10-K/APeriod: FY2000

Cheniere Energy, Inc. Annual Report (Amendment), Year Ended Dec 31, 2000

Filed November 30, 2001For Securities:LNG

Summary

Cheniere Energy, Inc.'s 2001 10-K filing indicates a company heavily focused on oil and gas exploration, particularly in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The company has invested significantly in acquiring and reprocessing seismic data to identify drilling prospects. Despite commencing oil and gas production in late 1999, the company continued to incur net losses in 2000, driven by substantial exploration expenses, G&A costs, and depreciation, depletion, and amortization. The company's financial position is characterized by a need for ongoing financing, with significant capital requirements for future exploration, seismic data reprocessing, and potential capital calls for its affiliate, Gryphon Exploration Company. Cheniere has historically relied on private placements of equity to fund its operations and currently has limited cash and working capital. Investors should be aware of the inherent risks associated with the oil and gas exploration business, including price volatility, operational hazards, and the company's dependence on the success of its exploration program and its ability to secure future funding.

Key Highlights

  • 1Cheniere Energy is primarily engaged in oil and gas exploration, with a strategic focus on the Gulf of Mexico, utilizing advanced seismic data analysis.
  • 2The company commenced oil and gas production in September 1999, with revenues and production volumes increasing in 2000 compared to 1999.
  • 3Significant investments were made in acquiring and reprocessing seismic data, particularly in the Offshore Texas Project Area and the Cameron Project.
  • 4The company incurred net losses in 2000 and 1999, largely due to substantial exploration expenses, general and administrative costs, and depreciation, depletion, and amortization.
  • 5Cheniere relies heavily on external financing, with ongoing capital needs for exploration, seismic data reprocessing, and potential funding for its affiliate, Gryphon Exploration Company.
  • 6The company experienced a change in stock listing, moving from Nasdaq SmallCap to the OTC Bulletin Board and subsequently to The American Stock Exchange.
  • 7Cheniere does not currently pay dividends and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future, intending to reinvest earnings back into the business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheniere Energy's primary business activity is oil and gas exploration, development, and exploitation, with a strategic focus on acquiring and processing seismic data in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico to identify and pursue drilling prospects.

The company reported net losses for both 2000 and 1999, driven by significant exploration and administrative expenses. Cheniere has a limited operating history and significant capital requirements, relying on external financing through equity offerings and borrowings to fund its operations and exploration program. As of December 31, 2000, the company had limited current assets and working capital, highlighting a continued need for financing.

Cheniere has an investment in Gryphon Exploration Company, an unconsolidated affiliate formed to fund exploration programs. Cheniere contributed assets to Gryphon in exchange for common stock and cash, and accounts for its investment using the equity method. A significant portion of Cheniere's value is derived from this investment, although Cheniere does not exercise day-to-day control over Gryphon.

Key risks include the company's limited operating history and history of losses, its high dependence on the success of its exploration program, the potential need for and inability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, the volatility of oil and gas prices, intense competition within the industry, significant operational hazards, and regulatory risks associated with oil and gas operations.