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Cheniere Energy Partners LP

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FY2014 Annual Report · Cheniere Energy Partners LP
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CHENIERE 
ENERGY 
PARTNERS, L.P.
2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Dear Shareholders,
2014 was a remarkable period in the global energy markets and a year of notable 
achievements and transformation for Cheniere Energy Partners as we continue moving 
forward on the development of our leading Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal.

Global  oil  markets  have  been  transformed  by  U.S. 
unconventional supply growth. Brent oil prices declined 
sharply  from  a  range  near  $110  per  barrel  mid‐year 
to  approximately  $50  per  barrel  at  year‐end.  Global 
crude  markets  have  been  up‐ended  by  softer‐than‐
expected  economic  performance  in  Europe  and  Asia, 
and  unabated  growth  in  U.S.  crude  supply.  The  U.S. 
produced  approximately  9.1  million  barrels  per  day  of 
crude in December 2014, the highest production levels 
since 1986 and approximately 1.3 million barrels per day 
above year‐ago levels, according to Energy Information 
Agency (EIA) data.

We  continue  to  see  market  dynamics  impacted  by  the 
expansion of unconventional natural gas and petroleum 
liquids  in  the  U.S.  We  anticipate  that  the  recent  decline 
in  prices  is  a  harbinger  of  a  period  of  greater  cyclical 
volatility  ahead  for  global  oil  prices  largely  resulting 
from expected U.S. production growth. We expect crude 
prices  will  trade  within  wider  ranges,  with  higher  peaks, 
deeper troughs and shorter cycles. This is largely due to 
how responsive the U.S. markets are to price signals. The 
U.S. rig fleet can be rapidly deployed or idled depending 
on price expectations, and at a much faster pace than in 
the  rest  of  the  world.  As  a  result,  the  U.S.  is  expected  to 
become a swing producer, and we believe this will cause 
more unpredictability in production patterns and prices.

The  U.S.  system  also  has  an  abundance  of  natural  gas 
supply due to improved technology, rising productivity 
and  expanding  supplies  associated  with  oil  drilling. 
Year  after  year,  U.S.  producers  have  been  able  to  drill 
wells more quickly and complete them more effectively. 
Supply  is  becoming  more  elastic.  The  U.S.  natural  gas 
market  delivered  2.2    trillion  cubic  feet  (Tcf ),  or  19% 
more natural gas to consumers over the November 2013 
–  March  2014  heating  season  compared  to  the  prior  

10‐year winter average, according to EIA data. We expect 
production  growth  to  continue  to  increase  over  time, 
although the pace and magnitude of this growth will be 
harder to project.

We  are  making  significant  progress  on  our  own 
transformation,  developing  an  LNG  export  facility  and 
complementary operations to optimize the scalable LNG 
platform.  We  are  currently  developing  six  liquefaction 
trains  at  Sabine  Pass with  expected  aggregate  nominal 
production capacity of approximately 27 million tonnes 
per annum (mtpa) on LNG, or approximately  3.6  billion 
cubic  feet  per  day  (Bcf/d).  Located  along  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico, the most prolific hydrocarbon producing region 
in the U.S., our facility will provide a global outlet for this 
abundant supply of natural gas.

Due  to  the  quantities  of  natural  gas  we  anticipate  
purchasing  for  LNG  terminal  feedstock,  we  expect  to 
be one of the largest buyers of natural gas in the U.S. To 
that  end,  we  have  been  securing  long‐term  and  short‐
term transportation capacity on interstate and intrastate 
pipelines  in  order  to  ensure  deliverability  and  access  to 
natural gas markets. We have been entering into natural 
gas supply contracts with producers and marketers in the 
U.S., reaching supply all the way to the Marcellus shale.

Our  LNG  platform  will  have  limited  exposure  to  the  
recent  decline  in  oil  prices  as  we  have  contracted  a 
significant portion of our LNG design production capacity 
under  long‐term  sale  and  purchase  agreements.  These 
agreements contain fixed fees that are required to be paid 
even if the customers elect to cancel or suspend delivery 
of LNG cargoes. Overall we expect to have approximately 
80%  of  the  LNG  platform  design  production  capacity  of 
the six liquefaction trains sold under long‐term contracts. 

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Chairman’s Letter and CQP Highlights sections contain forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, business strategy, performance and expectations for project development. The reader is cautioned 
not to rely on these statements and should review the section “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page ii of this Annual Report for important information about these statements, including 
the risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from the assumptions, expectations, and projections expressed in any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking 
statements speak only as of the date made, and other than as required by law, we under take no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events 
or developments or otherwise.

CQP Highlights

2014 was an important year for developing our 
LNG project and platform. Construction on our 
Sabine Pass Liquefaction (SPL) project is moving 
on an accelerated schedule.

•  As of March 2015, the project completion 

for Trains 1 and 2 was approximately 
87%. Based on our current construction 
schedule, we anticipate that Train 1 will 
produce LNG by late 2015. 

•  Construction on Trains 3 and 4 began 

in May 2013, and as of March 2015, the 
project was approximately  63% complete. 
We expect Trains 3 and 4 at SPL to become 
operational in late 2016 and 2017, 
respectively. 

•  Continued progress on development of 

Trains 5 and 6.  We are in the final stages of 
the permitting process and expect to reach 
Final Investment Decision (FID) on Train 5  
in mid-2015. 

We continue to secure our gas procurement 
position.

•  We have secured pipeline capacity to 

provide long-term access to diverse natural 
gas supply sources. 

•  We have entered into several natural gas 

supply contracts to source feedstock for SPL.

Global  demand  for  natural  gas  and  LNG  is  expected  to 
continue  to  increase  as  nations  seek  more  abundant, 
reliable and environmentally friendly fuel  alternatives to 
oil  and  coal.  The  International  Energy  Agency  projects 
global demand for natural gas to grow by approximately 
29  Tcf  between  2012  and  2025,  with  LNG  increasing  its 
current share of approximately 10% of the global market. 
Wood  Mackenzie  forecasts  that  global  demand  for  LNG 
will increase by 85% to 438 mtpa, or 21.4 Tcf, from 2012 
to 2025. LNG production from existing facilities and new 
facilities  already  under  construction  is  forecasted  to 
supply the market with 337 mtpa in 2025, resulting in a 
market need for construction of an additional 101 mtpa of 
LNG production, according to Wood Mackenzie.

We  believe  the  U.S.  will  fill  a  significant  portion  of  this 
demand  as  the  U.S.  provides  an  attractive  new  source 
of LNG supply. The recent decline in crude oil prices has 
created  challenges  for  LNG  developments  elsewhere  in 
the  world  where  project  economics  and  financing  are 
reliant upon oil‐linked LNG contracts. In fact, during the 
second half of the year, there were a few announcements 
that  proposed  LNG  projects  outside  of  the  U.S.  had 
been  cancelled  or  put  on  hold.  In  contrast,  the  value 
proposition  for  U.S.  LNG  exports  remains  stable,  due 
to  low‐cost  domestic  natural  gas,  the  offer  of  supply 
diversity,  destination  flexibility  and  favorable  contract 
pricing structure.

Looking beyond the development of LNG export facilities, 
our core competencies, scale, and first‐mover advantage 
provide  an  industry‐leading  platform  to  capitalize  on 
additional  opportunities.  Our  LNG  platform  will  enable 
opportunistic  investments  for  vertical  integration  into 
upstream,  midstream  or  downstream  markets.  As  we 
pursue future investments, our core focus will be on cash 
flow per share for our investors.

Sincerely,

Charif Souki
Chairman and CEO

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A Responsible Community Leader

Corporate Information

Cheniere is a responsible corporate citizen committed to service in the communities 
where  we  operate  and  our  employees  live.  In  2014,  Cheniere  expanded  its 
community outreach and initiated new efforts in Louisiana and Texas.

Our  commitment  begins  with  the  Cheniere  Ambassador  Grant  program,  which 
has  flourished  into  an  impactful  program  that  connects  our  employees  to 
communities  across  the  Gulf  Coast.   The  Cheniere  Ambassador  Grant  program 
provided  over  $62,000  in  charitable  contributions  to  80  charities  and  civic 
organizations  in  2014.  The  program  allows  each  employee  the  opportunity 
to direct a $200 corporate contribution to a charity of his or her choice in their 
community.  In 2014, a group of five employees joined together to make a $1,000 
donation to the Overseas China Education Foundation, located in Houston, Texas. 
The  Foundation  helps  underprivileged  children  in  impoverished  rural  areas  of 
China receive a quality education.

Cheniere’s Community Investment Council also reflects our commitment to local 
service.  The Council, comprised of local employees in southwestern Louisiana and 
southeast Texas, can identify and respond quickly to community needs.  In 2014, 
over $130,000 was distributed to local schools, universities and civic organizations.  
Causes supported by the Council include junior achievement, a veteran’s fundraising 
drive, a benevolent fund for fire fighters and police officers, a children’s museum 
and a holiday toy drive, among many others. 

As  part  of  our  investment  in  youth  and  education,  Cheniere  has  launched  the 
Youth  Leadership  Enrichment  and  Development  (LEAD)  Program  in  both  Texas 
and  Louisiana.  Each  LEAD  Council,  consisting  of  12  high  school  students,  brings 
together the next generation of community leaders and engages them in public 
service. Cheniere has provided $20,000 to each LEAD Council to help identify, fund 
and organize local community service projects. 

Cheniere is honored to be a part of the communities where we operate and our 
families  live. We  look  forward  to  building  upon  our  commitment  to  service  and 
responsible corporate citizenship.

“The leadership skills and 

ability to work together for 

the greater good of their 

communities has allowed the 

Youth LEAD Council program 

to thrive in 2014.” 

- LEAD Program Director
  Laura Ferrell

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS
Charif Souki
Director, Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer

James R. Ball
Director

Meg A. Gentle
Director and Senior Vice President 

Sean T. Klimczak
Director

Lon McCain
Independent Director

Philip Meier
Director

CONTACTS & ADVISORS

Corporate Office
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.
700 Milam, Suite 1900
Houston, Texas 77002
Telephone: (713) 375-5000
Facsimile:   (713) 375-6000

Stock Exchange Listing:
NYSE  MKT: CQP

John-Paul R. Munfa
Director

Vincent Pagano, Jr.
Independent Director

Oliver G. Richard, III
Director

Len Travis 
Chief Accounting Officer

R. Keith Teague
Director, President and  
Chief Operating Officer

Michael J. Wortley
Director, Senior Vice President   
and Chief Financial Officer

Investor Relations
Telephone:  (713) 375-5100
Email:  info@cheniere.com
www.cheniere.com

Daniel Belhumeur
Vice President and General Tax Counsel

Sean Bunk
Assistant Secretary

Cara E. Carlson  
Corporate Secretary

Lisa Cohen
Vice President  & Treasurer

Greg W. Rayford
Assistant Secretary

Khaled Sharafeldin
Vice President, Internal Audit

Transfer Agent 
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Telephone: (800) 962-4284
Facsimile: (303) 262-0600

Independent Accountants
KPMG,  Houston, Texas

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.  is currently 
developing  a  liquefaction  project  at  our 
Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the 
existing  regasification  facilities  with  up 
to  six  liquefaction  trains  and  expected 
aggregate  nominal  production  capacity 
of approximately 27 mtpa.

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.      2014  Annual Report