
•The Company expects to take all available legal and regulatory actions, including appellate actions, to ensure that construction on Phase 1 will continue and that necessary regulatory approvals will be maintained to enable a positive final investment decision (FID) on Trains 4 and 5 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
Rio Grande LNG Facility Activity
We are constructing the Rio Grande LNG Facility on the north shore of the Brownsville Ship Channel in south Texas through our partially owned subsidiary, Rio Grande. The site is located on 984 acres of land which has been leased long-term and includes 15,000 feet of frontage on the Brownsville Ship Channel. We believe the site is advantaged due to its proximity to abundant natural gas resources in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale, access to an uncongested waterway for vessel loading, and location in a region that has historically been subject to fewer and less severe weather events relative to other locations along the US Gulf Coast. The Rio Grande LNG Facility has been approved by the FERC and authorized by the DOE to export up to 27 MTPA of LNG from up to five liquefaction trains. Please see "Rio Grande LNG Facility Activity - Governmental Permits, Approvals and Authorizations" for more information regarding our FERC permit. Phase 1 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility is under construction, Trains 4 and 5 are currently being commercialized, and we are developing and beginning the permitting process for Trains 6 through 8.
In July 2023, construction commenced on Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility following a positive FID and the closing of project financing by Rio Grande, which owns Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility. Phase 1 includes
three liquefaction trains with a total expected nameplate capacity of approximately 18 MTPA of LNG production, two 180,000 cubic meter full containment LNG storage tanks, two jetty berthing structures designed to load LNG carriers up to 216,000 cubic meters in capacity, and associated site infrastructure and common facilities including feed gas pretreatment facilities, electric and water utilities, two totally enclosed ground flares for the LNG tanks and marine facilities, two ground flares for the liquefaction trains, roads, levees surrounding the development area, and warehouses, administrative, operations control room and maintenance buildings.
As of January 2025, progress on Trains 1 through 3 is in line with the schedule under the EPC contracts. During the fourth quarter and early 2025, the construction team continued steel assembly in the Train 1 area and adjacent pipe racks. Within Train 2, foundations were progressed and steel assembly began. Tank 1 roof panels were set in place, and the first wall concrete pour for Tank 2 was completed. Across the site, Bechtel’s work also continues on installing underground structures, loading berths, piling, concrete foundations, and other siteworks. Bechtel has materially completed purchase orders for critical and high-value items for Phase 1.
Trains 4 and 5 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility are being commercialized, and we expect to make a positive final investment decision and commence construction of Trains 4 and 5 and related infrastructure at the Rio Grande LNG Facility, subject to, among other things, maintaining requisite governmental approvals, finalizing and entering into EPC contracts, entering into appropriate commercial arrangements, and obtaining adequate financing to construct each train and related infrastructure.
The Company is developing and beginning the permitting process for additional liquefaction capacity at the Rio Grande LNG Facility. Trains 6 through 8 are wholly owned by NextDecade and are cumulatively expected to increase the Company's total liquefaction capacity by approximately 18 MTPA once constructed and placed into operation.
Financing Activity
Corporate Credit Facility and Senior Secured Loan
In January 2024, NextDecade LLC entered into a credit agreement that provided for a $50 million senior secured revolving credit facility with additional capacity of $12.5 million to cover interest. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility were used for general corporate purposes, including development costs related to Train 4 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bore interest at SOFR or the base rate plus an applicable margin as defined in the credit agreement. All outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and interest term loan were repaid in December 2024 utilizing proceeds from the senior secured loan issued in December 2024 and described below.
In December 2024, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Rio Grande LNG Super Holdings, LLC ("Super Holdings"), entered into a credit agreement (the "Corporate Credit Agreement") which provided for a $175 million senior secured loan. Proceeds from the senior secured loan were disbursed at closing on December 31, 2024, and net proceeds were used to repay outstanding borrowings under the NextDecade LLC January 2024 $50 million revolving credit facility and $12.5 million interest term loan, and will be used to fund working capital and general corporate purposes, including development expenses for expansion trains at the Rio Grande LNG Facility. Borrowings under the senior secured loan bear interest at 12.0%, with interest payable quarterly. Interest may be paid in-kind until March 31, 2027 and up to 50% in-kind thereafter. The senior secured loan matures six years from the closing date.
Warrants
In conjunction with the closing of the Corporate Credit Agreement, the Company issued warrants in two equal tranches that are exercisable for an aggregate of approximately 7.2 million shares of NextDecade common stock to the lender of the senior secured loan. The warrants are exercisable for five years after the closing date. The first tranche of the warrants are exercisable at $7.15 per share, which represents the 30-day volume weighted average trading price for the 30 trading-day period immediately preceding the closing date, and the second tranche of the warrants are exercisable at $9.30 per share.
Rio Grande Refinancings
In February 2024, Rio Grande entered into a note purchase agreement through which it sold $190 million of senior secured notes to finance a portion of Phase 1. The senior secured notes were issued on February 9, 2024, and resulted in a reduction in the commitments outstanding under Rio Grande's existing bank credit facilities for Phase 1. These senior secured notes will be amortized over a period of approximately 18 years beginning in mid-2029, with a final maturity in June 2047. These senior secured notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.85% and rank pari passu to Rio Grande's existing senior secured financings.
In June 2024, Rio Grande issued $1.115 billion of senior secured notes in a private placement, and net proceeds were utilized to reduce outstanding borrowings and commitments under existing Rio Grande bank credit facilities for Phase
1. These senior secured notes will be amortized over a period of 18 years beginning in September 2029, with a final maturity in September 2047. These senior secured notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.58% and rank pari passu to Rio Grande's existing senior secured financings. Including this transaction, the Company has refinanced a total of over $1.85 billion of the original $11.1 billion Rio Grande term loan facilities since a positive FID was reached on Phase 1 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility in July 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Following FID of Phase 1 and the project financing obtained by Rio Grande, NextDecade and Rio Grande operate with independent capital structures. Although our sources and uses are presented from a consolidated standpoint, certain restrictions under debt and equity agreements limit the ability of NextDecade and Rio Grande to use and distribute cash. Rio Grande is required to deposit all cash received under its debt agreements into restricted accounts. The usage or withdrawal of such cash is restricted to the payment of obligations related to Phase 1 and other restricted payments, and such cash and capital resources are not available to service the obligations of NextDecade.
Phase 1 FID Rio Grande Financing
In connection with the FID of Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, Rio Grande obtained approximately $6.2 billion in equity capital commitments, inclusive of commitments from NextDecade, entered into senior secured non-recourse bank credit facilities of $11.6 billion, consisting of $11.1 billion in construction term loans and a $500 million working capital facility, and closed a $700 million senior secured non-recourse private notes offering. Rio Grande will utilize these capital resources to fund the approximately $18.0 billion total cost of Phase 1, including EPC cost, owner’s costs and contingencies, dredging for the improvement project at the Brazos Island Harbor Channel, conservation of more than 4,000 acres of wetland and wildlife habitat area and installation of utilities, and interest during construction and other financing costs.
Near Term Liquidity and Capital Resources of NextDecade Corporation
In connection with the FID of Phase 1, the Company, through a wholly owned subsidiary, committed to invest approximately $283 million, including $125 million of pre-FID capital investments, into construction of Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had funded its full equity commitment.
Prior to the FID on Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, our primary cash needs historically were funding development activities in support of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and our CCS projects, which included payments of initial direct costs of the Rio Grande site lease and expenses in support of engineering and design activities, regulatory approvals and compliance, commercial and marketing activities and corporate overhead. Following the FID of Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, costs associated with the Phase 1 EPC contracts, Rio Grande site lease, and other Phase 1 related costs are being funded by debt and equity proceeds received by Rio Grande.
Because our businesses and assets are under construction or in development, we have not historically generated significant cash flow from operations, nor do we expect to do so until liquefaction trains at the Rio Grande LNG Facility begin operating or until we develop and install CCS projects. We intend to fund development activities for the foreseeable future with cash and cash equivalents on hand and through the sale of additional equity, equity-based or debt securities in us or in our subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that we will succeed in selling equity or equity-based securities or, if successful, that the capital we raise will not be expensive or dilutive to stockholders.
Our capital raising activities since January 1, 2024 have included the following:
•In January 2024, NextDecade LLC executed a credit agreement that provided for a $50 million revolving credit facility that may be used for general corporate purposes and working capital requirements of NextDecade LLC and its subsidiaries, including development costs related to Train 4 and related common facilities at the Rio Grande LNG Facility. All outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and interest term loan were repaid in December 2024 utilizing proceeds from the senior secured loan issued in December 2024.
•In December 2024, Rio Grande LNG Super Holdings, LLC executed the Corporate Credit Agreement, which provided for a $175 million senior secured loan that was used to repay outstanding borrowings under the Company's January 2024 $50 million revolving credit facility and $12.5 million interest term loan and may be used to fund working capital and general corporate purposes, including development expenses for expansion trains at the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
Long Term Liquidity and Capital Resources of NextDecade Corporation
We will not receive significant cash flows from Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility until it is operational, and the commercial operation date for the first train of Phase 1 is expected to occur in late 2027 based on the schedule under
the EPC contracts. Any future phases of development at the Rio Grande LNG Facility and CCS projects will similarly take an extended period of time to develop, construct and become operational and will require significant capital deployment.
We currently expect that the long-term capital requirements for future phases of development at the Rio Grande LNG Facility and any CCS projects will be financed predominantly through the proceeds from future debt, equity-based, and equity offerings by us or our subsidiaries. As a result, our business success will depend, to a significant extent, upon our ability to obtain financing required to fund future phases of development and construction at the Rio Grande LNG Facility and any CCS projects, to bring them into operation on a commercially viable basis and to finance any required increases in staffing, operating and expansion costs during that process. There can be no assurance that we will succeed in securing additional debt and/or equity financing in the future to fund future phases of development and construction at the Rio Grande LNG Facility or complete any CCS projects or, if successful, that the capital we raise will not be expensive or dilutive to stockholders. Additionally, if these types of financing are not available, we will be required to seek alternative sources of financing, which may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
Sources and Uses of Cash
The following table summarizes the sources and uses of our cash for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Operating cash flows | $ | (95,585) | | | $ | (73,620) | |
| Investing cash flows | (2,574,205) | | | (1,752,800) | |
| Financing cash flows | 2,768,074 | | | 2,058,109 | |
| | | |
| Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 98,284 | | | 231,689 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beginning of period | 294,478 | | | 62,789 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – end of period | $ | 392,762 | | | $ | 294,478 | |
Operating Cash Flows
Operating cash outflows during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $95.6 million and $73.6 million, respectively. The increase in operating cash outflows in 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily due to an increase in employee costs and professional fees after achieving a positive FID in Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility in July 2023, as we prepare for operations.
Investing Cash Flows
Investing cash outflows during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $2,574.2 million and $1,752.8 million, respectively. Investing cash outflows primarily consist of cash used in the construction of Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility. The increase in investing cash outflows in 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily due to positive FID in Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, the mobilization of the Bechtel workforce that began in July 2023 and subsequent progress payments made to Bechtel.
Financing Cash Flows
Financing cash inflows during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $2,768.1 million and $2,058.1 million, respectively. Financing cash inflows during 2024 are primarily comprised of proceeds from the issuance of debt of $3,523.2 million and proceeds from receipt of equity contributions throughout 2024 of $676.0 million The cash inflows for 2024 were partially offset by debt and equity issuances costs of $72.8 million, repayment of debt of $1,338.2 million, costs associated with repayment of debt of $13.4 million and shares repurchased related to share-based compensation of $6.7 million.
Contractual Obligations
We are committed to make cash payments in the future pursuant to certain of our contracts. The following table summarizes certain contractual obligations (in thousands) in place as of December 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | 2025 | | 2026 - 2027 | | 2028 - 2029 | | Thereafter |
| Operating lease obligations | $ | 235,547 | | | $ | 7,608 | | | $ | 19,087 | | | $ | 19,263 | | | $ | 189,589 | |
Operating lease obligations relate to the Rio Grande site lease and our office spaces in Houston, Texas and Singapore. A discussion of these obligations can be found at Note 5 — Leases of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes costs, expenses and other income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
| Revenues | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| General and administrative expense | 150,109 | | | 111,468 | | | 38,641 | |
| Development expense | 8,260 | | | 4,891 | | | 3,369 | |
| Lease expense | 10,775 | | | 6,141 | | | 4,634 | |
| Depreciation expense | 1,931 | | | 168 | | | 1,763 | |
| Operating loss | (171,075) | | | (122,668) | | | (48,407) | |
| | | | | |
| Derivative gain (loss), net | 586,541 | | | (44,803) | | | 631,344 | |
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | (87,539) | | | (50,285) | | | (37,254) | |
| Loss on debt extinguishment | (49,314) | | | (9,531) | | | (39,783) | |
| Other (expense) income, net | (1,166) | | | 5,647 | | | (6,813) | |
| Net loss attributable to NextDecade Corporation | 277,447 | | | (221,640) | | | 499,087 | |
| Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest | 339,198 | | | (59,379) | | | 398,577 | |
| Less: preferred stock dividends | — | | | 20,484 | | | (20,484) | |
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (61,751) | | | $ | (182,745) | | | $ | 120,994 | |
Net loss attributable to common stockholders was approximately $61.8 million, or $(0.24) per common share (basic and diluted) for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to a net loss of approximately $182.7 million, or $(0.94) per common share (basic and diluted), for the year ended December 31, 2023. The approximately $121.0 million decrease was primarily a result of the following:
•General and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2024 increased approximately $38.6 million compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in professional fees and employee costs, partially offset by a decrease in share-based compensation expense.
•Derivative gains during the year ended December 31, 2024 increased approximately $631.3 million compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in forward SOFR rates when compared to the prior period.
•Interest expense, net of capitalized interest during the year ended December 31, 2024 increased approximately $37.3 million compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to an approximate $178.7 million increase in total interest costs, partially offset by a $141.4 million increase in capitalized interest.
•Loss on debt extinguishment during the year ended December 31, 2024 increased approximately $39.8 million compared to the same period in 2023 due to approximately $1,338.2 million in debt repayments compared to approximately $233.0 million in the prior year.
•Due to the changes in derivatives, interest expense, net of capitalized interest and loss on debt extinguishment described above, net income attributable to non-controlling interest during the year ended December 31, 2024 increased approximately $398.6 million as those activities are a component of Intermediate Holdings net income and loss.
Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, including those related to the value of properties, plant, and equipment, share-based compensation, common stock warrant liabilities, and income taxes. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ from these estimates. Management considers the following to be its most critical accounting estimates that involve significant judgment.
Derivative Instruments
All derivative instruments, other than those that satisfy specific exceptions, are recorded at fair value. We record changes in the fair value of our derivative positions based on the value for which the derivative instrument could be exchanged between willing parties. If market quotes are not available to estimate fair value, management's best estimate of fair value is based on the quoted market price of derivatives with similar characteristics or determined through industry-standard valuation approaches. Such evaluation may involve significant judgment and the results are based on expected future events or conditions, particularly for those valuations using inputs unobservable in the market.
Our derivative instruments primarily consist of interest rate swaps. We value our interest rate swaps using observable inputs including interest rate curves, risk adjusted discount rates, credit spreads and other relevant data.
Gains and losses on derivative instruments are recognized in earnings. The ultimate fair value of our derivative instruments is uncertain, and we believe that it is reasonably possible that a change in the estimated fair value could occur in the near future as interest rates change.
Recent Accounting Standards
The Company does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are not required to provide the information under this item.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
NextDecade Corporation and Subsidiaries
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
NextDecade Corporation:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of NextDecade Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2024, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and convertible preferred stock, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 27, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Fair value of interest rate swaps agreements
As discussed in Notes 2 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recorded a derivatives asset of $488.9 million related to the fair value of level 2 interest rate swaps agreements, which were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2024. The interest rate swaps agreements were valued using an income-based approach based on observable inputs to the valuation model including interest rate curves, risk adjusted discount rates, credit spreads and other relevant data.
We identified the assessment of the fair value of the interest rate swaps agreements as a critical audit matter. Specifically, auditor judgment and specialized skills and knowledge were required to evaluate the application of the fair value estimate.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the valuation of interest rate swaps agreements. This included controls related to the application of the discounted cash flows model. We involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in developing an independent expectation of the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements and comparing such expectation to the Company’s estimate of fair value.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Evaluation of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern
As discussed in Notes 1 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has historically generated negative cash flows from operations and has an accumulated deficit of $453.5 million as of December 31, 2024. The Company entered into a credit agreement on December 31, 2024, and as of December 31, 2024, had $148.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, which the Company expects will fund its planned operations and development activities for more than one year after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued.
We identified the evaluation of the Company’s assessment of its ability to continue as a going concern as a critical audit matter. A high degree of subjective auditor judgment was required to evaluate whether existing conditions and events may raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for more than one year after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s going concern assessment, including controls related to its evaluation of whether existing conditions and events may raise substantial doubt. We compared the Company’s historical budgeted expenditures to actual results to assess whether the cash and cash equivalents on hand are sufficient to fund the Company’s planned operations and development activities for more than one year after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. We inspected certain of the Company’s contractual agreements to evaluate potential future commitments. We assessed the Company’s disclosures related to its going concern assessment by comparing the disclosures to the audit evidence obtained.
| | | | | |
| /s/ KPMG LLP | |
| |
| We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2024. |
| |
Houston, Texas February 27, 2025 | |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
NextDecade Corporation:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited NextDecade Corporation and subsidiaries' (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2024, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and convertible preferred stock, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 27, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
| | | | | |
| /s/ KPMG LLP | |
| |
Houston, Texas February 27, 2025 | |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
NextDecade Corporation
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of NextDecade Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and convertible preferred stock, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going concern
The 2023 consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 of the 2023 consolidated financial statements, the Company has incurred operating losses since its inception and management expects operating losses and negative cash flows to continue for the foreseeable future. These conditions, along with other matters as set forth in Note 1 of the 2023 consolidated financial statements, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1 of the 2023 consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
| | | | | |
| /s/ GRANT THORTON LLP | |
| |
| We served as the Company's auditor from 2018 to 2024. |
| Houston, Texas | |
| March 11, 2024 (except for Note 2, Segments, as to which the date is February 27, 2025) |
NextDecade Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets (1)
(in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Assets | | | |
| Current assets: | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 148,137 | | | $ | 38,241 | |
| Restricted cash | 244,625 | | | 256,237 | |
| Derivatives | 16,867 | | | 17,958 | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,943 | | | 2,089 | |
| Total current assets | 412,572 | | | 314,525 | |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 5,020,003 | | | 2,437,733 | |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 166,082 | | | 170,827 | |
| Deferred financing fees | 317,788 | | | 389,695 | |
| Derivatives | 472,057 | | | — | |
| Other non-current assets | 15,557 | | | 11,021 | |
| Total assets | $ | 6,404,059 | | | $ | 3,323,801 | |
| | | | |
| Liabilities and Equity | | | |
| Current liabilities: | | | |
| Accounts payable | $ | 244,642 | | | $ | 243,129 | |
| Operating lease liabilities | 2,881 | | | 3,143 | |
| Accrued and other current liabilities | 347,561 | | | 306,115 | |
| Total current liabilities | 595,084 | | | 552,387 | |
| Operating lease liabilities | 144,164 | | | 145,962 | |
| Derivative liability | — | | | 66,899 | |
| Debt, net | 3,920,425 | | | 1,816,301 | |
| Other non-current liabilities | — | | | 1,818 | |
| Total liabilities | 4,659,673 | | | 2,583,367 | |
| | | |
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 13 ) | | | |
| | | |
| Equity: | | | |
| Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 480.0 million authorized: 260.2 million and 256.5 million outstanding, respectively | 26 | | | 26 | |
| Treasury stock: 3.1 million and 2.2 million respectively, at cost | (20,916) | | | (14,214) | |
| Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 0.5 million authorized after designation of the convertible preferred stock: none outstanding | — | | | — | |
| Additional paid-in-capital | 852,054 | | | 693,883 | |
| Accumulated deficit | (453,523) | | | (391,772) | |
| Total stockholders' equity | 377,641 | | | 287,923 | |
| Non-controlling interest | 1,366,745 | | | 452,511 | |
| Total equity | 1,744,386 | | | 740,434 | |
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 6,404,059 | | | $ | 3,323,801 | |
| | | |
(1) Amounts presented include balances held by our consolidated variable interest entity, Intermediate Holdings, as further discussed in Note 8, Variable Interest Entity. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
NextDecade Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Revenues | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| Operating expenses: | | | |
| General and administrative expense | 150,109 | | | 111,468 | |
| Development expense | 8,260 | | | 4,891 | |
| Lease expense | 10,775 | | | 6,141 | |
| Depreciation expense | 1,931 | | | 168 | |
| Total operating expenses | 171,075 | | | 122,668 | |
| Total operating loss | (171,075) | | | (122,668) | |
| Other income (expense): | | | |
| Derivative gain (loss), net | 586,541 | | | (44,803) | |
| Interest expense, net of capitalized interest | (87,539) | | | (50,285) | |
| Loss on debt extinguishment | (49,314) | | | (9,531) | |
| Other (expense) income, net | (1,166) | | | 5,647 | |
| Total other income (expense) | 448,522 | | | (98,972) | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to NextDecade Corporation | 277,447 | | | (221,640) | |
| Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest | 339,198 | | | (59,379) | |
| Less: preferred stock dividends | — | | | 20,484 | |
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (61,751) | | | $ | (182,745) | |
| | | | |
| Net loss per common share - basic & diluted | $ | (0.24) | | | $ | (0.94) | |
| | | | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic & diluted | 258,535 | | 194,595 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
NextDecade Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Convertible Preferred Stock
(in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Total stockholders' equity, beginning balance | $ | 740,434 | | | $ | 54,371 | |
| | | |
| Common stock: | | | |
| Beginning balance | 26 | | | 14 | |
| Issuance of common stock | — | | | 6 | |
| Preferred stock conversion | — | | | 6 | |
| Ending balance | 26 | | | 26 | |
| | | |
| Treasury Stock: | | | |
| Beginning balance | (14,214) | | | (4,587) | |
| Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation | (6,702) | | | (9,627) | |
| Ending balance | (20,916) | | | (14,214) | |
| | | |
| Additional paid-in-capital: | | | |
| Beginning balance | 693,883 | | | 289,084 | |
| Share-based compensation | 20,041 | | | 26,600 | |
| Issuance of common stock, net | — | | | 254,394 | |
| Receipt of equity commitments | 100,964 | | | 174,303 | |
| Exercise of common stock warrants | 8,571 | | | — | |
| Sale of equity in Intermediate Holdings | — | | | (252,882) | |
| Warrants issued in connection with Debt (Note 7) | 28,595 | | | — | |
| Preferred stock dividends | — | | | (20,484) | |
| Preferred stock conversion | — | | | 222,868 | |
| Ending balance | 852,054 | | | 693,883 | |
| | | |
| Accumulated deficit: | | | |
| Beginning balance | (391,772) | | | (230,140) | |
| Subsidiary deconsolidation due to sale | — | | | 629 | |
| Net loss | (61,751) | | | (162,261) | |
| Ending balance | (453,523) | | | (391,772) | |
| | | |
| Total stockholders' equity | 377,641 | | | 287,923 | |
| | | |
| Non-controlling interest: | | | |
| Beginning balance | 452,511 | | | — | |
| Receipt of equity commitments | 575,036 | | | — | |
| Sale of equity in Intermediate Holdings | — | | | 511,890 | |
| Net income (loss) | 339,198 | | | (59,379) | |
| Ending balance | 1,366,745 | | | 452,511 | |
| | | |
| Total equity, ending balance | $ | 1,744,386 | | | $ | 740,434 | |
| | | |
| Preferred Stock, Series A-C: | | | |
| Beginning balance | $ | — | | | $ | 202,443 | |
| Preferred stock dividends | — | | | 20,431 | |
| Preferred stock conversion | — | | | (222,874) | |
| Ending balance | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
NextDecade Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Operating activities: | | | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to NextDecade Corporation | $ | 277,447 | | | $ | (221,640) | |
| Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities | | | |
| Depreciation | 1,931 | | | 168 | |
| Share-based compensation expense | 19,907 | | | 26,553 | |
| Loss on common stock warrant liabilities | 2,888 | | | 1,879 | |
| Derivative (gain) loss | (586,541) | | | 44,803 | |
| Derivative settlements | 48,676 | | | 4,138 | |
| Amortization of right-of-use assets | 4,745 | | | 2,980 | |
| Gain on sale of assets | — | | | (5,712) | |
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 65,336 | | | 41,390 | |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 49,314 | | | 9,531 | |
| Other | 593 | | | 26,432 | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (854) | | | (940) | |
| Accounts payable | (2,222) | | | 4,057 | |
| Operating lease liabilities | (2,060) | | | (179) | |
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 25,255 | | | (7,080) | |
| Net cash used in operating activities | (95,585) | | | (73,620) | |
| Investing activities: | | | |
| Acquisition of property, plant and equipment | (2,567,801) | | | (1,737,636) | |
| Acquisition of other non-current assets | (6,404) | | | (15,164) | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (2,574,205) | | | (1,752,800) | |
| Financing activities: | | | |
| Proceeds from debt issuance | 3,523,243 | | | 2,083,000 | |
| Receipt of equity commitments | 676,000 | | | 457,659 | |
| Proceeds from sale of common stock | — | | | 254,400 | |
| Repayment of debt | (1,338,243) | | | (233,000) | |
| Costs associated with repayment of debt | (13,423) | | | — | |
| Debt and equity issuance costs | (72,801) | | | (494,270) | |
| Preferred stock dividends | — | | | (53) | |
| Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation | (6,702) | | | (9,627) | |
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 2,768,074 | | | 2,058,109 | |
| Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 98,284 | | | 231,689 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beginning of period | 294,478 | | | 62,789 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – end of period | $ | 392,762 | | | $ | 294,478 | |
| | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 148,137 | | | $ | 38,241 | |
| Restricted cash | 244,625 | | | 256,237 | |
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash per Consolidated Balance Sheet | $ | 392,762 | | | $ | 294,478 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 — Background and Basis of Presentation
NextDecade Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is a Houston-based energy company primarily engaged in construction and development activities related to the liquefaction of natural gas and sale of LNG and the capture and storage of CO2 emissions. We are constructing a natural gas liquefaction and export facility located in the Rio Grande Valley near Brownsville, Texas (the “Rio Grande LNG Facility”). The Rio Grande LNG Facility has received Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) approval and Department of Energy (“DOE”) FTA and non-FTA authorizations for the construction of five liquefaction trains and LNG exports totaling 27 million tonnes per annum (“MTPA”). The Rio Grande LNG Facility has three liquefaction trains and related infrastructure (“Phase 1”) under construction while liquefaction trains 4 and 5 are currently being commercialized. We are also developing and seeking to commercialize potential carbon capture and storage (“CCS”) projects. We are also developing and beginning the permitting process for expansion trains 6 through 8 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility and developing a potential carbon capture and storage (“CCS”) project at the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
On August 6, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (the “Court”) issued a decision vacating the FERC’s reauthorization of the Rio Grande LNG Facility on the grounds that the FERC should have issued a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) during its remand process. The Court’s decision will not be effective until the Court has issued its mandate, which is not expected to occur until after the appeals process has been completed. At this time, construction continues on Phase 1 at the Rio Grande LNG Facility.
Basis of Presentation
Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior period information to the current presentation. The reclassifications did not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In the fourth quarter we changed the presentation of certain amounts previously presented as additional paid-in-capital to be presented as non-controlling interest, which did not change total equity or otherwise materially change the consolidated financial statements.
The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming it will continue as a going concern. The going concern assumption contemplates the continuity of operations, and the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The Company has generated negative cash flows from operations and has an accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2024. The Company believes the conditions and events, which previously raised substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern, no longer exist following the execution of the credit agreement (the “Corporate Credit Agreement”), as disclosed in Note 7 – Debt. Accordingly, its current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its operations for at least the next 12 months after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued.
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) and Non-Controlling Interests
The Company makes a determination at the inception of each arrangement whether an entity in which the Company has made an investment, sold equity in a subsidiary or in which it has other variable interests is considered a VIE. Generally, an entity is a VIE if either (1) the entity does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, (2) the entity's investors lack any characteristics of a controlling financial interest or (3) the entity was established with non-substantive voting rights.
The Company consolidates VIEs when it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is generally the party that has the power to make decisions that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that in either case, could be potentially significant to the VIE.
When the Company consolidates an entity, 100% of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the entity are included in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. For those consolidated entities in which the Company owns less than 100%, the Company records a non-controlling interest as a component of equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which represent the third party ownership in the net assets of the respective consolidated subsidiary. Additionally, the portion of the net income or loss attributable to the non-controlling interest is reported as net loss attributable to non-controlling interest on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions on a regular basis. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ from these estimates.
Concentrations of Cash
We maintain cash balances and restricted cash at financial institutions, which may, at times, be in excess of federally insured levels. We have not incurred losses related to these balances to date.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents that are restricted as to withdrawal or use under the terms of certain contractual agreements are recorded in Restricted cash on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Fixed assets are recorded at cost. We depreciate our property, plant and equipment, excluding land, using the straight-line depreciation method over the estimated useful life of the asset. Upon retirement or other disposition of property, plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed, and the resulting gains or losses are recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Management tests property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever there are indicators that the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment might not be recoverable.
Derivative Instruments
The Company uses derivative instruments to hedge its exposure to cash flow variability from interest rate risk. Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as current or non-current assets or liabilities depending on the derivative position and the expected timing of settlement.
Leases
The Company determines if a contractual arrangement represents or contains a lease at inception. Operating leases with lease terms greater than twelve months are included in Operating lease right-of-use assets and Operating lease liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term. The Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of the future lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is derived from information available at the lease commencement date and represents the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term and amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. The right-of-use assets and lease liabilities may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company has lease arrangements that include both lease and non-lease components. The Company accounts for non-lease components separately from the lease component.
Warrants
The Company determines the accounting classification of warrants that are issued, as either liability or equity, by first assessing whether the warrants meet liability classification in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 480 Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”), and then in accordance with ASC 815-40, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock (“ASC 815-40”). Under ASC 480, warrants are considered liability classified if the warrants are mandatorily redeemable, obligate the issuer to settle the warrants or the underlying shares by paying cash or other assets, or must or may require settlement by issuing a variable number of shares.
If warrants do not meet liability classification under ASC 480, the Company assesses the requirements under ASC 815-40, which states that contracts that require or may require the issuer to settle the contract for cash or a variable number of shares are liabilities recorded at fair value, irrespective of the likelihood of the transaction occurring that triggers the net cash settlement feature. If the warrants do not require liability classification under ASC 815-40, in order to conclude equity classification, the Company assesses whether the warrants are indexed to our common stock and whether the warrants are classified as equity under ASC 815-40 or other applicable GAAP. After all relevant assessments are made, the Company concludes whether the warrants are classified as liability or equity. Liability classified warrants are required to be accounted for at fair value both on the date of issuance and on subsequent accounting period ending dates, with all changes
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
in fair value after the issuance date recorded in the statements of operations as a gain or loss. Equity classified warrants are accounted for at fair value on the issuance date with no changes in fair value recognized after the issuance date.
Debt
Discounts, fees and expenses incurred with the issuance of debt are amortized over the term of the debt. These amounts are presented as a reduction of our indebtedness on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 7 , Debt, for additional details.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company uses three levels of the fair value hierarchy of inputs to measure the fair value of an asset or a liability. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are inputs that are not observable in the market. The Company is subject to all three levels of the fair value hierarchy.
Net Loss Per Share
Basic net loss per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share reflects potential dilution and is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and were dilutive.
Share-based Compensation
We recognize share-based compensation at fair value on the date of grant. The fair value is recognized as expense over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. For equity-classified share-based compensation awards, compensation cost is recognized based on the grant-date fair value using the quoted market price of our common stock and not subsequently remeasured. The fair value is recognized as expense, net of any capitalization, using the straight-line basis for awards that vest based on service conditions and using the graded-vesting attribution method for awards that vest based on performance conditions. We estimate the service periods for performance awards utilizing a probability assessment based on when we expect to achieve the performance conditions. For liability classified share-based compensation awards, compensation cost is initially recognized on the grant date using estimated payout levels. Compensation cost is subsequently adjusted quarterly to reflect the updated estimated payout levels based on the changes in our stock price. We account for forfeitures as they occur.
Income Taxes
Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred taxes on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the current period’s provision for income taxes. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying value of our net deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will expire before realization of the benefit or future deductibility is not probable. We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the tax position.
Segments
The Company’s chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive Officer, allocates resources and assesses financial performance on a consolidated basis. As such, for purposes of financial reporting under U.S. GAAP during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company operated as a single operating segment.
As the Company is a single operating segment, our segment profit or loss, assets and expenditures for additions to long-lived assets are reported as part of our consolidated financial statements. The Company does not currently generate revenues, and it is not expected to until Phase 1 operations commence.
The Company has adopted ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280)”, effective retrospectively for the year ended December 31, 2024.
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 3 — Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Rio Grande LNG Facility under construction | $ | 5,009,239 | | | $ | 2,431,389 | |
| Corporate and other | 12,742 | | | 7,518 | |
| Total property, plant and equipment, at cost | 5,021,981 | | | 2,438,907 | |
| Less: accumulated depreciation | (1,978) | | | (1,174) | |
| Total property, plant and equipment, net | $ | 5,020,003 | | | $ | 2,437,733 | |
Note 4 — Derivatives
In July 2023, Rio Grande entered into interest rate swaps agreements (the “Swaps”) to protect against interest rate volatility by hedging a portion of the floating-rate interest payments associated with the credit facilities described in Note 7 — Debt.
In June 2024, Rio Grande reduced the maximum notional amount associated with the Swaps by approximately $583.1 million, which resulted in a realized derivative gain of $30.9 million.
As of December 31, 2024, Rio Grande has the following Swaps outstanding (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Initial Notional Amount | | Maximum Notional Amount | | Maturity (1) | | Weighted Average Fixed Interest Rate Paid | | Variable Interest Rate Received |
| $ | 123,000 | | | $ | 7,916,900 | | | 2048 | | 3.4 | % | | USD - SOFR |
|
(1) Swaps have an early mandatory termination date in July 2030. |
The Swaps are not designated as cash flow hedging instruments, and changes in fair value are recorded within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company values the Swaps using an income-based approach based on observable inputs to the valuation model including interest rate curves, risk adjusted discount rates, credit spreads and other relevant data. The fair value of the Swaps is approximately $488.9 million as of December 31, 2024, and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Note 5 — Leases
The Company commenced the Rio Grande LNG Facility site lease on July 12, 2023 and it has an initial term of 30 years. The Company has the option to renew and extend the term of the lease for up to two consecutive renewal periods of ten years each, but as the Company is not reasonably certain that those options will be exercised, none are recognized as part of our right of use assets and lease liabilities. The Company has also entered into an office space lease which expires on December 31, 2035, and does not include any options for renewal.
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, our operating lease costs were $10.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively.
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Maturity of operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2024 are as follows (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):
| | | | | |
| 2025 | $ | 7,608 | |
| 2026 | 9,522 | |
| 2027 | 9,565 | |
| 2028 | 9,609 | |
| 2029 | 9,654 | |
| Thereafter | 189,589 | |
| Total undiscounted lease payments | 235,547 | |
| Discount to present value | (88,502) | |
| Present value of lease liabilities | $ | 147,045 | |
| |
| Weighted average remaining lease term - years | 26.8 |
| Weighted average discount rate - percent | 4.1 | |
Other information related to our operating leases is as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Operating cash flows for amounts paid included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities | $ | 8,022 | | | $ | 3,122 | |
| Noncash right-of-use assets recorded for new operating lease liabilities during the period | — | | | 147,727 | |
Note 6 — Accrued and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Rio Grande LNG Facility costs | $ | 276,137 | | | $ | 268,821 | |
| Accrued interest | 40,911 | | | 20,392 | |
| Employee compensation expense | 13,425 | | | 9,270 | |
| Other accrued liabilities | 17,088 | | | 7,632 | |
| Total accrued and other current liabilities | $ | 347,561 | | | $ | 306,115 | |
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 7 — Debt
Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Senior Secured Notes and Loans: | | | |
| 6.67% Senior Secured Notes due 2033 | $ | 700,000 | | | $ | 700,000 | |
| 6.85% Senior Secured Notes due 2047 | 190,000 | | | — | |
| 6.58% Senior Secured Notes due 2047 | 1,115,000 | | | — | |
| 6.72% Senior Secured Loans due 2033 | 356,000 | | | 356,000 | |
| 7.11% Senior Secured Loans due 2047 | 251,000 | | | 251,000 | |
| Total Senior Secured Notes and Loans | 2,612,000 | | | 1,307,000 | |
| 12.00% Corporate Credit Agreement due 2030 | 175,000 | | | — | |
| Credit Facilities: | | | |
| CD Senior Working Capital Facility | — | | | — | |
| CD Credit Facility | 1,022,000 | | | 484,000 | |
| TCF Credit Facility | 226,000 | | | 59,000 | |
| Total Credit Facilities | 1,248,000 | | | 543,000 | |
| Total debt | 4,035,000 | | | 1,850,000 | |
| Unamortized debt issuance costs | (114,575) | | | (33,699) | |
| Total debt, net | $ | 3,920,425 | | | $ | 1,816,301 | |
Senior Secured Notes and Loans
The 6.67% Senior Secured Notes, 6.85% Senior Secured Notes and 6.58% Senior Secured Notes (collectively, the “Senior Secured Notes”) as well as the 6.72% Senior Secured Loans and 7.11% Senior Secured Loans (collectively, the “Senior Secured Loans”) are senior secured obligations of Rio Grande, ranking senior in right of payment to any and all of Rio Grande’s future indebtedness that is subordinated to the Senior Secured Notes and the Senior Secured Loans, and equal in right of payment with Rio Grande’s other existing and future indebtedness that is senior and secured by the same collateral securing the Senior Secured Notes and Senior Secured Loans. The Senior Secured Notes and Senior Secured Loans are secured on a first-priority basis by a security interest in all of the membership interests in Rio Grande and substantially all of Rio Grande’s assets, on a pari passu basis with the CD Credit Agreement and the TCF Credit Facility.
Corporate Credit Agreement
On December 31, 2024, Super Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a credit agreement (the “Corporate Credit Agreement”) to borrow an aggregate principal amount of $175.0 million.
The Corporate Credit Agreement matures on December 31, 2030 and bears a fixed annual interest rate of 12.0% which is payable quarterly. The Company may elect to add to the outstanding principal as paid-in-kind interest with respect to the first eight interest payment dates and may elect 50% as paid-in-kind interest of each interest payment date thereafter.
The Company may prepay the principal of the Corporate Credit Agreement, plus any unpaid interest, as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
Prepayment Prior To (1) | | % of Principal |
| December 31, 2026 | | 100.0% |
| December 31, 2027 | | 105.0% |
| December 31, 2028 | | 102.5% |
| December 31, 2030 | | 100.0% |
| | |
(1) Prepayment prior to December 31, 2026 would require an additional make whole premium. |
In conjunction with the Corporate Credit Agreement, we issued to the lender warrants to purchase 7.2 million shares of our common stock (the “Warrants”). The relative fair value of the Warrants of approximately $28.6 million has been recognized as a discount to the Corporate Credit Agreement. For more information about the Warrants, see Note 9 , Stockholders’ Equity.
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Credit Facilities
Below is a summary of our committed credit facilities as of December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CD Senior Working Capital Facility | | CD Credit Facility | | TCF Credit Facility |
| Total facility size | $ | 500,000 | | | $ | 8,448,000 | | | $ | 800,000 | |
| Less: | | | | | |
| Outstanding balance | — | | | 1,022,000 | | | 226,000 | |
| Letters of credit issued | 217,225 | | | — | | | — | |
| Available commitment | $ | 282,775 | | | $ | 7,426,000 | | | $ | 574,000 | |
| | | | | |
| Priority ranking | Senior secured | | Senior secured | | Senior secured |
| Interest rate on outstanding balance | SOFR plus margin of 2.25% | | SOFR plus margin of 2.25% | | SOFR plus margin of 2.25% |
| Commitment fees on undrawn balance | 0.68 % | | 0.68 % | | 0.68 % |
| Maturity date | July 12, 2030 | | July 12, 2030 | | July 12, 2030 |
The obligations of Rio Grande under the CD Senior Working Capital Facility and CD Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of Rio Grande as well as a pledge of all of the membership interests in Rio Grande on a first-priority, pari passu basis with the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Loans and the loans made under the TCF Credit Facility.
The obligations of Rio Grande under the TCF Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of Rio Grande as well as a pledge of all of the membership interests in Rio Grande on a first-priority, pari passu basis with the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Loans and the loans made under the CD Credit Agreement. Total Energies Holdings SAS provides contingent credit support to the lenders under the TCF Credit Agreement to pay past due amounts owing from Rio Grande under the agreement upon demand.
Restrictive Debt Covenants
The CD Credit Facility and the TCF Credit Facility (collectively, the “Rio Grande Facilities”) include certain covenants and events of default customary for project financings, including a requirement that interest rates for a minimum of 75% of the projected and outstanding principal amount be hedged or have fixed interest rates. The Rio Grande Facilities, the Senior Secured Loans, and Senior Secured Notes require Rio Grande to maintain a historical debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10:1.00 at the end of each fiscal quarter starting from the initial principal payment date.
With respect to certain events, including a change of control event and receipt of certain proceeds from asset sales, events of loss or liquidated damages, the Senior Secured Notes and Senior Secured Loans requires Rio Grande to make an offer to repay the amounts outstanding at 101% (with respect to a change of control event) or par (with respect to each other event).
The Corporate Credit Agreement permits subsidiaries of Super Holdings to incur indebtedness to fund project-level equity in support of the construction of the fourth and fifth liquefaction trains of the Rio Grande LNG Facility, subject to the terms and conditions provided therein, including that Super Holdings make an offer to prepay the Corporate Credit Agreement in full at par plus accrued and unpaid interest.
As of December 31, 2024, Rio Grande was in compliance with all covenants related to its respective debt agreements.
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Debt Extinguishments
As of December 31, 2024, the Company has made repayments of $1,338.2 million. As a result of these repayments, the Company recognized an approximate $49.3 million loss on extinguishment for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Debt Maturities
| | | | | |
| Years Ending December 31, | Principal Payments |
| 2025 - 2029 | $ | — | |
| Thereafter | 4,035,000 | |
| Total | $ | 4,035,000 | |
Interest Expense
Total interest expense, net of capitalized interest, consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Interest per contractual rate | $ | 194,873 | | | $ | 43,268 | |
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 65,336 | | | 41,390 | |
| Other interest costs | 3,148 | | | — | |
| Total interest cost | 263,357 | | | 84,658 | |
| Capitalized interest | (175,818) | | | (34,373) | |
| Total interest expense, net of capitalized interest | $ | 87,539 | | | $ | 50,285 | |
Fair Value Disclosures
The following table shows the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our debt (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| Carrying Amount | | Estimated Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Estimated Fair Value |
| Senior Secured Notes | $ | 2,005,000 | | | $ | 1,984,836 | | | $ | 700,000 | | | $ | 743,593 | |
| Senior Secured Loans | 607,000 | | | 609,082 | | | 607,000 | | | 632,998 | |
| Corporate Credit Agreement | 175,000 | | | 169,750 | | | — | | | — | |
The fair value of the Company's Senior Secured Notes, Senior Secured Loans and Corporate Credit Agreement represent Level 2 instruments in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the Company’s CD Credit Facility and TCF Credit Facility approximates its' carrying amount due to its variable interest rate, which approximates a market interest rate.
Note 8 — Variable Interest Entity
Intermediate Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Rio Grande, have been formed to undertake Phase 1 of the construction and operation of the Rio Grande LNG Facility. The Company is not obligated to fund losses of Intermediate Holdings, however, the Company's capital account, which would be considered in allocating the net assets of Intermediate Holdings were it to be liquidated, continues to share in losses of Intermediate Holdings. Further, Rio Grande has granted the Company decision-making rights regarding the construction of Phase 1 of the Rio Grande LNG Facility and key aspects of its operation, which may only be terminated by equity holders for cause, via agreements with NextDecade LLC. Due to the foregoing, the Company determined that it holds a variable interest in Rio Grande through Intermediate Holdings and is its primary beneficiary, and therefore consolidates Intermediate Holdings in these Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table presents the summarized assets and liabilities (in thousands) of Intermediate Holdings, which are included in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The assets in the table below may only be used to settle the obligations of Rio Grande. In addition, there is no recourse to us for the consolidated VIE’s liabilities. The assets and liabilities in the table below include assets and liabilities of Intermediate Holdings and its subsidiaries only and exclude
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
intercompany balances between Intermediate Holdings and NextDecade, which are eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements of NextDecade.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Assets | | | |
| Current assets: | | | |
| Restricted cash | $ | 244,625 | | | $ | 256,237 | |
| Derivatives | 16,867 | | | 17,958 | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,084 | | | 108 | |
| Total current assets | 262,576 | | | 274,303 | |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 5,007,345 | | | 2,428,583 | |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 153,679 | | | 157,053 | |
| Deferred financing fees | 317,788 | | | 389,695 | |
| Derivatives | 472,057 | | | — | |
| Other non-current assets | 15,407 | | | 9,374 | |
| Total assets | $ | 6,228,852 | | | $ | 3,259,008 | |
| | | |
| Liabilities | | | |
| Current liabilities: | | | |
| Accounts payable | $ | 242,689 | | | $ | 238,582 | |
| Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities | 321,162 | | | 288,779 | |
| Operating leases | 2,649 | | | 2,554 | |
| Total current liabilities | 566,500 | | | 529,915 | |
| Operating leases | 129,253 | | | 131,901 | |
| Derivatives | — | | | 66,899 | |
| Debt, net | 3,788,802 | | | 1,816,301 | |
| Total liabilities | $ | 4,484,555 | | | $ | 2,545,016 | |
Note 9 — Stockholders' Equity
As discussed in Note 7 , Debt, on December 31, 2024 (the “Issuance Date”), the Warrants were issued in two tranches giving the lender the right to purchase up to approximately 3.6 million shares of our common stock at $7.15 per share (“Tranche A”) and an additional approximately 3.6 million shares of our common stock at $9.30 per share (“Tranche B”). The Warrants may be exercised by the holder solely on a cashless exercise basis at any time prior to December 31, 2029.
The Company, at its discretion, may cause Tranche A to be exercised on a cash exercise basis (i) on any date between June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2026, if the 30-day volume weighted average trading price (“VWAP”) of the Company equals or exceeds $13.50 per share and the closing price for the Company's common stock exceeds such VWAP immediately prior to the date of exercise, or (ii) on any date between January 1, 2027 and July 1, 2027, if the 30-day VWAP for the Company's common stock equals or exceeds $15.00 per share and the closing price of the Company's common stock exceeds such VWAP immediately prior to the date of exercise, provided that in each case (a) a final investment decision on the fourth liquefaction train of the Rio Grande LNG Facility has been taken and (b) certain liquidity conditions regarding the holders ability to sell the shares of the Company's common stock have been met.
The Warrants were valued using a Monte Carlo model that resulted in a relative fair value of approximately $28.6 million on the Issuance Date and are not subject to subsequent remeasurement. The Warrants have been classified as equity and are recognized within Additional paid-in capital on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 10 — Net Loss Per Share
Potentially dilutive securities not included in the diluted net loss per share computations because their effect would have been anti-dilutive were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
Unvested stock and stock units (1) | | 8,348 | | 4,842 |
| Common stock warrants | | 798 | | 1,548 |
| Total potentially dilutive common shares | | 9,146 | | 6,390 |
| | | | |
(1) Includes the impact of unvested shares containing performance conditions to the extent that the underlying performance conditions are satisfied based on actual results as of the respective dates. |
Note 11 — Share-based Compensation
We have granted restricted stock and restricted stock units (collectively, “Restricted Stock”), as well as unrestricted stock and stock options, to employees, consultants and non-employee directors under our 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized approximately $19.9 million and $26.6 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense related to all share-based awards. As of December 31, 2024, unrecognized compensation expense, based on the grant date fair value, for all share-based awards totaled approximately $53.6 million, of which $39.8 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.
Restricted Stock
Upon the vesting of restricted stock, shares of common stock will be released to the grantee. Upon the vesting of certain restricted stock units, the units will be converted into shares of common stock and released to the grantee. As of December 31, 2024, there was no Restricted Stock that would be required to be settled in cash.
As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately 8.8 million shares of service-based Restricted Stock outstanding and 4.5 million shares of performance-based Restricted Stock. The fair value of the Restricted Stock was established by the market price on the date of grant and, for service-based awards, is being recognized as compensation expense ratably over the vesting term.
The table below provides a summary of our Restricted Stock transactions for the year ended December 31, 2024 (in thousands, except for per share information):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares | | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| Unvested at January 1, 2024 | 12,812 | | $ | 4.72 | |
| Granted | 3,832 | | 4.75 | |
| Vested | (3,176) | | 4.60 | |
| Forfeited | (183) | | 5.71 | |
| Unvested at December 31, 2024 | 13,285 | | $ | 4.71 | |
Stock Options
During the year ended December 31, 2024, certain 2017 Plan participants were granted non-qualified options to purchase shares of common stock. Stock options were granted at an exercise price of $10.00, which was above the market price of the common stock on the date of grant. Stock options vest after three years of service or as otherwise set forth in the underlying award agreement. Vested options shall be exercisable at such time and under such conditions set forth in the underlying award agreement, but in no event shall any option be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table provides a summary of our stock option transactions for the year ended December 31, 2024 (stock options in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Stock Options | | Weighted Average Exercise Price |
| Outstanding at January 1, 2024 | — | | $ | — | |
| Granted | 1,479 | | 10.00 | |
| Exercised | — | | — | |
| Forfeited | — | | — | |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2024 | 1,479 | | $ | 10.00 | |
| Exercisable at December 31, 2024 | — | | | $ | — | |
The fair value of each stock option award was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model which resulted in a grant date fair value of $2.69. Valuation assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value were as follows:
| | | | | |
| Expected term (in years) | 6.5 |
| Expected volatility | 76.0 | % |
| Expected dividend yield | — | % |
| Risk-free rate | 3.8 | % |
Due to our limited history, the Company has elected to apply the simplified method to determine the expected term. Additionally, due to our limited history, expected volatility is based on a blend of our historical volatility and our implied volatility. The expected dividend yield is based on our historical yields on the date of grant. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
Note 12 — Income Taxes
The reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to our effective income tax rate is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| U.S. federal statutory rate, beginning of year | 21 | % | | 21 | % |
| Non-controlling interest | (27) | | | (6) | |
| Officers' compensation | 1 | | | (2) | |
| | | |
| Valuation allowance | 5 | | | (13) | |
| Effective tax rate as reported | — | % | — | % | — | % |
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Deferred tax assets | | | |
| Net operating loss carryforwards and credits | $ | 78,779 | | | $ | 54,839 | |
| Investment in Intermediate Holdings | 17,774 | | | 31,782 | |
| | | |
| Operating lease liabilities | 3,131 | | | 2,972 | |
| Other | 8,283 | | | 4,996 | |
| Less: valuation allowance | (104,685) | | | (91,465) | |
| Total deferred tax assets | 3,282 | | | 3,124 | |
| | | |
| Deferred tax liabilities | | | |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | (2,564) | | | (2,809) | |
| Other | (718) | | | (315) | |
| Total deferred tax liabilities | (3,282) | | | (3,124) | |
| | | |
| Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
At December 31, 2024, we had federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $370.5 million. Approximately $26.1 million of these NOL carryforwards will expire between 2034 and 2038.
Due to our history of NOLs, current year NOLs and significant risk factors related to our ability to generate taxable income, we have established a valuation allowance to offset our deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. We will continue to evaluate our ability to release the valuation allowance in the future. Due to our full valuation allowance, we have not recorded a provision for federal or state income taxes during the years ended December 31, 2024 or 2023. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are classified as non-current in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (as amended) contains provisions that limit the utilization of NOL and tax credit carryforwards if there has been a change in ownership as described in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 382”). Substantial changes in the Company's ownership have occurred that may limit or reduce the amount of NOL carryforwards that the Company could utilize in the future to offset taxable income. The Company has not completed a detailed Section 382 study at this time to determine what impact, if any, that ownership changes may have had on its NOL carryforwards. In each period since its inception, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance for the full amount of its deferred tax assets, as the realization of the deferred tax asset is uncertain. As a result, the Company has not recognized any federal or state income tax benefit in its Consolidated Statement of Operations.
We remain subject to periodic audits and reviews by taxing authorities; however, we did not have any open income tax audits as of December 31, 2024. The federal tax returns for the years beginning 2021 remain open for examination. We have not recorded any unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2024.
Note 13 — Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
From time to time the Company may be subject to various claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 2024, management is not aware of any claims or legal actions that, separately or in the aggregate, are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows, although the Company cannot guarantee that a material adverse effect will not occur.
NextDecade Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 14 — Supplemental Cash Flows
The following table provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Interest payments classified as operating activities | $ | 3,557 | | | $ | 23,365 | |
| Accounts payable for acquisition of property, plant and equipment | 242,057 | | | 238,105 | |
| Accruals for acquisition of property, plant and equipment | 276,137 | | | 268,821 | |
| Non-cash settlement of warrant liabilities | 8,571 | | | — | |
| Corporate fixed asset retirements | 1,256 | | | — | |
| Non-cash issuance of the Warrants and associated discount to the Corporate Credit Agreement | 28,595 | | | — | |
| Reclassification from other non-current assets to property, plant and equipment | 1,867 | | | 9,006 | |
| Reclassification from other non-current assets to operating lease right-of-use assets | — | | | 24,606 | |
| Accrued liabilities for debt and equity issuance costs | 4,750 | | | 764 | |
| Paid-in-kind dividends on convertible preferred stock | — | | | 20,431 | |
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of “our disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
As management, we are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we have conducted an assessment, including testing using the criteria in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). The Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and, even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Based on our assessment, we have concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
KPMG LLP (KPMG), the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our Consolidated Financial Statements, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting. KPMG's attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting appears in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the most recent fiscal quarter, there were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
Securities Trading Plans of Directors and Executive Officers
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, none of our directors or executive officers adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.”
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
None.
Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the applicable information in NextDecade's definitive proxy statement, which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of NextDecade's fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the applicable information in NextDecade's definitive proxy statement, which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of NextDecade's fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the applicable information in NextDecade's definitive proxy statement, which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of NextDecade's fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the applicable information in NextDecade's definitive proxy statement, which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of NextDecade's fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the applicable information in NextDecade's definitive proxy statement, which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of NextDecade's fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)Financial Statements, Schedules and Exhibits
(1)Financial Statements – NextDecade Corporation and Subsidiaries:
(2)Financial Statement Schedules:
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or the notes thereto.
(3)Exhibits:
| | | | | | | | |
| Exhibit No. | | Description |
| 3.1 | | |
| 3.2 | | |
| 3.3 | | |
| 3.4 | | |
| 3.5 | | |
| 3.6 | | |
| 3.7 | | |
| 3.8 | | |
| 3.9 | | |
| 3.10 | | |
| 4.1 | | |
| 4.2 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| 4.3* | | |
| 4.4 | | |
10.1† | | |
10.2† | | |
| 10.3† | | |
| 10.4 | | |
| 10.5 | | |
| 10.6 | | |
| 10.7 | | |
| 10.8 | | |
| 10.9 | | |
| 10.10 | | |
10.11† | | |
10.12+ | | |
10.13+ | | |
10.14+ | | |
10.15† | | |
| 10.16 | | |
| 10.17 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
10.18† | | |
| 10.19 | | |
| 10.20 | | |
10.21+ | | First Amendment to the Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of April 22, 2020, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel, Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed August 6, 2020) |
10.22+ | | First Amendment to the Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Train 3 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of April 22, 2020, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel, Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed August 6, 2020) |
| 10.23 | | Second Amendment to the Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Trains 1and 2 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of October 5, 2020, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel, Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed November 4, 2020) |
| 10.24 | | Second Amendment to the Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Train 3 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of October 5, 2020, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel, Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed November 4, 2020) |
10.25† | | |
| 10.26 | | |
| 10.27 | | |
| 10.28 | | |
| 10.29 | | |
10.30+ | | |
| | | | | | | | |
10.31+ | | |
| 10.32 | | |
10.33† | | |
10.34† | | |
10.35*† | | |
| 10.36 | | |
| 10.37 | | |
| 10.38 | | |
| 10.39 | | |
10.40+ | | |
10.41+ | | Credit Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2023, by and among Rio Grande LNG, LLC, as Borrower, MUFG Bank, Ltd., as P1 Administrative Agent, Mizuho Bank (USA), as P1 Collateral Agent, and the other agents and lenders party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2023) |
10.42+ | | First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2023, by and among Rio Grande LNG, LLC, as Borrower, MUFG Bank, Ltd., as P1 Administrative Agent, Mizuho Bank (USA), as P1 Collateral Agent, and the other agents and lenders party thereto |
10.43+ | | Credit Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2023, by and among Rio Grande LNG, LLC, as Borrower, TotalEnergies Holdings SAS, MUFG Bank, Ltd., as TCF Administrative Agent, Mizuho Bank (USA), as TCF Collateral Agent, and the other agents and lenders party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2023) |
| 10.44 | | First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2023, by and among Rio Grande LNG, LLC, as Borrower, TotalEnergies Holdings SAS, MUFG Bank, Ltd., as P1 Administrative Agent, Mizuho Bank (USA), as P1 Collateral Agent, and the other agents and lenders party thereto |
10.45+ | | Common Terms Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2023, by and among Rio Grande LNG, LLC, as Borrower, MUFG Bank, Ltd., as P1 Intercreditor Agent, and the senior secured debt holder representatives party thereto from time to time (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2023) |
| 10.46 | | |
| 10.47 | | |
10.48+ | | Collateral and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2023, by and among Rio Grande LNG, LLC, as Borrower, MUFG Bank, Ltd., as P1 Intercreditor Agent, Mizuho Bank (USA), as P1 Collateral Agent, and the senior secured debt holder representatives party thereto from time to time (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2023) |
| | | | | | | | |
10.49+ | | |
10.50+ | | Accounts Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2023, by and among Rio Grande LNG, LLC, as Borrower, Mizuho Bank (USA), as P1 Collateral Agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as P1 Accounts Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2023) |
10.51+ | | |
| 10.52 | | Credit Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2023, by and among Rio Grande LNG, LLC, as Borrower, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Mizuho Bank (USA) as P1 Collateral Agent, and the senior lenders party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 13, 2023) |
| 10.53 | | Credit Agreement, dated as of December 28, 2023, by and among Rio Grande LNG, LLC, as Borrower, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Mizuho Bank (USA) as P1 Collateral Agent, and the senior lenders party thereto |
10.54+ | | Change Orders to the Amended and Restated Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of September 14, 2022, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel Energy Inc.: (i) EC00001-EC00003, EC00005, EC00007, EC00012-EC00017, EC00019-EC00021, EC00024-EC00025, EC00029, EC00033-EC00034, EC00038-EC00040, EC00056-EC00057, and EC00070, each dated as of July 13, 2023; (ii) EC00011, dated as of July 14, 2023, (iii) EC00036, EC00074 and EC00066, each dated as of July 17, 2023; (iii) EC00064, dated as of July 19, 2023; (iv) EC00068, dated as of August 11, 2023; (v) EC00058, dated as of September 22, 2023; and (vi) EC00076 and EC00099, each dated as of December 4, 2023 |
10.55+ | | Change Orders to the Amended and Restated Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Train 3 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of September 14, 2022, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel Energy Inc.: (i) EC00004, EC00006, EC00008, EC00009, EC00018, EC00041-EC00044, EC00046 and EC00071, each dated as of July 13, 2023; (ii) EC00065, dated as of July 19, 2023; (iii) EC00069, dated as of August 11, 2023; (iv) EC00061, dated as of September 22, 2023; and (v) EC00075, dated as of December 11, 2023 |
| 10.56 | | |
| 10.57 | | |
10.58+ | | Change Orders to the Amended and Restated Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of September 14, 2022, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel Energy Inc.: (i) EC00093, dated as of January 10, 2024; (ii) EC00100, EC00105 and EC00124, each dated as of January 30, 2024, (iii) EC00092, dated as of February 6, 2024; (iv) EC00110, dated as of February 23, 2024; (v) EC00127, dated as of March 21, 2024; and (vi) EC00137, dated as of March 26, 2024. |
10.59+ | | Change Orders to the Amended and Restated Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Train 3 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of September 14, 2022, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel Energy Inc.: (i) EC00094, dated as of January 18, 2024; (ii) EC00101 and EC00125, each dated as of January 30, 2024; and (iii) EC00138, dated as of March 26, 2024. |
| 10.60 | | |
| 10.61 | | Amendment No. 1, dated as of April 5, 2024, to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2023, by and among Rio Grande LNG, LLC, as Borrower, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Mizuho Bank (USA) as P1 Collateral Agent, and the senior lenders party thereto. |
| | | | | | | | |
10.62+ | | Change Orders to the Amended and Restated Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of September 14, 2022, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel Energy Inc.: (i) EC00112, dated as of April 8, 2024; (ii) EC00131, dated as of April 11, 2024; (iii) EC00106, dated as of May 2, 2024; (iv) EC00150 and EC00152, each dated as of May 10, 2024; and (v) EC00114, dated as of June 3, 2024. |
10.63+ | | Change Orders to the Amended and Restated Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Train 3 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of September 14, 2022, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel Energy Inc.: (i) (i) EC00132, dated as of April 11, 2024; (ii) EC00151, dated as of May 10, 2024; (iii) EC00153, dated as of May 13, 2024; and (iv) EC00115, dated as of June 3, 2024. |
10.64+ | | |
10.65+ | | Change Orders to the Amended and Restated Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of September 14, 2022, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel Energy Inc.: (i) EC00144, dated as of July 18, 2024; and (ii) EC00155, EC00163 and EC00154, each dated as of August 29, 2024. |
10.66+ | | |
| 10.67*+ | | Change Orders to the Amended and Restated Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of September 14, 2022, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel Energy Inc.: (i) EC00162, dated as of October 11, 2024; (ii) EC00149, dated as of October 29, 2024; (iii) EC00142, dated as of November 7, 2024; (iv) EC00174, dated as of November 25, 2024; (v) EC00169 and EC00173, each dated as of December 2, 2024; (vi) EC00140 and EC00175, each dated as of December 5, 2024; and (vii) EC00184, dated as of December 19, 2024 |
| 10.68*+ | | Change Orders to the Amended and Restated Fixed Price Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of Train 3 of the Rio Grande Natural Gas Liquefaction Facility, made and executed as of September 14, 2022, by and between Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Bechtel Energy Inc.: (i) EC00170, dated as of December 2, 2024; (ii) EC00176, dated as of December 5, 2024; and (iii) EC00185, dated as of December 21, 2024 |
| 10.69* | | |
| 10.70* | | |
| 19.1* | | |
| 21.1* | | |
| 23.1* | | |
| 23.2* | | |
| 31.1* | | |
| 31.2* | | |
| 32.1** | | |
| 32.2** | | |
97.1† | | |
| 101.INS | | Inline XBRL Instance Document (the Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
| 101.SCH* | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
| 101.CAL* | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
| | | | | | | | |
| 101.LAB* | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
| 101.PRE* | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
| 101.DEF* | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
| 104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
| | | | | | | | |
| * | Filed herewith. | |
| ** | Furnished herewith | |
| † | Indicates management contract of compensatory plan. |
| + | Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted. |
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| | | | | | | | |
| NextDecade Corporation |
| (Registrant) |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Matthew K. Schatzman |
| | Matthew K. Schatzman |
| | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
| | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| | |
| Date: | February 27, 2025 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
| /s/ Matthew K. Schatzman | | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | | February 27, 2025 |
| Matthew K. Schatzman | | (Principal Executive Officer) | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Brent E. Wahl | | Chief Financial Officer | | February 27, 2025 |
| Brent E. Wahl | | (Principal Financial Officer) | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Eric Garcia | | Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer | | February 27, 2025 |
| Eric Garcia | | (Principal Accounting Officer) | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Giovanni Oddo | | Director | | February 27, 2025 |
| Giovanni Oddo | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Brian Belke | | Director | | February 27, 2025 |
| Brian Belke | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Frank Chapman | | Director | | February 27, 2025 |
| Frank Chapman | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Avinash Kripalani | | Director | | February 27, 2025 |
| Avinash Kripalani | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Arnaud Lenail-Chouteau | | Director | | February 27, 2025 |
| Arnaud Lenail-Chouteau | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Edward Andrew Scoggins, Jr. | | Director | | February 27, 2025 |
| Edward Andrew Scoggins, Jr. | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ William Vrattos | | Director | | February 27, 2025 |
| William Vrattos | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Spencer Wells | | Director | | February 27, 2025 |
| Spencer Wells | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Timothy Wyatt | | Director | | February 27, 2025 |
| Timothy Wyatt | | | | |
