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Cheniere Partners Reports Third Quarter Results and Provides Full Year 2022 Distribution Guidance

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Cheniere Energy Partners reported third-quarter 2021 financial results, with a net income of $381 million and adjusted EBITDA of $738 million. Year-to-date, net income reached $1.1 billion, up from $774 million in 2020. Revenues surged by 137% to $2.3 billion for the quarter, driven by higher LNG export volumes, which increased by 139%. The company declared a distribution of $0.680 per common unit, with 2021 full-year distribution guidance maintained at $2.60 - $2.70 per unit and $3.00 - $3.25 for 2022. Train 6 of the SPL Project is expected to achieve substantial completion in Q1 2022.

Positive
  • Net income increased by $448 million in Q3 2021 compared to Q3 2020.
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose by 110% to $738 million for Q3 2021.
  • LNG export volumes increased by 139% in Q3 2021.
  • 2021 distribution guidance maintained at $2.60 - $2.70 per unit.
  • 2022 distribution guidance introduced at $3.00 - $3.25 per unit.
Negative
  • Higher prices per MMBtu of LNG delivered were offset by increased feedstock costs.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (“Cheniere Partners”) (NYSE American: CQP) today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2021.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Net income of $381 million and $1.1 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
  • Adjusted EBITDA1 of $738 million and $2.2 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
  • Declared a distribution of $0.680 per common unit that will be paid on November 12, 2021 to unitholders of record as of November 5, 2021.
  • Reconfirming full year 2021 distribution guidance of $2.60 - $2.70 per unit.
  • Introducing full year 2022 distribution guidance of $3.00 - $3.25 per unit.
  • In September 2021, feed gas was introduced into Train 6 of the SPL Project (defined below) as part of the commissioning process. Train 6 is expected to achieve substantial completion in the first quarter of 2022.

2021 FULL YEAR DISTRIBUTION GUIDANCE

 

2021

Distribution per Unit

$

2.60

 

-

$

2.70

 

 

 

2022 FULL YEAR DISTRIBUTION GUIDANCE

 

2022

Distribution per Unit

$

3.00

 

-

$

3.25

 

SUMMARY AND REVIEW OF FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

(in millions, except LNG data)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

% Change

 

2021

 

2020

 

% Change

Revenues

 

$

2,324

 

$

982

 

 

137

%

 

$

6,176

 

$

4,170

 

48

%

Net income (loss)

 

$

381

 

$

(67

)

 

nm

 

 

$

1,123

 

$

774

 

45

%

Adjusted EBITDA1

 

$

738

 

$

352

 

 

110

%

 

$

2,207

 

$

1,990

 

11

%

LNG exported:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of cargoes

 

 

86

 

 

36

 

 

139

%

 

 

262

 

 

186

 

41

%

Volumes (TBtu)

 

 

307

 

 

126

 

 

144

%

 

 

939

 

 

656

 

43

%

LNG volumes loaded (TBtu)

 

 

308

 

 

122

 

 

152

%

 

 

938

 

 

656

 

43

%

Net income increased $448 million and $349 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, as compared to the corresponding 2020 periods, primarily due to increased revenues from higher volumes of LNG delivered, while higher prices per MMBtu of LNG delivered were offset by higher feedstock costs.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, we recognized in income 308 and 938 TBtu, respectively, of LNG loaded from the SPL Project. Additionally, in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, 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.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized $109 million and $513 million, respectively, in LNG revenues associated with cancelled LNG cargoes, of which $21 million would have been recognized subsequent to September 30, 2020 had the cargoes been lifted pursuant to the delivery schedules with the customers. LNG revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2020 excluded $244 million that would have otherwise been recognized during the quarter if the cargoes were lifted pursuant to the delivery schedules with the customers. We did not have any such revenue timing impacts during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021.

KEY FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS

In September 2021, we issued $1.2 billion of 3.25% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “2032 CQP Senior Notes”). Net proceeds from the 2032 CQP Senior Notes were used to redeem a portion of the outstanding $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of the 5.625% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 CQP Senior Notes”) in September 2021 pursuant to a tender offer and consent solicitation. In October 2021, the remaining net proceeds from the 2032 CQP Senior Notes were used to redeem the remaining outstanding aggregate principal amount of the 2026 CQP Senior Notes and, together with cash on hand, redeem $318 million of the 6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (the “2022 SPL Senior Notes”).

During 2021, SPL entered into a series of note purchase agreements for the sale of approximately $482 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes due 2037, on a private placement basis (the “2037 SPL Private Placement Senior Secured Notes”). The 2037 SPL Private Placement Senior Secured Notes are expected to be issued in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, and the net proceeds will be used to redeem a portion of SPL’s outstanding 2022 SPL Senior Notes. The 2037 SPL Private Placement Senior Secured Notes will be fully amortizing, with a weighted average life of over 10 years and a weighted average interest rate of 3.07%.

SABINE PASS LIQUEFACTION PROJECT UPDATE

As of October 31, 2021, over 1,430 cumulative LNG cargoes totaling approximately 110 million tonnes of LNG have been produced, loaded, and exported from the SPL Project.

Construction Progress as of September 30, 2021

 

SPL Project

 

Train 6

Project Status

Commissioning

Project Completion Percentage (1)

97.1% (1)

Expected Substantial Completion

1Q 2022

(1)

Engineering 100.0% complete, procurement 100.0% complete, and construction 92.9% complete

SPL Project Overview

We own natural gas liquefaction facilities consisting of five operational liquefaction Trains and one additional Train in commissioning, with a total production capacity of approximately 30 million tonnes per annum (“mtpa”) of LNG at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal (the “SPL Project”). Train 6 is expected to reach substantial completion in the first quarter of 2022.

DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS

We declared a cash distribution of $0.680 per common unit to unitholders of record as of November 5, 2021 and the related general partner distribution to be paid on November 12, 2021.

INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

Cheniere Energy, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its financial and operating results for the third quarter 2021 on Thursday, November 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.

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 in commissioning, 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 September 30, 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 Operations

(in millions, except per unit data)(1)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LNG revenues

 

$

1,791

 

 

$

807

 

 

$

5,057

 

 

$

3,588

 

LNG revenues—affiliate

 

 

453

 

 

 

103

 

 

 

878

 

 

 

352

 

Regasification revenues

 

 

68

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

202

 

 

 

202

 

Other revenues

 

 

12

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

28

 

Total revenues

 

 

2,324

 

 

 

982

 

 

 

6,176

 

 

 

4,170

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales (excluding items shown separately below)

 

 

1,342

 

 

 

454

 

 

 

3,178

 

 

 

1,551

 

Cost of sales—affiliate

 

 

8

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

38

 

Cost of sales—related party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Operating and maintenance expense

 

 

148

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

465

 

 

 

463

 

Operating and maintenance expense—affiliate

 

 

34

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

103

 

 

 

115

 

Operating and maintenance expense—related party

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

Development expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expense

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

12

 

General and administrative expense—affiliate

 

 

22

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

73

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

 

140

 

 

 

137

 

 

 

417

 

 

 

413

 

Impairment expense and loss on disposal of assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

5

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

 

1,708

 

 

 

830

 

 

 

4,338

 

 

 

2,670

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

 

616

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

1,838

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest

 

 

(210

)

 

 

(221

)

 

 

(636

)

 

 

(691

)

Loss on modification or extinguishment of debt

 

 

(27

)

 

 

 

 

 

(81

)

 

 

(43

)

Other income, net

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

8

 

Total other expense

 

 

(235

)

 

 

(219

)

 

 

(715

)

 

 

(726

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

381

 

 

$

(67

)

 

$

1,123

 

 

$

774

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common unit

 

$

0.69

 

 

$

(0.08

)

 

$

2.07

 

 

$

1.55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common units outstanding used for basic and diluted net income (loss) per common unit calculation

 

 

484.0

 

 

 

414.8

 

 

 

484.0

 

 

 

370.9

 

______________
(1)

Please refer to the Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in millions, except unit data) (1)

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

2021

 

2020

ASSETS

(unaudited)

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,713

 

 

$

1,210

 

Restricted cash

 

133

 

 

 

97

 

Accounts and other receivables, net of current expected credit losses

 

358

 

 

 

318

 

Accounts receivable—affiliate

 

198

 

 

 

184

 

Advances to affiliate

 

130

 

 

 

144

 

Inventory

 

134

 

 

 

107

 

Current derivative assets

 

44

 

 

 

14

 

Other current assets

 

105

 

 

 

61

 

Total current assets

 

2,815

 

 

 

2,135

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

 

16,820

 

 

 

16,723

 

Operating lease assets, net of accumulated amortization

 

93

 

 

 

99

 

Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization

 

13

 

 

 

17

 

Derivative assets

 

25

 

 

 

11

 

Other non-current assets, net

 

163

 

 

 

160

 

Total assets

$

19,929

 

 

$

19,145

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

14

 

 

$

12

 

Accrued liabilities

 

846

 

 

 

658

 

Accrued liabilities—related party

 

5

 

 

 

4

 

Current debt, net of discount and debt issuance costs

 

944

 

 

 

 

Due to affiliates

 

45

 

 

 

53

 

Deferred revenue

 

166

 

 

 

137

 

Deferred revenue—affiliate

 

4

 

 

 

1

 

Current operating lease liabilities

 

8

 

 

 

7

 

Current derivative liabilities

 

23

 

 

 

11

 

Total current liabilities

 

2,055

 

 

 

883

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of premium, discount and debt issuance costs

 

17,171

 

 

 

17,580

 

Non-current deferred revenue

 

1

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

85

 

 

 

90

 

Derivative liabilities

 

13

 

 

 

35

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

1

 

Other non-current liabilities—affiliate

 

15

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ equity

 

 

 

Common unitholders’ interest (484.0 million units issued and outstanding at both September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)

 

856

 

 

 

714

 

General partner’s interest (2% interest with 9.9 million units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)

 

(267

)

 

 

(175

)

Total partners’ equity

 

589

 

 

 

539

 

Total liabilities and partners’ equity

$

19,929

 

 

$

19,145

 

______________
(1)

Please refer to the Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 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 the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in millions):

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

2021

 

2020

 

2021

 

2020

Net income (loss)

$

381

 

 

$

(67

)

 

$

1,123

 

 

$

774

 

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest

 

210

 

 

 

221

 

 

 

636

 

 

 

691

 

Loss on modification or extinguishment of debt

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

43

 

Other income, net

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(8

)

Income from operations

$

616

 

 

$

152

 

 

$

1,838

 

 

$

1,500

 

Adjustments to reconcile income from operations to Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

140

 

 

 

137

 

 

 

417

 

 

 

413

 

Loss (gain) from changes in fair value of commodity derivatives, net (1)

 

(18

)

 

 

62

 

 

 

(54

)

 

 

36

 

Impairment expense and loss on disposal of assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

5

 

Incremental costs associated with COVID-19 response

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

738

 

 

$

352

 

 

$

2,207

 

 

$

1,990

 

(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 (loss) 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.

Cheniere Partners

Investors

Randy Bhatia 713-375-5479

Media Relations

Eben Burnham-Snyder 713-375-5764

Source: Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.

FAQ

What were Cheniere Energy Partners' financial results for Q3 2021?

Cheniere reported a net income of $381 million and adjusted EBITDA of $738 million for Q3 2021.

How much did Cheniere declare for its distribution per common unit?

Cheniere declared a distribution of $0.680 per common unit, payable on November 12, 2021.

What is the distribution guidance for Cheniere Energy Partners for 2022?

The distribution guidance for 2022 is set at $3.00 - $3.25 per unit.

What is the status of the SPL Project's Train 6?

Train 6 is expected to achieve substantial completion in the first quarter of 2022.

What drove the increase in revenues for Cheniere in Q3 2021?

Revenues increased primarily due to higher LNG export volumes and deliveries.

Cheniere Energy Partners, LP

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