Prospectus Supplement (To Prospectus dated May 5, 2010) | |
Cheniere Energy, Inc.
10,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to the issuance and sale from time to time of up to 10,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.003 per share. On September 22, 2011, we entered into a Strategic Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement with Miller Tabak + Co., LLC under which we may offer and sell shares of our common stock through Miller Tabak as sales agent or principal. The agented sales of our common stock, if any, will be made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions, in block transactions or as otherwise agreed with us. We will use any proceeds received from any common stock sold for general business purposes.
Our common stock trades on the NYSE Amex Equities under the symbol “LNG.” The last reported trading price of our common stock on the NYSE Amex Equities on September 21, 2011 was $6.44 per share of common stock.
Investing in our common stock involves risks, including those described under “Risk Factors” on page S-2 of this prospectus supplement and page 1 of the accompanying prospectus.
Miller Tabak will receive from us a per share commission with respect to the sale of our common stock for which Miller Tabak acts as sales agent.
Our common stock is expected to be delivered to purchasers on the third business day following the date of sale through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.
Miller Tabak
Prospectus Supplement dated September 22, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
Prospectus
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to the “prospectus,” we are referring to both parts combined. If information in this prospectus supplement conflicts with information in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize be delivered to you that relates to this offering. We have not 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. We are not making an offer to sell the securities covered by this prospectus supplement in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus relating to this offering of shares of common stock and any 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.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference herein or therein may contain certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. All statements, other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” Included among “forward-looking statements” are, among other things:
• | statements relating to the construction or operation of each of our proposed liquefied natural gas, or LNG, terminals or our proposed pipelines or liquefaction facilities, or expansions or extensions thereof, including statements concerning the completion or expansion thereof by certain dates or at all, the costs related thereto and certain characteristics, including amounts of regasification, transportation, liquefaction and storage capacity, the number of storage tanks, LNG trains, docks, pipeline deliverability and the number of pipeline interconnections, if any; |
• | statements that we expect to receive an order from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, authorizing us to construct and operate proposed LNG receiving terminals, liquefaction facilities or proposed pipelines by certain dates, or at all; |
• | statements regarding future levels of domestic natural gas production, supply or consumption; future levels of LNG imports into North America; sales of natural gas in North America or other markets; exports of LNG from North America; and the transportation, other infrastructure or prices related to natural gas, LNG or other energy sources or hydrocarbon products; |
• | statements regarding any financing or refinancing transactions or arrangements, or ability to enter into such transactions or arrangements, whether on the part of Cheniere or any subsidiary or at the project level; |
• | statements regarding any commercial arrangements presently contracted, optioned or marketed, or potential arrangements, to be 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 such commercial arrangements; |
• | statements regarding counterparties to our commercial contracts, construction contracts and other contracts; |
• | statements regarding any business strategy, any business plans or any other plans, forecasts, projections or objectives, including potential revenues and capital expenditures, 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; |
• | statements regarding our anticipated LNG and natural gas marketing activities; and |
• | any other statements that relate to non-historical or future information. |
These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “achieve,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “develop,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “propose,” “strategy” and similar terms and phrases, or by the use of future tense. Although we believe 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.
Our 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 “Risk Factors.” All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors.
We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus supplement 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.
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SUMMARY | |||||
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making an investment decision. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference for a more complete understanding of our business and this offering. Please read “Risk Factors” on page S-2 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated herein by reference about important factors that you should consider before investing in shares of our common stock. Throughout this prospectus supplement, when we use the terms “Cheniere,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar references, we are referring to Cheniere Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. | |||||
OUR COMPANY | |||||
We are a Houston-based energy company primarily engaged in LNG-related businesses. We own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana through our 88.5% ownership interest in and management agreements with Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., or Cheniere Partners. We also own and operate the Creole Trail Pipeline, which interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with natural gas markets in North America. One of our subsidiaries, Cheniere Marketing, LLC, which we refer to as Cheniere Marketing, is marketing LNG and natural gas on its own behalf and on behalf of Cheniere Partners, and is working to monetize LNG storage and regasification capacity reserved by Cheniere Partners at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Cheniere Partners is developing a liquefaction project to provide bi-directional LNG import and export service at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. We are in various stages of developing other LNG terminal and pipeline related projects, each of which, among other things, will require acceptable commercial and financing arrangements before we make a final investment decision. | |||||
The Offering | |||||
Common stock offered by us to the public | Up to 10,000,000 shares. | ||||
Use of proceeds | We estimate that we will receive approximately $62.4 million in net proceeds after payment of commissions and offering expenses (assuming an offering price of $6.44, which was the last reported trading price of our common stock on September 21, 2011). We expect to use any net proceeds from any sale of shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement for general business purposes. | ||||
NYSE Amex Equities symbol | LNG. | ||||
Risk Factors | Please read “Risk Factors” on page S-2 of this prospectus supplement and included in the documents incorporated herein by reference for more information about important factors that you should consider before investing in shares of our common stock. | ||||
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RISK FACTORS
The securities offered by this prospectus supplement involve a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2011. 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 supplement, including any subsequent reports that we may file. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that we will receive approximately $62.4 million in net proceeds after payment of commissions and offering expenses (assuming an offering price of $6.44, which was the last reported trading price of our common stock on September 21, 2011). We expect to use any net proceeds from any sale of shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement for general business purposes.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS
The following is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that apply to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) of shares of our common stock. Except where noted, this discussion deals only with shares of common stock held as capital assets (generally, property held for investment) and does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including if you are:
• | a financial institution; |
• | a tax-exempt organization; |
• | an insurance company; |
• | a person holding the common stock as part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle; |
• | a trader in securities that has elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities; |
• | a person who is an investor in a pass-through entity or subject to the alternative minimum tax; |
• | a controlled foreign corporation; |
• | a passive foreign investment company; |
• | a partnership or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or |
• | a United States expatriate, a former U.S. citizen or a long-term resident of the United States. |
The summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different than those summarized below. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxes and does not deal with all tax considerations that may be relevant to holders in light of their personal circumstances (including state, local or foreign tax considerations).
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
• | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
• | a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
• | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
• | a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person. |
The term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of a share of common stock who is an individual, corporation, estate or trust and who is not a U.S. holder.
If an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership or a partner of a partnership holding common stock, we urge you to consult your own tax advisors.
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Dividends
Any dividends paid to you with respect to the shares of common stock will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate (or lower applicable income tax treaty rate). In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, you will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN certifying your entitlement to benefits under a treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States and, where a tax treaty applies, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment, are not subject to the withholding tax, but instead are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates. You will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI in order for effectively connected income to be exempt from withholding. Any such effectively connected income received by a foreign corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or lower applicable income tax treaty rate).
A non-U.S. holder of shares of common stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate is required to satisfy applicable certification and other requirements. If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Shares of Common Stock
You will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of shares of common stock. Nevertheless, subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding, gain generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:
• | that gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment); |
• | you are a non-U.S. individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or |
• | we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” or a USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period preceding such disposition and the non-U.S. holder's holding period in the common stock (i.e., a domestic corporation whose trade or business and real property assets consist primarily of “United States real property interests”). |
If you are described in the first bullet point above, you will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. If you are an individual described in the second bullet point above, you will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition, which may be offset by United States-source capital losses, even though you are not considered a resident of the United States. If you are a foreign corporation that falls under the first bullet point above, you may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% of your effectively connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we are not and have not been a USRPHC for United States federal income tax purposes, although no assurances can be made that the IRS will not take a contrary position or that our circumstances will not change in the future. However, in the event that we are or become a USRPHC at any time during the applicable period described above, any gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock may be subject to United States federal income tax, including any applicable withholding tax, if either (i) the non-U.S. holder beneficially owns, or has owned, more than 5% of the total fair value of our common stock at any time during the applicable period, or (ii) our common stock ceases to be traded on an “established securities market” within the meaning of the Code. Non-U.S. holders who own or may own more than 5% of our common stock are encouraged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the United States tax consequences of a disposition of our common stock.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, we must report to the IRS and to you the amount of dividends paid to you and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which you reside under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
In general, you will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends that we make to you provided that we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person, as defined under the Code, you provide your name and address on an IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form), and you certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are not a United States person, or you otherwise establish an exemption.
In addition, no information reporting or backup withholding will be required regarding the proceeds of the sale of shares of common stock made within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, if the payor receives the statement described above and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person, as defined under the Code, or you otherwise establish an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
New Withholding Legislation
Newly enacted legislation imposes withholding taxes on certain types of payments made to certain non-U.S. entities. The legislation generally applies to payments made after December 31, 2012. Under this legislation, the failure to comply with certification, information reporting and other specified requirements (that are different from, and in addition to, the certification requirements described above under “-Information Reporting and Backup Withholding”) could result in a 30% withholding tax being imposed on payments of dividends on, and sales proceeds of, U.S. common stock to certain non-U.S. holders. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder of our common stock may be eligible for a refund or credit of such taxes. Investors are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in our common stock.
The foregoing discussion is for general information only and should not be viewed as tax advice. Investors considering the purchase of our common stock should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations and the applicability and effect of estate, state, local or foreign tax laws and tax treaties.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
On September 22, 2011, we and Miller Tabak + Co., LLC entered into a sales agreement under which we may offer and sell up to 10,000,000 shares of our common stock from time to time through Miller Tabak as sales agent or as principal. The agented sale of shares of our common stock, if any, will be made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions, in block transactions or as otherwise agreed with us. We may also enter into a separate agreement to sell our common stock to Miller Tabak as principal at a price agreed at the time of sale.
Miller Tabak will sell, on our behalf, our common stock subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement between us and Miller Tabak on a daily basis or as otherwise agreed upon by us and Miller Tabak. We will provide instructions to Miller Tabak with respect to the manner of distribution of our common stock. We may dispose of our common stock pursuant to one or more pre-arranged written trading plans. The manner, amount and timing of the sales under any such plan will be dependent upon a number of factors.
We will receive the net proceeds of any sale of our common stock for which Miller Tabak acts as sales agent or principal after deducting the commissions owed to Miller Tabak and any transaction fees imposed by any governmental or self-regulatory organization. We will pay Miller Tabak a commission of 3.0% on the gross proceeds received from sales of our common stock up to $80,000,000 and 2.0% on any gross proceeds received from sales of our common stock over $80,000,000.
We will report quarterly the number of shares of our common stock sold through or to Miller Tabak pursuant to the agreement between us and Miller Tabak and the compensation paid by us to Miller Tabak with respect to the sales of our common stock. We will be responsible for all discounts, selling commissions, stock transfer taxes and transaction fees, if any, applicable to the sale of our common stock and fees and disbursements of counsel for us incurred in connection with any such sale.
Certain broker-dealers will participate as selling group agents or dealers in connection with the sale of our common stock.
Settlement for sales of our common stock will occur on the third trading day following the date on which any sales are made. On each settlement date, our common stock will be delivered through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means of delivery as may be agreed by the parties, in return for payment of the net proceeds from the sale of such shares of common stock.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement between us and Miller Tabak and in accordance with the instructions provided by us, Miller Tabak will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its sales and trading practices to sell our common stock on our behalf. In connection with the sale of our common stock, Miller Tabak may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to Miller Tabak may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. In the agreement between us and Miller Tabak, we have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Miller Tabak against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities relating to material misstatements and omissions under the Securities Act.
The agreement between us and Miller Tabak for the sale of shares of our common stock will terminate when the 10,000,000 shares of common stock subject to the agreement have been sold. In addition, we may terminate the agreement upon 10 days' advance written notice.
We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, other than commissions payable to Miller Tabak, will be approximately $75,000.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Andrews Kurth LLP, Houston, Texas, will act as legal counsel to us. McDermott Will & Emery LLP will act as legal counsel to Miller Tabak.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Cheniere Energy, Inc. appearing in Cheniere Cheniere Energy, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2010 (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.
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 supplement. 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 (and Item 9.01 to the extent relating thereto) of our current reports on Form 8-K or other applicable SEC rules) rather than filed:
• | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010; |
• | Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011; |
• | Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on January 10, 2011, March 8, 2011 (two), May 20, 2011, June 6, 2011, June 22, 2011 (as amended) and September 13, 2011; and |
• | the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed on March 2, 2001, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating the description. |
You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement from the SEC through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. You may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement (including exhibits to those documents specifically incorporated by reference in this document), at no cost, by visiting our website at http://www.cheniere.com, or by writing or calling us at the following address:
Cheniere Energy, Inc.
700 Milam Street, Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 375-5000
Attn: Investor Relations
The information contained on our website is not part of this prospectus supplement.
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PROSPECTUS
Cheniere Energy, Inc.
$1,000,000,000
COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS
RIGHTS
UNITS
By this prospectus, we may from time to time offer and sell in one or more offerings any combination of the following securities:
• | shares of common stock; | ||
• | shares of preferred stock, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities or common stock; | ||
• | senior debt securities, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock; | ||
• | subordinated debt securities, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock; | ||
• | warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, rights or units; | ||
• | rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units; and/or | ||
• | units consisting of any combination of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or rights. | ||
The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold by us under this prospectus will not exceed $1,000,000,000.
This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Supplements to this prospectus will provide the specific terms of the securities that we actually offer, including the offering prices and the net proceeds that we 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 may sell these securities to or through underwriters, dealers, to other purchasers and/or through agents. Supplements to this prospectus will specify the names of any underwriters or agents.
Our common stock is listed and traded on the NYSE Amex Equities under the symbol “LNG.”
Investing in our securities involves risks. Please read “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus.
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 May 5, 2010.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
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 $1,000,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer to sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities offered by us 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. We have not 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. We are not 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.
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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,” “Cheniere Energy,” “our company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar references mean Cheniere Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. In this prospectus, we sometimes refer to the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights and units 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:
• | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2010; | ||
• | our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on January 12, 2010, March 31, 2010, April 14, 2010, April 22, 2010 and April 27, 2010; | ||
• | the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on March 2, 2001, including any amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and | ||
• | the description of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 1, 2004, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with the SEC on January 24, 2005 and Amendment No. 2 thereto filed with the SEC on October 24, 2008, including any additional amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. | ||
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, Inc.
700 Milam Street, Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 375-5000
Attn: Investor Relations
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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, proxy statements 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.cheniere.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,” “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:
• | statements relating to the construction and operation of each of our proposed liquefied natural gas, or LNG, receiving terminals or our proposed natural gas pipelines, or expansions or extensions thereof, including statements concerning the completion or expansion thereof by certain dates or at all, the costs related thereto and certain characteristics, including amounts of regasification and storage capacity, the number of storage tanks and docks, pipeline deliverability and the number of pipeline interconnections, if any; | ||
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• | statements that we expect to receive an order from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorizing us to construct and operate proposed LNG receiving terminals or proposed pipelines by certain dates, or at all; | ||
• | statements regarding future levels of domestic natural gas production, supply or consumption; future levels of LNG imports into North America; sales of natural gas in North America; and the transportation, other infrastructure or prices related to natural gas, LNG or other energy sources or hydrocarbon products; | ||
• | statements regarding any financing or refinancing or recapitalization transactions or arrangements, or ability to enter into such transactions, whether on the part of Cheniere or at the project level; | ||
• | statements regarding any terminal use agreement, or TUA, or other commercial arrangements presently contracted, optioned, marketed or potential arrangements to be 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 or storage capacity that are, or may become, subject to TUAs or other contracts; | ||
• | statements regarding counterparties to our TUAs, construction contracts and other contracts; | ||
• | statements regarding any business strategy, any business plans or any other plans, forecasts, projections or objectives, including potential revenues and capital expenditures, any or all of which are subject to change; | ||
• | statements regarding legislative, governmental, regulatory, administrative or other public body actions, requirements, permits, investigations, proceedings or decisions; | ||
• | statements regarding our LNG and natural gas marketing activities; and | ||
• | any other statements that relate to non-historical or future information. | ||
Other factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are 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 in this document 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.
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CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a Houston-based energy company primarily engaged in LNG-related businesses. We own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal in Louisiana through our 90.6% ownership interest in and management agreements with Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE Amex Equities: CQP), which is a publicly traded partnership we created in 2007. We also own and operate the Creole Trail Pipeline, which interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal with downstream markets. One of our subsidiaries, Cheniere Marketing, LLC, is marketing LNG and natural gas and is developing a portfolio of contracts to monetize capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG receiving terminal and the Creole Trail Pipeline. We are also in various stages of developing other LNG receiving terminal and pipeline related projects, which, among other things, will require acceptable commercial arrangements before we make a final investment decision. In addition, we are engaged to a limited extent in oil and natural gas exploration and development activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
Our corporate 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.cheniere.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus or our other securities filings and is not a part of this prospectus.
RISK FACTORS
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 annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. 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.
USE OF PROCEEDS
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 corporate purposes. From time to time, we may engage in additional public or private financings of a character and amount which we may deem appropriate.
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RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends on a consolidated basis 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.
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a) | 1.01x | (b) | (b) | (b) | (b) | |||||
(a) | The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented because no shares of preferred stock were outstanding during these periods. | |||||
(b) | Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges. The coverage deficiency totaled $341,158, $247,314, $102,373 and $58,657 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. | |||||
For these ratios, “earnings” represent the aggregate of (a) pre-tax income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries or 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, (b) preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries, and (c) 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, (c) an estimate of the interest within rental expense, and (d) preference securities dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following is a summary of the material terms and provisions of our capital stock. You should refer to the applicable provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, our amended and restated by-laws, as amended, the Rights Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2004, as amended on January 24, 2005 by the First Amendment to Rights Agreement and as amended on October 24, 2008 by the Second Amendment to Rights Agreement (as amended, the “Rights Agreement”), between us and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as rights agent, the Certificate of Designations of Series B Preferred Stock of Cheniere, the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, and the documents that we have incorporated by reference for a complete statement of the terms and rights of our capital stock.
As of March 31, 2010, our authorized capital stock was 245,000,000 shares, which included 240,000,000 shares authorized as common stock, $0.003 par value, and 5,000,000 shares authorized as preferred stock, $0.0001 par value. As of March 31, 2010, we had 57,262,754 shares of common stock outstanding. There were no shares of preferred stock outstanding as of such date, although 400,000 shares of preferred stock have been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and are reserved for issuance in connection with our Rights Agreement. See “Rights Agreement,” below. In addition 50,000 shares of preferred stock have been designated as Series B Preferred Stock and are reserved for issuance in connection with our incurrence of debt in 2008. See “Preferred Stock—Series B Preferred Stock,” below.
Common Stock
Listing. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE Amex Equities under the symbol “LNG.”
Dividends. Subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock, common stockholders may receive dividends when declared by the board of directors. Dividends may be paid in cash, stock or another form. Certain provisions of our debt agreements restrict our ability to pay dividends before August 15, 2011 and thereafter, dividend payments are limited to 50% of our consolidated net income.
Fully Paid. All outstanding shares of common stock are, and the common stock offered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement will be, fully paid and non-assessable upon issuance.
Voting Rights. Common stockholders are entitled to one vote in the election of directors and other matters for each share of common stock owned. Common stockholders are not entitled to preemptive or cumulative voting rights.
Other Rights. We will notify common stockholders of any stockholders’ meetings in accordance with applicable law. If we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our business, either voluntarily or not, common stockholders will share equally in the assets remaining after we pay our creditors and preferred stockholders. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.
Transfer Agent and Registrar. Our transfer agent and registrar is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. located in Canton, Massachusetts.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors can, without approval of our stockholders, issue one or more series or classes of preferred stock from time to time limited by the number of shares of preferred stock then authorized. The board can also determine the number of shares of each series and the rights, preferences and limitations of each series or class, including the dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and any liquidation preferences of any series or class of preferred stock and the terms and conditions of issue. Our board of directors has designated 400,000 shares of preferred stock as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and reserved
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such shares for issuance in connection with our Rights Agreement. See “Rights Agreement,” below. In addition, our board of directors has designated 50,000 shares of preferred stock as Series B Preferred Stock and reserved such shares for issuance in connection with our incurrence of debt in 2008. See “Preferred Stock—Series B Preferred Stock,” below.
If we offer additional shares of preferred stock, the specific terms will be described in a prospectus supplement, including:
• | the specific designation, number of shares, seniority and purchase price; | ||
• | any liquidation preference per share; | ||
• | any date of maturity; | ||
• | any redemption, repayment or sinking fund provisions; | ||
• | any dividend rate or rates and the dates on which any such dividends will be payable (or the method by which such rates or dates will be determined); | ||
• | any voting rights; | ||
• | if other than the currency of the United States, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which such preferred stock is denominated and/or in which payments will or may be payable; | ||
• | the method by which amounts in respect of such preferred stock may be calculated and any commodities, currencies or indices, or value, rate or price, relevant to such calculation; | ||
• | whether such preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable and, if so, the securities or rights into which such preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversions or exchanges will be effected, including conversion or exchange prices or rates, the conversion or exchange period and any other related provisions; | ||
• | the place or places where dividends and other payments on the preferred stock will be payable; and | ||
• | any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions. | ||
All shares of preferred stock offered will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable.
The transfer agent, registrar, and dividend disbursement agent for a series of preferred stock will be named in a prospectus supplement. The registrar for shares of preferred stock will send notices to stockholders of any meetings at which holders of the preferred stock have the right to elect directors or to vote on any other matter.
In some cases, the issuance of preferred stock could delay a change in control of us and make it more difficult to remove present management. Under certain circumstances, preferred stock could also restrict dividend payments to common stockholders. See “—Series B Preferred Stock” and “Rights Agreement,” below.
Series B Preferred Stock
As of March 31, 2010, there were 50,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock authorized and no shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding. The liquidation preference of the Series B Preferred Stock is $5,000 per share.
Conversion. The Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of our common stock on a 1 for 1,000 basis. The Series B Preferred Stock is only convertible either (i) by the purchaser who acquires the Series B Preferred Stock in a public offering, as defined in the rules of the exchange on which our common stock is then
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traded or (ii) by the holder of the Series B Preferred Stock, in any other transaction that would not require stockholder approval for the initial issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock under the rules of the exchange on which our common stock is then traded. The Series B Preferred Stock is required to receive the same dividends or other distributions made on our common stock. As a result, the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock will not change.
Liquidation. The Series B Preferred Stock ranks with respect to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of Cheniere evenly with our common stock. Upon a liquidation, each share of Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to receive the greater of its liquidation preference and the amount that would be payable on the number of shares of common stock into which it is then convertible, as if it had been converted immediately prior to the distribution.
Dividends. The Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to receive dividends when, as and if legally declared by our board of directors. If our board of directors declares a dividend on our common stock, it must pay an equal dividend on the Series B Preferred Stock, on an as-if converted basis.
Maturity and Redemption. The Series B Preferred Stock is perpetual and is not redeemable at the option of the holder or us at any time.
Voting. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to vote with our common stock on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock has 202.50 votes, which represented approximately 19.98% of the vote of our outstanding common stock as of August 15, 2008; provided that if the holders become entitled to purchase additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock described below, each share of Series B Preferred Stock will have its vote reduced so that the class does not exceed 10,125,000 votes. The Series B Preferred Stock has the right to vote separately as a class on certain matters that affect the rights of the Series B Preferred Stock.
As long as the Series B Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the holders of a majority of the Series B Preferred Stock have the right to nominate two individuals to our board of directors. One nominee will be a Class I Director and the second a Class III Director. In addition, the holders of a majority of the Series B Preferred Stock will be able to nominate, together with the board of directors, a third nominee, who will be an independent director, as a Class II Director. If any nominee is not elected to our board of directors by the stockholders, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock will have the right to select a different nominee, and our board of directors is obligated to fill the vacancy with such nominee.
Protective Provisions. In the event the rights under the Rights Agreement become exercisable for the purchase of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, each share of Series B Preferred Stock will become entitled to purchase additional shares, including fractional shares, of Series B Preferred Stock in an amount and at a price that would allow the Series B Preferred Stock to acquire, upon conversion, the same additional amount of our common stock and at the same price that would be issuable upon exercise of the rights.
Certain Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and Law
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and amended and restated by-laws, as amended, contain provisions that may render more difficult possible takeover proposals to acquire control of us and make removal of our management more difficult. Below is a description of certain of these provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and amended and restated by-laws.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, authorizes a class of undesignated preferred stock consisting of 5,000,000 shares, although 400,000 shares of preferred stock out of the 5,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock have been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and are reserved
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for issuance in connection with our Rights Agreement and 50,000 shares of preferred stock have been designated as Series B Preferred Stock and are reserved for issuance in connection with our incurrence of debt in 2008. Additional shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, and our board of directors, without further approval of the stockholders, is authorized to fix the designations, powers, preferences, and rights applicable to each series of preferred stock. The purpose of authorizing the board of directors to determine such designations, powers, preferences, and rights is to allow such determinations to be made by the board of directors instead of the stockholders and to avoid the expense of, and eliminate delays associated with, a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and, under some circumstances, make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of us.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by our common stockholders must be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and not by written consent.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, precludes the ability of our stockholders to call meetings of stockholders. Except as may be required by law and subject to the holders of rights of preferred stock, special meetings of stockholders may be called only by our chairman of the board, our chief executive officer, our president, our secretary or by our board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the members of the board of directors.
Our amended and restated by-laws, as amended, contain specific procedures for stockholder nomination of directors. These provisions require advance notification that must be given in accordance with the provisions of our amended and restated by-laws, as amended. The procedure for stockholder nomination of directors may have the effect of precluding a nomination for the election of directors at a particular meeting if the required procedure is not followed.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, divides our directors into three classes. A classified board significantly extends the time required to make any change in control of our board of directors and tends to discourage any hostile takeover bid for Cheniere.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, requires the vote of at least 66 2/3% of all of the shares of our capital stock which are entitled to vote, voting together as a single class, to take stockholder action to alter, amend, rescind or repeal any of our amended and restated by-laws, as amended, or to alter, amend, rescind or repeal provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith relating to the classified board, the inability of stockholders to act by written consent, the inability of stockholders to call special meetings, the ability of our board of directors to adopt, alter, amend and repeal our amended and restated by-laws, as amended, and the supermajority voting provision. The “supermajority” voting provisions may discourage or deter a person from attempting to obtain control of Cheniere by making it more difficult to amend some provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, or for the Company’s stockholders to amend any provision of our amended and restated by-laws, as amended, whether to eliminate provisions that have an anti-takeover effect or those that protect the interests of minority stockholders.
Although Section 214 of the DGCL provides that a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting for directors, our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, does not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, the holders of a majority of the votes of the outstanding shares of our common stock have the ability to elect all of the directors being elected at any annual meeting of stockholders.
As a Delaware corporation, we are subject to Section 203, or the business combination statute, of the DGCL. Under the business combination statute of the DGCL, a corporation is generally restricted from engaging
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in a business combination (as defined in Section 203 of the DGCL) with an interested stockholder (defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock) for a three-year period following the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder. This restriction applies unless:
• | prior to the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; | ||
• | the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation upon completion of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder (excluding stock held by the corporation’s directors who are also officers and by the corporation’s employee stock plans, if any, that do not provide employees with the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer); or | ||
• | at or subsequent to the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the business combination was approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized by the affirmative vote, at an annual or special meeting, and not by written consent, of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, excluding shares held by that interested stockholder. | ||
The provisions of the Delaware business combination statute do not apply to a corporation if, subject to certain requirements specified in Section 203(b) of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the corporation contain a provision expressly electing not to be governed by the provisions of the statute or the corporation does not have voting stock listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders. We have not adopted any provision in our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, or amended and restated by-laws, as amended, electing not to be governed by the Delaware business combination statute. As a result, the statute is applicable to business combinations involving us.
Rights Agreement
On October 13, 2004, pursuant to a Rights Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2004, as amended, between us and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., our board of directors declared a dividend of one right, or a Right, to purchase one “Unit” consisting of one one-thousandth share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for each outstanding share of our common stock. Each Right entitles the registered holder, after the occurrence of a “Distribution Date” as defined in the Rights Agreement and described below, to exercise the right to purchase from us one Unit of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $700, subject to adjustment.
Distribution Date. The Rights will separate from our common stock and become exercisable upon the earlier of: (i) the tenth day after a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an “Acquiring Person”) publicly announces that it has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock, or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may be determined by action of our board of directors taken prior to a person or group becoming an Acquiring Person) following the commencement or announcement of a tender offer or exchange offer, the consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock. The earlier of such dates is referred to as the “Distribution Date.”
Expiration of Rights. The Rights will expire on the earliest of October 14, 2014 or redemption or exchange of the Rights as described below.
Initial Exercise of the Rights. Following the Distribution Date, and until the occurrence of one of the further events described below, holders of the Rights will be entitled to receive, upon exercise and payment of the purchase price therefor, one Unit of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
Right to Buy Units of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. Unless the Rights are earlier redeemed, in the event that the Distribution Date occurs and a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, then each
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holder of a Right that has not theretofore been exercised (other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person, which will thereafter be void) will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, Units of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock having a value equal to two times the purchase price therefor.
Right to Buy Acquiring Company Stock. Similarly, unless the Rights are earlier exercised, exchanged or redeemed, in the event that, after the Distribution Date occurs and a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, (i) we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction, or (ii) 50% or more of our consolidated assets or earning power are sold (other than in transactions in the ordinary course of business), proper provision must be made so that each holder of a Right that has not theretofore been exercised, exchanged or redeemed (other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person, which will thereafter be void) will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, shares of common stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to two times the purchase price.
Exchange Provision. At any time after a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior to the acquisition by such Acquiring Person of 50% or more of our outstanding common stock, our board of directors may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by the Acquiring Person), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio calculated pursuant to the Rights Agreement.
Redemption. At any time on or prior to the earlier of the time a person becomes an Acquiring Person and the close of business on the final expiration date of the Rights Agreement, we may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Right.
Adjustments to Prevent Dilution. The Purchase Price payable, the number of Rights and the number of Units of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time in connection with the dilutive issuances by us as set forth in the Rights Agreement. With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the purchase price will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such purchase price.
No Stockholders’ Rights Prior to Exercise. Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of Cheniere (other than any rights resulting from such holder’s ownership of our common stock), including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.
Amendment of Rights Agreement. The terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be amended in any respect without the consent of the Rights holders on or prior to the Distribution Date; thereafter, the terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be amended without the consent of the Rights holders in order to cure any ambiguities or to make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of Rights holders (other than the Acquiring Person).
Rights and Preferences of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. Each Unit of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock has rights and preferences substantially equivalent to those of one share of our common stock.
No Voting Rights. Rights will not have any voting rights.
Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, provides for indemnification of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Our amended and restated by-laws, as amended, also provide that directors and officers shall be indemnified against liabilities arising from their service as directors or officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, which generally requires that the individual act in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in or not opposed to our best interests.
We have also entered into indemnification agreements with all of our directors and elected officers. The indemnification agreements provide that we will indemnify these officers and directors to the fullest extent
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permitted by our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, amended and restated by-laws, as amended, and applicable law. The indemnification agreements also provide that these officers and directors shall 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.
We also have director and officer liability insurance for the benefit of each of the above indemnitees. These policies include coverage for losses for wrongful acts and omissions. Each of the indemnitees are named as an insured under such policies and provided with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of our directors and officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
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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, Inc., 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:
• | the title and type of the debt securities; | ||
• | the total principal amount of the debt securities; | ||
• | 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; | ||
• | the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable; | ||
• | the interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities; | ||
• | any conversion or exchange features; | ||
• | any optional redemption periods; | ||
• | any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem some or all of the debt securities; | ||
• | any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs; | ||
• | any changes to or additional events of default or covenants; | ||
• | any special tax implications of the debt securities, including provisions for original issue discount securities, if offered; and | ||
• | 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:
• | will pay the principal of, and interest and any premium on, the debt securities when due; | ||
• | will maintain a place of payment; | ||
• | will deliver a certificate to the trustee each fiscal year reviewing our compliance with our obligations under the indentures; | ||
• | will preserve our corporate existence; and | ||
• | 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. | ||
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:
• | 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; | ||
• | 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; | ||
• | we or the successor will not immediately be in default under such indenture; and | ||
• | 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. | ||
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.
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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:
(1) 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;
(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any debt security of that series at its maturity;
(3) 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;
(4) 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;
(5) 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;
(6) 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;
(7) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or
(8) 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.
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
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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, the debt securities issued thereunder or the subsidiary guarantees, if any, 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:
(1) 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);
(2) 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;
(3) 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;
(4) 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;
(5) 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
(6) 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.
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:
(1) cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision therein that may be inconsistent with any other provision therein;
(2) 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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(3) 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;
(4) 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;
(5) secure the debt securities of any series;
(6) 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;
(7) 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;
(8) 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;
(9) add any additional defaults or events of default in respect of all or any series of debt securities;
(10) 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;
(11) 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;
(12) 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;
(13) 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;
(14) 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
(15) 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
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(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.
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:
(1) 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;
(2) 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;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee and our and each guarantor’s obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance (as defined below) provisions of the applicable indenture.
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:
(1) 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;
(2) 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;
(3) 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
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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;
(4) 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);
(5) 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;
(6) 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;
(7) 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;
(8) 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
(9) 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.
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:
(1) 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;
(2) we have paid all other sums then due and payable under such indenture by us; and
(3) 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.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees, Partners, Members and Stockholders
No director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, partner, member or stockholder of the company or any guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any of our or the guarantors’ obligations under the debt
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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
• | 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 | ||
• | 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. | ||
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
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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:
• | by the applicable depositary to a nominee of the depositary; | ||
• | by any nominee to the depositary itself or another nominee; or | ||
• | by the depositary or any nominee to a successor depositary or any nominee of the successor. | ||
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.
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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:
• | will not be entitled to have any of the underlying debt securities registered in their names; | ||
• | will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any of the underlying debt securities in definitive form; and | ||
• | will not be considered the owners or holders under the indenture relating to those debt securities. | ||
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.
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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.
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, rights or units. 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:
• | the title of the warrants; | ||
• | the securities purchasable upon the exercise of such warrants; | ||
• | the exercise price; | ||
• | the aggregate number of warrants to be issued; | ||
• | the principal amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of each warrant; | ||
• | the price or prices at which each warrant will be issued; | ||
• | the procedures for exercising the warrants; | ||
• | the date upon which the exercise of warrants will commence; | ||
• | the expiration date, and any other material terms of the warrants; and | ||
• | any other terms of such warrants, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants. | ||
The warrants do not confer upon the holders thereof any voting or other rights of stockholders.
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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
We may issue rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units. 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:
• | the price, if any, per right; | ||
• | the exercise price payable for each share of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants or units upon the exercise of the rights; | ||
• | the number of rights issued or to be issued to each stockholder; | ||
• | the number and terms of the shares of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants or units that may be purchased per each right; | ||
• | the extent to which the rights are transferable; | ||
• | any other terms of the rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights; | ||
• | the respective dates on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights shall commence and shall expire; | ||
• | the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and | ||
• | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights. | ||
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.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights or any combination of such securities.
The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the following terms of any units in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
• | the terms of the units and of any of the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and rights comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately; | ||
• | a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and | ||
• | a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units | ||
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We 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 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 stock, 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 use an underwriter, we 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 use a dealer, we act as principal, 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 may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, and we 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 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 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 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 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 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 stock, which is 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 stock sold by this prospectus will be listed for trading on the NYSE Amex Equities, or such other
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exchanges as our common stock may be listed for trading at the time of issuance, subject to official notice of issuance. We can not 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 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.
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LEGAL MATTERS
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.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Cheniere Energy, Inc. appearing in Cheniere Energy, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2009 (including 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.
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10,000,000 Shares
Cheniere Energy, Inc.
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT | ||||
Miller Tabak | ||||