As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 17 , 2010
Registration No. 333- 168942
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1
to
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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20-5913059
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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700 Milam Street, Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 375-5000
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Meg A. Gentle
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC
700 Milam Street, Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 375-5000
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(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
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(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
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Copy to:
Meredith S. Mouer
Scott L. Olson
Andrews Kurth LLP
600 Travis, Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 220-4200
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement, as determined in light of market conditions and other factors.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. £
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. £
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. £
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. £
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.
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Large accelerated filer ¨
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Accelerated filer S
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Non-accelerated filer ¨
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Smaller reporting company ¨
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that the Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 17 , 2010
PROSPECTUS
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
$300,000,000
COMMON UNITS
PARTNERSHIP SECURITIES
DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS
RIGHTS
10,891,357 COMMON UNITS
OFFERED BY THE SELLING UNITHOLDER
By this prospectus, we may from time to time offer and sell in one or more offerings any combination of the following securities:
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other partnership securities;
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debt securities, which may be secured or unsecured senior or subordinated debt securities.
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warrants to purchase common units, other partnership securities, rights or debt securities; and/or
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rights to purchase common units, other partnership securities, warrants or debt securities.
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The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold by us under this prospectus will not exceed $300,000,000.
In addition, the selling unitholder may offer and sell, from time to time, under this prospectus up to an aggregate of 10,891,357 common units. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our units by the selling unitholder.
This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we or the selling unitholder may offer. Supplements to this prospectus will provide the specific terms of the securities that we or the selling unitholder actually offer, including the offering prices and the net proceeds that we and the selling unitholder expect to receive. You should carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any information under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference” before you invest in any of these securities. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes those securities.
We or the selling unitholder may sell these securities to or through underwriters or dealers, to other purchasers and/or through agents. Supplements to this prospectus will specify the names of any underwriters or agents.
Our common units are listed and traded on the NYSE Amex Equities under the symbol “CQP.”
Limited partnerships are inherently different from corporations. Please read “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus before you make an investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2010.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in connection with one or more offerings from time to time, up to a total dollar amount of $300,000,000. The selling unitholder may, from time to time, use this process to sell in one or more offering transactions an aggregate of up to 10,891,357 common units. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by the selling unitholder.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or the selling unitholder may offer. Each time we or the selling unitholder offer to sell securities, we or the selling unitholder will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities offered by us or the selling unitholder in that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information provided in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. The registration statement filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more details about the matters discussed in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the related exhibits filed with the SEC and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described below under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement. Neither we nor the selling unitholder have authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the selling unitholder are making an offer of the securities covered by this prospectus in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any other document incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
Under no circumstances should the delivery to you of this prospectus create any implication that the information contained in this prospectus is correct as of any time after the date of this prospectus.
This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes those securities.
Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to “Cheniere Energy Partners,” “our partnership,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar references mean Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries. In this prospectus, we sometimes refer to the common units, other partnership securities, debt securities, warrants and rights, collectively as the “securities.”
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this document. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, other than any portions of the respective filings that were furnished (pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of current reports on Form 8-K or other applicable SEC rules) rather than filed:
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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2010;
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our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, as filed with the SEC on May 7, 2010 and August 6, 2010, respectively;
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our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on January 21, 2010, March 31, 2010, April 20, 2010, June 4, 2010, June 28, 2010, July 21, 2010 and August 6, 2010; and
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the description of our common units contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on March 15, 2007, including any amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.
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All documents that we file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus and until our offerings hereunder are completed will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will be a part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of the document. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement that is modified or superseded will not constitute a part of this prospectus, except as modified or superseded.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to these filings, unless we have specifically incorporated that exhibit by reference into the filing, upon written or oral request and at no cost. Requests should be made by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
700 Milam Street, Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 375-5000
Attn: Investor Relations
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, that registers the issuance and sale of the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit some information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.
We file annual, quarterly, and other reports and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
General information about us, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments and exhibits to those reports, are available free of charge through our website at http://www.cheniereenergypartners.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus or our other securities filings and is not a part of this prospectus.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and in the documents we incorporate by reference herein and therein may contain certain statements (other than statements of historical fact) that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “achieve,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “develop,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “propose,” “strategy” or similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events, activities, expectations or outcomes. However, these are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements.
Where any forward-looking statement includes a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying such forward-looking statement, we caution that, while we believe these assumptions or bases to be reasonable and to be made in good faith, assumed facts or bases almost always vary from actual results, and the difference between assumed facts or bases and actual results could be material, depending on the circumstances. It is important to note that actual results could differ materially from those projected by such forward-looking statements.
Although we believe that the expectations in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurance that those expectations will be correct. Our operations are subject to numerous uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are outside our control and any of which could materially affect our results of operations and ultimately prove the statements we make to be inaccurate.
Factors that could cause our results to differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
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statements regarding our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders;
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our expected receipt of cash distributions from Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (“Sabine Pass LNG”);
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statements regarding future levels of domestic natural gas production, supply or consumption; future levels of liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) imports into North America; sales of natural gas in North America; exports of natural gas from North America; and the transportation, other infrastructure or prices related to natural gas, LNG or other energy sources;
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statements regarding any financing transactions or arrangements, or ability to enter into such transactions or arrangements;
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statements regarding any terminal use agreement (“TUA”) or other agreements to be entered into or performed substantially in the future, including any cash distributions and revenues anticipated to be received and the anticipated timing thereof, and statements regarding the amounts of total LNG regasification, liquefaction, or storage capacity that are, or may become, subject to TUAs or other contracts;
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statements regarding counterparties to our TUAs, construction contracts and other contracts;
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statements relating to the construction or operation of our proposed liquefaction facilities, including statements concerning the completion or expansion thereof by certain dates or at all, the costs related thereto and certain characteristics thereof;
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statements regarding any business strategy, any business plans or any other plans, forecasts, projections or objectives, any or all of which are subject to change;
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statements regarding legislative, governmental, regulatory, administrative or other public body actions, requirements, permits, investigations, proceedings or decisions; and
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any other statements that relate to non-historical or future information.
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Other factors, risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations as discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” below and as otherwise described in our periodic filings with the SEC.
We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or, in any document we incorporate by reference, the date of that document. All such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this section, and other than as required under the securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, was formed by Cheniere Energy, Inc. (“Cheniere”). Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Sabine Pass LNG, we own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal located in western Cameron Parish, Louisiana on the Sabine Pass Channel.
Our headquarters are located at 700 Milam Street, Suite 800 in Houston, Texas. Our phone number is (713) 375-5000, and our website is accessed at www.cheniereenergypartners.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus or our other securities filings and is not a part of this prospectus.
The securities to be offered by this prospectus may involve a high degree of risk. When considering an investment in any of the securities, you should consider carefully all of the risk factors described in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 6, 2010. You should also consider similar information in any annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q or other document incorporated by reference into this prospectus or filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus. If applicable, we will include in any prospectus supplement a description of those significant factors that could make the offering described in the prospectus supplement speculative or risky.
Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the net proceeds received by us from the sale of the securities described in this prospectus will be added to our general funds and will be used for our general business purposes, which may include, among other things, repayment of indebtedness, capital expenditures and business development, future acquisitions and additions to working capital. From time to time, we may engage in additional public or private financings of a character and amount which we may deem appropriate. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of common units by the selling unitholder.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown. You should read these ratios of earnings to fixed charges in connection with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes to those statements, incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
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Year Ended December 31,
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2009
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
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3.37x
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2.75x
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(a)
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(a)
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(a)
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(a)
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Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges. The coverage deficiency totaled $10.2 million, $32.6 million, $78.7 million and $96.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
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For these ratios, “earnings” represent the aggregate of (a) pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations before adjustment for income or loss from equity investees, (b) fixed charges, (c) amortization of capitalized interest, (d) distributed income of equity investees and (e) our share of pre-tax losses of equity investees for which charges arising from guarantees are included in fixed charges, net of (a) interest capitalized and (b) the minority interest in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges. “Fixed charges” represent the sum of (a) interest expensed and capitalized, (b) amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness and (c) an estimate of the interest within rental expense.
CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS
General
Rationale for Our Cash Distribution Policy
The combined cash flow received from TUAs with Total Gas and Power North America, Inc. (formerly known as Total LNG USA, Inc.) (“Total”) and Chevron U.S.A., Inc. (“Chevron”) is expected to be sufficient to cover all annual debt service on the Sabine Pass LNG notes and all other annual operating costs of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal. The remaining funds from Total and Chevron are anticipated to be sufficient for us to pay the operating expenses of our partnership and the initial quarterly distribution on all of our currently outstanding common units and general partner units so long as these funds are distributable under the indenture governing the Sabine Pass LNG notes, which requires that Sabine Pass LNG receive substantial revenues under the TUA with Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC (“Cheniere Investments”) or from one or more substitute customers.
Our cash distribution policy reflects a basic judgment that our unitholders will be better served by our distributing our cash available after expenses and reserves rather than retaining it. Because we are not subject to entity level federal income tax, we will have more cash to distribute to you than would be the case were we subject to tax. Our cash distribution policy is consistent with the terms of our partnership agreement, which requires that we distribute all of our available cash quarterly.
Limitations on Our Ability to Pay Quarterly Distributions
There is no guarantee that unitholders will receive quarterly distributions from us. Our distribution policy may be changed at any time and is subject to certain restrictions and uncertainties, including:
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Our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders will depend on the performance of Sabine Pass LNG and its ability to distribute funds to us. In general, Sabine Pass LNG may make distributions under its indenture if:
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no default or event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such distribution; and
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Sabine Pass LNG would, at the time of such distribution and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such distribution had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional indebtedness pursuant to the 2.0 to 1.0 fixed charge coverage ratio test described in the indenture; and
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Sabine Pass LNG has on deposit in a debt payment account an amount equal to 1/6th of the amount of interest due on the Sabine Pass LNG notes on the next interest payment date (plus any shortfall from any such month subsequent to the preceding interest payment date); and
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Sabine Pass LNG has on deposit in a debt service reserve account an amount no less than the amount required to make the interest payments on the Sabine Pass LNG notes on the next succeeding interest payment date.
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We may lack sufficient cash to pay distributions to our unitholders due to a number of factors that could adversely affect us. Please read “Risk Factors” for more information regarding these factors.
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Our general partner has broad discretion to establish reserves for the prudent conduct of our business, and the establishment of those reserves could result in a reduction of our cash distributions to you from levels we currently anticipate pursuant to our stated distribution policy.
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Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified, the amount of distributions that we pay under our cash distribution policy and the decision to pay any distribution is determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement.
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Although our partnership agreement requires us to distribute our available cash, our partnership agreement may be amended. During the subordination period, with certain exceptions, our partnership agreement may not be amended without the approval of nonaffiliated common unitholders. However, our partnership agreement can be amended with the consent of our general partner and the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units after the subordination period has ended. Affiliates of our general partner own approximately 41.2% of the outstanding common units as of the date of this prospectus. If the subordinated units were converted into common units, affiliates of our general partner would own approximately 90.6% of the outstanding common units as of the date of this prospectus.
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Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a distribution to you if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets.
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Our Cash Distribution Policy May Limit Our Ability to Grow
We will distribute all of our available cash to our unitholders. As a result, we expect to rely primarily upon external financing sources, including commercial borrowings and issuances of debt or equity securities, to fund our acquisition and capital investment expenditures. The incurrence of additional commercial borrowings or other debt to finance our operations would result in increased interest expense, which in turn may impact the available cash that we have to distribute to our unitholders. If we are unable to finance growth externally, our cash distribution policy could significantly impair our ability to grow.
After the subordination period, there are no limitations in our partnership agreement on our ability to issue additional units, including units ranking senior to the common units. To the extent we issue additional units, the payment of distributions on those additional units may increase the risk that we will be unable to maintain or increase our per unit distribution level, which in turn may impact the available cash that we have to distribute on each unit.
Cash Distributions
The amount of the initial quarterly distribution on our common units is $0.425 per unit, or $1.70 per year. Until the end of the subordination period, before we make any quarterly distributions to subordinated unitholders, our common unitholders are entitled to receive payment of the full initial quarterly distribution plus any arrearages from prior quarters. Please read “How We Make Cash Distributions—Subordination Period.”
Our general partner is entitled to 2% of all distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. The general partner’s 2% interest in these distributions may be reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 2% general partner interest. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its current general partner interest.
HOW WE MAKE CASH DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions of Available Cash
General
Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.
Definition of Available Cash
We define available cash in our partnership agreement, and it generally means, for each fiscal quarter, the sum of all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of the quarter:
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less the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to:
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provide for the proper conduct of our business;
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comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments, or other agreements; and
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provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and to our general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters;
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plus all additional cash and cash equivalents on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter. Working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that are made under a credit facility, commercial paper facility or similar financing arrangement, and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to partners and with the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months.
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Minimum Quarterly Distribution
We will distribute to the holders of common units and subordinated units on a quarterly basis at least the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.425 per unit, or $1.70 per year, to the extent that we have sufficient cash from our operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our general partner. However, there is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the units in any quarter. Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions paid under our policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement. As a result of the assignment of the Cheniere Marketing TUA to Cheniere Investments in June 2010, our available cash for distributions was reduced. Therefore, we did not pay any distributions on our subordinated units with respect to the quarter ended June 30, 2010. Please see “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions” for a discussion of the restrictions that may restrict our ability to make distributions.
General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights
Our general partner is currently entitled to 2% of all quarterly distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. This general partner interest is represented by 3,302,045 general partner units. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its current general partner interest. The general partner’s 2% interest in these distributions may be reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 2% general partner interest.
Our general partner also currently holds incentive distribution rights that entitle it to receive increasing percentages, up to a maximum of 50%, of the cash that we distribute from operating surplus (as defined below) in excess of $0.489 per unit per quarter. Please see “—Incentive Distribution Rights” for additional information.
Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus
Overview
All cash distributed to unitholders will be characterized as either “operating surplus” or “capital surplus.” We treat distributions of available cash from operating surplus differently than distributions of available cash from capital surplus.
Definition of Operating Surplus
We define operating surplus in our partnership agreement, and for any period it generally means:
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$30 million (as described below); plus
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all of our cash receipts, excluding cash from:
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borrowings that are not working capital borrowings,
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sales of equity securities and debt securities,
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sales or other dispositions of assets outside the ordinary course of business,
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the termination of commodity hedge contracts or interest rate swap agreements prior to the termination date specified therein,
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capital contributions received, and
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corporate reorganizations or restructurings; plus
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working capital borrowings made after the end of a quarter but on or before the date of determination of operating surplus for the quarter; plus
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cash distributions paid on equity issued in connection with the construction or development of a capital improvement or replacement asset during the period beginning on the date that we enter into a binding commitment to commence the construction or development of such capital improvement or replacement asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date the capital improvement or replacement asset is placed into service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of; less
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all of our operating expenditures (as defined below); less
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the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to provide funds for future operating expenditures; less
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all working capital borrowings not repaid within twelve months after having been incurred or repaid within such twelve-month period with the proceeds of additional working capital borrowings.
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If a working capital borrowing, which increases operating surplus, is not repaid during the twelve month period following the borrowing, it will be deemed repaid at the end of such period, thus decreasing operating surplus at such time. When such working capital is in fact repaid, it will not be treated as a reduction in operating surplus because operating surplus will have been previously reduced by the deemed repayment.
We define operating expenditures in our partnership agreement, and it generally means all of our expenditures, including, but not limited to, taxes, payments to our general partner, reimbursements of expenses incurred by our general partner on our behalf, non-pro rata repurchases of units, repayment of working capital borrowings, debt service payments, interest payments, payments made in the ordinary course of business under commodity hedge contracts and maintenance capital expenditures, provided that operating expenditures will not include:
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repayment of working capital borrowings deducted from operating surplus pursuant to the last bullet point of the definition of operating surplus above when such repayment actually occurs;
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payments (including prepayments) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than working capital borrowings;
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expansion capital expenditures;
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investment capital expenditures;
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payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to interim capital transactions;
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distributions to our partners; and
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non-pro rata repurchases of units of any class made with the proceeds of an interim capital transaction (as defined below).
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Capital Expenditures
Maintenance capital expenditures are those capital expenditures required to maintain, including over the long-term, our operating capacity or asset base. Maintenance capital expenditures include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued to finance the construction or development of a replacement asset during the period from such financing until the earlier to occur of the date any such replacement asset is placed into service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed.
Expansion capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that we expect will increase our operating capacity or asset base over the long term. Expansion capital expenditures include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued to finance the construction or development of a capital improvement during the period from such financing until the earlier to occur of the date any such capital improvement is placed into service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed.
Investment capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that are neither maintenance capital expenditures nor expansion capital expenditures. Examples of investment capital expenditures include traditional capital expenditures for investment purposes, such as purchases of securities, as well as other capital expenditures that might be made in lieu of such traditional investment capital expenditures, such as the acquisition of a capital asset for investment purposes, but which is not expected to expand our asset base for more than the short-term.
Neither investment capital expenditures nor expansion capital expenditures are subtracted from operating surplus. Because investment capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures include interest payments (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued to finance the construction or development of a capital improvement or replacement asset during the period from such financing until the earlier to occur of the date any such capital improvement or replacement asset is placed into service or the date that it is abandoned or disposed, such interest payments and equity distributions are also not subtracted from operating surplus (except, in the case of maintenance capital expenditures, to the extent such interest payments and distributions are included in maintenance capital expenditures).
Capital expenditures that are made in part for maintenance capital purposes and in part for investment capital or expansion capital purposes will be allocated as maintenance capital expenditures, investment capital expenditures or expansion capital expenditure by the board of directors of our general partner, based upon its good faith determination, subject to approval by our conflicts committee.
Definition of Capital Surplus
We also define capital surplus in our partnership agreement and in “—Characterization of Cash Distributions” below, and it will generally be generated only by the following, which we call “interim capital transactions:”
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borrowings other than working capital borrowings;
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sales of debt and equity securities;
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sales or other dispositions of assets for cash, other than inventory, accounts receivable and other assets sold in the ordinary course of business or as part of normal retirements or replacements of assets;
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the termination of commodity hedge contracts or interest rate swap agreements prior to the termination date specified therein;
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capital contributions received; and
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corporate reorganizations or restructurings.
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Characterization of Cash Distributions
Our partnership agreement requires that we treat all available cash distributed as coming from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed since we began operations equals the operating surplus as of the most recent date of determination of available cash. We will treat any amount distributed in excess of operating surplus, regardless of its source, as capital surplus. As reflected above, operating surplus includes a $30 million “basket.” This amount does not reflect actual cash on hand that is available for distribution to our unitholders. It is instead a provision that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to $30 million of cash that we receive in the future from interim capital transactions that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus.
Subordination Period
General
During the subordination period, the common units will have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus in an amount equal to the initial quarterly distribution of $0.425 per quarter, plus any arrearages in the payment of the initial quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. Cheniere Subsidiary Holdings, LLC owns all of the 135,383,831 subordinated units, representing 83.7% of the limited partner interests in us. These units are deemed “subordinated” because for a period of time, referred to as the subordination period, the subordinated units will not be entitled to receive any distributions until after the common units have received the initial quarterly distribution plus any arrearages from prior quarters. Furthermore, no arrearages will be paid on the subordinated units. The practical effect of the subordination period is to increase the likelihood that during this period there will be sufficient available cash to pay the initial quarterly distribution on the common units.
As a result of the assignment of the Cheniere Marketing TUA to Cheniere Investments in June 2010, our available cash for distributions was reduced. Therefore, we did not pay any distributions on our subordinated units with respect to the quarter ended June 30, 2010.
Definition of Subordination Period
The subordination period will extend until the first business day following the distribution of available cash to partners in respect of any quarter that each of the following occurs:
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distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units, subordinated units and general partner units equaled or exceeded the initial quarterly distribution for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date;
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the “adjusted operating surplus” (as defined below) generated during each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded the sum of the initial quarterly distributions on all of the outstanding common units, subordinated units and general partner units during those periods on a fully diluted basis; and
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there are no arrearages in payment of the initial quarterly distribution on the common units.
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Expiration of the Subordination Period
When the subordination period expires, each outstanding subordinated unit will convert into one common unit and will then participate pro rata with the other common units in distributions of available cash. In addition, if the unitholders remove our general partner other than for cause and units held by the general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal:
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the subordination period will end and each subordinated unit will immediately convert into one common unit;
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any existing arrearages in payment of the initial quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and
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the general partner will have the right to convert its general partner units and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests.
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Early Conversion of Subordinated Units
The subordination period will automatically terminate and all of the subordinated units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis on the first business day following the distribution of available cash to partners in respect of any quarter that each of the following occurs:
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distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each outstanding common unit, subordinated unit and general partner unit equaled or exceeded $2.55 (150% of the annualized initial quarterly distribution) for the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date;
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the “adjusted operating surplus” (as defined below) generated during the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded the sum of a distribution of $2.55 (150% of the annualized initial quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common units, subordinated units and general partner units on a fully diluted basis; and
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there are no arrearages in payment of the initial quarterly distribution on the common units.
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Definition of Adjusted Operating Surplus
We define adjusted operating surplus in our partnership agreement, and for any period, it generally means:
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operating surplus generated with respect to that period (other than amounts released from the distribution reserve); less
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any net increase in working capital borrowings with respect to that period; less
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any net reduction in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period not relating to an operating expenditure made with respect to that period; plus
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any net decrease in working capital borrowings with respect to that period; plus
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any net increase in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium.
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Adjusted operating surplus is intended to reflect the cash generated from operations during a particular period and therefore excludes the $30 million operating surplus “basket,” net increases in working capital borrowings, net drawdowns of reserves of cash generated in prior periods and amounts held in the distribution reserve or amounts released therefrom to pay distributions.
Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus During the Subordination Period
We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter during the subordination period in the following manner:
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First, 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to the initial quarterly distribution for that quarter;
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Second, 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to any arrearages in payment of the initial quarterly distribution on the common units for any prior quarters during the subordination period;
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Third, 98% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding subordinated unit an amount equal to the initial quarterly distribution for that quarter; and
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Thereafter, in the manner described in “—Incentive Distribution Rights” below.
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The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus After the Subordination Period
We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter after the subordination period in the following manner:
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First, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding unit an amount equal to the initial quarterly distribution for that quarter; and
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Thereafter, in the manner described in “—Incentive Distribution Rights” below.
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The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
Incentive Distribution Rights
Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the initial quarterly distribution. Our general partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in our partnership agreement.
If for any quarter:
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we have distributed available cash from operating surplus to the unitholders in an amount equal to the initial quarterly distribution; and
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we have distributed available cash from operating surplus on outstanding common units in an amount necessary to eliminate any cumulative arrearages in payment of the initial quarterly distribution to the common units;
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then we will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and our general partner in the following manner:
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First, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.489 per unit for that quarter (the “first target distribution”);
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Second, 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.531 per unit for that quarter (the “second target distribution”);
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Third, 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.638 per unit for that quarter (the “third target distribution”); and
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Thereafter, 50% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to our general partner.
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Percentage Allocations of Available Cash from Operating Surplus
The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of the additional available cash from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner up to the various target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under “Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions” are the percentage interests of our general partner and the unitholders in any available cash from operating surplus that we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “Total Quarterly Distribution,” until available cash from operating surplus that we distribute reaches the next target distribution level, if any. The percentage interests shown for the unitholders and our general partner for the initial quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the initial quarterly distribution. The percentage interests set forth below for our general partner include its 2% general partner interest and assume that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and has not transferred its incentive distribution rights.
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Total Quarterly Distribution
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Marginal Percentage
Interest in Distributions
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Target Amount
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Common and Subordinated
Unitholders
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General
Partner
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Initial quarterly distribution
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$0.425
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98%
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2%
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First Target Distribution
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above $0.425 up to $0.489
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98%
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2%
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Second Target Distribution
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above $0.489 up to $0.531
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85%
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15%
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Third Target Distribution
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above $0.531 up to $0.638
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75%
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25%
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Thereafter
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above $0.638
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50%
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50%
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Distributions from Capital Surplus
How Distributions from Capital Surplus Will Be Made
We will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:
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First, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we distribute for each common unit that was issued in our initial public offering an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to the initial public offering price;
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Second, 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we distribute for each common unit an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to any unpaid arrearages in payment of the initial quarterly distribution on the common units; and
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Thereafter, we will make all distributions of available cash from capital surplus as if they were from operating surplus.
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The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus
Our partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus as the repayment of the initial unit price from our initial public offering, which is a return of capital. The initial public offering price less any distributions of capital surplus per unit is referred to as the “unrecovered initial unit price.” Each time a distribution of capital surplus is made, the initial quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels will be reduced in the same proportion as the corresponding reduction in the unrecovered initial unit price. Because distributions of capital surplus will reduce the initial quarterly distribution, after any of these distributions are made, it may be easier for our general partner to receive incentive distributions and for the subordinated units to convert into common units. However, any distribution of capital surplus before the unrecovered initial unit price is reduced to zero cannot be applied to the payment of the initial quarterly distribution or any arrearages.
Once we distribute capital surplus on a unit issued in our initial public offering in an amount equal to the initial unit price, we will reduce the initial quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels to zero. We will then make all future distributions from operating surplus, with 50% being paid to the unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to our general partner. The percentage interests shown for our general partner include its 2% general partner interest and assume that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and has not transferred its incentive distribution rights.
Adjustment to the Initial Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels
In addition to adjusting the initial quarterly distribution and target distribution levels to reflect a distribution of capital surplus, if we combine our units into fewer units or subdivide our units into a greater number of units, we will proportionately adjust:
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the initial quarterly distribution;
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the target distribution levels;
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the unrecovered initial unit price; and
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the number of common units into which a subordinated unit is convertible.
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For example, if a two-for-one split of the common units should occur, the initial quarterly distribution, the target distribution levels and the unrecovered initial unit price would each be reduced to 50% of its initial level and each subordinated unit would be convertible into two common units. We will not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional units for cash or property.
In addition, if legislation is enacted or if existing law is modified or interpreted by a court of competent jurisdiction so that we become taxable as a corporation or otherwise subjecting us to a material amount of entity level taxation for federal, state or local income tax purposes, our general partner may reduce the initial quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels for each quarter by multiplying each distribution level by a fraction, the numerator of which is available cash for that quarter (after deducting our general partner’s estimate of our aggregate liability for the quarter for such income taxes payable by reason of such legislation or interpretation) and the denominator of which is the sum of available cash for that quarter plus our general partner’s estimate of our aggregate liability for the quarter for such income taxes payable by reason of such legislation or interpretation. To the extent that the actual tax liability differs from the estimated tax liability for any quarter, the difference will be accounted for in subsequent quarters.
Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation
General
If we dissolve in accordance with our partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors. We will distribute any remaining proceeds to the unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation.
The allocations of gain and loss upon liquidation are intended, to the extent possible, to entitle the holders of outstanding common units to a preference over the holders of outstanding subordinated units upon our liquidation, to the extent required to permit common unitholders to receive their unrecovered initial unit price plus the initial quarterly distribution for the quarter during which liquidation occurs plus any unpaid arrearages in payment of the initial quarterly distribution on the common units. However, there may not be sufficient gain upon our liquidation to enable the holders of common units to fully recover all of these amounts, although there may be cash available for distribution to the holders of subordinated units. Any further net gain recognized upon liquidation will be allocated in a manner that takes into account the incentive distribution rights currently owned by our general partner.
Manner of Adjustments for Gain
The manner of the adjustment for gain is set forth in our partnership agreement. If our liquidation occurs before the end of the subordination period, we will allocate any gain to the partners in the following manner:
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First, to the general partner and the holders of units who have negative balances in their capital accounts to the extent of and in proportion to those negative balances;
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Second, 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until the capital account for each common unit is equal to the sum of:
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(1)
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the unrecovered initial unit price;
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(2)
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the amount of the initial quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs; and
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(3)
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any unpaid arrearages in payment of the initial quarterly distribution;
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Third, 98% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until the capital account for each subordinated unit is equal to the sum of:
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(1)
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the unrecovered initial unit price; and
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(2)
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the amount of the initial quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs;
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Fourth, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to:
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(1)
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the sum of the excess of the first target distribution per unit over the initial quarterly distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less
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(2)
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the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the initial quarterly distribution per unit that we distributed 98% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, for each quarter of our existence;
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Fifth, 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to:
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(1)
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the sum of the excess of the second target distribution per unit over the first target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less
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(2)
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the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the first target distribution per unit that we distributed 85% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to our general partner for each quarter of our existence;
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Sixth, 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to:
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(1)
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the sum of the excess of the third target distribution per unit over the second target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less
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(2)
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the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the second target distribution per unit that we distributed 75% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to our general partner for each quarter of our existence; and
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Thereafter, 50% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to our general partner.
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The percentages set forth above are based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and has not transferred its incentive distribution rights and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
If the liquidation occurs after the end of the subordination period, the distinction between common units and subordinated units will disappear, so that clause (3) of the second bullet point above and all of the third bullet point above will no longer be applicable.
Manner of Adjustments for Losses
If our liquidation occurs before the end of the subordination period, we will generally allocate any loss to our general partner and the unitholders in the following manner:
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First, 98% to holders of subordinated units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 2% to our general partner, until the capital accounts of the subordinated unitholders have been reduced to zero;
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Second, 98% to the holders of common units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 2% to our general partner, until the capital accounts of the common unitholders have been reduced to zero; and
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Thereafter, 100% to our general partner.
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The 2% interests set forth in the first and second bullet points above for our general partner are based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
If the liquidation occurs after the end of the subordination period, the distinction between common units and subordinated units will disappear, so that all of the first bullet point above will no longer be applicable.
Adjustments to Capital Accounts
We will make adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units. In doing so, we will allocate any unrealized and, for tax purposes, unrecognized gain or loss resulting from the adjustments to the unitholders and our general partner in the same manner as we allocate gain or loss upon liquidation. In the event that we make positive adjustments to the capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units, we will allocate any later negative adjustments to the capital accounts resulting from the issuance of additional units or upon our liquidation in a manner which results, to the extent possible, in our general partner’s capital account balances equaling the amount which they would have been if no earlier positive adjustments to the capital accounts had been made.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND FIDUCIARY DUTIES
Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of interest exist and may arise in the future as a result of the relationships between our general partner and its affiliates, including Cheniere, on the one hand, and us and our limited partners, on the other hand. The directors and officers of our general partner have fiduciary duties to manage our general partner in a manner beneficial to its owners. At the same time, our general partner has a fiduciary duty to manage us in a manner beneficial to us and our unitholders. Our partnership agreement contains provisions that modify and limit our general partner’s fiduciary duties to the unitholders. Our partnership agreement also restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
Whenever a conflict arises between our general partner or its affiliates, on the one hand, and us or any other partner, on the other hand, our general partner will resolve that conflict. Our general partner may, but is not required to, seek the approval of such resolution from the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner. An independent third party is not required to evaluate the fairness of the resolution.
Our general partner will not be in breach of its obligations under our partnership agreement or its duties to us or our unitholders if the resolution of the conflict is:
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approved by a majority of the conflicts committee, although our general partner is not obligated to seek such approval;
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approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding any common units owned by our general partner or any of its affiliates;
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on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties; or
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fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us.
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If our general partner seeks approval from the conflicts committee or does not seek approval from the conflicts committee and the board of directors of our general partner determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to the conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in the third and fourth bullet points above, then, in each case, it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the board of directors acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption. Unless the resolution of a conflict is specifically provided for in our partnership agreement, our general partner or the conflicts committee may consider any factors that it determines in good faith to consider when resolving a conflict. When our partnership agreement requires someone to act in good faith, it requires that person to believe that he is acting in the best interests of the partnership.
Conflicts of interest could arise in the situations described below, among others.
Actions taken by our general partner may affect the amount of cash available to pay distributions to unitholders or accelerate the right to convert subordinated units.
The amount of cash that is available for distributions to unitholders is affected by decisions of our general partner regarding such matters as:
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amount and timing of asset purchases and sales;
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issuance of additional units; and
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the creation, reduction or increase of reserves in any quarter.
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In addition, borrowings by us and our affiliates do not constitute a breach of any duty owed by our general partner to our unitholders, including borrowings that have the purpose or effect of:
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enabling our general partner or its affiliates to receive distributions on any subordinated units or incentive distribution rights held by them; or
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hastening the expiration of the subordination period.
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For example, in the event that we have not generated sufficient cash from our operations to pay the initial quarterly distribution on our common units and our subordinated units, our partnership agreement permits us to borrow funds, which would enable us to pay this distribution on all outstanding units. Please read “How We Make Cash Distributions—Subordination Period.”
Our partnership agreement provides that we and our subsidiaries may borrow funds from our general partner and its affiliates. Our general partner and its affiliates may not borrow funds from us or our subsidiaries.
Neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires Cheniere to pursue a business strategy that favors us or utilizes our assets or dictates what markets to pursue or grow. Cheniere’s directors and officers have a fiduciary duty to make these decisions in the best interests of the stockholders of Cheniere, which may be contrary to our interests.
Because the officers and certain of the directors of our general partner are also directors and/or officers of Cheniere, such directors and officers have fiduciary duties to Cheniere that may cause them to pursue business strategies that disproportionately benefit Cheniere or which otherwise are not in our best interests.
Our general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such as Cheniere, in resolving conflicts of interest.
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the standards to which our general partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty law. For example, our partnership agreement permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner. This entitles our general partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and it has no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or any limited partner. Examples include the exercise of its limited call right, its voting rights with respect to the units that it owns, its registration rights and its determination whether or not to consent to any merger or consolidation of the partnership or amendment to our partnership agreement.
Our general partner has limited its liability and reduced its fiduciary duties and has also restricted the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that, without the limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
In addition to the provisions described above, our partnership agreement contains provisions that restrict the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty. For example, our partnership agreement:
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provides that our general partner will not have any liability to us or our unitholders for decisions made in its capacity as a general partner so long as it acted in good faith, meaning that it believed that the decision was in the best interests of our partnership;
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generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not approved by a majority of the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner and not involving a vote of unitholders must be on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or be “fair and reasonable” to us, as determined by our general partner in good faith, and that, in determining whether a transaction or resolution is “fair and reasonable,” our general partner may consider the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us;
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provides that our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us or our limited partners for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that our general partner or those other persons acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that such conduct was criminal; and
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provides that in resolving conflicts of interest, it will be presumed that in making its decision the conflicts committee or the general partner acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or us, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption.
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We do not have any officers or employees and rely solely on officers and employees of our general partner and its affiliates.
Affiliates of our general partner conduct businesses and activities of their own in which we have no economic interest. If these separate activities are significantly greater than our activities, there could be material competition for the time and effort of the officers and employees who provide services to our general partner. The officers of our general partner are not required to work full time on our affairs. These officers are required to devote time to the affairs of Cheniere or its affiliates and are compensated by them for the services rendered to them.
Certain of our general partner’s officers are not required to devote their full time to our business.
All of the senior officers of our general partner are also senior officers of Cheniere and will spend sufficient amounts of their time overseeing the management, operations, corporate development and future acquisition initiatives of our business. Keith Teague is the principal executive responsible for the oversight of our affairs. Our non-executive directors will devote as much time as is necessary to prepare for and attend board of directors and committee meetings.
Our general partner and its affiliates receive management fees and cost reimbursements.
We pay significant management fees to our general partner and its affiliates and reimburse them for expenses incurred on our behalf. These fees and expenses are payable as follows:
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under a services agreement, we pay an affiliate of Cheniere a quarterly services fee equal to the lesser of (i) $2.5 million (subject to adjustment for inflation), plus fee arrearages (the "Maximum Quarterly Fee"), or (ii) such amount of our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents as remains after (x) we have distributed in respect of that quarter for each common unit then outstanding an amount equal to the initial quarterly distribution plus any common unit arrearages and the related general partner distribution and (y) adjusting for any cash needed to provide for the proper conduct of our business other than adjustments for operating cash flow from Sabine Pass LNG reserved for distributions under our partnership agreement for any one or more of the next four quarters (the "Minimum Quarterly Fee"). In the event that the services fee paid on any date is less than the Maximum Quarterly Fee, an amount equal to the difference between the Maximum Quarterly Fee and the Minimum Quarterly Fee will accrue as a fee arrearage up to a maximum aggregate amount of $20 million in fee arrearages. This fee does not include reimbursements by us of direct expenses that the affiliate incurs on our behalf, such as salaries of operational personnel performing services on-site at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and the cost of their employee benefits, including 401(k) plan, pension and health insurance benefits;
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under an operation and maintenance agreement, Sabine Pass LNG pays an affiliate of Cheniere a fixed monthly fee of $130,000 (indexed for inflation) and reimburses such affiliate for its operating expenses, which consist primarily of labor expenses. The Cheniere affiliate will, under certain circumstances, be entitled to a bonus equal to 50% of the salary component of labor costs; and
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under a management services agreement, Sabine Pass LNG pays its general partner a monthly fixed fee of $520,000 (indexed for inflation). The general partner of Sabine Pass LNG, in turn, pays an affiliate of Cheniere all amounts that it receives from Sabine Pass LNG under the management services agreement.
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Our general partner and its affiliates will also be entitled to reimbursement for all other direct expenses that they incur on our behalf.
Our general partner intends to limit its liability regarding our obligations.
Our general partner intends to limit its liability under contractual arrangements so that the other party has recourse only to our assets and not against our general partner or its assets or any affiliate of our general partner or its assets. Our partnership agreement provides that any action taken by our general partner to limit its or our liability is not a breach of our general partner’s fiduciary duties, even if we could have obtained terms that are more favorable without the limitation on liability.
Common unitholders will have no right to enforce obligations of our general partner and its affiliates under agreements with us.
Any agreements between us, on the one hand, and our general partner and its affiliates, on the other hand, will not grant to the unitholders, separate and apart from us, the right to enforce the obligations of our general partner and its affiliates in our favor.
Contracts between us, on the one hand, and our general partner and its affiliates, on the other hand, will not be the result of arm’s-length negotiations.
Neither our partnership agreement nor any of the other agreements, contracts and arrangements between us and our general partner and its affiliates are or will be the result of arm’s-length negotiations. Our partnership agreement generally provides that any affiliated transaction, such as an agreement, contract or arrangement between us and our general partner and its affiliates, must be:
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on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties; or
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fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us).
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Our general partner will determine, in good faith, the terms of any of these transactions.
Our general partner and its affiliates will have no obligation to permit us to use any facilities or assets of our general partner and its affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into specifically dealing with that use. Our general partner may also enter into additional contractual arrangements with any of its affiliates on our behalf. There is no obligation of our general partner and its affiliates to enter into any contracts of this kind.
Except in limited circumstances, our general partner has the power and authority to conduct our business without unitholder approval.
Under our partnership agreement, our general partner has full power and authority to do all things, other than those items that require unitholder approval or with respect to which our general partner has sought conflicts committee approval, on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct our business, including, but not limited to, the following:
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the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into securities of our partnership, and the incurring of any other obligations;
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the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over our business or assets;
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the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of our assets or the merger or other combination of us with or into another person subject to any prior approval that may be required under our partnership agreement;
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the use of our assets for any purpose consistent with the terms of our partnership agreement;
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the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments;
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the distribution of partnership cash;
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the selection and dismissal of employees and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
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the maintenance of insurance for our benefit and the benefit of our partners;
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the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other relationships subject to the restrictions in our partnership agreement;
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the control of any matters affecting our rights and obligations, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;
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the indemnification of any person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;
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the entering into of listing arrangements with any national securities exchange and the delisting of some or all of our securities from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange subject to the limitations specified in our partnership agreement;
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the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of our securities, or the issuance of options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to our securities;
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the undertaking of any action in connection with our participation in any affiliate; and
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the entering into of agreements with any of its affiliates to render services to us or to itself in the discharge of its duties as our general partner.
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Please read “The Partnership Agreement—Voting Rights” for information regarding the voting rights of unitholders.
Common units are subject to our general partner’s limited call right.
Our general partner may exercise its right to call and purchase common units as provided in our partnership agreement or assign this right to one of its affiliates or to us. Our general partner may use its own discretion, free of fiduciary duty restrictions, in determining whether to exercise this right. As a result, a common unitholder may have his common units purchased from him at an undesirable time or price. Please read “The Partnership Agreement—Limited Call Right.”
We may choose not to retain separate advisors for ourselves or for the holders of common units.
The attorneys, independent accountants and others who perform services for us are selected by our general partner or the conflicts committee and may also perform services for our general partner and its affiliates. We may retain separate counsel for ourselves or the holders of our common units in the event of a conflict of interest between our general partner and its affiliates, on the one hand, and us or the holders of our common units, on the other hand, depending on the nature of the conflict. We do not intend to do so in most cases.
Our general partner’s affiliates may compete with us, and neither our general partner nor its affiliates have any obligation to present business opportunities to us.
Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner is restricted from engaging in any business activities other than those incidental to its ownership of interests in us. However, affiliates of our general partner are not prohibited from engaging in other businesses or activities, including those that might be in direct competition with us. Cheniere may acquire, construct or dispose of its planned Corpus Christi or Creole Trail LNG receiving terminals, its planned pipelines or other assets in the future without any obligation to offer us the opportunity to purchase or construct any of those assets. In addition, under our partnership agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, will not apply to the general partner and its affiliates. As a result, neither the general partner nor any of its affiliates will have any obligation to present business opportunities to us and may take advantage of such opportunities themselves.
Fiduciary Duties
Our general partner is accountable to us and our unitholders as a fiduciary. Fiduciary duties owed to unitholders by our general partner are prescribed by law and our partnership agreement. The Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, which we refer to as the Delaware Act, provides that Delaware limited partnerships may, in their partnership agreements, expand, restrict or eliminate the fiduciary duties otherwise owed by a general partner to limited partners and the partnership.
Our partnership agreement contains various provisions modifying and restricting the fiduciary duties that might otherwise be owed by our general partner. We have adopted these provisions to allow our general partner or its affiliates to engage in transactions with us that otherwise would be prohibited by state law fiduciary standards and to take into account the interests of other parties in addition to our interests when resolving conflicts of interest. We believe this is appropriate and necessary because the board of directors of our general partner has fiduciary duties to manage our general partner in a manner beneficial both to its indirect owner, Cheniere, as well as to you. Without these modifications, our general partner’s ability to make decisions involving conflicts of interests would be restricted. The modifications to the fiduciary standards benefit our general partner by enabling it to take into consideration all parties involved in the proposed action. These modifications also strengthen the ability of our general partner to attract and retain experienced and capable directors. These modifications represent a detriment to the common unitholders because they restrict the remedies available to unitholders for actions that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty, as described below, and permit our general partner to take into account the interests of third parties in addition to our interests when resolving conflicted interests. The following is a summary of:
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the fiduciary duties imposed on our general partner by the Delaware Act;
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material modifications of these duties contained in our partnership agreement; and
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certain rights and remedies of unitholders contained in the Delaware Act.
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State law fiduciary duty standards
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Fiduciary duties are generally considered to include an obligation to act in good faith and with due care and loyalty. The duty of care, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally require a general partner to act for the partnership in the same manner as a prudent person would act on his own behalf. The duty of loyalty, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally prohibit a general partner of a Delaware limited partnership from taking any action or engaging in any transaction where a conflict of interest is present.
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Partnership agreement modified
standards
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Our partnership agreement contains provisions that waive or consent to conduct by our general partner and its affiliates that might otherwise raise issues as to compliance with fiduciary duties or applicable law. For example, Section 7.9 of our partnership agreement provides that when our general partner is acting in its capacity as our general partner, as opposed to in its individual capacity, it must act in “good faith” and will not be subject to any other standard under applicable law. In addition, when our general partner is acting in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner, it may act without any fiduciary obligation to us or our unitholders whatsoever. These standards reduce the obligations to which our general partner would otherwise be held.
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Our partnership agreement generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not involving a vote of unitholders and that are not approved by a majority of the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner must be:
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•on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties; or
•fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us).
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If our general partner does not seek approval from the conflicts committee and the board of directors of our general partner determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to the conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in the bullet points above, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the board of directors, which may include board members affected by the conflict of interest, acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption. These standards reduce the obligations to which our general partner would otherwise be held.
In addition to the other more specific provisions limiting the obligations of our general partner, our partnership agreement further provides that our general partner, its affiliates and their officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us or our limited partners for errors of judgment or any acts or omissions, unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that our general partner or its officers and directors acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the indemnitees’ conduct was criminal.
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Rights and remedies of unitholders
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The Delaware Act generally provides that a limited partner may institute legal action on behalf of the partnership to recover damages from a third party where a general partner has refused to institute the action or where an effort to cause a general partner to do so is not likely to succeed. These actions include actions against a general partner for breach of its fiduciary duties or of our partnership agreement. In addition, the statutory or case law of some jurisdictions may permit a limited partner to institute legal action on behalf of itself and all other similarly situated limited partners to recover damages from a general partner for violations of its fiduciary duties to the limited partners
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In order to become one of our limited partners, a common unitholder is required to agree to be bound by the provisions in our partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above. Please read “Description of the Common Units—Transfer of Common Units.” This is in accordance with the policy of the Delaware Act favoring the principle of freedom of contract and the enforceability of partnership agreements. The failure of a limited partner to sign our partnership agreement does not render our partnership agreement unenforceable against that person.
Under our partnership agreement, we must indemnify our general partner and its officers, directors and members, to the fullest extent permitted by law, against liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by our general partner or these other persons. We must provide this indemnification unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that these persons acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct. We also must provide this indemnification for criminal proceedings unless our general partner or these other persons acted with knowledge that their conduct was unlawful. Thus, our general partner could be indemnified for its negligent acts if it meets the requirements set forth above. To the extent that these provisions purport to include indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is contrary to public policy and therefore unenforceable. If you have questions regarding the fiduciary duties of our general partner, please read “The Partnership Agreement—Indemnification.”
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON UNITS
The Units
The common units and the subordinated units are separate classes of limited partner interests in us. The holders of units are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and exercise the rights or privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of common units and subordinated units in and to partnership distributions, please read this section and “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.” For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement, including voting rights, please read “The Partnership Agreement.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Duties
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. serves as registrar and transfer agent for the common units. We pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of common units, except the following that must be paid by unitholders:
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surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, taxes and other governmental charges;
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special charges for services requested by a holder of a common unit; and
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other similar fees or charges.
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There is no charge to unitholders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We will indemnify the transfer agent against all claims and losses that may arise out of all actions of the transfer agent or its agents or subcontractors for their activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or willful misconduct of the transfer agent or its agents or subcontractors.
Resignation or Removal
The transfer agent may resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us. The resignation or removal of the transfer agent will become effective upon our appointment of a successor transfer agent and registrar and its acceptance of the appointment. If no successor has been appointed and has accepted the appointment within 30 days after notice of the resignation or removal, our general partner may act as the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.
Transfer of Common Units
The transfer of our common units to persons that purchase directly from the underwriters will be accomplished through the proper completion, execution and delivery of a transfer application by the investor. Any later transfers of a common unit will not be recorded by the transfer agent or recognized by us unless the transferee executes and delivers a properly completed transfer application. By executing and delivering a transfer application, the transferee of common units:
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becomes the record holder of our common units and is an assignee until admitted into our partnership as a substituted limited partner;
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requests admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership;
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executes and agrees to comply with and be bound by the terms and conditions of our partnership agreement;
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represents that the transferee has the right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity to enter into our partnership agreement;
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grants powers of attorney to the officers of our general partner and any liquidator of us as specified in our partnership agreement; and
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makes the waivers and gives the consents and approvals contained in our partnership agreement.
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An assignee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred common units automatically upon the recording of the transfer on our books and records. Our general partner will cause any unrecorded transfers for which a properly completed and duly executed transfer application has been received to be recorded on our books and records no less frequently than quarterly.
A transferee’s broker, agent or nominee may, but is not obligated to, complete, execute and deliver a transfer application. We are entitled to treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.
Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to request admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units. A purchaser or transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a properly completed transfer application obtains only:
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the right to negotiate the common units to a purchaser or other transferee; and
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the right to transfer the right to request admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units.
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Thus, a purchaser or transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a properly completed transfer application:
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will not receive cash distributions;
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will not be allocated any of our income, gain, deduction, losses or credits for federal income tax or other tax purposes;
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may not receive some federal income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of common units; and
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will have no voting rights;
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unless the common units are held in a nominee or “street name” account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application and certification as to itself and any beneficial holders.
The transferor of common units has a duty to provide the transferee with all information that may be necessary to transfer the common units. The transferor does not have a duty to ensure the execution of the transfer application by the transferee and has no liability or responsibility if the transferee neglects or chooses not to execute and deliver a properly completed transfer application to the transfer agent. Please read “The Partnership Agreement—Status as Limited Partner or Assignee” below.
Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.
THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. The form of our partnership agreement is filed with the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We summarize the following provisions of our partnership agreement elsewhere in this prospectus:
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with regard to distributions of available cash, please read “How We Make Cash Distributions;”
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with regard to the fiduciary duties of our general partner, please read “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties;”
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with regard to the transfer of common units, please read “Description of the Common Units—Transfer of Common Units;” and
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with regard to allocations of taxable income and taxable loss, please read “Material Tax Consequences.”
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Organization and Duration
We were organized on November 21, 2006 and have a perpetual existence.
Purpose
Our purpose under our partnership agreement is to engage in, directly or indirectly, any business activity that is approved by our general partner and in any event that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized under Delaware law; provided, that our general partner may not cause us to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that our general partner determines would cause us to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. Any decision by our general partner to cause us or our subsidiaries to invest in activities will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be free from any fiduciary or other duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us and our limited partners. In general, our general partner is authorized to perform all acts it determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.
Power of Attorney
Each limited partner and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder and executes and delivers a transfer application grants to our general partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a power of attorney to, among other things, execute and file documents required for our qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants our general partner the authority to amend, and to make consents and waivers under, our partnership agreement.
Capital Contributions
Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under “—Limited Liability.”
Voting Rights
The approval of specified matters requires the limited partner vote specified below. Various matters require the approval of a “unit majority,” which means:
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during the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding those common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and a majority of the subordinated units, voting as separate classes; and
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after the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units.
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In voting their common and subordinated units, our general partner and its affiliates will have no fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us and our limited partners.
The following is a summary of the vote requirements specified for certain matters under our partnership agreement:
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Issuance of additional units
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During the subordination period, we may not issue any additional common units or units senior to or pari passu with our common units without the approval of the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner.
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Amendment of our partnership agreement
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Certain amendments may be made by our general partner without the approval of the limited partners. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority. Please read “—Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement.”
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Merger or conversion of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets
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Unit majority in certain circumstances. Please read “—Merger, Conversion, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets.”
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Dissolution of our partnership
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Unit majority. Please read “—Termination and Dissolution.”
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Continuation of our partnership upon dissolution
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Unit majority. Please read “—Termination and Dissolution.”
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Withdrawal of our general partner
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Under most circumstances, the approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required for the withdrawal of our general partner prior to March 31, 2017 in a manner that would cause a dissolution of our partnership. Please read “—Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner.”
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Removal of our general partner
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Not less than 66⅔% of the outstanding common and subordinated units, voting as a single class, including common and subordinated units held by our general partner and its affiliates. Please read “—Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner.”
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Transfer of our general partner interest
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Our general partner may transfer all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest in us, without a vote of our limited partners, to an affiliate or to another person in connection with its merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets to, such person. The approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required in other circumstances for a transfer of the general partner interest to a third party prior to March 31, 2017. Please read “—Transfer of General Partner Interest.”
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Transfer of incentive distribution rights
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Except for transfers to an affiliate or to another person in connection with our general partner’s merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets to, such person, the approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required in most circumstances for a transfer of the incentive distribution rights to a third party prior to March 31, 2017. Please read “—Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.”
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Transfer of ownership interests in our general partner
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No approval required at any time. Please read “—Transfer of Ownership Interests in Our General Partner.”
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Limited Liability
Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Act and that it otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of our partnership agreement, its liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital that it is obligated to contribute to us for its common units plus its share of any undistributed profits and assets. If it were determined, however, that the right of, or exercise of the right by, the limited partners as a group:
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to remove or replace our general partner,
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to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement, or
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to take other action under our partnership agreement
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constituted “participation in the control” of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware to the same extent as our general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us who reasonably believe that the limited partner is a general partner. Neither our partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against our general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of our general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for such a claim in Delaware case law.
Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, would exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to liability for which recourse of creditors is limited will be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act will be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years. Under the Delaware Act, an assignee who becomes a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of his assignor to make contributions to the partnership, except the assignee is not obligated for liabilities unknown to him at the time he became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from our partnership agreement.
We conduct business in two states. We may conduct business in other states in the future. Maintenance of our limited liability may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC conducts business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business there. Limitations on the liability of limited partners for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If, by virtue of our membership interest in Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC or otherwise, it were determined that we were conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership statute, or that the right of, or exercise of the right, by the limited partners as a group, to remove or replace our general partner, to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement, or to take other action under our partnership agreement constituted “participation in the control” of our business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent as our general partner under the circumstances. We will operate in a manner that our general partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the limited partners.
Issuance of Additional Securities
During the subordination period, we may not issue any additional common units or units senior to or on a parity with our common units without the approval of the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner. After the subordination period, our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our general partner without the approval of the conflicts committee.
It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities. Holders of any additional common units that we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other partnership securities may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership securities that, as determined by our general partner, have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled. In addition, our partnership agreement does not prohibit the issuance by our subsidiaries of equity securities, which may effectively rank senior to the common units.
Upon issuance of additional partnership securities, our general partner will have the right, but not the obligation, to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its 2% general partner interest in us. Our general partner’s 2% interest in us will thus be reduced if we issue additional partnership securities in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 2% general partner interest. In addition, our general partner will have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities to the extent necessary to maintain its and its affiliates’ percentage interest in us, whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates. The holders of common units will not have preemptive rights to acquire additional common units or other partnership securities.
Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement
General
Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by our general partner. However, our general partner will have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner must seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or call a meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as described below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.
Prohibited Amendments
No amendment may:
(1) enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless approved by at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected; or
(2) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to our general partner or any of its affiliates without the consent of our general partner, which may be given or withheld at its option.
The provision of our partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects described in clauses (1) and (2) above can be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding limited partner units, voting together as a single class (including units owned by our general partner and its affiliates). Affiliates of our general partner own approximately 90.6% of the outstanding limited partner units as of the date of this prospectus.
No Limited Partner Approval
Our general partner may generally make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or assignee to reflect:
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a change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, our registered agent or our registered office;
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the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with our partnership agreement;
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a change that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for us to qualify or to continue our qualification as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that we and our subsidiaries will not be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes;
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an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our general partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed;
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an amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the creation, authorization or issuance of additional partnership securities;
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any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general partner acting alone;
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an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been approved under the terms of our partnership agreement;
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any amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for our formation of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, as otherwise permitted by our partnership agreement;
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a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and related changes;
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mergers with or conveyances to another limited liability entity that is newly formed and has no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of the merger or conveyance other than those that it receives by way of the merger or conveyance; or
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any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described above.
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In addition, our general partner may make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or assignee if our general partner determines that those amendments:
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do not adversely affect in any material respect the limited partners considered as a whole or any particular class of limited partners;
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are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions, or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling, or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute;
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are necessary or appropriate to facilitate the trading of limited partner interests or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any securities exchange on which the limited partner interests are or will be listed for trading;
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are necessary or appropriate for any action taken by our general partner relating to splits or combinations of units under the provisions of our partnership agreement; or
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are required to effect the intent of the provisions of our partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by our partnership agreement.
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Opinion of Counsel and Limited Partner Approval
Our general partner will not be required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will not result in a loss of limited liability to the limited partners or result in our being treated as an entity for federal income tax purposes in connection with any of the amendments described under “—No Limited Partner Approval.” No other amendments to our partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90% of the outstanding limited partner units voting as a single class unless we first obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not affect the limited liability under Delaware law of any of our limited partners.
In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any type or class of outstanding units in relation to other classes of units will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of units so affected. Any amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action must be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.
Merger, Conversion, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets
A merger, consolidation or conversion of us requires the prior consent of our general partner. However, our general partner will have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interest of us or the limited partners.
In addition, our partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner, without the prior approval of the holders of units representing a unit majority, from causing us to, among other things, sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation, other combination, or sale of ownership interests of our subsidiaries. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without that approval. Our general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without that approval.
Our general partner may consummate any merger without the prior approval of our limited partners if we are the surviving entity in the transaction, the transaction would not result in a material amendment to our partnership agreement, each of our units will be an identical unit of our partnership following the transaction, the units to be issued do not exceed 20% of our outstanding units immediately prior to the transaction and our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding certain limited liability and tax matters.
If the conditions specified in our partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may convert us or any of our subsidiaries into a new limited liability entity or merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey all of our assets to, a newly formed entity if our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding certain limited liability and tax matters, the sole purpose of that conversion, merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited liability entity and the governing instruments of the new entity provide our partners with the same rights and obligations contained in our partnership agreement. The limited partners are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under our partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a conversion, merger or consolidation, a sale of substantially all of our assets or any other transaction or event.
Termination and Dissolution
We will continue as a limited partnership until terminated under our partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:
(1) the election of our general partner to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority;
(2) at any time there are no limited partners, unless the partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act;
(3) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or
(4) the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in its ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner interest in accordance with our partnership agreement.
Upon a dissolution under clause (4), the holders of a unit majority may also elect, within 180 days thereafter, to reconstitute us and continue our business on the same terms and conditions described in our partnership agreement by appointing as general partner an entity approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the effect that:
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the action would not result in the loss of limited liability under Delaware law of any limited partner; and
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neither our partnership nor any of our subsidiaries would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of that right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).
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Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds
Upon our dissolution, unless we are reconstituted and continued as a new limited partnership, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general partner that are necessary or appropriate, liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation as described in “How We Make Cash Distributions—Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation.” The liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time or distribute assets to partners in kind if it determines that an immediate sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to our partners.
Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner
Except as described below, our general partner has agreed not to withdraw voluntarily as our general partner prior to March 31, 2017 without giving 90 days’ notice, obtaining the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and furnishing an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. On or after March 31, 2017, our general partner may withdraw as general partner, without first obtaining approval of any unitholder, by giving 90 days’ written notice, and such withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. Notwithstanding the information above, our general partner may withdraw without common unitholder approval upon 90 days’ notice to the limited partners if at least 50% of the outstanding common units are held or controlled by one person and its affiliates other than our general partner and its affiliates. In addition, our partnership agreement permits our general partner in some instances to sell or otherwise transfer all of its general partner interest in us without the approval of the limited partners. Please read “—Transfer of General Partner Interest” and “—Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.”
Upon withdrawal of our general partner under any circumstances, other than as a result of a transfer by our general partner of all or a part of its general partner interest in us, the holders of a unit majority may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within a specified period of time after that withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority agree in writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner. Please read “—Termination and Dissolution.”
Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding common and subordinated units, voting together as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates. Any removal of our general partner is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units and subordinated units, voting as separate classes. The ownership of more than 33 1/3% of the outstanding common and subordinated units by our general partner and its affiliates would give them the practical ability to prevent our general partner’s removal. Affiliates of our general partner own approximately 90.6% of the outstanding common and subordinated units, in the aggregate, as of the date of this prospectus.
Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and no units held by our general partner and its affiliates are voted in favor of that removal:
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the subordination period will end and all outstanding subordinated units will immediately convert into common units on a one-for-one basis;
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any existing arrearages in payment of the initial quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and
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our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of the interests at the time.
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In the event of removal of our general partner under circumstances where cause exists, or withdrawal of our general partner where that withdrawal violates our partnership agreement, a successor general partner will have the option to purchase the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights of the departing general partner for a cash payment equal to the fair market value of those interests. Under all other circumstances where our general partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest of the departing general partner and its incentive distribution rights for their fair market value. In each case, this fair market value will be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor general partner. If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will determine the fair market value, or, if the departing general partner and the successor general partner cannot agree upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by each of them will determine the fair market value.
If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the successor general partner, the departing general partner will become a limited partner and the departing general partner’s general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will automatically convert into common units equal to the fair market value of those interests as determined by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.
In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due to it, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities, including severance liabilities, incurred for the termination of any employees employed by the departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.
Transfer of General Partner Interest
Except for the transfer by our general partner of all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest to:
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an affiliate of our general partner (other than an individual), or
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another entity in connection with the merger or consolidation of our general partner with or into such other entity or the transfer by our general partner of all or substantially all of its assets to such other entity,
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our general partner may not transfer all or any part of its general partner interest in our partnership to another person prior to March 31, 2017 without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates. As a condition of this transfer, the transferee must, among other things, assume the rights and duties of our general partner, agree to be bound by the provisions of our partnership agreement and furnish an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters.
Our general partner and its affiliates may at any time transfer units to one or more persons, without unitholder approval.
Transfer of Ownership Interests in Our General Partner
At any time, the owners of our general partner may sell or transfer all or part of their ownership interests in our general partner to an affiliate or a third party without the approval of our unitholders.
Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights
Prior to March 31, 2017, our general partner, its affiliates or a subsequent holder may transfer their incentive distribution rights to an affiliate of the holder (other than an individual) or to another entity as part of the merger or consolidation of such holder with or into such entity, the transfer by such holder of all or substantially all of its assets to such entity, or the sale of all of the ownership interest in such holder without the prior approval of the unitholders. Any other transfers of the incentive distribution rights prior to March 31, 2017, will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates. On or after March 31, 2017, the incentive distribution rights will be freely transferable.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC as our general partner or otherwise change management. If any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or group that acquires the units from our general partner or its affiliates and any transferees of that person or group approved by our general partner provided that our general partner has notified such transferees in writing that the loss of voting rights will not apply, or to any person or group who acquires the units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner.
Our partnership agreement provides that if our general partner is removed without cause and no units held by our general partner and its affiliates are voted in favor of that removal:
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the subordination period will end and all outstanding subordinated units will immediately convert into common units on a one-for-one basis;
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any existing arrearages in payment of the initial quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and
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our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of the interests at the time.
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Our partnership agreement also contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to take control of our partnership without the approval of our general partner. Specifically, our partnership agreement provides that we have elected to have Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, apply to transactions in which an interested unitholder (as described below) seeks to enter into a business combination with us. Under this provision, such a holder will not be permitted to enter into a business combination with us for a period of three years following the time that the unitholder became an interested unitholder unless:
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prior to the time the unitholder becomes an interested unitholder, our general partner approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the unitholder becoming an interested unitholder;
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upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the unitholder’s becoming an interested unitholder, the interested unitholder owned at least 85% of our outstanding limited partner units at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of limited partner units outstanding those limited partner units owned:
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by persons who are directors and also officers; and
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by employee unit plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether units held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
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at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by our general partner and authorized at an annual or special meeting of holders of our limited partner units, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of our outstanding voting limited partner units that are not owned by the interested unitholder.
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With respect to our partnership, a “business combination” under Section 203 of the DGCL would generally include:
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any merger or consolidation involving the partnership and the interested unitholder;
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any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the partnership involving the interested unitholder;
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subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the partnership of any limited partner units of the partnership to the interested unitholder;
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any transaction involving the partnership that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the units of any class or series of the partnership beneficially owned by the interested unitholder; or
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the receipt by the interested unitholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the partnership.
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In general, by reference to Section 203, an “interested unitholder” is any person or entity, other than our general partner and its affiliates, that beneficially owns (or within three years did own) 15% or more of the outstanding limited partner units of the partnership and any entity or person affiliated or associated with such entity or person.
The existence of this provision is expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our general partner, thereby discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for units held by unitholders.
Limited Call Right
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates hold more than 80% of the total limited partner interest of any class then outstanding, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining limited partner interests of the class held by unaffiliated persons. Affiliates of our general partner own approximately 41.2% of the outstanding common units as of the date of this prospectus. If the subordinated units were converted into common units, affiliates of our general partner would own approximately 90.6% of the outstanding common units as of the date of this prospectus.
The purchase price in the event of such an acquisition will be the greater of:
(1) the average of the daily closing prices of the partnership securities of such class over the 20 trading days preceding the date three days before the date the notice is mailed; and
(2) the highest price paid by our general partner or any of its affiliates for any partnership securities of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those partnership securities.
As a result of our general partner’s rights to purchase outstanding units, a holder of units may have his units purchased at an undesirable time or price. The federal income tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of his common units in the market. Please read “Material Tax Consequences—Disposition of Common Units.”
Non-Eligible Citizen; Redemption
If we or any of our subsidiaries is or becomes subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation that our general partner determines would create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which we or any of our subsidiaries has an interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of a unitholder, our general partner, acting on our behalf, may at any time require any unitholder to certify that the unitholder is an Eligible Citizen. For this purpose, an Eligible Citizen means a person or entity qualified to hold an interest in real property in jurisdictions in which we or any of our subsidiaries does business or proposes to do business from time to time, and whose status as a unitholder our general partner determines does not or would not subject us or any of our subsidiaries to a significant risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any of its properties or any interest therein.
If a unitholder fails to furnish a citizenship certification containing the required certification within 30 days after request or our general partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a unitholder is not an Eligible Citizen we will have the right, which we may assign to any of our affiliates, to acquire all but not less than all of the units held by such unitholder. Furthermore, the units will not be entitled to any allocations of income or loss, distributions or voting rights while held by such unitholder.
The purchase price in the event of such an acquisition for each unit held by such unitholder will be equal to the current market price as of the date three days before the date the notice is mailed.
The purchase price will be paid in cash or by delivery of a promissory note, as determined by our general partner. Any such promissory note will bear interest at the rate of 5% annually and be payable in three equal annual installments of principal and accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.
Non-Taxpaying Assignees; Redemption
Our partnership agreement provides that if our general partner, with the advice of counsel, determines that our status as a pass-through entity for federal, state or local income tax purposes, coupled with the tax status (or lack of proof thereof) of one or more of our limited partners, has, or will have, a material adverse effect on our economic interests, then our general partner may, in its sole discretion, adopt such amendments to our partnership agreement as it determines necessary or advisable to:
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obtain proof of the federal income tax status of our limited partners (and their owners, to the extent relevant); and
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permit our general partner to redeem the units held by any limited partner whose tax status has or is reasonably likely to have such a material adverse effect or who fails to comply with the procedures instituted by our general partner to obtain proof of the federal income tax status. The redemption price in the case of such a redemption will be the average of the daily closing prices per unit for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the date set for redemption.
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Meetings; Voting
Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, unitholders or assignees who are record holders of units on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited. Common units that are owned by an assignee who is a record holder, but who has not yet been admitted as a limited partner, will be voted by our general partner at the written direction of the record holder. Absent direction of this kind, the common units will not be voted.
Our general partner does not anticipate that any meeting of unitholders will be called in the foreseeable future. Any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting. Meetings of the unitholders may be called by our general partner or by unitholders owning at least 20% of the outstanding limited partner units of the class for which a meeting is proposed. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage.
Each record holder of a unit has a vote according to his percentage interest in us, although additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. Please read “—Issuance of Additional Securities.” However, if at any time any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, or a direct or subsequently approved transferee of our general partner or its affiliates, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its units and the units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum, or for other similar purposes. Common units held in a nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and his nominee provides otherwise. Except as our partnership agreement otherwise provides, subordinated units will vote together with common units as a single class.
Any notice, demand, request, report, or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of common units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.
Status as Limited Partner or Assignee
Except as described above under “—Limited Liability,” the common units will be fully paid, and unitholders will not be required to make additional contributions.
An assignee of a common unit, after executing and delivering a transfer application, but pending its admission as a substituted limited partner, is entitled to an interest equivalent to that of a limited partner with respect to allocations and distributions from us, including liquidating distributions. Our general partner will exercise the voting rights attributable to common units owned by an assignee that has not become a substituted limited partner at the written direction of the assignee. Please read “—Meetings; Voting.” An assignee has no other rights of a limited partner. Transferees who do not execute and deliver a transfer application and certification will not be treated as assignees or as record holders of common units, and will not receive cash distributions, federal income tax allocations, or reports furnished to holders of common units. Please read “—Transfer of Common Units.”
Indemnification
Under our partnership agreement, we will indemnify the following persons in most circumstances, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events:
(1) our general partner;
(2) any departing general partner;
(3) any person who is or was an affiliate of our general partner or any departing general partner;
(4) any person who is or was a member, manager, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of any entity described in (1), (2) or (3) above (other than any person who is or was our limited partner in such person’s capacity as such);
(5) any person who is or was serving as an officer, director, member, manager, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person at the request of our general partner or any departing general partner or any of their affiliates; or
(6) any person designated by our general partner.
Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it otherwise agrees, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under our partnership agreement.
Reimbursement of Expenses
Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner or Cheniere LNG Terminals, Inc., without duplication, for all direct expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to us or our subsidiaries or otherwise incurred in connection with operating our business. These expenses include the fees and expenses payable by us pursuant to management services agreements.
Books and Reports
Our general partner is required to keep appropriate books and records of our business at our principal offices. The books will be maintained for financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis. Our fiscal year is the calendar year.
We will mail or make available (by posting on our website or other reasonable means) to record holders of common units, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those financial statements by our independent public accountants. Except for our fourth quarter, we will also mail or make available summary financial information within 90 days after the close of each quarter.
We will furnish each record holder of a unit with information reasonably required for tax reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each calendar year. This information is expected to be furnished in summary form so that some complex calculations normally required of partners can be avoided. Our ability to furnish this summary information to unitholders will depend on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying us with specific information. Every unitholder will receive information to assist him in determining his federal and state tax liability and filing his federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us with information.
Right to Inspect Our Books and Records
Our partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to his interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable written demand and at his own expense, have furnished to him:
(1) a current list of the name and last known address of each partner;
(2) a copy of our tax returns;
(3) information as to the amount of cash, and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other property or services, contributed or to be contributed by each partner and the date on which each became a partner;
(4) copies of our partnership agreement, our certificate of limited partnership, related amendments and powers of attorney under which they have been executed;
(5) information regarding the status of our business and financial condition; and
(6) any other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable.
Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which our general partner believes in good faith is not in our best interests or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.
Registration Rights
Under our partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws any common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities proposed to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates or their assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements is not otherwise available. These registration rights continue for two years following any withdrawal or removal of Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC as our general partner. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.
DESCRIPTION OF PARTNERSHIP SECURITIES
During the subordination period, we may not issue any additional common units or units senior to or on a parity with our common units without the approval of the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner. After the subordination period, our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional limited partner interests and other equity securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions established by our general partner in its sole discretion without the approval of any limited partners or the conflicts committee.
It is possible that we will fund acquisitions or capital expenditures through the issuance of additional common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities. Holders of any additional common units that we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other partnership securities may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we also may issue additional partnership securities that, in the sole discretion of our general partner, have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled.
Upon issuance of additional partnership securities, our general partner may make, but is not required to make, additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its 2% general partner interest in us. If our general partner chooses not to make an additional capital contribution equal to its percentage interest, such interest will be reduced to reflect its percentage of the total capital contributed.
The following is a description of the general terms and provisions of our partnership securities. The particular terms of any series of partnership securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and the amendment to our partnership agreement, if necessary, relating to that series of partnership securities, which will be filed as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in this prospectus at or before the time of issuance of any such series of partnership securities. If so indicated in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any such series may differ from the terms set forth below.
Our general partner is authorized to approve the issuance of one or more series of partnership securities without further authorization of the limited partners and to fix the number of securities, designations, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of any such series.
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the number of securities, particular designation, relative rights and preferences and the limitations of any series of partnership securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered. The particular terms of any such series will include the following:
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the maximum number of securities to constitute the series and the designation and ranking thereof;
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the annual distribution rate, if any, on securities of the series, whether such rate is fixed or variable or both, the dates from which distributions will begin to accrue or accumulate, whether distributions will be cumulative and whether such distributions will be paid in cash, securities or otherwise;
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whether the securities of the series will be redeemable and, if so, the price and the terms and conditions on which the securities of the series may be redeemed, including the time during which securities of the series may be redeemed and any accumulated distributions thereof that the holders of the securities of the series will be entitled to receive upon the redemption thereof;
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the liquidation preference, if any, applicable to securities of the series;
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the terms and conditions, if any, on which the securities of the series will be convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities of any other class or classes of partnership securities, including the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same; and
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the voting rights, if any, of the securities of the series.
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Partnership securities will be fully paid and non-assessable when issued upon full payment of the purchase price therefor. The prospectus supplement will contain, if applicable, a description of the material United States federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase and ownership of the series of partnership securities offered by the prospectus supplement. The transfer agent, registrar and distributions disbursement agent for the partnership securities will be designated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Any debt securities that we offer under a prospectus supplement will be direct, unsecured general obligations. The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures between us and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are called “indentures.” The indentures will be supplemented by supplemental indentures, the material provisions of which will be described in a prospectus supplement.
As used in this description, the words “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., and not to any of our subsidiaries or affiliates.
We have summarized some of the material provisions of the indentures below. This summary does not restate those agreements in their entirety. A form of senior indenture and a form of subordinated indenture have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We urge you to read each of the indentures because each one, and not this description, defines the rights of holders of debt securities.
Capitalized terms defined in the indentures have the same meanings when used in this prospectus.
General
The debt securities issued under the indentures will be our direct, unsecured general obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will have a junior position to all of our senior debt.
The following description sets forth the general terms and provisions that could apply to debt securities that we may offer to sell. A prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following, among others:
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the title and type of the debt securities;
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the total principal amount of the debt securities;
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the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and any payments due if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated;
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the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;
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the interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities;
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any conversion or exchange features;
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any optional redemption periods;
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any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem some or all of the debt securities;
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any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs;
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any changes to or additional events of default or covenants;
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any special tax implications of the debt securities, including provisions for original issue discount securities, if offered; and
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any other terms of the debt securities.
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Neither of the indentures will limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued. Each indenture will allow debt securities to be issued up to the principal amount that may be authorized by us and may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us.
Debt securities of a series may be issued in registered or global form.
Covenants
Under the indentures, we:
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will pay the principal of, and interest and any premium on, the debt securities when due;
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will maintain a place of payment;
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will deliver a certificate to the trustee each fiscal year reviewing our compliance with our obligations under the indentures;
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will preserve our corporate existence; and
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will segregate or deposit with any paying agent sufficient funds for the payment of any principal, interest or premium on or before the due date of such payment.
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Mergers and Sale of Assets
Each of the indentures will provide that we may not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets (on a consolidated basis) to another Person, unless:
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either: (a) we are the surviving Person; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than us) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
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the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than us) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all of our obligations under such indenture and the debt securities governed thereby pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, which may include a supplemental indenture;
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we or the successor will not immediately be in default under such indenture; and
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we deliver an officer’s certificate and opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease and any supplemental indenture comply with Article Eight of the indenture and that all conditions precedent set forth in such indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
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Upon the assumption of our obligations under each indenture by a successor, we will be discharged from all obligations under such indenture, except in the case of a lease.
As used in the indenture and in this description, the word “Person” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, other entity, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Events of Default
“Event of default,” when used in the indentures with respect to debt securities of any series, will mean any of the following:
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(1)
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default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
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(2)
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default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any debt security of that series at its maturity;
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(3)
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default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten of the applicable indenture (other than a covenant, a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” thereunder;
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(4)
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default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in the applicable indenture (other than a covenant set forth in Article Ten of such indenture or any other covenant, a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” thereunder;
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(5)
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we, pursuant to or within the meaning of any bankruptcy law, (i) commence a voluntary case, (ii) consent to the entry of any order for relief against us in an involuntary case, (iii) consent to the appointment of a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property, or (iv) make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors;
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(6)
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a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any bankruptcy law that (i) is for relief against us in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property, or (iii) orders the liquidation of us, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;
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(7)
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default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or
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(8)
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any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series in accordance with provisions of the indenture related to the issuance of such debt securities.
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An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of principal, interest or any premium) if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the interests of the holders.
If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of all of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If this happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can void the declaration.
Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under any indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee. If they provide this indemnification, and subject to the conditions set forth in the indenture, the holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of any series of debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of debt securities.
Amendments and Waivers
Subject to certain exceptions, the indentures and the debt securities issued thereunder may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with respect to each series of debt securities with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities).
Without the consent of each holder of the outstanding debt securities affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not, among other things:
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change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security, reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the applicable indenture, change the coin or currency in which any debt security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date therefor);
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reduce the percentage in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of the holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences provided for in the applicable indenture;
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modify any of the provisions set forth in (i) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the holder’s unconditional right to receive principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities or (ii) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the waiver of past defaults under such indenture;
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(4)
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waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security; provided, however, that any purchase or repurchase of debt securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the debt securities;
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release any guarantor from any of its obligations under its guarantee or the applicable indenture, except in accordance with the terms of such indenture (as amended or supplemented); or
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make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions, except to increase any percentage provided for therein or to provide that certain other provisions of the applicable indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each then-outstanding debt security affected thereby.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, we, the guarantors, if any, and the trustee may amend each of the indentures or the debt securities issued thereunder to:
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cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision therein that may be inconsistent with any other provision therein;
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(2)
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evidence the succession of another Person to us and the assumption by any such successor of our covenants therein and, to the extent applicable, of the debt securities;
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provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; provided that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or in the manner such that the uncertificated debt securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;
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add a guarantee and cause any Person to become a guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the guarantee of such guarantor therein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any debt securities of any series;
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(5)
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secure the debt securities of any series;
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add to our covenants such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as we shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of debt securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in the applicable indenture as set forth therein, or to surrender any right or power therein conferred upon us; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an event of default or may limit the remedies available to the trustee upon such an event of default or may limit the right of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series to waive such an event of default;
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make any change to any provision of the applicable indenture that does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities issued thereunder;
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(8)
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provide for the issuance of additional debt securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in the applicable indenture on the date of such indenture;
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(9)
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add any additional defaults or events of default in respect of all or any series of debt securities;
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(10)
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add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;
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change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no debt security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision;
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establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted thereunder, including to reopen any series of any debt securities as permitted thereunder;
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evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment thereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the applicable indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of such indenture;
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conform the text of the applicable indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder to any provision of a description of such debt securities appearing in a prospectus or prospectus supplement or an offering memorandum or offering circular to the extent that such provision appears on its face to have been intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of such indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder; or
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modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of such indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to such indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.
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The consent of the holders is not necessary under either indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under an indenture becomes effective, we are required to mail to the holders of debt securities thereunder a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all such holders, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Each indenture provides that we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to the debt securities outstanding thereunder and all obligations of any guarantors of such debt securities discharged with respect to their guarantees (“Legal Defeasance”), except for:
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the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such debt securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;
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(2)
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our obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning temporary debt securities, registration of debt securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
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(3)
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the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee and our and each guarantor’s obligations in connection therewith; and
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(4)
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the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance (as defined below) provisions of the applicable indenture.
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In addition, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have our obligations released with respect to certain provisions of each indenture, including certain provisions described in any prospectus supplement (such release and termination being referred to as “Covenant Defeasance”), and thereafter any failure to comply with such obligations or provisions will not constitute a default or event of default. In addition, in the event Covenant Defeasance occurs in accordance with the applicable indenture, any defeasible event of default will no longer constitute an event of default.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
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we must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. government securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the outstanding debt securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and we must specify whether the debt securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;
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(2)
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in the case of Legal Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the trustee confirming that (a) we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the issue date of the debt securities, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
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(3)
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in the case of Covenant Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
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(4)
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no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a default or event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
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(5)
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the deposit must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which we or any guarantor is a party or by which we or any guarantor is bound;
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(6)
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such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the applicable indenture) to which we are, or any of our subsidiaries is, a party or by which we are, or any of our subsidiaries is, bound;
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(7)
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we must deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate stating that the deposit was not made by us with the intent of preferring the holders of debt securities over our other creditors with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding our creditors or the creditors of others;
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(8)
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we must deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (1) through (6) of this paragraph have been complied with; and
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(9)
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we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel (which opinion of counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications, and exclusions) stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (2), (3) and (6) of this paragraph have been complied with.
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Satisfaction and Discharge
Each of the indentures will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities and certain rights of the trustee, as expressly provided for in such indenture) as to all outstanding debt securities and guarantees issued thereunder when:
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either (a) all of the debt securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under such indenture (except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for the payment of which money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by us and thereafter repaid to us or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (b) all debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in the name, and at the expense, of us, and we or the guarantors, if any, have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee funds, in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities to the date of deposit (in the case of debt securities that have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, together with instructions from us irrevocably directing the trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
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(2)
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we have paid all other sums then due and payable under such indenture by us; and
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(3)
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we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, which state that all conditions precedent under such indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such indenture have been complied with.
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No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees, Partners, Members and Stockholders
No director, manager, officer, employee, partner, member, unitholder or stockholder of our partnership, our general partner or any guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any of our or the guarantors’ obligations under the debt securities, the indentures, the guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities, upon our issuance of the debt securities and execution of the indentures, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
Denominations
Unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement for each issuance of debt securities, the debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000.
Paying Agent and Registrar
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities. We may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the debt securities, and we may act as paying agent or registrar.
Transfer and Exchange
A holder may transfer or exchange debt securities in accordance with the applicable indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and we may require a holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the applicable indenture. We are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption. In addition, we are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security for a period of 15 days before a selection of debt securities to be redeemed.
Subordination
The payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on subordinated debt securities and any of our other payment obligations in respect of subordinated debt securities (including any obligation to repurchase subordinated debt securities) is subordinated in certain circumstances in right of payment, as set forth in the subordinated indenture, to the prior payment in full in cash of all senior debt.
We also may not make any payment, whether by redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance or otherwise, upon or in respect of subordinated debt securities, except from a trust described under “— Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance,” if
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a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any designated senior debt (“payment default”) occurs that has not been cured or waived, or
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any other default occurs and is continuing with respect to designated senior debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated (“non-payment default”) and, solely with respect to this clause, the trustee for the subordinated debt securities receives a notice of the default (a “payment blockage notice”) from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such designated senior debt.
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Cash payments on subordinated debt securities will be resumed (a) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived, and (b) in case of a nonpayment default, the earliest of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived, the termination of the payment blockage period by written notice to the trustee for the subordinated debt securities from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such designated senior debt, the payment in full of such designated senior debt or 179 days after the date on which the applicable payment blockage notice is received. No new payment blockage period may be commenced unless and until 360 days have elapsed since the date of commencement of the payment blockage period resulting from the immediately prior payment blockage notice. No nonpayment default in respect of designated senior debt that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice to the trustee for the subordinated debt securities will be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent payment blockage notice unless such default shall have been cured or waived for a period of no less than 90 consecutive days.
Upon any payment or distribution of our assets or securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the subordinated indenture) in connection with any dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of us, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings or other marshalling of assets for the benefit of creditors, all amounts due or to become due upon all senior debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the holders of the subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by or on behalf of us on account of the subordinated debt securities, or any payment to acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, us on any subordinated debt security (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the subordinated indenture) in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of our assets or securities, to which the holders of subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf would be entitled, shall be made by us or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, or by the holders or the trustee if received by them or it, directly to the holders of senior debt or their representatives or to any trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such senior debt may have been issued, as their respective interests appear, to the extent necessary to pay all such senior debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such senior debt.
As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of the our liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or an assignment for the benefit of our creditors or a marshalling of our assets or liabilities, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive ratably less than other creditors.
Payment and Transfer
Principal, interest and any premium on fully registered debt securities will be paid at designated places. Payment will be made by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement. Debt securities payments in other forms will be paid at a place designated by us and specified in a prospectus supplement.
Fully registered debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the trustee or at any other office or agency maintained by us for such purposes, without the payment of any service charge except for any tax or governmental charge.
Global Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that we will deposit with a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities that it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole:
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by the applicable depositary to a nominee of the depositary;
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by any nominee to the depositary itself or another nominee; or
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by the depositary or any nominee to a successor depositary or any nominee of the successor.
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We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements.
When we issue a global security in registered form, the depositary for the global security or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary (“participants”). Those accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect to the underlying debt securities or by us if those debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. For interests of participants, ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee. For interests of persons other than participants, that ownership information will be shown on the records of participants. Transfer of that ownership will be effected only through those records. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair our ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
As long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:
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will not be entitled to have any of the underlying debt securities registered in their names;
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will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any of the underlying debt securities in definitive form; and
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will not be considered the owners or holders under the indenture relating to those debt securities.
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Payments of the principal of, any premium on and any interest on individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. Neither we, the trustee for the debt securities, any paying agent nor the registrar for the debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depositary or any participants on account of beneficial interests in the global security.
We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, any premium or interest relating to a global security representing any series of debt securities, immediately will credit participants’ accounts with the payments. Those payments will be credited in amounts proportional to the respective beneficial interests of the participants in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. This is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the sole responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities representing that series. In addition, we may at any time in our sole discretion determine not to have any debt securities of a series represented by one or more global securities. In that event, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities. The foregoing is subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In any such instance, the owner of the beneficial interest will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities equal in principal amount to the beneficial interest and to have the debt securities registered in its name. Those individual debt securities will be issued in any authorized denominations.
Governing Law
Each indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Information Concerning the Trustee
The Bank of New York Mellon will be the trustee under the indentures. A successor trustee may be appointed in accordance with the terms of the indentures.
The indentures and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein will contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflicting interest or resign.
A single banking or financial institution may act as trustee with respect to both the subordinated indenture and the senior indenture. If this occurs, and should a default occur with respect to either the subordinated debt securities or the senior debt securities, such banking or financial institution would be required to resign as trustee under one of the indentures within 90 days of such default, pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, unless such default were cured, duly waived or otherwise eliminated.
We may issue warrants to purchase common units, other partnership securities, debt securities or rights. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities that may be attached to or separate from the warrants. If we issue warrants, we may do so under one or more warrant agreements between us and a warrant agent that we will name in the prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:
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the title of the warrants;
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the securities purchasable upon the exercise of such warrants;
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the aggregate number of warrants to be issued;
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the principal amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of each warrant;
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the price or prices at which each warrant will be issued;
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the procedures for exercising the warrants;
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the date upon which the exercise of warrants will commence;
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the expiration date, and any other material terms of the warrants; and
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any other terms of such warrants, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.
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The warrants do not confer upon the holders thereof any voting or other rights of unitholders.
We may issue rights to purchase our common units, other partnership securities, debt securities or warrants. The rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the persons purchasing or receiving the rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of such rights, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which such underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering.
Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement that we will enter into with one or more banks, trust companies or other financial institutions, as rights agent, all of which will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms of any offering of rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:
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the price, if any, per right;
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the exercise price payable for each common unit, partnership security, debt security or warrant upon the exercise of the rights;
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the number of rights issued or to be issued to each unitholder;
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the number and terms of the common units, partnership securities, debt securities or warrants that may be purchased per each right;
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the extent to which the rights are transferable;
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any other terms of the rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights;
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the respective dates on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights will commence and will expire;
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the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and
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if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights.
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The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any rights that we may offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC.
This prospectus also relates to the possible resale by one of our unitholders of up to an aggregate of 10,891,357 common units that were issued and outstanding prior to the original date of filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The selling unitholder acquired such units pursuant to issuances and transfers that occurred in connection with our formation in 2007.
As used in this prospectus, “selling unitholder” includes donees, pledgees, transferees, distributees or other successors-in-interest that sell units received after the date of this prospectus from the named selling unitholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other non-sale related transfer. Brokerage commissions and similar selling expenses, if any, attributable to the sale of the common units sold by the selling unitholder will be borne by the selling unitholder. The following table sets forth information relating to the selling unitholder’s beneficial ownership of our common units:
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Number of Common Units Owned
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Cheniere Common Units Holding, LLC
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10,891,357
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The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth, with respect to the selling unitholder:
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the nature of the position, office or other material relationship which the selling unitholder will have had within the prior three years with us or any of our affiliates;
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the number of common units owned by the selling unitholder prior to the offering;
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the number of common units to be offered for the selling unitholder’s accounts; and
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the number and (if one percent or more) the percentage of the outstanding common units to be owned by the selling unitholder after the completion of the offering.
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MATERIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES
This section is a discussion of the material tax considerations that may be relevant to prospective unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, represents the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP, special counsel to our general partner and us, insofar as it relates to matters of United States federal income tax law and legal conclusions with respect to those matters. This section is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Internal Revenue Code, existing and proposed Treasury Regulations and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Later changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “us” or “we” are references to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC.
The following discussion does not address all federal income tax matters affecting us or our unitholders. Moreover, the discussion focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and has only limited application to corporations, estates, trusts, nonresident aliens or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as tax-exempt institutions, foreign persons, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), real estate investment trusts (REITs), employee benefit plans or mutual funds. Accordingly, we urge each prospective unitholder to consult, and depend on, his own tax advisor in analyzing the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of the common units.
All statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions, but not as to factual matters, contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP and are based on the accuracy of the representations made by us and our general partner.
No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Instead, we will rely on opinions and advice of Andrews Kurth LLP. Unlike a ruling, an opinion of counsel represents only that counsel’s best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made in this discussion may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for the common units and the prices at which the common units trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees, will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and our general partner and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or of an investment in us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.
For the reasons described below, Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following specific federal income tax issues: the treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units (please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Treatment of Short Sales”); whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by existing Treasury Regulations (please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees”); and whether our method for depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain cases (please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election” and “—Uniformity of Units”).
Partnership Status
A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner are generally not taxable to the partner unless the amount of cash distributed to him is in excess of the partner’s adjusted basis in his partnership interest.
Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly traded partnerships will, as a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the “Qualifying Income Exception,” exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the gross income for every taxable year consists of “qualifying income.” Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from the transportation, storage and processing of crude oil, natural gas and products thereof. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We estimate that less than 1% of our current gross income is not qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time. Based on and subject to this estimate, the factual representations made by us and our general partner and a review of the applicable legal authorities, Andrews Kurth LLP is of the opinion that at least 90% of our current gross income constitutes qualifying income. The portion of our income that is qualifying income may change from time to time.
No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS and the IRS has made no determination as to our status for federal income tax purposes or whether our operations generate “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP on such matters. It is the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP that, based upon the Internal Revenue Code, its regulations, published revenue rulings and court decisions and the representations described below, we will be classified as a partnership and Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC will be disregarded as an entity separate from us for federal income tax purposes.
In rendering its opinion, Andrews Kurth LLP has relied on factual representations made by us and our general partner. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which Andrews Kurth LLP has relied include:
(a) None of the partnership, Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC, or Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. has elected or will elect to be treated as a corporation; and
(b) For each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income that Andrews Kurth LLP has opined or will opine is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.
If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery (in which case the IRS may also require us to make adjustments with respect to our unitholders or pay other amounts), we will be treated as if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for stock in that corporation, and then distributed that stock to the unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This deemed contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to unitholders and us except to the extent that our liabilities exceed the tax basis of our assets at that time. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.
If we were taxable as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to the unitholders, and our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made by us to a unitholder would be treated as either taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital, to the extent of the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units, or taxable capital gain, after the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units is reduced to zero. Accordingly, taxation as a corporation would result in a material reduction in a unitholder’s cash flow and after-tax return and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of the units.
The discussion below is based on Andrews Kurth LLP’s opinion that we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Limited Partner Status
Unitholders who have become limited partners of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. will be treated as partners of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. for federal income tax purposes. Also, unitholders whose common units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of their common units will be treated as partners of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. for federal income tax purposes.
A beneficial owner of common units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for federal income tax purposes. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Treatment of Short Sales.”
Items of our income, gain, loss and deduction would not appear to be reportable by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to be fully taxable as ordinary income. These unitholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to their tax consequences of holding common units in Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. The references to “unitholders” in the discussion that follow are to persons who are treated as partners in Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. for federal income tax purposes.
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership
Flow-Through of Taxable Income. We do not pay any federal income tax. Our unitholders are treated as partners to whom we allocate taxable income. Each unitholder is required to report on his income tax return his share of our income, gains, losses and deductions whether or not he receives corresponding cash distributions from us . Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if he has not received a cash distribution or a unitholder may not receive cash distributions from us equal to his share of our taxable income or even equal to the actual tax liability that results from his share of our taxable income . Each unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for our taxable year or years ending with or within his taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.
Treatment of Distributions. Distributions by us to a unitholder , including upon our liquidation, generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent the amount of any such cash distribution exceeds his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Our cash distributions in excess of a unitholder’s tax basis in his common units generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of the common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under “—Disposition of Common Units” below. Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities for which no partner, including our general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, known as “nonrecourse liabilities,” will be treated as a distribution of cash to that unitholder. To the extent our distributions cause a unitholder’s “at risk” amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, the unitholder must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. Please read “—Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.”
A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash which may constitute a non-pro rata distribution. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his common units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation recapture, and/or substantially appreciated “inventory items,” both as defined in Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code, and collectively, “Section 751 Assets.” To that extent, he will be treated as having been distributed his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and having then exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholder’s realization of ordinary income, which will equal the excess of the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over the unitholder’s tax basis for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.
Basis of Common Units. A unitholder’s initial tax basis for his common units will be the amount he paid for the common units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis generally will be increased by his share of our income and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis generally will be decreased, but not below zero, by distributions from us, by the unitholder’s share of our losses, by any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder will have no share of our debt that is recourse to our general partner, but will have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
Limitations on Deductibility of Losses. The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder or a corporate unitholder, if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholder’s stock is owned directly or indirectly by or for five or fewer individuals or some tax-exempt organizations, to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities, if that amount is less than his tax basis. A unitholder subject to these limitations must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his at risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable as a deduction in a later year to the extent that his tax basis or at risk amount, whichever is the limiting factor, is subsequently increased provided that such losses are otherwise allowable. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any excess loss above that gain previously suspended by the at risk or basis limitations is no longer utilizable.
In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of his units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by (i) any portion of that basis representing amounts other than those protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop-loss agreement or other similar agreement and (ii) any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to another unitholder who has an interest in us, or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder’s at risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the unitholder’s units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable to increases or decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities.
In addition to the basis and at-risk limitations on the deductibility of losses, the passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some closely-held corporations and personal service corporations are permitted to deduct losses from passive activities, which are generally trade or business activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate, only to the extent of the taxpayer’s income from those passive activities. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will only be available to offset our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments, including our investments or investments in other publicly traded partnerships, or a unitholder’s salary or active business income. Passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder’s share of income we generate may be deducted in full when the unitholder disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive activity loss limitations are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at risk rules and the basis limitation.
A unitholder’s share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses, but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities, including those attributable to other publicly traded partnerships.
Limitations on Interest Deductions. The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:
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interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment;
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our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and
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the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income.
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The computation of a unitholder’s investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment. The IRS has indicated that net passive income earned by a publicly traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its unitholders for purposes of the investment interest deduction limitation. In addition, the unitholder’s share of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income.
Entity-Level Collections. If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state, local or foreign income tax on behalf of any unitholder or our general partner or any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend our partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under our partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of an individual unitholder in which event the unitholder would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund.
Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction. In general, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that distributions are made to the common units in excess of distributions to the subordinated units, or incentive distributions are made to the general partner, gross income will be allocated to the recipients to the extent of these distributions. If we have a net loss for the entire year, that loss will be allocated first to our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts and, second, to our general partner.
Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated under Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code to account for the difference between the tax basis and fair market value of our assets at the time we issue common units in an offering, referred to in this discussion as “Contributed Property.” These allocations are required to eliminate the difference between a partner’s “book” capital account, credited with the fair market value of Contributed Property, and the “tax” capital account, credited with the tax basis of Contributed Property, referred to in the discussion as the “Book-Tax Disparity.” The effect of these allocations to a unitholder purchasing common units in such an offering will be essentially the same as if the tax basis of our assets were equal to their fair market value at the time of such an offering. In the event we issue additional common units or engage in certain other transactions in the future, “reverse Section 704(c) allocations,” similar to the Section 704(c) allocations described above, will be made to all partners to account for the difference, at the time of the future transaction, between the “book” basis for purposes of maintaining capital accounts and the fair market value of all property held by us at the time of the future transaction. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by other unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.
An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required by Section 704(c) to eliminate the Book-Tax Disparity, will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has substantial economic effect. In any other case, a partner’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including:
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his relative contributions to us;
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the interests of all the partners in profits and losses;
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the interest of all the partners in cash flow; and
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the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation.
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Andrews Kurth LLP is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election,” “—Uniformity of Units” and “—Disposition of Common Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees,” allocations under our partnership agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.
Treatment of Short Sales. A unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, during this period:
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any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units would not be reportable by the unitholder;
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any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units would be fully taxable; and
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all of these distributions would appear to be ordinary income.
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Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder where common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units. Therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing and loaning their units. The IRS has previously announced that it is studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please also read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
Alternative Minimum Tax. Each unitholder will be required to take into account his distributive share of any items of our income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. The current minimum tax rate for non-corporate taxpayers is 26% on the first $175,000 of alternative minimum taxable income in excess of the exemption amount and 28% on any additional alternative minimum taxable income. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of an investment in units on their liability for the alternative minimum tax.
Tax Rates. Under current law, the highest marginal United States federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income of individuals is 35% and the highest marginal United States federal income tax rate for long-term capital gains (generally, capital gains on certain assets held for more than 12 months) of an individual is 15%. However, absent new legislation extending the current rates, beginning January 1, 2011, the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income and long-term capital gains of individuals will increase to 39.6% and 20%, respectively. Moreover, these rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.
Recently enacted legislation will impose a 3.8% Medicare tax on certain net investment income earned by individuals, estates and trusts for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes a unitholder’s allocable share of our income and gain realized by a unitholder from a sale of common units. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the unitholder’s net investment income or (2) the amount by which the unitholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case).
Section 754 Election. We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. The election generally permits us to adjust a common unit purchaser’s tax basis in our assets (“inside basis”) under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect his purchase price. This election applies to a person who purchases units from a selling unitholder but does not apply to a person who purchases common units directly from us. The Section 743(b) adjustment belongs to the purchaser and not to other unitholders. For purposes of this discussion, a unitholder’s inside basis in our assets will be considered to have two components: (1) his share of our tax basis in our assets (“common basis”) and (2) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.
Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code require, if the remedial allocation method is adopted (which we have adopted), a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment that is attributable to recovery property that is subject to depreciation under Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code and whose book basis is in excess of its tax basis to be depreciated over the remaining cost recovery period for the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity. Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code, rather than cost recovery deductions under Section 168, is generally required to be depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150% declining balance method. Under our partnership agreement, our general partner is authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with these and any other Treasury Regulations. Please read “—Uniformity of Units.”
Although Andrews Kurth LLP is unable to opine as to the validity of this approach because there is no controlling authority on this issue, we intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity of the property, or treat that portion as non-amortizable to the extent attributable to property which is not amortizable. This method is consistent with methods employed by other publicly traded partnerships but is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. To the extent this Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation or amortization, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. This kind of aggregate approach may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. Please read “—Uniformity of Units.” A unitholder’s tax basis for his common units is reduced by his share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual’s income tax return) so that any position we take that understates deductions will overstate the unitholder’s basis in his common units, which may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.” The IRS may challenge our position with respect to depreciating or amortizing the Section 743(b) adjustment we take to preserve the uniformity of the units. If such a challenge were sustained, the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.
A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is higher than the units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. In that case, as a result of the election, the transferee would have, among other items, a greater amount of depreciation deductions and his share of any gain or loss on a sale of our assets would be less. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is lower than those units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Thus, the fair market value of the units may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by the election. A basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made in the case of a transfer of an interest in us if we have a substantial built-in loss immediately after the transfer, or if we distribute property and have a substantial basis reduction. Generally a basis reduction or a built-in loss is substantial if it exceeds $250,000.
The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example, the allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment we allocated to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally either nonamortizable or amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure you that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS and that the deductions resulting from them will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.
Tax Treatment of Operations
Accounting Method and Taxable Year. We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year or years ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year different from our taxable year and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year must include his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for his taxable year, with the result that he will be required to include in income for his taxable year his share of more than one year of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”
Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization. We use the tax basis of our assets for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. The federal income tax burden associated with the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to the time we issue units in an offering will be borne by partners holding interests in us immediately prior to an offering. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.”
To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets subject to these allowances are placed in service. Please read “—Uniformity of Units.” Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.
If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction” and “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
The costs incurred in selling our units (called “syndication expenses”) must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which we may be able to amortize, and as syndication expenses, which we may not be able to amortize. The underwriting discounts and commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.
Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties. The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values, and the tax bases, of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deductions previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.
Disposition of Common Units
Recognition of Gain or Loss. Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the unitholder’s amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis for the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property received by him plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities attributable to the common units sold. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.
Prior distributions from us in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a common unit that decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost.
Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a “dealer” in units, on the sale or exchange of a unit will generally be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held more than 12 months will generally be taxed at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15% through December 31, 2010 and 20% thereafter (absent legislation extending or adjusting the current rate). However, a portion, which will likely be substantial, of this gain or loss will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to depreciation recapture or other “unrealized receivables” or to “inventory items” we own. The term “unrealized receivables” includes potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized on the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Net capital losses may offset capital gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income each year in the case of individuals and may only be used to offset capital gains in the case of corporations.
The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method, which generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the same relation to the partner’s tax basis in his entire interest in the partnership as the value of the interest sold bears to the value of the partner’s entire interest in the partnership. Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify common units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the common units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling discussed above, a common unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis common units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, may designate specific common units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of common units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of common units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of common units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the Treasury Regulations.
Specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code affect the taxation of some financial products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an “appreciated” partnership interest, one in which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned or terminated at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enter(s) into:
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an offsetting notional principal contract; or
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a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.
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Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having constructively sold the financial position.
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, our taxable income or loss will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Allocation Date.” However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders on the Allocation Date in the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.
Although simplifying conventions are contemplated by the Internal Revenue Code and most publicly traded partnerships use similar simplifying conventions, the use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations. Recently, the Department of the Treasury and the IRS issued proposed Treasury Regulations that provide a safe harbor pursuant to which a publicly traded partnership may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders, although such tax items must be prorated on a daily basis. Existing publicly traded partnerships are entitled to rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations; however, they are not binding on the IRS and are subject to change until final Treasury Regulations are issued. Accordingly, Andrews Kurth LLP is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating income and deductions between transferor and transferee unitholders. If this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the unitholder’s interest, our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the unitholders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferor and transferee unitholders, as well as unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year, to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury Regulations.
A unitholder who owns units at any time during a quarter and who disposes of them prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to that quarter but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.
Notification Requirements. A unitholder who sells any of his units, other than through a broker, generally is required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A purchaser of units who purchases units from another unitholder is also generally required to notify us in writing of that purchase within 30 days after the purchase. Upon receiving such notification, we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a transfer of units may, in some cases, lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the United States and who effects the sale or exchange through a broker who will satisfy such requirements.
Constructive Termination. We will be considered to have been terminated for tax purposes if there are sales or exchanges which, in the aggregate, constitute 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a 12-month period. A constructive termination results in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year different from our taxable year, the closing of our taxable year may result in more than 12 months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. A constructive termination occurring on a date other than December 31 will result in us filing two tax returns (and unitholders could receive two Schedules K-1) for one fiscal year and the cost of the preparation of these returns will be borne by all common unitholders. We would be required to make new tax elections after a termination, including a new election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code, and a termination would result in a deferral of our deductions for depreciation. A termination could also result in penalties if we were unable to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either accelerate the application of, or subject us to, any tax legislation enacted before the termination. The IRS has recently announced a relief procedure whereby if a publicly traded partnership that has technically terminated requests and is granted relief from the IRS, among other things, the partnership will only have to provide one Schedule K-1 to unitholders for the fiscal year notwithstanding that two partnership tax years result from the termination.
Uniformity of Units
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we must maintain uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements, both statutory and regulatory. A lack of uniformity can result from a literal application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6). Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of the units. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election.”
We intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity of that property, or treat that portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property which is not amortizable, consistent with the Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code, even though that position may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6). Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election.” To the extent that the Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a depreciation and amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to a common basis or Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable methods and lives as if they had purchased a direct interest in our property. If this position is adopted, it may result in lower annual depreciation and amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions not taken in the year that these deductions are otherwise allowable. This position will not be adopted if we determine that the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions will have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to utilize this aggregate method, we may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. Our counsel, Andrews Kurth LLP, is unable to opine on the validity of any of these positions. The IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the Section 743(b) adjustment described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions. We do not believe these allocations will affect any material items of income, gain, loss or deduction. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors
Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, regulated investment companies, non-resident aliens, foreign corporations, and other foreign persons raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them. Prospective investors who are tax-exempted entities, regulated investment companies, or non-U.S. persons should consult their tax advisor before investing in our common units.
Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is a tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to them.
A regulated investment company or “mutual fund” is required to derive 90% or more of its gross income from certain permitted sources. The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 generally treats net income from the ownership of publicly traded partnerships as derived from such a permitted source. We anticipate that all of our net income will be treated as derived from such a permitted source.
Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates that own our units will be considered to be engaged in business in the United States because of the ownership of units. As a consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net income or gain.
Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, we will withhold tax at the highest applicable effective tax rate from cash distributions made quarterly to foreign unitholders. Each foreign unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN or applicable substitute form in order to obtain credit for these withholding taxes. A change in applicable law may require us to change these procedures.
In addition, because a foreign corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a United States trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the United States branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our income and gain, as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporation’s “U.S. net equity,” that is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. That tax may be reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which the foreign corporate unitholder is a “qualified resident.” In addition, this type of unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Internal Revenue Code.
Under a ruling published by the IRS, a foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a unit will be subject to federal income tax on gain realized on the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent that this gain is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of the foreign unitholder. Because a foreign unitholder is considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the United States by virtue of the ownership of units, under this ruling, a foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a unit generally will be subject to federal income tax on gain realized on the sale or other disposition of units. Apart from the ruling, a foreign unitholder will not be taxed or subject to withholding upon the sale or disposition of a unit if he has owned 5% or less in value of the units during the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition and if the units are regularly traded on an established securities market at the time of the sale or disposition.
Administrative Matters
Information Returns and Audit Procedures. We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each taxable year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes each unitholder’s share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder’s share of income, gain, loss and deduction. We cannot assure you that those positions will in all cases yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. Neither we nor Andrews Kurth LLP can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the units.
The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability, and possibly may result in an audit of his own return. Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.
Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal income tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal Revenue Code requires that one partner be designated as the “Tax Matters Partner” for these purposes. The partnership agreement names our general partner as our Tax Matters Partner.
The Tax Matters Partner has made some elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate in that action.
A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties.
Nominee Reporting. Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish the following information to us:
(a) the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee;
(b) a statement regarding whether the beneficial owner is:
1. a person that is not a United States person;
2. a foreign government, an international organization or any wholly-owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing; or
3. a tax-exempt entity;
(c) the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and
(d) specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from sales.
Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are United States persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $50 per failure, up to a maximum of $100,000 per calendar year, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for failure to report that information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information furnished to us.
Accuracy-Related Penalties
An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for the underpayment of that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding the underpayment of that portion.
For individuals, a substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the taxable year or $5,000. The amount of any understatement subject to penalty generally is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:
(1) for which there is, or was, “substantial authority;” or
(2) as to which there is a reasonable basis if the pertinent facts of that position are adequately disclosed on the return.
If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of unitholders might result in that kind of an “understatement” of income for which no “substantial authority” exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on their returns and to take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability for this penalty. More stringent rules apply to “tax shelters,” which we do not believe includes us.
A substantial valuation misstatement exists if (a) the value of any property, or the adjusted basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 150% or more of the amount determined to be the correct amount of the valuation or adjusted basis, (b) the price for any property or services (or for the use of property) claimed on any such return with respect to any transaction between persons described in Internal Revenue Code Section 482 is 200% or more (or 50% or less) of the amount determined under Section 482 to be the correct amount of such price, or (c) the net Internal Revenue Code Section 482 transfer price adjustment for the taxable year exceeds the lesser of $5 million or 10% of the taxpayer’s gross receipts. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of the underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). If the valuation claimed on a return is 200% or more than the correct valuation, the penalty imposed increases to 40%. We do not anticipate making any valuation misstatements.
Reportable Transactions. If we were to engage in a “reportable transaction,” we (and possibly you and others) would be required to make a detailed disclosure of the transaction to the IRS. A transaction may be a reportable transaction based upon any of several factors, including the fact that it is a type of tax avoidance transaction publicly identified by the IRS as a “listed transaction” or a “transaction of interest” or that it produces certain kinds of losses in excess of $2 million in any single year, or $4 million in any combination of six successive taxable years. Our participation in a reportable transaction could increase the likelihood that our federal income tax information return (and possibly your tax return) would be audited by the IRS. Please read “—Information Returns and Audit Procedures” above.
Moreover, if we were to participate in a reportable transaction with a significant purpose to avoid or evade tax, or in any listed transaction, you may be subject to the following provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004:
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accuracy-related penalties with a broader scope, significantly narrower exceptions, and potentially greater amounts than described above at “—Accuracy-Related Penalties,”
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for those persons otherwise entitled to deduct interest on federal tax deficiencies, nondeductibility of interest on any resulting tax liability, and
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in the case of a listed transaction, an extended statute of limitations.
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We do not expect to engage in any “reportable transactions.”
State, Local and Other Tax Considerations
In addition to federal income taxes, you likely will be subject to other taxes, such as state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property or in which you are a resident. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his investment in us. We currently own property or do business in Louisiana and Texas. We may also own property or do business in other jurisdictions. Although you may not be required to file a return and pay taxes in some jurisdictions because your income from that jurisdiction falls below the filing and payment requirement, you will be required to file income tax returns and to pay income taxes in many of these jurisdictions in which we do business or own property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some jurisdictions, tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred and also may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years. Some of the jurisdictions may require us, or we may elect, to withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the jurisdiction. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholder’s income tax liability to the jurisdiction, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld will be treated as if distributed to unitholders for purposes of determining the amounts distributed by us. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Entity-Level Collections.” Based on current law and our estimate of our future operations, our general partner anticipates that any amounts required to be withheld will not be material.
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent jurisdictions, of his investment in us. Accordingly, each prospective unitholder is urged to consult, and depend on, his own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state and local, as well as United States federal tax returns, that may be required of him. Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion on the state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in us.
Tax Consequences of Ownership of Debt Securities
A description of the material federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of debt securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of such debt securities.
INVESTMENT IN CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
An investment in us by an employee benefit plan is subject to additional considerations because the investments of these plans are subject to the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, and restrictions imposed by Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code. For these purposes, the term “employee benefit plan” includes, but is not limited to, qualified pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans, Keogh plans, simplified employee pension plans and tax deferred annuities or IRAs established or maintained by an employer or employee organization. Among other things, consideration should be given to:
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whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA;
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whether in making the investment, that plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(l)(C) of ERISA; and
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whether the investment will result in recognition of unrelated business taxable income by the plan and, if so, the potential after-tax investment return.
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The person with investment discretion with respect to the assets of an employee benefit plan, often called a fiduciary, should determine whether an investment in us is authorized by the appropriate governing instrument and is a proper investment for the plan.
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits employee benefit plans, and IRAs that are not considered part of an employee benefit plan, from engaging in specified transactions involving “plan assets” with parties that are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the plan.
In addition to considering whether the purchase of common units is a prohibited transaction, a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan should consider whether the plan will, by investing in us, be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that our general partner also would be fiduciaries of the plan and our operations would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Department of Labor regulations provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which employee benefit plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets” under some circumstances. Under these regulations, an entity’s assets would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things:
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the equity interests acquired by employee benefit plans are publicly offered securities; i.e., the equity interests are widely held by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other, freely transferable and registered under some provisions of the federal securities laws;
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the entity is an “operating company,”—i.e., it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or service other than the investment of capital either directly or through a majority owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or
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there is no significant investment by “benefit plan investors,” which is defined to mean that less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interest, disregarding some interests held by our general partner, its affiliates, and some other persons, is held by the employee benefit plans referred to above, IRAs, and any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of a plan’s investment in such entity (employee benefit plans not subject to ERISA, including governmental plans are not counted as “benefit plan investors”).
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Our assets should not be considered “plan assets” under these regulations because it is expected that the investment will satisfy the requirements in the first bullet point above.
Plan fiduciaries contemplating a purchase of common units should consult with their own counsel regarding the consequences under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code in light of the serious penalties imposed on persons who engage in prohibited transactions or other violations.
We and the selling unitholder may sell the securities covered by this prospectus through agents, underwriters or dealers, or directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.
We and the selling unitholder may designate agents to solicit offers to purchase our securities. We will name any agent involved in offering or selling securities, and any commissions that will be paid to the agent, in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, agents will act on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
Agents could make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on or through the NYSE Amex Equities, the existing trading market for our common units, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.
If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions (including block transactions), at negotiated prices, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. We will include the names of the managing underwriter(s), as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transaction, including the compensation the underwriters and dealers will receive, in a prospectus supplement. If we or the selling unitholder use an underwriter, we or they will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter(s) at the time that an agreement is reached for the sale of securities. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. The underwriters will use a prospectus supplement to sell securities.
If we or the selling unitholder use a dealer, we will act as principal and will sell securities to the dealer. The dealer will then sell securities to the public at varying prices that the dealer will determine at the time it sells securities. We will include the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions with the dealer in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We or the selling unitholder may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, and we or the selling unitholder may directly sell securities to institutional or other investors. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We will describe the terms of our or the selling unitholder’s direct sales in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions received by them from us or the selling unitholder and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. In connection with the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus, underwriters may receive compensation from us or the selling unitholder or from the purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Any underwriters, dealers or agents will be identified and their compensation described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We or the selling unitholder may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our subsidiaries or the selling unitholder in the ordinary course of their business.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, all securities offered by us under this prospectus will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market, other than the common units, which are currently listed and traded on the NYSE Amex Equities. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on a national securities exchange or a foreign securities exchange but are not obligated to do so. Any common units sold by this prospectus will be listed for trading on the NYSE Amex Equities, or such other exchanges as our common units may be listed for trading at the time of issuance, subject to official notice of issuance. We cannot give you any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading markets for any of the securities.
Any underwriter to whom securities are sold by us or the selling unitholder for public offering and sale may engage in over-allotment transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment transactions involve sales by the underwriters of the securities in excess of the offering size, which creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. These activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. The underwriters will not be obligated to engage in any of the aforementioned transactions and may discontinue such transactions at any time without notice.
In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Andrews Kurth LLP, Houston, Texas. Any underwriter will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by its own legal counsel. If such counsel to underwriters passes on legal matters in connection with an offering of securities made by this prospectus, and a related prospectus supplement, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement related to that offering.
The consolidated financial statements of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. appearing in Cheniere Energy Partners L.P.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2009 (including the schedule appearing therein) have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the report of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
$300,000,000
COMMON UNITS
PARTNERSHIP SECURITIES
DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS
RIGHTS
10,891,357 COMMON UNITS
OFFERED BY THE SELLING UNITHOLDER
P R O S P E C T U S
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than selling or underwriting discounts and commissions, to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby. Except for the SEC registration fee, all amounts are estimates.
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SEC registration fee
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$
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34,631
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Printing and engraving expenses
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50,000
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Legal fees and expenses
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100,000
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Trustee fees and expenses
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30,000
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Accounting fees and expenses
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30,000
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Miscellaneous
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25,369
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Total
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$
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275,000
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Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The section of the prospectus entitled “The Partnership Agreement—Indemnification” discloses that Cheniere Energy Partners will generally indemnify officers, directors and affiliates of our general partner to the fullest extent permitted by the law against all losses, claims, damages or similar events and is incorporated herein by this reference. Subject to any terms, conditions or restrictions set forth in the partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.
Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC has also entered into indemnification agreements with all of its directors and elected officers. The indemnification agreements provide that Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC will indemnify these officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by its certificate of formation, amended and restated limited liability company agreement, and applicable law. The indemnification agreements also provide that these officers and directors will be entitled to the advancement of fees as permitted by applicable law and sets out the procedures required under the agreements for determining entitlement to and obtaining indemnification and expense advancement.
Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC maintains insurance policies that provide coverage to its directors and officers against certain liabilities.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 16. Exhibits.
(a) Exhibits
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**1.1
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Form of Underwriting Agreement for each of the securities registered hereby.
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***4.1
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Certificate of Limited Partnership of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-139572), filed on December 21, 2006)
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***4.2
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First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on March 26, 2007)
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***4.3
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Certificate of Formation of Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-139572), filed on December 21, 2006)
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***4.4
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Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on August 8, 2007)
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***4.5
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Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2006, between Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., as issuer, and The Bank of New York, as trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 16, 2006)
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4.6
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Form of 7.25% Senior Secured Note due 2013 (Included as Exhibit A1 to Exhibit 4.5 above)
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4.7
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Form of 7.50% Senior Secured Note due 2016 (Included as Exhibit A1 to Exhibit 4.5 above)
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***4.8
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Form of common unit certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.2 above)
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*4.9
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Form of Senior Indenture (including form of senior debt security).
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*4.10
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Form of Subordinated Indenture (including form of subordinated debt security).
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**4.11
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Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of warrant certificate).
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**4.12
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Form of Rights Agreement (including form of right certificate).
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*5.1
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Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP regarding legality of securities to be registered.
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*8.1
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Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP regarding tax matters.
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*23.1
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Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
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*23.2
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Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
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*24.1
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Power of Attorney (included on signature pages).
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*25.1
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Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 regarding the senior debt securities.
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*25.2
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Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 regarding the subordinated debt securities.
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________________
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**
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To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K filed at a later date in connection with a specific offering.
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*** Incorporated by reference.
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Item 17. Undertakings.
A. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;
provided, however, that Paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
B. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
D. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)( 1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
E. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of subsection 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under section 305(b)(2) of such Act.
F. The registrant undertakes to send to each limited partner at least on an annual basis a detailed statement of any transactions with Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC or its affiliates, and of fees, commissions, compensation and other benefits paid, or accrued to Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC or its affiliates for the fiscal year completed, showing the amount paid or accrued to each recipient and the services performed.
G. The registrant undertakes to provide to the limited partners the financial statements required by Form 10-K for the first full fiscal year of operations of the partnership.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas on September 17 , 2010.
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Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. |
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By:
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Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC,
its general partner
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By: |
/s/ Meg A. Gentle |
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Meg A. Gentle
Senior Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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*
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Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
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September 17 , 2010
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Charif Souki
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*
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President and Chief Operating Officer, Director
(Principal Operating Officer)
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September 17 , 2010
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R. Keith Teague
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/s/ Meg A. Gentle
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Senior Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
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September 17 , 2010
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Meg A. Gentle
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*
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Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
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September 17 , 2010
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Jerry D. Smith
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*
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Director
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September 17 , 2010
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James D. Bennett
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*
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Director
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September 17 , 2010
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Michael E. Bock
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*
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Director
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September 17 , 2010
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Lon McCain
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*
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Director
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September 17 , 2010
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Robert J. Sutcliffe
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*
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Director
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September 17 , 2010
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Don A. Turkleson
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*
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Director
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September 17 , 2010
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Walter L. Williams
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*By: /s/ Meg A. Gentle
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Meg A. Gentle
Attorney-in-Fact
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit No.
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Exhibit
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**1.1
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Form of Underwriting Agreement for each of the securities registered hereby.
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***4.1
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Certificate of Limited Partnership of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-139572), filed on December 21, 2006)
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***4.2
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First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on March 26, 2007)
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***4.3
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Certificate of Formation of Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-139572), filed on December 21, 2006)
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***4.4
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Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on August 8, 2007)
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***4.5
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Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2006, between Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., as issuer, and The Bank of New York, as trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 16, 2006)
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4.6
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Form of 7.25% Senior Secured Note due 2013 (Included as Exhibit A1 to Exhibit 4.5 above)
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4.7
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Form of 7.50% Senior Secured Note due 2016 (Included as Exhibit A1 to Exhibit 4.5 above)
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***4.8
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Form of common unit certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.2 above)
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+ 4.9
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Form of Senior Indenture (including form of senior debt security).
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+ 4.10
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Form of Subordinated Indenture (including form of subordinated debt security).
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**4.11
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Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of warrant certificate).
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**4.12
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Form of Rights Agreement (including form of right certificate).
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*5.1
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Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP regarding legality of securities to be registered.
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*8.1
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Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP regarding tax matters.
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*23.1
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Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
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*23.2
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Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
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+ 24.1
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Power of Attorney (included on signature pages).
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+ 25.1
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Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 regarding the senior debt securities.
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+ 25.2
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Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 regarding the subordinated debt securities.
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________________
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**
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To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to Current Report on Form 8-K filed at a later date in connection with a specific offering.
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***
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Incorporated by reference.
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