8-KMaterial AgreementsFinancial EventsExhibits & Filings

Cheniere Energy, Inc. 8-K Report, Material Agreement (May 18, 2016)

Filed May 18, 2016For Securities:LNG

Summary

Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) announced through its subsidiary Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC (CCH) the successful closing of a $1.25 billion issuance of 7.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2024. These notes were issued on May 18, 2016, through a private placement under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 144A/Regulation S, with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acting as the representative for the initial purchasers. The issuance is significant as it further strengthens the financing for Cheniere's Corpus Christi liquefaction project. The Notes are secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of CCH's and its guarantors' assets, with guarantees from CCH's subsidiaries Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P., and Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC. These funds are expected to support the ongoing development and construction of its energy infrastructure assets.

Key Highlights

  • 1Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC (CCH), a subsidiary, successfully closed a $1.25 billion offering of 7.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2024.
  • 2The notes were issued on May 18, 2016, with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acting as the representative for the initial purchasers.
  • 3The issuance was conducted via private placement, relying on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rules 144A and Regulation S.
  • 4The notes are senior secured obligations of CCH, backed by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of CCH's and its guarantors' assets.
  • 5Guarantees for the notes are provided by CCH's subsidiaries: Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P., and Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC.
  • 6The indenture includes covenants that restrict CCH and its restricted subsidiaries from incurring additional debt, paying dividends, and making certain investments, among other limitations.
  • 7A Registration Rights Agreement was entered into, obligating Cheniere to file registration statements for an exchange offer and potential resales of the notes within specified timelines to allow for public trading.

Frequently Asked Questions

This 8-K filing announces the closing of a $1.25 billion private placement of Senior Secured Notes by Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, Inc. It provides details on the terms of the notes, the purchase agreement, the indenture, and the registration rights agreement associated with this debt issuance.

The notes bear an interest rate of 7.000% per annum, mature on June 30, 2024, and interest is payable semi-annually. They are senior secured obligations of Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of its and its guarantors' assets. The notes were issued in a private placement and are guaranteed by key subsidiaries of Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC.

This issuance adds $1.25 billion in long-term debt, which is secured by project assets. The indenture includes covenants that will impose certain restrictions on the issuer and its restricted subsidiaries regarding future debt, dividends, investments, and asset sales. The secured nature of the debt means it ranks senior to unsecured debt to the extent of the collateral value.

The Registration Rights Agreement ensures that Cheniere will undertake efforts to register the privately placed notes for public resale. This means that while the initial sale was private, Cheniere is obligated to facilitate the process for these notes to eventually be traded publicly under certain conditions, typically after an exchange offer for registered securities. Failure to comply with these registration obligations could result in additional interest payments by Cheniere.