Cheniere Energy Partners Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

- Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal fully operational - Estimated annualized distribution is $1.70


HOUSTON, Nov. 6  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. ("Cheniere Partners") (NYSE Amex: CQP) reported net income of $69.5 million and $125.0 million, or $0.43 and $0.77 per limited partner unit, respectively, compared with a net loss $10.9 million and $49.9 million, or ($ 0.07) and ($ 0.31) per limited partner unit, respectively, for the same periods in 2008. As of September 30, 2009, construction of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal was substantially complete and fully operational with sendout capacity of 4.0 Bcf/d and storage capacity of 16.9 Bcfe.

Results from operations

From operations, Cheniere Partners reported income of $106.4 million and $224.0 million, respectively, for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to a loss of $10.0 million and $16.9 million, respectively, for the same 2008 periods.

Revenues for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $128.5 million and $286.8 million, respectively. Revenues primarily include capacity payments received from customers in accordance with their terminal use agreements ("TUAs"). The Cheniere Marketing, LLC TUA became effective in October 2008, the Total Gas and Power North America, Inc. TUA became effective April 1, 2009 and the Chevron U.S.A., Inc. TUA became effective July 1, 2009.

Total operating expenses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $22.2 million and $62.7 million, respectively, compared to $10.0 million and $16.9 million for the comparable 2008 periods.  LNG receiving terminal operating expenses were $7.6 million and $22.8 million, respectively, for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $3.7 million and $3.9 million for the comparable 2008 periods.  Depreciation and amortization expenses were $8.9 million and $22.7 million, respectively, for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $1.9 million and $1.9 million for the comparable 2008 periods.  These costs increased in both periods primarily due to the commencement of operations at the terminal in the second half of 2008.  General and administrative expenses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $5.7 million and $17.2 million, respectively, compared to $4.1 million and $8.6 million in the comparable 2008 periods.  General and administrative expenses increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to the commencement of a services agreement with a subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, Inc. on January 1, 2009.

Interest expense for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $38.1 million and $104.4 million, respectively, compared to $17.7 million and $47.6 million, respectively, for the same 2008 periods.  The increase in both periods was primarily due to less interest expense subject to capitalization during 2009.  Interest income decreased $2.1 million for the third quarter 2009 and decreased $11.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the 2008 periods due to lower interest rates in 2009 and a lower average cash balance.  In addition, the third quarter of 2009 included a $1.2 million gain on derivative instruments compared to a gain of $14.7 million for the third quarter of 2008 due to changes in natural gas commodity prices associated with hedges on LNG inventory.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

As of September 30, 2009, the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal was receiving capacity reservation fee payments from all three of its TUA customers.

At September 30, 2009, Cheniere Partners had cash and cash equivalents of $121.6 million.  These unrestricted funds are available for remaining construction expenditures, working capital and general purposes, including distributions to unit holders.  Construction at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal was substantially complete as of the end of the third quarter 2009 and the terminal is now fully operational with sendout capacity of 4.0 Bcf/d and storage capacity of 16.9 Bcfe.  Our estimated aggregate construction, commissioning and operating cost budget through achievement of full operability is approximately $1.559 billion, excluding financing costs.  These costs are anticipated to be funded with available cash held by Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. ("Sabine Pass").

At September 30, 2009, Cheniere Partners had restricted cash and cash equivalents of $137.3 million, including approximately $82.4 million in a permanent debt service reserve fund and $54.9 million for four months of interest as required in the Sabine Pass senior notes indenture.

Unit Distributions

Cheniere Partners estimates that its annualized distributions to unit holders will be $1.70 per unit.  Distributions for the third quarter of 2009 of $0.425 per unit will be paid to all unit holders on November 13, 2009.

Cheniere Partners owns 100 percent of the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal located in western Cameron Parish, Louisiana on the Sabine Pass Channel. Construction is substantially complete and the terminal is now operating with sendout capacity of 4.0 Bcf/d and storage capacity of 16.9 Bcfe.  Additional information about Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. may be found on its website: http://www.cheniereenergypartners.com/.

This press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking statements" within the meanings of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein are "forward-looking statements." Included among "forward-looking statements" are, among other things, (i) statements regarding Cheniere Energy Partners' business strategy, plans and objectives and (ii) statements expressing beliefs and expectations regarding the development of Cheniere Energy Partners' LNG receiving terminal business. Although Cheniere Energy Partners believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Cheniere Energy Partners' actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in Cheniere Energy Partners' periodic reports that are filed with and available from the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required under the securities laws, Cheniere Energy Partners does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

                            (Financial Table Follows)



                          Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
                           Selected Financial Information
                      (in thousands, except per unit data) (1)


                              Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                                 September 30,             September 30,
                            ----------------------    ----------------------
                            2009 (2)      2008 (2)    2009 (2)      2008 (2)
                            --------      --------    --------      --------

  Revenues (4)              $128,533           $-     $286,777            -
  Operating costs and
   expenses
    LNG receiving
     terminal
     development
     expense (4)                   -          364            -        2,520
    LNG receiving
     terminal
     operating
     expense (4)               7,562        3,703        22,838       3,881
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization              8,905        1,874        22,711       1,911
    General and
     administrative
     expense (4)               5,699        4,085        17,182       8,562
                               -----        -----        ------       -----
  Total operating costs
   and expenses               22,166       10,026        62,731      16,874
                              ------       ------        ------      ------

   Income (loss) from
    operations               106,367      (10,026)      224,046     (16,874)

   Interest expense,
    net (4)                  (38,089)     (17,737)     (104,383)    (47,629)
   Interest income                65        2,169           883      12,218
   Derivative gain             1,158       14,692         4,482       2,325
   Other                           -            5            12          35
                                 ---          ---            --          --
  Net Income (loss)          $69,501     $(10,897)     $125,040    $(49,925)
                             =======     ========      ========    ========

  Allocation of net
   income (loss) to
   Partners:
    Limited Partners'
     Interest                 68,111      (10,679)      122,539     (48,927)
    General Partner's
     Interest                  1,390         (218)        2,501        (998)
                               -----         ----         -----        ----
  Net Income (loss) to
   Partners                  $69,501     $(10,897)     $125,040    $(49,925)
                             =======     ========      ========    ========

  Basic and diluted net
   income (loss) per
   limited partner unit        $0.43       $(0.07)        $0.77     $(0.31)
                               =====       ======         =====      ======

  Weighted average
   limited partners
   units outstanding
   used for basic and
   diluted net income
   (loss) per unit
   calculation:
    Common units              26,416       26,416        26,416      26,416
    Subordinated units       135,384      135,384       135,384     135,384


                                    September 30,     December 31,
                                       2009 (3)          2008 (3)
                                    -------------     ------------
                                     (Unaudited)
    Cash and cash equivalents          $121,613                $7
    Restricted cash and cash
     equivalents                         54,929           235,985
    Advances to Affiliate - LNG
     Inventory                            3,490                 -
    Other current assets (4)             15,145            10,111
    Non-current restricted
     cash, cash equivalents and
     treasury securities                 82,394           158,813
    Property, plant and
     equipment, net                   1,605,079         1,517,507
    Debt issuance costs, net             27,907            30,748
      Advances under long-term
       contracts                            728            10,705
      Advances to Affiliate - LNG
       Held for Commissioning (4)             -             9,923
    Other assets                          7,665             5,036
                                          -----             -----
      Total assets                   $1,918,950        $1,978,835
                                     ==========        ==========

    Current liabilities (4)            $166,934          $107,003
    Long-term debt, net of
     discount                         2,181,855         2,107,673
    Long-term debt - Related
     party                                                 70,661
    Deferred revenue, including
     affiliate                           41,860            42,471
    Other liabilities (4)                   331             2,712
    Total partner's deficit            (472,030)         (351,685)
                                       --------          --------
      Total liabilities and
       partners' deficit             $1,918,950        $1,978,835
                                     ==========        ==========


  (1)  Please refer to Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. Quarterly Report on
       Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2009, filed with the
       Securities and Exchange Commission.

  (2)  Consolidated operating results of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and
       its consolidated subsidiaries for the three and nine months ended
       September 30, 2009 and 2008.

  (3)  Consolidated balance sheets of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and its
       consolidated subsidiaries.

  (4)  Amounts include transactions between Cheniere Partners and Cheniere
       Energy, Inc. or subsidiaries of Cheniere Energy, Inc.


DATASOURCE: Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.



CONTACT:  Investors, Christina Cavarretta, [phone], or Media,

Diane Haggard, [phone], both of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.



Web Site:  http://www.cheniereenergypartners.com/ 

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