Cheniere Partners Reports First Quarter Results and Reconfirms Full Year 2021 Distribution Guidance

Rhea-AI Summary

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (CQP) reported a net income of $347 million for Q1 2021, down 20% from the previous year, with adjusted EBITDA at $779 million. Revenues increased 14% to $1,963 million. A distribution of $0.660 per unit was declared, payable on May 14, 2021. Significant progress was made on Train 6 of the Sabine Pass LNG Project, now expected to be completed in H1 2022. The company also supplied a carbon-neutral LNG cargo to Shell. Full-year 2021 distribution guidance remains between $2.60 and $2.70 per unit.

Positive

• Revenue increased by 14% to $1,963 million.
• Declared a distribution of $0.660 per unit.
• Positive rating outlook from Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings.
• Accelerated completion timeline for Train 6 to H1 2022.

Negative

• Net income decreased by 20%, down $88 million from Q1 2020.
• Adjusted EBITDA down by 2% compared to Q1 2020.
• Total margins decreased due to increased losses from commodity derivatives.

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (“Cheniere Partners”) (NYSE American: CQP) today announced its financial results for first quarter 2021.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Net income of $347 million for first quarter 2021.
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $779 million for first quarter 2021.
• Declared a distribution of $0.660 per common unit that will be paid on May 14, 2021 to unitholders of record as of May 6, 2021.
• Reconfirmed full year 2021 distribution guidance.
• Accelerated the estimated timeline for substantial completion of Train 6 of the SPL Project (defined below) to the first half of 2022 from the second half of 2022. This follows a previous acceleration of the estimated Train 6 completion timeline in July 2020 from the first half of 2023 to the second half of 2022.
• Supplied a carbon neutral LNG cargo to Shell. Together with Shell, the complete lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the LNG cargo were offset using nature-based credits by accounting for all estimated CO2 equivalent emissions produced through the entire value chain, from production through use by the final customer.

2021 FULL YEAR DISTRIBUTION GUIDANCE

						2021
Distribution per Unit						$	2.60		-		$	2.70
SUMMARY AND REVIEW OF FINANCIAL RESULTS
(in millions, except LNG data)		First Quarter
		2021				2020					% Change
Revenues		$	1,963			$	1,718					14		%
Net income		$	347			$	435					(20	)	%
Adjusted EBITDA1		$	779			$	792					(2	)	%
LNG exported:
Number of cargoes		89					92					(3	)	%
Volumes (TBtu)		321					325					(1	)	%
LNG volumes loaded (TBtu)		317					327					(3	)	%

Net income decreased $88 million during first quarter 2021 as compared to first quarter 2020, primarily due to increased loss on modification or extinguishment of debt and decreased total margins², partially offset by decreased interest expense. Total margins decreased primarily due to increased losses from changes in fair value of commodity derivatives. LNG volumes recognized in income and margins per MMBtu of LNG delivered to customers were comparable for first quarter 2021 and first quarter 2020.

During first quarter 2021, we recognized in income 317 TBtu of LNG loaded from the SPL Project. Additionally, we recognized in income 8 TBtu of LNG which was procured by Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (“SPL”) from Cheniere Energy, Inc.’s Corpus Christi liquefaction facility.

LNG revenues during first quarter 2020 included $16 million in LNG revenues associated with LNG cargoes for which customers notified us that they would not take delivery, which would have been recognized subsequent to March 31, 2020 had the cargoes been lifted pursuant to the delivery schedules with the customers. We did not have such revenues during first quarter 2021.

KEY FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS AND UPDATES

SPL entered into a note purchase agreement with Allianz Global Investors GmbH in February to issue an aggregate principal amount of $147 million of 2.95% Senior Secured Notes due 2037. The notes are expected to be issued in December 2021, and net proceeds are expected to be used to refinance a portion of SPL’s outstanding Senior Secured Notes due 2022. The Senior Secured Notes due 2037 will be fully amortizing, with a weighted average life of over 10 years.

Cheniere Partners issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion of 4.00% Senior Notes due 2031 in March. The proceeds of these notes, together with cash on hand, were used to refinance all of Cheniere Partners’ 5.25% Senior Notes due 2025 and to pay fees and expenses in connection with the refinancing.

In February, Fitch Ratings changed the outlook of SPL’s senior secured notes rating to positive from stable and the outlook of Cheniere Partners’ long-term issuer default rating and senior unsecured rating to positive from stable. S&P Global Ratings changed the outlook of Cheniere Partners’ ratings to positive from negative in April.

SABINE PASS LIQUEFACTION PROJECT UPDATE

As of April 30, 2021, more than 1,250 cumulative LNG cargoes totaling over 85 million tonnes of LNG have been produced, loaded, and exported from the SPL Project.

Construction Progress as of March 31, 2021

	SPL Project
	Train 6
Project Status	Under Construction
Project Completion Percentage (1)	83.0% (1)
Expected Substantial Completion	1H 2022

(1)

Engineering 99.6% complete, procurement 99.9% complete, and construction 61.7% complete

SPL Project Overview

We own natural gas liquefaction facilities consisting of five operational liquefaction Trains and one additional Train under construction, with a total production capacity of approximately 30 million tonnes per annum (“mtpa”) of LNG at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal (the “SPL Project”).

DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS

We declared a cash distribution of $0.660 per common unit to unitholders of record as of May 6, 2021 and the related general partner distribution to be paid on May 14, 2021.

INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

Cheniere Energy, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its financial and operating results for the first quarter 2021 on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 11 a.m. Eastern time / 10 a.m. Central time. A listen-only webcast of the call and an accompanying slide presentation may be accessed through our website at www.cheniere.com. Following the call, an archived recording will be made available on our website. The call and accompanying slide presentation may include financial and operating results or other information regarding Cheniere Partners.

1		Non-GAAP financial measure. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” for further details.
2		Total margins as used herein refers to total revenues less cost of sales.

About Cheniere Partners

Cheniere Partners owns the Sabine Pass LNG terminal located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, which has natural gas liquefaction facilities consisting of five operational liquefaction Trains and one additional Train under construction, with a total production capacity of approximately 30 mtpa of LNG. The Sabine Pass LNG terminal also has operational regasification facilities that include five LNG storage tanks, vaporizers, and two marine berths with a third marine berth under construction. Cheniere Partners also owns the Creole Trail Pipeline, which interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with a number of large interstate pipelines.

For additional information, please refer to the Cheniere Partners website at www.cheniere.com and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to disclosing financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the accompanying news release contains a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that is used to facilitate comparisons of operating performance across periods. This non-GAAP measure should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for our U.S. GAAP measures of performance and the financial results calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and the reconciliation from these results should be carefully evaluated.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that may include “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical or present facts or conditions, included herein are “forward-looking statements.” Included among “forward-looking statements” are, among other things, (i) statements regarding Cheniere Partners’ financial and operational guidance, business strategy, plans and objectives, including the development, construction and operation of liquefaction facilities, (ii) statements regarding expectations regarding regulatory authorizations and approvals, (iii) statements expressing beliefs and expectations regarding the development of Cheniere Partners’ LNG terminal and liquefaction business, (iv) statements regarding the business operations and prospects of third parties, (v) statements regarding potential financing arrangements, (vi) statements regarding future discussions and entry into contracts, and (vii) statements regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our business and operating results. Although Cheniere Partners believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Cheniere Partners’ actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in Cheniere Partners’ periodic reports that are filed with and available from the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required under the securities laws, Cheniere Partners does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

(Financial Tables Follow)

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in millions, except per unit data)(1)
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021					2020
Revenues
LNG revenues	$	1,669				$	1,449
LNG revenues—affiliate	214					188
Regasification revenues	67					67
Other revenues	13					14
Total revenues	1,963					1,718
Operating costs and expenses
Cost of sales (excluding items shown separately below)	948					699
Cost of sales—affiliate	42					—
Operating and maintenance expense	149					152
Operating and maintenance expense—affiliate	34					33
Operating and maintenance expense—related party	10					—
General and administrative expense	2					2
General and administrative expense—affiliate	21					25
Depreciation and amortization expense	139					138
Impairment expense and loss on disposal of assets	—					5
Total operating costs and expenses	1,345					1,054
Income from operations	618					664
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(217		)			(234		)
Loss on modification or extinguishment of debt	(54		)			(1		)
Other income, net	—					6
Total other expense	(271		)			(229		)
Net income	$	347				$	435
Basic and diluted net income per common unit	$	0.64				$	0.84
Weighted average number of common units outstanding used for basic and diluted net income per common unit calculation	484.0					348.6

(1)		Please refer to the Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in millions, except unit data) (1)
	March 31,					December 31,
	2021					2020
ASSETS	(unaudited)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,219				$	1,210
Restricted cash	123					97
Accounts and other receivables, net	373					318
Accounts receivable—affiliate	98					184
Advances to affiliate	127					144
Inventory	103					107
Derivative assets	16					14
Other current assets	59					61
Other current assets—affiliate	2					—
Total current assets	2,120					2,135
Property, plant and equipment, net	16,734					16,723
Operating lease assets, net	97					99
Debt issuance costs, net	16					17
Non-current derivative assets	9					11
Other non-current assets, net	177					160
Total assets	$	19,153				$	19,145
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	11				$	12
Accrued liabilities	704					658
Accrued liabilities—related party	3					4
Current debt	850					—
Due to affiliates	31					53
Deferred revenue	101					137
Deferred revenue—affiliate	5					1
Current operating lease liabilities	8					7
Derivative liabilities	26					11
Total current liabilities	1,739					883
Long-term debt, net	16,732					17,580
Non-current operating lease liabilities	89					90
Non-current derivative liabilities	42					35
Other non-current liabilities	—					1
Other non-current liabilities—affiliate	16					17
Partners’ equity
Common unitholders’ interest (484.0 million units issued and outstanding at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020)	738					714
General partner’s interest (2% interest with 9.9 million units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020)	(203		)			(175		)
Total partners’ equity	535					539
Total liabilities and partners’ equity	$	19,153				$	19,145

(1)		Please refer to the Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
Regulation G Reconciliations

Adjusted EBITDA

The following table reconciles our Adjusted EBITDA to U.S. GAAP results for first quarter 2021 and 2020 (in millions):

	First Quarter
	2021				2020
Net income	$	347			$	435
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	217				234
Loss on modification or extinguishment of debt	54				1
Other income, net	—				(6		)
Income from operations	$	618			$	664
Adjustments to reconcile income from operations to Adjusted EBITDA:
Depreciation and amortization expense	139				138
Loss (gain) from changes in fair value of commodity derivatives, net (1)	22				(17		)
Impairment expense and loss on disposal of assets	—				5
Incremental costs associated with COVID-19 response	—				2
Adjusted EBITDA	$	779			$	792

(1)

Change in fair value of commodity derivatives prior to contractual delivery or termination

Adjusted EBITDA is commonly used as a supplemental financial measure by our management and external users of our consolidated financial statements to assess the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structures, or historical cost basis. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flows from operations or net income as defined by U.S. GAAP and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides relevant and useful information to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating the effectiveness of our operating performance in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of financial and operating performance.

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by taking net income before interest expense, net of capitalized interest, depreciation and amortization, and adjusting for the effects of certain non-cash items, other non-operating income or expense items and other items not otherwise predictive or indicative of ongoing operating performance, including the effects of modification or extinguishment of debt, impairment expense and loss on disposal of assets, changes in the fair value of our commodity derivatives prior to contractual delivery or termination, and non-recurring costs related to our response to the COVID-19 outbreak which are incremental to and separable from normal operations. The change in fair value of commodity derivatives is considered in determining Adjusted EBITDA given that the timing of recognizing gains and losses on these derivative contracts differs from the recognition of the related item economically hedged. We believe the exclusion of these items enables investors and other users of our financial information to assess our sequential and year-over-year performance and operating trends on a more comparable basis and is consistent with management’s own evaluation of performance.

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FAQ

What were Cheniere Partners' financial results for Q1 2021?

Cheniere Partners reported a net income of $347 million and revenues of $1,963 million, a 14% increase from the previous year.

What is the distribution per unit declared by CQP?

CQP declared a distribution of $0.660 per common unit, payable on May 14, 2021.

When is Train 6 of the SPL Project expected to be completed?

Train 6 of the SPL Project is now expected to be substantially completed in the first half of 2022.

What is the full-year distribution guidance for Cheniere Partners in 2021?

The full-year 2021 distribution guidance is between $2.60 and $2.70 per unit.

What are the main factors affecting CQP's net income for Q1 2021?

The decrease in net income was primarily due to increased loss on debt modification and decreased total margins.