Cheniere Energy to Acquire Holding Company

Natural-gas exporter Cheniere Energy Inc. on Friday said it made an all-stock offer to fully merge with Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings LLC, valuing the company that owns and operates its assets at $5.07 billion.

Cheniere, which already holds an 80.1% stake in Cheniere Energy Partners, offered 0.5049 Cheniere shares for each share of Cheniere Energy Partners, representing a value of $21.90 per share of Cheniere Energy Partners, or a 3% premium over its Thursday closing price.

Cheniere Chief Executive Jack Fusco said the deal would allow investors in Cheniere Energy Partners the opportunity "to participate in the future success of the entire Cheniere complex."

Last month, Cheniere posted a second-quarter loss as its ramp-up in production of liquefied natural gas faces a world-wide glut that is depressing prices. Surging natural-gas supplies in North America and slowing demand from traditional buyers in Asia have pushed down LNG spot prices and made it more difficult for suppliers to sign fixed-price contracts needed to secure financing for export projects.

In premarket trading, Cheniere rose 1.2% to $43.89, while Cheniere Energy Partners jumped 13% to $23.95.

Write to Anne Steele at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 30, 2016 09:25 ET (13:25 GMT)

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