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Cheniere Energy Reports Fourth Quarter and 2007 Results

Posted on: Wednesday, 27 February 2008, 09:01 CST

Cheniere Energy, Inc. (AMEX: LNG) reported a net loss of $52.6 million, or $1.14 per share (basic and diluted), for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with a net loss of $93.3 million, or $1.71 per share (basic and diluted), during the corresponding period in 2006. For the year ended December 31, 2007, Cheniere reported a loss of $181.8 million, or $3.60 per share (basic and diluted) compared to a net loss of $145.9 million, or $2.68 per share (basic and diluted), for the comparable period 2006.

Results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2007 were primarily impacted by costs associated with the continued development of our LNG terminal platform and related pipeline infrastructure, including construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and Creole Trail pipeline, the expansion of our organization in preparation for operations and financing activities, including the formation of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.

"We are very pleased with the progress we have made on the development of our platform," said Charif Souki, Chairman and CEO. "After approximately three years of construction, the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal is scheduled to come on line in the second quarter of 2008 with an initial send out capacity of 2.6 Bcf/d and storage capacity of 10.1 Bcf. The Creole Trail pipeline, designed to provide 2.0 Bcf/d takeaway capacity from the terminal, is also scheduled to come on line concurrently with the initial start up of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. Construction will continue in order to expand the terminal to a total send out capacity of 4.0 Bcf/d and total storage capacity of 16.8 Bcf by second quarter 2009. Construction is on track and on budget."

2007 Results

Significant events during the year include:

Continued construction on the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal

Continued construction on the Creole Trail pipeline

Completion of initial public offering of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.

Share buyback related to options on previous $325 million convertible senior unsecured notes

Results were primarily impacted by LNG receiving terminal and pipeline development costs and G&A expenses. Loss from operations was $163.9 million in 2007 compared to $75.9 million in 2006. LNG receiving terminal and pipeline development expenses increased from $12.1 million in 2006 to $34.7 million in 2007. Expenses primarily include salaries for employees developing the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and Creole Trail pipeline. General and administrative costs increased from $58.0 million in 2006 to $122.0 million in 2007. The increase in expenses is primarily due to expansion of our corporate and marketing operations and includes non-cash compensation expense related to the expensing of stock options and restricted stock beginning in 2006. The number of employees has increased from 237 in 2006 to 376 in 2007. Interest expense increased from $54.0 million in 2006 to $104.6 million in 2007 due to an increase in average debt outstanding year over year. Interest income increased from $49.1 million in 2006 to $82.6 million in 2007 due to an increase in the average outstanding cash balance year over year.

At December 31, 2007, Cheniere had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $296.5 million compared to $463.0 million at December 31, 2006. The primary sources of cash and cash equivalents during 2007 were the receipt of $203.9 million in net proceeds from the sale of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. ("Cheniere Partners") (AMEX:CQP) common units to the public and receipt of $391.7 million in net proceeds from a $400 million term loan in May 2007. The primary use of the proceeds from the term loan was to purchase 9,175,595 shares of the Company's common stock at a cost of $325.0 million. Another significant use of cash was for the construction of the Creole Trail pipeline, with costs incurred through December 31, 2007 of $422.2 million. Estimated costs for construction of the Creole Trail pipeline, before financing costs, are approximately $550 million.

At December 31, 2007, Cheniere held restricted cash, cash equivalents and treasury securities totaling $770.2 million, which was comprised of $420.4 million dedicated to the completion of the construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal including the expansion to 4 billion cubic feet per day of throughput capacity, $212.8 million reserved for interest payments on the Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. senior secured notes, $75.7 million as a reserve for distributions to Cheniere Partners' common unit holders and $61.3 million related to various other legal restrictions. Estimated costs, before financing costs, for construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal are approximately $1.4 billion. Costs incurred through December 31, 2007 were $1.0 billion.

Cheniere Energy, Inc. is developing a network of three LNG receiving terminals and related natural gas pipelines along the Gulf Coast of the United States. Cheniere is pursuing related business opportunities both upstream and downstream of the terminals. Cheniere is also the founder and holds a 30% limited partner interest in a fourth LNG receiving terminal. Additional information about Cheniere Energy, Inc. may be found on its web site at www.cheniere.com.

For additional information, please refer to the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking statements" within the meanings of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein are "forward-looking statements." Included among "forward-looking statements" are, among other things, (i) statements regarding Cheniere's business strategy, plans and objectives and (ii) statements expressing beliefs and expectations regarding the development of Cheniere's LNG receiving terminal and pipeline businesses. Although Cheniere 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's 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's 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 does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

Selected Financial Information

(in thousands) (1)

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

2007

2006

2007

2006

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Revenues

$

638

$

800

$

647

$

2,371

Operating costs and expenses

LNG receiving terminal and pipeline development expenses

8,300

5,368

34,656

12,099

Exploration costs

84

1,049

1,116

3,138

Oil and gas production costs

107

71

358

237

Impairment of fixed assets

--

--

18

1,628

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

1,870

1,051

6,393

3,131

General and administrative expenses

36,946

20,343

122,046

58,012

Total operating costs and expenses

47,307

27,882

164,587

78,245

Loss from operations

(46,669

)

(27,082

)

(163,940

)

(75,874

)

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt

--

(43,159

)

--

(43,159

)

Derivative loss

--

(20,026

)

--

(20,070

)

Interest expense

(24,172

)

(20,849

)

(104,557

)

(53,968

)

Interest income

15,680

18,107

82,635

49,087

Other income (expense)

1,291

(309

)

660

176

Income tax provision

--

--

--

(2,045

)

Minority interest

1,222

--

3,425

--

Net loss

$

(52,648

)

$

(93,318

)

$

(181,777

)

$

(145,853

)

Net loss per common share--basic and diluted

$

(1.14

)

$

(1.71

)

$

(3.60

)

$

(2.68

)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding--basic and diluted

46,274

54,607

50,537

54,423

December 31,

December 31,

2007

2006

Cash and Cash Equivalents

$

296,530

$

462,963

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

228,085

176,827

Other Current Assets

75,997

10,183

Non-Current Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Treasury Securities

542,148

1,071,722

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

1,645,112

748,818

Debt Issuance Costs, Net

44,005

41,545

Goodwill

76,844

76,844

Other Assets

53,578

15,586

Total Assets

$

2,962,299

$

2,604,488

Current Liabilities

$

173,101

$

61,939

Long-Term Debt

2,757,000

2,357,000

Deferred Revenue

40,000

41,000

Other Liabilities

8,637

1,302

Minority Interest

285,675

--

Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity

(302,114

)

143,247

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity

$

2,962,299

$

2,604,488

(1) Please refer to the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: Business Wire

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