10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 For the transition period fromto

Commission File No. 001-16383

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	95-4352386
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
700 Milam Street, Suite 1900
Houston, Texas	77002
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 375-5000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock, $ 0.003 par value	NYSE MKT
(Title of Class)	(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  x  No  o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes  o  No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x  No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x	Accelerated filer                     ¨
Non-accelerated filer    ¨	Smaller reporting company    ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  o  No  x

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $8.7 billion as of June 30, 2016. 

237,866,370 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.003 par value, were outstanding as of February 17, 2017. 

Documents incorporated by reference: The definitive proxy statement for the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders (to be filed within 120 days of the close of the registrant’s fiscal year) is incorporated by reference into Part III.

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
Items 1. and 2. Business and Properties	1
Item 1A. Risk Factors	19
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments	35
Item 3. Legal Proceedings	35
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure	36
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	37
Item 6. Selected Financial Data	39
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	40
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	62
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	63
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	113
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures	113
Item 9B. Other Information	113
PART III
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	115
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary	137
Signatures	138

i

DEFINITIONS

As commonly used in the liquefied natural gas industry, to the extent applicable and as used in this annual report, the terms listed below have the following meanings: 

Common Industry and Other Terms

Bcf	billion cubic feet
Bcf/d	billion cubic feet per day
Bcf/yr	billion cubic feet per year
Bcfe	billion cubic feet equivalent
DOE	U.S. Department of Energy
EPC	engineering, procurement and construction
FERC	Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FTA countries	countries with which the United States has a free trade agreement providing for national treatment for trade in natural gas
GAAP	generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
Henry Hub	the final settlement price (in USD per MMBtu) for the New York Mercantile Exchange’s Henry Hub natural gas futures contract for the month in which a relevant cargo’s delivery window is scheduled to begin
LIBOR	London Interbank Offered Rate
LNG	liquefied natural gas, a product of natural that, through a refrigeration process, has been cooled to a liquid state, which occupies a volume that is approximately 1/600th of its gaseous state
MMBtu	million British thermal units, an energy unit
mtpa	million tonnes per annum
non-FTA countries	countries with which the United States does not have a free trade agreement providing for national treatment for trade in natural gas and with which trade is permitted
SEC	Securities and Exchange Commission
SPA	LNG sale and purchase agreement
Train	an industrial facility comprised of a series of refrigerant compressor loops used to cool natural gas into LNG
TUA	terminal use agreement

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Abbreviated Organizational Structure

The following diagram depicts our abbreviated organizational structure as of December 31, 2016, including our ownership of certain subsidiaries, and the references to these entities used in this annual report:

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Cheniere,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE MKT: LNG) and its consolidated subsidiaries, including our publicly traded subsidiaries, Cheniere Partners (NYSE MKT: CQP) and Cheniere Holdings (NYSE MKT: CQH).

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to the “CCH Group” refer to CCH HoldCo II, CCH HoldCo I, CCH, CCL and CCP, collectively. References to the “CCL Stage III entities” refer to Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage III, LLC and Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline Stage III, LLC.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report contains 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 (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein or incorporated herein by reference are “forward-looking statements.” Included among “forward-looking statements” are, among other things: 

• statements that we expect to commence or complete construction of our proposed LNG terminals, liquefaction facilities, pipeline facilities or other projects, or any expansions thereof, by certain dates, or at all;

• statements regarding future levels of domestic and international natural gas production, supply or consumption or future levels of LNG imports into or exports from North America and other countries worldwide or purchases of natural gas, regardless of the source of such information, or the transportation or other infrastructure or demand for and prices related to natural gas, LNG or other hydrocarbon products;

• statements regarding any financing transactions or arrangements, or ability to enter into such transactions;

• statements relating to the construction of our Trains and pipeline, including statements concerning the engagement of any EPC contractor or other contractor and the anticipated terms and provisions of any agreement with any such EPC or other contractor, and anticipated costs related thereto;

• statements regarding any SPA or other agreement to be entered into or performed substantially in the future, including any revenues anticipated to be received and the anticipated timing thereof, and statements regarding the amounts of total LNG regasification, natural gas liquefaction or storage capacities that are, or may become, subject to contracts;

• statements regarding counterparties to our commercial contracts, construction contracts and other contracts;

• statements regarding our planned development and construction of additional Trains and pipelines, including the financing of such Trains;

• statements that our Trains, when completed, will have certain characteristics, including amounts of liquefaction capacities;

• statements regarding our business strategy, our strengths, our business and operation plans or any other plans, forecasts, projections, or objectives, including anticipated revenues, capital expenditures, maintenance and operating costs and cash flows, any or all of which are subject to change;

• statements regarding legislative, governmental, regulatory, administrative or other public body actions, approvals, requirements, permits, applications, filings, 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.

All of these types of statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursue,” “target,” “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe that such estimates are reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties beyond our control. In addition, assumptions may prove to be inaccurate. We caution that the forward-looking statements contained in this annual report are not guarantees of future performance and that such statements may not be realized or the forward-looking statements or events may not occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors described in this annual report and in the other reports and other information that we file with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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PART I

ITEMS 1. AND 2. BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

General

Cheniere, a Delaware corporation, was organized in 1983 and is a Houston-based energy company primarily engaged in LNG-related businesses. Our vision is to be recognized as the premier global LNG company and provide a reliable, competitive and integrated source of LNG to our customers while creating a safe, productive and rewarding work environment for our employees. We own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana through our ownership interest in and management agreements with Cheniere Partners, which is a publicly traded limited partnership that we created in 2007. We own 100% of the general partner interest in Cheniere Partners and 82.6% of Cheniere Holdings, which is a publicly traded limited liability company formed in 2013 that owns a 55.9% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners. We are currently developing and constructing two natural gas liquefaction and export facilities. The liquefaction of natural gas into LNG allows it to be shipped economically from areas of the world where natural gas is abundant and inexpensive to produce to other areas where natural gas demand and infrastructure exist to economically justify the use of LNG.

The Sabine Pass LNG terminal is located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, on the Sabine-Neches Waterway less than four miles from the Gulf Coast. Cheniere Partners is developing, constructing and operating natural gas liquefaction facilities (the “SPL Project”) at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities through a wholly owned subsidiary, SPL. Cheniere Partners plans to construct up to six Trains, which are in various stages of development, construction and operations. Trains 1 and 2 have commenced operating activities, Train 3 is undergoing commissioning and has produced LNG, Trains 4 and 5 are under construction and Train 6 is fully permitted. Each Train is expected to have a nominal production capacity, which is prior to adjusting for planned maintenance, production reliability and potential overdesign, of approximately 4.5 mtpa of LNG. The Sabine Pass LNG terminal has operational regasification facilities owned by Cheniere Partners’ wholly owned subsidiary, SPLNG, that include existing infrastructure of five LNG storage tanks with capacity of approximately 16.9 Bcfe, two marine berths that can accommodate vessels with nominal capacity of up to 266,000 cubic meters and vaporizers with regasification capacity of approximately 4.0 Bcf/d. Cheniere Partners also owns a 94-mile pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with a number of large interstate pipelines (the “Creole Trail Pipeline”) through a wholly owned subsidiary, CTPL.

We are developing and constructing a second natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal, which is on nearly 2,000 acres of land that we own or control near Corpus Christi, Texas, and a pipeline facility (collectively, the “CCL Project”) through wholly owned subsidiaries CCL and CCP, respectively. The CCL Project is being developed for up to three Trains, with expected aggregate nominal production capacity, which is prior to adjusting for planned maintenance, production reliability and potential overdesign, of approximately 13.5 mtpa of LNG, three LNG storage tanks with capacity of approximately 10.1 Bcfe and two marine berths that can accommodate vessels with nominal capacity of up to 266,000 cubic meters. The CCL Project is being developed in stages. The first stage (“Stage 1”) includes Trains 1 and 2, two LNG storage tanks, one complete marine berth and a second partial berth and all of the CCL Project’s necessary infrastructure facilities. The second stage (“Stage 2”) includes Train 3, one LNG storage tank and the completion of the second partial berth. The CCL Project also includes a 23-mile natural gas supply pipeline that will interconnect the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with several interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines (the “Corpus Christi Pipeline”).

The CCL Stage III entities, our wholly owned subsidiaries separate from the CCH Group, are also developing additional Trains and one LNG storage tank at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal adjacent to the CCL Project, along with a second natural gas pipeline.

Cheniere Marketing is engaged in the LNG and natural gas marketing business and is developing a portfolio of long- and medium-term SPAs. Cheniere Marketing has entered into SPAs with SPL and CCL to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, LNG produced by the SPL Project and the CCL Project.

We are also in various stages of developing other projects, including liquefaction projects and other infrastructure projects in support of natural gas supply and LNG demand, which, among other things, will require acceptable commercial and financing arrangements before we make a final investment decision (“FID”). We are exploring the development of a midscale liquefaction project using electric drive modular Trains, with an expected aggregate nominal production capacity of approximately 9.5 mtpa of LNG. We have proposed the development of a pipeline with expected capacity of up to 1.4 Bcf/d connecting new gas production

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in the Anadarko Basin to Gulf Coast markets, including markets serving the SPL Project and the CCL Project. We recently commenced the regulatory pre-filing process and expect to file formal applications for the required regulatory permits in 2017.

Although results are consolidated for financial reporting, Cheniere, Cheniere Holdings, Cheniere Partners, SPL, SPLNG, CTPL and the CCH Group operate with independent capital structures. The following diagram depicts our abbreviated capital structure as of December 31, 2016:

Our Business Strategy

Our primary business strategy is to develop LNG and natural gas infrastructure assets with a focus on integrating the U.S. market, where supplies are abundant and inexpensive to produce, with international markets, where existing supplies are either uncompetitive or insufficient to satisfy growing demand.  We plan to implement our strategy by: 

• completing construction and commencing operation of the first five Trains of the SPL Project and the first two Trains of the CCL Project;

• safely, efficiently and reliably maintaining and operating our assets;

• obtaining the requisite long-term commercial contracts and financing to reach an FID regarding Train 3 of the CCL Project and Train 6 of the SPL Project;

• developing business relationships for the marketing of additional long- and medium-term agreements for Cheniere Marketing’s LNG volumes and additional LNG liquefaction projects or expansions;

• expanding our existing asset base through acquisitions or development of complementary businesses or assets across the LNG value chain; and

• maintaining a flexible capital structure to finance the acquisition, development, construction and operation of the energy assets needed to supply our customers.

2

Business Segments

Our business activities are conducted by two operating segments for which we provide information in our Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. These two segments are: 

• LNG terminal business; and

• LNG and natural gas marketing business. 

During 2016, we initiated certain organizational changes to simplify our corporate structure, improve our operational efficiencies and implement a strategy for sustainable, long-term stockholder value creation through financially disciplined development, construction, operation and investment. We are currently evaluating the way we manage our business as a result of these changes. This evaluation is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2017 and may result in a change to our reportable segments as organizational alignment is finalized.

For information about our segments’ revenues, profits and losses and total assets, see Note 20—Business Segment Information of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

LNG Terminal Business

We began developing our LNG terminal business in 1999 and were among the first companies to secure sites and commence development of new LNG terminals in North America. We are currently focusing our development efforts on two LNG terminal projects currently under construction: the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in western Cameron Parish, Louisiana, less than four miles from the Gulf Coast on the Sabine-Neches Waterway; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal, which is on nearly 2,000 acres of land that we own or control near Corpus Christi, Texas. Through Cheniere Partners, we are developing, constructing and operating the SPL Project and have constructed and are operating regasification facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. We own 100% of the general partner interest in Cheniere Partners and 82.6% of Cheniere Holdings, which owns a 55.9% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners. We currently own a 100% interest in the CCL Project.

Sabine Pass LNG Terminal

Liquefaction Facilities

We are developing, constructing and operating the SPL Project at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. We have received authorization from the FERC to site, construct and operate Trains 1 through 6. The following table summarizes the overall project status of the SPL Project as of December 31, 2016:

	SPL Trains 1 & 2		SPL Trains 3 & 4		SPL Train 5
Overall project completion percentage	100%		95.5%		52.4%
Completion percentage of:
Engineering	100%		100%		96.6%
Procurement	100%		100%		76.6%
Subcontract work	100%		78.6%		43.7%
Construction	100%		93.2%		11.3%
Date of expected substantial completion	Train 1	Operational	Train 3	1Q 2017	Train 5	2H 2019
	Train 2	Operational	Train 4	2H 2017

We achieved substantial completion of Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project and commenced operating activities in May and September 2016, respectively, and started the commissioning of Train 3 of the SPL Project in September 2016.

The following orders have been issued by the DOE authorizing the export of domestically produced LNG by vessel from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal:

• Trains 1 through 4—FTA countries for a 30-year term, which commenced on May 15, 2016, and non-FTA countries for a 20-year term, which commenced on June 3, 2016, in an amount up to a combined total of the equivalent of 16 mtpa (approximately 803 Bcf/yr of natural gas).

• Trains 1 through 4—FTA countries for a 25-year term and non-FTA countries for a 20-year term, in an amount up to a combined total of the equivalent of approximately 203 Bcf/yr of natural gas (approximately 4 mtpa).

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• Trains 5 and 6—FTA countries and non-FTA countries for a 20-year term, in an amount up to a combined total of 503.3 Bcf/yr of natural gas (approximately 10 mtpa).

In each case, the terms of these authorizations begin on the earlier of the date of first export thereunder or the date specified in the particular order, which ranges from five to 10 years from the date the order was issued. In addition, we received an order providing for a three-year makeup period with respect to each of the non-FTA orders for LNG volumes we were unable to export during any portion of the initial 20-year export period of such order.

In January 2016, the DOE issued an order authorizing us to export domestically produced LNG by vessel from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal to FTA countries and non-FTA countries over a two-year period commencing on January 15, 2016, in an aggregate amount up to the equivalent of 600 Bcf of natural gas (however, exports to non-FTA countries under this order, when combined with exports to non-FTA countries under the orders related to Trains 1 through 4 above, may not exceed 1,006 Bcf/yr).

A party to the proceedings requested rehearings of the orders above related to the export of 803 Bcf/yr, 203 Bcf/yr and 503.3 Bcf/yr to non-FTA countries. The DOE issued orders denying rehearing of the orders. The same party petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review the DOE order and the order denying the request for rehearing related to the export of 503.3 Bcf/yr to non-FTA countries and the appeal is pending.

Customers

SPL has entered into six fixed price, 20-year SPAs with extension rights with third parties to make available an aggregate amount of LNG that equates to approximately 19.75 mtpa of LNG, which is approximately 88% of the expected aggregate nominal production capacity of Trains 1 through 5. The obligation to make LNG available under the SPAs commences from the date of first commercial delivery for Trains 1 through 5, as specified in each SPA. Under these SPAs, the customers will purchase LNG from SPL for a price consisting of a fixed fee per MMBtu of LNG (a portion of which is subject to annual adjustment for inflation) plus a variable fee equal to 115% of Henry Hub per MMBtu of LNG. In certain circumstances, the customers may elect to cancel or suspend deliveries of LNG cargoes, in which case the customers would still be required to pay the fixed fee with respect to the contracted volumes that are not delivered as a result of such cancellation or suspension. The SPAs and contracted volumes to be made available under the SPAs are not tied to a specific Train; however, the term of each SPA commences upon the start of operations of a specified Train.

As of December 31, 2016, SPL had the following third-party SPAs:

	BG Gulf Coast LNG, LLC	Gas Natural Fenosa LNG GOM, Limited	Korea Gas Corporation	GAIL (India) Limited	Total Gas & Power North America, Inc. (“Total”)	Centrica plc
Annual contract quantity of LNG (in million MMBtu)	286.50 (1) (2)	182.50 (3)	182.50	182.50	104.75	91.25
Annual contract quantity of LNG (mtpa)	5.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	2.0	1.75
Expected annual fixed fees (in millions)	$723 (1)	$454	$548	$548	$314	$274
Fixed fees $/MMBtu	$2.25 - $3.00 (1)	$2.49	$3.00	$3.00	$3.00	$3.00
Variable fee per MMBtu	115% of Henry Hub	115% of Henry Hub	115% of Henry Hub	115% of Henry Hub	115% of Henry Hub	115% of Henry Hub
Contract start (date of first commercial delivery for applicable Train)	Train 1 (1)	Train 2	Train 3	Train 4	Train 5	Train 5
Guarantor	BG Energy Holdings Limited	Gas Natural SDG S.A.	N/A	N/A	Total S.A.	N/A
Principal place of business of customer	United States	Republic of Ireland	Republic of Korea	India	United States	England and Wales

(1) Includes an annual contract quantity of 182.5 million MMBtu of LNG upon the date of first commercial delivery of Train 1 with a fixed fee of $2.25 per MMBtu and includes additional annual contract quantities of 36.5 million MMBtu, 34.0

4

million MMBtu and 33.5 million MMBtu upon the date of first commercial delivery for Trains 2, 3 and 4, respectively, with a fixed fee of $3.00 per MMBtu. Annual fixed fees of approximately $723 million are expected following the date of first commercial delivery of Train 4, consisting of approximately $520 million related to Trains 1 and 2 and approximately $203 million related to Trains 3 and 4.

(2) Does not include 500,000 MMBtu/d of LNG at a fixed fee of $2.25 per MMBtu of LNG that was available upon Train 1 becoming commercially operable prior to the beginning of its first delivery window.

(3) Does not include 285,000 MMBtu/d of LNG at a fixed fee of $2.49 per MMBtu of LNG that is available upon Train 2 becoming commercially operable prior to the beginning of its first delivery window.

In aggregate, the fixed fee portion to be paid by the third-party SPA customers is approximately $2.9 billion annually for Trains 1 through 5, with the applicable fixed fees starting from the date of first commercial delivery from the applicable Train. These fixed fees equal approximately $411 million, $564 million, $650 million, $648 million and $588 million for each of Trains 1 through 5, respectively.

In addition, Cheniere Marketing has entered into an SPA with SPL to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, any LNG produced by SPL in excess of that required for other customers.

Revenues from external customers that were derived from customers outside of the United States were $514.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, of which $161.7 million was derived from a customer in Japan. Substantially all of our revenues from external customers for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were attributed to the United States. We attribute revenues from external customers to the country in which the party to the applicable agreement has its principal place of business. Substantially all of our long-lived assets are located in the United States.

Natural Gas Transportation, Storage and Supply

To ensure SPL is able to transport adequate natural gas feedstock to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, it has entered into transportation precedent and other agreements to secure firm pipeline transportation capacity with CTPL and third-party pipeline companies. SPL has entered into firm storage services agreements with third parties to assist in managing volatility in natural gas needs for the SPL Project. SPL has also entered into enabling agreements and long-term natural gas supply contracts with third parties in order to secure natural gas feedstock for the SPL Project. As of December 31, 2016, SPL has secured up to approximately 1,993.9 million MMBtu of natural gas feedstock through long-term and short-term natural gas supply contracts.

Construction

SPL entered into lump sum turnkey contracts with Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (“Bechtel”) for the engineering, procurement and construction of Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project, under which Bechtel charges a lump sum for all work performed and generally bears project cost risk unless certain specified events occur, in which case Bechtel may cause SPL to enter into a change order, or SPL agrees with Bechtel to a change order.

The total contract prices of the EPC contract for Trains 1 and 2, the EPC contract for Trains 3 and 4 and the EPC contract for Train 5 of the SPL Project are approximately $4.1 billion, $3.9 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively, reflecting amounts incurred under change orders through December 31, 2016. Total expected capital costs for Trains 1 through 5 are estimated to be between $12.5 billion and $13.5 billion before financing costs and between $17.0 billion and $18.0 billion after financing costs including, in each case, estimated owner’s costs and contingencies.

Pipeline Facilities

During the third quarter of 2015, CTPL completed construction of modifications to allow the Creole Trail Pipeline to be able to transport natural gas to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.

Final Investment Decision on Train 6

We will contemplate making an FID to commence construction of Train 6 of the SPL Project based upon, among other things, entering into an EPC contract, entering into acceptable commercial arrangements and obtaining adequate financing to construct the Train.

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Regasification Facilities

The Sabine Pass LNG terminal has operational regasification capacity of approximately 4.0 Bcf/d and aggregate LNG storage capacity of approximately 16.9 Bcfe. Approximately 2.0 Bcf/d of the regasification capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal has been reserved under two long-term third-party TUAs, under which SPLNG’s customers are required to pay fixed monthly fees, whether or not they use the LNG terminal.  Each of Total and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (“Chevron”) has reserved approximately 1.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity and is obligated to make monthly capacity payments to SPLNG aggregating approximately $125 million annually for 20 years that commenced in 2009. Total S.A. has guaranteed Total’s obligations under its TUA up to $2.5 billion, subject to certain exceptions, and Chevron Corporation has guaranteed Chevron’s obligations under its TUA up to 80% of the fees payable by Chevron.

The remaining approximately 2.0 Bcf/d of capacity has been reserved under a TUA by SPL. SPL is obligated to make monthly capacity payments to SPLNG aggregating approximately $250 million annually, continuing until at least 20 years after SPL delivers its first commercial cargo at the SPL Project. SPL entered into a partial TUA assignment agreement with Total, whereby SPL will progressively gain access to Total’s capacity and other services provided under Total’s TUA with SPLNG.  This agreement will provide SPL with additional berthing and storage capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal that may be used to accommodate the development of Trains 5 and 6, provide increased flexibility in managing LNG cargo loading and unloading activity starting with the commencement of commercial operations of Train 3 and permit SPL to more flexibly manage its LNG storage capacity with the commencement of Train 1. Notwithstanding any arrangements between Total and SPL, payments required to be made by Total to SPLNG will continue to be made by Total to SPLNG in accordance with its TUA.

Under each of these TUAs, SPLNG is entitled to retain 2% of the LNG delivered to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.

Corpus Christi LNG Terminal

Liquefaction Facilities

The CCL Project is being developed and constructed at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal. In December 2014, we received authorization from the FERC to site, construct and operate Stages 1 and 2 of the CCL Project. The following table summarizes the overall project status of the CCL Project as of December 31, 2016:

	CCL Stage 1
Overall project completion percentage	49.2%
Completion percentage of:
Engineering	100%
Procurement	65.6%
Construction	21.4%
Expected date of substantial completion	Train 1	1H 2019
	Train 2	2H 2019

Through the CCL Stage III entities, which are separate from the CCH Group, we are developing two additional Trains and one LNG storage tank at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal adjacent to the CCL Project, along with a second natural gas pipeline, and we commenced the regulatory approval process in June 2015.

The following orders have been issued by the DOE authorizing the export of domestically produced LNG by vessel from the Corpus Christi LNG terminal:

• CCL Project—FTA countries for a 25-year term and to non-FTA countries for a 20-year term up to a combined total of the equivalent of 767 Bcf/yr (approximately 15 mtpa) of natural gas. A party to the proceeding requested a rehearing of the authorization to non-FTA countries, which was denied by the DOE in May 2016. In July 2016, the same party petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review the authorization to non-FTA countries and the DOE order denying the request for rehearing of the same. The appeal is pending.

• CCL Stage III entities—FTA countries for a 20-year term in an amount equivalent to 514 Bcf/yr (approximately 10 mtpa) of natural gas. The application for authorization to export that same 514 Bcf/yr of domestically produced LNG by vessel to non-FTA countries is currently pending at the DOE.

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In each case, the terms of these authorizations begin on the earlier of the date of first export thereunder or the date specified in the particular order, which ranges from 7 to 10 years from the date the order was issued.

Customers

CCL has entered into seven fixed price, 20-year SPAs with extension rights with six third parties to make available an aggregate amount of LNG that equates to approximately 7.7 mtpa of LNG, which is approximately 86% of the expected aggregate nominal production capacity of Trains 1 and 2. The obligation to make LNG available under these SPAs commences from the date of first commercial delivery for Trains 1 and 2, as specified in each SPA. In addition, CCL has entered into one fixed price, 20-year SPA with a third party for another 0.8 mtpa of LNG that commences with the date of first commercial delivery for Train 3. Under these eight SPAs, the customers will purchase LNG from CCL for a price consisting of a fixed fee of $3.50 per MMBtu of LNG (a portion of which is subject to annual adjustment for inflation) plus a variable fee equal to 115% of Henry Hub per MMBtu of LNG. In certain circumstances, the customers may elect to cancel or suspend deliveries of LNG cargoes, in which case the customers would still be required to pay the fixed fee with respect to the contracted volumes that are not delivered as a result of such cancellation or suspension. The SPAs and contracted volumes to be made available under the SPAs are not tied to a specific Train; however, the term of each SPA commences upon the start of operations of a specified Train.

As of December 31, 2016, CCL had the following third-party SPAs:

	Endesa S.A.	Iberdrola S.A.	Gas Natural Fenosa LNG GOM, Limited	Woodside Energy Trading Singapore Pte Ltd	PT Pertamina (Persero)	Électricité de France, S.A.	EDP Energias de Portugal S.A
Annual contract quantity of LNG (in million MMBtu)	117.32	39.68 (1)	78.22	44.12	79.36 (2)	40.00	40.00
Annual contract quantity of LNG (mtpa)	2.25	0.76	1.50	0.85	1.52	0.77	0.77
Expected annual fixed fees (in millions)	$411	$139	$274	$154	$278 (2)	$140	$140
Fixed fees $/MMBtu	$3.50	$3.50	$3.50	$3.50	$3.50	$3.50	$3.50
Variable fee per MMBtu	115% of Henry Hub	115% of Henry Hub	115% of Henry Hub	115% of Henry Hub	115% of Henry Hub	115% of Henry Hub	115% of Henry Hub
Contract start (date of first commercial delivery for applicable Train)	Train 1	Train 2	Train 2	Train 2	Train 1/ Train 2	Train 2	Train 3
Guarantor	N/A	N/A	Gas Natural SDG, S.A.	Woodside Petroleum, LTD	N/A	N/A	N/A
Principal place of business of customer	Spain	Spain	Republic of Ireland	Singapore	Indonesia	France	Portugal

(1) Does not include bridging volumes of 19.84 million MMBtu of LNG per contract year, starting on the date on which Train 1 of the CCL Project becomes commercially operable and ending on the date of the first commercial delivery of LNG from Train 2 of the CCL Project.

(2) Includes an annual contract quantity of 39.68 million MMBtu of LNG for the contract year in which the date of first commercial delivery for Train 2 occurs and each subsequent year, an additional 39.68 million MMBtu of LNG. Expected annual fixed fees of $278 million is following commercial in service date of Train 2 and includes $139 million for each of Trains 1 and 2.

In aggregate, the fixed fee portion to be paid by the third-party SPA customers is approximately $1.4 billion annually for Trains 1 and 2, and $1.5 billion if we make a positive FID with respect to Stage 2 of the CCL Project, with the applicable fixed fees starting from the date of first commercial delivery from the applicable Train. These fixed fees equal approximately $550 million, $846 million and $140 million for each of Trains 1 through 3, respectively.

In addition, Cheniere Marketing has entered into SPAs with CCL to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, any LNG produced by CCL that is not required for other customers.

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Natural Gas Transportation, Storage and Supply

To ensure CCL is able to transport adequate natural gas feedstock to the Corpus Christi LNG terminal, it has entered into transportation precedent agreements to secure firm pipeline transportation capacity with CCP and certain third-party pipeline companies. CCL has entered into a firm storage services agreement with a third party to assist in managing volatility in natural gas needs for the CCL Project. CCL has also entered into enabling agreements with third parties, and will continue to enter into such agreements, in order to secure natural gas feedstock for the CCL Project. We expect to enter into natural gas supply contracts under these enabling agreements as and when required for the CCL Project.

Construction

CCL entered into separate lump sum turnkey contracts with Bechtel for the engineering, procurement and construction of Stages 1 and 2 of the CCL Project under which Bechtel charges a lump sum for all work performed and generally bears project cost risk unless certain specified events occur, in which case Bechtel may cause CCL to enter into a change order, or CCL agrees with Bechtel to a change order.

The total contract price of the EPC contract for Stage 1, which does not include the Corpus Christi Pipeline, is approximately $7.7 billion, reflecting amounts incurred under change orders through December 31, 2016. Total expected capital costs for Stage 1 are estimated to be between $9.0 billion and $10.0 billion before financing costs, and between $11.0 billion and $12.0 billion after financing costs including, in each case, estimated owner’s costs and contingencies.

Pipeline Facilities

In December 2014, the FERC issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, as amended (the “NGA”), authorizing CCP to construct and operate the Corpus Christi Pipeline. The Corpus Christi Pipeline is designed to transport 2.25 Bcf/d of natural gas feedstock required by the CCL Project from the existing regional natural gas pipeline grid. The construction of the Corpus Christi Pipeline commenced in January 2017.

Final Investment Decision on Stage 2

We will contemplate making an FID to commence construction of Stage 2 of the CCL Project based upon, among other things, entering into acceptable commercial arrangements and obtaining adequate financing to construct the facility.

Competition

The SPL Project currently does not experience competition with respect to Trains 1 through 5. SPL has entered into six fixed price, 20-year SPAs with third parties that will utilize substantially all of the liquefaction capacity available from these Trains. The CCL Project currently does not experience competition with respect to Trains 1 and 2. CCL has entered into seven fixed price, 20-year SPAs with six third parties that will utilize a substantial majority of the liquefaction capacity available from these Trains. Each customer will be required to pay an escalating fixed fee for its annual contract quantity even if it elects not to purchase any LNG from us.

If and when SPL or CCL need to replace any existing SPA or enter into new SPAs, they will compete on the basis of price per contracted volume of LNG with each other and other natural gas liquefaction projects throughout the world. Revenues associated with any incremental volumes, including those under the SPAs with Cheniere Marketing discussed above, will also be subject to market-based price competition. Many of the companies with which we compete are major energy corporations with longer operating histories, more development experience, greater name recognition, greater financial, technical and marketing resources and greater access to markets than us.

SPLNG currently does not experience competition for its terminal capacity because the entire approximately 4.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity that is available at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal has been fully contracted. If and when SPLNG has to replace any TUAs, it will compete with other then-existing LNG terminals for customers.

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Governmental Regulation

Our LNG terminals are subject to extensive regulation under federal, state and local statutes, rules, regulations and laws. These laws require that we engage in consultations with appropriate federal and state agencies and that we obtain and maintain applicable permits and other authorizations. This regulatory requirement increases the cost of construction and operation, and failure to comply with such laws could result in substantial penalties and/or loss of necessary authorizations.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

The design, construction and operation of our liquefaction facilities, the export of LNG and the transportation of natural gas through the Creole Trail Pipeline and the Corpus Christi Pipeline are highly regulated activities. In order to site, construct and operate our LNG terminals, we received and are required to maintain authorizations from the FERC under Section 3 of the NGA as well as several other material governmental and regulatory approvals and permits.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (the “EPAct”) amended Section 3 of the NGA to establish or clarify the FERC’s exclusive authority to approve or deny an application for the siting, construction, expansion or operation of LNG terminals, although except as specifically provided in the EPAct, nothing in the EPAct is intended to affect otherwise applicable law related to any other federal agency’s authorities or responsibilities related to LNG terminals. The FERC issued final orders in April and July 2012 approving our application for an order under Section 3 of the NGA authorizing the siting, construction and operation of Trains 1 through 4 of the SPL Project (and related facilities). Subsequently, the FERC issued written approval to commence site preparation work for Trains 1 through 4. In October 2012, we applied to amend the FERC approval to reflect certain modifications to the SPL Project, and in August 2013, the FERC issued an order approving the modifications. In October 2013, we applied to further amend the FERC approval, requesting authorization to increase the total permitted LNG production capacity of Trains 1 through 4 from the then authorized 803 Bcf/yr to 1,006 Bcf/yr so as to more accurately reflect the estimated maximum LNG production capacity of Trains 1 through 4. In February 2014, the FERC issued an order approving the October 2013 application (the “February 2014 Order”). A party to the proceeding requested a rehearing of the February 2014 Order, and in September 2014, the FERC issued an order denying the rehearing request (the “FERC Order Denying Rehearing”). The party petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review the February 2014 Order and the FERC Order Denying Rehearing. The court denied the petition in June 2016. In September 2013, we filed an application with the FERC for authorization to add Trains 5 and 6 to the SPL Project, which was granted by the FERC in an order issued in April 2015 and an order denying rehearing issued in June 2015. These orders are not subject to review.

In order to construct, own, operate and maintain the Creole Trail Pipeline, CTPL received a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the FERC under Section 7 of the NGA. The FERC’s approval under Section 7 of the NGA, as well as several other material governmental and regulatory approvals and permits, may be required prior to making any modifications to the Creole Trail Pipeline as it is a regulated, interstate natural gas pipeline. The FERC also approved CTPL’s application for authorization to construct, own, operate and maintain certain new facilities in order to enable bi-directional natural gas flow on the Creole Trail Pipeline system to allow for the delivery of up to 1,530,000 dekatherms per day (“Dthd”) of feed gas to the SPL Project. In November 2013, CTPL received approval from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) for the proposed modifications and, with subsequent final FERC clearance, construction was completed in 2015.

In December 2014, the FERC issued an order granting CCL authorization under Section 3 of the NGA to site, construct and operate Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the CCL Project and issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity under Section 7(c) of the NGA authorizing CCP to construct and operate the Corpus Christi Pipeline(the “December 2014 Order”). A party to the proceeding requested a rehearing of the December 2014 Order, and in May 2015, the FERC denied rehearing (the “Order Denying Rehearing”). The party petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review the December 2014 Order and the Order Denying Rehearing, and that petition was denied on November 4, 2016.

Several other material governmental and regulatory approvals and permits will be required throughout the life of our liquefaction projects. In addition, the FERC orders require us to comply with certain ongoing conditions and obtain certain additional FERC and other regulatory agency approvals as construction progresses. To date, we have been able to obtain these approvals as needed and the need for these approvals has not materially affected our construction progress. Throughout the life of our LNG terminals, we will be subject to regular reporting requirements to the FERC, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (“DOT”) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) and applicable federal and state regulatory agencies regarding the operation and maintenance of our facilities.

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In 2002, the FERC concluded that it would apply light-handed regulation over the rates, terms and conditions agreed to by parties for LNG terminalling services, such that LNG terminal owners would not be required to provide open-access service at non-discriminatory rates or maintain a tariff or rate schedule on file with the FERC, as distinguished from the requirements applied to our FERC-regulated natural gas pipeline. The EPAct codified the FERC’s policy, but those provisions expired on January 1, 2015. Nonetheless, we see no indication that the FERC intends to modify its longstanding policy of light-handed regulation of LNG terminals.

The FERC has authority to approve, and if necessary, set “just and reasonable rates” for the transportation or sale of natural gas in interstate commerce. In addition, under the NGA, our pipelines are not permitted to unduly discriminate or grant undue preference as to rates or the terms and conditions of service to any shipper, including its own marketing affiliate. The FERC has the authority to grant certificates allowing construction and operation of facilities used in interstate gas transportation and authorizing the provision of services. Under the NGA, the FERC’s jurisdiction generally extends to the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce, to the sale in interstate commerce of natural gas for resale for ultimate consumption for domestic, commercial, industrial or any other use and to natural gas companies engaged in such transportation or sale. However, the FERC’s jurisdiction does not extend to the production, gathering, local distribution or export of natural gas.

 In general, the FERC’s authority to regulate interstate natural gas pipelines and the services that they provide includes:

• rates and charges for natural gas transportation and related services;

• the certification and construction of new facilities;

• the extension and abandonment of services and facilities;

• the maintenance of accounts and records;

• the acquisition and disposition of facilities;

• the initiation and discontinuation of services; and

• various other matters.

The FERC’s Standards of Conduct apply to interstate pipelines that conduct transmission transactions with an affiliate that engages in marketing functions. Interstate pipelines must treat all transmission customers on a not unduly discriminatory basis. The general principles of the Standards of Conduct are: (1) independent functioning, which requires transmission function employees to function independently of marketing function employees; (2) no-conduit rule, which prohibits passing transmission function information to marketing function employees; and (3) transparency, which imposes posting requirements to detect undue preference. CTPL has established the required policies and procedures to comply with the FERC’s Standards of Conduct and is subject to audit by the FERC to review compliance, policies and its training programs.

The EPAct amended the NGA to strengthen the prohibition of manipulation in the natural gas markets under the FERC’s jurisdiction and increased civil and criminal penalties for any violations of the NGA and any rules, regulations or orders of the FERC up to $1.0 million per day per violation (increased civil penalties were also provided for under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (the “NGPA”)). In accordance with the EPAct, the FERC issued a final rule under the NGA making it unlawful for any entity, in connection with the purchase or sale of natural gas or transportation service subject to the FERC’s jurisdiction, to defraud, make an untrue statement of material fact or omit a material fact or engage in any practice, act or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any entity.

DOE Export License

The DOE has authorized the export of domestically produced LNG by vessel from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal as discussed in Sabine Pass LNG Terminal—Liquefaction Facilities and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal as discussed in Corpus Christi LNG Terminal—Liquefaction Facilities. Although it is not expected to occur, the loss of an export authorization could be a force majeure event under our SPAs.

Exports of natural gas to FTA countries are “deemed to be consistent with the public interest” and authorization to export LNG to FTA countries shall be granted by the DOE without “modification or delay.” FTA countries which import LNG now or will do so by the end of 2017 include Canada, Chile, Colombia, Jordan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea and the Dominican Republic. Exports of natural gas to non-FTA countries are considered by the DOE in the context of a comment period whereby interveners are provided the opportunity to assert that such authorization would not be consistent with the public interest.

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Pipelines

The Creole Trail Pipeline and the Corpus Christi Pipeline are also subject to regulation by the PHMSA, pursuant to which the PHMSA has established requirements relating to the design, installation, testing, construction, operation, replacement and management of pipeline facilities.

The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, as amended (“PSIA”), which is administered by the PHMSA Office of Pipeline Safety, governs the areas of testing, education, training and communication. The PSIA requires pipeline companies to perform extensive integrity tests on natural gas transportation pipelines that exist in high population density areas designated as “high consequence areas.” Pipeline companies are required to perform the integrity tests on a seven-year cycle. The risk ratings are based on numerous factors, including the population density in the geographic regions served by a particular pipeline, as well as the age and condition of the pipeline and its protective coating. Testing consists of hydrostatic testing, internal electronic testing, or direct assessment of the piping. In addition to the pipeline integrity tests, pipeline companies must implement a qualification program to make certain that employees are properly trained. Pipeline operators also must develop integrity management programs for gas transportation pipelines, which requires pipeline operators to perform ongoing assessments of pipeline integrity; identify and characterize applicable threats to pipeline segments that could impact a high consequence area; improve data collection, integration and analysis; repair and remediate the pipeline, as necessary; and implement preventive and mitigation actions.

In 2009, the PHMSA issued a final rule (known as “Control Room Management/Human Factors Rule”) that became effective in 2010 requiring pipeline operators to write and institute certain control room procedures that address human factors and fatigue management.

In March 2015, PHMSA issued a final rule amending the pipeline safety regulations to update and clarify certain regulatory requirements, including who can perform post-construction inspections on transmission pipelines. In September 2015, PHMSA issued a rule indefinitely delaying the effective date for the amendment to the regulation regarding post-construction inspections.

In May 2015, PHMSA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing to amend gas pipeline safety regulations regarding plastic piping systems used in gas services, including the installation of plastic pipe used for gas transmission lines.

In July 2015, PHMSA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking proposing to add a specific timeframe for operators’ notification of accidents or incidents, as well as amending the safety regulations regarding operator qualification requirements by expanding the requirements to include new construction and certain previously excluded operation and maintenance tasks, requiring a program effectiveness review and adding new recordkeeping requirements. In January 2017, PHMSA issued a final rule adding a specific time frame for operators’ notification of accidents or incidents but delayed final action on the proposed operator qualification requirements until a later date. The final rule will be effective March 24, 2017.

In April 2016, the PHMSA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking addressing changes to the regulations governing the safety of gas transmission pipelines. Specifically, PHMSA is considering certain integrity management requirements for “moderate consequence areas,” requiring an integrity verification process for specific categories of pipelines, and mandating more explicit requirements for the integration of data from integrity assessments to an operator’s compliance procedures. The PHMSA is also considering whether to revise requirements for corrosion control issues and expanding the definition of regulated gathering lines. These notices of proposed rulemaking are still pending at the PHMSA.

Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 (“NGPSA”)

Louisiana and Texas administer federal pipeline safety standards under the NGPSA, which requires certain pipelines to comply with safety standards in constructing and operating the pipelines and subjects the pipelines to regular inspections. Failure to comply with the NGPSA may result in the imposition of administrative, civil and criminal sanctions.

Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Jobs Creation Act of 2011

The Creole Trail Pipeline and Corpus Christi Pipeline are also subject to the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty and Jobs Creation Act of 2011, which regulates safety requirements in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of interstate natural gas transmission facilities. Under the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty and Job Creation Act of 2011, PHMSA has civil penalty authority up to approximately $200,000 per day per violation (increased from the prior $100,000), with a maximum

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of approximately $2 million in civil penalties for any related series of violations (increased from the prior $1 million).

Other Governmental Permits, Approvals and Authorizations

The construction and operation of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and the CCL Project are subject to additional federal permits, orders, approvals and consultations required by other federal agencies, including the DOT, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“USACE”), U.S. Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Services, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Three significant permits are the USACE Section 404 of the Clean Water Act/Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act Permit (the “Section 10/404 Permit”), the Clean Air Act Title V Operating Permit (the “Title V Permit”) and the Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permit (the “PSD Permit”), of which the latter two permits are issued by the LDEQ for the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”) for the CCL Project.

The application for revision of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal’s Section 10/404 Permit to authorize construction of Trains 1 through 4 was submitted in January 2011. The process included a public comment period, which commenced in March 2011 and closed in April 2011. The revised Section 10/404 Permit was received from the USACE in March 2012. A modification to the Section 10/404 Permit, to address wetlands impacted by the construction of Trains 5 and 6, was issued by the USACE in June 2015. The USACE acted in the capacity as a cooperating agency in the review process under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In addition, a Section 10/404 Permit application is pending with respect to the expansion of the Creole Trail Pipeline. These permits will require us to provide mitigation to compensate for the wetlands impacted by the respective projects. The application to amend the Sabine Pass LNG terminal’s existing Title V and PSD Permits to authorize construction of Trains 1 through 4 was initially submitted in December 2010 and revised in March 2011. The process included a public comment period from June 2011 to August 2011 and a public hearing in August 2011. The final revised Title V and PSD Permits were issued by the LDEQ in December 2011. Although these permits are final, a petition with the EPA has been filed pursuant to the Clean Air Act requesting that the EPA object to the Title V Permit. The EPA has not ruled on this petition. In June 2012, SPL applied to the LDEQ for a further amendment to the Title V and PSD Permits to reflect proposed modifications to the SPL Project that were filed with the FERC in October 2012. The LDEQ issued the amended PSD and Title V Permits in March 2013. These permits are final. In September 2013, SPL applied to the LDEQ for another amendment to its PSD and Title V Permits seeking approval to, among other things, construct and operate Trains 5 and 6. The LDEQ issued the amended PSD and Title V Permits in June 2015. These permits are final.

An application for an amendment to CCL’s Section 10/404 Permit to authorize construction of the CCL Project was submitted in August 2012. The process included a public comment period which commenced in May 2013 and closed in June 2013. The permit was issued by the USACE in July 2014 and subsequently modified in October 2014. CCL applied for new PSD and Title V Permits with the TCEQ in August 2012. The TCEQ issued the PSD Permit for criteria pollutants in September 2014, the PSD Permit for greenhouse gases (“GHG”) in February 2015, and the Title V Permit in July 2015. The PSD Permit issued in September 2014 was altered in February 2015 to reflect CCL’s decision to change the emissions control technology on the refrigeration turbines from water-injected to dry low emission turbines.

CTPL was issued new Title V and PSD Permits for the proposed modifications to the Creole Trail Pipeline system by the LDEQ in November 2013.

In August 2012, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline applied to the TCEQ for new PSD and Title V Permits for the proposed compressor station at Sinton, Texas (the “Sinton Compressor Station”). The PSD Permit for criteria pollutants at the Sinton Compressor Station was issued by the TCEQ in December 2013. In November 2014, the TCEQ approved an alteration to the permit to reflect that the Sinton Compressor Station is now considered a minor source, and voided the PSD Permit number. The Title V Permit for the Sinton Compressor Station was issued by the TCEQ in May 2015.

In August 2014, the Sabine Pass LNG terminal’s existing wastewater discharge permit was modified by LDEQ to authorize the discharge of wastewaters from the liquefaction facilities. We intend to apply for a modification of this permit in mid-2017 to include wastewaters generated with respect to the anticipated operations of Trains 5 and 6. CCL was issued a waste water discharge permit in January 2014 authorizing discharges from the liquefaction facilities.

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The Sabine Pass LNG terminal and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal are subject to PHMSA safety regulations and standards for the transportation and storage of LNG and regulations of the U.S. Coast Guard relating to maritime safety and facility security.

Environmental Regulation

Our LNG terminals are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and natural resources. These environmental laws and regulations require significant expenditures for compliance, can affect the cost and output of operations and may impose substantial penalties for non-compliance and substantial liabilities for pollution. Many of these laws and regulations, such as those noted below, restrict or prohibit impacts to the environment or the types, quantities and concentration of substances that can be released into the environment and can lead to substantial civil and criminal fines and penalties for non-compliance.

Clean Air Act (“CAA”)

Our LNG terminals are subject to the federal CAA and comparable state and local laws. We may be required to incur certain capital expenditures over the next several years for air pollution control equipment in connection with maintaining or obtaining permits and approvals addressing air emission-related issues. We do not believe, however, that our operations, or the construction and operations of our liquefaction facilities, will be materially and adversely affected by any such requirements.

In 2009, the EPA promulgated and finalized the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule for multiple sections of the economy. This rule requires mandatory reporting of GHG emissions from stationary sources, including fuel combustion sources. In 2010, the EPA expanded the rule to include reporting obligations for LNG terminals. In addition, the EPA has defined GHG emissions thresholds that would subject GHG emissions from new and modified industrial sources to regulation if the source is subject to PSD Permit requirements due to its emissions of non-GHG criteria pollutants. In June 2013, the Obama Administration issued its Climate Action Plan, which announced a wide-ranging set of executive actions to be implemented to cut carbon emissions in the United States. The Obama Administration has also issued regulations limiting GHG emissions from new and existing electrical generating stations (the latter is known as the Clean Power Plan). These rules are currently subject to court challenge and the timing, extent and impact of these initiatives remain uncertain. From time to time, Congress has considered proposed legislation directed at reducing GHG emissions. In addition, many states have already taken regulatory action to monitor and/or reduce emissions of GHGs, primarily through the development of GHG emission inventories or regional GHG cap and trade programs. It is not possible at this time to predict how future regulations or legislation may address GHG emissions and impact our business. However, future regulations and laws could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, operating results and cash flows.

Coastal Zone Management Act (“CZMA”)

The siting and construction of our LNG terminals within the coastal zone may be subject to the requirements of the CZMA. The CZMA is administered by the states (in Louisiana, by the Department of Natural Resources, and in Texas, by the General Land Office). This program is implemented to ensure that impacts to coastal areas are consistent with the intent of the CZMA to manage the coastal areas.

Clean Water Act (“CWA”)

Our LNG terminals are subject to the federal CWA and analogous state and local laws. The CWA imposes strict controls on the discharge of pollutants into the navigable waters of the United States, including discharges of wastewater and storm water runoff and fill/discharges into waters of the United States. Permits must be obtained prior to discharging pollutants into state and federal waters. The CWA is administered by the EPA, the USACE and by the states (in Louisiana, by the LDEQ, and in Texas, by the TCEQ).

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”)

The federal RCRA and comparable state statutes govern the generation, handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and require corrective action for releases into the environment. In the event such wastes are generated in connection with our facilities, we will be subject to regulatory requirements affecting the handling, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of such wastes.

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Endangered Species Act

Our LNG terminals may be restricted by requirements under the Endangered Species Act, which seeks to protect endangered or threatened animal, fish and plant species and designated habitats.

LNG and Natural Gas Marketing Business

Cheniere Marketing is engaged in the LNG and natural gas marketing business and is developing a portfolio of long- and medium-term SPAs. Cheniere Marketing has purchased from the Sabine Pass terminal and other locations worldwide, transported and unloaded commercial LNG cargoes and has capitalized on opportunities to optimize its portfolio of assets with the intention of maximizing margins on these cargoes. Cheniere Marketing has secured the following rights and obligations to support its business:

• pursuant to an SPA with SPL, the right to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, any LNG produced by SPL in excess of that required for other customers;

• pursuant to SPAs with CCL, the right to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, any LNG produced by CCL that is not required for other customers; and

• a portfolio of LNG vessel time charters.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, aside from sales of LNG produced by SPL, Cheniere Marketing recognized $235.3 million in LNG revenues from sales of LNG that was procured from third parties.

In addition, as of December 31, 2016, Cheniere Marketing had sold approximately 488 million MMBtu of LNG to be delivered to counterparties between 2017 and 2023, with delivery obligations conditional in certain circumstances.  The cargoes have been sold with a portfolio of delivery points, either on a Free on Board basis (delivered to the counterparty at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal) or a Delivered at Terminal (“DAT”) basis (delivered to the counterparty at their LNG receiving terminal). Cheniere Marketing has chartered LNG vessels to be utilized in DAT transactions. In addition, Cheniere Marketing has entered into a long-term agreement to sell LNG cargoes on a DAT basis.  The agreement is conditioned upon the buyer achieving certain milestones, including reaching an FID related to certain projects and obtaining related financing.

LNG and Natural Gas Marketing Competition

In purchasing LNG, we compete for supplies of LNG with: 

• large, multinational and national companies with longer operating histories, more development experience, greater name recognition, larger staffs and substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources; 

• oil and gas producers who sell or control LNG derived from their international oil and gas properties; and 

• purchasers located in other countries where prevailing market prices can be substantially different from those in the United States.

In marketing LNG and natural gas, we compete for sales of LNG and natural gas with a variety of competitors, including:

• major integrated marketers who have large amounts of capital to support their marketing operations and offer a full-range of services and market numerous products other than natural gas; 

• producer marketers who sell their own natural gas production or the production of their affiliated natural gas production company; 

• small geographically focused marketers who focus on marketing natural gas for the geographic area in which their affiliated distributor operates; and 

• aggregators who gather small volumes of natural gas from various sources, combine them and sell the larger volumes for more favorable prices and terms than would be possible selling the smaller volumes separately.

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LNG and Natural Gas Marketing Governmental Regulation

In 1992 and 1993, the FERC concluded that sellers of short-term or long-term natural gas supplies would not have market power over the sale for resale of natural gas. The FERC established light-handed regulation over sales for resale of natural gas and adopted regulations granting blanket certificates to allow entities selling natural gas to make interstate sales for resale at negotiated rates. In 2003, the FERC amended the blanket marketing certificates to require that all sellers adhere to a code of conduct with respect to natural gas sales. The code of conduct addresses such matters as natural gas withholding, manipulation of market prices, communication of accurate information and record retention.

The FERC’s Standards of Conduct apply to interstate pipelines that conduct transmission transactions with an affiliate that engages in marketing functions. Interstate pipelines must treat all transmission customers on a not unduly discriminatory basis. The general principles of the Standards of Conduct are: (1) independent functioning, which requires transmission function employees to function independently of marketing function employees; (2) no-conduit rule, which prohibits passing transmission function information to marketing function employees; and (3) transparency, which imposes posting requirements to detect undue preference.

The EPAct amended the NGA to prohibit market manipulation, and increased civil and criminal penalties for any violations of the NGA and any rules, regulations or orders of the FERC, up to $1.0 million per day per violation. In accordance with the EPAct, the FERC issued a final rule making it unlawful for any entity, in connection with the purchase or sale of natural gas or transportation service subject to the FERC’s jurisdiction, to defraud, make an untrue statement of a material fact or omit a material fact or engage in any practice, act or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any entity.

The prices at which we sell natural gas are not regulated, insofar as the interstate market is concerned and, for the most part, are not subject to state regulation. We are permitted to make sales of natural gas for resale in interstate commerce pursuant to a blanket marketing certificate automatically granted by the FERC. Our sales of natural gas will be affected by the availability, terms and cost of pipeline transportation. As noted above, the price and terms of access to pipeline transportation are subject to extensive federal and state regulation. 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”)

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) amended the Commodity Exchange Act to provide for federal regulation of the over-the-counter derivatives market and entities, such as us, that participate in that market. The regulatory regime created by the Dodd-Frank Act is designed primarily to (1) regulate certain participants in the swaps markets, including entities falling within the categories of “Swap Dealer” and “Major Swap Participant,” (2) require clearing and exchange trading of standardized swaps of certain classes as designated by the CFTC, (3) increase swap market transparency through robust reporting and recordkeeping requirements, (4) reduce financial risks in the derivatives market by imposing margin or collateral requirements on both cleared and, in certain cases, uncleared swaps, (5) provide the CFTC with expanded authority to establish position limits on certain physical commodity futures and options contracts and their economically equivalent swaps as it finds necessary and appropriate, and (6) otherwise enhance the rulemaking and enforcement authority of the CFTC and the SEC regarding the derivatives markets. As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFTC, the SEC and other regulators have been promulgating rules and regulations implementing the regulatory provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, although neither the CFTC nor the SEC has yet adopted or implemented all of the rules required by the Dodd-Frank Act. In addition, the CFTC and its staff regularly issue rule amendments and guidance, policy statements and letters interpreting or taking no-action positions, including time-limited no action positions, regarding the derivatives provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and the rules of the CFTC under these provisions.

A provision of the Dodd-Frank Act requires the CFTC, in order to diminish or prevent excessive speculation in commodity markets, to adopt rules, as it finds necessary and appropriate, imposing new position limits on certain physical commodity futures contracts and options thereon, as well as economically equivalent swaps traded on registered swap trading platforms and on over-the-counter swaps that perform a significant price discovery function with respect to certain markets. In that regard, the CFTC has proposed position limits rules that would modify and expand the applicability of limits on the speculative positions in certain physical commodity futures contracts, and economically equivalent futures, options and swaps for or linked to certain physical commodities, including Henry Hub natural gas, that market participants may hold, subject to limited exemptions for certain bona fide hedging and other types of transactions. It is uncertain at this time whether, when and in what form the CFTC’s proposed new position limits rules may become final and effective.

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Pursuant to rules adopted by the CFTC, four classes of interest rate swaps (e.g., fixed-to-float, basis swaps, forward rate agreements and overnight index swaps) denominated in several currencies and two classes of index credit default swaps must be cleared through a derivatives clearing organization and executed on an exchange or swap execution facility. The CFTC has not yet proposed to designate swaps in any other asset classes, including swaps relating to physical commodities, for mandatory clearing and trade execution, but could do so in the future. Although we expect to qualify for the end-user exception from the mandatory clearing and exchange-trading requirements applicable to any swaps that we enter into to hedge our commercial risks, the mandatory clearing and exchange-trading requirements may apply to other market participants, including our counterparties (who may be registered as Swap Dealers), with respect to other swaps, and the application of such rules may change the market cost and general availability in the market of swaps of the type we enter into to hedge our commercial risks and, thus, the cost and availability of the swaps that we use for hedging.

As required by provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFTC and federal banking regulators have adopted rules to require Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants, including those that are regulated financial institutions, to collect initial and variation margin with respect to uncleared swaps from their counterparties that are financial end users, registered swap dealers or major swap participants. These rules, which, as to the collection of initial margin, are being phased in, do not require collection of margin from non-financial-entity end users who qualify for the end user exception from the mandatory clearing requirement or from non-financial end users or certain other counterparties in certain instances. We expect to qualify as such a non-financial-entity end user with respect to the swaps that we enter into to hedge our commercial risks. The Dodd-Frank Act’s swaps regulatory provisions and the related rules may adversely affect our existing derivative contracts and restrict our ability to monetize such contracts, cause us to restructure certain contracts, reduce the availability of derivatives to protect against risks or to optimize assets, increase the costs of entering into and maintaining swaps, adversely affect our ability to execute our hedging strategies and impact the liquidity of certain swaps products, all of which could increase our business costs.

Under the Commodity Exchange Act as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFTC is directed generally to prevent manipulation, including by fraudulent or deceptive practices, in two markets: (1) physical commodities traded in interstate commerce, including physical energy and other commodities, as well as (2) financial instruments, such as futures, options and swaps, on any commodity. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFTC has adopted additional anti-manipulation and anti-disruptive trading practices regulations that prohibit, among other things, manipulative or deceptive schemes in the physical commodities, futures, options and swaps markets. In addition, separate from the Dodd-Frank Act, our use of futures and options on commodities is subject to the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations, as well as the rules of futures exchanges on which any of these instruments are executed. Should we violate any of these laws and regulations, we could be subject to a CFTC or an exchange enforcement action and material penalties, possibly resulting in changes in the rates we can charge.

European Market Infrastructure Regulation (“EMIR”)

EMIR is a European Union (“EU”) regulation designed to increase the stability of the OTC derivative markets throughout the EU member states. EMIR regulates OTC derivatives, central counterparties and trade repositories and imposes requirements for certain market participants with respect to derivatives reporting, clearing and risk mitigation. In addition, certain market participants are subject to a central counterparty clearing obligation and collateral requirements. All non-cleared derivatives require risk management, including timely confirmations of transactions, portfolio reconciliation, portfolio compression (when there exist 500 or more OTC derivatives outstanding with a counterparty) and dispute resolution. In addition, standards for the imposition of margin requirements under EMIR have been adopted and, as to the collection of initial margin, are being phased in, under which the exchange of initial and variation margin in respect of certain non-cleared derivatives is required, including from non-financial counterparties that have positions in any derivatives of any class that, in the aggregate, are above the EMIR clearing threshold for the class of derivatives involved. Further, for non-cleared derivatives, outstanding contracts must be marked to market value daily or marked to model where conditions necessitate. Other EMIR risk management requirements for non-cleared derivatives are being considered, but those requirements have yet to be finalized.

Under EMIR, covered entities must report all derivatives concluded and any modification or termination of a derivative to a registered or recognized trade repository within one business day of the transaction. Records related to derivatives must be retained for at least five years following termination.

Our subsidiaries and affiliates operating in the EU are subject to EMIR and its increased regulatory requirements for record keeping, marking to market, timely confirmation, derivative contract reporting, portfolio reconciliation, the posting of margin and dispute resolution. Regulation under EMIR could significantly increase the cost of derivative contracts, materially alter the terms of derivatives contracts and reduce the availability of derivatives to protect against risks that we encounter.

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Regulation on Wholesale Energy Market Integrity and Transparency (“REMIT”)

REMIT is an EU regulation that prohibits market manipulation and insider trading in European wholesale energy markets and imposes various obligations on participants in these markets. REMIT requires persons who enter into transactions, including the placing of orders to trade, in one or more wholesale energy markets in the EU to notify the applicable national regulatory authority (“NRA”) of suspected breaches and implement procedures to identify breaches. All market participants, such as us, must disclose inside information and cannot use inside information to buy or sell wholesale energy products for their own account or on behalf of a third party, directly or indirectly, induce others to buy or sell wholesale energy products based on inside information, or disclose such inside information to any other person except in the normal course of employment. Market participants must also register with the relevant NRA (the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (“Ofgem”) is the NRA in the United Kingdom) and provide a record of wholesale energy market transactions to the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (“ACER”) and information on capacity and utilization for production, storage, consumption or transmission. An affiliate of Cheniere Marketing is registered with Ofgem as a market participant under REMIT. Should we violate these laws and regulations, we could be subject to investigation and penalties.

Market participants and third parties acting on their behalf are required to report transactions in wholesale energy contracts admitted to trading at organized market places and fundamental data from the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO) central information transparency platforms to ACER. Additional records of transactions and fundamental data with respect to the remaining wholesale energy contracts (OTC standard and non-standard supply contracts and transportation contracts) and reportable fundamental data from transmission system operators (TSOs), storage system operators (SSOs) and LNG system operators (LSOs) will have to be provided to ACER beginning April 7, 2016.

Markets in Financial Instruments Directive and Regulation (“MiFID II”)

MiFID II is an EU directive that is due to apply starting January 3, 2017. Under the current regulatory regime, Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (“MiFID”), we are exempt from needing to have our trading activities authorized. MiFID II will narrow the scope of exemptions currently available and broadens the directive’s application to include commodity derivatives that can be physically settled and are traded on an organized trading facility in addition to other regulated markets or multilateral trading facilities.

We expect to be eligible to trade on our own account in commodity derivatives without requiring authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) in the United Kingdom by relying on the “ancillary activity” exemption under MiFID II provided that (1) such activity is ancillary to our main business, when considered on a group basis, and that main business is not the provision of investment services or market making in relation to commodity derivatives; (2) we do not apply a high-frequency algorithmic trading technique; and (3) we notify the relevant competent authority on an annual basis that we are relying on this exemption and, upon request, report the basis upon which we fall within the exemption. If we are unable to meet the ancillary activity exemption, and no other exemption is available to us, then we will need to become authorized by the FCA in order to trade on our own account in commodity derivatives. FCA authorization would require additional regulatory obligations such as capital requirements, conduct of business rules, systems and control issues and approval by the FCA of significant controllers, i.e. our shareholders and certain persons involved in our management. A temporary exemption precludes commodity trading firms from the capital requirements of other investment firms until the end of 2017. This exemption is due for review prior to December 31, 2017.

Further, if we were to become authorized, we will be counted as a financial counterparty (instead of a non-financial counterparty) for the purpose of EMIR. This may require additional reporting obligations and risk mitigation requirements under EMIR, including collateral exchange and marking transactions either to market or to an approved model.

Market Abuse Regulation (“MAR”)

MAR, which applies beginning on July 3, 2016, is intended to update and strengthen the existing EU market abuse framework by extending its scope to new markets and by introducing new requirements. MAR prohibits market abuse on EU regulated markets, which encompasses trading in financial instruments on the basis of inside information, the improper disclosure of inside information and the manipulation of market prices through practices such as the dissemination of rumors or the conducting of certain trades in financial instruments. This will apply to financial instruments (as defined under MiFID II) which are traded on

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an EU regulated market, a multilateral trading facility, or an organized trading facility as well as other financial instruments the price or value of which depends on or has an effect on the price or value of financial instruments.

Market Factors

Our ability to enter into additional long-term SPAs to underpin the development of additional Trains, sell any quantities of LNG available under the SPAs with Cheniere Marketing, or develop new projects is subject to market factors. These factors include changes in worldwide supply and demand for natural gas, LNG and substitute products, the relative prices for natural gas, crude oil and substitute products in North America and international markets, the rate of fuel switching for power generation from coal, nuclear or oil to natural gas and economic growth in developing countries. In addition, our ability to obtain additional funding to execute its business strategy is subject to the investment community’s appetite for investment in LNG and natural gas infrastructure and our ability to access capital markets.

We expect that global demand for natural gas and LNG will continue to increase as nations seek more abundant, reliable and environmentally cleaner fuel alternatives to oil and coal.  Global demand for natural gas is projected by the International Energy Agency to grow by approximately 21 trillion cubic feet (“Tcf”) between 2014 and 2025, with LNG maintaining its current share of approximately 10% of the global market.  Wood Mackenzie forecasts that global demand for LNG will increase by 67%, from approximately 255 mtpa, or 12.2 Tcf, in 2016, to 425 mtpa, or 20.4 Tcf, in 2025, and that LNG production from existing facilities and new facilities already under construction will be able to supply the market with 368 mtpa in 2025, resulting in a market need for construction of additional facilities capable of producing an incremental 57 mtpa of LNG.  We believe our new projects that do not already have full capacity sold under long-term contracts are competitive with new proposed projects globally and are well-positioned to capture a portion of this incremental market need.

We have limited exposure, particularly in the LNG terminal business for our seven Trains under construction, to the decline in oil prices as we have contracted a significant portion of our LNG 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.  To date, we have contracted approximately 19.75 mtpa of aggregate production capacity for Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project with third-party customers. Train 6 has not been contracted to date. We have contracted approximately 7.7 mtpa for Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project, and approximately 0.8 mtpa for Train 3 of the CCL Project, with third-party customers. As of January 12, 2017, U.S. natural gas prices indicate that LNG exported from the U.S. continues to be competitively priced, supporting the opportunity for U.S. LNG to fill uncontracted future demand through the execution of long-term, medium-term and short-term contracting of LNG from our terminals.

Subsidiaries

Our assets are generally held by or under our subsidiaries. We conduct most of our business through these subsidiaries, including the development, construction and operation of our LNG terminal business and the development and operation of our LNG and natural gas marketing business.

Employees

We had 911 full-time employees at January 31, 2017.  

Available Information

Our common stock has been publicly traded since March 24, 2003 and is traded on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “LNG.” Our principal executive offices are located at 700 Milam Street, Suite 1900, Houston, Texas 77002, and our telephone number is (713) 375-5000. Our internet address is www.cheniere.com. We provide public access to our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file those materials with, or furnish those materials to, the SEC under the Exchange Act. These reports may be accessed free of charge through our internet website. We make our website content available for informational purposes only. The website should not be relied upon for investment purposes and is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.

We will also make available to any stockholder, without charge, copies of our annual report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC. For copies of this, or any other filing, please contact: Cheniere Energy, Inc., Investor Relations Department, 700 Milam

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Street Suite 1900, Houston, Texas 77002 or call (713) 375-5000. In addition, the public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following are some of the important factors that could affect our financial performance or could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or expectations contained in our forward-looking statements. We may encounter risks in addition to those described below. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we currently deem to be immaterial, may also impair or adversely affect our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flows, liquidity and prospects.

The risk factors in this report are grouped into the following categories:

• Risks Relating to Our Financial Matters; 

• Risks Relating to Our LNG Terminal Business; 

• Risks Relating to Our LNG and Natural Gas Marketing Business; 

• Risks Relating to Our LNG Businesses in General; and 

• Risks Relating to Our Business in General.

Risks Relating to Our Financial Matters

Our existing level of cash resources, negative operating cash flow and significant debt could cause us to have inadequate liquidity and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and prospects.

As of December 31, 2016, we had $875.8 million of cash and cash equivalents, $859.9 million of current restricted cash, $90.8 million of non-current restricted cash and $22.7 billion of total debt outstanding on a consolidated basis (before debt discounts, debt premiums and unamortized debt issuance costs), excluding $368.7 million aggregate outstanding letters of credit. We incur, and will incur, significant interest expense relating to the assets at the Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi LNG terminals, and we anticipate needing to incur additional debt to finance the construction of Train 6 of the SPL Project and Train 3 of the CCL Project. Our ability to fund our capital expenditures and refinance our indebtedness will depend on our ability to access additional project financing as well as the debt and equity capital markets. A variety of factors beyond our control could impact the availability or cost of capital, including domestic or international economic conditions, increases in key benchmark interest rates and/or credit spreads, the adoption of new or amended banking or capital market laws or regulations and the re-pricing of market risks and volatility in capital and financial markets. Our financing costs could increase or future borrowings or equity offerings may be unavailable to us or unsuccessful, which could cause us to be unable to pay or refinance our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We also rely on borrowings under our credit facilities to fund our capital expenditures. If any of the lenders in the syndicates backing these facilities was unable to perform on its commitments, we may need to seek replacement financing, which may not be available as needed, or may be available in more limited amounts or on more expensive or otherwise unfavorable terms.

We have not been profitable historically, and we have not had positive operating cash flow. We may not achieve profitability or generate positive operating cash flow in the future.

We had net losses of $610.0 million, $975.1 million and $547.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, our net cash flow used in operating activities was $403.8 million, $482.5 million and $262.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In the future, we may incur operating losses and experience negative operating cash flow. We may not be able to reduce costs, increase revenues or reduce our debt service obligations sufficiently to maintain our cash resources, which could cause us to have inadequate liquidity to continue our business.

We will continue to incur significant capital and operating expenditures while we develop and construct the SPL Project and the CCL Project. Any delays beyond the expected development period for our Trains could cause, and could increase the level of, our operating losses and negative operating cash flows. Our future liquidity may also be affected by the timing of

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construction financing availability in relation to the incurrence of construction costs and other outflows and by the timing of receipt of cash flows under SPAs in relation to the incurrence of project and operating expenses. Moreover, many factors (including factors beyond our control) could result in a disparity between liquidity sources and cash needs, including factors such as construction delays and breaches of agreements. Our ability to generate any significant positive operating cash flow and achieve profitability in the future is dependent on our ability to successfully and timely complete the applicable Train.

We may sell equity or equity-related securities or assets, including equity interests in Cheniere Partners or Cheniere Holdings. Such sales could dilute our stockholders’ proportionate indirect interests in our assets, business operations and proposed liquefaction and other projects of Cheniere Partners or other subsidiaries, and could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We have pursued and are pursuing a number of alternatives in order to finance the construction of Train 6 of the SPL Project and Train 3 of the CCL Project, including potential issuances and sales of additional equity or equity-related securities by us, Cheniere Partners, or Cheniere Holdings. Such sales, in one or more transactions, could dilute our stockholders’ proportionate indirect interests in our assets, business operations and proposed projects of Cheniere Partners, including the SPL Project, or in other subsidiaries or projects, including the CCL Project. In addition, such sales, or the anticipation of such sales, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our stockholders may experience dilution upon the conversion of our convertible notes.

In November 2014, we issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion Convertible Unsecured Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes”) to RRJ Capital II Ltd, Baytree Investments (Mauritius) Pte Ltd and Seatown Lionfish Pte. Ltd. In March 2015, we issued $625.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2045 (the “2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes”) to certain investors through a registered direct offering. In May 2015, CCH HoldCo II issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 11% Convertible Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes” and together with the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes and the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, the “Convertible Notes”) to EIG Management Company, LLC.  We have the option to satisfy the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes and the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes conversion obligations with cash, common stock or a combination thereof. The 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes conversion obligations must be satisfied with common stock. The 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes are convertible at an initial conversion price of $93.64. Prior to December 15, 2044, the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes will be convertible upon the occurrence of certain conditions, and on and after such date they will become freely convertible. The 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes will become convertible into the common stock of Cheniere at an initial conversion price of $138.38 per share. Provided the total market capitalization of Cheniere at that time is not less than $10.0 billion, the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes will be convertible at CCH HoldCo II’s option on or after the later of (1) 58 months from May 1, 2015, and (2) the substantial completion of Train 2 of the CCL Project(the “Eligible Conversion Date”). The conversion price for 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes converted at CCH HoldCo II’s option is the lower of (1) a 10% discount to the average of the daily volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of our common stock for the 90 trading day period prior to the date on which notice of conversion is provided, and (2) a 10% discount to the closing price of our common stock on the trading day preceding the date on which notice of conversion is provided. At the option of the holders, the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes are convertible on or after the six-month anniversary of the Eligible Conversion Date, provided the total market capitalization of Cheniere at that time is not less than $10.0 billion, at a conversion price equal to the average of the daily VWAP of our common stock for the 90 trading day period prior to the date on which notice of conversion is provided.The conversion of some or all of the Convertible Notes into shares of our common stock will dilute the ownership percentages and voting power of our existing stockholders.  Based on the initial conversion price, if we elect to satisfy the entire conversion obligations of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes and the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes with common stock, an aggregate of approximately 19.1 million shares of our common stock would be issued upon the conversion, assuming the notes are converted at maturity and all interest on the notes is paid in kind for the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes. Because the conversion rate for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes will depend on the price of our common stock at the time of conversion, we cannot meaningfully estimate the number of shares of our common stock, if any, that would be issued upon the conversion of such notes; however, under these convertible notes, a maximum of 47,108,466 shares of our common stock (subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split) may be issued in the aggregate upon the conversion of all of the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes.  Any sales in the public market of the shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes could adversely affect the prevailing market prices of our common stock.  In addition, the existence of the Convertible Notes may encourage short selling by market participants because the conversion of the Convertible Notes could be used to satisfy short positions, or the anticipated conversion of the Convertible Notes into shares of our common stock could depress the price of our common stock.

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Our ability to generate cash is substantially dependent upon the performance by customers under long-term contracts that we have entered into, and we could be materially and adversely affected if any customer fails to perform its contractual obligations for any reason.

Our future results and liquidity are substantially dependent upon performance by Chevron and Total, each of which has entered into a TUA with SPLNG and agreed to pay SPLNG approximately $125 million annually; on the performance, upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent to payment thereunder, by six third-party customers that have entered into SPAs with SPL and agreed to pay SPL an aggregate of $2.9 billion annually in fixed fees; and upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent to payment thereunder, by six third-party customers that have entered into SPAs with CCL for Trains 1 and 2 and agreed to pay an aggregate of $1.4 billion annually in fixed fees. We are dependent on each customer’s continued willingness and ability to perform its obligations under its SPA. We are exposed to the credit risk of any guarantor of these customers’ obligations under their respective TUA or SPA in the event that we must seek recourse under a guaranty. If any customer fails to perform its obligations under its TUA or SPA, our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects could be materially and adversely affected, even if we were ultimately successful in seeking damages from that customer or its guarantor for a breach of the TUA or SPA.

Each of our customer contracts is subject to termination under certain circumstances.

Each of the SPAs contains various termination rights allowing our customers to terminate their SPAs, including, without limitation: (1) upon the occurrence of certain events of force majeure; (2) if we fail to make available specified scheduled cargo quantities; and (3) delays in the commencement of commercial operations. SPL or CCL, as applicable, may not be able to replace these SPAs on desirable terms, or at all, if they are terminated.

Each of SPLNG’s long-term TUAs contains various termination rights. For example, each customer may terminate its TUA if the Sabine Pass LNG terminal experiences a force majeure delay for longer than 18 months, fails to redeliver a specified amount of natural gas in accordance with the customer’s redelivery nominations or fails to accept and unload a specified number of the customer’s proposed LNG cargoes. SPLNG may not be able to replace these TUAs on desirable terms, or at all, if they are terminated.

Our subsidiaries may be restricted under the terms of their indebtedness from making distributions under certain circumstances, which may limit Cheniere Partners’ ability to pay or increase distributions to us or inhibit our access to cash flows from the CCL Project and could materially and adversely affect us.

The agreements governing our subsidiaries’ indebtedness restrict payments that our subsidiaries can make to Cheniere Partners or us in certain events and limit the indebtedness that our subsidiaries can incur. For example, SPL is restricted from making distributions under agreements governing its indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, deposits are made into debt service reserve accounts and a debt service coverage ratio of 1.25:1.00 is satisfied.

CCH is restricted from making distributions under agreements governing its indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, the completion of the construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project, funding of a debt service reserve account equal to six months of debt service and achieving a historical debt service coverage ratio and fixed projected debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25:1.00.

CCH HoldCo II is restricted from making distributions to Cheniere under agreements governing its indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project are in commercial operation and a historical debt service coverage ratio and a projected fixed debt services coverage ratio of 1.20:1.00 are achieved.

Our subsidiaries’ inability to pay distributions to Cheniere Partners or us to incur additional indebtedness as a result of the foregoing restrictions in the agreements governing their indebtedness may inhibit Cheniere Partners’ ability to pay or increase distributions to us and its other unitholders or inhibit our access to cash flows from the CCL Project, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.

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Restrictions in agreements governing us and our subsidiaries’ indebtedness may prevent us and our subsidiaries from engaging in certain beneficial transactions.

In addition to restrictions on the ability of us, CQP, SPL, CCH and CCH HoldCo II to make distributions or incur additional indebtedness, the agreements governing our indebtedness also contain various other covenants that may prevent us from engaging in beneficial transactions, including limitations on our ability to:

• make certain investments;

• purchase, redeem or retire equity interests;

• issue preferred stock;

• sell or transfer assets;

• incur liens;

• enter into transactions with affiliates;

• consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of our assets; and

• enter into sale and leaseback transactions.

Our use of hedging arrangements may adversely affect our future operating results or liquidity.

To reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the price, volume and timing risk associated with the purchase of natural gas, we use futures, swaps and option contracts traded or cleared on the Intercontinental Exchange and the New York Mercantile Exchange or over-the-counter options and swaps with other natural gas merchants and financial institutions. Hedging arrangements would expose us to risk of financial loss in some circumstances, including when:

• expected supply is less than the amount hedged;

• the counterparty to the hedging contract defaults on its contractual obligations; or

• there is a change in the expected differential between the underlying price in the hedging agreement and actual prices received.

The use of derivatives also may require the posting of cash collateral with counterparties, which can impact working capital when commodity prices change.

The swaps regulatory and other provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and the rules adopted thereunder and other regulations, including EMIR and REMIT, could adversely affect our ability to hedge risks associated with our business and our operating results and cash flows.

The provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and the rules adopted and to be adopted by the CFTC, the SEC and other federal regulators establishing federal regulation of the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives market and entities like us that participate in that market may adversely affect our ability to manage certain of our risks on a cost effective basis. Such laws and regulations may also adversely affect our ability to execute our strategies with respect to hedging our exposure to variability in expected future cash flows attributable to the future sale of our LNG inventory and to price risk attributable to future purchases of natural gas to be utilized as fuel to operate our LNG terminals and to secure natural gas feedstock for our liquefaction facilities.

The CFTC has proposed position limits rules that would modify and expand the applicability of position limits on the amounts of certain speculative futures contracts, as well as economically equivalent options, futures and swaps for or linked to certain physical commodities, including Henry Hub natural gas, that market participants may hold, subject to limited exemptions for certain bona fide hedging positions and other types of transactions. The CFTC also has adopted final rules regarding aggregation of positions, under which a party that controls the trading for the account of, or owns 10% or more of the equity interests in, another party will have to aggregate the positions in all such controlled accounts and of all such controlled or owned parties with their own positions for purposes of determining compliance with position limits rules unless an exemption applies. Upon the adoption and effectiveness of final CFTC position limits rules, and the effectiveness of the final aggregation rules, our ability to execute our hedging strategies described above could be limited. It is uncertain at this time whether, when and in what form the CFTC’s proposed new position limits rules may become final and effective.

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Under the Dodd-Frank Act and the rules adopted thereunder, we may be required to clear through a derivatives clearing organization any swaps into which we enter that fall within a class of swaps designated by the CFTC for mandatory clearing and we could have to execute trades in such swaps on certain trading platforms or exchanges. The CFTC has designated four classes of interest rate swaps (denominated in numerous currencies) and two classes of index credit default swaps for mandatory clearing, but has not yet proposed rules designating any physical commodity swaps, for mandatory clearing or mandatory exchange trading. Although we expect to qualify for the end-user exception from the mandatory clearing and trade execution requirements for our swaps entered into to hedge our commercial risks, if we fail to qualify for that exception as to any swap we enter into and have to clear that swap through a derivatives clearing organization, we could be required to post margin with respect to such swap, our cost of entering into and maintaining such swap could increase and we would not enjoy the same flexibility with the cleared swaps that we enjoy with the uncleared OTC swaps we enter into. Moreover, the application of the mandatory clearing and trade execution requirements to other market participants, such as swap dealers, may change the market cost and general availability in the market of swaps of the type we enter into to hedge our commercial risks and, thus, the cost and availability of the swaps that we use for hedging.

As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFTC and federal banking regulators have adopted rules to require certain market participants to collect and post initial and variation margin with respect to uncleared swaps from their counterparties that are financial end users and certain registered swap dealers and major swap participants. The requirements of those rules as to the collection of initial margin are being phased in. Although we believe we will not be required to post margin with respect to any uncleared swaps we enter into in the future, were we not to do so and have to post margin as to our uncleared swaps in the future, our cost of entering into and maintaining swaps would be increased. Our counterparties that are subject to the regulations imposing the Basel III capital requirements on them may increase the cost to us of entering into swaps with them or, although not required to collect margin from us under the margin rules, contractually require us to post collateral with them in connection with such swaps in order to offset their increased capital costs or to reduce their capital costs to maintain those swaps on their balance sheets.

The Dodd-Frank Act also imposes other regulatory requirements on swaps market participants, including end users of swaps, such as regulations relating to swap documentation, reporting and recordkeeping, and certain business conduct rules applicable to swap dealers and major swap participants. Together with the Basel III capital requirements on certain swaps market participants, the regulatory requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act and the rules thereunder relating to swaps and derivatives market participants could significantly increase the cost of derivative contracts (including through requirements to post margin or collateral), materially alter the terms of derivative contracts, reduce the availability of derivatives to protect against certain risks that we encounter and reduce our ability to monetize or restructure our existing derivative contracts and to execute our hedging strategies. If, as a result of the swaps regulatory regime discussed above, we were to reduce our use of swaps to hedge our risks, such as commodity price risks that we encounter in our operations, our operating results and cash flows may become more volatile and could be otherwise adversely affected.

The Federal Reserve Board also has proposed rules that would limit certain physical commodity activities of financial holding companies. Such rules, if adopted, may adversely affect our ability to execute our strategies by restricting our available counterparties for certain types of transactions, limiting our ability to obtain certain services, and reducing liquidity in physical and financial markets. It is uncertain at this time whether, when and in what form the Federal Reserve’s proposed rules regarding financial holding companies may become final and effective.

EMIR may result in increased costs for OTC derivative counterparties entering into swaps subject to EMIR and also lead to an increase in the costs of, and demand for, the liquid collateral that EMIR requires central counterparties to accept. Although we expect to qualify as a non-financial counterparty under EMIR and to be below the applicable clearing thresholds for the swaps we enter and thus not be required to post margin under EMIR, our subsidiaries and affiliates operating in the EU may still be subject to increased regulatory requirements, including recordkeeping, marking to market, timely confirmations, derivatives reporting, portfolio reconciliation and dispute resolution procedures. Regulation under EMIR could significantly increase the cost of derivatives contracts, materially alter the terms of derivatives contracts and reduce the availability of derivatives to protect against risks that we encounter. The increased trading costs and collateral costs may have an adverse impact on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

Our subsidiaries and affiliates operating in the EU may be subject to REMIT as wholesale energy market participants. This classification imposes increased regulatory obligations on our subsidiaries and affiliates, including a prohibition to use or disclose insider information or to engage in market manipulation in wholesale energy markets, and an obligation to report certain data. These regulatory obligations may increase the cost of compliance for our business and if we violate these laws and regulations, we could be subject to investigation and penalties.

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We expect that our hedging activities will remain subject to significant and developing regulations and regulatory oversight. However, the full impact of the various U.S. (and non-U.S.) regulatory developments in connection with these activities will not be known with certainty until such derivatives market regulations are fully implemented and related market practices and structures are fully developed.

In making our investment decisions for the SPL Project, we have relied on several economic development programs in Louisiana, including Industrial Tax Exemption (“ITE”) contracts.  If we were to lose significant tax incentives through the economic development programs or if the ITE contracts were declared void, the loss of such tax incentives and/or exemptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.

SPL has utilized the ITE program, which is available for a “new” manufacturing establishment or an “addition” to an existing manufacturing establishment.  SPL has entered into a total of eight ITE contracts, which exempt from ad valorem property taxes all of SPL’s assets when placed in service.

On October 12, 2016, a lawsuit was filed by JMCB, LLC (“JMCB”) against SPL, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (“LED”) and the Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry (“BCI”) (the “Pending Matter”).  In the Pending Matter, JMCB contends that one of SPL’s ITE contracts should be declared an improper and unauthorized act of BCI.  JMCB asks the court to declare the contract null and void and without legal effect, as well as for incidental damages in the form of any taxes not paid in reliance on the exemption granted under the ITE contract.  JMCB’s petition is filed as a class action that seeks declaratory relief for all similarly situated taxpayers in Cameron Parish and for the governmental agencies that would have received the ad valorem property taxes, but for the ITE contract.  SPL believes that the likelihood that the resolution of the Pending Matter will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity or prospects is remote.  If we do not prevail in the Pending Matter, the loss of such tax exemption could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.

Risks Relating to Our LNG Terminal Business

Operation of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, the SPL Project and the CCL Project and other facilities that we may construct involves significant risks.

As more fully discussed in these Risk Factors, the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, the SPL Project and the CCL Project and our other existing and proposed LNG facilities face operational risks, including the following:

• the facilities’ performing below expected levels of efficiency;

• breakdown or failures of equipment;

• operational errors by vessel or tug operators;

• operational errors by us or any contracted facility operator;

• labor disputes; and

• weather-related interruptions of operations.

We may not be successful in fully implementing our proposed business strategy to provide liquefaction capabilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities or the CCL Project.

It will take several years to construct the SPL Project and the CCL Project, and even if successfully constructed, the SPL Project and the CCL Project would be subject to the operating risks described herein. Accordingly, there are many risks associated with the SPL Project and the CCL Project, and if we are not successful in implementing our business strategy, we may not be able to generate cash flows, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

Cost overruns and delays in the completion of one or more Trains or the Corpus Christi Pipeline, as well as difficulties in obtaining sufficient financing to pay for such costs and delays, could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

The actual construction costs of the Trains or the Corpus Christi Pipeline may be significantly higher than our current estimates as a result of many factors, including change orders under existing or future EPC contracts resulting from the occurrence of certain specified events that may give Bechtel the right to cause us to enter into change orders or resulting from changes with which we otherwise agree. We have already experienced increased costs due to change orders. We do not have any prior experience in constructing liquefaction facilities, and other than Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project, no liquefaction facilities have been constructed and placed in service in the United States in over 40 years. As construction progresses, we may decide or be forced to submit change orders to our contractor that could result in longer construction periods, higher construction costs or both, including change orders to comply with existing or future environmental or other regulations.

Delays in the construction of one or more Trains or the Corpus Christi Pipeline beyond the estimated development periods, as well as change orders to the EPC contracts with Bechtel or any future EPC contract related to additional Trains or the Corpus Christi Pipeline, could increase the cost of completion beyond the amounts that we estimate, which could require us to obtain additional sources of financing to fund our operations until the applicable liquefaction project is fully constructed (which could cause further delays). Our ability to obtain financing that may be needed to provide additional funding to cover increased costs will depend, in part, on factors beyond our control. Accordingly, we may not be able to obtain financing on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. Even if we are able to obtain financing, we may have to accept terms that are disadvantageous to us or that may have a material adverse effect on our current or future business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

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Delays in the completion of one or more Trains could lead to reduced revenues or termination of one or more of the SPAs by our counterparties.

Any delay in completion of a Train could cause a delay in the receipt of revenues projected therefrom or cause a loss of one or more customers in the event of significant delays. In particular, each of our SPAs provides that the counterparty may terminate that SPA if the relevant Train does not timely commence commercial operations. As a result, any significant construction delay, whatever the cause, could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

Our ability to complete development of additional Trains will be contingent on our ability to obtain additional funding. If we are unable to obtain sufficient funding, we may be unable to fully execute our business strategy.

We will require significant additional funding to be able to commence construction of Train 6 of the SPL Project and Train 3 of the CCL Project, which we may not be able to obtain at a cost that results in positive economics, or at all. The inability to achieve acceptable funding may cause a delay in the development of additional Trains, and we may not be able to complete our business plan. Even if we are able to obtain funding, the funding may be inadequate to cover any increases in costs or delays in completion of the applicable Train, which may cause a delay in the receipt of revenues projected therefrom or cause a loss of one or more future customers in the event of significant delays. As a result, any significant construction delay, whatever the cause, could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

SPLNG may be required to purchase natural gas to provide fuel at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, which would increase operating costs and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

SPLNG’s TUAs provide for an in-kind deduction of 2% of the LNG delivered to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, which it uses primarily as fuel for revaporization and self-generated power and to cover natural gas unavoidably lost at the facility. There is a risk that this 2% in-kind deduction will be insufficient for these needs and that SPLNG will have to purchase additional natural gas from third parties. SPLNG will bear the cost and risk of changing prices for any such fuel.

Hurricanes or other disasters could result in an interruption of our operations, a delay in the completion of our liquefaction projects, higher construction costs and the deferral of the dates on which payments are due to us under the SPAs, all of which could adversely affect us.

In August and September of 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, respectively, damaged coastal and inland areas located in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, resulting in the temporary suspension of construction of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. In September 2008, Hurricane Ike struck the Texas and Louisiana coast, and the Sabine Pass LNG terminal experienced minor damage.

Future storms and related storm activity and collateral effects, or other disasters such as explosions, fires, floods or accidents, could result in damage to, or interruption of operations at, the Sabine Pass LNG terminal or related infrastructure, as well as delays or cost increases in the construction and the development of the SPL Project, the CCL Project or our other facilities. Changes in the global climate may have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods and rising sea levels; if any such effects were to occur, they could have an adverse effect on our coastal operations.

Failure to obtain and maintain approvals and permits from governmental and regulatory agencies with respect to the design, construction and operation of our facilities could impede operations and construction and could have a material adverse effect on us.

The design, construction and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines, LNG terminals, including the SPL Project and the CCL Project and other facilities, and the import and export of LNG and the transportation of natural gas, are highly regulated activities. Approvals of the FERC and DOE under Section 3 and Section 7 of the NGA, as well as several other material governmental and regulatory approvals and permits, including several under the CAA and the CWA, are required in order to construct and operate an LNG facility and an interstate natural gas pipeline and export LNG. Although the FERC has issued orders under Section 3 of the NGA authorizing the siting, construction and operation of six Trains of the SPL Project and an order authorizing the siting, construction and operation of three trains of the CCL Project, the FERC orders require us to comply with certain ongoing conditions

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and obtain certain additional approvals in conjunction with ongoing construction and operations of our liquefaction and pipeline facilities. We also have two pending applications with the DOE for authorization to export LNG to non-FTA countries in addition to the orders previously granted to us by the DOE. We will be required to obtain similar approvals and permits with respect to any expansion or modification of our liquefaction and pipeline facilities. We cannot control the outcome of the FERC’s or the DOE’s review and approval processes. Certain of these governmental permits, approvals and authorizations are or may be subject to rehearing requests, appeals and other challenges.

Authorizations obtained from the FERC, DOE and other federal and state regulatory agencies also contain ongoing conditions, and additional approval and permit requirements may be imposed. We do not know whether or when any such approvals or permits can be obtained, or whether any existing or potential interventions or other actions by third parties will interfere with our ability to obtain and maintain such permits or approvals. If we are unable to obtain and maintain the necessary approvals and permits, including as a result of untimely notices or filings, we may not be able to recover our investment in our projects. There is no assurance that we will obtain and maintain these governmental permits, approvals and authorizations, or that we will be able to obtain them on a timely basis, and failure to obtain and maintain any of these permits, approvals or authorizations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.

We are dependent on Bechtel and other contractors for the successful completion of the SPL Project and the CCL Project.

Timely and cost-effective completion of the SPL Project and the CCL Project in compliance with agreed specifications is central to our business strategy and is highly dependent on the performance of Bechtel and our other contractors under their agreements. The ability of Bechtel and our other contractors to perform successfully under their agreements is dependent on a number of factors, including their ability to:

• design and engineer each Train to operate in accordance with specifications;

• engage and retain third-party subcontractors and procure equipment and supplies;

• respond to difficulties such as equipment failure, delivery delays, schedule changes and failure to perform by subcontractors, some of which are beyond their control;

• attract, develop and retain skilled personnel, including engineers;

• post required construction bonds and comply with the terms thereof;

• manage the construction process generally, including coordinating with other contractors and regulatory agencies; and

• maintain their own financial condition, including adequate working capital.

Although some agreements may provide for liquidated damages if the contractor fails to perform in the manner required with respect to certain of its obligations, the events that trigger a requirement to pay liquidated damages may delay or impair the operation of the SPL Project and the CCL Project, and any liquidated damages that we receive may not be sufficient to cover the damages that we suffer as a result of any such delay or impairment. The obligations of Bechtel and our other contractors to pay liquidated damages under their agreements are subject to caps on liability, as set forth therein.

Furthermore, we may have disagreements with our contractors about different elements of the construction process, which could lead to the assertion of rights and remedies under their contracts and increase the cost of the SPL Project and the CCL Project or result in a contractor’s unwillingness to perform further work on the SPL Project and the CCL Project. If any contractor is unable or unwilling to perform according to the negotiated terms and timetable of its respective agreement for any reason or terminates its agreement, we would be required to engage a substitute contractor. This would likely result in significant project delays and increased costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

We are relying on third-party engineers to estimate the future capacity ratings and performance capabilities of the SPL Project and the CCL Project, and these estimates may prove to be inaccurate.

We are relying on third parties, principally Bechtel, for the design and engineering services underlying our estimates of the future capacity ratings and performance capabilities of the SPL Project and the CCL Project. If any Train, when actually constructed, fails to have the capacity ratings and performance capabilities that we intend, our estimates may not be accurate. Failure of any of our Trains to achieve our intended capacity ratings and performance capabilities could prevent us from achieving the commercial

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start dates under our SPAs and could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

If third-party pipelines and other facilities interconnected to our pipelines and facilities are or become unavailable to transport natural gas, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.

We will depend upon third-party pipelines and other facilities that will provide gas delivery options to our liquefaction facilities and pipelines. If the construction of new or modified pipeline connections is not completed on schedule or any pipeline connection were to become unavailable for current or future volumes of natural gas due to repairs, damage to the facility, lack of capacity or any other reason, our ability to meet our SPA obligations and continue shipping natural gas from producing regions or to end markets could be restricted, thereby reducing our revenues which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.

We may not be able to purchase or receive physical delivery of sufficient natural gas to satisfy our delivery obligations under the SPAs, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Under the SPAs with our customers, we are required to make available to them a specified amount of LNG at specified times. However, we may not be able to purchase or receive physical delivery of sufficient quantities of natural gas to satisfy those obligations, which may provide affected SPA customers with the right to terminate their SPAs. Our failure to purchase or receive physical delivery of sufficient quantities of natural gas could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

Our interstate natural gas pipelines and their FERC gas tariffs are subject to FERC regulation.

Our interstate natural gas pipelines are subject to regulation by the FERC under the NGA and the NGPA. The FERC regulates the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce, including the construction and operation of pipelines, the rates, terms of conditions of service and abandonment of facilities. Under the NGA, the rates charged by our interstate natural gas pipelines must be just and reasonable, and we are prohibited from unduly preferring or unreasonably discriminating against any person with respect to pipeline rates or terms and conditions of service. If we fail to comply with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations and orders, our interstate pipelines could be subject to substantial penalties and fines.

The interstate pipelines’ FERC gas tariffs (the “Tariff”), including the pro forma transportation agreements, must be filed with and approved by the FERC. Before we enter into a transportation agreement with a shipper that contains terms that deviate in any material aspect from the filed Tariff, referred to as non-confirming terms, we must seek FERC approval. The FERC may approve the non-conforming terms in the transportation agreement; however, in that case, the non-conforming terms must be made available to our other similarly-situated customers. If we fail to seek FERC approval of a transportation agreement with non-conforming terms, or if the FERC audits our contracts and finds deviations that appear to be unduly discriminatory, the FERC could conduct a formal enforcement investigation, resulting in serious penalties and/or onerous ongoing compliance obligations.

Should we fail to comply with all applicable FERC-administered statutes, rules, regulations and orders, we could be subject to substantial penalties and fines. Under the EPAct, the FERC has civil penalty authority under the NGA and the NGPA to impose penalties for current violations of up to $1.0 million per day for each violation.

Pipeline safety integrity programs and repairs may impose significant costs and liabilities on us.

The PHMSA requires pipeline operators to develop integrity management programs to comprehensively evaluate certain areas along their pipelines and to take additional measures to protect pipeline segments located in “high consequence areas” where a leak or rupture could potentially do the most harm. As an operator, we are required to:

• perform ongoing assessments of pipeline integrity;

• identify and characterize applicable threats to pipeline segments that could impact a “high consequence area”;

• improve data collection, integration and analysis;

• repair and remediate the pipeline as necessary; and

• implement preventative and mitigating actions.

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We are required to maintain pipeline integrity testing programs that are intended to assess pipeline integrity. Any repair, remediation, preventative or mitigating actions may require significant capital and operating expenditures. Should we fail to comply with applicable statutes and the Office of Pipeline Safety’s rules and related regulations and orders, we could be subject to significant penalties and fines.

Any reduction in the capacity of, or the allocations to, interconnecting, third-party pipelines could cause a reduction of volumes transported in our pipelines, which would adversely affect our revenues and cash flow.

We will be dependent upon third-party pipelines and other facilities to provide delivery options to and from our pipelines. If any pipeline connection were to become unavailable for volumes of natural gas due to repairs, damage to the facility, lack of capacity or any other reason, our ability to continue shipping natural gas to end markets could be restricted, thereby reducing our revenues. Any permanent interruption at any key pipeline interconnect which caused a material reduction in volumes transported on our pipelines could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

Failure to obtain and maintain approvals and permits from governmental and regulatory agencies with respect to the development and operation of our interstate natural gas pipelines would have a detrimental effect on us and our pipeline projects.

The design, construction and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines and the transportation of natural gas are all highly regulated activities. The FERC’s approval under Section 7 of the NGA, as well as several other material governmental and regulatory approvals and permits, including several under the CAA and the CWA from the USACE and state environmental agencies, are required in order to construct and operate an interstate natural gas pipeline. We have no control over the outcome of the review and approval process. We do not know whether or when any such approvals or permits can be obtained, or whether or not any existing or potential interventions or other actions by third parties will interfere with our ability to obtain and maintain such permits or approvals. If we are unable to obtain and maintain the necessary approvals and permits, we may not be able to recover our investment in our pipeline projects. There is no assurance that we will obtain and maintain these governmental permits, approvals and authorizations, or that we will be able to obtain them on a timely basis, and failure to obtain and maintain any of these permits, approvals or authorizations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.

Our business could be materially and adversely affected if we lose the right to situate our pipelines on property owned by third parties.

We do not own the land on which our pipelines are situated, and we are subject to the possibility of increased costs to retain necessary land use rights. If we were to lose these rights or be required to relocate our pipelines, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Relating to Our LNG and Natural Gas Marketing Business

The limited capital resources and credit available to our LNG and natural gas marketing business may limit our ability to develop that business.

We have limited capital available to our LNG and natural gas marketing business. The business also currently has limited access to third-party sources of financing. Other investment-grade marketing companies have greater financial resources than we do. Our LNG and natural gas marketing business continues to develop and implement its business strategy and may not generate sufficient revenues and cash flows to cover the significant fixed costs of the business.

Our exposure to the performance and credit risks of counterparties under agreements may adversely affect our operating results, liquidity and access to financing.

Our LNG and natural gas marketing business involves our entering into various purchase and sale, hedging and other transactions with numerous third parties (commonly referred to as “counterparties”). In such arrangements, we are exposed to the performance and credit risks of our counterparties, including the risk that one or more counterparties fails to perform its obligation to make deliveries of commodities and/or to make payments. These risks may increase during periods of commodity

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price volatility. Defaults by suppliers and other counterparties may adversely affect our operating results, liquidity and access to financing.

Cheniere Marketing may not be able to contract with customers to facilitate the export of LNG on its chartered LNG vessels.

Cheniere Marketing has entered into SPAs with SPL and CCL pursuant to which Cheniere Marketing has the option to purchase LNG at the SPL Project and the CCL Project, respectively.  Cheniere Marketing has also entered into LNG vessel charters in order to secure shipping capacity for the export of LNG to purchasers.  Under the charters, some of which have terms of up to 5 years, Cheniere Marketing is obligated to make payments for these vessels regardless of use.  However, Cheniere Marketing may not be able to enter into contracts with purchasers of LNG in quantities equivalent to the vessel capacities for which Cheniere Marketing is required to make payments.  Failure to secure buyers for a sufficient amount of LNG could materially and adversely affect Cheniere Marketing’s business, operating results, cash flows and liquidity.

Risks Relating to Our LNG Businesses in General

We may not construct or operate all of our proposed LNG facilities or Trains or any additional LNG facilities or Trains beyond those currently planned, which could limit our growth prospects.

We may not construct some of our proposed LNG facilities or Trains, whether due to lack of commercial interest or inability to obtain financing or otherwise. Our ability to develop additional liquefaction facilities will also depend on the availability and pricing of LNG and natural gas in North America and other places around the world. Competitors may have longer operating histories, more development experience, greater name recognition, larger staffs and substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources and access to sources of natural gas and LNG than we do. If we are unable or unwilling to construct and operate additional LNG facilities, our prospects for growth will be limited.

Our cost estimates for Trains are subject to change as a result of cost overruns, change orders under existing or future construction contracts, changes in commodity prices (particularly nickel and steel), escalating labor costs and the potential need for additional funds to be expended to maintain construction schedules. In the event we experience cost overruns, delays or both, the amount of funding needed to complete a Train could exceed our available funds and result in our failure to complete such Train and thereby negatively impact our business and limit our growth prospects.

Cyclical or other changes in the demand for and price of LNG and natural gas may adversely affect our LNG business and the performance of our customers and could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flows, liquidity and prospects.

Our LNG business and the development of domestic LNG facilities and projects generally is based on assumptions about the future availability and price of natural gas and LNG and the prospects for international natural gas and LNG markets. Natural gas and LNG prices have been, and are likely to continue to be, volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to one or more of the following factors:

• additions to competitive regasification capacity in North America, Europe, Asia and other markets, which could divert LNG from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal;

• competitive liquefaction capacity in North America;

• insufficient or oversupply of natural gas liquefaction or receiving capacity worldwide;

• insufficient LNG tanker capacity;

• weather conditions;

• reduced demand and lower prices for natural gas;

• increased natural gas production deliverable by pipelines, which could suppress demand for LNG;

• decreased oil and natural gas exploration activities, which may decrease the production of natural gas;

• cost improvements that allow competitors to offer LNG regasification services or provide natural gas liquefaction capabilities at reduced prices;

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• changes in supplies of, and prices for, alternative energy sources such as coal, oil, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind and solar energy, which may reduce the demand for natural gas;

• changes in regulatory, tax or other governmental policies regarding imported or exported LNG, natural gas or alternative energy sources, which may reduce the demand for imported or exported LNG and/or natural gas;

• political conditions in natural gas producing regions;

• adverse relative demand for LNG compared to other markets, which may decrease LNG imports into or exports from North America; and

• cyclical trends in general business and economic conditions that cause changes in the demand for natural gas.

Adverse trends or developments affecting any of these factors could result in decreases in the price of LNG and/or natural gas, which could materially and adversely affect the performance of our customers, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flows, liquidity and prospects.

Failure of imported or exported LNG to be a competitive source of energy for international markets could adversely affect our customers and could materially and adversely affect our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

Operations of the SPL Project are, and operations at the CCL Project will be, dependent upon the ability of our SPA customers to deliver LNG supplies from the United States, which is primarily dependent upon LNG being a competitive source of energy internationally. The success of our business plan is dependent, in part, on the extent to which LNG can, for significant periods and in significant volumes, be supplied from North America and delivered to international markets at a lower cost than the cost of alternative energy sources. Through the use of improved exploration technologies, additional sources of natural gas may be discovered outside the United States, which could increase the available supply of natural gas outside the United States and could result in natural gas in those markets being available at a lower cost than LNG exported to those markets.

Operations at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal are dependent, in part, upon the ability of our TUA customers to import LNG supplies into the United States, which is primarily dependent upon LNG being a competitive source of energy in North America. In North America, due mainly to a historically abundant supply of natural gas and discoveries of substantial quantities of unconventional, or shale, natural gas, imported LNG has not developed into a significant energy source. The success of the regasification services component of our business plan is dependent, in part, on the extent to which LNG can, for significant periods and in significant volumes, be produced internationally and delivered to North America at a lower cost than the cost to produce some domestic supplies of natural gas, or other alternative energy sources. Through the use of improved exploration technologies, additional sources of natural gas have recently been and may continue to be discovered in North America, which could further increase the available supply of natural gas and could result in natural gas being available at a lower cost than imported LNG.

Political instability in foreign countries that import or export natural gas, or strained relations between such countries and the United States, may also impede the willingness or ability of LNG suppliers purchasers or and merchants in such countries to import or export LNG from or to the United States. Furthermore, some foreign purchasers or suppliers of LNG may have economic or other reasons to obtain their LNG from, or direct their LNG to, non-U.S. markets or from or to our competitors’ liquefaction or regasification facilities in the United States.

In addition to natural gas, LNG also competes with other sources of energy, including coal, oil, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind and solar energy. LNG from the SPL Project and the CCL Project also competes with other sources of LNG, including LNG that is priced to indices other than Henry Hub. Some of these sources of energy may be available at a lower cost than LNG from the SPL Project and the CCL Project in certain markets. The cost of LNG supplies from the United States, including the SPL Project and the CCL Project, may also be impacted by an increase in natural gas prices in the United States.

As a result of these and other factors, LNG may not be a competitive source of energy in the United States or internationally. The failure of LNG to be a competitive supply alternative to local natural gas, oil and other alternative energy sources in markets accessible to our customers could adversely affect the ability of our customers to deliver LNG from the United States or to the United States on a commercial basis. Any significant impediment to the ability to deliver LNG to or from the United States generally, or to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal or from the SPL Project and the CCL Project specifically, could have a material adverse effect on our customers and on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

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Various economic and political factors could negatively affect the development, construction and operation of LNG facilities, including the SPL Project and the CCL Project, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

Commercial development of an LNG facility takes a number of years, requires a substantial capital investment and may be delayed by factors such as:

• increased construction costs;

• economic downturns, increases in interest rates or other events that may affect the availability of sufficient financing for LNG projects on commercially reasonable terms;

• decreases in the price of LNG, which might decrease the expected returns relating to investments in LNG projects;

• the inability of project owners or operators to obtain governmental approvals to construct or operate LNG facilities;

• political unrest or local community resistance to the siting of LNG facilities due to safety, environmental or security concerns; and

• any significant explosion, spill or similar incident involving an LNG facility or LNG vessel.

There may be shortages of LNG vessels worldwide, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

The construction and delivery of LNG vessels require significant capital and long construction lead times, and the availability of the vessels could be delayed to the detriment of our business and our customers because of:

• an inadequate number of shipyards constructing LNG vessels and a backlog of orders at these shipyards;

• political or economic disturbances in the countries where the vessels are being constructed;

• changes in governmental regulations or maritime self-regulatory organizations;

• work stoppages or other labor disturbances at the shipyards;

• bankruptcy or other financial crisis of shipbuilders;

• quality or engineering problems;

• weather interference or a catastrophic event, such as a major earthquake, tsunami or fire; and

• shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary construction materials.

We may not be able to secure firm pipeline transportation capacity on economic terms that is sufficient to meet our feed gas transportation requirements, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

We have contracted for firm capacity for our natural gas feedstock transportation requirements for Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project and Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project.  We cannot control the regulatory and permitting approvals or third parties’ construction times. If and when we need to replace one or more of our agreements with these interconnecting pipelines, we may not be able to do so on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could impair our ability to fulfill our obligations under certain of our SPAs and could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

We face competition based upon the international market price for LNG.

Our liquefaction projects are subject to the risk of LNG price competition at times when we need to replace any existing SPA, whether due to natural expiration, default or otherwise, or enter into new SPAs. Factors relating to competition may prevent us from entering into a new or replacement SPA on economically comparable terms as existing SPAs, or at all. Such an event could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects. Factors which may negatively affect potential demand for LNG from our liquefaction projects are diverse and include, among others:

• increases in worldwide LNG production capacity and availability of LNG for market supply;

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• increases in demand for LNG but at levels below those required to maintain current price equilibrium with respect to supply;

• increases in the cost to supply natural gas feedstock to our liquefaction projects;

• decreases in the cost of competing sources of natural gas or alternate fuels such as coal, heavy fuel oil and diesel;

• decreases in the price of non-U.S. LNG, including decreases in price as a result of contracts indexed to lower oil prices;

• increases in capacity and utilization of nuclear power and related facilities; and

• displacement of LNG by pipeline natural gas or alternate fuels in locations where access to these energy sources is not currently available.

Terrorist attacks, including cyberterrorism, or military campaigns may adversely impact our business.

A terrorist, including a cyberterrorist, or military incident involving an LNG facility, our infrastructure or an LNG vessel may result in delays in, or cancellation of, construction of new LNG facilities, including one or more of the Trains, which would increase our costs and decrease our cash flows. A terrorist incident may also result in temporary or permanent closure of existing LNG facilities, including the Sabine Pass LNG terminal or the Creole Trail Pipeline, which could increase our costs and decrease our cash flows, depending on the duration and timing of the closure. Our operations could also become subject to increased governmental scrutiny that may result in additional security measures at a significant incremental cost to us. In addition, the threat of terrorism and the impact of military campaigns may lead to continued volatility in prices for natural gas that could adversely affect our business and our customers, including their ability to satisfy their obligations to us under our commercial agreements. Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism, including cyberterrorism, or war could also materially adversely affect our ability to raise capital. The continuation of these developments may subject our construction and our operations to increased risks, as well as increased costs, and, depending on their ultimate magnitude, could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

Risks Relating to Our Business in General

We are subject to significant operating hazards and uninsured risks, one or more of which may create significant liabilities and losses for us.

The construction and operation of our LNG terminals and liquefaction facilities are and will be subject to the inherent risks associated with these types of operations, including explosions, pollution, release of toxic substances, fires, hurricanes and adverse weather conditions and other hazards, each of which could result in significant delays in commencement or interruptions of operations and/or in damage to or destruction of our facilities or damage to persons and property. In addition, our operations and the facilities and vessels of third parties on which our operations are dependent face possible risks associated with acts of aggression or terrorism.

We do not, nor do we intend to, maintain insurance against all of these risks and losses. We may not be able to maintain desired or required insurance in the future at rates that we consider reasonable. The occurrence of a significant event not fully insured or indemnified against could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects. 

Existing and future environmental and similar laws and governmental regulations could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating costs or construction costs and restrictions.

Our business is and will be subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations that regulate and restrict, among other things, discharges to air, land and water, with particular respect to the protection of the environment and natural resources; the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials, hazardous waste and petroleum products; and remediation associated with the release of hazardous substances. Many of these laws and regulations, such as the CAA, the Oil Pollution Act, the CWA and the RCRA, and analogous state laws and regulations, restrict or prohibit the types, quantities and concentration of substances that can be released into the environment in connection with the construction and operation of our facilities, and require us to maintain permits and provide governmental authorities with access to our facilities for inspection and reports related to our compliance. Violation of these laws and regulations could lead to substantial liabilities, fines and penalties or to capital expenditures related to pollution control equipment that could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects. Federal and state laws impose liability, without regard to fault or the lawfulness

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of the original conduct, for the release of certain types or quantities of hazardous substances into the environment. As the owner and operator of our facilities, we could be liable for the costs of cleaning up hazardous substances released into the environment at or from our facilities and for resulting damage to natural resources.

In October 2015, the EPA promulgated a final rule to implement the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan, which is designed to reduce GHG emissions from power plants in the United States.  In February 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the final rule, effectively suspending the duty to comply with the rule until certain legal challenges are resolved. Other federal and state initiatives are being considered or may be considered in the future to address GHG emissions through, for example, United States treaty commitments, direct regulation, a carbon emissions tax, or cap-and-trade programs.  Such initiatives could affect the demand for or cost of natural gas, which we consume at our terminals, or could increase compliance costs for our operations. The future of the Clean Power Plan and other GHG-related initiatives of the federal government may change under the Trump Administration.

Other future legislation and regulations, such as those relating to the transportation and security of LNG imported to or exported from our terminals, could cause additional expenditures, restrictions and delays in our business and to our proposed construction, the extent of which cannot be predicted and which may require us to limit substantially, delay or cease operations in some circumstances. Revised, reinterpreted or additional laws and regulations that result in increased compliance costs or additional operating or construction costs and restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

A major health and safety incident relating to our business could be costly in terms of potential liabilities and reputational damage.

Health and safety performance is critical to the success of all areas of our business. Any failure in health and safety performance may result in personal harm or injury, penalties for non-compliance with relevant regulatory requirements or litigation, and a failure that results in a significant health and safety incident is likely to be costly in terms of potential liabilities. Such a failure could generate public concern and have a corresponding impact on our reputation and our relationships with relevant regulatory agencies and local communities, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

We may experience increased labor costs, and the unavailability of skilled workers or our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could adversely affect us. In addition, changes in our senior management or other key personnel could affect our business results.

We are dependent upon the available labor pool of skilled employees. We compete with other energy companies and other employers to attract and retain qualified personnel with the technical skills and experience required to construct and operate our facilities and pipelines and to provide our customers with the highest quality service. Our affiliates who hire personnel on our behalf are also subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which governs such matters as minimum wage, overtime and other working conditions. A shortage in the labor pool of skilled workers or other general inflationary pressures or changes in applicable laws and regulations could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified personnel and could require an increase in the wage and benefits packages that we offer, thereby increasing our operating costs. Any increase in our operating costs could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.

We depend on our executive officers for various activities. We do not maintain key person life insurance policies on any of our personnel. Although we have arrangements relating to compensation and benefits with certain of our executive officers, we do not have any employment contracts or other agreements with key personnel binding them to provide services for any particular term. The loss of the services of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our lack of diversification could have an adverse effect on our business, contracts, financial condition, operating results, cash flow, liquidity and prospects.

Substantially all of our anticipated revenue in 2017 will be dependent upon one facility, the Sabine Pass LNG terminal located in southern Louisiana. Due to our lack of asset and geographic diversification, an adverse development at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal or the Corpus Christi LNG terminal, including the related pipelines, or in the LNG industry, would have a significantly greater impact on our financial condition and operating results than if we maintained more diverse assets and operating areas.

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We may incur impairments to goodwill or long-lived assets.

We test our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. We test goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently as circumstances dictate. Significant negative industry or economic trends, including a significant decline in the market price of our common stock, reduced estimates of future cash flows for our business segments or disruptions to our business could lead to an impairment charge of our long-lived assets, including goodwill. Our valuation methodology for assessing impairment requires management to make judgments and assumptions based on historical experience and to rely heavily on projections of future operating performance. Projections of future operating results and cash flows may vary significantly from results. In addition, if our analysis results in an impairment to our goodwill or long-lived assets, we may be required to record a charge to earnings in our Consolidated Financial Statements during a period in which such impairment is determined to exist, which may negatively impact our operating results.

The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly in the past and is likely to fluctuate in the future. Our stockholders could lose all or part of their investment.

The market price of our common stock has historically experienced and may continue to experience volatility. For example, between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016, the market price of our common stock ranged between $22.80 and $46.00. Such fluctuations may continue as a result of a variety of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:

• domestic and worldwide supply of and demand for natural gas and corresponding fluctuations in the price of natural gas;

• fluctuations in our quarterly or annual financial results or those of other companies in our industry;

• issuance of additional equity securities which causes further dilution to stockholders;

• sales of a high volume of shares of our common stock by our stockholders;

• operating and stock price performance of companies that investors deem comparable to us;

• events affecting other companies that the market deems comparable to us;

• changes in government regulation or proposals applicable to us;

• actual or potential non-performance by any customer or a counterparty under any agreement;

• announcements made by us or our competitors of significant contracts;

• changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

• general conditions in the industries in which we operate;

• general economic conditions;

• the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock or changes in financial or other estimates by analysts; and

• other factors described in these “Risk Factors.”

In addition, the United States securities markets have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations have often been unrelated to the operating performance of companies in these markets. Market fluctuations and broad market, economic and industry factors may negatively affect the price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. If we were to be the object of securities class litigation as a result of volatility in our common stock price or for other reasons, it could result in substantial diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which could negatively affect our financial results.

If there is a determination that any of the restructuring transactions entered into prior to and in connection with Cheniere Holdings’ initial public offering are taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes and Cheniere Holdings ceases to be a member of our consolidated group for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then we could incur significant income tax liabilities.

Prior to and in connection with Cheniere Holdings’ initial public offering, we, Cheniere Holdings and other members of our consolidated group for U.S. federal income tax purposes participated in a series of restructuring transactions intended to qualify

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as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service was requested in connection with such restructuring transactions. Under the Internal Revenue Code, Cheniere Holdings will cease to be a member of our consolidated group for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a deconsolidation) if at any time we own less than 80% of the vote or 80% of the value of Cheniere Holdings’ outstanding shares, whether by issuance of additional shares by Cheniere Holdings or by our sale or other disposition of Cheniere Holdings’ shares. If any of the restructuring transactions is determined to be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any reason, following a deconsolidation, we could incur significant income tax liabilities.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We may in the future be involved as a party to various legal proceedings, which are incidental to the ordinary course of business. We regularly analyze current information and, as necessary, provide accruals for probable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters.

LDEQ Matter

Certain of our subsidiaries are in discussions with the LDEQ to resolve self-reported deviations arising from operation of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and the commissioning of the SPL Project, and relating to certain requirements under its Title V Permit. The matter involves deviations self-reported to LDEQ pursuant to the Title V Permit and covering the time period from January 1, 2012 through March 25, 2016. On April 11, 2016, certain of our subsidiaries received a Consolidated Compliance Order and Notice of Potential Penalty (the “Compliance Order”) from LDEQ covering deviations self-reported during that time period. Certain of our subsidiaries continue to work with LDEQ to resolve the matters identified in the Compliance Order. We do not expect that any ultimate sanction will have a material adverse impact on our financial results.

Parallax Litigation

In 2015, Cheniere’s wholly owned subsidiary, Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC (“CLNGT”), entered into discussions with Parallax Enterprises, LLC (“Parallax Enterprises”) regarding the potential joint development of two liquefaction plants in Louisiana (the “Potential Liquefaction Transactions”). While the parties negotiated regarding the Potential Liquefaction Transactions, CLNGT loaned Parallax Enterprises approximately $46 million, as reflected in a secured note dated April 23, 2015, as amended on June 30, 2015, September 30, 2015 and November 4, 2015 (the “Secured Note”). The Secured Note was secured by all assets of Parallax Enterprises and its subsidiary entities. On June 30, 2015, Parallax Enterprises’ parent entity, Parallax Energy LLC (“Parallax Energy”), executed a Pledge and Guarantee Agreement further securing repayment of the Secured Note by providing a parent guaranty and a pledge of all of the equity of Parallax Enterprises in satisfaction of the Secured Note (the “Pledge Agreement”). CLNGT and Parallax Enterprises never executed a definitive agreement to pursue the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. The Secured Note matured on December 11, 2015, and Parallax Enterprises failed to make payment. On February 3, 2016, CLNGT filed an action against Parallax Energy, Parallax Enterprises, and certain of Parallax Enterprises’ subsidiary entities, styled Cause No. 4:16-cv-00286, Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC v. Parallax Energy LLC, et al., in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Texas Suit”). CLNGT asserted claims in the Texas Suit for (1) recovery of all amounts due under the Secured Note and (2) declaratory relief establishing that CLNGT is entitled to enforce its rights under the Secured Note and Pledge Agreement in accordance with each instrument’s terms and that CLNGT has no obligations of any sort to Parallax Enterprises concerning the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. On March 11, 2016, Parallax Enterprises and the other defendants in the Texas Suit moved to dismiss the suit for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. On August 2, 2016, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss without prejudice and permitted the parties to pursue jurisdictional discovery, which is ongoing.

On March 11, 2016, Parallax Enterprises filed a suit against Cheniere and CLNGT styled Civil Action No. 62-810, Parallax Enterprises LLP v. Cheniere Energy, Inc. and Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC, in the 25th Judicial District Court of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana (the “Louisiana Suit”), wherein Parallax Enterprises asserted claims for breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, detrimental reliance, unjust enrichment and violation of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act. Parallax Enterprises predicated its claims in the Louisiana Suit on an allegation that Cheniere and CLNGT breached a purported agreement to jointly develop the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. Parallax Enterprises sought $400 million in alleged economic damages and rescission of the Secured Note. On April 15, 2016, Cheniere and CLNGT removed the Louisiana Suit to the United

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States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which subsequently transferred the Louisiana Suit to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, where it was assigned Civil Action No. 4:16-cv-01628 and transferred to the same judge presiding over the Texas Suit for coordinated handling. On August 22, 2016, Parallax Enterprises voluntarily dismissed all claims asserted against CLNGT and Cheniere in the Louisiana Suit without prejudice to refiling. Cheniere does not expect that the resolution of this litigation will have a material adverse impact on its financial results.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

None.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER

Market Information, Holders and Dividends

Our common stock has traded on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “LNG” since March 24, 2003. The table below presents the high and low sales prices of our common stock, as reported by the NYSE MKT, for each quarter during 2016 and 2015. 

	High		Low
2016
First Quarter	$	39.00	$	22.80
Second Quarter	39.75		31.02
Third Quarter	46.00		35.86
Fourth Quarter	44.45		35.07
2015
First Quarter	$	82.32	$	65.68
Second Quarter	81.12		67.38
Third Quarter	71.11		46.23
Fourth Quarter	54.95		35.09

As of February 17, 2017, we had 237.9 millionshares of common stock outstanding held by approximately 614 record owners.

We have never paid a cash dividend on our common stock. We currently intend to retain earnings to finance the growth and development of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on the common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future change in our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors (our “Board”) in light of our financial condition, capital requirements, earnings, prospects and any restrictions under any financing agreements, as well as other factors our Board deems relevant.

Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

The following table summarizes stock repurchases for the three months ended December 31, 2016:

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)	Average Price Paid Per Share (2)	Total Number of Shares Purchased as a Part of Publicly Announced Plans	Maximum Number of Units That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans
October 1 - 31, 2016	11,461	$43.60	—	—
November 1 - 30, 2016	6,201	$37.42	—	—
December 1 - 31, 2016	26,160	$41.42	—	—

(1) Represents shares surrendered to us by participants in our share-based compensation plans to settle the participants’ personal tax liabilities that resulted from the lapsing of restrictions on shares awarded to the participants under these plans.

(2) The price paid per share was based on the closing trading price of our common stock on the dates on which we repurchased shares from the participants under our share-based compensation plans.

For additional information, see Note 15—Share-Based Compensation of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

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Total Stockholder Return

The following graph compares the five-year total return on our common stock, the S&P 500 Index and a customized peer group of 17 companies that includes: (1) Calpine Corp. (CPN), (2) Dynegy Inc. (DYN), (3) Dominion Resources, Inc. (D), (4) PG&E Corporation (PCG), (5) Sempra Energy (SRE), (6) Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PEG), (7) DTE Energy Company (DTE), (8) Ameren Corporation (AEE), (9) CMS Energy Company (CMS), (10) Enterprise Product Partners L.P. (EPD), (11) Enbridge (ENB), (12) TransCanada Corporation (TRP), (13) Spectra Energy Corp (SE), (14) Magellan Midstream Partners LP (MMP), (15) MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. (MWE), (16) ONEOK Inc. (OKE) and (17) Targa Resources Corp. (TRGP) (collectively, the “New Peer Group”).  We selected the New Peer Group companies because they are publicly traded companies that have: (1) comparable Global Industries Classification Standards, (2) similar market capitalization, (3) similar enterprise values and (4) similar operating characteristics and capital intensity. The New Peer Group companies were revised during 2016. Our previous peer group consisted of 20 companies, including the 17 companies of the New Peer Group, Kinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI), Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (ETE) and Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (PAA) (collectively, the “Old Peer Group”).

The graph was constructed on the assumption that $100 was invested in our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the New Peer Group and the Old Peer Group on December 31, 2011 and that any dividends were fully reinvested.

Company / Index	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
Cheniere Energy, Inc.	100.00	216.11	496.20	810.13	428.65	476.75
S&P 500 Index	100.00	116.00	153.57	174.60	177.01	198.18
New Peer Group	100.00	109.58	133.62	160.17	127.71	160.51
Old Peer Group	100.00	110.77	136.39	164.87	114.67	148.23

Sale of Unregistered Securities

On December 16, 2016, we issued 1,693,083 unregistered shares of our common stock to certain investors in reliance upon the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to a privately negotiated stock-for-stock exchange transaction in which we acquired 3,252,800 common shares representing limited liability company interests in Cheniere Holdings.

On December 20, 2016, we issued 1,318,094 unregistered shares of our common stock to certain funds associated with Pennant Capital Management, LLC in reliance upon the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to a privately negotiated stock-for-stock exchange transaction in which we acquired 2,532,361 common shares representing limited liability company interests in Cheniere Holdings.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Selected financial data set forth below (in thousands, except per share data) are derived from our audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods indicated. The financial data should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014			2013			2012
Revenues	$	1,283,167		$	270,885		$	267,954		$	267,213		$	266,220
Loss from operations	(29,367		)	(449,313		)	(272,179		)	(328,328		)	(76,454		)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(488,390		)	(322,083		)	(181,236		)	(178,400		)	(200,811		)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	(609,991		)	(975,109		)	(547,932		)	(507,922		)	(332,780		)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted	$	(2.67	)	$	(4.30	)	$	(2.44	)	$	(2.32	)	$	(1.83	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—basic and diluted	228,768			226,903			224,338			218,869			181,768

	December 31,
	2016		2015		2014		2013		2012
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	20,635,294	$	16,193,907	$	9,246,753	$	6,454,399	$	3,282,305
Total assets	23,702,737		18,809,053		12,432,783		9,570,817		4,618,203
Current debt, net	247,467		1,673,379		—		—		—
Long-term debt, net	21,687,532		14,920,427		9,665,184		6,473,853		2,146,231

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Introduction

The following discussion and analysis presents management’s view of our business, financial condition and overall performance and should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes in “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” This information is intended to provide investors with an understanding of our past performance, current financial condition and outlook for the future. Our discussion and analysis includes the following subjects: 

• Overview of Business 

• Overview of Significant Events 

• Liquidity and Capital Resources

• Contractual Obligations

• Results of Operations 

• Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements  

• Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates 

• Recent Accounting Standards

Overview of Business

Cheniere, a Delaware corporation, is a Houston-based energy company primarily engaged in LNG-related businesses. Our vision is to be recognized as the premier global LNG company and provide a reliable, competitive and integrated source of LNG to our customers while creating a safe, productive and rewarding work environment for our employees. We own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana through our ownership interest in and management agreements with Cheniere Partners, which is a publicly traded limited partnership that we created in 2007. We own 100% of the general partner interest in Cheniere Partners and 82.6% of Cheniere Holdings, which is a publicly traded limited liability company formed in 2013 that owns a 55.9% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners. We are currently developing and constructing two natural gas liquefaction and export facilities. The liquefaction of natural gas into LNG allows it to be shipped economically from areas of the world where natural gas is abundant and inexpensive to produce to other areas where natural gas demand and infrastructure exist to economically justify the use of LNG.

The Sabine Pass LNG terminal is located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, on the Sabine-Neches Waterway less than four miles from the Gulf Coast. Cheniere Partners is developing, constructing and operating natural gas liquefaction facilities (the “SPL Project”) at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities through a wholly owned subsidiary, SPL. Cheniere Partners plans to construct up to six Trains, which are in various stages of development, construction and operations. Trains 1 and 2 have commenced operating activities, Train 3 is undergoing commissioning and has produced LNG, Trains 4 and 5 are under construction and Train 6 is fully permitted. Each Train is expected to have a nominal production capacity, which is prior to adjusting for planned maintenance, production reliability and potential overdesign, of approximately 4.5 mtpa of LNG. The Sabine Pass LNG terminal has operational regasification facilities owned by Cheniere Partners’ wholly owned subsidiary, SPLNG, that include existing infrastructure of five LNG storage tanks with capacity of approximately 16.9 Bcfe, two marine berths that can accommodate vessels with nominal capacity of up to 266,000 cubic meters and vaporizers with regasification capacity of approximately 4.0 Bcf/d. Cheniere Partners also owns a 94-mile pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with a number of large interstate pipelines (the “Creole Trail Pipeline”) through a wholly owned subsidiary, CTPL.

We are developing and constructing a second natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal, which is on nearly 2,000 acres of land that we own or control near Corpus Christi, Texas, and a pipeline facility (collectively, the “CCL Project”) through wholly owned subsidiaries CCL and CCP, respectively. The CCL Project is being developed for up to three Trains, with expected aggregate nominal production capacity, which is prior to adjusting for planned maintenance, production reliability and potential overdesign, of approximately 13.5 mtpa of LNG, three LNG storage tanks with capacity of approximately 10.1 Bcfe and two marine berths that can accommodate vessels with nominal capacity of up to 266,000 cubic meters. The CCL Project is being developed in stages. The first stage (“Stage 1”) includes Trains 1 and 2, two LNG storage tanks, one complete

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marine berth and a second partial berth and all of the CCL Project’s necessary infrastructure facilities. The second stage (“Stage 2”) includes Train 3, one LNG storage tank and the completion of the second partial berth. The CCL Project also includes a 23-mile natural gas supply pipeline that will interconnect the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with several interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines (the “Corpus Christi Pipeline”).

The CCL Stage III entities, our wholly owned subsidiaries separate from the CCH Group, are also developing additional Trains and one LNG storage tank at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal adjacent to the CCL Project, along with a second natural gas pipeline.

Cheniere Marketing is engaged in the LNG and natural gas marketing business and is developing a portfolio of long- and medium-term SPAs. Cheniere Marketing has entered into SPAs with SPL and CCL to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, LNG produced by the SPL Project and the CCL Project.

We are also in various stages of developing other projects, including liquefaction projects and other infrastructure projects in support of natural gas supply and LNG demand, which, among other things, will require acceptable commercial and financing arrangements before we make a final investment decision (“FID”). We are exploring the development of a midscale liquefaction project using electric drive modular Trains, with an expected aggregate nominal production capacity of approximately 9.5 mtpa of LNG. We have proposed the development of a pipeline with expected capacity of up to 1.4 Bcf/d connecting new gas production in the Anadarko Basin to Gulf Coast markets, including markets serving the SPL Project and the CCL Project. We recently commenced the regulatory pre-filing process and expect to file formal applications for the required regulatory permits in 2017.

Overview of Significant Events

Our significant accomplishments since January 1, 2016 and through the filing date of this Form 10-K include the following:  

• SPL commenced production and shipment of LNG commissioning cargoes from Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project in February and August 2016, respectively, and achieved substantial completion and commenced operating activities in May and September 2016, respectively.

• In September 2016, SPL initiated the commissioning process for Train 3 of the SPL Project.

• In November 2016, the date of first commercial delivery was reached under SPL’s fixed price, 20-year SPA with BG Gulf Coast LNG, LLC relating to the first train of the SPL Project.

• Our Board of Directors appointed Jack A. Fusco as our President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2016.

• In February 2016, Cheniere Partners entered into a Credit and Guaranty Agreement for the incurrence of debt of up to an aggregate amount of approximately $2.8 billion (the “2016 CQP Credit Facilities”). The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities consist of: (1) a $450.0 million CTPL tranche term loan that was used to prepay the $400.0 million term loan facility (the “CTPL Term Loan”) in February 2016, (2) an approximately $2.1 billion SPLNG tranche term loan that was used to repay and redeem the approximately $2.1 billion of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 issued by SPLNG (the “2016 SPLNG Senior Notes”) and the 6.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 issued by SPLNG (the “2020 SPLNG Senior Notes” and collectively with the 2016 SPLNG Senior Notes, the “SPLNG Senior Notes”) in November 2016, (3) a $125.0 million debt service reserve credit facility (the “DSR Facility”) that may be used to satisfy a six-month debt service reserve requirement and (4) a $115.0 million revolving credit facility that may be used for general business purposes.

• In May and December 2016, CCH issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.25 billion of 7.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (the “2024 CCH Senior Notes”) and an aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion of 5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “2025 CCH Senior Notes”), respectively. Net proceeds from the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and 2025 CCH Senior Notes of approximately $1.1 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, after deducting commissions, fees and expenses and incremental interest required under the respective senior notes during construction, were used to prepay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its credit facility (the “2015 CCH Credit Facility”).

• In June and September 2016, SPL issued 5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (the “2026 SPL Senior Notes”) and 5.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (the “2027 SPL Senior Notes”), respectively, for aggregate principal amounts of $1.5 billion each. Net proceeds of the offerings of the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and 2027 SPL Senior Notes were approximately $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, after deducting commissions, fees and expenses and incremental interest required under the respective senior notes during construction. The net proceeds were used to prepay a portion (for the 2026 SPL Senior Notes) and all (for the 2027 SPL Senior Notes) of the outstanding borrowings under the credit facilities we entered into in June 2015 (the “2015 SPL Credit Facilities”). The remaining proceeds from the 2027 SPL

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Senior Notes were used to pay a portion of the capital costs in connection with the construction of Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project in lieu of the terminated portion of the commitments under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities.

• In December 2016, CCH entered into a $350 million Working Capital Facility Agreement (“CCH Working Capital Facility”) that will be used primarily for certain working capital requirements related to developing and placing into operation the CCL Project.

• In December 2016, Cheniere terminated negotiations with the conflicts committee of the board of directors of Cheniere Holdings regarding Cheniere’s previously announced non-binding proposal to acquire all of the publicly held shares of Cheniere Holdings not already owned by Cheniere in a stock-for-stock exchange transaction. Subsequent to the termination of negotiations, Cheniere acquired a total of 5,785,161 shares of Cheniere Holdings through individually negotiated transactions with shareholders of Cheniere Holdings.

• Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) upgraded Cheniere’s corporate rating to BB- from B+ in January 2016 and upgraded SPL’s senior secured rating to BBB- from BB+ in September 2016. Additionally, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded SPL’s senior secured rating to Ba2 from Ba3 in April 2016, and further upgraded it to Ba1 in December 2016. In January 2017, Fitch Ratings assigned SPL a senior secured investment grade rating of BBB-.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Although results are consolidated for financial reporting, Cheniere, Cheniere Holdings, Cheniere Partners, SPL and the CCH Group operate with independent capital structures. We expect the cash needs for at least the next twelve months will be met for each of these independent capital structures as follows:

•SPL through project debt and borrowings and operating cash flows;

• Cheniere Partners through operating cash flows from SPLNG, SPL and CTPL and debt or equity offerings;

•Cheniere Holdings through distributions from Cheniere Partners;

•CCH Group through project debt and borrowings and equity contributions from Cheniere; and

• Cheniere through project financing, existing unrestricted cash, debt and equity offerings by us or our subsidiaries, operating cash flows, services fees from Cheniere Holdings, Cheniere Partners and its other subsidiaries and distributions from our investments in Cheniere Holdings and Cheniere Partners.

The following table provides a summary of our liquidity position at December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Cash and cash equivalents	$	875,836	$	1,201,112
Restricted cash designated for the following purposes:
SPLNG debt service and interest payment	—		91,065
SPL Project	357,953		189,260
CTPL construction and interest payment	—		7,882
CQP and cash held by guarantor subsidiaries	246,991		—
CCL Project	270,540		46,770
Other	75,233		200,142
Available commitments under the following credit facilities:
2015 SPL Credit Facilities	1,642,133		3,755,000
$1.2 billion SPL Working Capital Facility (“SPL Working Capital Facility”)	652,823		1,049,785
2016 CQP Credit Facilities	195,000		—
2015 CCH Credit Facility	3,602,714		5,690,714
CCH Working Capital Facility	350,000		—

For additional information regarding our debt agreements, see Note 12—Debt of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Cheniere

Convertible Notes

In November 2014, we issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion Convertible Unsecured Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes”). The 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes are convertible at the option of the holder into our common stock at the then applicable conversion rate, provided that the closing price of our common stock is greater than or equal to the conversion price on the date of conversion. In March 2015, we issued the $625.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2045 (the “2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes”). We have the right, at our option, at any time after March 15, 2020, to redeem all or any part of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the accreted amount of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to such redemption date. We have the option to satisfy the conversion obligation for the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes and the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes with cash, common stock or a combination thereof. See Note 12—Debt of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our convertible notes.

Cash Receipts from Subsidiaries

Cheniere Holdings was formed by us to hold our Cheniere Partners limited partner interests, thereby allowing us to segregate our lower risk, stable, cash flow generating assets from our higher risk, early stage development projects and marketing activities. As of December 31, 2016, we had an 82.6% direct ownership interest in Cheniere Holdings. We receive dividends on our Cheniere Holdings shares from the distributions that Cheniere Holdings receives from Cheniere Partners, and we receive management fees for managing Cheniere Holdings. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we received $14.8 million, $14.7 million and $14.3 million, respectively, in dividends on our Cheniere Holdings common shares and $1.0 million, $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of management fees from Cheniere Holdings.

Our ownership interest in the Sabine Pass LNG terminal is held through Cheniere Partners. As of December 31, 2016, we own 82.6% of Cheniere Holdings, which owns a 55.9% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners in the form of 11,963,488 common units, 45,333,334 Class B units and 135,383,831 subordinated units. We also own 100% of the general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights in Cheniere Partners.

Prior to the initial public offering by Cheniere Holdings, we received quarterly equity distributions from Cheniere Partners related to our limited partner and 2% general partner interests. We will continue to receive quarterly equity distributions from Cheniere Partners related to our 2% general partner interest, and we receive fees for providing services to Cheniere Partners, SPLNG, SPL and CTPL. We received $2.0 million in distributions on our general partner interest during each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and we received $117.8 million, $92.6 million and $110.5 million in total service fees from Cheniere Partners, SPLNG, SPL and CTPL, during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Cheniere Partners’ common unit and general partner distributions are being funded from accumulated operating surplus. We have not received distributions on our subordinated units with respect to the quarters ended on or after June 30, 2010. Cheniere Partners will not make distributions on our subordinated units until it generates additional cash flow from SPLNG, SPL, CTPL or other new business, which would be used to make quarterly distributions on our subordinated units before any increase in distributions to the common unitholders.

Cheniere Partners Class B Units

Cheniere Partners’ Class B units are subject to conversion, mandatorily or at the option of the Class B unitholders under specified circumstances, into a number of common units based on the then-applicable conversion value of the Class B units. The Cheniere Partners Class B units are not entitled to cash distributions except in the event of a liquidation of Cheniere Partners, a merger, consolidation or other combination of Cheniere Partners with another person or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Cheniere Partners. On a quarterly basis beginning on the initial purchase date of the Class B units, the conversion value of the Class B units increases at a compounded rate of 3.5% per quarter, subject to an additional upward adjustment for certain equity and debt financings. The accreted conversion ratio of the Class B units owned by Cheniere Holdings and Blackstone CQP Holdco LP (“Blackstone CQP Holdco”) was 1.86 and 1.83, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. The Class B units will mandatorily convert into common units on the first business day following the record date of our first distribution after the substantial completion date of Train 3 of the SPL Project, but in any case no earlier than the first business day following the record date of our distribution with respect to the quarter ended June 30, 2017. If the Class B units are not mandatorily converted by July 2019,

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the holders of the Class B units have the option to convert the Class B units into common units at that time. The holders of Class B units have a preference over the holders of the subordinated units in the event of our liquidation or a merger, consolidation or other combination of us with another person or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

The Class B units were issued at a discount to the market price of the Cheniere Partners common units into which they are convertible.  This discount, totaling $2,130.0 million, represents a beneficial conversion feature.  The beneficial conversion feature is similar to a dividend that will be distributed with respect to any Class B unit from its issuance date through its conversion date, resulting in an increase in Class B unitholders’ equity and a decrease in common and subordinated unitholders’ equity, including our equity interest in Cheniere Partners. Cheniere Partners amortizes the beneficial conversion feature assuming a conversion date of August 2017, although actual conversion may occur prior to or after this assumed date. Deemed dividends represented by the amortization of the beneficial conversion feature allocated to the Class B units held by Blackstone CQP Holdco are included in net loss attributable to non-controlling interest and result in a reduction of income available to common stockholders. The impact to net loss attributable to non-controlling interest due to the amortization of the beneficial conversion feature was approximately $34 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 and is anticipated to be approximately $747 million for the year ending December 31, 2017 based on the assumed conversion date and ownership interest as of December 31, 2016.

Cheniere Partners

In February 2016, Cheniere Partners entered into the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities. The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities consist of: (1) a $450.0 million CTPL tranche term loan that was used to prepay the $400.0 millionCTPL Term Loan in February 2016, (2) an approximately $2.1 billion SPLNG tranche term loan that was used to repay and redeem the approximately $2.1 billion of the 2016 SPLNG Senior Notes and 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes in November 2016, (3) a $125.0 millionDSR Facility that may be used to satisfy a six-month debt service reserve requirement and (4) a $115.0 million revolving credit facility that may be used for general business purposes. As of December 31, 2016, Cheniere Partners had $195.0 million of available commitments, $45.0 million aggregate amount of issued letters of credit and $2.6 billion of outstanding borrowings under the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities.

The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities mature on February 25, 2020, and the outstanding balance may be repaid, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, except for interest hedging and interest rate breakage costs. The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities contain conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants and limit Cheniere Partners’ ability to make restricted payments, including distributions, to once per fiscal quarter as long as certain conditions are satisfied. Under the terms of the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, Cheniere Partners is required to hedge not less than 50% of the variable interest rate exposure on its projected aggregate outstanding balance, maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15x at the end of each fiscal quarter beginning March 31, 2019 and have a projected debt service coverage ratio of 1.55x in order to incur additional indebtedness to refinance a portion of the existing obligations.

The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by each subsidiary of Cheniere Partners other than SPL, certain of the subsidiaries of Cheniere Partners owning other development projects, as well as certain other specified subsidiaries and members of the foregoing entities.

See Note 12—Debt of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities.

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LNG Terminal Business

Sabine Pass LNG Terminal

Liquefaction Facilities

The SPL Project is being developed and constructed at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities. We have received authorization from the FERC to site, construct and operate Trains 1 through 6. The following table summarizes the overall project status of the SPL Project as of December 31, 2016:

	SPL Trains 1 & 2		SPL Trains 3 & 4		SPL Train 5
Overall project completion percentage	100%		95.5%		52.4%
Completion percentage of:
Engineering	100%		100%		96.6%
Procurement	100%		100%		76.6%
Subcontract work	100%		78.6%		43.7%
Construction	100%		93.2%		11.3%
Date of expected substantial completion	Train 1	Operational	Train 3	1Q 2017	Train 5	2H 2019
	Train 2	Operational	Train 4	2H 2017

We achieved substantial completion of Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project and commenced operating activities in May and September 2016, respectively, and started the commissioning of Train 3 of the SPL Project in September 2016.

The following orders have been issued by the DOE authorizing the export of domestically produced LNG by vessel from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal:

• Trains 1 through 4—FTA countries for a 30-year term, which commenced on May 15, 2016, and non-FTA countries for a 20-year term, which commenced on June 3, 2016, in an amount up to a combined total of the equivalent of 16 mtpa (approximately 803 Bcf/yr of natural gas).

• Trains 1 through 4—FTA countries for a 25-year term and non-FTA countries for a 20-year term, in an amount up to a combined total of the equivalent of approximately 203 Bcf/yr of natural gas (approximately 4 mtpa).

• Trains 5 and 6—FTA countries and non-FTA countries for a 20-year term, in an amount up to a combined total of 503.3 Bcf/yr of natural gas (approximately 10 mtpa).

In each case, the terms of these authorizations begin on the earlier of the date of first export thereunder or the date specified in the particular order, which ranges from five to 10 years from the date the order was issued. In addition, we received an order providing for a three-year makeup period with respect to each of the non-FTA orders for LNG volumes we were unable to export during any portion of the initial 20-year export period of such order.

In January 2016, the DOE issued an order authorizing us to export domestically produced LNG by vessel from the Sabine Pass LNG terminal to FTA countries and non-FTA countries over a two-year period commencing on January 15, 2016, in an aggregate amount up to the equivalent of 600 Bcf of natural gas (however, exports to non-FTA countries under this order, when combined with exports to non-FTA countries under the orders related to Trains 1 through 4 above, may not exceed 1,006 Bcf/yr).

A party to the proceedings requested rehearings of the orders above related to the export of 803 Bcf/yr, 203 Bcf/yr and 503.3 Bcf/yr to non-FTA countries. The DOE issued orders denying rehearing of the orders. The same party petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review the DOE order and the order denying the request for rehearing related to the export of 503.3 Bcf/yr to non-FTA countries and the appeal is pending.

Customers

SPL has entered into six fixed price, 20-year SPAs with third parties to make available an aggregate amount of LNG that equates to approximately 19.75 mtpa of LNG, which is approximately 88% of the expected aggregate nominal production capacity of Trains 1 through 5. The obligation to make LNG available under the SPAs commences from the date of first commercial delivery for Trains 1 through 5, as specified in each SPA. Under these SPAs, the customers will purchase LNG from SPL for a price consisting of a fixed fee per MMBtu of LNG (a portion of which is subject to annual adjustment for inflation) plus a variable fee

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equal to 115% of Henry Hub per MMBtu of LNG. In certain circumstances, the customers may elect to cancel or suspend deliveries of LNG cargoes, in which case the customers would still be required to pay the fixed fee with respect to the contracted volumes that are not delivered as a result of such cancellation or suspension. The SPAs and contracted volumes to be made available under the SPAs are not tied to a specific Train; however, the term of each SPA commences upon the start of operations of a specified Train.

In aggregate, the fixed fee portion to be paid by the third-party SPA customers is approximately $2.9 billion annually for Trains 1 through 5, with the applicable fixed fees starting from the date of first commercial delivery from the applicable Train. These fixed fees equal approximately $411 million, $564 million, $650 million, $648 million and $588 million for each of Trains 1 through 5, respectively.

In addition, Cheniere Marketing has entered into an SPA with SPL to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, any LNG produced by SPL in excess of that required for other customers.

Natural Gas Transportation, Storage and Supply

To ensure SPL is able to transport adequate natural gas feedstock to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, it has entered into transportation precedent and other agreements to secure firm pipeline transportation capacity with CTPL and third-party pipeline companies. SPL has entered into firm storage services agreements with third parties to assist in managing volatility in natural gas needs for the SPL Project. SPL has also entered into enabling agreements and long-term natural gas supply contracts with third parties in order to secure natural gas feedstock for the SPL Project. As of December 31, 2016, SPL has secured up to approximately 1,993.9 million MMBtu of natural gas feedstock through long-term and short-term natural gas supply contracts.

Construction

SPL entered into lump sum turnkey contracts with Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (“Bechtel”) for the engineering, procurement and construction of Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project, under which Bechtel charges a lump sum for all work performed and generally bears project cost risk unless certain specified events occur, in which case Bechtel may cause SPL to enter into a change order, or SPL agrees with Bechtel to a change order.

The total contract prices of the EPC contract for Trains 1 and 2, the EPC contract for Trains 3 and 4 and the EPC contract for Train 5 of the SPL Project are approximately $4.1 billion, $3.9 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively, reflecting amounts incurred under change orders through December 31, 2016. Total expected capital costs for Trains 1 through 5 are estimated to be between $12.5 billion and $13.5 billion before financing costs and between $17.0 billion and $18.0 billion after financing costs including, in each case, estimated owner’s costs and contingencies.

Pipeline Facilities

During the third quarter of 2015, CTPL completed construction of modifications to allow the Creole Trail Pipeline to be able to transport natural gas to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.

Final Investment Decision on Train 6

We will contemplate making an FID to commence construction of Train 6 of the SPL Project based upon, among other things, entering into an EPC contract, entering into acceptable commercial arrangements and obtaining adequate financing to construct the Train.

Regasification Facilities

The Sabine Pass LNG terminal has operational regasification capacity of approximately 4.0 Bcf/d and aggregate LNG storage capacity of approximately 16.9 Bcfe. Approximately 2.0 Bcf/d of the regasification capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal has been reserved under two long-term third-party TUAs, under which SPLNG’s customers are required to pay fixed monthly fees, whether or not they use the LNG terminal.  Each of Total Gas & Power North America, Inc. (“Total”) and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (“Chevron”) has reserved approximately 1.0 Bcf/d of regasification capacity and is obligated to make monthly capacity payments to SPLNG aggregating approximately $125 million annually for 20 years that commenced in 2009. Total S.A. has

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guaranteed Total’s obligations under its TUA up to $2.5 billion, subject to certain exceptions, and Chevron Corporation has guaranteed Chevron’s obligations under its TUA up to 80% of the fees payable by Chevron.

The remaining approximately 2.0 Bcf/d of capacity has been reserved under a TUA by SPL. SPL is obligated to make monthly capacity payments to SPLNG aggregating approximately $250 million annually, continuing until at least 20 years after SPL delivers its first commercial cargo at the SPL Project. SPL entered into a partial TUA assignment agreement with Total, whereby SPL will progressively gain access to Total’s capacity and other services provided under Total’s TUA with SPLNG.  This agreement will provide SPL with additional berthing and storage capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal that may be used to accommodate the development of Trains 5 and 6, provide increased flexibility in managing LNG cargo loading and unloading activity starting with the commencement of commercial operations of Train 3 and permit SPL to more flexibly manage its LNG storage capacity with the commencement of Train 1. Notwithstanding any arrangements between Total and SPL, payments required to be made by Total to SPLNG will continue to be made by Total to SPLNG in accordance with its TUA.

Under each of these TUAs, SPLNG is entitled to retain 2% of the LNG delivered to the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.

Capital Resources

We currently expect that SPL’s capital resources requirements with respect to Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project will be financed through borrowings and cash flows under the SPAs. We believe that with the net proceeds of borrowings, available commitments under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, available commitments under the SPL Working Capital Facility and cash flows from operations, we will have adequate financial resources available to complete Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project and to meet our currently anticipated capital, operating and debt service requirements. SPL began generating cash flows from operations from the SPL Project in May 2016, when Train 1 achieved substantial completion and initiated operating activities. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2016, we realized offsets to LNG terminal costs of $214.3 million that was related to the sale of commissioning cargoes because these amounts were earned prior to the start of commercial operations, during the testing phase for the construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project.

The following table provides a summary of our capital resources for the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal, excluding equity contributions from Cheniere Partners, at December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Senior Notes (1)	$	11,500,000	$	10,585,500
CTPL Term Loan	—		400,000
Credit facilities outstanding balance (2)	3,097,500		860,000
Letters of credit issued (3)	323,677		135,215
Available commitments under credit facilities (3)	2,294,956		4,804,785
Total capital resources from borrowings and available commitments (4)	$	17,216,133	$	16,785,500

(1) Includes 2016 SPLNG Senior Notes and 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes, and SPL’s 5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2021, 6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022, 5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “2023 SPL Senior Notes”), 5.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (the “2024 SPL Senior Notes”), 5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “2025 SPL Senior Notes”), 2026 SPL Senior Notes and 2027 SPL Senior Notes (collectively, the “SPL Senior Notes”).

(2) Includes 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, SPL Working Capital Facility and CTPL and SPLNG tranche term loans outstanding under the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities.

(3) Includes 2015 SPL Credit Facilities and SPL Working Capital Facility. Does not include the letters of credit issued or available commitments under the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, which are not specifically for the SPL Project.

(4) Does not include Cheniere’s additional borrowings from 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes and the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, which may be used for the SPL Project.

For additional information regarding our debt agreements related to the SPL Project, see Note 12—Debt of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Senior Secured Notes

The SPL Senior Notes are secured on a pari passu first-priority basis by a security interest in all of the membership interests in SPL and substantially all of SPL’s assets.

At any time prior to three months before the respective dates of maturity for each series of the SPL Senior Notes (except for the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and 2027 SPL Senior Notes, in which case the time period is six months before the respective dates of maturity), SPL may redeem all or part of such series of the SPL Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the “make-whole” price set forth in the common indenture governing the SPL Senior Notes(the “SPL Indenture”), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. SPL may also, at any time within three months of the respective maturity dates for each series of the SPL Senior Notes (except for the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and 2027 SPL Senior Notes, in which case the time period is six months before the respective dates of maturity), redeem all or part of such series of the SPL Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such series of the SPL Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

The SPL Indenture includes restrictive covenants. SPL may incur additional indebtedness in the future, including by issuing additional notes, and such indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and have different maturity dates and more restrictive covenants than the current outstanding indebtedness of SPL, including the SPL Senior Notes, the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities and the SPL Working Capital Facility. Under the SPL Indenture, SPL may not make any distributions until, among other requirements, deposits are made into debt service reserve accounts as required and a debt service coverage ratio test of 1.25:1.00 is satisfied.

2015 SPL Credit Facilities

In June 2015, SPL entered into the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities with commitments aggregating $4.6 billion. The 2015 SPL Credit Facilities are being used to fund a portion of the costs of developing, constructing and placing into operation Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project. SPL had $1.6 billion and $3.8 billion of available commitments and $314.0 million and $845.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The principal of the loans made under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities must be repaid in quarterly installments, commencing with the earlier of June 30, 2020 and the last day of the first full calendar quarter after the completion date of Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project. Scheduled repayments are based upon an 18-year amortization profile, with the remaining balance due upon the maturity of the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities.

The 2015 SPL Credit Facilities contain conditions precedent for borrowings, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of SPL under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities are secured by substantially all of the assets of SPL as well as all of the membership interests in SPL on a pari passu basis with the SPL Senior Notes and the SPL Working Capital Facility.

Under the terms of the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, SPL is required to hedge not less than 65% of the variable interest rate exposure of its projected outstanding borrowings, calculated on a weighted average basis in comparison to its anticipated draw of principal. Additionally, SPL may not make any distributions until certain conditions have been met, including that deposits are made into debt service reserve accounts and a debt service coverage ratio test of 1.25:1.00 is satisfied.

SPL Working Capital Facility

In September 2015, SPL entered into the SPL Working Capital Facility, which is intended to be used for loans to SPL (“SPL Working Capital Loans”), the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of SPL, as well as for swing line loans to SPL (“SPL Swing Line Loans”), primarily for certain working capital requirements related to developing and placing into operation the SPL Project. SPL may, from time to time, request increases in the commitments under the SPL Working Capital Facility of up to $760 million and, upon the completion of the debt financing of Train 6 of the SPL Project, request an incremental increase in commitments of up to an additional $390 million. As of December 31, 2016, SPL had $652.8 million of available commitments, $323.7 million aggregate amount of issued letters of credit and $223.5 million of loans outstanding under the SPL Working Capital Facility. As of December 31, 2015, SPL had $1.1 billion of available commitments, $135.2 million aggregate amount of issued letters of credit and $15.0 million of loans outstanding under the SPL Working Capital Facility.

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The SPL Working Capital Facility matures on December 31, 2020, and the outstanding balance may be repaid, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty upon three business days’ notice. Loans deemed made in connection with a draw upon a letter of credit have a term of up to one year. SPL Swing Line Loans terminate upon the earliest of (1) the maturity date or earlier termination of the SPL Working Capital Facility, (2) the date 15 days after such SPL Swing Line Loan is made and (3) the first borrowing date for a SPL Working Capital Loan or SPL Swing Line Loan occurring at least three business days following the date the SPL Swing Line Loan is made. SPL is required to reduce the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all SPL Working Capital Loans to zero for a period of five consecutive business days at least once each year.

The SPL Working Capital Facility contains conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of SPL under the SPL Working Capital Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of SPL as well as all of the membership interests in SPL on a pari passu basis with the SPL Senior Notes and the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities.

Corpus Christi LNG Terminal

Liquefaction Facilities

The CCL Project is being developed and constructed at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal, on nearly 2,000 acres of land that we own or control near Corpus Christi, Texas. In December 2014, we received authorization from the FERC to site, construct and operate Stages 1 and 2 of the CCL Project. The following table summarizes the overall project status of Stage 1 of the CCL Project:

	CCL Stage 1
Overall project completion percentage	49.2%
Project completion percentage of:
Engineering	100%
Procurement	65.6%
Construction	21.4%
Expected date of substantial completion	Train 1	1H 2019
	Train 2	2H 2019

Through the CCL Stage III entities, which are separate from the CCH Group, we are developing two additional Trains and one LNG storage tank at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal adjacent to the CCL Project, along with a second natural gas pipeline, and we commenced the regulatory approval process in June 2015.

The following orders have been issued by the DOE authorizing the export of domestically produced LNG from the Corpus Christi LNG terminal:

• CCL Project—FTA countries for a 25-year term and to non-FTA countries for a 20-year term up to a combined total of the equivalent of 767 Bcf/yr (approximately 15 mtpa) of natural gas. A party to the proceeding requested a rehearing of the authorization to non-FTA countries, which was denied by the DOE in May 2016. In July 2016, the same party petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review the authorization to non-FTA countries and the DOE order denying the request for rehearing of the same. The appeal is pending.

• CCL Stage III entities—FTA countries for a 20-year term in an amount equivalent to 514 Bcf/yr (approximately 10 mtpa) of natural gas. The application for authorization to export that same 514 Bcf/yr of domestically produced LNG by vessel to non-FTA countries is currently pending at the DOE.

In each case, the terms of these authorizations begin on the earlier of the date of first export thereunder or the date specified in the particular order, which ranges from 7 to 10 years from the date the order was issued.

Customers

CCL has entered into seven fixed price, 20-year SPAs with six third parties to make available an aggregate amount of LNG that equates to approximately 7.7 mtpa of LNG, which is approximately 86% of the expected aggregate nominal production capacity of Trains 1 and 2. The obligation to make LNG available under these SPAs commences from the date of first commercial delivery for Trains 1 and 2, as specified in each SPA. In addition, CCL has entered into one fixed price, 20-year SPA with a third party for another 0.8 mtpa of LNG that commences with the date of first commercial delivery for Train 3. Under these eight SPAs, the customers will purchase LNG from CCL for a price consisting of a fixed fee of $3.50 per MMBtu of LNG (a portion of which is

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subject to annual adjustment for inflation) plus a variable fee equal to 115% of Henry Hub per MMBtu of LNG. In certain circumstances, the customers may elect to cancel or suspend deliveries of LNG cargoes, in which case the customers would still be required to pay the fixed fee with respect to the contracted volumes that are not delivered as a result of such cancellation or suspension. The SPAs and contracted volumes to be made available under the SPAs are not tied to a specific Train; however, the term of each SPA commences upon the start of operations of a specified Train.

In aggregate, the fixed fee portion to be paid by the third-party SPA customers is approximately $1.4 billion annually for Trains 1 and 2, and $1.5 billion if we make a positive FID with respect to Stage 2 of the CCL Project, with the applicable fixed fees starting from the date of first commercial delivery from the applicable Train. These fixed fees equal approximately $550 million, $846 million and $140 million for each of Trains 1 through 3, respectively.

In addition, Cheniere Marketing has entered into SPAs with CCL to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, any LNG produced by CCL that is not required for other customers.

Natural Gas Transportation, Storage and Supply

To ensure CCL is able to transport adequate natural gas feedstock to the Corpus Christi LNG terminal, it has entered into transportation precedent agreements to secure firm pipeline transportation capacity with CCP and certain third-party pipeline companies. CCL has entered into a firm storage services agreement with a third party to assist in managing volatility in natural gas needs for the CCL Project. CCL has also entered into enabling agreements with third parties, and will continue to enter into such agreements, in order to secure natural gas feedstock for the CCL Project. We expect to enter into gas supply contracts under these enabling agreements as and when required for the CCL Project.

Construction

CCL entered into separate lump sum turnkey contracts with Bechtel for the engineering, procurement and construction of Stages 1 and 2 of the CCL Project under which Bechtel charges a lump sum for all work performed and generally bears project cost risk unless certain specified events occur, in which case Bechtel may cause CCL to enter into a change order, or CCL agrees with Bechtel to a change order.

The total contract price of the EPC contract for Stage 1, which does not include the Corpus Christi Pipeline, is approximately $7.7 billion, reflecting amounts incurred under change orders through December 31, 2016. Total expected capital costs for Stage 1 are estimated to be between $9.0 billion and $10.0 billion before financing costs, and between $11.0 billion and $12.0 billion after financing costs including, in each case, estimated owner’s costs and contingencies.

Pipeline Facilities

In December 2014, the FERC issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, as amended, authorizing CCP to construct and operate the Corpus Christi Pipeline. The Corpus Christi Pipeline is designed to transport 2.25 Bcf/d of natural gas feedstock required by the CCL Project from the existing regional natural gas pipeline grid. The construction of the Corpus Christi Pipeline commenced in January 2017.

Final Investment Decision on Stage 2

We will contemplate making an FID to commence construction of Stage 2 of the CCL Project based upon, among other things, entering into acceptable commercial arrangements and obtaining adequate financing to construct the facility.

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Capital Resources

We expect to finance the construction costs of the CCL Project from one or more of the following: project financing, operating cash flow from CCL and CCP and equity contributions from Cheniere. The following table provides a summary of our capital resources for the CCL Project, excluding equity contributions from Cheniere, at December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
CCH Senior Notes (1)	$	2,750,000	$	—
11% Convertible Senior Secured Notes due 2025	1,171,008		1,050,588
Credit facilities outstanding balance (2)	2,380,788		2,713,000
Letters of credit issued (2)	—		—
Available commitments under credit facilities (2)	3,952,714		5,690,714
Total capital resources from borrowings and available commitments (3)	$	10,254,510	$	9,454,302

(1) Includes 2024 CCH Senior Notes and 2025 CCH Senior Notes(collectively, the “CCH Senior Notes”).

(2) Includes 2015 CCH Credit Facility and CCH Working Capital Facility.

(3) Does not include Cheniere’s additional borrowings from 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes and the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, which may be used for the CCL Project.

For additional information regarding our debt agreements related to the CCL Project, see Note 12—Debt of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes

In May 2015, CCH HoldCo II issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 11% Convertible Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes”) on a private placement basis. The 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes are convertible at the option of CCH HoldCo II or the holders, provided that various conditions are met. CCH HoldCo II is restricted from making distributions to Cheniere under agreements governing its indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project are in commercial operation and a historical debt service coverage ratio and a projected fixed debt service coverage ratio of 1.20:1.00 are achieved.

CCH Senior Notes

In May and December 2016, CCH issued aggregate principal amounts of $1.25 billion of the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and $1.5 billion of the 2025 CCH Senior Notes, respectively. The CCH Senior Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed by its subsidiaries, CCL, CCP and Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC (“CCP GP”, and collectively with CCL and CCP, the “CCH Guarantors”).

The indenture governing the CCH Senior Notes(the “CCH Indenture”) contains customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit CCH’s ability and the ability of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on membership interests or subordinated indebtedness or purchase, redeem or retire membership interests; sell or transfer assets, including membership or partnership interests of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries; restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries to CCH or any of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries; incur liens; enter into transactions with affiliates; dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of the properties or assets of CCH and its restricted subsidiaries taken as a whole; or permit any CCH Guarantor to dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets.

At any time prior to six months before the respective dates of maturity for each series of the CCH Senior Notes, CCH may redeem all or part of such series of the CCH Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the “make-whole” price set forth in the CCH Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. CCH also may at any time within six months of the respective dates of maturity for each series of the CCH Senior Notes, redeem all or part of such series of the CCH Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the CCH Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

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2015 CCH Credit Facility

In May 2015, CCH entered into the 2015 CCH Credit Facility. The obligations of CCH under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of CCH and its subsidiaries and by a pledge by CCH HoldCo I of its limited liability company interests in CCH. As of December 31, 2016, CCH had $3.6 billion of available commitments and $2.4 billion of outstanding borrowings under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility.

The principal of the loans made under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility must be repaid in quarterly installments, commencing on the earlier of (1) the first quarterly payment date occurring more than three calendar months following project completion and (2) a set date determined by reference to the date under which a certain LNG buyer linked to Train 2 of the CCL Project is entitled to terminate its SPA for failure to achieve the date of first commercial delivery for that agreement. Scheduled repayments will be based upon a 19-year tailored amortization, commencing the first full quarter after the project completion and designed to achieve a minimum projected fixed debt service coverage ratio of 1.55:1.

Under the terms of the 2015 CCH Credit Facility, CCH is required to hedge not less than 65% of the variable interest rate exposure of its senior secured debt. CCH is restricted from making distributions under agreements governing its indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, the completion of the construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project, funding of a debt service reserve account equal to six months of debt service and achieving a historical debt service coverage ratio and fixed projected debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25:1.00.

CCH Working Capital Facility

In December 2016, CCH entered into the $350 millionCCH Working Capital Facility, which is intended to be used for loans to CCH (“CCH Working Capital Loans”), the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of CCH, as well as for swing line loans to CCH (“CCH Swing Line Loans”) for certain working capital requirements related to developing and placing into operation the CCL Project. Loans under the CCH Working Capital Facility are guaranteed by the CCH Guarantors. CCH may, from time to time, request increases in the commitments under the CCH Working Capital Facility of up to the maximum allowed under the Common Terms Agreement that was entered in concurrently with the 2015 CCH Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2016, CCH did not have any amounts outstanding under the CCH Working Capital Facility.

The CCH Working Capital Facility matures on December 14, 2021, and CCH may prepay the CCH Working Capital Loans, CCH Swing Line Loans and loans made in connection with a draw upon any letter of credit (“CCH LC Loans”) at any time without premium or penalty upon three business days’ notice and may re-borrow at any time. CCH LC Loans have a term of up to one year. CCH Swing Line Loans terminate upon the earliest of (1) the maturity date or earlier termination of the CCH Working Capital Facility, (2) the date that is 15 days after such CCH Swing Line Loan is made and (3) the first borrowing date for a CCH Working Capital Loan or CCH Swing Line Loan occurring at least four business days following the date the CCH Swing Line Loan is made. CCH is required to reduce the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all CCH Working Capital Loans to zero for a period of five consecutive business days at least once each year.

The CCH Working Capital Facility contains conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of CCH under the CCH Working Capital Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of CCH and the CCH Guarantors as well as all of the membership interests in CCH and each of the CCH Guarantors on a pari passu basis with the CCH Senior Notes and the 2015 CCH Credit Facility.

LNG and Natural Gas Marketing Business

Cheniere Marketing is engaged in the LNG and natural gas marketing business and is developing a portfolio of long- and medium-term SPAs. Cheniere Marketing has purchased from the Sabine Pass terminal and other locations worldwide, transported and unloaded commercial LNG cargoes and has capitalized on opportunities to optimize its portfolio of assets with the intention of maximizing margins on these cargoes. Cheniere Marketing has secured the following rights and obligations to support its business:

• pursuant to an SPA with SPL, the right to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, any LNG produced by SPL in excess of that required for other customers;

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• pursuant to SPAs with CCL, the right to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, any LNG produced by CCL that is not required for other customers; and

• a portfolio of LNG vessel time charters.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, aside from sales of LNG produced by SPL, Cheniere Marketing recognized $235.3 million in LNG revenues from sales of LNG that was procured from third parties.

In addition, as of December 31, 2016, Cheniere Marketing had sold approximately 488 million MMBtu of LNG to be delivered to counterparties between 2017 and 2023, with delivery obligations conditional in certain circumstances.  The cargoes have been sold with a portfolio of delivery points, either on a Free on Board basis (delivered to the counterparty at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal) or a Delivered at Terminal (“DAT”) basis (delivered to the counterparty at their LNG receiving terminal). Cheniere Marketing has chartered LNG vessels to be utilized in DAT transactions. In addition, Cheniere Marketing has entered into a long-term agreement to sell LNG cargoes on a DAT basis.  The agreement is conditioned upon the buyer achieving certain milestones, including reaching an FID related to certain projects and obtaining related financing.

Cheniere Marketing entered into uncommitted trade finance facilities for up to $470.0 million primarily to be used for the purchase and sale of LNG for ultimate resale in the course of its business. The finance facilities are intended to be used for advances, guarantees or the issuance of letters of credit or standby letters of credit on behalf of Cheniere Marketing. As of December 31, 2016, Cheniere Marketing had $24.0 million in loans and $12.2 million in standby letters of credit and guarantees outstanding under the finance facilities. Cheniere Marketing pays interest or fees on utilized commitments.

Corporate and Other Activities

We are required to maintain corporate and general and administrative functions to serve our business activities described above.  We are also in various stages of developing other projects, including liquefaction projects and other infrastructure projects in support of natural gas supply and LNG demand, which, among other things, will require acceptable commercial and financing arrangements before we make an FID. We are exploring the development of a midscale liquefaction project using electric drive modular Trains, with an expected aggregate nominal production capacity of approximately 9.5 mtpa of LNG. We have proposed the development of a pipeline with expected capacity of up to 1.4 Bcf/d connecting new gas production in the Anadarko Basin to Gulf Coast markets, including markets serving the SPL Project and the CCL Project. We recently commenced the regulatory pre-filing process and expect to file formal applications for the required regulatory permits in 2017.

Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table (in thousands) summarizes the sources and uses of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. The table presents capital expenditures on a cash basis; therefore, these amounts differ from the amounts of capital expenditures, including accruals, which are referred to elsewhere in this report. Additional discussion of these items follows the table. 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Operating cash flows	$	(403,842	)	$	(482,520	)	$	(262,798	)
Investing cash flows	(4,413,411		)	(6,983,711		)	(2,896,420		)
Financing cash flows	4,907,575			6,422,331			3,349,044
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	90,322			(1,043,900		)	189,826
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period	1,736,231			2,780,131			2,590,305
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period	$	1,826,553		$	1,736,231		$	2,780,131

Operating Cash Flows

Operating cash outflows during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $403.8 million, $482.5 million and $262.8 million, respectively. The decrease in operating cash outflows in 2016 compared to 2015 was primarily related to increased cash receipts from the sale of LNG cargoes, partially offset by increased operating costs and expenses as a result of the commencement of operations of Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project in May and September 2016, respectively, and increased cash payout for phantom unit awards.

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The increase in operating cash outflows in 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily related to amounts paid upon meeting the contingency related to the interest rate swaps we entered into to hedge the exposure to volatility in a portion of the floating-rate interest payments under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility (“CCH Interest Rate Derivatives”) and settlement of other derivative instruments, the timing of amounts paid to third parties for operating costs and increased payments made for general and administrative costs, including payout for phantom unit awards.

Investing Cash Flows

Investing cash outflows during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $4.4 billion, $7.0 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively, and are primarily used to fund the construction costs for Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project and Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project. These costs are capitalized as construction-in-process until achievement of substantial completion. Additionally, during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we used $57.8 million, $131.1 million and $66.9 million, respectively, primarily to pay municipal water districts for water system enhancements that will increase potable water supply to our export terminals, payments made for capital assets purchased pursuant to information technology services agreements, collateral payments for the CCL Project and for investments made in unconsolidated entities.

Financing Cash Flows

Financing cash inflows during the year ended December 31, 2016 were $4.9 billion, primarily as a result of:

• $2.6 billion of borrowings under the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities used to prepay the $400.0 million CTPL Term Loan and redeem and repay $2.1 billion of the SPLNG Senior Notes;

• $2.1 billion of borrowings under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility;

• $2.0 billion of borrowings under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities;

• issuances of aggregate principal amounts of $1.25 billion of the 2024 CCH Senior Notes in May 2016 and $1.5 billion of the 2025 CCH Senior Notes in December 2016, which were used to prepay $2.4 billion of the outstanding borrowings under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility;

• issuances of aggregate principal amounts of $1.5 billion of each of the 2026 SPL Senior Notes in June 2016 and the 2027 SPL Senior Notes in September 2016, which were used to prepay $2.5 billion of the outstanding borrowings under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities;

• $24.0 million of borrowings under the Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities;

• $473.5 million of borrowings and a $265.0 million repayment made under the SPL Working Capital Facility;

• $171.6 million of debt issuance and deferred financing costs related to up-front fees paid upon the closing of these transactions;

• $14.1 million of debt extinguishment costs paid in connection with redemptions and prepayments of outstanding borrowings;

• $80.1 million of distributions and dividends to non-controlling interest by Cheniere Partners and Cheniere Holdings; and

• $20.4 million paid for tax withholdings for share-based compensation.

Financing cash inflows during the year ended December 31, 2015 were $6.4 billion, primarily as a result of:

• issuance of an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 billion of the 2025 SPL Senior Notes in March 2015;

• issuance of an aggregate principal amount of $625.0 million of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes in March 2015, with an original issue discount of 20% for net proceeds of $495.7 million;

• issuance of an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion of the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes in May 2015;

• entering into the 2015 CCH Credit Facility in May 2015 and borrowing $2.7 billion under this facility during the year ended December 31, 2015;

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• entering into the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities in June 2015 and borrowing $860.0 million under this facility during the year ended December 31, 2015;

• $513.1 million of debt issuance and deferred financing costs related to up-front fees paid upon the closing of these transactions;

• $80.2 million of distributions and dividends to non-controlling interest by Cheniere Partners and Cheniere Holdings; and

• $61.2 million paid for tax withholdings for share-based compensation.

Financing cash flows during the year ended December 31, 2014 were $3.3 billion, primarily as a result of:

• $77.0 million of borrowings under the previous SPL credit facilities;

• issuance of an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 billion of the 2024 SPL Senior Notes and $0.5 billion of the 2023 SPL Senior Notes in May 2014, a portion of which was used to prepay $177.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the previous SPL credit facilities;

• issuance of an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes in November 2014;

• $109.8 million of debt issuance and deferred financing costs related to up-front fees paid upon the closing of these transactions;

• $79.5 million of distributions and dividends to non-controlling interest by Cheniere Partners and Cheniere Holdings;

• $228.8 million of proceeds from the public offering of 10.1 million of Cheniere Holdings’ common shares; and

• $112.3 million paid for tax withholdings for share-based compensation.

Contractual Obligations

We are committed to make cash payments in the future pursuant to certain of our contracts. The following table summarizes certain contractual obligations (in thousands) in place as of December 31, 2016:

	Payments Due By Period (1)
	Total		2017		2018 - 2019		2020 - 2021		Thereafter
Construction obligations (2)	$	3,488,787	$	2,136,053	$	1,352,734	$	—	$	—
Purchase obligations (3)	8,308,377		1,693,506		2,222,412		1,986,334		2,406,125
Debt (4)	23,299,404		223,500		—		8,622,712		14,453,192
Interest payments (4)	8,752,181		1,076,429		2,221,224		2,173,783		3,280,745
Capital lease obligations (5)	199,314		—		14,940		19,948		164,426
Operating lease obligations (6)	539,853		129,000		208,970		105,069		96,814
Other obligations (7)	37,970		9,970		6,000		6,000		16,000
Total	$	44,625,886	$	5,268,458	$	6,026,280	$	12,913,846	$	20,417,302

(1) Agreements in force as of December 31, 2016 that have terms dependent on project milestone dates are based on the estimated dates as of December 31, 2016.

(2) Construction obligations primarily relate to the EPC contracts for the SPL Project and the CCL Project.  The estimated remaining cost pursuant to our EPC contracts as of December 31, 2016 is included for Trains with respect to which we have made an FID to commence construction; the EPC contract termination amount is included for Trains with respect to which we have not made an FID. A discussion of these obligations can be found at Note 19—Commitments and Contingencies of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(3) Purchase obligations consist of contracts for which conditions precedent have been met, and primarily relate to natural gas supply, transportation and storage services and maintenance contracts for the SPL Project, natural gas transportation and storage services and maintenance contracts for the CCL Project, purchases of materials for the Corpus Christi Pipeline and LNG cargo transactions by Cheniere Marketing. As project milestones and other conditions precedent are achieved, our obligations are expected to increase accordingly.

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(4) Based on the total debt balance, scheduled maturities and interest rates in effect at December 31, 2016.  See Note 12—Debt of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(5) Capital lease obligations consist of tug leases related to the CCL Project, as further discussed in Note 18—Leases of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(6) Operating lease obligations primarily relate to LNG vessel time charters, land sites related to the SPL Project and the CCL Project and corporate office leases. A discussion of these obligations can be found in Note 18—Leases of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(7) Other obligations primarily relate to agreements with certain local taxing jurisdictions.

In addition, in the ordinary course of business, we maintain letters of credit and have certain cash restricted in support of certain performance obligations of our subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2016, we had $368.7 million aggregate amount of issued letters of credit under our credit facilities and $950.7 million of current and non-current restricted cash. For more information, see Note 3—Restricted Cash of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Results of Operations

Our consolidated net loss attributable to common stockholders was $610.0 million, or $2.67 per share (basic and diluted), in the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $975.1 million, or $4.30 per share (basic and diluted), in the year ended December 31, 2015. This $365.1 million decrease in net loss in 2016 was primarily a result of decreased loss from operations and decreased derivative loss, net, which were partially offset by increased interest expense, net of amounts capitalized.

Our consolidated net loss attributable to common stockholders was $547.9 million, or $2.44 per share (basic and diluted), in the year ended December 31, 2014. This $427.2 million increase in net loss in 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily a result of increased interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, increased impairment expense, increased derivative loss, net, increased restructuring expense, increased selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A expense”) and increased loss on early extinguishment of debt.

Revenues

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2016		2015		Change			2014			Change
LNG revenues (losses)	$	1,016,133	$	66	$	1,016,067		$	(1,286	)	$	1,352
Regasification revenues	265,405		265,720		(315		)	266,659			(939		)
Other revenues	1,629		5,099		(3,470		)	2,581			2,518
Total revenues	$	1,283,167	$	270,885	$	1,012,282		$	267,954		$	2,931

2016 vs. 2015

We began recognizing LNG revenues from the SPL Project following the substantial completion of Trains 1 and 2 and the commencement of operating activities in May and September 2016, respectively. Prior to these dates, amounts received from the sale of commissioning cargoes were offset against LNG terminal construction-in-process because these amounts were earned during the testing phase for the construction of those Trains of the SPL Project. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we loaded a total of 195.7 million MMBtu of LNG, of which 150.9 million MMBtu resulted in the recognition of revenues related to this volume. The remaining 44.8 million MMBtu of LNG loaded during the year ended December 31, 2016 was recognized as an offset to LNG terminal costs as it related to the sale of commissioning cargoes. Additionally, LNG revenues included revenues from Cheniere Marketing of $235.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 that was procured from third parties, as well as derivative gains and losses related to commodity and foreign currency exchange derivatives. As additional Trains become operational, we expect our LNG revenues to increase in the future.

2015 vs. 2014

There was no significant change to total revenues during the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014.

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Operating costs and expenses

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2016		2015			Change			2014			Change
Cost (cost recovery) of sales	$	581,917	$	(15,033	)	$	596,950		$	(342	)	$	(14,691	)
Operating and maintenance expense	216,220		94,800			121,420			84,745			10,055
Development expense	6,838		42,141			(35,303		)	54,376			(12,235		)
Selling, general and administrative expense	259,692		363,093			(103,401		)	323,709			39,384
Depreciation and amortization expense	174,042		82,680			91,362			64,258			18,422
Restructuring expense	61,409		60,769			640			—			60,769
Impairment expense	10,572		91,317			(80,745		)	—			91,317
Other	1,844		431			1,413			13,387			(12,956		)
Total operating costs and expenses	$	1,312,534	$	720,198		$	592,336		$	540,133		$	180,065

2016 vs. 2015

Our total operating costs and expenses increased $592.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily as a result of the commencement of operations of Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project in May and September 2016, respectively.

Cost of sales increased during the year ended December 31, 2016 as a result of the commencement of operations at the SPL Project compared to a cost recovery recognized during the year ended December 31, 2015. This cost recovery was due to a $32.2 million increase in fair value for our natural gas supply contracts recorded for the period, which we recognized following the completion and placement into service of modifications to the underlying pipeline infrastructure and the resulting development of a market for physical gas delivery at locations specified in a portion of our natural gas supply contracts. Similarly, during the year ended December 31, 2016, we recognized a $67.5 million increase in fair value of a natural gas supply contract due to the satisfaction of conditions precedent, including completion of relevant pipeline infrastructure, for that contract. Cost of sales includes costs incurred directly for the production and delivery of LNG from the SPL Project such as natural gas feedstock, variable transportation and storage costs, derivative gains and losses associated with economic hedges to secure natural gas feedstock for the SPL Project, and other related costs to convert natural gas into LNG, all to the extent not utilized for the commissioning process, as well as cost of sales related to our LNG and natural gas marketing business by Cheniere Marketing. Included in cost of sales during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was vessel charter costs of $61.9 million and $16.4 million, respectively, which were incurred throughout the period, including the period prior to substantial completion of Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project.

Operating and maintenance expense increased during the year ended December 31, 2016 as a result of the commencement of operations at the SPL Project. Operating and maintenance expense includes costs associated with operating and maintaining the SPL Project such as third-party service and maintenance contract costs, payroll and benefit costs of operations personnel, natural gas transportation and storage capacity demand charges, derivative gains and losses related to the sale and purchase of LNG associated with the regasification terminal, insurance and regulatory costs. Depreciation and amortization expense increased during the year ended December 31, 2016 as we began depreciation of our assets related to Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project upon reaching substantial completion.

Partially offsetting the increases above was a decrease in SG&A expense, which was primarily due to reallocation of costs from selling, general and administrative activities to operating and maintenance activities following commencement of operations at the SPL Project and a reduction in professional services fees. Development expense decreased during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, due to an FID made on Train 5 of the SPL Project in June 2015 and an FID made on Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project in May 2015.

Impairment expense decreased during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. The impairment expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2016 related to a corporate airplane that was written down to fair value based on market-based appraisals, which was ultimately sold by the end of the year. The impairment was recognized due to the potential disposition of the airplane in connection with the Company having initiated organizational changes and the associated focus for financially disciplined investment. The impairment expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2015 was a result of our strategic focus to complete construction and commence operation of the SPL Project and the CCL Project and primarily attributable to impairments of business development projects totaling $55.1 million primarily associated with a liquid hydrocarbon export project in Texas along the Gulf Coast, as well as $36.2 million resulting primarily from a reserve against funds loaned to Parallax Enterprises, LLC to develop its two mid-scale natural gas liquefaction projects in Louisiana along the Gulf Coast.

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Additionally, in 2016 we implemented certain organizational changes to simplify our corporate structure, improve our operational efficiencies and implement a strategy for sustainable, long-term stockholder value creation through financially disciplined development, construction, operation and investment.  As a result of these efforts, we recorded $61.4 million and $60.8 million of restructuring charges and other costs associated with restructuring and operational efficiency initiatives during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, substantially all related to severance and other employee-related costs.

As additional Trains become operational, we expect our operating costs and expenses to increase in the future, including higher depreciation and amortization expense as the related assets begin to be depreciated upon reaching substantial completion.

2015 vs. 2014

Our total operating costs and expenses increased $180.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of increased impairment expense, increased restructuring expense and increased SG&A expense. Impairment expense, net increased to $91.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 from zero in the year ended December 31, 2014, as described above. Restructuring expense increased to $60.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 from zero in the year ended December 31, 2014 due to employee terminations. SG&A expense increased $39.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to increased compensation expense as a result of increased headcount.

Other expense (income)

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2016			2015			Change			2014		Change
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	$	488,390		$	322,083		$	166,307		$	181,236	$	140,847
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	135,142			124,180			10,962			114,335		9,845
Derivative loss, net	10,130			203,639			(193,509		)	119,401		84,238
Other expense (income)	(144		)	(1,804		)	1,660			583		(2,387		)
Total other expense	$	633,518		$	648,098		$	(14,580	)	$	415,555	$	232,543

2016 vs. 2015

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, increased $166.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily as a result of an increase in our indebtedness outstanding (before premium, discount and unamortized debt issuance costs), from $17.3 billion as of December 31, 2015 to $22.7 billion as of December 31, 2016, and a decrease in the portion of total interest costs that could be capitalized as Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project were no longer in construction. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we incurred $1,301.2 million of total interest cost, of which we capitalized $812.8 million which was directly related to the construction of the SPL Project and the CCL Project. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we incurred $997.5 million of total interest cost, of which we capitalized $675.4 million which was directly related to the construction of the SPL Project and the CCL Project.

Loss on early extinguishment of debt increased $11.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. Loss on early extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2016 was attributable to (1) $52.2 million write-off of debt issuance costs and payment of fees related to the $2.6 billion prepayment of outstanding borrowings and termination of commitments under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities in connection with the issuance of the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and the 2027 SPL Senior Notes, (2) $63.3 million write-off of debt issuance costs related to the $2.4 billion prepayment of outstanding borrowings under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility in connection with the issuance of the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and the 2025 CCH Senior Notes and (3) $19.6 million write-off of debt issuance costs and unamortized discount in connection with the prepayment of the CTPL Term Loan and the redemption of the 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes. Loss on early extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2015 was attributable to (1) $96.3 million associated with the termination of approximately $1.8 billion of commitments under SPL’s previous credit facilities that were replaced by the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities in June 2015, (2) $16.5 million associated with the termination of a portion of the original commitments under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility and (3) $11.4 million associated with the termination of additional commitments made available under the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Note.

Derivative loss, net decreased $193.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to a relative increase in the long-term forward LIBOR curve. Included in derivative loss, net recognized during the year ended December 31, 2015 was $50.1 million loss recognized upon meeting the contingency related to the CCH

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Interest Rate Derivatives, as well as the loss recognized upon the termination of interest rate swaps associated with approximately $1.8 billion of commitments that were terminated under the previous SPL credit facilities.

2015 vs. 2014

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, increased $140.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of an increase in our indebtedness outstanding as of December 31, 2015 as compared to December 31, 2014. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we incurred $997.5 million and $587.0 million of total interest cost, respectively, of which we capitalized and deferred $675.3 million and $405.8 million, respectively, which were directly related to the construction of the SPL Project and the CCL Project.

Loss on early extinguishment of debt decreased $9.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The loss on early extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2015 was discussed above. Loss on early extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2014 was attributable to a $114.3 million write-off of debt issuance costs and deferred commitment fees in connection with the early extinguishment of $2.1 billion of commitments under the previous SPL credit facilities in 2014.

Derivative loss, net increased $84.2 million, from $119.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2014, to $203.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2015. The derivative loss recognized during the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily attributable to the loss recognized upon meeting the contingency related to the CCH Interest Rate Derivatives, as well as the loss recognized in March 2015 upon the termination of interest rate swaps associated with approximately $1.8 billion of commitments that were terminated under the previous SPL credit facilities. Additionally, both the increase to the notional amount of interest rate derivatives outstanding and the decrease in long-term forward LIBOR curve during the year ended December 31, 2015 that was more significant than the decrease in long-term forward LIBOR curve during the year ended December 31, 2014 contributed to the increase in derivative loss, net.

Other

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2016			2015			Change		2014			Change
Income tax provision (benefit)	$	1,908		$	(96	)	$	2,004	$	4,143		$	(4,239	)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(54,802		)	(122,206		)	67,404		(143,945		)	21,739

2016 vs. 2015

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest decreased $67.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to the decrease in consolidated net loss recognized by Cheniere Partners in which the non-controlling interest is held. The consolidated net loss recognized by Cheniere Partners decreased from $318.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 to $171.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily due to increased income from operations as a result of the commencement of operations of Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project, decreased derivative loss, net and decreased loss on early extinguishment of debt, which were partially offset by increased interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. Additionally, net loss attributable to non-controlling interest was reduced by approximately $34 million in amortization of the beneficial conversion feature on Cheniere Partners’ Class B units.

2015 vs. 2014

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest decreased $21.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of the decrease in consolidated net loss recognized by Cheniere Partners in which the non-controlling interest is held. The consolidated net loss recognized by Cheniere Partners decreased from $410.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 to $318.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to a result of decreased derivative loss, net, increased cost recovery of sales and decreased loss on early extinguishment of debt, partially offset by increased general and administrative expense (including affiliate amounts).

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2016, we had no transactions that met the definition of off-balance sheet arrangements that may have a current or future material effect on our consolidated financial position or operating results. 

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Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, including those related to the value of properties, plant and equipment, goodwill, asset retirement obligations (“AROs”), income taxes, share-based compensation and fair values. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ from these estimates. Management considers the following to be its most critical accounting estimates that involve significant judgment.

Fair Value

When necessary or required by GAAP, we estimate fair value for derivatives, long-lived assets for impairment testing, reporting units for goodwill impairment testing, initial measurements of AROs and financial instruments that require fair-value disclosure, including debt. When we are required to measure fair value and there is not a market-observable price for the asset or liability or for a similar asset or liability, we use the cost, income or market valuation approaches depending on the quality of information available to support management’s assumptions. The cost approach is based on management’s best estimate of the current asset replacement cost. The income approach is based on management’s best assumptions regarding expectations of projected cash flows, and discounts the expected cash flows using a commensurate risk-adjusted discount rate. The market approach is based on management’s best assumptions regarding prices and other relevant information from market transactions involving comparable assets. Such evaluations involve significant judgment and the results are based on expected future events or conditions, such as sales prices, estimates of future LNG production, development, construction and operating costs and the timing thereof, future net cash flows, economic and regulatory climates and other factors, most of which are often outside of management’s control. However, assumptions used reflect a market participant’s view of long-term prices, costs and other factors, and are consistent with assumptions used in our business plans and investment decisions.

Derivative Instruments

All derivative instruments, other than those that satisfy specific exceptions, are recorded at fair value. We record changes in the fair value of our derivative positions based on the value for which the derivative instrument could be exchanged between willing parties.  If market quotes are not available to estimate fair value, management’s best estimate of fair value is based on the quoted market price of derivatives with similar characteristics or determined through industry-standard valuation techniques.

Our derivative instruments consist of interest rate swaps, financial commodity derivative contracts transacted in an over-the-counter market, index-based physical commodity contracts and foreign currency exchange (“FX”) contracts. We value our interest rate swaps using observable inputs including interest rate curves, risk adjusted discount rates, credit spreads and other relevant data. Valuation of our financial commodity derivative contracts is determined using observable commodity price curves and other relevant data. Valuation of our index-based physical commodity contracts is developed through the use of internal models which are impacted by inputs that are unobservable in the marketplace, market transactions and other relevant data. We estimate the fair values of our FX derivative instruments with a market approach using observable FX rates and other relevant data. 

Gains and losses on derivative instruments are recognized currently in earnings. The ultimate fair value of our derivative instruments is uncertain, and we believe that it is reasonably possible that a change in the estimated fair value could occur in the near future as interest rates, commodity prices and FX rates change.

Goodwill

At December 31, 2016, we had $76.8 million of goodwill associated with our LNG terminal reporting unit. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of the assets of businesses acquired.

We test goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently as circumstances dictate. The first step in assessing whether an impairment of goodwill is necessary is an optional qualitative assessment to determine the likelihood of whether the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the related carrying amount, further testing is not necessary. If the qualitative assessment is not performed or indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we compare the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to which goodwill is assigned to the carrying amount of the associated net assets, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform the second

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step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recorded, as necessary. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value, if any, of that goodwill. We determine the implied fair value of the goodwill in the same manner as determining the amount of goodwill to be recognized in a business combination.

Because quoted market prices for our reporting units are not available, we must apply judgment in determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units for purposes of performing goodwill impairment tests, when such tests are necessary. Management uses all available information to make these fair value estimates, including the present values of expected future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risks associated with the assets, future LNG liquefaction, operating costs and depreciation. These estimates are based on current conditions and historical experience and we rely on projections of future operating performance. Projections of future operating results and cash flows may vary significantly from results. Management reviews its estimates of cash flows on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic and commodity price environment.

A lower fair value estimate in the future for our LNG terminal reporting unit could result in impairment of goodwill. Factors that could trigger a lower fair value estimate include significant negative industry or economic trends, cost increases, disruptions to our business and regulatory or political environment changes or other unanticipated events.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

A long-lived asset, including an intangible asset, is evaluated for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability generally is determined by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the asset. If the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable, the amount of impairment loss is measured as the excess, if any, of the carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair value. We use a variety of fair value measurement techniques when market information for the same or similar assets does not exist. Projections of future operating results and cash flows may vary significantly from results. Management reviews its estimates of cash flows on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic and commodity price environment.

Share-Based Compensation

The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent our best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. As a result, if factors change and we use different assumptions, our share-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.

In addition, we are required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate for all of our share-based payment awards and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class and historical experience. If our actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, future share-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what we have recorded in the current period. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, on January 1, 2017, we would no longer be required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate, but rather we will elect to account for forfeitures as they occur.

See Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 15—Share-based Compensation of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our share-based compensation.

Income Taxes

Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred taxes on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the current period’s provision for income taxes. We routinely assess our deferred tax assets and reduce such assets by a valuation allowance if we deem it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. This assessment requires significant judgment and is based upon our assessment of our ability to generate future taxable income among other factors.

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Recent Accounting Standards

For descriptions of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 22—Recent Accounting Standards of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Cash Investments

We have cash investments that we manage based on internal investment guidelines that emphasize liquidity and preservation of capital. Such cash investments are stated at historical cost, which approximates fair market value on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Marketing and Trading Commodity Price Risk

We have entered into commodity derivatives consisting of natural gas supply contracts to secure natural gas feedstock for the SPL Project(“Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”). We have also entered into financial derivatives to hedge the exposure to the commodity markets in which we have contractual arrangements to purchase or sell physical LNG (“LNG Trading Derivatives”). In order to test the sensitivity of the fair value of the Liquefaction Supply Derivatives and the LNG Trading Derivatives to changes in underlying commodity prices, management modeled a 10% change in the basis price for natural gas for each delivery location and a 10% change in the commodity price for LNG, respectively, as follows (in thousands):

	December 31, 2016					December 31, 2015
	Fair Value			Change in Fair Value		Fair Value		Change in Fair Value
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	$	73,065		$	6,071	$	32,467	$	895
LNG Trading Derivatives	(2,797		)	312		1,053		—

See Note 7—Derivative Instruments for additional details about our derivative instruments.

Interest Rate Risk

SPL, CQP and CCH have entered into interest rate swaps to hedge the exposure to volatility in a portion of the floating-rate interest payments under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities(“SPL Interest Rate Derivatives”), the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities(“CQP Interest Rate Derivatives”) and the 2015 CCH Credit Facility (collectively, the “Interest Rate Derivatives”), respectively. In order to test the sensitivity of the fair value of the Interest Rate Derivatives to changes in interest rates, management modeled a 10% change in the forward 1-month LIBOR curve across the remaining terms of the Interest Rate Derivatives as follows (in thousands):

	December 31, 2016					December 31, 2015
	Fair Value			Change in Fair Value		Fair Value			Change in Fair Value
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives	$	(6,224	)	$	2,310	$	(8,740	)	$	3,058
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives	13,108			5,811		—			—
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives	(86,488		)	52,047		(104,999		)	55,625

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We have entered into FX contracts to hedge exposure to currency risk associated with operations in countries outside of the United States (“FX Derivatives”). In order to test the sensitivity of the fair value of the FX Derivatives to changes in FX rates, management modeled a 10% change in FX rate between the U.S. dollar and the applicable foreign currencies as follows (in thousands):

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Fair Value		Change in Fair Value		Fair Value		Change in Fair Value
FX Derivatives	$	168	$	17	$	—	$	—

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Management’s Report to the Stockholders of Cheniere Energy, Inc.	64
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	65
Consolidated Balance Sheets	67
Consolidated Statements of Operations	68
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity	69
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	70
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	71
Supplemental Information to Consolidated Financial Statements—Summarized Quarterly Financial Data	112

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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

As management, we are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for Cheniere Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Cheniere”). In order to evaluate the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we have conducted an assessment, including testing using the criteria in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Cheniere’s system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and, even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Based on our assessment, we have concluded that Cheniere maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Cheniere’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an audit report on Cheniere’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, which is contained in this Form 10-K.

Management’s Certifications

The certifications of Cheniere’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 have been included as Exhibits 31 and 32 in Cheniere’s Form 10-K.

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

By:	/s/ Jack A. Fusco	By:	/s/ Michael J. Wortley
	Jack A. Fusco		Michael J. Wortley
	President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Cheniere Energy, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cheniere Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited financial statement schedule I. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cheniere Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in note 22 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for debt issuance costs in 2016 and 2015 due to the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and ASU 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements and the Company has also changed the presentation of cash flows in its consolidated statements of cash flows in 2016, 2015, and 2014 due to the adoption of ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Cheniere Energy, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 24, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/    KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

February 24, 2017

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Cheniere Energy, Inc.:

We have audited Cheniere Energy, Inc.’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Cheniere Energy, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Cheniere Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, and our report dated February 24, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/    KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

February 24, 2017

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CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

	December 31,
	2016			2015
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	875,836		$	1,201,112
Restricted cash	859,898			503,397
Accounts and other receivables	217,925			5,749
Inventory	160,161			18,125
Derivative assets	23,750			3,416
Other current assets	100,748			50,787
Total current assets	2,238,318			1,782,586
Non-current restricted cash	90,819			31,722
Property, plant and equipment, net	20,635,294			16,193,907
Debt issuance costs, net	276,551			378,677
Non-current derivative assets	82,861			30,887
Goodwill	76,819			76,819
Other non-current assets, net	302,075			314,455
Total assets	$	23,702,737		$	18,809,053
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	48,577		$	22,820
Accrued liabilities	637,097			427,199
Current debt, net	247,467			1,673,379
Deferred revenue	72,631			26,669
Derivative liabilities	70,673			35,201
Other current liabilities	224			—
Total current liabilities	1,076,669			2,185,268
Long-term debt, net	21,687,532			14,920,427
Non-current deferred revenue	5,500			9,500
Non-current derivative liabilities	45,106			79,387
Other non-current liabilities	49,534			53,068
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 19)
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5.0 million shares authorized, none issued	—			—
Common stock, $0.003 par value
Authorized: 480.0 million shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015
Issued: 250.1 million shares and 247.3 million shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively
Outstanding: 238.0 million shares and 235.6 million shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	714			708
Treasury stock: 12.2 million shares and 11.6 million shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, at cost	(374,324		)	(353,927		)
Additional paid-in-capital	3,211,124			3,075,317
Accumulated deficit	(4,233,939		)	(3,623,948		)
Total stockholders’ deficit	(1,396,425		)	(901,850		)
Non-controlling interest	2,234,821			2,463,253
Total equity	838,396			1,561,403
Total liabilities and equity	$	23,702,737		$	18,809,053

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Revenues
LNG revenues (losses)	$	1,016,133		$	66		$	(1,286	)
Regasification revenues	265,405			265,720			266,659
Other revenues	1,629			5,099			2,581
Total revenues	1,283,167			270,885			267,954
Operating costs and expenses
Cost (cost recovery) of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)	581,917			(15,033		)	(342		)
Operating and maintenance expense	216,220			94,800			84,745
Development expense	6,838			42,141			54,376
Selling, general and administrative expense	259,692			363,093			323,709
Depreciation and amortization expense	174,042			82,680			64,258
Restructuring expense	61,409			60,769			—
Impairment expense	10,572			91,317			—
Other	1,844			431			13,387
Total operating costs and expenses	1,312,534			720,198			540,133
Loss from operations	(29,367		)	(449,313		)	(272,179		)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(488,390		)	(322,083		)	(181,236		)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(135,142		)	(124,180		)	(114,335		)
Derivative loss, net	(10,130		)	(203,639		)	(119,401		)
Other income (expense)	144			1,804			(583		)
Total other expense	(633,518		)	(648,098		)	(415,555		)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest	(662,885		)	(1,097,411		)	(687,734		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	(1,908		)	96			(4,143		)
Net loss	(664,793		)	(1,097,315		)	(691,877		)
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(54,802		)	(122,206		)	(143,945		)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(609,991	)	$	(975,109	)	$	(547,932	)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted	$	(2.67	)	$	(4.30	)	$	(2.44	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—basic and diluted	228,768			226,903			224,338

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)

	Total Stockholders’ Equity
	Common Stock					Treasury Stock				Additional Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Non-controlling Interest			Total Equity
	Shares		Par Value Amount			Shares	Amount
Balance at December 31, 2013	238,091		$	716		8,970	$	(179,826	)	$	2,459,699		$	(2,100,907	)	$	2,660,375		$	2,840,057
Exercise of stock options	387		1			—	—			11,408			—			—			11,409
Issuances of restricted stock	550		2			—	—			(2		)	—			—			—
Forfeitures of restricted stock	(726	)	(2		)	69	—			2			—			—			—
Share-based compensation	—		—			—	—			110,039			—			—			110,039
Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation	(1,557	)	(5		)	1,557	(112,926		)	5			—			—			(112,926		)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	—		—			—	—			3,605			—			—			3,605
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest	—		—			—	—			—			—			(143,945		)	(143,945		)
Issuance of convertible notes, net	—		—			—	—			191,946			—			—			191,946
Sale of Cheniere Holdings’ common shares to non-controlling interest	—		—			—	—			—			—			228,781			228,781
Distributions to non-controlling interest	—		—			—	—			—			—			(79,517		)	(79,517		)
Net loss	—		—			—	—			—			(547,932		)	—			(547,932		)
Balance at December 31, 2014	236,745		712			10,596	(292,752		)	2,776,702			(2,648,839		)	2,665,694			2,501,517
Exercise of stock options	67		—			—	—			2,279			—			—			2,279
Issuances of restricted stock	19		—			—	—			—			—			—			—
Forfeitures of restricted stock	(156	)	(1		)	17	—			1			—			—			—
Share-based compensation	—		—			—	—			89,636			—			—			89,636
Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation	(1,036	)	(3		)	1,036	(61,175		)	3			—			—			(61,175		)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	—		—			—	—			1,524			—			—			1,524
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest	—		—			—	—			—			—			(122,206		)	(122,206		)
Equity portion of convertible notes, net	—		—			—	—			205,172			—			—			205,172
Distributions to non-controlling interest	—		—			—	—			—			—			(80,235		)	(80,235		)
Net loss	—		—			—	—			—			(975,109		)	—			(975,109		)
Balance at December 31, 2015	235,639		708			11,649	(353,927		)	3,075,317			(3,623,948		)	2,463,253			1,561,403
Exercise of stock options	2		—			—	—			50			—			—			50
Issuances of restricted stock	273		1			—	—			(1		)	—			—			—
Issuance of stock to acquire additional interest in Cheniere Holdings	3,011		9			—	—			93,566			—			(93,575		)	—
Forfeitures of restricted stock	(457	)	(2		)	26	—			2			—			—			—
Share-based compensation	—		—			—	—			40,696			—			—			40,696
Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation	(508	)	(2		)	508	(20,397		)	2			—			—			(20,397		)
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest	—		—			—	—			—			—			(54,802		)	(54,802		)
Equity portion of convertible notes, net	—		—			—	—			1,492			—			—			1,492
Distributions to non-controlling interest	—		—			—	—			—			—			(80,055		)	(80,055		)
Net loss	—		—			—	—			—			(609,991		)	—			(609,991		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	237,960		$	714		12,183	$	(374,324	)	$	3,211,124		$	(4,233,939	)	$	2,234,821		$	838,396

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(664,793	)	$	(1,097,315	)	$	(691,877	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Non-cash LNG inventory write-downs	—			17,537			24,461
Depreciation and amortization expense	174,042			82,680			64,258
Share-based compensation expense	100,523			172,396			102,003
Non-cash interest expense	76,624			58,915			1,877
Amortization of debt issuance costs, deferred commitment fees, premium and discount	61,948			47,733			16,593
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	135,142			124,180			114,335
Total (gains) losses on derivatives, net	(28,232		)	168,426			118,968
Net cash used for settlement of derivative instruments	(44,952		)	(99,616		)	(22,758		)
Impairment expense	10,572			91,317			—
Other	6,502			959			14,037
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables	(207,470		)	(662		)	67
Inventory	(119,302		)	(27,876		)	(18,874		)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	64,093			1,727			16,073
Deferred revenue	41,961			(3,986		)	(3,938		)
Other, net	(10,500		)	(18,935		)	1,977
Net cash used in operating activities	(403,842		)	(482,520		)	(262,798		)
Cash flows from investing activities
Property, plant and equipment, net	(4,355,598		)	(6,852,583		)	(2,829,558		)
Other	(57,813		)	(131,128		)	(66,862		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,413,411		)	(6,983,711		)	(2,896,420		)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuances of debt	12,864,467			7,073,000			3,584,500
Repayments of debt	(7,670,712		)	—			(177,000		)
Debt issuance and deferred financing costs	(171,629		)	(513,062		)	(109,806		)
Debt extinguishment costs	(14,149		)	—			—
Distributions and dividends to non-controlling interest	(80,055		)	(80,235		)	(79,517		)
Proceeds from sale of common shares by Cheniere Holdings	—			—			228,781
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	50			2,279			10,805
Payments related to tax withholdings for share-based compensation	(20,397		)	(61,175		)	(112,324		)
Other	—			1,524			3,605
Net cash provided by financing activities	4,907,575			6,422,331			3,349,044
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	90,322			(1,043,900		)	189,826
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period	1,736,231			2,780,131			2,590,305
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period	$	1,826,553		$	1,736,231		$	2,780,131

Balances per Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	December 31
	2016		2015		2014
Cash and cash equivalents	$	875,836	$	1,201,112	$	1,747,583
Restricted cash	859,898		503,397		481,737
Non-current restricted cash	90,819		31,722		550,811
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	1,826,553	$	1,736,231	$	2,780,131

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Cheniere, a Delaware corporation, is a Houston-based energy company primarily engaged in LNG-related businesses. We own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana through our ownership interest in and management agreements with Cheniere Partners, which is a publicly traded limited partnership that we created in 2007. We own 100% of the general partner interest in Cheniere Partners and 82.6% of Cheniere Holdings, which is a publicly traded limited liability company formed in 2013 that owns a 55.9% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners. We are currently developing and constructing two natural gas liquefaction and export facilities.

The Sabine Pass LNG terminal is located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, on the Sabine-Neches Waterway less than four miles from the Gulf Coast. Cheniere Partners is developing, constructing and operating natural gas liquefaction facilities (the “SPL Project”) at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities through a wholly owned subsidiary, SPL. Cheniere Partners plans to construct up to six Trains, which are in various stages of development, construction and operations. Trains 1 and 2 have commenced operating activities, Train 3 is undergoing commissioning and has produced LNG, Trains 4 and 5 are under construction and Train 6 is fully permitted. Each Train is expected to have a nominal production capacity, which is prior to adjusting for planned maintenance, production reliability and potential overdesign, of approximately 4.5 mtpa of LNG. The Sabine Pass LNG terminal has operational regasification facilities owned by Cheniere Partners’ wholly owned subsidiary, SPLNG, that include existing infrastructure of five LNG storage tanks with capacity of approximately 16.9 Bcfe, two marine berths that can accommodate vessels with nominal capacity of up to 266,000 cubic meters and vaporizers with regasification capacity of approximately 4.0 Bcf/d. Cheniere Partners also owns a 94-mile pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with a number of large interstate pipelines (the “Creole Trail Pipeline”) through a wholly owned subsidiary, CTPL.

We are developing and constructing a second natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal, which is on nearly 2,000 acres of land that we own or control near Corpus Christi, Texas, and a pipeline facility (collectively, the “CCL Project”) through wholly owned subsidiaries CCL and CCP, respectively. The CCL Project is being developed for up to three Trains, with expected aggregate nominal production capacity, which is prior to adjusting for planned maintenance, production reliability and potential overdesign, of approximately 13.5 mtpa of LNG, three LNG storage tanks with capacity of approximately 10.1 Bcfe and two marine berths that can accommodate vessels with nominal capacity of up to 266,000 cubic meters. The CCL Project is being developed in stages. The first stage (“Stage 1”) is in construction and includes Trains 1 and 2, two LNG storage tanks, one complete marine berth and a second partial berth and all of the CCL Project’s necessary infrastructure facilities. The second stage (“Stage 2”), which is in development with all necessary regulatory approvals in place, includes Train 3, one LNG storage tank and the completion of the second partial berth. The CCL Project also includes a 23-mile natural gas supply pipeline that will interconnect the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with several interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines (the “Corpus Christi Pipeline”).

The CCL Stage III entities, our wholly owned subsidiaries, are also developing additional Trains and one LNG storage tank at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal adjacent to the CCL Project, along with a second natural gas pipeline.

Cheniere Marketing is engaged in the LNG and natural gas marketing business and is developing a portfolio of long- and medium-term SPAs. Cheniere Marketing has entered into SPAs with SPL and CCL to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, LNG produced by the SPL Project and the CCL Project.

We are also in various stages of developing other projects which, among other things, will require acceptable commercial and financing arrangements before we make a final investment decision (“FID”).

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cheniere, its majority owned subsidiaries and entities in which it holds a controlling interest, including the accounts of Cheniere Holdings and Cheniere Partners and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in non-controlled entities, over which Cheniere has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method. In

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED

applying the equity method of accounting, the investments are initially recognized at cost, and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of earnings, losses and distributions. Investments in non-controlled entities, over which Cheniere does not have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for using the cost method. Under the cost method the investments are initially recognized at cost and dividends received from the accumulated earnings of an investee are recorded as income. Dividends received in excess of the accumulated earnings of an investee are recorded as a reduction in the investment. We periodically assess our cost method investments for indicators of impairment. An impairment is recorded if an indicator is identified, the carrying value of our investment exceeds its fair value, and the impairment is considered to be other than temporary. Investments accounted for using the equity method and cost method are reported as a component of other assets.

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior period information to the current presentation.  The reclassifications had no effect on our overall consolidated financial position, operating results or cash flows.

In 2016, we started production at the SPL Project. As a result, we introduced a new line item entitled “cost of sales” and modified the components of activity included in “operating and maintenance expense” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. To conform to the new presentation, reclassifications were made to the prior periods. Cost of sales includes costs incurred directly for the production and delivery of LNG from the SPL Project such as natural gas feedstock, variable transportation and storage costs, derivative gains and losses associated with economic hedges to secure natural gas feedstock for the SPL Project, vessel chartering costs and other costs related to converting natural gas into LNG, all to the extent not utilized for the commissioning process. These costs were reclassified from operating and maintenance expense. Also included in cost of sales are purchase and delivery costs of our LNG and natural gas marketing business incurred by Cheniere Marketing. Operating and maintenance expense now primarily includes costs associated with operating and maintaining the SPL Project such as third-party service and maintenance contract costs, payroll and benefit costs of operations personnel, natural gas transportation and storage capacity demand charges, derivative gains and losses related to the sale and purchase of LNG associated with the regasification terminal, insurance and regulatory costs.

Additionally, we distinguished and reclassified our historical “LNG terminal revenues” line item into “regasification revenues” and “LNG revenues.” Regasification revenues include LNG regasification capacity reservation fees that are received pursuant to our TUAs and tug services fees that are received by Sabine Pass Tug Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SPLNG. LNG revenues include fees that are received pursuant to our SPAs and related LNG marketing activities.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, including those related to the value of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, collectability of accounts and notes receivable, derivative instruments, asset retirement obligations (“AROs”), income taxes including valuation allowances for net deferred tax assets, share-based compensation and fair value measurements. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ from these estimates.

Fair Value

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Hierarchy Levels 1, 2 and 3 are terms for the priority of inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Hierarchy Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Hierarchy Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. Hierarchy Level 3 inputs are inputs that are not observable in the market.

In determining fair value, we use observable market data when available, or models that incorporate observable market data. In addition to market information, we incorporate transaction-specific details that, in management’s judgment, market participants would take into account in measuring fair value. We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize our use of unobservable inputs in arriving at fair value estimates.

Recurring fair-value measurements are performed for derivative instruments as disclosed in Note 7—Derivative Instruments. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value. The fair value of debt is the estimated amount we would have to pay to

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED

repurchase our debt in the open market, including any premium or discount attributable to the difference between the stated interest rate and market interest rate at each balance sheet date. Debt fair values, as disclosed in Note 12—Debt, are based on quoted market prices for identical instruments, if available, or based on valuations of similar debt instruments using observable or unobservable inputs. Non-financial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value include certain assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination, intangible assets, goodwill and AROs.

Revenue Recognition

Fees received pursuant to SPAs are recognized as LNG revenues after substantial completion of the respective Train. Prior to substantial completion, sales generated during the commissioning phase are offset against the cost of construction for the respective Train, as the production and removal of LNG from storage is necessary to test the facility and bring the asset to the condition necessary for its intended use. LNG revenues are recognized when LNG is delivered to the counterparty, either at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal or at the counterparty’s LNG receiving terminal, based on the terms of the contract. LNG revenues generated by Cheniere Marketing are reported on a gross or net basis based on an assessment of whether it is acting as the principal or the agent in the transaction.

LNG regasification capacity reservation fees are recognized as regasification revenues over the term of the respective TUAs. Advance capacity reservation fees are initially deferred and amortized over a 10-year period as a reduction of a customer’s regasification capacity reservation fees payable under its TUA.  Under each of these TUAs, SPLNG is entitled to retain 2% of LNG delivered for each customer’s account at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, which is recognized as revenue as SPLNG performs the services set forth in each customer’s TUA.

LNG and Natural Gas Marketing

Historically, a portion of our LNG and natural gas marketing business activities was comprised of energy trading and risk management activities for trading purposes and we elected to present these activities on a net basis on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  These energy trading and risk management activities included, but were not limited to, the purchase of LNG and natural gas, transportation contracts and LNG trading derivative instruments.  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of funds that are contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal and have been presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Accounts and Notes Receivable

Accounts and notes receivable are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts. Notes receivable that are not classified as trade receivables are recorded within other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Impaired receivables are specifically identified and evaluated for expected losses.  The expected loss on impaired receivables is primarily determined based on the debtor’s ability to pay and the estimated value of any collateral.  We did not recognize any impairment expense related to accounts and notes receivable during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized bad debt expense of $36.2 million which was primarily attributable to a reserve against funds loaned to Parallax Enterprises, LLC, as further discussed in Note 19—Commitments and Contingencies. This charge was recorded as impairment expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Inventory

LNG and natural gas inventory are recorded at weighted average cost and materials and other inventory are recorded at cost. Inventory is subject to lower of cost or market (“LCM”) adjustments at the end of each period.  Our LCM adjustments primarily related to LNG inventory purchased to maintain the cryogenic readiness of the regasification facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal that are recorded in operating and maintenance expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Recoveries of losses resulting from interim period LCM adjustments are recorded when market price recoveries occur on the same inventory

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED

in the same fiscal year.  These recoveries are recognized as gains in later interim periods with such gains not exceeding previously recognized losses.  

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized zero, $17.5 million and $24.5 million, respectively, as operating and maintenance expense as a result of LCM adjustments primarily related to LNG inventory purchased to maintain the cryogenic readiness of the regasification facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.

Accounting for LNG Activities

Generally, we begin capitalizing the costs of our LNG terminals and related pipelines once the individual project meets the following criteria: (1) regulatory approval has been received, (2) financing for the project is available and (3) management has committed to commence construction. Prior to meeting these criteria, most of the costs associated with a project are expensed as incurred. These costs primarily include professional fees associated with front-end engineering and design work, costs of securing necessary regulatory approvals, and other preliminary investigation and development activities related to our LNG terminals and related pipelines.

Generally, costs that are capitalized prior to a project meeting the criteria otherwise necessary for capitalization include: land and lease option costs that are capitalized as property, plant and equipment and certain permits that are capitalized as other non-current assets. The costs of lease options are amortized over the life of the lease once obtained. If no lease is obtained, the costs are expensed.

We capitalize interest and other related debt costs during the construction period of our LNG terminals and related pipelines. Upon commencement of operations, capitalized interest, as a component of the total cost, is amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for construction and commissioning activities, major renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs and general and administrative activities are charged to expense as incurred. Interest costs incurred on debt obtained for the construction of property, plant and equipment are capitalized as construction-in-process over the construction period or related debt term, whichever is shorter. We depreciate our property, plant and equipment using the straight-line depreciation method. Upon retirement or other disposition of property, plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the account, and the resulting gains or losses are recorded in other operating costs and expenses.

Management tests property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment might not be recoverable. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets for purposes of assessing recoverability. Recoverability generally is determined by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the asset. If the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable, the amount of impairment loss is measured as the excess, if any, of the carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair value.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded $10.1 million of impairment expense related to corporate and other within our segment disclosures. This related to a corporate airplane that was written down to fair value based on market-based appraisals, which was ultimately sold by the end of the year. The impairment was recognized due to the potential disposition of the airplane in connection with the Company having initiated organizational changes and the associated operational focus for financially disciplined investment.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded, primarily in relation to a liquid hydrocarbon export project in Texas along the Gulf Coast, $55.1 million of impairment expense as a result of our strategic focus to complete construction and commence operation of the first five Trains of the SPL Project and the first two Trains of the CCL Project. This amount is included in impairment expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and relates to corporate and other within our segment disclosures. We did not record any impairment expense related to property, plant and equipment during the year ended December 31, 2014.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED

Regulated Natural Gas Pipelines

The Creole Trail Pipeline and Corpus Christi Pipeline are subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC in accordance with the Natural Gas Act of 1938 and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978. The economic effects of regulation can result in a regulated company recording as assets those costs that have been or are expected to be approved for recovery from customers, or recording as liabilities those amounts that are expected to be required to be returned to customers, in a rate-setting process in a period different from the period in which the amounts would be recorded by an unregulated enterprise. Accordingly, we record assets and liabilities that result from the regulated rate-making process that may not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. We continually assess whether regulatory assets are probable of future recovery by considering factors such as applicable regulatory changes and recent rate orders applicable to other regulated entities. Based on this continual assessment, we believe the existing regulatory assets are probable of recovery. These regulatory assets and liabilities are primarily classified in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as other assets and other liabilities. We periodically evaluate their applicability under GAAP and consider factors such as regulatory changes and the effect of competition. If cost-based regulation ends or competition increases, we may have to reduce our asset balances to reflect a market basis less than cost and write off the associated regulatory assets and liabilities. 

Items that may influence our assessment are:

• inability to recover cost increases due to rate caps and rate case moratoriums;  

• inability to recover capitalized costs, including an adequate return on those costs through the rate-making process and the FERC proceedings;  

• excess capacity;  

• increased competition and discounting in the markets we serve; and  

• impacts of ongoing regulatory initiatives in the natural gas industry.

Natural gas pipeline costs include amounts capitalized as an Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”). The rates used in the calculation of AFUDC are determined in accordance with guidelines established by the FERC. AFUDC represents the cost of debt and equity funds used to finance our natural gas pipeline additions during construction. AFUDC is capitalized as a part of the cost of our natural gas pipelines. Under regulatory rate practices, we generally are permitted to recover AFUDC, and a fair return thereon, through our rate base after our natural gas pipelines are placed in service.

Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to cash flow variability from interest rate, commodity price and foreign currency exchange (“FX”) rate risk. Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets or liabilities depending on the derivative position and the expected timing of settlement, unless they satisfy criteria and we elect the normal purchases and sales exception. When we have the contractual right and intend to net settle, derivative assets and liabilities are reported on a net basis.

Changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments are recorded in current earnings, unless we elect to apply hedge accounting and meet specified criteria, including completing contemporaneous hedge documentation. We did not have any derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. See Note 7—Derivative Instruments for additional details about our derivative instruments.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. We maintain cash balances at financial institutions, which may at times be in excess of federally insured levels. We have not incurred losses related to these balances to date.

The use of derivative instruments exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments. Our commodity derivative transactions are executed through over-the-counter contracts which are subject to nominal credit risk as these transactions are settled on a daily margin basis with investment grade financial institutions. Collateral deposited for such contracts is recorded as other current asset. Our interest rate and FX derivative instruments are placed with investment grade financial institutions whom we believe are acceptable credit risks. We monitor counterparty creditworthiness on an ongoing basis; however, we cannot predict sudden changes in counterparties’ creditworthiness. In addition, even if such changes are not sudden, we may be limited in our ability to mitigate an increase in counterparty credit risk. Should one of these counterparties not perform, we may not realize the benefit of some of our derivative instruments.

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SPL has entered into six fixed price 20-year SPAs with six unaffiliated third parties. CCL has entered into eight fixed price 20-year SPAs with seven unaffiliated third parties. SPL and CCL are dependent on the respective counterparties’ creditworthiness and their willingness to perform under their respective SPAs. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we received 50% of our net LNG revenues from one SPA customer, which was generated by our LNG terminal segment.

SPLNG has entered into two long-term TUAs with unaffiliated third parties for regasification capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, which accounts for substantially all of the regasification revenues in our LNG terminal segment. SPLNG is dependent on the respective counterparties’ creditworthiness and their willingness to perform under their respective TUAs. SPLNG has mitigated this credit risk by securing TUAs for a significant portion of its regasification capacity with creditworthy third-party customers with a minimum Standard & Poor’s rating of AA.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of the assets of businesses acquired. The goodwill on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 is associated with our LNG terminal reporting unit. We determine our reporting units by identifying each unit that engaged in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, had operating results regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of resource allocation and performance assessment, and had discrete financial information.

Goodwill is assessed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that impairment of the carrying value of goodwill is likely, but no less often than annually. During the fourth quarters of 2016 and 2015, we performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill in accordance with guidance from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), which permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If we fail the qualitative test, then we must compare our estimate of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recorded, as necessary. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value, if any, of that goodwill. We determine the implied fair value of the goodwill in the same manner as determining the amount of goodwill to be recognized in a business combination.

We completed our annual assessment of goodwill impairment during the fourth quarters of 2016 and 2015, and the tests indicated no impairment. Our last quantitative assessment indicated that the reporting unit’s fair value substantially exceeded its carrying value. As discussed above regarding our use of estimates, our judgments and assumptions are inherent in our estimate of future cash flows used to determine the estimate of the reporting unit’s fair value. The use of alternate judgments and/or assumptions could result in the recognition of impairment charges in the Consolidated Financial Statements. A lower fair value estimate in the future for our LNG terminal reporting unit could result in an impairment of goodwill. Factors that could trigger a lower fair value estimate include significant negative industry or economic trends, cost increases, disruptions to our business, regulatory or political environment changes or other unanticipated events.

Debt

Our debt consists of current and long-term secured debt securities, convertible debt securities and credit facilities with banks and other lenders.  Debt issuances are placed directly by us or through securities dealers or underwriters and are held by institutional and retail investors.

Debt is recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at par value adjusted for unamortized discount or premium and net of unamortized debt issuance costs related to term notes. Discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs directly related to the issuance of debt are amortized over the life of the debt and are recorded in interest expense, net of capitalized interest using the effective interest method. Gains and losses on the extinguishment of debt are recorded in gains and losses on the extinguishment of debt on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Debt issuance costs consist primarily of arrangement fees, professional fees, legal fees and printing costs. These costs are recorded as a direct deduction from the debt liability unless incurred in connection with a line of credit arrangement, in which case they are presented as an asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense or property,

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plant and equipment over the term of the related debt facility. Upon early retirement of debt or amendment to a debt agreement, certain fees are written off to loss on early extinguishment of debt.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We recognize AROs for legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset and for conditional AROs in which the timing or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within our control. The fair value of a liability for an ARO is recognized in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying amount is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. Our assessment of AROs is described below.

We have not recorded an ARO associated with the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Based on the real property lease agreements at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, at the expiration of the term of the leases we are required to surrender the LNG terminal in good working order and repair, with normal wear and tear and casualty expected. Our property lease agreements at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal have terms of up to 90 years including renewal options. We have determined that the cost to surrender the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in good order and repair, with normal wear and tear and casualty expected, is zero.

We have not recorded an ARO associated with the Creole Trail Pipeline. We believe that it is not feasible to predict when the natural gas transportation services provided by the Creole Trail Pipeline will no longer be utilized. In addition, our right-of-way agreements associated with the Creole Trail Pipeline have no stipulated termination dates. We intend to operate the Creole Trail Pipeline as long as supply and demand for natural gas exists in the United States and intend to maintain it regularly.

Share-based Compensation

We have awarded share-based compensation in the form of stock, restricted stock, stock options and phantom units that are more fully described in Note 15—Share-based Compensation. We recognize share-based compensation at fair value on the date of grant. The fair value is recognized as expense (net of any capitalization) over the requisite service period. For equity-classified share-based compensation awards (which include stock, restricted stock to employees and non-employee directors and stock options), compensation cost is recognized based on the grant-date fair value using the quoted market price of our common stock and not subsequently remeasured. The fair value is recognized as expense (net of any capitalization) using the straight-line basis for awards that vest based on service conditions and using the accelerated recognition method for awards that vest based on performance conditions. We estimate the service periods for performance awards utilizing a probability assessment based on when we expect to achieve the performance conditions. For liability-classified share-based compensation awards (which include restricted stock to non-employees and phantom units), compensation cost is initially recognized on the grant date using estimated payout levels. Compensation cost is subsequently adjusted quarterly to reflect the updated estimated payout levels based on the changes in the Company’s stock price.

Non-controlling Interests

When we consolidate a subsidiary, we include 100% of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the subsidiary in our Consolidated Financial Statements, even if we own less than 100% of the subsidiary. Non-controlling interests represent third-party ownership in the net assets of our consolidated subsidiaries and are presented as a component of equity. Changes in our ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in deconsolidation are recognized within equity. See Note 10—Non-controlling Interest for additional details about our non-controlling interest.

Income Taxes

Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred taxes on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the current period’s provision for income taxes. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying value of our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will expire before realization of the benefit or future deductibility is not probable. A

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valuation allowance equal to our federal and state net deferred tax asset balance has been established due to the uncertainty of realizing the tax benefits related to our federal and state net deferred tax assets.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the tax position.

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per share (“EPS”) is computed in accordance with GAAP. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and were dilutive. The dilutive effect of stock options and unvested stock is calculated using the treasury-stock method and the dilutive effect of convertible securities is calculated using the if-converted method. Basic and diluted EPS for all periods presented are the same since the effect of our options and unvested stock is anti-dilutive to our net loss per share, as disclosed in Note 17—Net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders.

NOTE 3—RESTRICTED CASH

Restricted cash consists of funds that are contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal and have been presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, restricted cash consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Current restricted cash
SPLNG debt service and interest payment	$	—	$	77,415
SPL Project	357,953		189,260
CTPL construction and interest payment	—		7,882
CQP and cash held by guarantor subsidiaries	246,991		—
CCL Project	197,201		46,770
Cash held by our subsidiaries restricted to Cheniere	219		147,138
Other	57,534		34,932
Total current restricted cash	$	859,898	$	503,397
Non-current restricted cash
SPLNG debt service	$	—	$	13,650
CCL Project	73,339		—
Other	17,480		18,072
Total non-current restricted cash	$	90,819	$	31,722

In February 2016, Cheniere Partners entered into the $2.8 billion credit facilities (the “2016 CQP Credit Facilities”). Cheniere Partners, as well as Cheniere Investments, SPLNG and CTPL as Cheniere Partners’ guarantor subsidiaries, are subject to limitations on the use of cash under the terms of the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities and the related depositary agreement governing the extension of credit to Cheniere Partners. Specifically, Cheniere Partners, Cheniere Investments, SPLNG and CTPL may only withdraw funds from collateral accounts held at a designated depositary bank on a monthly basis and for specific purposes, including for the payment of operating expenses. In addition, distributions and capital expenditures may only be made quarterly and are subject to certain restrictions.

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NOTE 4—ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, accounts and other receivables consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Trade receivables
SPL	$	87,555	$	—
Cheniere Marketing	120,751		—
SPLNG	396		—
Other accounts receivable	9,223		5,749
Total accounts and other receivables	$	217,925	$	5,749

Pursuant to the accounts agreement entered into with the collateral trustee for the benefit of SPL’s debt holders, SPL is required to deposit all cash received into reserve accounts controlled by the collateral trustee.  The usage or withdrawal of such cash is restricted to the payment of liabilities related to the SPL Project and other restricted payments.

NOTE 5—INVENTORY

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Natural gas	$	14,755	$	5,724
LNG	50,318		5,148
LNG in-transit	57,822		—
Materials and other	37,266		7,253
Total inventory	$	160,161	$	18,125

NOTE 6—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consists of LNG terminal costs and fixed assets and other, as follows (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016			2015
LNG terminal costs
LNG terminal	$	7,973,741		$	2,487,759
LNG terminal construction-in-process	12,995,056			13,875,204
LNG site and related costs, net	40,951			33,512
Accumulated depreciation	(554,672		)	(413,545		)
Total LNG terminal costs, net	20,455,076			15,982,930
Fixed assets and other
Computer and office equipment	12,513			12,153
Furniture and fixtures	17,393			17,101
Computer software	85,164			69,340
Leasehold improvements	47,129			40,136
Land	60,582			60,612
Other	21,960			49,376
Accumulated depreciation	(64,523		)	(37,741		)
Total fixed assets and other, net	180,218			210,977
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	20,635,294		$	16,193,907

Depreciation expense during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $172.6 million, $82.4 million and $64.2 million, respectively.

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During the year ended December 31, 2016, we realized offsets to LNG terminal costs of $214.3 million that was related to the sale of commissioning cargoes because this amount was earned prior to the start of commercial operations, during the testing phase for the construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project.

LNG Terminal Costs

The Sabine Pass LNG terminal is depreciated using the straight-line depreciation method applied to groups of LNG terminal assets with varying useful lives. The identifiable components of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with similar estimated useful lives have a depreciable range between 6 and 50 years, as follows:

Components	Useful life (yrs)
LNG storage tanks	50
Natural gas pipeline facilities	40
Marine berth, electrical, facility and roads	35
Regasification processing equipment	30
Sendout pumps	20
Liquefaction processing equipment	6-50
Other	15-30

Fixed Assets and Other

Our fixed assets and other are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line method based on estimated lives of the individual assets or groups of assets.

NOTE 7—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

We have entered into the following derivative instruments that are reported at fair value:

• interest rate swaps to hedge the exposure to volatility in a portion of the floating-rate interest payments under certain of our credit facilities (“Interest Rate Derivatives”);

• commodity derivatives to hedge the exposure to price risk attributable to future: (1) sales of our LNG inventory and (2) purchases of natural gas to operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal (“Natural Gas Derivatives”);

• commodity derivatives consisting of natural gas supply contracts for the commissioning and operation of the SPL Project(“Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”) and associated economic hedges (“Financial Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”, and collectively with the Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives, the “Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”);

• financial derivatives to hedge the exposure to the commodity markets in which we have contractual arrangements to purchase or sell physical LNG (“LNG Trading Derivatives”); and

• FX contracts to hedge exposure to currency risk associated with operations in countries outside of the United States (“FX Derivatives”).

None of our derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedging instruments, and changes in fair value are recorded within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value of our derivative instruments that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, which are classified as derivative assets, non-current derivative assets, derivative liabilities or non-current derivative liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

	Fair Value Measurements as of
	December 31, 2016											December 31, 2015
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives liability	$	—		$	(6,224	)	$	—	$	(6,224	)	$	—	$	(8,740	)	$	—	$	(8,740	)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives asset	—			13,108			—		13,108			—		—			—		—
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives liability	—			(86,488		)	—		(86,488		)	—		(104,999		)	—		(104,999		)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives asset (liability)	(4,483		)	(1,474		)	79,022		73,065			—		(25		)	32,492		32,467
LNG Trading Derivatives asset (liability)	2,512			(5,309		)	—		(2,797		)	—		1,053			—		1,053
Natural Gas Derivatives liability	—			—			—		—			—		(66		)	—		(66		)
FX Derivatives asset	—			168			—		168			—		—			—		—

We value our Interest Rate Derivatives using valuations based on the initial trade prices. Using an income-based approach, subsequent valuations are based on observable inputs to the valuation model including interest rate curves, risk adjusted discount rates, credit spreads and other relevant data. The estimated fair values of our economic hedges related to the LNG Trading Derivatives and our Natural Gas Derivatives are the amounts at which the instruments could be exchanged currently between willing parties. We value these derivatives using observable commodity price curves and other relevant data. We estimate the fair values of our FX Derivatives with a market approach using observable FX rates and other relevant data.

The fair value of substantially all of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives is developed through the use of internal models which are impacted by inputs that are unobservable in the marketplace. As a result, the fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives is designated as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. The curves used to generate the fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives are based on basis adjustments applied to forward curves for a liquid trading point. In addition, there may be observable liquid market basis information in the near term, but terms of a particular Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives contract may exceed the period for which such information is available, resulting in a Level 3 classification. In these instances, the fair value of the contract incorporates extrapolation assumptions made in the determination of the market basis price for future delivery periods in which applicable commodity basis prices were either not observable or lacked corroborative market data. Internal fair value models include conditions precedent to the respective long-term natural gas supply contracts. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, some of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives existed within markets for which the pipeline infrastructure is under development to accommodate marketable physical gas flow. Accordingly, our internal fair value models are based on market prices that equate to our own contractual pricing due to: (1) the inactive and unobservable market and (2) conditions precedent and their impact on the uncertainty in the timing of our actual receipt of the physical volumes associated with each forward. The fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives is predominantly driven by market commodity basis prices and our assessment of the associated conditions precedent, including evaluating whether the respective market is available as pipeline infrastructure is developed. Upon the completion and placement into service of relevant pipeline infrastructure to accommodate marketable physical gas flow, we recognize a gain or loss based on the fair value of the respective natural gas supply contracts as of the reporting date.

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As all of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives are either purely index-priced or index-priced with a fixed basis, we do not believe that a significant change in market commodity prices would have a material impact on our Level 3 fair value measurements. The following table includes quantitative information for the unobservable inputs for our Level 3 Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives as of December 31, 2016:

	Net Fair Value Asset (in thousands)	Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Input	Significant Unobservable Inputs Range
Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	$79,022	Income Approach	Basis Spread	$(0.260) - $(0.003)

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value of our Level 3 Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
Balance, beginning of period	$	32,492		$	342
Realized and mark-to-market gains:
Included in cost of sales (1)	48,218			32,150
Purchases and settlements:
Purchases	538			—
Settlements (1)	(2,226		)	—
Transfers out of Level 3	—			—
Balance, end of period	$	79,022		$	32,492
Change in unrealized gains relating to instruments still held at end of period	$	48,938		$	32,150

(1) Does not include the decrease in fair value of $0.7 million related to the realized gains capitalized during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Derivative assets and liabilities arising from our derivative contracts with the same counterparty are reported on a net basis, as all counterparty derivative contracts provide for net settlement. The use of derivative instruments exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments in instances when our derivative instruments are in an asset position. Our derivative instruments are subject to contractual provisions which provide for the unconditional right of set-off for all derivative assets and liabilities with a given counterparty in the event of default.

Interest Rate Derivatives

SPL Interest Rate Derivatives

SPL has entered into interest rate swaps (“SPL Interest Rate Derivatives”) to protect against volatility of future cash flows and hedge a portion of the variable interest payments on the credit facilities it entered into in June 2015 (the “2015 SPL Credit Facilities”). The SPL Interest Rate Derivatives hedge a portion of the expected outstanding borrowings over the term of the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities.

In March 2015, SPL settled a portion of the SPL Interest Rate Derivatives and recognized a derivative loss of $34.7 million within our Consolidated Statements of Operations in conjunction with the termination of approximately $1.8 billion of commitments under the previous credit facilities.

CQP Interest Rate Derivatives

In March 2016, Cheniere Partners entered into interest rate swaps (“CQP Interest Rate Derivatives”) to protect against volatility of future cash flows and hedge a portion of the variable interest payments on the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities. The CQP Interest Rate Derivatives hedge a portion of the expected outstanding borrowings over the term of the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities.

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CCH Interest Rate Derivatives

CCH has entered into interest rate swaps (“CCH Interest Rate Derivatives”) to protect against volatility of future cash flows and hedge a portion of the variable interest payments on its credit facility (the “2015 CCH Credit Facility”). The CCH Interest Rate Derivatives hedge a portion of the expected outstanding borrowings over the term of the 2015 CCH Credit Facility. The CCH Interest Rate Derivatives have a seven-year term and were contingent upon reaching an FID with respect to the CCL Project, which was reached in May 2015. Upon meeting the contingency related to the CCH Interest Rate Derivatives in May 2015, we paid $50.1 million related to contingency and syndication premiums, which is included in derivative loss, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As of December 31, 2016, we had the following Interest Rate Derivatives outstanding:

	Initial Notional Amount	Maximum Notional Amount	Effective Date	Maturity Date	Weighted Average Fixed Interest Rate Paid	Variable Interest Rate Received
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives	$20.0 million	$628.8 million	August 14, 2012	July 31, 2019	1.98%	One-month LIBOR
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives	$225.0 million	$1.3 billion	March 22, 2016	February 29, 2020	1.19%	One-month LIBOR
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives	$28.8 million	$5.5 billion	May 20, 2015	May 31, 2022	2.29%	One-month LIBOR

The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value and location of our Interest Rate Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	December 31, 2016												December 31, 2015
	SPL Interest Rate Derivatives			CQP Interest Rate Derivatives			CCH Interest Rate Derivatives			Total			SPL Interest Rate Derivatives			CQP Interest Rate Derivatives		CCH Interest Rate Derivatives			Total
Balance Sheet Location
Non-current derivative assets	$	—		$	16,073		$	—		$	16,073		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
Derivative liabilities	(4,223		)	(2,965		)	(43,383		)	(50,571		)	(5,940		)	—		(28,559		)	(34,499		)
Non-current derivative liabilities	(2,001		)	—			(43,105		)	(45,106		)	(2,800		)	—		(76,440		)	(79,240		)
Total derivative liabilities	(6,224		)	(2,965		)	(86,488		)	(95,677		)	(8,740		)	—		(104,999		)	(113,739		)
Derivative asset (liability), net	$	(6,224	)	$	13,108		$	(86,488	)	$	(79,604	)	$	(8,740	)	$	—	$	(104,999	)	$	(113,739	)

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value and settlements of our Interest Rate Derivatives recorded in derivative loss, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives loss	$	(5,934	)	$	(41,722	)	$	(119,401	)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives gain	11,478			—			—
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives loss	(15,571		)	(161,917		)	—

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Commodity Derivatives

Liquefaction Supply Derivatives

SPL has entered into index-based physical natural gas supply contracts and associated economic hedges to purchase natural gas for the commissioning and operation of the SPL Project. The terms of the physical natural gas supply contracts primarily range from approximately one to seven years and commence upon the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, including but not limited to the date of first commercial delivery of specified Trains of the SPL Project. We recognize our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. Changes in the fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives are reported in earnings. As of December 31, 2016, SPL has secured up to approximately 1,993.9 millionMMBtu of natural gas feedstock through natural gas supply contracts. The notional natural gas position of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives was approximately 1,111.4 millionMMBtu as of December 31, 2016.

Our Financial Liquefaction Supply Derivatives are executed through over-the-counter contracts which are subject to nominal credit risk as these transactions are settled on a daily margin basis with investment grade financial institutions. We are required by these financial institutions to use margin deposits as credit support for our Financial Liquefaction Supply Derivatives activities. The notional natural gas position of our Financial Liquefaction Supply Derivatives was approximately 5.6 millionMMBtu as of December 31, 2016.

LNG Trading Derivatives

As of December 31, 2016, we have entered into certain LNG Trading Derivatives representing a long position of 0.2 million MMBtu, and we may from time to time enter into certain financial derivatives in the form of swaps, forwards, options or futures to economically hedge exposure to the commodity markets in which we have contractual arrangements to purchase or sell physical LNG. We have entered into LNG Trading Derivatives to secure a fixed price position to minimize future cash flow variability associated with such LNG transactions.

Natural Gas Derivatives

Our Natural Gas Derivatives were executed through over-the-counter contracts which were subject to nominal credit risk as these transactions settled on a daily margin basis with investment grade financial institutions. We were required by these financial institutions to use margin deposits as credit support for our Natural Gas Derivatives activities. As of December 31, 2016, we did not have any open Natural Gas Derivatives positions or margin deposits at financial institutions.

We recognize all commodity derivative instruments, including our Liquefaction Supply Derivatives, LNG Trading Derivatives and Natural Gas Derivatives(collectively, “Commodity Derivatives”), as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value.  Changes in the fair value of our Commodity Derivatives are reported in earnings.

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The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value and location of our Commodity Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	December 31, 2016											December 31, 2015
	Liquefaction Supply Derivatives (1)			LNG Trading Derivatives (2)			Natural Gas Derivatives		Total			Liquefaction Supply Derivatives			LNG Trading Derivatives (2)			Natural Gas Derivatives (3)			Total
Balance Sheet Location
Derivative assets	$	13,535		$	6,471		$	—	$	20,006		$	2,737		$	640		$	—		$	3,377
Non-current derivative assets	66,788			—			—		66,788			30,304			583			—			30,887
Total derivative assets	80,323			6,471			—		86,794			33,041			1,223			—			34,264
Derivative liabilities	(7,258		)	(9,268		)	—		(16,526		)	(490		)	(107		)	(66		)	(663		)
Non-current derivative liabilities	—			—			—		—			(84		)	(63		)	—			(147		)
Total derivative liabilities	(7,258		)	(9,268		)	—		(16,526		)	(574		)	(170		)	(66		)	(810		)
Derivative asset (liabilities), net	$	73,065		$	(2,797	)	$	—	$	70,268		$	32,467		$	1,053		$	(66	)	$	33,454

(1) Does not include collateral of $6.0 million deposited for such contracts, which is included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016.

(2) Does not include collateral of $10.4 million and $11.0 million deposited for such contracts, which are included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

(3) Does not include collateral of $5.5 million deposited for such contracts, which is included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015.

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value, settlements and location of our Commodity Derivatives recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

		Year Ended December 31,
	Statement of Operations Location (1)	2016			2015			2014
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives loss	LNG revenues (losses)	$	(8	)	$	—		$	—
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives gain (2)	Cost (cost recovery) of sales	(42,172		)	(32,503		)	(342		)
LNG Trading Derivatives gain (loss)	LNG revenues (losses)	(3,580		)	1,053			—
Natural Gas Derivatives loss	LNG revenues (losses)	(5		)	(407		)	(1,298		)
Natural Gas Derivatives gain	Operating and maintenance expense	(174		)	(2,065		)	(1,389		)

(1) Fair value fluctuations associated with commodity derivative activities are classified and presented consistently with the item economically hedged and the nature and intent of the derivative instrument.

(2)    Does not include the realized value associated with derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery.

The use of Commodity Derivatives exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments in instances when our Commodity Derivatives are in an asset position.

FX Derivatives

Cheniere Marketing has entered into FX Derivatives to protect against the volatility in future cash flows attributable to changes in international currency exchange rates. The FX Derivatives economically hedge the foreign currency exposure arising from cash flows expended for both physical and financial LNG transactions and selling, general and administrative expenses related to operations in countries outside of the United States. The total notional amount of our FX Derivatives was $10.8 million as of December 31, 2016.

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The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value and location of our FX Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

		Fair Value Measurements as of
	Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
FX Derivatives	Derivative assets	$	3,744		$	—
FX Derivatives	Derivative liabilities	(3,576		)	—

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value of our FX Derivatives recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

		Year Ended December 31,
	Statement of Operations Location	2016			2015		2014
FX Derivatives gain	LNG revenues (losses)	$	118		$	—	$	—
FX Derivatives loss	Derivative loss, net	(103		)	—		—
FX Derivatives loss	Other income (expense)	(509		)	—		—

Balance Sheet Presentation

Our derivative instruments are presented on a net basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as described above. The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value of our derivatives outstanding on a gross and net basis:

	Gross Amounts Recognized			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Offsetting Derivative Assets (Liabilities)
As of December 31, 2016
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives	$	(6,229	)	$	5		$	(6,224	)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives	16,073			—			16,073
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives	(3,020		)	55			(2,965		)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives	(95,923		)	9,435			(86,488		)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	82,116			(1,793		)	80,323
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	(11,078		)	3,820			(7,258		)
LNG Trading Derivatives	21,363			(14,892		)	6,471
LNG Trading Derivatives	(17,049		)	7,781			(9,268		)
FX Derivatives	5,112			(1,368		)	3,744
FX Derivatives	(3,625		)	49			(3,576		)
As of December 31, 2015
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives	$	(8,740	)	$	—		$	(8,740	)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives	(104,999		)	—			(104,999		)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	33,636			(595		)	33,041
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	(574		)	—			(574		)
LNG Trading Derivatives	1,922			(699		)	1,223
LNG Trading Derivatives	(2,826		)	2,656			(170		)
Natural Gas Derivatives	188			(254		)	(66		)

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NOTE 8—OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, other non-current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Advances made under EPC and non-EPC contracts	$	69,207	$	83,579
Advances made to municipalities for water system enhancements	98,903		89,953
Advances and other asset conveyances to third parties to support LNG terminals	52,674		41,610
Tax-related payments and receivables	31,181		31,712
Equity method investments	10,097		20,295
Cost method investments	4,994		—
Other	35,019		47,306
Total other non-current assets, net	$	302,075	$	314,455

NOTE 9—VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY

On January 1, 2016, we adopted ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This guidance changed (1) the identification of variable interests, (2) the variable interest entity characteristics for a limited partnership or similar entity and (3) the primary beneficiary determination.

Cheniere Holdings

Cheniere Holdings is a limited liability company formed by us in 2013 to hold our Cheniere Partners limited partner interests. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we owned 82.6% and 80.1%, respectively, of Cheniere Holdings as well as the director voting share. The director voting share is the sole share entitled to vote in the election of Cheniere Holdings’ board of directors and allows us to remove members of the board of directors at any time and for any reason. If we cease to own greater than 25% of the common shares of Cheniere Holdings or if we choose to relinquish the director voting share, the director voting share will be extinguished.

The board of directors makes all major operating and financial decisions on behalf of Cheniere Holdings. Because ownership of the director voting share allows us to control Cheniere Holdings, irrespective of our majority ownership interest, and the director voting share cannot be removed from our control by the other equity holders of Cheniere Holdings, we have determined that Cheniere Holdings is now a variable interest entity. However, this determination has not changed the consolidation of Cheniere Holdings as we have determined that we are its primary beneficiary. Therefore, the determination that Cheniere Holdings is now a variable interest entity had no impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cheniere Partners

Cheniere Partners is a limited partnership formed by us in 2006 to own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and related assets. As of December 31, 2016, we owned 82.6% of Cheniere Holdings, which owns a 55.9% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners in the form of 12.0 million common units, 45.3 million Class B units and 135.4 million subordinated units. We also own 100% of the general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights in Cheniere Partners.

Cheniere Partners GP, our wholly owned subsidiary, is the general partner of Cheniere Partners. In 2012, Cheniere Partners, Cheniere and Blackstone CQP Holdco LP (“Blackstone CQP Holdco”) entered into a unit purchase agreement (the “Blackstone Unit Purchase Agreement”) whereby Cheniere Partners sold 100.0 millionClass B units of Cheniere Partners (“Class B units”) to Blackstone CQP Holdco in a private placement. The board of directors of Cheniere Partners GP was modified to include three directors appointed by Blackstone CQP Holdco, four directors appointed by us and four independent directors mutually agreed upon by Blackstone CQP Holdco and us and appointed by us. In addition, we provided Blackstone CQP Holdco with a right to maintain one board seat on our Board of Directors (our “Board”). A quorum of Cheniere Partners GP directors consists of a majority of all directors, including at least two directors appointed by Blackstone CQP Holdco, two directors appointed by us and two independent directors. Blackstone CQP Holdco will no longer be entitled to appoint Cheniere Partners GP directors in the event that Blackstone CQP Holdco’s ownership in Cheniere Partners is less than: (1) 20% of outstanding common units, subordinated units and Class B units, and (2) 50.0 millionClass B units.

As a result of contractual changes in the governance of Cheniere Partners GP in connection with the Blackstone Unit Purchase Agreement, we have determined that Cheniere Partners GP is a variable interest entity and that we, as the holder of the

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equity at risk, do not have a controlling financial interest due to the rights held by Blackstone CQP Holdco. However, we continue to consolidate Cheniere Partners as a result of Blackstone CQP Holdco’s right to maintain one board seat on our Board which creates a de facto agency relationship between Blackstone CQP Holdco and us. GAAP requires that when a de facto agency relationship exists, one of the members of the de facto agency relationship must consolidate the variable interest entity based on certain criteria. As a result, we consolidate Cheniere Partners in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 10—NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

Cheniere Holdings was formed by us in 2013 to hold our Cheniere Partners limited partner interests. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, our ownership interest in Cheniere Holdings was 82.6% and 80.1%, respectively, with the remaining non-controlling interest held by the public. In December 2016, we increased our ownership percentage of Cheniere Holdings by acquiring additional publicly-owned shares of Cheniere Holdings in exchange with unregistered shares of our common stock.

Our ownership of Cheniere Partners interests is further discussed in Note 9—Variable Interest Entity.

NOTE 11—ACCRUED LIABILITIES

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): 

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Interest costs and related debt fees	$	273,053	$	159,968
Compensation and benefits	55,980		99,511
LNG terminals and related pipeline costs	283,820		149,677
Other accrued liabilities	24,244		18,043
Total accrued liabilities	$	637,097	$	427,199

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NOTE 12—DEBT

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, our debt consisted of the following (in thousands): 

	December 31,
	2016			2015
Long-term debt:
SPLNG
6.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (“2020 SPLNG Senior Notes”)	$	—		$	420,000
SPL
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (“2021 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized premium of $7,181 and $8,718	2,007,181			2,008,718
6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (“2022 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,000,000			1,000,000
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (“2023 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized premium of $5,657 and $6,392	1,505,657			1,506,392
5.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (“2024 SPL Senior Notes”)	2,000,000			2,000,000
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (“2025 SPL Senior Notes”)	2,000,000			2,000,000
5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (“2026 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,500,000			—
5.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (“2027 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,500,000			—
2015 SPL Credit Facilities	314,000			845,000
CTPL
$400.0 million Term Loan Facility (“CTPL Term Loan”), net of unamortized discount of zero and $1,429	—			398,571
Cheniere Partners
2016 CQP Credit Facilities	2,560,000			—
CCH
7.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (“2024 CCH Senior Notes”)	1,250,000			—
5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (“2025 CCH Senior Notes”)	1,500,000			—
2015 CCH Credit Facility	2,380,788			2,713,000
CCH HoldCo II
11.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (“2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes”)	1,171,008			1,050,588
Cheniere
4.875% Convertible Unsecured Notes due 2021 (“2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $146,467 and $174,095	959,577			879,938
4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2045 (“2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $316,875 and $319,062	308,125			305,938
Unamortized debt issuance costs (1)	(268,804		)	(207,718		)
Total long-term debt, net	21,687,532			14,920,427
Current debt:
7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (“2016 SPLNG Senior Notes”), net of unamortized discount of zero and $4,303	—			1,661,197
$1.2 billion SPL Working Capital Facility (“SPL Working Capital Facility”)	223,500			15,000
$350 million CCH Working Capital Facility (“CCH Working Capital Facility”)	—			—
Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities	23,967			—
Unamortized debt issuance costs (1)	—			(2,818		)
Total current debt, net	247,467			1,673,379
Total debt, net	$	21,934,999		$	16,593,806

(1) Effective January 1, 2016, we adopted ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15, which require debt issuance costs related to term notes to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability, rather than as an asset, retrospectively for each reporting period presented. As a result, we reclassified $207.7 million and $2.8 million from debt issuance costs, net to long-term debt, net and current debt, net, respectively, as of December 31, 2015.

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Below is a schedule of future principal payments that we are obligated to make, based on current construction schedules, on our outstanding debt at December 31, 2016 (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Principal Payments
2017	$	247,467
2018	—
2019	—
2020	2,874,000
2021	5,486,831
Thereafter	14,046,008
Total	$	22,654,306

Senior Notes

SPLNG Senior Notes

In November 2016, SPLNG repaid the 2016 SPLNG Senior Notes and redeemed all of the outstanding 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes at a price equal to 103.250% of the principal amount of the 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes.

SPL Senior Notes

The terms of the 2021 SPL Senior Notes, 2022 SPL Senior Notes, 2023 SPL Senior Notes, 2024 SPL Senior Notes, 2025 SPL Senior Notes, 2026 SPL Senior Notes and the 2027 SPL Senior Notes(collectively, the “SPL Senior Notes”) are governed by a common indenture (the “SPL Indenture”), and interest on the SPL Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. The SPL Indenture contains customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit SPL’s ability and the ability of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock, make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; purchase, redeem or retire capital stock; sell or transfer assets, including capital stock of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries; restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; incur liens; enter into transactions with affiliates; consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of SPL’s assets; and enter into certain LNG sales contracts. See Note 23—Subsequent Events for additional information regarding covenants under the SPL Indenture. Subject to permitted liens, the SPL Senior Notes are secured on a pari passu first-priority basis by a security interest in all of the membership interests in SPL and substantially all of SPL’s assets. SPL may not make any distributions until, among other requirements, deposits are made into debt service reserve accounts as required and a debt service coverage ratio for the prior 12-month period and a projected debt service coverage ratio for the upcoming 12-month period of 1.25:1.00 are satisfied.

At any time prior to three months before the respective dates of maturity for each series of the SPL Senior Notes (except for the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and 2027 SPL Senior Notes, in which case the time period is six months before the respective dates of maturity), SPL may redeem all or part of such series of the SPL Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the “make-whole” price set forth in the SPL Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. SPL may also, at any time within three months of the respective maturity dates for each series of the SPL Senior Notes (except for the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and 2027 SPL Senior Notes, in which case the time period is six months before the respective dates of maturity), redeem all or part of such series of the SPL Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such series of the SPL Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

In connection with the issuance of the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and the 2027 SPL Senior Notes, SPL entered into registration rights agreements (the “SPL Registration Rights Agreements”). Under the terms of the SPL Registration Rights Agreements, SPL has agreed, and any future guarantors will agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective registration statements relating to offers to exchange any and all of the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and 2027 SPL Senior Notes for like aggregate principal amounts of debt securities of SPL with terms identical in all material respects to the respective senior notes sought to be exchanged (other than with respect to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate), within 360 days after June 14, 2016 and September 23, 2016, respectively. Under specified circumstances, SPL has also agreed, and any future guarantors will also agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective shelf registration statements relating to resales of the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and the 2027 SPL Senior Notes. SPL will be obligated to pay additional interest on these senior notes if it fails to comply with its obligation to register them within the specified time period.

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CCH Senior Notes

In May and December 2016, CCH issued aggregate principal amounts of $1.25 billion of the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and $1.5 billion of the 2025 CCH Senior Notes(collectively, the “CCH Senior Notes”), respectively. The CCH Senior Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed by its subsidiaries, CCL, CCP and Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC (“CCP GP”, and collectively with CCL and CCP, the “CCH Guarantors”). The indenture governing the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and the 2025 CCH Senior Notes(the “CCH Indenture”) contains customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit CCH’s ability and the ability of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on membership interests or subordinated indebtedness or purchase, redeem or retire membership interests; sell or transfer assets, including membership or partnership interests of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries; restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries to CCH or any of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries; incur liens; enter into transactions with affiliates; dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of the properties or assets of CCH and its restricted subsidiaries taken as a whole; or permit any CCH Guarantor to dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets. Interest on the CCH Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears.

At any time prior to six months before the respective dates of maturity for each series of the CCH Senior Notes, CCH may redeem all or part of such series of the CCH Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the “make-whole” price set forth in the CCH Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. CCH also may at any time within six months of the respective dates of maturity for each series of the CCH Senior Notes, redeem all or part of such series of the CCH Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the CCH Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

In connection with the closing of the sale of the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and 2025 CCH Senior Notes, CCH and the CCH Guarantors entered into Registration Rights Agreements (the “CCH Registration Rights Agreements”). Under the terms of the CCH Registration Rights Agreements, CCH and the CCH Guarantors have agreed, and any future guarantors of the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and 2025 CCH Senior Notes will agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective a registration statement relating to offers to exchange any and all of the CCH Senior Notes for like aggregate principal amounts of debt securities of CCH with terms identical in all material respects to the respective CCH Senior Notes sought to be exchanged (other than with respect to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate) within 360 days after May 18, 2016 and December 9, 2016, respectively. Under specified circumstances, CCH and the CCH Guarantors have also agreed, and any future guarantors of the CCH Senior Notes will also agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to resales of the CCH Senior Notes. CCH will be obligated to pay additional interest if it fails to comply with its obligation to register the CCH Senior Notes within the specified time period.

Credit Facilities

Below is a summary of our credit facilities outstanding as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

	2015 SPL Credit Facilities		SPL Working Capital Facility		2016 CQP Credit Facilities		2015 CCH Credit Facility		CCH Working Capital Facility
Original facility size	$	4,600,000	$	1,200,000	$	2,800,000	$	8,403,714	$	350,000
Outstanding balance	314,000		223,500		2,560,000		2,380,788		—
Commitments prepaid or terminated	2,643,867		—		—		2,420,212		—
Letters of credit issued	—		323,677		45,000		—		—
Available commitment	$	1,642,133	$	652,823	$	195,000	$	3,602,714	$	350,000
Interest rate	LIBOR plus 1.30% - 1.75% or base rate plus 1.75%		LIBOR plus 1.75% or base rate plus 0.75%		LIBOR plus 2.25% or base rate plus 1.25% (1)		LIBOR plus 2.25% or base rate plus 1.25% (2)		LIBOR plus 1.50% - 2.0% or base rate plus 0.50% - 1.00%
Maturity date	Earlier of December 31, 2020 or second anniversary of SPL Trains 1 through 5 completion date		December 31, 2020, with various terms for underlying loans		February 25, 2020, with principals due quarterly commencing on February 19, 2019		Earlier of May 13, 2022 or second anniversary of CCL Trains 1 and 2 completion date		December 14, 2021, with various terms for underlying loans

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(1) There is a 0.50% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans beginning on February 25, 2019.

(2) There is a 0.25% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans following completion of the first two Trains of the CCL Project.

2015 SPL Credit Facilities

In June 2015, SPL entered into the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities with commitments aggregating $4.6 billion. The 2015 SPL Credit Facilities are being used to fund a portion of the costs of developing, constructing and placing into operation Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project. Borrowings under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities may be refinanced, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty; however, interest rate hedging and interest rate breakage costs may be incurred.

During 2016, in conjunction with the issuance of the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and the 2027 SPL Senior Notes, SPL prepaid outstanding borrowings and terminated commitments under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities for approximately $2.6 billion. These prepayments and termination of commitments resulted in a write-off of debt issuance costs and payment of fees associated with the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities of $52.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Loans under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to, at SPL’s election, LIBOR or the base rate plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans ranges from 1.30% to 1.75%, depending on the applicable 2015 SPL Credit Facility, and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 1.75%. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each LIBOR period and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end of each quarter. In addition, SPL is required to pay insurance/guarantee premiums of 0.45% per annum on any drawn amounts under the covered tranches of the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities. The 2015 SPL Credit Facilities also require SPL to pay a quarterly commitment fee calculated at a rate per annum equal to either: (1) 40% of the applicable margin, multiplied by the average daily amount of the undrawn commitment or (2) 0.70% of the undrawn commitment, depending on the applicable 2015 SPL Credit Facility. The principal of the loans made under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities must be repaid in quarterly installments, commencing with the earlier of June 30, 2020 and the last day of the first full calendar quarter after the completion date of Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project. Scheduled repayments are based upon an 18-year amortization profile, with the remaining balance due upon the maturity of the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities.

The 2015 SPL Credit Facilities contain conditions precedent for borrowings, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of SPL under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities are secured by substantially all of the assets of SPL as well as all of the membership interests in SPL on a pari passu basis with the SPL Senior Notes and the SPL Working Capital Facility.

Under the terms of the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, SPL is required to hedge not less than 65% of the variable interest rate exposure of its projected outstanding borrowings, calculated on a weighted average basis in comparison to its anticipated draw of principal. Additionally, SPL may not make any distributions until certain conditions have been met, including that deposits are made into debt service reserve accounts and a debt service coverage ratio test of 1.25:1.00 is satisfied.

SPL Working Capital Facility

In September 2015, SPL entered into the SPL Working Capital Facility, which is intended to be used for loans to SPL (“SPL Working Capital Loans”), the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of SPL, as well as for swing line loans to SPL (“SPL Swing Line Loans”), primarily for certain working capital requirements related to developing and placing into operation the SPL Project. SPL may, from time to time, request increases in the commitments under the SPL Working Capital Facility of up to $760.0 million and, upon the completion of the debt financing of Train 6 of the SPL Project, request an incremental increase in commitments of up to an additional $390 million.

Loans under the SPL Working Capital Facility accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to LIBOR or the base rate (equal to the highest of the senior facility agent’s published prime rate, the federal funds effective rate, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, plus 0.50% and one month LIBOR plus 0.50%), plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans under the SPL Working Capital Facility is 1.75% per annum, and the applicable margin for base rate loans under the SPL Working Capital Facility is 0.75% per annum. Interest on SPL Swing Line Loans and loans deemed made in connection with a draw upon a letter of credit (“SPL LC Loans”) is due and payable on the date the loan becomes due. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each applicable LIBOR period, and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end

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of each fiscal quarter. However, if such base rate loan is converted into a LIBOR loan, interest is due and payable on that date. Additionally, if the loans become due prior to such periods, the interest also becomes due on that date.

SPL pays (1) a commitment fee equal to an annual rate of 0.70% on the average daily amount of the excess of the total commitment amount over the principal amount outstanding without giving effect to any outstanding SPL Swing Line Loans and (2) a letter of credit fee equal to an annual rate of 1.75% of the undrawn portion of all letters of credit issued under the SPL Working Capital Facility. If draws are made upon a letter of credit issued under the SPL Working Capital Facility and SPL does not elect for such draw (an “SPL LC Draw”) to be deemed an SPL LC Loan, SPL is required to pay the full amount of the SPL LC Draw on or prior to the business day following the notice of the SPL LC Draw. An SPL LC Draw accrues interest at an annual rate of 2.0% plus the base rate. As of December 31, 2016, noSPL LC Draws had been made upon any letters of credit issued under the SPL Working Capital Facility.

The SPL Working Capital Facility matures on December 31, 2020, and the outstanding balance may be repaid, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty upon three business days’ notice. SPL LC Loans have a term of up to one year. SPL Swing Line Loans terminate upon the earliest of (1) the maturity date or earlier termination of the SPL Working Capital Facility, (2) the date 15 days after such SPL Swing Line Loan is made and (3) the first borrowing date for a SPL Working Capital Loan or SPL Swing Line Loan occurring at least three business days following the date the SPL Swing Line Loan is made. SPL is required to reduce the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all SPL Working Capital Loans to zero for a period of five consecutive business days at least once each year.

The SPL Working Capital Facility contains conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of SPL under the SPL Working Capital Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of SPL as well as all of the membership interests in SPL on a pari passu basis with the SPL Senior Notes and the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities.

2016 CQP Credit Facilities

In February 2016, Cheniere Partners entered into the $2.8 billion2016 CQP Credit Facilities, which consist of: (1) a $450.0 million CTPL tranche term loan that was used to prepay the $400.0 millionCTPL Term Loan in February 2016, (2) an approximately $2.1 billion SPLNG tranche term loan that was used to repay and redeem the approximately $2.1 billion of the 2016 SPLNG Senior Notes and 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes in November 2016, (3) a $125.0 million debt service reserve credit facility (the “DSR Facility”) that may be used to satisfy a six-month debt service reserve requirement and (4) a $115.0 million revolving credit facility that may be used for general business purposes.

The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to LIBOR or the base rate (equal to the highest of the prime rate, the federal funds effective rate, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, plus 0.50% and adjusted one month LIBOR plus 1.0%), plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans is 2.25% per annum, and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 1.25% per annum, in each case with a 0.50% step-up beginning on February 25, 2019. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each applicable LIBOR period (and at the end of every three month period within the LIBOR period, if any), and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end of each calendar quarter.

Cheniere Partners incurred $73.1 million of debt issuance costs related to the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities during the year ended December 31, 2016. The prepayment of the CTPL Term Loan and the redemption of the 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes resulted in a write-off of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs and redemption premium of $19.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. Cheniere Partners pays a commitment fee equal to an annual rate of 40% of the margin for LIBOR loans multiplied by the average daily amount of the undrawn commitment, payable quarterly in arrears. The DSR Facility and the revolving credit facility are both available for the issuance of letters of credit, which incur a fee equal to an annual rate of 2.25% of the undrawn portion with a 0.50% step-up beginning on February 25, 2019.

The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities mature on February 25, 2020, and the outstanding balance may be repaid, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, except for interest hedging and interest rate breakage costs. The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities contain conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants and limit Cheniere Partners’ ability to make restricted payments, including distributions, to once per fiscal quarter as long as certain conditions are satisfied. Under the terms of the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, Cheniere Partners is required to hedge not less than 50% of the variable interest rate exposure on its projected aggregate outstanding balance, maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio of

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at least 1.15x at the end of each fiscal quarter beginning March 31, 2019 and have a projected debt service coverage ratio of 1.55x in order to incur additional indebtedness to refinance a portion of the existing obligations.

The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by each subsidiary of Cheniere Partners other than SPL, certain of the subsidiaries of Cheniere Partners owning other development projects, as well as certain other specified subsidiaries and members of the foregoing entities.

2015 CCH Credit Facility

In May 2015, CCH entered into the 2015 CCH Credit Facility, which is being used to fund a portion of the costs associated with the development, construction, operation and maintenance of Stage 1 of the CCL Project. Borrowings under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility may be refinanced, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty; however, interest rate hedging and interest rate breakage costs may be incurred. In conjunction with the issuance of the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and 2025 CCH Senior Notes, CCH prepaid approximately $2.4 billion of outstanding borrowings under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility. These prepayments resulted in a write-off of debt issuance costs associated with the 2015 CCH Credit Facility of $63.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.

The principal of the loans made under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility must be repaid in quarterly installments, commencing on the earlier of (1) the first quarterly payment date occurring more than three calendar months following project completion and (2) a set date determined by reference to the date under which a certain LNG buyer linked to Train 2 of the CCL Project is entitled to terminate its SPA for failure to achieve the date of first commercial delivery for that agreement. Scheduled repayments will be based upon a 19-year tailored amortization, commencing the first full quarter after the project completion and designed to achieve a minimum projected fixed debt service coverage ratio of 1.55:1.

Loans under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to, at CCH’s election, LIBOR or the base rate, plus the applicable margin. The applicable margins for LIBOR loans are 2.25% prior to completion of Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project and 2.50% on completion and thereafter. The applicable margins for base rate loans are 1.25% prior to completion Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project and 1.50% on completion and thereafter. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each applicable interest period and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end of each quarter. The 2015 CCH Credit Facility also requires CCH to pay a commitment fee at a rate per annum equal to 40% of the margin for LIBOR loans, multiplied by the outstanding undrawn debt commitments.

The obligations of CCH under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of CCH and its subsidiaries and by a pledge by CCH HoldCo I of its limited liability company interests in CCH.

Under the terms of the 2015 CCH Credit Facility, CCH is required to hedge not less than 65% of the variable interest rate exposure of its senior secured debt. CCH is restricted from making distributions under agreements governing its indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, the completion of the construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project, funding of a debt service reserve account equal to six months of debt service and achieving a historical debt service coverage ratio and fixed projected debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25:1.00.

CCH Working Capital Facility

In December 2016, CCH entered into the $350 millionCCH Working Capital Facility, which is intended to be used for loans to CCH (“CCH Working Capital Loans”), the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of CCH, as well as for swing line loans to CCH (“CCH Swing Line Loans”) for certain working capital requirements related to developing and placing into operation the CCL Project. Loans under the CCH Working Capital Facility are guaranteed by the CCH Guarantors. CCH may, from time to time, request increases in the commitments under the CCH Working Capital Facility of up to the maximum allowed under the Common Terms Agreement that was entered in concurrently with the 2015 CCH Credit Facility.

Loans under the CCH Working Capital Facility, including CCH Working Capital Loans, CCH Swing Line Loans and loans made in connection with a draw upon any letter of credit (“CCH LC Loans” and collectively, the “Revolving Loans”) accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to LIBOR or the base rate (equal to the highest of (1) the federal funds rate, plus 0.50%, (2) the prime rate, and (3) one month LIBOR plus 0.50%), plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR Revolving Loans ranges from 1.50% to 2.0% per annum, and the applicable margin for base rate Revolving Loans ranges from 0.50% to 1.00% per annum. Interest on CCH Working Capital Loans, CCH Swing Line Loans and CCH LC Loans is due and payable on

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the date the loan becomes due. Interest on LIBOR Revolving Loans is due and payable at the end of each LIBOR period, and interest on base rate Revolving Loans is due and payable at the end of each quarter.

CCH incurred $8.0 million of debt issuance costs related to the CCH Working Capital Facility during the year ended December 31, 2016. CCH pays (1) a commitment fee equal to an annual rate of 40% of the applicable margin for LIBOR Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of the excess of the total commitment amount over the principal amount outstanding without giving effect to any outstanding CCH Swing Line Loans, (2) a letter of credit fee equal to an annual rate equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR Revolving Loans on the undrawn portion of all letters of credit issued under the CCH Working Capital Facility, and (3) a letter of credit fronting fee equal to an annual rate of 0.20% of the undrawn portion of all letters of credit. Each of these fees is payable quarterly in arrears.

If draws are made upon a letter of credit issued under the CCH Working Capital Facility and CCH does not elect for such draw (a “CCH LC Draw”) to be deemed a CCH LC Loan, CCH is required to pay the full amount of the CCH LC Draw on or prior to the business day following the notice of the CCH LC Draw. A CCH LC Draw accrues interest at an annual rate of 2.0% plus the base rate.

The CCH Working Capital Facility matures on December 14, 2021, and CCH may prepay the Revolving Loans at any time without premium or penalty upon three business days’ notice and may re-borrow at any time. CCH LC Loans have a term of up to one year. CCH Swing Line Loans terminate upon the earliest of (1) the maturity date or earlier termination of the CCH Working Capital Facility, (2) the date that is 15 days after such CCH Swing Line Loan is made and (3) the first borrowing date for a CCH Working Capital Loan or CCH Swing Line Loan occurring at least four business days following the date the CCH Swing Line Loan is made. CCH is required to reduce the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all CCH Working Capital Loans to zero for a period of five consecutive business days at least once each year.

The CCH Working Capital Facility contains conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of CCH under the CCH Working Capital Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of CCH and the CCH Guarantors as well as all of the membership interests in CCH and each of the CCH Guarantors on a pari passu basis with the CCH Senior Notes and the 2015 CCH Credit Facility.

Convertible Notes

Below is a summary of our convertible notes outstanding as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

	2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes			2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes			2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes
Aggregate original principal	$	1,000,000		$	1,000,000		$	625,000
Debt component, net of discount	$	959,577		$	1,171,008		$	308,125
Equity component	$	204,529		$	—		$	194,082
Maturity date	May 28, 2021			March 1, 2025			March 15, 2045
Contractual interest rate	4.875		%	11.0		%	4.25		%
Effective interest rate	8.3		%	11.9		%	9.4		%
Remaining debt discount and debt issuance costs amortization period (1)	4.4 years			3.8 years			28.2 years

(1) We amortize any debt discount and debt issuance costs using the effective interest over the period through contractual maturity except for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes, which are amortized through the date they are first convertible by holders into our common stock.

2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes

In November 2014, we issued the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes on a private placement basis in reliance on the exemption from registration provided for under section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation S promulgated thereunder. The 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.875% per annum, which is payable in kind semi-annually in arrears by increasing the principal amount of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes outstanding. Beginning one year after the closing date, the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes will be convertible at the option of the holder into our common stock at the then applicable conversion rate, provided that the closing price of our common stock is greater than or

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equal to the conversion price on the conversion date. The initial conversion price was $93.64 and is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events. We have the option to satisfy the conversion obligation with cash, common stock or a combination thereof.

Under GAAP, certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion are required to be separately accounted for as liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer’s non-convertible debt borrowing rate. We determined that the fair value of the debt component was $808.8 million and the residual value of the equity component was $191.2 million as of the issuance date. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying value of the equity component was $204.5 million and $203.0 million, respectively. The debt component is accreted to the total principal amount due at maturity by amortizing the debt discount. The effective rate of interest to amortize the debt discount was approximately 8.3% and 9.6% as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, the if-converted value of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes did not exceed the principal balance.

2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes

In May 2015, CCH HoldCo II issued the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes on a private placement basis in reliance on the exemption from registration provided for under section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes were issued pursuant to the amended and restated note purchase agreement entered into among CCH HoldCo II, EIG Management Company, LLC, The Bank of New York Mellon, the Company and the note purchasers. The $1.0 billion principal of the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes will be used to partially fund costs associated with Stage 1 of the CCL Project. The 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 11.0% per annum, which is payable quarterly in arrears. Prior to the substantial completion of Train 2 of the CCL Project, interest on the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes will be paid entirely in kind. Following this date, the interest generally must be paid in cash; however, a portion of the interest may be paid in kind under certain specified circumstances. The 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes are secured by a pledge by us of 100% of the equity interests in CCH HoldCo II, and a pledge by CCH HoldCo II of 100% of the equity interests in CCH HoldCo I.

At CCH HoldCo II’s option, the outstanding 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes are convertible into our common stock, provided the total market capitalization of Cheniere at that time is not less than $10.0 billion, on or after the later of (1) 58 months from May 1, 2015, and (2) the substantial completion of Train 2 of the CCL Project (the “Eligible Conversion Date”). The conversion price for 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes converted at CCH HoldCo II’s option is the lower of (1) a 10% discount to the average of the daily volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of our common stock for the 90 trading day period prior to the date on which notice of conversion is provided, and (2) a 10% discount to the closing price of our common stock on the trading day preceding the date on which notice of conversion is provided. At the option of the holders, the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes are convertible on or after the six-month anniversary of the Eligible Conversion Date, provided the total market capitalization of Cheniere at that time is not less than $10.0 billion, at a conversion price equal to the average of the daily VWAP of our common stock for the 90 trading day period prior to the date on which notice of conversion is provided. Conversions are also subject to various limitations and conditions.

CCH HoldCo II is restricted from making distributions to Cheniere under agreements governing its indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project are in commercial operation and a historical debt service coverage ratio and a projected fixed debt services coverage ratio of 1.20:1.00 are achieved.

2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes

In March 2015, we issued the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes to certain investors through a registered direct offering. The 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes were issued with an original issue discount of 20% and accrue interest at a rate of 4.25% per annum, which is payable semi-annually in arrears. We have the right, at our option, at any time after March 15, 2020, to redeem all or any part of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes at a redemption price payable in cash equal to the accreted amount of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to such redemption date. The conversion rate will initially equal 7.2265 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, which corresponds to an initial conversion price of approximately $138.38 per share of our common stock. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events. We have the option to satisfy the conversion obligation with cash, common stock or a combination thereof.

We determined that the fair value of the debt component of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes was $304.3

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million and the residual value of the equity component was $195.7 million as of the issuance date, excluding debt issuance costs. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying value of the equity component, net of debt issuance costs, was $194.1 million and $194.0 million, respectively. The debt component is accreted to the total principal amount due at maturity by amortizing the debt discount. The effective rate of interest to amortize the debt discount was approximately 9.4% as of both December 31, 2016 and 2015. As of December 31, 2016, the if-converted value of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes did not exceed the principal balance.

Interest Expense

Total interest expense, including interest expense related to our convertible notes, consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Interest cost on convertible notes:
Interest per contractual rate	$	201,752		$	145,848		$	4,469
Amortization of debt discount	31,310			28,347			2,328
Amortization of debt issuance costs	5,240			2,989			4
Total interest cost related to convertible notes	238,302			177,184			6,801
Interest cost on debt excluding convertible notes	1,062,887			820,309			580,235
Total interest cost	1,301,189			997,493			587,036
Capitalized interest	(812,799		)	(675,410		)	(405,800		)
Total interest expense, net	$	488,390		$	322,083		$	181,236

Fair Value Disclosures

The following table (in thousands) shows the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our debt:

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Senior Notes, net of premium or discount (1)	$	14,262,838	$	15,210,299	$	10,596,307	$	9,525,809
CTPL Term Loan, net of discount (2)	—		—		398,571		400,000
Credit facilities (2) (3)	5,502,255		5,502,255		3,573,000		3,573,000
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes, net of discount (4)	959,577		983,384		879,938		825,413
2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes (4)	1,171,008		1,327,818		1,050,588		914,363
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, net of discount (5)	308,125		375,250		305,938		331,919

(1) Includes 2016 SPLNG Senior Notes, 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes, SPL Senior Notes and CCH Senior Notes(collectively, the “Senior Notes”). The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotes obtained from broker-dealers or market makers of the Senior Notes and other similar instruments.

(2) The Level 3 estimated fair value approximates the principal amount because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and the debt may be repaid, in full or in part, at any time without penalty. 

(3) Includes 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, SPL Working Capital Facility, 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, 2015 CCH Credit Facility, CCH Working Capital Facility and Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities.

(4) The Level 3 estimated fair value was calculated based on inputs that are observable in the market or that could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data, including our stock price and interest rates based on debt issued by parties with comparable credit ratings to us and inputs that are not observable in the market. 

(5) The Level 1 estimated fair value was based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical liabilities that we had the ability to access at the measurement date.

NOTE 13—RESTRUCTURING EXPENSE

During 2015 and 2016, we initiated and implemented certain organizational changes to simplify our corporate structure, improve our operational efficiencies and implement a strategy for sustainable, long-term stockholder value creation through

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financially disciplined development, construction, operation and investment.  As a result of these efforts, we recorded $61.4 million and $60.8 million of restructuring charges and other costs associated with restructuring and operational efficiency initiatives during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, for which the majority of these charges required, or will require, cash expenditure. Included in these amounts are $46.9 million and $57.9 million for share-based compensation during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  All charges were recorded within the line item entitled “restructuring expense” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and substantially all related to severance and other employee-related costs. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $6.1 million and $33.0 million, respectively, of accrued restructuring charges and other costs that were recorded as part of accrued liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Operational efficiency initiatives are ongoing but are substantially complete as of December 31, 2016.

NOTE 14—INCOME TAXES

Income tax benefit (provision) included in our reported net loss consisted of the following (in thousands): 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Current:
Federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
State	—			—			—
Foreign	(54		)	(1,970		)	(4,143		)
Total current	(54		)	(1,970		)	(4,143		)
Deferred:
Federal	—			—			—
State	—			—			—
Foreign	(1,854		)	2,066			—
Total deferred	(1,854		)	2,066			—
Total income tax benefit (provision)	$	(1,908	)	$	96		$	(4,143	)

The reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to our effective income tax rate is as follows: 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
U.S. federal statutory tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Non-controlling interest	(2.1	)%	(2.3	)%	(4.8	)%
State tax rate	1.8	%	1.9	%	4.3	%
Uncertain tax position	—	%	—	%	(12.5	)%
Net impact of non-U.S. taxes	(1.2	)%	(1.3	)%	(2.0	)%
Valuation allowance	(27.5	)%	(30.1	)%	(19.8	)%
Nondeductible interest expense	(6.6	)%	(2.6	)%	—	%
Other	0.3	%	(0.5	)%	(0.6	)%
Effective tax rate as reported	(0.3	)%	0.1	%	(0.4	)%

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Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows (in thousands): 

	December 31,
	2016			2015
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss carryforwards and credits
Federal and foreign	$	1,060,026		$	862,218
State	183,153			166,321
Book deferred gain	77,182			77,182
Share-based compensation expense	52,727			71,693
Property, plant and equipment	—			12,957
Derivative instruments	46,754			54,052
Long-term debt	17,676			8,725
Other	13,511			5,641
Less: valuation allowance	(1,251,959		)	(1,070,309		)
Total deferred tax assets	199,070			188,480
Deferred tax liabilities
Investment in limited partnership	(76,265		)	(57,466		)
Convertible debt	(118,341		)	(128,948		)
Property, plant and equipment	(4,464		)	—
Total deferred tax liabilities	(199,070		)	(186,414		)
Net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	2,066

The federal deferred tax assets presented above do not include the state tax benefits as our net deferred state tax assets are offset with a full valuation allowance.

At December 31, 2016, we had federal and state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $3.8 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively. These NOL carryforwards will expire between 2025 and 2036.

Due to our history of NOLs, current year NOLs and significant risk factors related to our ability to generate taxable income, we have established a valuation allowance to offset our deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.  We will continue to evaluate our ability to release the valuation allowance in the future. The increase in the valuation allowance was $181.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are classified as non-current in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Changes in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows (in thousands): 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of the year	$	103,640		$	104,491
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	—			—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—			—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(728		)	(851		)
Settlements	—			—
Balance at end of the year	$	102,912		$	103,640

Our effective tax rate will not be affected if the unrecognized federal income tax benefits provided above were recognized. Currently, we do not recognize any accrued liabilities, interest and penalties associated with the unrecognized tax benefits provided above in our Consolidated Statements of Operations or our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as part of income tax expense.

We experienced an ownership change within the provisions of Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 382 in 2008, 2010 and 2012. An analysis of the annual limitation on the utilization of our NOLs was performed in accordance with IRC Section 382. It was determined that IRC Section 382 will not limit the use of our NOLs in full over the carryover period. We will continue to

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monitor trading activity in our shares which may cause an additional ownership change which could ultimately affect our ability to fully utilize our existing NOL carryforwards.

We are subject to tax in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. We remain subject to periodic audits and reviews by taxing authorities; however, we do not expect these audits will have a material effect on our tax provision. The federal tax returns for the years after 2012 remain open for examination. Tax authorities may have the ability to review and adjust net operating loss or tax credit carryforwards that were generated prior to these periods if utilized in an open tax year.

Accounting for share-based compensation provides that when settlement of a share based award contributes to an NOL carryforward, neither the associated excess tax benefit nor the credit to additional paid-in capital (“APIC”) should be recorded until the share-based award deduction reduces income tax payable. Upon utilization of the loss in future periods, a benefit of $177.3 million will be reflected in APIC, or as income tax expense upon adoption of ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.

NOTE 15—SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

We have granted stock, restricted stock, phantom units and options to purchase common stock to employees, outside directors and a consultant under the Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2003 Plan”), 2011 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2011 Plan”), the 2015 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) and the 2015 Employee Inducement Incentive Plan (the “Inducement Plan”).

The 2003 Plan and 2011 Plan provide for the issuance of 21.0 million shares and 35.0 million shares, respectively, of our common stock that may be in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, purchased stock, restricted (non-vested) stock, bonus (unrestricted) stock, stock appreciation rights, phantom units and other share-based performance awards deemed by the Compensation Committee of our Board(the “Compensation Committee”) to be consistent with the purposes of the 2003 Plan and 2011 Plan. As of December 31, 2016, all of the shares under the 2003 Plan have been granted and 26.5 million shares, net of cancellations, have been granted under the 2011 Plan. See Note 23—Subsequent Events for information regarding the approval of additional awards under the 2011 Plan. The 2015 Plan generally provides for cash-settled awards in the form of stock appreciation rights, phantom unit awards, performance unit awards, other-stock based awards and cash awards. As of December 31, 2016, 6.7 million phantom units have been granted under the 2015 Plan. The Inducement Plan initially provided for the issuance of up to 1.0 million shares of our common stock in the form of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, phantom stock awards and other stock-based awards deemed by the Compensation Committee to provide us with an opportunity to attract employees. As of December 31, 2016, 0.2 million shares of restricted stock have been granted under the Inducement Plan. In December 2016, the Compensation Committee recommended, and our Board approved, reducing the remaining shares available for issuance under the Inducement Plan to zero.

In August 2012, the Compensation Committee granted the Long-Term Commercial Bonus Awards for Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project, which consisted of approximately $60 million in cash awards and 10 million restricted shares of common stock under the 2011 Plan. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the final 25% of the restricted stock awards granted under this award vested.

In February 2013, the Compensation Committee granted the Long-Term Commercial Bonus Awards related to Trains 3 and 4 of the SPL Project under the 2003 Plan and 2011 Plan. A portion of each employee’s Long-Term Commercial Bonus Award for Trains 3 and 4 of the SPL Project was granted as a stock price award (“Stock Price Award”), with vesting of the Stock Price Award conditional on the achievement of minimum average Company stock price hurdles, and a portion was granted as a milestone award (“Milestone Award”), with vesting of the Milestone Award conditional on certain performance milestones relating to financing and constructing Trains 3 and 4 of the SPL Project. As of December 31, 2016, 100% of the Stock Price Awards had vested and 50% of the Milestone Awards had vested. The remaining 20% and 30% of Milestone Awards will vest upon substantial completion of Train 4 of the SPL Project, as defined in the EPC contract for Trains 3 and 4 of the SPL Project, and on the first anniversary thereof, respectively.

In April 2015, the Compensation Committee recommended and our Board approved the 2014-2018 Long-Term Cash Incentive Program (the “2014-2018 LTIP”) under the 2015 Plan. The 2014-2018 LTIP consists of phantom units settled in cash with five consecutive annual performance periods commencing on November 1 and ending on October 31 of each year from November 1, 2013 through October 31, 2018. Awards under the 2014-2018 LTIP are subject to a three-year vesting schedule, with one-third of the phantom units vesting and becoming payable on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of the

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grant (except for the initial grant for the 2014 performance period, which was subject to a three-year vesting schedule ending on February 1, 2016, 2017 and 2018). The Compensation Committee recommended and our Board approved the termination of the 2014-2018 LTIP in October 2016.

Total share-based compensation expense consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Total share-based compensation	$	116,835		$	195,308		$	110,229
Capitalized share-based compensation	(16,312		)	(22,912		)	(8,226		)
Total share-based compensation expense	$	100,523		$	172,396		$	102,003

The total unrecognized compensation cost at December 31, 2016 relating to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements was $125.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years.

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized share-based compensation expense of $5.6 million, zero and $10.8 million, respectively, related to the modification of awards resulting from employee terminations.

We have disclosed the deferred tax benefit realized from share-based compensation exercised during the annual period in Note 14—Income Taxes. A valuation allowance equal to the deferred tax asset has been established due to the uncertainty of realizing the tax benefits related to this deferred tax asset.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock awards are awards of common stock that are subject to restrictions on transfer and to a risk of forfeiture if the recipient terminates employment with the Company prior to the lapse of the restrictions. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we issued 273,000 shares, 19,000 shares and 550,000 shares, respectively, of restricted stock awards to our employees, executives, directors and a consultant. These awards vest based on service conditions (one, three or four-year service periods), performance conditions and/or market conditions. The amortization of the value of restricted stock grants is accounted for as a charge to compensation expense or capitalized, depending on the nature of services provided by the employee, with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in-capital over the requisite service period.

Grants of restricted stock to employees and non-employee directors that vest based on service and/or performance conditions are measured at the closing quoted market price of our common stock on the grant date. For restricted stock awards granted to non-employees that vest based on service and/or performance conditions, we record compensation cost equal to the fair value of the award at the measurement date, which is determined to be the earlier of the performance commitment date or the service completion date. In addition, compensation cost for unvested restricted stock awards to non-employees is adjusted quarterly for any changes in our stock price.

The table below provides a summary of our restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2016 (in thousands, except for per share information):

	Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at January 1, 2016	7,536		$	22.80
Granted	273		34.41
Vested	(1,701	)	21.37
Forfeited	(457	)	23.00
Non-vested at December 31, 2016	5,651		$	24.12

The weighted average grant date fair value per share of restricted stock granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $34.41, $70.43 and $60.09, respectively. The total grant date fair value of restricted stock vested during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $36.3 million, $50.2 million and $84.0 million, respectively.

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Phantom Units

Phantom units are share-based awards granted to employees over a vesting period that entitle the grantee to receive the cash equivalent to the value of a share of our common stock upon each vesting. Phantom units are not eligible to receive quarterly distributions. We initially measure compensation cost based on our stock price on the grant date, which is included in accrued liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and is adjusted quarterly for any changes in our stock price and period of service rendered. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we granted 1.8 million, 5.9 million and 0.1 million phantom units, respectively, to employees, of which 3.9 million and 4.7 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The value of phantom units vested during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $78.3 million and $50.0 million, respectively of which $1.1 million and $45.4 million was recorded as part of accrued liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. There were no vestings of phantom units during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Stock Options

Stock options to employees are valued at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model and the cost is recognized over the option vesting period. We did not issue any options to purchase shares of our common stock and did not declare dividends on our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. 

The table below provides a summary of our options outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2016:

	Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(in thousands)				(in years)	(in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2016	27		$	39.88	0.27	$	—
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(2	)	33.39
Forfeited or Expired	(25	)	40.27
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	—		$	—	—	$	—
Exercisable at December 31, 2016	—		$	—	—	$	—

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $17,000, $2.7 million and $11.9 million, respectively. We received $0.1 million, $2.3 million and $10.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

NOTE 16—EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

We have a defined contribution plan (“401(k) Plan”) which allows eligible employees to contribute up to 100% of their compensation up to the IRS maximum. We match each employee’s salary deferrals (contributions) up to 6% of compensation and may make additional contributions at our discretion. Employees are immediately vested in the contributions made by us. Our contributions to the 401(k) Plan were $6.3 million, $4.9 million and $3.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We have made no discretionary contributions to the 401(k) Plan to date.

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NOTE 17—NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

The following table (in thousands, except for loss per share) reconciles basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	228,768			226,903			224,338
Dilutive common stock options and unvested stock	—			—			—
Diluted	228,768			226,903			224,338
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders	$	(2.67	)	$	(4.30	)	$	(2.44	)

Potentially dilutive securities that were not included in the diluted net loss per share computations because their effect would have been anti-dilutive were as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016	2015	2014
Stock options and unvested stock (1)	621	2,134	5,063
Convertible Notes (2)	16,328	15,773	10,727
Total dilutive common shares	16,949	17,907	15,790

(1) Does not include 5.0 million shares, 5.4 million shares and 5.5 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of unvested stock because the performance conditions had not yet been satisfied as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(2) Includes shares in aggregate issuable upon conversion of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes and the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes. There were no shares included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes because substantive non-market-based contingencies underlying the eligible conversion date have not been met as of December 31, 2016.

NOTE 18—LEASES

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized rental expense for all operating leases of $85.8 million, $40.6 million and $19.1 million, respectively, related primarily to office space, land sites and LNG vessel time charters. Our land site leases for the Sabine Pass LNG terminal have initial terms varying up to 30 years with multiple options to renew up to an additional 60 years.

Future annual minimum lease payments, excluding inflationary adjustments, for operating leases are as follows (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Operating Leases (1)
2017	$	129,000
2018	106,519
2019	102,451
2020	83,418
2021	21,651
Thereafter	96,814
Total	$	539,853

(1) Includes certain lease option renewals that are reasonably assured.

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Capital Leases

In December 2015, we entered into a lease agreement for tug services related to the CCL Project that was accounted for as a capital lease. As of December 31, 2016, we did not have any assets recorded under this obligation due to the service term of this lease commencing in 2018. We will record assets acquired under capital leases, net of accumulated amortization, in property, plant and equipment, net, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets upon commencement of the service term, and the related amortization expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Future annual minimum lease payments, excluding inflationary adjustments, for capital leases are as follows (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Capital Leases
2017	$	—
2018	4,980
2019	9,960
2020	9,988
2021	9,960
Thereafter	164,426
Total	$	199,314

NOTE 19—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have various contractual obligations which are recorded as liabilities in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments and other executed contracts which do not meet the definition of a liability as of December 31, 2016, are not recognized as liabilities but require disclosures in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

LNG Terminal Commitments and Contingencies

Obligations under EPC Contracts

SPL has entered into lump sum turnkey contracts with Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (“Bechtel”) for the engineering, procurement and construction of Trains 3 through 5 of the SPL Project.

The EPC contract for SPL Trains 3 and 4 and the EPC contract for SPL Train 5 provide that SPL will pay Bechtel contract prices of $3.9 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively, subject to adjustment by change order.  SPL has the right to terminate each EPC contract for its convenience, in which case Bechtel will be paid (1) the portion of the contract price for the work performed, (2) costs reasonably incurred by Bechtel on account of such termination and demobilization, and (3) a lump sum of up to $30.0 million depending on the termination date.

CCL has entered into lump sum turnkey contracts with Bechtel for the engineering, procurement and construction of Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the CCL Project. The EPC contract prices for Stage 1 of the CCL Project and Stage 2 of the CCL Project are approximately $7.7 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, reflecting amounts incurred under change orders through December 31, 2016. CCL has the right to terminate each of the EPC contracts for its convenience, in which case Bechtel will be paid the portion of the contract price for the work performed plus costs reasonably incurred by Bechtel on account of such termination and demobilization. If the EPC contract for Stage 1 of the CCL Project is terminated, Bechtel will also be paid a lump sum of up to $30.0 million depending on the termination date. If the EPC contract for Stage 2 of the CCL Project is terminated, Bechtel will be paid a lump sum of $5.0 million if the termination date is prior to the issuance of the notice to proceed, or Bechtel will be paid a lump sum of up to $30.0 million if the termination date is after the issuance of the notice to proceed, depending on the termination date.

Obligations under SPAs

SPL has entered into third-party SPAs which obligate SPL to purchase and liquefy sufficient quantities of natural gas to deliver 401.5 million MMBtu per year of LNG to the customers’ vessels for Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project and 628.5 million MMBtu per year of LNG for Trains 3 through 5 of the SPL Project, subject to completion of construction.

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CCL has entered into third-party SPAs which obligate CCL to purchase and liquefy sufficient quantities of natural gas to deliver 438.7 million MMBtu per year of LNG to the customers’ vessels, subject to completion of construction of Trains 1 through 3 of the CCL Project.

Obligations under LNG TUAs

SPLNG has entered into third-party TUAs with Total Gas & Power North America, Inc. and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. to provide berthing for LNG vessels and for the unloading, storage and regasification of LNG at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.

Obligations under Natural Gas Supply, Transportation and Storage Service Agreements

SPL has entered into index-based physical natural gas supply contracts to secure natural gas feedstock for the SPL Project. The terms of these contracts primarily range from approximately one to six years and commence upon the occurrence of conditions precedent, including SPL’s declaration to the respective natural gas supplier that it is ready to commence the term of the supply arrangement in anticipation of the date of first commercial operation of the applicable, specified Trains of the SPL Project. As of December 31, 2016, SPL has secured up to approximately 1,993.9 million MMBtu of natural gas feedstock through natural gas supply contracts, of which we determined that we have purchase obligations for the contracts for which conditions precedent were met.

Additionally, SPL has entered into transportation and storage service agreements for the SPL Project. The initial term of the transportation agreements ranges from 10 to 20 years, with renewal options for certain contracts, and commences upon the occurrence of conditions precedent. The term of the SPL storage service agreements ranges from three to ten years. CCL has entered into a combined transportation and storage service agreement with a 20-year term beginning in 2019.

As of December 31, 2016, our obligations under natural gas supply, transportation and storage service agreements for contracts in which conditions precedent were met were as follows (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Payments Due (1)
2017	$	1,611,296
2018	1,192,791
2019	1,029,621
2020	1,069,222
2021	917,113
Thereafter	2,406,125
Total	$	8,226,168

(1) Pricing of natural gas supply contracts are variable based on market commodity basis prices adjusted for basis spread. Amounts included are based on prices and basis spreads as of December 31, 2016.

Restricted Net Assets

At December 31, 2016, our restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries were approximately $2.4 billion.

Obligations under Certain Guarantee Contracts

Cheniere and certain of its subsidiaries enter into guarantee arrangements in the normal course of business to facilitate transactions with third parties. These arrangements include financial guarantees, letters of credit and debt guarantees. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no liabilities recognized under these guarantee arrangements.

Other Commitments

In the ordinary course of business, we have entered into certain multi-year licensing and service agreements, none of which are considered material to our financial position. Additionally, we have various lease commitments, as disclosed in Note 18—Leases.

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Legal Proceedings

We may in the future be involved as a party to various legal proceedings, which are incidental to the ordinary course of business. We regularly analyze current information and, as necessary, provide accruals for probable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters.

Parallax Litigation

In 2015, our wholly owned subsidiary, Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC (“CLNGT”), entered into discussions with Parallax Enterprises, LLC (“Parallax Enterprises”) regarding the potential joint development of two liquefaction plants in Louisiana (the “Potential Liquefaction Transactions”). While the parties negotiated regarding the Potential Liquefaction Transactions, CLNGT loaned Parallax Enterprises approximately $46 million, as reflected in a secured note dated April 23, 2015, as amended on June 30, 2015, September 30, 2015 and November 4, 2015 (the “Secured Note”). The Secured Note was secured by all assets of Parallax Enterprises and its subsidiary entities. On June 30, 2015, Parallax Enterprises’ parent entity, Parallax Energy LLC (“Parallax Energy”), executed a Pledge and Guarantee Agreement further securing repayment of the Secured Note by providing a parent guaranty and a pledge of all of the equity of Parallax Enterprises in satisfaction of the Secured Note (the “Pledge Agreement”). CLNGT and Parallax Enterprises never executed a definitive agreement to pursue the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. The Secured Note matured on December 11, 2015, and Parallax Enterprises failed to make payment. On February 3, 2016, CLNGT filed an action against Parallax Energy, Parallax Enterprises, and certain of Parallax Enterprises’ subsidiary entities, styled Cause No. 4:16-cv-00286, Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC v. Parallax Energy LLC, et al., in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Texas Suit”). CLNGT asserted claims in the Texas Suit for (1) recovery of all amounts due under the Secured Note and (2) declaratory relief establishing that CLNGT is entitled to enforce its rights under the Secured Note and Pledge Agreement in accordance with each instrument’s terms and that CLNGT has no obligations of any sort to Parallax Enterprises concerning the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. On March 11, 2016, Parallax Enterprises and the other defendants in the Texas Suit moved to dismiss the suit for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. On August 2, 2016, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss without prejudice and permitted the parties to pursue jurisdictional discovery, which is ongoing.

On March 11, 2016, Parallax Enterprises filed a suit against us and CLNGT styled Civil Action No. 62-810, Parallax Enterprises LLP v. Cheniere Energy, Inc. and Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC, in the 25th Judicial District Court of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana (the “Louisiana Suit”), wherein Parallax Enterprises asserted claims for breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, detrimental reliance, unjust enrichment and violation of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act. Parallax Enterprises predicated its claims in the Louisiana Suit on an allegation that we and CLNGT breached a purported agreement to jointly develop the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. Parallax Enterprises sought $400 million in alleged economic damages and rescission of the Secured Note. On April 15, 2016, we and CLNGT removed the Louisiana Suit to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which subsequently transferred the Louisiana Suit to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, where it was assigned Civil Action No. 4:16-cv-01628 and transferred to the same judge presiding over the Texas Suit for coordinated handling. On August 22, 2016, Parallax Enterprises voluntarily dismissed all claims asserted against CLNGT and us in the Louisiana Suit without prejudice to refiling. We do not expect that the resolution of this litigation will have a material adverse impact on our financial results.

NOTE 20—BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

We have two reportable segments: LNG terminal segment and LNG and natural gas marketing segment. We determine our reportable segments by identifying each segment that engaged in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, had operating results regularly reviewed by the entities’ chief operating decision maker for purposes of resource allocation and performance assessment and had discrete financial information. Revenues from external customers that were derived from customers outside of the United States were $514.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, of which $161.7 million was derived from a customer in Japan. Substantially all of our revenues from external customers for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were attributed to the United States. We attribute revenues from external customers to the country in which the party to the applicable agreement has its principal place of business. Substantially all of our long-lived assets are located in the United States.

Our LNG terminal segment consists of the Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi LNG terminals. Our LNG and natural gas marketing segment consists of LNG and natural gas marketing activities by Cheniere Marketing. Cheniere Marketing is developing a portfolio of long- and medium-term SPAs with professional staff based in the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore and Chile.

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During 2016, we initiated certain organizational changes to simplify our corporate structure, improve our operational efficiencies and implement a strategy for sustainable, long-term stockholder value creation through financially disciplined development, construction, operation and investment. We are currently evaluating the way we manage our business as a result of these changes. This evaluation is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2017 and may result in a change to our reportable segments as organizational alignment is finalized.

The following table (in thousands) summarizes revenues (losses) and income (loss) from operations for each of our reporting segments: 

	Segments
	LNG Terminal			LNG & Natural Gas Marketing			Corporate and Other (1)			Total Consolidation
Year Ended December 31, 2016
Revenues (losses) from external customers	$	803,480		$	520,645		$	(40,958	)	$	1,283,167
Intersegment revenues (losses) (2)	294,889			37,970			(332,859		)	—
Depreciation and amortization expense	149,690			1,386			22,966			174,042
Income (loss) from operations (3)	237,432			31,012			(297,811		)	(29,367		)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(384,605		)	—			(103,785		)	(488,390		)
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest (4)	(268,955		)	35,406			(429,336		)	(662,885		)
Share-based compensation	25,364			24,772			66,699			116,835
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets	4,623,438			2,714			(1,136		)	4,625,016
Year Ended December 31, 2015
Revenues from external customers	$	269,281		$	66		$	1,538		$	270,885
Intersegment revenues (losses) (2)	2,225			29,373			(31,598		)	—
Depreciation and amortization expense	65,137			1,071			16,472			82,680
Loss from operations (3)	(69,923		)	(85,577		)	(293,813		)	(449,313		)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(219,831		)	—			(102,252		)	(322,083		)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (4)	(596,432		)	(87,133		)	(413,846		)	(1,097,411		)
Share-based compensation	32,948			14,401			147,959			195,308
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets	6,984,152			2,731			97,216			7,084,099
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Revenues (losses) from external customers	$	267,606		$	(1,285	)	$	1,633		$	267,954
Intersegment revenues (losses) (2)	(779		)	41,908			(41,129		)	—
Depreciation and amortization expense	58,883			271			5,104			64,258
Loss from operations	(89,790		)	(12,993		)	(169,396		)	(272,179		)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(177,400		)	—			(3,836		)	(181,236		)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (4)	(480,366		)	(14,874		)	(192,494		)	(687,734		)
Share-based compensation	14,129			6,027			90,073			110,229
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets	2,684,045			1,888			161,882			2,847,815

(1) Includes corporate activities, business development, strategic activities and certain intercompany eliminations. These activities have been included in the corporate and other column. Also includes $338.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 of Cheniere Marketing’s LNG revenues, which is eliminated in consolidation.

(2) Intersegment revenues (losses) related to our LNG and natural gas marketing segment are primarily a result of international revenue allocations using a cost plus transfer pricing methodology. These LNG and natural gas marketing segment intersegment revenues (losses) are eliminated with intersegment revenues (losses) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(3) Includes restructuring expense of $44.4 million and $60.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the corporate and other column and $17.0 million and zero for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the LNG and natural gas marketing segment.

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(4) Items to reconcile income (loss) from operations and income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest include consolidated other income (expense) amounts as presented on our Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily related to our LNG terminal segment.

The following table (in thousands) shows total assets for each of our reporting segments: 

	December 31,
	2016		2015
LNG Terminal	$	22,420,568	$	17,363,750
LNG & Natural Gas Marketing	731,023		550,896
Corporate and Other	551,146		894,407
Total Consolidation	$	23,702,737	$	18,809,053

NOTE 21—SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The following table (in thousands) provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$	66,436	$	122,860	$	130,578
Non-cash conveyance of assets	—		13,169		—

The balance in property, plant and equipment, net funded with accounts payable and accrued liabilities was $395.1 million, $301.4 million and $129.8 million as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

NOTE 22—RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting standards that had not been adopted by the Company as of December 31, 2016:

Standard	Description	Expected Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and subsequent amendments thereto	This standard provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model which replaces and supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance and requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard requires that the costs to obtain and fulfill contracts with customers should be recognized as assets and amortized to match the pattern of transfer of goods or services to the customer if expected to be recoverable. The standard also requires enhanced disclosures. This guidance may be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented subject to allowable practical expedients (“full retrospective approach”) or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption (“modified retrospective approach”).	January 1, 2018	We continue to evaluate the effect of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Preliminarily, we plan to adopt this standard using the full retrospective approach and we do not currently anticipate that the adoption will have a material impact upon our revenues. The FASB has issued and may issue in the future amendments and interpretive guidance which may cause our evaluation to change. Furthermore, we routinely enter into new contracts and we cannot predict with certainty whether the accounting for any future contract under the new standard would result in a significant change from existing guidance. Because this assessment is preliminary and the accounting for revenue recognition is subject to significant judgment, this conclusion could change as we finalize our assessment. We have not yet determined the impact that recognizing fulfillment costs as assets will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED

Standard	Description	Expected Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory	This standard requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This guidance may be early adopted and must be adopted prospectively.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)	This standard requires a lessee to recognize leases on its balance sheet by recording a lease liability representing the obligation to make future lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. A lessee is permitted to make an election not to recognize lease assets and liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. The standard also modifies the definition of a lease and requires expanded disclosures. This guidance may be early adopted, and must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach with certain available practical expedients.	January 1, 2019	We continue to evaluate the effect of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Preliminarily, we anticipate a material impact from the requirement to recognize all leases upon our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Because this assessment is preliminary and the accounting for leases is subject to significant judgment, this conclusion could change as we finalize our assessment. We have not yet determined the impact of the adoption of this standard upon our results of operations or cash flows, whether we will elect to early adopt this standard or which, if any, practical expedients we will elect upon transition.
ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting	This standard primarily requires the recognition of excess tax benefits for share-based awards in the statement of operations and the classification of excess tax benefits as an operating activity within the statement of cash flows. The guidance also allows an entity to elect to account for forfeitures when they occur. This guidance may be early adopted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory	This standard requires the immediate recognition of the tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers other than inventory. This guidance may be early adopted, but only at the beginning of an annual period, and must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach.	January 1, 2018	We are currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	This standard simplifies the measurement of goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement for an entity to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation. An entity will instead measure the impairment as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. This guidance may be early adopted beginning January 1, 2017, and must be adopted prospectively.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED

Additionally, the following table provides a brief description of recent accounting standards that were adopted by the Company during the reporting period:

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis	These amendments primarily affect asset managers and reporting entities involved with limited partnerships or similar entities, but the analysis is relevant in the evaluation of any reporting organization’s requirement to consolidate a legal entity. This guidance changes (1) the identification of variable interests, (2) the variable interest entity characteristics for a limited partnership or similar entity and (3) the primary beneficiary determination. This guidance may be early adopted, and may be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption.	January 1, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and ASU 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements	These standards require debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability rather than as an asset. Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with line of credit arrangements may be presented as an asset and subsequently amortized ratably over the term of the line of credit arrangement. This guidance may be early adopted, and must be adopted retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented.	January 1, 2016	Upon adoption of these standards, the balance of debt, net was reduced by the balance of debt issuance costs, net, except for the balance related to line of credit arrangements, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 12—Debt for additional disclosures.
ASU 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement	This standard clarifies the circumstances under which a cloud computing customer would account for the arrangement as a license of internal-use software. This guidance may be early adopted, and may be adopted as either retrospectively or prospectively to arrangements entered into, or materially modified, after the effective date.	January 1, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern	This standard requires an entity’s management to evaluate, for each reporting period, whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the financial statements are issued. Additional disclosures are required if management concludes that conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Early adoption is permitted.	December 31, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—CONTINUED

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230):Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)	This standard requires an entity to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. This guidance may be early adopted, and must be adopted retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented.	December 31, 2016	As a result of adopting this standard, our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows now reconciles the balance of total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from the beginning of the period to the end of the period. This resulted in changes to previously reported cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities.
ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business	This standard narrows the accounting definition of a business and clarifies that when substantially all of the fair value of an integrated set of assets and activities is concentrated in a single asset or a group of similar assets, the integrated set of assets and activities is not a business. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. This guidance may be early adopted and must be adopted prospectively.	December 31, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.

NOTE 23—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SPL Senior Notes

In January 2017, SPL was assigned a second investment grade rating on its senior secured notes by rating agencies. As a result, certain covenants, including those that limit SPL’s ability to make certain investments, under the SPL Indenture are no longer applicable.

SPL Private Placement Notes

In February 2017, SPL entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with various purchasers to issue and sell $800 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior secured notes due 2037 in a private placement conducted pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

Approval and Grant of Additional Awards under the 2011 Plan

In January 2017, the issuance of awards with respect to 7.8 million shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2011 Plan was approved at a special meeting of our shareholders. In February 2017, an aggregate of 1.1 million restricted stock units and target performance stock units were granted to employees as part of the 2017 Long Term Incentive Program under the 2011 Plan, exclusive of performance milestone awards that may be earned upon an FID being made on or prior to December 31, 2018 with respect to a third train of the CCL Project.

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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARIZED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

(unaudited)

Summarized Quarterly Financial Data—(in thousands, except per share amounts)

	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Year ended December 31, 2016:
Revenues	$	69,081		$	176,827		$	465,673		$	571,586
Income (loss) from operations	(90,559		)	(76,454		)	15,276			122,370
Net income (loss)	(348,974		)	(334,944		)	(130,416		)	149,541
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	(320,838		)	(298,418		)	(100,442		)	109,707
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted (1)	(1.41		)	(1.31		)	(0.44		)	0.48
Year ended December 31, 2015:
Revenues	$	68,369		$	68,025		$	66,059		$	68,432
Loss from operations	(60,244		)	(95,874		)	(52,074		)	(241,121		)
Net loss	(335,844		)	(141,802		)	(307,092		)	(312,577		)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	(267,709		)	(118,495		)	(297,808		)	(291,097		)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted (1)	(1.18		)	(0.52		)	(1.31		)	(1.28		)

(1) The sum of the quarterly net income (loss) per share—basic and diluted may not equal the full year amount as the computations of the weighted average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted shares outstanding for each quarter and the full year are performed independently.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on their evaluation as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act are (1) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and (2) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

During the most recent fiscal quarter, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is included in our Consolidated Financial Statements on page 64 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Compliance Disclosure

Pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act, if during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, we or any of our affiliates had engaged in certain transactions with Iran or with persons or entities designated under certain executive orders, we would be required to disclose information regarding such transactions in our annual report on Form 10-K as required under Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (“ITRA”). During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, we did not engage in any transactions with Iran or with persons or entities related to Iran.

Blackstone CQP Holdco LP, an affiliate of The Blackstone Group L.P. (“Blackstone Group”), is a holder of more than 29% of the outstanding equity interests of Cheniere Partners and has three representatives on the Board of Directors of Cheniere Partners GP. Accordingly, Blackstone Group may be deemed an “affiliate” of Cheniere Partners, as that term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, Blackstone Group included in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016 disclosures pursuant to ITRA regarding two of its portfolio companies that may be deemed to be affiliates of Blackstone Group during the period covered by the reports. Because of the broad definition of “affiliate” in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2, these portfolio companies of Blackstone Group, through Blackstone Group’s ownership of Cheniere Partners, may also be deemed to have been affiliates of ours. We have not independently verified the disclosure described in the following paragraphs.

Blackstone Group disclosed that Travelport Worldwide Limited (“Travelport”) engaged in the following activities during the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016: as part of its global business in the travel industry, Travelport provides certain passenger travel related Travel Commerce Platform and Technology Services to Iran Air. Travelport also provides certain airline Technology Services to Iran Air Tours. The gross revenues and net profits attributable to such activities by Travelport during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 were approximately $156,000 and $109,000, respectively. Blackstone Group informed us that Travelport intended

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to continue these business activities with Iran Air and Iran Air Tours as such activities were either exempt from applicable sanctions prohibitions or specifically licensed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (the “OFAC”).

Blackstone Group disclosed that NCR Corporation (“NCR”) has engaged in the following activities during the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016: NCR reported that during the period from January 1, 2016 through April 30, 2016, NCR continued to maintain a bank account and guarantees at the Commercial Bank of Syria (“CBS”), which was designated as a Specially Designated National pursuant to Executive Order 13382 (“EO 13382”) on August 10, 2011.  This bank account and the guarantees at CBS were maintained in the normal course of business prior to the listing of CBS pursuant to EO 13382.  NCR reported that the last known account balance as of April 30, 2016, was approximately $3,468.  The bank account did not generate interest from January 1, 2016 through April 30, 2016, and the guarantees did not generate any revenue or profits for NCR. Pursuant to a license granted to NCR by the OFAC on January 3, 2013, and subsequent licenses granted on April 29, 2013, July 12, 2013, February 28, 2014, November 12, 2014, and October 24, 2015, NCR had been winding down its past operations in Syria. NCR’s last such license expired on April 30, 2016. In addition, NCR’s application to renew the license to transact business with CBS, which was submitted to OFAC on May 18, 2015, was not acted upon prior to the expiration of NCR’s last such license. As a result, and in connection with the license expiration, NCR abandoned its remaining property in Syria, which, including the CBS account, was commercially insignificant, and ended the employment of its final two employees in Syria, who had remained employed by NCR to assist with the execution of the Company’s wind-down activities pursuant to authority granted by the OFAC licenses. NCR did not intend to engage in any further business activities with CBS.

PART III

Pursuant to paragraph 3 of General Instruction G to Form 10-K, the information required by Items 10 through 14 of Part III of this Report is incorporated by reference from Cheniere’s definitive proxy statement, which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of Cheniere’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) Financial Statements, Schedules and Exhibits

(1) Financial Statements—Cheniere Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries: 

Management’s Report to the Stockholders of Cheniere Energy, Inc.	64
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	65
Consolidated Balance Sheets	67
Consolidated Statements of Operations	68
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity	69
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	70
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	71
Supplemental Information to Consolidated Financial Statements—Quarterly Financial Data	112

(2) Financial Statement Schedules: 

Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 134

(3)  Exhibits:

Certain of the agreements filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K contain representations, warranties, covenants and conditions by the parties to the agreements that have been made solely for the benefit of the parties to the agreement. These representations, warranties, covenants and conditions:

• should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;

• may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other parties in connection with the    negotiation of the agreements, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreements;

• may apply standards of materiality that differ from those of a reasonable investor; and

• were made only as of specified dates contained in the agreements and are subject to subsequent developments and changed circumstances.

Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. These agreements are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Company or the other parties to the agreements. Investors should not rely on them as statements of fact.

Exhibit No.	Description
2.1	Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2012, by and among Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., Cheniere Pipeline Company, Grand Cheniere Pipeline, LLC and Cheniere Energy, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on August 9, 2012)
3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004 (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 10, 2004)
3.2	Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 8, 2005)

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Exhibit No.	Description
3.3	Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC File No. 333-160017), filed on June 16, 2009)
3.4	Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on June 7, 2012)
3.5	Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 5, 2013)
3.6	Bylaws of Cheniere Energy, Inc., as amended and restated December 9, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on December 15, 2015)
3.7	Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cheniere Energy, Inc., dated September 15, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on September 19, 2016)
4.1	Specimen Common Stock Certificate of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-10905), filed on August 27, 1996)
4.2	Indenture, dated as of February 1, 2013, by and among Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, the guarantors that may become party thereto from time to time and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on February 4, 2013)
4.3	Form of 5.625% Senior Secured Note due 2021 (Included as Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.2 above)
4.4	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 16, 2013, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on April 16, 2013)
4.5	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 16, 2013, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1.2 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on April 16, 2013)
4.6	Form of 5.625% Senior Secured Note due 2023 (Included as Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.5 above)
4.7	Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 25, 2013, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on November 25, 2013)
4.8	Form of 6.25% Senior Secured Note due 2022 (Included as Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.7 above)
4.9	Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 20, 2014, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on May 22, 2014)
4.10	Form of 5.750% Senior Secured Note due 2024 (Included as Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.9 above)
4.11	Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 20, 2014, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on May 22, 2014)
4.12	Form of 5.625% Senior Secured Note due 2023 (Included as Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.11 above)
4.13	Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 3, 2015, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on March 3, 2015)
4.14	Form of 5.625% Senior Secured Note due 2025 (Included as Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.13 above)
4.15	Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 14, 2016, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee under the Indenture (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on June 14, 2016)
4.16	Form of 5.875% Senior Secured Note due 2026 (Included as Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.15 above)
4.17	Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 19, 2016, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee under the Indenture (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on September 23, 2016)
4.18	Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 23, 2016, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee under the Indenture (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on September 23, 2016)

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Exhibit No.	Description
4.19	Form of 5.00% Senior Secured Note due 2027 (Included as Exhibit A-2 to Exhibit 4.18 above)
4.20	Indenture, dated as of November 28, 2014, by and between Cheniere Energy, Inc., as Issuer, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on December 2, 2014)
4.21	Form of 4.875% Unsecured PIK Convertible Note due 2021 (Included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.20 above)
4.22	Indenture, dated as of March 9, 2015, between the Company, the Guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on March 13, 2015)
4.23	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 9, 2015, between the Company, as Issuer, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on March 13, 2015)
4.24	Form of 4.25% Convertible Senior Note due 2045 (Included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.23 above)
4.25	Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2016, among Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, as Issuer, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P. and Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC, as Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 18, 2016)
4.26	Form of 7.000% Senior Secured Note due 2024 (Included as Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.25 above)
4.27	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 9, 2016, among Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, as Issuer, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P. and Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC, as Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on December 9, 2016)
4.28	Form of 5.875% Senior Secured Note due 2025 (Included as Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.27 above)
4.29	Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2015, by and among Cheniere CCH HoldCo II, LLC, as Issuer, the Company (solely for purposes of acknowledging and agreeing to Section 9 thereof), EIG Management Company, LLC, as administrative agent, The Bank of New York Mellon, as collateral agent, and the note purchasers named therein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on January 16, 2015)
4.30	Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2015, by and among Cheniere CCH HoldCo II, LLC, as Issuer, the Company (solely for purposes of acknowledging and agreeing to Section 9 thereof), EIG Management Company, LLC, as administrative agent, The Bank of New York Mellon, as collateral agent, and the note purchasers named therein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on March 2, 2015)
4.31	Amendment to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 16, 2015, by and among Cheniere CCH HoldCo II, LLC, as Issuer, EIG Management Company, LLC, as administrative agent, and the note purchasers named therein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 13, 2015)
4.32	Amendment 2 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2015, with effect as of May 1, 2015, by and among Cheniere CCH Hold Co II, LLC, as Issuer, the Company, EIG Management Company, LLC, as administrative agent, and the required note holders named therein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 13, 2015)
4.33	Form of 11.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 13, 2015)
10.1	LNG Terminal Use Agreement, dated September 2, 2004, by and between Total LNG USA, Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 15, 2004)
10.2	Amendment of LNG Terminal Use Agreement, dated January 24, 2005, by and between Total LNG USA, Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on March 10, 2005)
10.3	Amendment of LNG Terminal Use Agreement, dated June 15, 2010, by and between Total Gas & Power North America, Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 6, 2010)
10.4	Omnibus Agreement, dated September 2, 2004, by and between Total LNG USA, Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 15, 2004)

117

Exhibit No.	Description
10.5	Parent Guarantee, dated as of November 5, 2004, by Total S.A. in favor of Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 15, 2004)
10.6	Letter Agreement, dated September 11, 2012, between Total Gas & Power North America, Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on November 2, 2012)
10.7	LNG Terminal Use Agreement, dated November 8, 2004, between Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 15, 2004)
10.8	Amendment to LNG Terminal Use Agreement, dated December 1, 2005, by and between Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to SPLNG.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-138916), filed on November 22, 2006)
10.9	Amendment of LNG Terminal Use Agreement, dated June 16, 2010, by and between Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 6, 2010)
10.10	Omnibus Agreement, dated November 8, 2004, between Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 15, 2004)
10.11	Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2004, from ChevronTexaco Corporation to Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to SPLNG’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-138916), filed on November 22, 2006)
10.12	Second Amended and Restated LNG Terminal Use Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2012, between Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. and Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SPLNG’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 333-138916), filed on August 6, 2012)
10.13	Letter Agreement, dated May 28, 2013, by and between Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. and Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SPLNG’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-138916), filed on August 2, 2013)
10.14	Guarantee Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2012, by Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. in favor of Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SPLNG.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 333-138916), filed on August 6, 2012)
10.15†	Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 4, 2005)
10.16†	Addendum to Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on March 13, 2006)
10.17†	Amendment No. 1 to Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC File No. 333-134886), filed on June 9, 2006)
10.18†	Amendment No. 2 to Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.84 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 27, 2007)
10.19†	Amendment No. 3 to Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s Proxy Statement (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 23, 2008)
10.20†	Amendment No. 4 to the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on June 15, 2009)
10.21†	Form of Restricted Stock Grant (three-year vesting) under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on January 11, 2007)
10.22†	Form of Restricted Stock Grant (four-year vesting) under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on January 11, 2007)

118

Exhibit No.	Description
10.23†	Form of Restricted Stock Grant under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (US - New Hire) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 10, 2012)
10.24†	Form of Restricted Stock Grant under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (UK - New Hire) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 10, 2012)
10.25†	Form of 2011 - 2013 Bonus Plan Restricted Stock Grant (Train 3 and Train 4) under the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (US Executive Form) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.97 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 22, 2013)
10.26†	Form of 2011 - 2013 Bonus Plan Restricted Stock Grant (Train 3 and Train 4) under the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (US Non-Executive Form) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.99 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 22, 2013)
10.27†	Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on June 22, 2011)
10.28†	Amendment No. 1 to the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 5, 2013)
10.29†	Form of Restricted Stock Grant under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (US - New Hire) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 10, 2012)
10.30†	Form of Restricted Stock Grant under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (UK - New Hire) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 10, 2012)
10.31†	Form of Restricted Stock Grant under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (Director) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on July 30, 2015)
10.32†	Form of 2011 - 2013 Bonus Plan Restricted Stock Grant (Train 3 and Train 4) under the 2011 Incentive Plan (US Executive Form) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.96 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 22, 2013)
10.33†	Form of 2011 - 2013 Bonus Plan Restricted Stock Grant (Train 3 and Train 4) under the 2011 Incentive Plan (US Non-Executive Form) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.98 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 22, 2013)
10.34†	Form of 2011 - 2013 Bonus Plan Restricted Stock Grant (Train 3 and Train 4) under the 2011 Incentive Plan (UK Executive Form) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.100 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 22, 2013)
10.35†	Form of 2011 - 2013 Bonus Plan Restricted Stock Grant (Train 3 and Train 4) under the 2011 Incentive Plan (UK Non-Executive Form) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.101 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 22, 2013)
10.36†	Form of 2011 - 2013 Bonus Plan Restricted Stock Grant (Train 3 and Train 4) under the 2011 Incentive Plan (US Consultant Form) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.102 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 22, 2013)
10.37*†	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (Grades 18-20)
10.38*†	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (Grade 17)
10.39*†	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (Grade 16 and Below — Key Executive Severance Plan )
10.40*†	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (Grade 16 and Below — Severance Pay Plan)
10.41*†	Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (Grades 18-20)
10.42*†	Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (Grade 17)
10.43*†	Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (Grade 16 and Below — Key Executive Severance Plan)

119

Exhibit No.	Description
10.44*†	Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (Grade 16 and Below — Severance Pay Plan)
10.45*†	Form of Milestone Award Letter
10.46†	Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 24, 2015)
10.47†	Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2014-2018 Long-Term Cash Incentive Program (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 30, 2015)
10.48†	Form of Phantom Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (US - Executive) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 30, 2015)
10.49†	Form of Phantom Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (US - Non-Executive) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 30, 2015)
10.50†	Form of Phantom Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (UK - Executive) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 30, 2015)
10.51†	Form of Phantom Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (UK - Non-Executive) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 30, 2015)
10.52†	Form of Phantom Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (US - Consultant) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 30, 2015)
10.53†	Form of Phantom Unit Award Agreement under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2015 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (UK - Consultant) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 30, 2015)
10.54†	Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2015 Employee Inducement Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC File No. 333-207651), filed on October 29, 2015)
10.55†	Form of Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2015 Employee Inducement Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Grant - US Form (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on October 30, 2015)
10.56†	Form of Cheniere Energy, Inc. 2015 Employee Inducement Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Grant - UK Form (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on October 30, 2015)
10.57†	Cheniere Energy, Inc. Key Executive Severance Pay Plan (Effective as of January 1, 2017) and Summary Plan Description (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on December 14, 2016)
10.58†	Meg Gentle’s Assignment Letter, dated July 30, 2013 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on July 30, 2013)
10.59†	Amendment No. 1 to Meg Gentle’s Assignment Letter, dated June 16, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on June 17, 2015)
10.60†	Release Agreement between the Company and Meg A. Gentle, dated August 26, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 26, 2016)
10.61†	Letter Agreement between the Company and Neal Shear, dated December 18, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on December 23, 2015)
10.62†	Letter Agreement between the Company and Neal Shear, dated May 12, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 12, 2016)
10.63†	Letter agreement between R. Keith Teague and the Company, dated May 4, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 5, 2016)
10.64†	Employment Agreement between the Company and Jack A. Fusco, dated May 12, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 12, 2016)
10.65*†	Cheniere Energy, Inc. Retirement Policy, dated effective February 17, 2017

120

Exhibit No.	Description
10.66†	Form of Indemnification Agreement for officers of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.73 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 19, 2016)
10.67†	Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.74 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 19, 2016)
10.68	Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Term Loan A), dated as of June 30, 2015, among Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, as Borrower, Société Générale, as the Commercial Banks Facility Agent and the Common Security Trustee, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on July 1, 2015)
10.69	Second Amended and Restated Common Terms Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2015, among Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, as Borrower, the representatives and agents from time to time parties thereto, and Société Générale, as the Common Security Trustee and Intercreditor Agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on July 1, 2015)
10.70	Administrative Amendment, dated December 31, 2015, to the Second Amended and Restated Common Terms Agreement dated as of June 30, 2015, among Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Société Générale, as the Common Security Trustee and Intercreditor Agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Cheniere Partners’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on May 5, 2016)
10.71	Amended and Restated KSURE Covered Facility Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2015, among Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, as Borrower, The Korea Development Bank, New York Branch, as the KSURE Covered Facility Agent, Société Générale, as the Common Security Trustee, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on July 1, 2015)
10.72	KEXIM Direct Facility Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2015, among Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, as Borrower, Shinhan Bank New York Branch, as the KEXIM Facility Agent, Société Générale, as the Common Security Trustee, and The Export-Import Bank of Korea, a governmental financial institution of the Republic of Korea (“KEXIM”), as the KEXIM Direct Facility Lender, Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Lead Bookrunner (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on July 1, 2015)
10.73	KEXIM Covered Facility Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2015, among Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, as Borrower, Shinhan Bank New York Branch, as the KEXIM Facility Agent, Société Générale, as the Common Security Trustee, KEXIM and the lenders from time to time party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on July 1, 2015)
10.74	Omnibus Amendment, dated as of September 24, 2015, to the Second Amended and Restated Common Terms Agreement among Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, as Borrower, the representatives and agents from time to time parties thereto, and Société Générale, as the Common Security Trustee and Intercreditor Agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Cheniere Partners’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on October 30, 2015)
10.75	Amended and Restated Senior Working Capital Revolving Credit and Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2015, among Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, as Borrower, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Senior Issuing Bank and Senior Facility Agent, ABN Amro Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association and ING Capital LLC, as Senior Issuing Banks, Société Générale, as Swing Line Lender and Common Security Trustee, and the senior lenders party thereto from time to time (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on September 11, 2015)
10.76	Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2016, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on June 14, 2016)
10.77	Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 23, 2016, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on September 23, 2016)
10.78	Amended and Restated Subscription Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2014, by and among Cheniere Energy, Inc., RRJ Capital II Ltd, Baytree Investments (Mauritius) Pte Ltd and Seatown Lionfish Pte. Ltd. relating to convertible PIK notes of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on December 2, 2014)
10.79	Common Terms Agreement, dated May 13, 2015, among Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, as Borrower, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P., Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC, as Guarantors, Société Générale, as Term Loan Facility Agent and Intercreditor Agent and any other facility agents party thereto from time to time (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 13, 2015)

121

Exhibit No.	Description
10.80	Common Security and Account Agreement, dated May 13, 2015, among Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, as Company, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P., and Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC, as Guarantors, the Senior Creditor Group Representatives party thereto from time to time, Société Générale, as Intercreditor Agent and Security Trustee, and Mizuho Bank, Ltd, as Account Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 13, 2015)
10.81	Pledge Agreement, dated May 13, 2015, among Cheniere CCH HoldCo I, LLC, as Pledgor, and Société Générale, as Security Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 13, 2015)
10.82	Corpus Christi Liquefied Natural Gas Project Term Loan Facility Agreement, dated May 13, 2015, among Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, as Borrower, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P., Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC, as Guarantors, Term Lenders party thereto from time to time, and Société Générale, as Term Loan Facility Agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 13, 2015)
10.83	Equity Contribution Agreement, dated May 13, 2015, among Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, and the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 13, 2015)
10.84	Registration Rights Agreement for 11.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2025, dated May 13, 2015, among the Company, Cheniere CCH HoldCo II, LLC, and EIG Management Company, LLC as Agent on behalf of the Note Holders (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 13, 2015)
10.85	Pledge Agreement, dated May 13, 2015, among the Company, EIG Management Company, LLC, as Administrative Agent for the Note Holders, and The Bank of New York Mellon as the Collateral Agent for the Note Holders (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 13, 2015)
10.86	Pledge Agreement, dated May 13, 2015, among Cheniere CCH HoldCo II, LLC, EIG Management Company, LLC, as Administrative Agent for the Note Holders, and The Bank of New York Mellon as the Collateral Agent for the Note Holders (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 13, 2015)
10.87	Working Capital Facility Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2016, among Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, the Guarantors, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Working Capital Facility Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as Issuing Banks, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as Swing Line Lender, and the lenders party thereto from time to time (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on December 20, 2016)
10.88	First Amendment to Working Capital Facility Agreement, dated December 20, 2016, among Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, the Guarantors, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Working Capital Facility Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as Issuing Banks, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as Swing Line Lender, and the lenders party thereto from time to time (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to CCH’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215435), filed on January 5, 2017)
10.89	Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2016, among Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, as Issuer, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P. and Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC, as Guarantors, and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, for itself and as representative of the purchasers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 18, 2016)
10.90	Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 9, 2016, among Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC, as Issuer, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P. and Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC, as Guarantors, and Goldman, Sachs & Co., for itself and as representative of the purchasers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on December 9, 2016)
10.91	Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2016, among Cheniere Partners, as Borrower, certain subsidiaries of Cheniere Partners, as Subsidiary Guarantors, the lenders from time to time party thereto, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as Issuing Bank, Administrative Agent and Coordinating Lead Arranger, and certain arrangers and other participants (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on March 2, 2016)
10.92	Depositary Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2016, among Cheniere Partners, as Borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Cheniere Partners, as Subsidiary Guarantors, MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent and MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as Depositary Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on March 2, 2016)

122

Exhibit No.	Description
10.93	Omnibus Amendment and Waiver, dated as of October 14, 2016, to (a) the Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2016 among the Partnership, as Borrower, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as Administrative Agent, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and each other person party thereto from time to time and to (b) the Depositary Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2016, among Borrower, MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent and MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as Depositary Agent and each other person party thereto from time to time (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Cheniere Partners’ Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on February 24, 2017)
10.94	Master Ex-Ship LNG Sales Agreement, dated April 26, 2007, between Cheniere Marketing, Inc. and Gaz de France International Trading S.A.S., including Letter Agreement, dated April 26, 2007, and Specific Order No. 1, dated April 26, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 9, 2007)
10.95	LNG Lease Agreement, dated June 24, 2008, between Cheniere Marketing, Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 11, 2008)
10.96	LNG Lease Agreement, dated September 30, 2011, by and between Cheniere Marketing, LLC and Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 7, 2011)
10.97	Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on November 14, 2011)
10.98	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-0001 EPC Terms and Conditions, dated May 1, 2012, (ii) the Change Order CO-0002 Heavies Removal Unit, dated May 23, 2012, (iii) the Change Order CO-0003 LNTP, dated June 6, 2012, (iv) the Change Order CO-0004 Addition of Inlet Air Humidification, dated July 10, 2012, (v) the Change Order CO-0005 Replace Natural Gas Generators with Diesel Generators, dated July 10, 2012, (vi) the Change Order CO-0006 Flange Reduction and Valve Positioners, dated June 20, 2012, and (vii) the Change Order CO-0007 Relocation of Temporary Facilities, Power Poles Relocation Reimbursement, and Duck Blind Road Improvement Reimbursement, dated July 13, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on August 3, 2012)
10.99	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-0008 Delay in Full Placement of Insurance, dated July 27, 2012, (ii) the Change Order CO-0009 HAZOP Action Items, dated July 31, 2012, (iii) the Change Order CO-00010 Fuel Provisional Sum, dated August 8, 2012, (iv) the Change Order CO-00011 Currency Provisional Sum, dated August 8, 2012, (v) the Change Order CO-00012 Delay in NTP, dated August 8, 2012, and (vi) the Change Order CO-00013 Early EPC Work Credit, dated August 29, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cheniere Partners’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on November 2, 2012)
10.100	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00014 Bundle of Changes, dated September 5, 2012, (ii) the Change Order CO-00015 Static Mixer, Air Cooler Walkways, etc., dated November 8, 2012, (iii) the Change Order CO-0016 Delay in Full Placement of Insurance, dated October 29, 2012, (iv) the Change Order CO-00017 Condensate Header, dated December 3, 2012 and (v) the Change Order CO-00018 Increase in Power Requirements, dated January 17, 2013 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Cheniere Partners’ Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on February 22, 2013)
10.101	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00019 Delete Tank 6 Scope of Work, dated February 27, 2013 and (ii) the Change Order CO-00020 Modification to Builder’s Risk Insurance Sum Insured Value, dated March 14, 2013 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cheniere Partners’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on May 3, 2013)

123

Exhibit No.	Description
10.102	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00021 Increase to Insurance Provisional Sum, dated April 17, 2013, (ii) the Change Order CO-00022 Removal of LNG Static Mixer Scope, dated May 8, 2013, (iii) the Change Order CO-00023 Revised LNG Rundown Line, dated May 30, 2013, (iv) the Change Order CO-00024 Reroute Condensate Header, Substation HVAC Stacks, Inlet Metering Station Pile Driving, dated June 11, 2013 and (v) the Change Order CO-00025 Feed Gas Connection Modifications, dated June 11, 2013 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to Amendment No. 1 to Cheniere Holdings’ Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (SEC File No. 333-191298), filed on October 18, 2013)
10.103	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00026 Bundle of Changes, dated June 28, 2013, (ii) the Change Order CO-00027 16” Water Pumps, dated July 12, 2013, (iii) the Change Order CO-00028 HRU Operability, dated July 26, 2013, (iv) the Change Order CO-00029 Belleville Washers, dated August 14, 2013 and (v) the Change Order CO-00030 Soils Preparation Provisional Sum Transfer dated August 29, 2013 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on November 8, 2013)
10.104	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00031 LNG Intank Pump Replacement Scope Reduction/OSBL Additional Piling for the Cathodic Protection Rectifier Platform and Drum Storage Shelter dated October 15, 2013 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Amendment No. 2 to SPL’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on January 28, 2014)
10.105	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00032 Intra-Plant Feed Gas Header and Jefferson Davis Electrical Distribution, dated January 9, 2014, (ii) the Change Order CO-00033 Revised EPC Agreement Attachments S & T, dated March 24, 2014 and (iii) the Change Order CO-00034 Greenfield/Brownfield Demarcation Adjustment, dated February 19, 2014 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on May 1, 2014)
10.106	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00035 Resolution of FERC Open Items, Additional FERC Support Hours and Greenfield/Brownfield Milestone Adjustment, dated May 9, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on July 31, 2014)
10.107	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00036 Future Tie-Ins and Jeff Davis Invoices, dated July 9, 2014 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to SPL’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-198358), filed on August 26, 2014)
10.108	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00037 Performance and Attendance Bonus (PAB) Incentive Program Provisional Sum, dated October 31, 2014 and (ii) the Change Order CO-00038 Control Room Modifications and Miscellaneous Items, dated January 6, 2015 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to SPL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on February 20, 2015)
10.109	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00039 Increase to Existing Facility Labor Provisional Sum and Decrease to Sales and Use Tax Provisional Sum, dated February 12, 2015 and (ii) the Change Order CO-00040 Load Shedding and LNG Tank Tie-In Crane, dated February 24, 2015 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on April 30, 2015)

124

Exhibit No.	Description
10.110	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00041 Additional Building Utility Tie-in Packages and Fire and Gas Modifications, dated April 9, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on July 30, 2015)
10.111	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00042 Platform Design Modifications, Compressor Oil Fills, Additional Building Modifications, dated October 16, 2015, and (ii) the Change Order CO-00043 Soil Provisional Sum Closure, dated December 2, 2015 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to SPL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on February 19, 2016)
10.112	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00044 Potable Water Bypass Line and Pipeline Installation Tie-In at 135-A Metering Station, dated December 17, 2015 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on May 5, 2016)
10.113	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00045 April Site Closure for Cheniere Celebration, dated April 4, 2016, (ii) the Change Order CO-00046 Defer Completion of Ship Loading Time Commissioning Test, dated May 17, 2016, and (iii) the Change Order CO-00047 Re-Orientation of PSV Bypass Valves, dated May 25, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on August 9, 2016)
10.114	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00048 N2 Supply for High Pressure Tightness Test During Commissioning and Startup, dated July 12, 2016, (ii) the Change Order CO-00050 Train 2 N2 Dryout, dated July 29, 2016, (iii) the Change Order CO-00051 Six-Day Work Week for Insulation Scope — Subproject 2, dated August 9, 2016, and (iv) the Change Order CO-00052 Process Flares Modification Provisional Sum, dated September 1, 2016 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on November 3, 2016)
10.115	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Liquefaction Facility, dated as of November 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00053 Adjustment, dated September 27, 2016, (ii) the Change Order CO-00054 Operating Spare Part Provisional Sum Closeout, dated November 3, 2016, and (iii) the Change Order CO-00055 Existing Facility Labor Provisional Sum Closeout, dated November 21, 2016 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to SPL’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215882), filed on February 3, 2017)
10.116	Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated December 20, 2012, by and between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on December 27, 2012)
10.117	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-0001 Electrical Station HVAC Stacks, dated June 4, 2013, (ii) the Change Order CO-0002 Revised LNG Rundown Lines, dated May 30, 2013, (iii) the Change Order CO-0003 Currency Provisional Sum Closure, dated May 29, 2013 and (iv) the Change Order CO-0004 Fuel Provisional Sum Closure, dated May 29, 2013 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to Amendment No. 1 to Cheniere Holdings’ Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (SEC File No. 333-191298), filed on October 18, 2013)

125

Exhibit No.	Description
10.118	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-0005 Credit to EPC Contract Value for TSA Work, dated June 24, 2013, (ii) the Change Order CO-0006 HRU Operability with Lean Gas & Controls Upgrade and Ultrasonic Meter Configuration and Calibration, dated July 26, 2013, (iii) the Change Order CO-0007 Additional Belleville Washers, dated August 15, 2013, (iv) the Change Order CO-0008 GTG Switchgear Arrangement/Upgrade Fuel Gas Heater System, dated August 26, 2013, and (v) the Change Order CO-0009 Soils Preparation Provisional Sum Transfer and Closure, dated August 26, 2013 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to Amendment No. 1 to Cheniere Holdings’ Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (SEC File No. 333-191298), filed on October 18, 2013)
10.119	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00010 Insurance Provisional Sum Adjustment, dated January 23, 2014, (ii) the Change Order CO-00011 Additional Stage 2 GTGs, dated January 23, 2014, (iii) the Change Order CO-0012 Lien and Claim Waiver Modification, dated March 24, 2014 and (iv) the Change Order CO-00013 Revised Stage 2 EPC Agreement Attachments S&T, dated March 24, 2014 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on May 1, 2014)
10.120	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00014 Additional 13.8kv Circuit Breakers and Misc. Items, dated July 14, 2014 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to SPL’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-198358), filed on August 26, 2014)
10.121	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00015 Performance and Attendance Bonus (PAB) Incentive Program Provisional Sum, dated October 31, 2014 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to SPL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on February 20, 2015)
10.122	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00016 Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Provisional Sum Adjustment, dated February 12, 2015 and (ii) the Change Order CO-00017 Load Shedding Study and Scope Change, dated February 24, 2015 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on April 30, 2015)
10.123	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00018 Permanent Restroom Trailers and Installation of Tie-In for GTG Fuel Gas Interconnect, dated May 21, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on July 30, 2015)
10.124	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00019 East Meter Piping Tie-ins, dated August 26, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on October 30, 2015)
10.125	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00020 Milestone Payment Adjustments, dated January 12, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on May 5, 2016)

126

Exhibit No.	Description
10.126	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00021 Smokeless Flare Modification Study, dated March 29, 2016, (ii) the Change Order CO-00022 Cable Tray Support and Arc Flash Study, dated May 4, 2016, and (iii) the Change Order CO-00023 Re-Orientation of PSV Bypass Valves, dated May 17, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on August 9, 2016)
10.127	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00024 Additional Support for FERC Document Requests, dated June 20, 2016, (ii) the Change Order CO-00025 N2 Supply for High Pressure Tightness Test During Commissioning and Startup, dated July 12, 2016, (iii) the Change Order CO-00027 Addition of Check Valves to Condensate Lines, dated July 29, 2016, (iv) the Change Order CO-00028 Additional Professional Services Support Hours for the Flare System Evaluation, dated August 3, 2016, and (v) the Change Order CO-00029 Lump Sum Process Flares Modification, dated September 1, 2016 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on November 3, 2016)
10.128	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 20, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00030 Professional Services for Control System Changes Post TCCC, dated September 16, 2016, (ii) the Change Order CO-00031 Marine Flare Study, dated September 16, 2016, and (iii) the Change Order CO-00032 Operational Spare Part Provisional Sum Closeout, dated November 3, 2016 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to SPL’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215882), filed on February 3, 2017)
10.129	Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 3 Liquefaction Facility, dated May 4, 2015, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K/A (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on July 1, 2015)
10.130	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 3 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of May 4, 2015, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00001 Currency and Fuel Provisional Sum Adjustment, dated June 25, 2015 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on July 30, 2015)
10.131	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 3 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of May 4, 2015, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00002 Credit to EPC Contract Value for TSA Work, dated September 17, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on October 30, 2015)
10.132	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 3 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of May 4, 2015, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00003 Perimeter Fencing Scope Removal, East Meter Piping Scope Change, Additional Bathroom Facilities, dated November 18, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to SPL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on February 19, 2016)
10.133	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 3 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of May 4, 2015, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00004 DOE Regulation Change Impacts, RECON Schedule Change, Addition of Dry Flare Connection, Fuel Gas Supply Transfer to Train 5 and East Meter Fuel Gas, dated February 18, 2016 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on May 5, 2016)

127

Exhibit No.	Description
10.134	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 3 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of May 4, 2015, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00005 Performance and Attendance Bonus (PAB) Incentive Program Provisional Sum, dated March 16, 2016, (ii) the Change Order CO-00006 Additional Bechtel Hours to Support RECON, Temporary Access Rd., Addition of Flash Liquid Expander, Removal of Vibration Monitor System, To-Date Reconciliation of Soils Preparation Provisional Sum, dated March 22, 2016, (iii) the Change Order CO-00007 Additional Support for FERC Document Requests, dated May 10, 2016, (iv) the Change Order CO-00008 Water System Scope Changes and Seal Design & Seal Gas Modification, dated May 4, 2016, (v) the Change Order CO-00009 Re-Orientation of PSV Bypass Valves, dated May 17, 2016, and (vi) the Change Order CO-00010 Deletion of Chlorine Analyzer, dated June 15, 2016 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on August 9, 2016)
10.135	Change order to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 3 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of May 4, 2015, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00011 Site Drainage Design Change: Professional Service Hours, dated July 26, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to SPL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on November 3, 2016)
10.136	Change orders to the Lump Sum Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Sabine Pass LNG Stage 3 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of May 4, 2015, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00012 Addition of Check Valves to Condensate Lines and Change of Tie-in Point, dated September 12, 2016, (ii) the Change Order CO-00013 LNG Rundown Line Reroute, dated September 12, 2016, (iii) the Change Order CO-00014 Pre-EPC HAZOP Action Item Closure, dated September 27, 2016, (iv) the Change Order CO-00015 Study for Enclosed Ground Flare and Process Flare, dated September 27, 2016, (v) the Change Order CO-00016 Upgrades to Gas Turbine Generators, dated October 19, 2016, and (vi) the Change Order CO-00017 Site Drainage Design Change: Temporary Drainage Implementation, dated December 1, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.59 to SPL’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215882), filed on February 3, 2017)
10.137	Fixed Price Separated Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Corpus Christi Stage 1 Liquefaction Facility, dated December 6, 2013, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on December 10, 2013)
10.138	Change orders to the Fixed Price Separated Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Corpus Christi Stage 1 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 6, 2013, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (1) the Change Order CO-00001 Cost Impacts Associated with Delay in NTP, dated March 9, 2015, (2) the Change Order CO-00002 DLE/IAC Scope Change, dated March 25, 2015, (3) the Change Order CO-00003 Currency and Fuel Provisional Sum Closures, dated May 13, 2015 and (4) the Change Order CO-00004 Bridging Extension Through May 17, 2015, dated May 12, 2015 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on July 30, 2015)
10.139	Change orders to the Fixed Price Separated Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Corpus Christi Stage 1 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 6, 2013, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (1) the Change Order CO-00005 Revised Buildings to Include Jetty and Geo-Tech Impact to Buildings, dated June 4, 2015, (2) the Change Order CO-00006 Marine and Dredging Execution Change, dated June 16, 2015, (3) the Change Order CO-00007 Temporary Laydown Areas, AEP Substation Relocation, Power Monitoring System for Substation, Bollards for Power Line Poles, Multiplex Interface for AEP Hecker Station, dated June 30, 2015, (4) the Change Order CO-00008 West Jetty Shroud and Fencing, Temporary Strainers on Loading Arms, Breasting and Mooring Analysis, Addition of Crossbar from Platform at Ethylene Bullets to Platform for PSV Deck, Reduction of Vapor Fence at Bed 22, Relocation of Gangway Tower, Changes in Dolphin Size, dated July 28, 2015, (5) the Change Order CO-00009 Post FEED Studies, dated July 1, 2015, (6) the Change Order CO-00010 Additional Post FEED Studies, Feed Gas ESD Valve Bypass, Flow Meter on Bog Line, Additional Simulations, FERC #43, dated July 1, 2015, (7) the Change Order CO-00011 Credit to EPC Contract Value for TSA Work, dated July 7, 2015, and (8) the Change Order CO-00012 Reduction of Provisional Sum for Operating Spares, Liquid Condensate Tie-In, Automatic Shut-Off Valve in Condensate Truck Fill Line, Firewater Monitor and Hydrant Coverage Test, dated August 11, 2015 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on October 30, 2015)

128

Exhibit No.	Description
10.140	Change order to the Fixed Price Separated Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Corpus Christi Stage 1 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 6, 2013, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: the Change Order CO-00013 Change in FEED Gas Tie-In, Utility Water and Potable Water Tie-In Changes, Ditch Design at Permanent Buildings, Koch Pipeline Cover, Monitoring of Raw Water Lake During Piling, Card Readers and Muster Points, Additional Asphalt in the Temporary Facilities Area, FAA Lighting and Marking, FERC Condition 84, dated October 13, 2015 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.134 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 19, 2016)
10.141	Change orders to the Fixed Price Separated Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Corpus Christi Stage 1 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 6, 2013, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00014 Stage 1 Isolation, dated January 11, 2016, (ii) the Change Order CO-00015 IAC Conversion to Lump Sum, dated January 20, 2016, and (iii) the Change Order CO-00016 Permanent Plant Buildings, dated January 20, 2016 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 5, 2016)
10.142	Change orders to the Fixed Price Separated Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Corpus Christi Stage 1 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 6, 2013, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00017 Process and Utility Tie-Ins Studies and Associated Scopes (138 kV Pricing, Transfer Line, Connections for Future LNG Truck Loading Facility), dated May 24, 2016, (ii) the Change Order CO-00018 FERC Conditions 40, 63, 64, 80, dated May 4, 2016, (iii) the Change Order CO-00019 Trelleborg Marine Equipment, BOG Compressor Tie-In, Multiplexer Credit, Additional FERC Hours, dated May 4, 2016, and (iv) the Change Order CO-00020 Impact Due to Overhead Power Transmission Lines on La Quinta Road and Flare System Modification Evaluation, dated May 31, 2016 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 9, 2016)
10.143	Change orders to the Fixed Price Separated Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Corpus Christi Stage 1 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 6, 2013, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00022 Permanent Plant Building Modifications, dated June 20, 2016 and (ii) the Change Order CO-00024 N2 Dewar Interface, Temporary Power to Air Cooler, Condensate Pipeline Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure, dated June 28, 2016 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 3, 2016)
10.144	Change orders to the Fixed Price Separated Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Corpus Christi Stage 1 Liquefaction Facility, dated as of December 6, 2013, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.: (i) the Change Order CO-00026 Changes to Outfall (P1, P2, and P5) to LaQuinta Ditch, dated August 31, 2016, (ii) the Change Order CO-00028 Anti-Dumping Duties, dated September 26, 2016, and (iii) the Change Order CO-00029 Additional Flare System Evaluation, dated September 26, 2016 (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to CCH’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215435), filed on January 5, 2017)
10.145	Fixed Price Separated Turnkey Agreement for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Corpus Christi Stage 2 Liquefaction Facility, dated December 6, 2013, by and between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on December 10, 2013)
10.146	GDF Transatlantic Option Agreement, dated April 26, 2007, between Cheniere Marketing, Inc. and Gaz de France International Trading S.A.S. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 9, 2007)
10.147	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated November 21, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Gas Natural Aprovisionamientos SDG S.A. (subsequently assigned to Gas Natural Fenosa LNG GOM, Limited) (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on November 21, 2011)
10.148	Amendment No. 1 of LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated April 3, 2013, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Gas Natural Aprovisionamientos SDG S.A. (Buyer) (subsequently assigned to Gas Natural Fenosa LNG GOM, Limited) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on May 3, 2013)

129

Exhibit No.	Description
10.149	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated December 11, 2011, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and GAIL (India) Limited (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on December 12, 2011)
10.150	Amendment No. 1 of LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated February 18, 2013, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and GAIL (India) Limited (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Cheniere Partners’ Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on February 22, 2013)
10.151	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated December 14, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Total Gas & Power North America, Inc. (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on December 17, 2012)
10.152	Amendment No. 1 of LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated August 28, 2015, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Total Gas & Power North America, Inc. (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Cheniere Partners’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on October 30, 2015)
10.153	Amended and Restated LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated January 25, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and BG Gulf Coast LNG, LLC (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on January 26, 2012)
10.154	Letter agreement, dated May 12, 2016, amending the Amended and Restated LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB) between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and BG Gulf Coast LNG, LLC dated January 25, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to SPL’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215882), filed on February 3, 2017)
10.155	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated January 30, 2012, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Korea Gas Corporation (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on January 30, 2012)
10.156	Amendment No. 1 of LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated February 18, 2013, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Korea Gas Corporation (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Cheniere Partners’ Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on February 22, 2013)
10.157	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated March 22, 2013, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Centrica plc (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on March 25, 2013)
10.158	Amendment No. 1 of LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated September 11, 2015, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Centrica plc (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Cheniere Partners’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on October 30, 2015)
10.159	Amended and Restated LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated August 5, 2014, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Cheniere Marketing, LLC (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SPL’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on August 11, 2014)
10.160	Letter agreement, dated December 8, 2016, amending the Amended and Restated LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated August 5, 2014, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, and Cheniere Marketing International LLP (as assignee of Cheniere Marketing, LLC) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to SPL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 333-192373), filed on February 24, 2017)
10.161	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated April 1, 2014, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Endesa Generación, S.A. (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 2, 2014)
10.162	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated April 7, 2014, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Endesa S.A. (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 8, 2014)
10.163	Assignment and Amendment Agreement, dated April 7, 2014, among Endesa Generación S.A., Endesa S.A. and Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 1, 2014)
10.164	Amendment No. 1 of LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated July 23, 2015, between Endesa S.A. (Buyer) and Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on October 30, 2015)
10.165	Amendment No. 2 of LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated July 23, 2015, between Endesa S.A. (Buyer) and Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on October 30, 2015)

130

Exhibit No.	Description
10.166	Amended and Restated LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated March 20, 2015, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and PT Pertamina (Persero) (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 30, 2015)
10.167	Amendment No. 1, dated February 4, 2016, to LNG Purchase and Sale Agreement between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and PT Pertamina (Persero), dated March 20, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to CCH’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215435), filed on January 5, 2017)
10.168	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated May 30, 2014, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Iberdrola, S.A. (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 30, 2014)
10.169	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated June 2, 2014, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Gas Natural Fenosa LNG SL (subsequently assigned to Gas Natural Fenosa LNG GOM, Limited) (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on June 2, 2014)
10.170	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated June 30, 2014, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Woodside Energy Trading Singapore Pte Ltd (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on June 30, 2014)
10.171	Amendment No. 1 of LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated July 24, 2015, between Woodside Energy Trading Singapore PTE Ltd (Buyer) and Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on October 30, 2015)
10.172	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated July 17, 2014, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Électricité de France, S.A. (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on July 17, 2014)
10.173	Amendment No. 1 of LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated February 24, 2015, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and Électricité de France, S.A. (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on April 30, 2015)
10.174	Amendment No. 2 of LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated July 15, 2015, between Électricité de France, S.A. (Buyer) and Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on October 30, 2015)
10.175	LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated December 18, 2014, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and EDP Energias de Portugal S.A. (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on December 18, 2014)
10.176	Amendment No. 1 of LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated November, 18, 2015, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Seller) and EDP Energias de Portugal S.A. (Buyer) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.163 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on February 19, 2016)
10.177	Amended and Restated Base LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated as of November 28, 2014, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Cheniere Marketing International LLP (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to CCH’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215435), filed on January 5, 2017)
10.178	Amendment No. 1, dated June 26, 2015, to Amended and Restated Base LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated as of November 28, 2014, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Cheniere Marketing International LLP (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to CCH’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215435), filed on January 5, 2017)
10.179	Amendment No. 2, dated December 27, 2016, to Amended and Restated Base LNG Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated as of November 28, 2014, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Cheniere Marketing International LLP (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to CCH’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215435), filed on January 5, 2017)
10.180	Amended and Restated Foundation Customer LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated as of November 28, 2014 between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Cheniere Marketing International LLP (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to CCH’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215435), filed on January 5, 2017)
10.181	Amendment No. 1, dated June 26, 2015, to Foundation Customer LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated as of November 28, 2014 between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Cheniere Marketing International LLP (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to CCH’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215435), filed on January 5, 2017)

131

Exhibit No.	Description
10.182	Amendment No. 2, dated December 27, 2016, to Foundation Customer LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (FOB), dated as of November 28, 2014, between Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and Cheniere Marketing LLP (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to CCH’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (SEC File No. 333-215435), filed on January 5, 2017)
10.183	Cooperative Endeavor Agreement & Payment in Lieu of Tax Agreement, dated October 23, 2007, by and between Cheniere Marketing, Inc. and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on November 6, 2007)
10.184	Unit Purchase Agreement, dated May 14, 2012, by and among Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., Cheniere Energy, Inc. and Blackstone CQP Holdco LP (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on May 15, 2012)
10.185	Class B Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2012, by and between Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on May 15, 2012)
10.186	First Amendment to Class B Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2012, by and between Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and Cheniere Class B Units Holdings, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on August 9, 2012)
10.187	Subscription Agreement, dated May 14, 2012, by and between Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on May 15, 2012)
10.188	Letter Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2012, among Cheniere Energy, Inc., Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. and Blackstone CQP Holdco LP (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on August 9, 2012)
10.189	Investors’ and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2012, by and among Cheniere Energy, Inc., Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC, Blackstone CQP Holdco LP and the other investors party thereto from time to time (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on August 6, 2012)
10.190	Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., dated August 9, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Cheniere Partners’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-33366), filed on August 9, 2012)
10.191	Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC, dated December 13, 2013 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Cheniere Holdings’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-36234), filed on December 18, 2013)
10.192	Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Cheniere GP Holding Company, LLC, dated December 13, 2013 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Cheniere Holdings’ Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-36234), filed on December 18, 2013)
10.193	Payment Deferral Agreement (O&M Agreement), dated March 27, 2014, between Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC and Cheniere LNG O&M Services, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on May 1, 2014)
10.194	Nomination and Standstill Agreement, dated August 21, 2015, by and between the Company, Icahn Partners Master Fund LP, Icahn Partners LP, Icahn Onshore LP, Icahn Offshore LP, Icahn Capital LP, IPH GP LLC, Icahn Enterprises Holdings LP, Icahn Enterprises G.P. Inc., Beckton Corp., High River Limited Partnership, Hopper Investments LLC, Barberry Corp., Carl C. Icahn, Jonathan Christodoro and Samuel Merksamer (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 001-16383), filed on August 24, 2015)
21.1*	Subsidiaries of Cheniere Energy, Inc.
23.1*	Consent of KPMG LLP
31.1*	Certification by Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act
31.2*	Certification by Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act
32.1**	Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2**	Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

132

Exhibit No.	Description
101.DEF*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*	Filed herewith.
**	Furnished herewith.
†	Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

133

SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

	December 31,
	2016			2015
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	—
Current assets	287			132
Non-current restricted cash	6,575			6,572
Property, plant and equipment, net	14,987			8,899
Debt receivable—affiliates	—			843,629
Investments in affiliates	(145,252		)	(426,420		)
Other non-current assets	115			—
Total assets	$	(123,288	)	$	432,812
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities	$	8,184		$	8,051
Current debt—affiliate	—			143,580
Long-term debt, net	1,264,953			1,183,031
Stockholders’ deficit	(1,396,425		)	(901,850		)
Total liabilities and equity	$	(123,288	)	$	432,812

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

134

SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Operating costs and expenses
General and administrative expense (recovery)	$	5,741		$	(356	)	$	10,597
Depreciation expense	107			58			—
Total operating costs and expenses (recovery)	5,848			(298		)	10,597
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(103,784		)	(93,116		)	(4,205		)
Interest expense, net—affiliates	(7,314		)	(9,137		)	(9,137		)
Interest income	3			3			3
Interest income—affiliates	24,211			34,213			34,213
Equity loss of affiliates	(517,259		)	(907,370		)	(558,209		)
Total other expense	(604,143		)	(975,407		)	(537,335		)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(609,991	)	$	(975,109	)	$	(547,932	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

135

SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(101,345	)	$	(176,068	)	$	(180,990	)
Cash flows from investing activities
Investments in affiliates	201,750			(181,471		)	(869,842		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	201,750			(181,471		)	(869,842		)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt	—			500,000			1,000,000
Debt issuance and deferred financing costs	—			(4,129		)	(516		)
Proceeds from sale of common shares by Cheniere Holdings	—			—			228,781
Distribution and dividends to non-controlling interest	(80,055		)	(80,235		)	(79,517		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	50			2,279			10,805
Payments related to tax withholdings for share-based compensation	(20,397		)	(61,175		)	(112,323		)
Other	—			1,524			3,605
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(100,402		)	358,264			1,050,835
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	3			725			3
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period	6,572			5,847			5,844
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period	$	6,575		$	6,572		$	5,847

Balances per Condensed Balance Sheets:

	December 31
	2016		2015		2014
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	—	$	—
Non-current restricted cash	6,575		6,572		5,847
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	6,575	$	6,572	$	5,847

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

136

SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Condensed Financial Statements represent the financial information required by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X 5-04 for Cheniere.

In the Condensed Financial Statements, Cheniere’s investments in affiliates are presented under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the assets and liabilities of affiliates are not consolidated. The investments in net assets of the affiliates are recorded on the Condensed Balance Sheets. The loss from operations of the affiliates is reported on a net basis as investment in affiliates (investment in and equity in net losses of affiliates).

A substantial amount of Cheniere’s operating, investing and financing activities are conducted by its affiliates. The Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with Cheniere’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 2—DEBT

In October 2016, Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC (“Cheniere Terminals”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere, forgave Cheniere’s total previously outstanding current debt—affiliate balance, which was composed of a $93.7 million note and $57.2 million in related accumulated interest payable to Cheniere Terminals. This $150.9 million forgiveness of debt was recorded as a non-cash equity contribution to our subsidiaries on our Condensed Balance Sheet.

NOTE 3—GUARANTEES

Obligations under Certain Guarantee Contracts

Cheniere and certain of its subsidiaries enter into guarantee arrangements in the normal course of business to facilitate transactions with third parties. These arrangements include financial guarantees, letters of credit and debt guarantees. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no liabilities recognized under these guarantee arrangements.

NOTE 4 —SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The following table provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (in thousands): 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Non-cash capital contributions (1)	$	(517,259	)	$	(907,370	)	$	(558,209	)
Non-cash capital contribution from subsidiaries for forgiveness of debt	150,895			—			—
Non-cash capital distribution to subsidiaries for forgiveness of debt	(867,840		)	—			—
Issuance of stock to acquire additional interest in Cheniere Holdings	93,575			—			—

(1) Amounts represent equity losses of affiliates.

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

137

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
(Registrant)
By:	/s/ Jack A. Fusco
	Jack A. Fusco
	President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date:	February 24, 2017

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Jack A. Fusco	President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)	February 24, 2017
Jack A. Fusco
/s/ Michael J. Wortley	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)	February 24, 2017
Michael J. Wortley
/s/ Leonard Travis	Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)	February 24, 2017
Leonard Travis
/s/ G. Andrea Botta	Chairman of the Board	February 24, 2017
G. Andrea Botta
/s/ Vicky A. Bailey	Director	February 24, 2017
Vicky A. Bailey
/s/ Nuno Brandolini	Director	February 24, 2017
Nuno Brandolini
/s/ Jonathan Christodoro	Director	February 24, 2017
Jonathan Christodoro
/s/ David I. Foley	Director	February 24, 2017
David I. Foley
/s/ David B. Kilpatrick	Director	February 24, 2017
David B. Kilpatrick
/s/ Samuel Merksamer	Director	February 24, 2017
Samuel Merksamer
/s/ Donald F. Robillard, Jr.	Director	February 24, 2017
Donald F. Robillard, Jr.
/s/ Neal A. Shear	Director	February 24, 2017
Neal A. Shear
/s/ Heather R. Zichal	Director	February 24, 2017
Heather R. Zichal

138

EX-10.37

Exhibit 10.37

Form for Grades 18-20

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

1.Award. Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has awarded the undersigned Participant (for purposes of this Agreement, the “Participant”) restricted stock units (this “Award”) effective as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Grant Date”) pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). Unless otherwise defined in this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”), capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan.

2.Restricted Stock Units. The Company hereby awards the Participant the number of restricted stock units set forth in Schedule A (the “RSUs”). Each RSU constitutes an unfunded and unsecured promise by the Company to deliver (or cause to be delivered) one share of common stock, $0.003 par value per share, of the Company (a “Share”). The RSUs will be subject to vesting in accordance with Paragraph 3 below.

3.Vesting. Subject to the Participant’s continued employment and Paragraphs 4 and 5, the RSUs shall vest on the date or dates set forth in Schedule A (each, a “Vesting Date”).

4.Termination of Employment or Services. Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 4, the Participant will automatically forfeit any unvested RSUs covered by this Award on the termination, resignation, or removal of the Participant from employment with or services to the Company and its Affiliates for any reason. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(A)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate (1) by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause; or (2) by the Participant for Good Reason, unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Key Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”). In the event that the Severance Plan is terminated prior to the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates in accordance with the preceding sentence and no successor plan governs the treatment of the unvested RSUs on a termination of employment described in this Paragraph 4(A), then the unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan as it existed immediately prior to its termination.

(B)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate (1) by the Company or an Affiliate due to the Disability of the Participant while performing Continuous Service or (2) due to the death of the Participant while performing Continuous Service, unvested RSUs shall vest in full immediately.

(C)Upon the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement (as defined in the Company’s Retirement Policy), unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Company’s Retirement Policy.

(D)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, unvested RSUs will not vest as a result of a termination by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause, by the Participant

for Good Reason or due to the Disability of the Participant, in each case, unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a Release Agreement (as defined in the Severance Plan) that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of termination. Additionally, unvested RSUs will not vest following the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a release of claims in accordance with the Retirement Policy. If a release described in this Paragraph 4(D) is not timely executed and delivered by the Participant to the Company, or if such release is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will automatically forfeit the unvested RSUs covered by this Award effective as of the date of termination of employment.

(E)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means a separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) as a result of any of the following:

(i)the willful commission by the Participant of a crime or other act of misconduct that causes or is likely to cause substantial economic damage to the Company or an Affiliate or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Company or an Affiliate;

(ii)the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud in the performance of the Participant’s duties on behalf of the Company or an Affiliate;

(iii)the willful and material violation by the Participant of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy; or

(iv)the continuing and repeated failure of the Participant to perform his or her duties to the Company or an Affiliate, including by reason of the Participant’s habitual absenteeism (other than such failure resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure has continued for a period of at least thirty (30) days following delivery of a written demand for substantial performance to the Participant by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Participant has not performed his or her duties;

provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, for purposes of determining whether “Cause” exists under this Plan, no act, or failure to act, on the part of the Participant shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Participant’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be.

The determination of whether Cause exists with respect to the Participant shall be made by the Board (or its designee) in its sole discretion.

(F)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions:

(i)a material diminution in the Participant’s authority, duties, or responsibilities with the Company or the applicable Related Employer;

(ii)a reduction by the Company or the applicable Related Employer in the Participant’s gross annual base salary as reflected in the Company’s records and as in effect immediately prior to the Participant’s termination of employment (“Annual Base Pay”) of more

2

than five percent (5%) (other than a reduction that is part of reductions in Annual Base Pay for executives generally); or

(iii)the requirement by the Company or the applicable Related Employer that the principal place of business at which the Participant performs his or her duties be permanently changed to a location more than fifty (50) miles from his or her then current principal place of business.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Participant cannot terminate his or her employment for Good Reason unless he or she has provided written notice to the Company of the existence of the circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such circumstances and the Company has had at least thirty (30) days from the date on which such notice is provided to cure such circumstances. In the event the Company does not timely cure such circumstances and if the Participant does not terminate his or her employment for Good Reason within ninety (90) days after the first occurrence of the applicable circumstances, then the Participant will be deemed to have waived his or her right to terminate for Good Reason with respect to such circumstances.

(G)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Related Employer” means (i) an Affiliate that is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in section 414(b) of the Code) that includes the Company, (ii) an Affiliate (whether or not incorporated) that is in common control (as defined in section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company, or (iii) an Affiliate that is a member of the same affiliated service group (as defined in section 414(m) of the Code) as the Company.

5.Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(A)any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as modified in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than (A) the Company or any Affiliate, (B) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Affiliate, (C) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company, or (D) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities (a “Person”), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3(a) of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50.1% or more of the shares of voting stock of the Company then outstanding; or

(B)the consummation of any merger, organization, business combination or consolidation of the Company with or into any other company, other than a merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding securities which represent immediately after such merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the surviving company or the parent of such surviving company; or

(C)the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition if the holders of the

3

voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto hold securities immediately thereafter which represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the acquiror, or parent of the acquiror, of such assets, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(D)individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination by the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an election contest or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur or be deemed to occur if any event set forth in subsections (A) — (D) above, that would otherwise constitute a Change in Control, occurs as a direct result of the consummation of a transaction solely between the Company and one or more of its controlled Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in any circumstance or transaction in which compensation payable pursuant to this Award would be subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules if the foregoing definition of “Change in Control” were to apply, but would not be so subject if the term “Change in Control” were defined herein to mean a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5), then “Change in Control” means, but only to the extent necessary to prevent such compensation from becoming subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules, a transaction or circumstance that satisfies the requirements of both (1) a Change in Control under the applicable clause (A) through (D) above, and (2) a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section § 1.409A-3(i)(5).

6.Settlement; Dividend Equivalents; Withholding of Taxes.

(A)Subject to the Severance Plan or Retirement Policy, if applicable, and Paragraph 6(B), one Share will be delivered in respect of each vested RSU on or as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the sixtieth (60^th) day, following the date on which the RSUs vest as determined in accordance with Paragraph 3, 4 or 5; provided, however, that if vesting is contingent on the effectiveness of a Release Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 4(D), and the release period in Paragraph 4(D) begins in one taxable year and ends in a subsequent taxable year, then the Shares will be delivered in such subsequent taxable year. All ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares delivered in respect of the vested RSUs had such Shares been issued as of the Grant Date (as determined by the Committee) will be paid to the Participant (without interest) on the date on which the RSUs are settled in accordance with this Paragraph 6(A) to the extent that the RSUs vest.

(B)The Company’s obligation to deliver Shares under this Award is subject to the payment of all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Company in connection with this Award. The Company shall have the right to take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to satisfy any withholding obligations, provided, however, that except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Participant and the Company, if the Participant is an Executive Officer or an individual subject to Rule 16b-3,

4

such tax withholding obligations will be effectuated by the Company withholding a number of Shares that would otherwise be delivered in respect of the RSUs with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such tax withholding obligations (at the minimum withholding tax rate required by the Code).

7.Participant Covenants.

(A)Non-Competition. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, alone or jointly, with any person or entity, participate in, engage in, consult with, advise, be employed by, own (wholly or partially), possess an interest in, solicit the business of the vendors, suppliers or customers of the Company for, or in any other manner be involved with, any business or person that is engaged in business activities anywhere in the Territory that are competitive with the Business, provided, however, if the Participant voluntarily resigns without Good Reason (and not due to a Qualifying Retirement) within three years following the Grant Date, this Paragraph 7(A) will only apply in the event the Company elects to make the payments set forth in Paragraph 7(E) subject to the requirements of that Paragraph 7(E). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant shall not be prohibited from passively owning less than 1% of the securities of any publicly-traded corporation. For purposes of this Paragraph 7(A), “Territory” means anywhere in which the Company engages in Business and “Business” means the business of (i) selling, distributing or marketing liquefied natural gas and/or (ii) designing, permitting, constructing, developing or operating liquefied natural gas facilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant shall not be prohibited from being employed by, or consulting for, an entity that has a division immaterial to the business of such entity in the aggregate, which division may compete with, or could assist another in competing with, the Company in the Business in the Territory (a “Competitive Division”), so long as the Participant is not employed in, and does not perform work for or otherwise provide services to, the Competitive Division.

(B)Non-Solicitation. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following or assist any other person, firm, or entity to do any of the following: (a) solicit on behalf of the Participant or another person or entity, the employment or services of, or hire or retain, any person who is employed by or is a substantially full-time consultant or independent contractor to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or was within six (6) months prior to the action; (b) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or its affiliates to terminate that employee’s employment with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate; (c) induce or attempt to induce any consultant or independent contractor doing business with or retained by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate their consultancy or contractual relationship with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or otherwise reduce the services they provide to the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or (d) interfere with the relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with any vendor or supplier.

5

(C)Confidentiality. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall maintain the confidentiality of the following information: proprietary technical and business information relating to any Company plans, analyses or strategies concerning international or domestic acquisitions, possible acquisitions or new ventures; development plans or introduction plans for products or services; unannounced products or services; operation costs; pricing of products or services; research and development; personnel information; manufacturing processes; installation, service, and distribution procedures and processes; customer lists; any know-how relating to the design, manufacture, and marketing of any of the Company’s services and products, including components and parts thereof; non-public information acquired by the Company concerning the requirements and specifications of any of the Company’s agents, vendors, contractors, customers and potential customers; non-public financial information, business and marketing plans, pricing and price lists; non-public matters relating to employee benefit plans; quotations or proposals given to agents or customers or received from suppliers; documents relating to any of the Company’s legal rights and obligations; the work product of any attorney employed by or retained by the Company; and any other information which is sufficiently confidential, proprietary, and secret to derive economic value from not being generally known including with respect to intellectual property inventions and work product. The Participant shall maintain in the strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, intentionally or inadvertently, use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any person or entity whatsoever, any of the information of or belonging to the Company or to any agent, joint venture, contractor, customer, vendor, or supplier of the Company regardless of its form, without the prior written explicit consent of the Company. The Participant acknowledges that the foregoing information is not generally known, is highly confidential and constitutes trade secrets or confidential information of the Company. The Participant shall take reasonable precautions to protect the inadvertent disclosure of information. The foregoing shall not apply to information that the Participant is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation, or legal process (provided that the Participant provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Participant from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any government agency or entity or making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of law.  The Participant does not need prior authorization to make such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that the Participant has made any such report or disclosure.

(D)Non-Disparagement. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall not make or publish any disparaging statements (whether written, electronic or oral) regarding, or otherwise malign the business reputation of, the Company, its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees or partners.

(E)Voluntary Resignation. If (a) the Participant voluntarily resigns without Good Reason (and not due to a Qualifying Retirement) within three years following the Grant Date and (b) the Company elects to enforce the covenants in Paragraph 7(A), then the Company agrees, as further consideration for such covenants, to continue to pay the Participant his or her base salary (at the rate in effect at the time of the Participant’s voluntary resignation) in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll dates for one year following the date of such voluntary resignation. The payment of the Participant’s base salary in accordance with this Paragraph 7(E) will begin on the first payroll after the 60^th day following the Participant’s

6

voluntary resignation (with the first payment including the aggregate amount that would have been paid in the first sixty (60) days) subject to the Participant’s execution and delivery to the Company (and non-revocation) of a Release Agreement that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of voluntary resignation. If a Release Agreement is not timely executed and delivered to the Company by the Participant, or if such Release Agreement is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will not be entitled to the base salary continuation set forth in this Paragraph 7(E). The Participant agrees to promptly notify the Company of the date on which the Participant begins employment with a new employer in compliance with this Paragraph 7 (the “Commencement Date”) within 12 months following the Participant’s voluntary resignation. The Company will not have any obligation to pay the Participant’s base salary in accordance with this Paragraph 7(E) after the Commencement Date.

(F)Participant Acknowledgements.

(i)The Participant agrees that the restrictions in this Paragraph 7 are reasonable in light of the scope of the Company’s business operations, the Participant’s position within the Company, the interests which the Company seeks to protect, and the consideration provided to the Participant. The Participant agrees that these restrictions go only so far as to protect the Company’s business and business interests, and that those interests are worth protecting for the continued success, viability, and goodwill of the Company.

(ii)The Participant expressly acknowledges that any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7 may result in substantial, continuing, and irreparable injury to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates for which monetary damages alone would not be a sufficient remedy. Therefore, the Participant hereby agrees that, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company (including pursuant to Paragraph 9), in the event of any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance or other equitable relief by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, without the requirement of posting bond or the necessity of proving irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or threatened breach. Without limitation on the Company’s rights under the foregoing sentence or under Paragraph 9, (a) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraph 7(A) or 7(B) during the term of such covenants, or (b) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraphs 7(C) or (D) of this Agreement prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates for any reason: (i) if the Award is unvested, then the Award will immediately be forfeited for no consideration; (ii) the Company will cease to be obligated to furnish the Participant any further payments or deliveries pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) the Participant shall promptly repay to the Company an amount equal to the gain realized in respect of this Award within the three preceding years (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on each of the date(s) on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period); provided that the foregoing repayment obligations, and the cessation of further payments and benefits, shall be without prejudice to the Company’s other rights.

(iii)Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 7, as applicable, shall be tolled during any period of violation of any of the covenants therein and

7

during any other period required for litigation during which the Company seeks to enforce such covenants against the Participant.

8.Cooperation. Following the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Participant agrees (i) to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its directors, officers, attorneys and experts, and take all actions the Company may reasonably request, including but not limited to cooperation with respect to any investigation, government inquiry, administrative proceeding or litigation relating to any matter in which the Participant was involved or had knowledge during the Participant’s employment with the Company and (ii) that, if called upon by the Company, the Participant will provide assistance with respect to business, personnel or other matters which arose during the Participant’s employment with the Company or as to which the Participant has relevant information, knowledge or expertise, with such cooperation including, but not limited to, completing job tasks in progress, transitioning job tasks to other Company personnel, responding to questions and being available for such purposes. Any cooperation requests shall take into account the Participant’s personal and business commitments, and the Participant shall be reasonably compensated for the Participant’s time (if appropriate for the matter) and further reimbursed for any documented expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with such cooperation within thirty (30) days of the Participant providing an invoice to the Company.

9.Forfeiture/Clawback.

(A)The delivery of Shares under this Award is subject to any policy (whether in existence as of the Grant Date or later adopted) established by the Company or required by applicable law providing for clawback or recovery of amounts that were paid to the Participant. The Company will make any determination for clawback or recovery in its sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation.

(B)In addition to Paragraph 9(A) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Board or Committee determines that the Participant has, without the consent of the Company, violated a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant (including the covenants in Paragraph 7) between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, then the Board or Committee may in its sole discretion (i) determine that all or any portion of any unvested RSUs shall be forfeited for no consideration and/or (ii) require the Participant to promptly repay to the Company any gain realized in respect of this Award within the three years preceding the date on which the Board or Committee determines that any of the events described above has occurred (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on each of the date(s) on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period). Unless otherwise required by law, the provisions of this Paragraph 9(B) shall apply during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason. The foregoing forfeiture and repayment obligations shall be without prejudice to any other rights that the Company may have.

10.Effect of the Plan.This Award is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, together with all of the rules and determinations from time to time issued by the Committee and/or the Board pursuant to the Plan, including the restrictions in the Plan on the transferability of awards. In the event of a conflict between any provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control but only to the extent such conflict is

8

permitted under the Plan. By accepting this Award, the Participant acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of the Plan and agrees that the Participant will enter into such written representations, warranties and agreements and execute such documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules or regulations, or with this document or the terms of the Plan.

11.Amendment and Termination; Waiver. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement by the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may not be amended or terminated by the Company in a manner that would be materially adverse to the Participant without the written consent of the Participant, provided that the Company may amend this Agreement unilaterally (a) as provided in the Plan or (b) if the Company determines that an amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law (including the requirements of the Code). Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement may be waived in writing, either generally or in any particular instance, by the Company. A waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the same or any other breach on a future occasion.

12.Unsecured Obligation. The Company’s obligation under this Agreement shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise. The Participant’s right to receive the payments and benefits contemplated hereby from the Company under this Agreement shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company, and the Participant shall not have nor acquire any legal or equitable right, interest or claim in or to any property or assets of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Participant and the Company or any other person.

13.No Right To Continued Employment. Neither this Award nor anything in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment with the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) or shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.

14.Tax Matters; No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. This Agreement is intended to be exempt from, or to comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly; provided that in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on the Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. The Company makes no commitment or guarantee to the Participant that any federal or state tax treatment will apply or be available to any person eligible for benefits under this Agreement.

15.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware to the extent federal law does not supersede and preempt Delaware law (in which case such federal law shall apply).

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16.Severability; Interpretive Matters. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be fully severable, but shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never been included herein. Whenever required by the context, pronouns and any variation thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The captions and headings used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement granted hereunder for construction or interpretation.

17.Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, with the same force and effect as if the signature thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Blank — Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date indicated below.

COMPANY:
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
By:
	Name:
	Title:

I hereby accept the Award subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. I acknowledge and agree that the Award shall vest and become payable, if at all, only during the period of my continued service with the Company or as otherwise provided in this Agreement (not through the act of issuing the Award).

PARTICIPANT:
By:
	Name:

Grant Date:

[Signature Page — Restricted Stock Unit Award under 2011 Incentive Plan]

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Schedule A

• RSUs: ●

• Vesting Dates:

Date	Number of RSUs that Vest
[●]	●
[●]	●
[●]	●

12

EX-10.38

Exhibit 10.38

Form for Grade 17

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

1.Award. Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has awarded the undersigned Participant (for purposes of this Agreement, the “Participant”) restricted stock units (this “Award”) effective as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Grant Date”) pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). Unless otherwise defined in this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”), capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan.

2.Restricted Stock Units. The Company hereby awards the Participant the number of restricted stock units set forth in Schedule A (the “RSUs”). Each RSU constitutes an unfunded and unsecured promise by the Company to deliver (or cause to be delivered) one share of common stock, $0.003 par value per share, of the Company (a “Share”). The RSUs will be subject to vesting in accordance with Paragraph 3 below.

3.Vesting. Subject to the Participant’s continued employment and Paragraphs 4 and 5, the RSUs shall vest on the date or dates set forth in Schedule A (each, a “Vesting Date”).

4.Termination of Employment or Services. Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 4, the Participant will automatically forfeit any unvested RSUs covered by this Award on the termination, resignation, or removal of the Participant from employment with or services to the Company and its Affiliates for any reason. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(A)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause, unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Key Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”). In the event that the Severance Plan is terminated prior to the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates in accordance with the preceding sentence and no successor plan governs the treatment of the unvested RSUs on a termination of employment described in this Paragraph 4(A), then the unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan as it existed immediately prior to its termination.

(B)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate (1) by the Company or an Affiliate due to the Disability of the Participant while performing Continuous Service or (2) due to the death of the Participant while performing Continuous Service, unvested RSUs shall vest in full immediately.

(C)Upon the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement (as defined in the Company’s Retirement Policy), unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Company’s Retirement Policy.

(D)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, unvested RSUs will not vest as a result of a termination by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause or due to the Disability of the Participant, in each case, unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a Release Agreement (as defined in the Severance Plan) that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of termination. Additionally, unvested RSUs will not vest following the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a release of claims in accordance with the Retirement Policy. If a release described in this Paragraph 4(D) is not timely executed and delivered by the Participant to the Company, or if such release is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will automatically forfeit the unvested RSUs covered by this Award effective as of the date of termination of employment.

(E)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means a separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) as a result of any of the following:

(i)the willful commission by the Participant of a crime or other act of misconduct that causes or is likely to cause substantial economic damage to the Company or an Affiliate or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Company or an Affiliate;

(ii)the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud in the performance of the Participant’s duties on behalf of the Company or an Affiliate;

(iii)the willful and material violation by the Participant of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy; or

(iv)the continuing and repeated failure of the Participant to perform his or her duties to the Company or an Affiliate, including by reason of the Participant’s habitual absenteeism (other than such failure resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure has continued for a period of at least thirty (30) days following delivery of a written demand for substantial performance to the Participant by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Participant has not performed his or her duties;

provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, for purposes of determining whether “Cause” exists under this Plan, no act, or failure to act, on the part of the Participant shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Participant’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be.

The determination of whether Cause exists with respect to the Participant shall be made by the Board (or its designee) in its sole discretion.

(F)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Related Employer” means (i) an Affiliate that is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in section 414(b) of the Code) that includes the Company, (ii) an Affiliate (whether or not incorporated) that is in common control (as defined in section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company, or (iii) an Affiliate that is a member of the same affiliated service group (as defined in section 414(m) of the Code) as the Company.

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5.Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(A)any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as modified in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than (A) the Company or any Affiliate, (B) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Affiliate, (C) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company, or (D) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities (a “Person”), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3(a) of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50.1% or more of the shares of voting stock of the Company then outstanding; or

(B)the consummation of any merger, organization, business combination or consolidation of the Company with or into any other company, other than a merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding securities which represent immediately after such merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the surviving company or the parent of such surviving company; or

(C)the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition if the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto hold securities immediately thereafter which represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the acquiror, or parent of the acquiror, of such assets, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(D)individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination by the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an election contest or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur or be deemed to occur if any event set forth in subsections (A) — (D) above, that would otherwise constitute a Change in Control, occurs as a direct result of the consummation of a transaction solely between the Company and one or more of its controlled Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in any circumstance or transaction in which compensation payable pursuant to this Award would be subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules if the foregoing definition of “Change in Control” were to apply, but would not be so subject if the term “Change in Control” were defined herein to mean a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5), then “Change in Control” means, but only to the extent necessary to prevent such compensation from becoming subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules, a

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transaction or circumstance that satisfies the requirements of both (1) a Change in Control under the applicable clause (A) through (D) above, and (2) a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section § 1.409A-3(i)(5).

6.Settlement; Dividend Equivalents; Withholding of Taxes.

(A)Subject to the Severance Plan or Retirement Policy, if applicable, and Paragraph 6(B), one Share will be delivered in respect of each vested RSU on or as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the sixtieth (60^th) day, following the date on which the RSUs vest as determined in accordance with Paragraph 3, 4 or 5; provided, however, that if vesting is contingent on the effectiveness of a Release Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 4(D), and the release period in Paragraph 4(D) begins in one taxable year and ends in a subsequent taxable year, then the Shares will be delivered in such subsequent taxable year. All ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares delivered in respect of the vested RSUs had such Shares been issued as of the Grant Date (as determined by the Committee) will be paid to the Participant (without interest) on the date on which the RSUs are settled in accordance with this Paragraph 6(A) to the extent that the RSUs vest.

(B)The Company’s obligation to deliver Shares under this Award is subject to the payment of all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Company in connection with this Award. The Company shall have the right to take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to satisfy any withholding obligations, provided, however, that except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Participant and the Company, if the Participant is an Executive Officer or an individual subject to Rule 16b-3, such tax withholding obligations will be effectuated by the Company withholding a number of Shares that would otherwise be delivered in respect of the RSUs with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such tax withholding obligations (at the minimum withholding tax rate required by the Code).

7.Participant Covenants.

(A)Non-Competition. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for six months following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, alone or jointly, with any person or entity, participate in, engage in, consult with, advise, be employed by, own (wholly or partially), possess an interest in, solicit the business of the vendors, suppliers or customers of the Company for, or in any other manner be involved with, any business or person that is engaged in business activities anywhere in the Territory that are competitive with the Business, provided, however, if the Participant voluntarily resigns (not due to a Qualifying Retirement) within three years following the Grant Date, this Paragraph 7(A) will only apply in the event the Company elects to make the payments set forth in Paragraph 7(E) subject to the requirements of that Paragraph 7(E). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant shall not be prohibited from passively owning less than 1% of the securities of any publicly-traded corporation. For purposes of this Paragraph 7(A), “Territory” means anywhere in which the Company engages in Business and “Business” means the business of (i) selling, distributing or marketing liquefied natural gas and/or (ii) designing, permitting, constructing, developing or operating liquefied natural gas facilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant shall not be prohibited from being

4

employed by, or consulting for, an entity that has a division immaterial to the business of such entity in the aggregate, which division may compete with, or could assist another in competing with, the Company in the Business in the Territory (a “Competitive Division”), so long as the Participant is not employed in, and does not perform work for or otherwise provide services to, the Competitive Division.

(B)Non-Solicitation. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following or assist any other person, firm, or entity to do any of the following: (a) solicit on behalf of the Participant or another person or entity, the employment or services of, or hire or retain, any person who is employed by or is a substantially full-time consultant or independent contractor to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or was within six (6) months prior to the action; (b) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or its affiliates to terminate that employee’s employment with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate; (c) induce or attempt to induce any consultant or independent contractor doing business with or retained by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate their consultancy or contractual relationship with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or otherwise reduce the services they provide to the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or (d) interfere with the relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with any vendor or supplier.

(C)Confidentiality. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall maintain the confidentiality of the following information: proprietary technical and business information relating to any Company plans, analyses or strategies concerning international or domestic acquisitions, possible acquisitions or new ventures; development plans or introduction plans for products or services; unannounced products or services; operation costs; pricing of products or services; research and development; personnel information; manufacturing processes; installation, service, and distribution procedures and processes; customer lists; any know-how relating to the design, manufacture, and marketing of any of the Company’s services and products, including components and parts thereof; non-public information acquired by the Company concerning the requirements and specifications of any of the Company’s agents, vendors, contractors, customers and potential customers; non-public financial information, business and marketing plans, pricing and price lists; non-public matters relating to employee benefit plans; quotations or proposals given to agents or customers or received from suppliers; documents relating to any of the Company’s legal rights and obligations; the work product of any attorney employed by or retained by the Company; and any other information which is sufficiently confidential, proprietary, and secret to derive economic value from not being generally known including with respect to intellectual property inventions and work product. The Participant shall maintain in the strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, intentionally or inadvertently, use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any person or entity whatsoever, any of the information of or belonging to the Company or to any agent, joint venture, contractor, customer, vendor, or supplier of the Company regardless of its form, without the prior written explicit consent of the Company. The Participant acknowledges that the foregoing information is not generally known, is highly confidential and constitutes trade secrets or confidential information of the Company. The Participant shall take reasonable precautions to protect the inadvertent disclosure of information. The foregoing shall not apply to information

5

that the Participant is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation, or legal process (provided that the Participant provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Participant from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any government agency or entity or making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of law.  The Participant does not need prior authorization to make such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that the Participant has made any such report or disclosure.

(D)Non-Disparagement. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall not make or publish any disparaging statements (whether written, electronic or oral) regarding, or otherwise malign the business reputation of, the Company, its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees or partners.

(E)Voluntary Resignation. If (a) the Participant voluntarily resigns (not due to a Qualifying Retirement) within three years following the Grant Date and (b) the Company elects to enforce the covenants in Paragraph 7(A), then the Company agrees, as further consideration for such covenants, to continue to pay the Participant his or her base salary (at the rate in effect at the time of the Participant’s voluntary resignation) in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll dates for six months following the date of such voluntary resignation. The payment of the Participant’s base salary in accordance with this Paragraph 7(E) will begin on the first payroll after the 60^th day following the Participant’s voluntary resignation (with the first payment including the aggregate amount that would have been paid in the first sixty (60) days) subject to the Participant’s execution and delivery to the Company (and non-revocation) of a Release Agreement that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of voluntary resignation. If a Release Agreement is not timely executed and delivered to the Company by the Participant, or if such Release Agreement is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will not be entitled to the base salary continuation set forth in this Paragraph 7(E). The Participant agrees to promptly notify the Company of the date on which the Participant begins employment with a new employer in compliance with this Paragraph 7 (the “Commencement Date”) within six months following the Participant’s voluntary resignation. The Company will not have any obligation to pay the Participant’s base salary in accordance with this Paragraph 7(E) after the Commencement Date.

(F)Participant Acknowledgements.

(i)The Participant agrees that the restrictions in this Paragraph 7 are reasonable in light of the scope of the Company’s business operations, the Participant’s position within the Company, the interests which the Company seeks to protect, and the consideration provided to the Participant. The Participant agrees that these restrictions go only so far as to protect the Company’s business and business interests, and that those interests are worth protecting for the continued success, viability, and goodwill of the Company.

(ii)The Participant expressly acknowledges that any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7 may result in substantial, continuing, and irreparable injury to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates for which monetary damages alone would not be a sufficient remedy. Therefore, the Participant

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hereby agrees that, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company (including pursuant to Paragraph 9), in the event of any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance or other equitable relief by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, without the requirement of posting bond or the necessity of proving irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or threatened breach. Without limitation on the Company’s rights under the foregoing sentence or under Paragraph 9, (a) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraph 7(A) or 7(B) during the term of such covenants, or (b) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraphs 7(C) or (D) of this Agreement prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates for any reason: (i) if the Award is unvested, then the Award will immediately be forfeited for no consideration; (ii) the Company will cease to be obligated to furnish the Participant any further payments or deliveries pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) the Participant shall promptly repay to the Company an amount equal to the gain realized in respect of this Award within the three preceding years (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on each of the date(s) on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period); provided that the foregoing repayment obligations, and the cessation of further payments and benefits, shall be without prejudice to the Company’s other rights.

(iii)Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 7, as applicable, shall be tolled during any period of violation of any of the covenants therein and during any other period required for litigation during which the Company seeks to enforce such covenants against the Participant.

8.Cooperation. Following the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Participant agrees (i) to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its directors, officers, attorneys and experts, and take all actions the Company may reasonably request, including but not limited to cooperation with respect to any investigation, government inquiry, administrative proceeding or litigation relating to any matter in which the Participant was involved or had knowledge during the Participant’s employment with the Company and (ii) that, if called upon by the Company, the Participant will provide assistance with respect to business, personnel or other matters which arose during the Participant’s employment with the Company or as to which the Participant has relevant information, knowledge or expertise, with such cooperation including, but not limited to, completing job tasks in progress, transitioning job tasks to other Company personnel, responding to questions and being available for such purposes. Any cooperation requests shall take into account the Participant’s personal and business commitments, and the Participant shall be reasonably compensated for the Participant’s time (if appropriate for the matter) and further reimbursed for any documented expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with such cooperation within thirty (30) days of the Participant providing an invoice to the Company.

9.Forfeiture/Clawback.

(A)The delivery of Shares under this Award is subject to any policy (whether in existence as of the Grant Date or later adopted) established by the Company or required by applicable law providing for clawback or recovery of amounts that were paid to the Participant.

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The Company will make any determination for clawback or recovery in its sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation.

(B)In addition to Paragraph 9(A) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Board or Committee determines that the Participant has, without the consent of the Company, violated a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant (including the covenants in Paragraph 7) between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, then the Board or Committee may in its sole discretion (i) determine that all or any portion of any unvested RSUs shall be forfeited for no consideration and/or (ii) require the Participant to promptly repay to the Company any gain realized in respect of this Award within the three years preceding the date on which the Board or Committee determines that any of the events described above has occurred (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on each of the date(s) on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period). Unless otherwise required by law, the provisions of this Paragraph 9(B) shall apply during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason. The foregoing forfeiture and repayment obligations shall be without prejudice to any other rights that the Company may have.

10.Effect of the Plan.This Award is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, together with all of the rules and determinations from time to time issued by the Committee and/or the Board pursuant to the Plan, including the restrictions in the Plan on the transferability of awards. In the event of a conflict between any provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control but only to the extent such conflict is permitted under the Plan. By accepting this Award, the Participant acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of the Plan and agrees that the Participant will enter into such written representations, warranties and agreements and execute such documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules or regulations, or with this document or the terms of the Plan.

11.Amendment and Termination; Waiver. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement by the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may not be amended or terminated by the Company in a manner that would be materially adverse to the Participant without the written consent of the Participant, provided that the Company may amend this Agreement unilaterally (a) as provided in the Plan or (b) if the Company determines that an amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law (including the requirements of the Code). Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement may be waived in writing, either generally or in any particular instance, by the Company. A waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the same or any other breach on a future occasion.

12.Unsecured Obligation. The Company’s obligation under this Agreement shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise. The Participant’s right to receive the payments and benefits contemplated hereby from the Company under this Agreement shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company, and the Participant shall not have nor acquire any legal or equitable right, interest or claim in or to any property or assets of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create

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or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Participant and the Company or any other person.

13.No Right To Continued Employment. Neither this Award nor anything in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment with the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) or shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.

14.Tax Matters; No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. This Agreement is intended to be exempt from, or to comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly; provided that in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on the Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. The Company makes no commitment or guarantee to the Participant that any federal or state tax treatment will apply or be available to any person eligible for benefits under this Agreement.

15.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware to the extent federal law does not supersede and preempt Delaware law (in which case such federal law shall apply).

16.Severability; Interpretive Matters. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be fully severable, but shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never been included herein. Whenever required by the context, pronouns and any variation thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The captions and headings used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement granted hereunder for construction or interpretation.

17.Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, with the same force and effect as if the signature thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Blank — Signature Page Follows]

9

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date indicated below.

COMPANY:
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
By:
	Name:
	Title:

I hereby accept the Award subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. I acknowledge and agree that the Award shall vest and become payable, if at all, only during the period of my continued service with the Company or as otherwise provided in this Agreement (not through the act of issuing the Award).

PARTICIPANT:
By:
	Name:

Grant Date:

[Signature Page — Restricted Stock Unit Award under 2011 Incentive Plan]

10

Schedule A

• RSUs: ●

• Vesting Dates:

Date	Number of RSUs that Vest
[●]	●
[●]	●
[●]	●

11

EX-10.39

Exhibit 10.39

Form for Grade 16 and Below Key Executive Severance Plan

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

1.Award. Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has awarded the undersigned Participant (for purposes of this Agreement, the “Participant”) restricted stock units (this “Award”) effective as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Grant Date”) pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). Unless otherwise defined in this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”), capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan.

2.Restricted Stock Units. The Company hereby awards the Participant the number of restricted stock units set forth in Schedule A (the “RSUs”). Each RSU constitutes an unfunded and unsecured promise by the Company to deliver (or cause to be delivered) one share of common stock, $0.003 par value per share, of the Company (a “Share”). The RSUs will be subject to vesting in accordance with Paragraph 3 below.

3.Vesting. Subject to the Participant’s continued employment and Paragraphs 4 and 5, the RSUs shall vest on the date or dates set forth in Schedule A (each, a “Vesting Date”).

4.Termination of Employment or Services. Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 4, the Participant will automatically forfeit any unvested RSUs covered by this Award on the termination, resignation, or removal of the Participant from employment with or services to the Company and its Affiliates for any reason. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(A)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause, unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Key Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”). In the event that the Severance Plan is terminated prior to the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates in accordance with the preceding sentence and no successor plan governs the treatment of the unvested RSUs on a termination of employment described in this Paragraph 4(A), then the unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan as it existed immediately prior to its termination.

(B)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate (1) by the Company or an Affiliate due to the Disability of the Participant while performing Continuous Service or (2) due to the death of the Participant while performing Continuous Service, unvested RSUs shall vest in full immediately.

(C)Upon the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement (as defined in the Company’s Retirement Policy), unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Company’s Retirement Policy.

(D)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, unvested RSUs will not vest as a result of a termination by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause or due to the Disability of the Participant, in each case, unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a Release Agreement (as defined in the Severance Plan) that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of termination. Additionally, unvested RSUs will not vest following the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a release of claims in accordance with the Retirement Policy. If a release described in this Paragraph 4(D) is not timely executed and delivered by the Participant to the Company, or if such release is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will automatically forfeit the unvested RSUs covered by this Award effective as of the date of termination of employment.

(E)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means a separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) as a result of any of the following:

(i)the willful commission by the Participant of a crime or other act of misconduct that causes or is likely to cause substantial economic damage to the Company or an Affiliate or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Company or an Affiliate;

(ii)the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud in the performance of the Participant’s duties on behalf of the Company or an Affiliate;

(iii)the willful and material violation by the Participant of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy; or

(iv)the continuing and repeated failure of the Participant to perform his or her duties to the Company or an Affiliate, including by reason of the Participant’s habitual absenteeism (other than such failure resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure has continued for a period of at least thirty (30) days following delivery of a written demand for substantial performance to the Participant by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Participant has not performed his or her duties;

provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, for purposes of determining whether “Cause” exists under this Plan, no act, or failure to act, on the part of the Participant shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Participant’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be.

The determination of whether Cause exists with respect to the Participant shall be made by the Board (or its designee) in its sole discretion.

(F)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Related Employer” means (i) an Affiliate that is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in section 414(b) of the Code) that includes the Company, (ii) an Affiliate (whether or not incorporated) that is in common control (as defined in section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company, or (iii) an Affiliate that is a member of the same affiliated service group (as defined in section 414(m) of the Code) as the Company.

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5.Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(A)any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as modified in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than (A) the Company or any Affiliate, (B) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Affiliate, (C) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company, or (D) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities (a “Person”), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3(a) of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50.1% or more of the shares of voting stock of the Company then outstanding; or

(B)the consummation of any merger, organization, business combination or consolidation of the Company with or into any other company, other than a merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding securities which represent immediately after such merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the surviving company or the parent of such surviving company; or

(C)the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition if the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto hold securities immediately thereafter which represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the acquiror, or parent of the acquiror, of such assets, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(D)individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination by the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an election contest or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur or be deemed to occur if any event set forth in subsections (A) — (D) above, that would otherwise constitute a Change in Control, occurs as a direct result of the consummation of a transaction solely between the Company and one or more of its controlled Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in any circumstance or transaction in which compensation payable pursuant to this Award would be subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules if the foregoing definition of “Change in Control” were to apply, but would not be so subject if the term “Change in Control” were defined herein to mean a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5), then “Change in Control” means, but only to the extent necessary to prevent such compensation from becoming subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules, a

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transaction or circumstance that satisfies the requirements of both (1) a Change in Control under the applicable clause (A) through (D) above, and (2) a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section § 1.409A-3(i)(5).

6.Settlement; Dividend Equivalents; Withholding of Taxes.

(A)Subject to the Severance Plan or Retirement Policy, if applicable, and Paragraph 6(B), one Share will be delivered in respect of each vested RSU on or as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the sixtieth (60^th) day, following the date on which the RSUs vest as determined in accordance with Paragraph 3, 4 or 5; provided, however, that if vesting is contingent on the effectiveness of a Release Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 4(D), and the release period in Paragraph 4(D) begins in one taxable year and ends in a subsequent taxable year, then the Shares will be delivered in such subsequent taxable year. All ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares delivered in respect of the vested RSUs had such Shares been issued as of the Grant Date (as determined by the Committee) will be paid to the Participant (without interest) on the date on which the RSUs are settled in accordance with this Paragraph 6(A) to the extent that the RSUs vest.

(B)The Company’s obligation to deliver Shares under this Award is subject to the payment of all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Company in connection with this Award. The Company shall have the right to take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to satisfy any withholding obligations, provided, however, that except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Participant and the Company, if the Participant is an Executive Officer or an individual subject to Rule 16b-3, such tax withholding obligations will be effectuated by the Company withholding a number of Shares that would otherwise be delivered in respect of the RSUs with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such tax withholding obligations (at the minimum withholding tax rate required by the Code).

7.Participant Covenants.

(A)Non-Solicitation. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following or assist any other person, firm, or entity to do any of the following: (a) solicit on behalf of the Participant or another person or entity, the employment or services of, or hire or retain, any person who is employed by or is a substantially full-time consultant or independent contractor to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or was within six (6) months prior to the action; (b) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or its affiliates to terminate that employee’s employment with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate; (c) induce or attempt to induce any consultant or independent contractor doing business with or retained by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate their consultancy or contractual relationship with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or otherwise reduce the services they provide to the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or (d) interfere with the relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with any vendor or supplier.

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(B)Confidentiality. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall maintain the confidentiality of the following information: proprietary technical and business information relating to any Company plans, analyses or strategies concerning international or domestic acquisitions, possible acquisitions or new ventures; development plans or introduction plans for products or services; unannounced products or services; operation costs; pricing of products or services; research and development; personnel information; manufacturing processes; installation, service, and distribution procedures and processes; customer lists; any know-how relating to the design, manufacture, and marketing of any of the Company’s services and products, including components and parts thereof; non-public information acquired by the Company concerning the requirements and specifications of any of the Company’s agents, vendors, contractors, customers and potential customers; non-public financial information, business and marketing plans, pricing and price lists; non-public matters relating to employee benefit plans; quotations or proposals given to agents or customers or received from suppliers; documents relating to any of the Company’s legal rights and obligations; the work product of any attorney employed by or retained by the Company; and any other information which is sufficiently confidential, proprietary, and secret to derive economic value from not being generally known including with respect to intellectual property inventions and work product. The Participant shall maintain in the strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, intentionally or inadvertently, use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any person or entity whatsoever, any of the information of or belonging to the Company or to any agent, joint venture, contractor, customer, vendor, or supplier of the Company regardless of its form, without the prior written explicit consent of the Company. The Participant acknowledges that the foregoing information is not generally known, is highly confidential and constitutes trade secrets or confidential information of the Company. The Participant shall take reasonable precautions to protect the inadvertent disclosure of information. The foregoing shall not apply to information that the Participant is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation, or legal process (provided that the Participant provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Participant from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any government agency or entity or making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of law.  The Participant does not need prior authorization to make such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that the Participant has made any such report or disclosure.

(C)Non-Disparagement. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall not make or publish any disparaging statements (whether written, electronic or oral) regarding, or otherwise malign the business reputation of, the Company, its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees or partners.

(D)Participant Acknowledgements.

(i)The Participant agrees that the restrictions in this Paragraph 7 are reasonable in light of the scope of the Company’s business operations, the Participant’s position within the Company, the interests which the Company seeks to protect, and the consideration provided to the Participant. The Participant agrees that these restrictions go only so far as to protect the Company’s business and business interests, and that those interests are worth protecting for the continued success, viability, and goodwill of the Company.

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(ii)The Participant expressly acknowledges that any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7 may result in substantial, continuing, and irreparable injury to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates for which monetary damages alone would not be a sufficient remedy. Therefore, the Participant hereby agrees that, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company (including pursuant to Paragraph 9), in the event of any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance or other equitable relief by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, without the requirement of posting bond or the necessity of proving irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or threatened breach. Without limitation on the Company’s rights under the foregoing sentence or under Paragraph 9, (a) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraph 7(A) during the term of such covenants, or (b) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraphs 7(B) or (C) of this Agreement prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates for any reason: (i) if the Award is unvested, then the Award will immediately be forfeited for no consideration; (ii) the Company will cease to be obligated to furnish the Participant any further payments or deliveries pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) the Participant shall promptly repay to the Company an amount equal to the gain realized in respect of this Award within the three preceding years (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on each of the date(s) on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period); provided that the foregoing repayment obligations, and the cessation of further payments and benefits, shall be without prejudice to the Company’s other rights.

(iii)Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 7, as applicable, shall be tolled during any period of violation of any of the covenants therein and during any other period required for litigation during which the Company seeks to enforce such covenants against the Participant.

8.Cooperation. Following the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Participant agrees (i) to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its directors, officers, attorneys and experts, and take all actions the Company may reasonably request, including but not limited to cooperation with respect to any investigation, government inquiry, administrative proceeding or litigation relating to any matter in which the Participant was involved or had knowledge during the Participant’s employment with the Company and (ii) that, if called upon by the Company, the Participant will provide assistance with respect to business, personnel or other matters which arose during the Participant’s employment with the Company or as to which the Participant has relevant information, knowledge or expertise, with such cooperation including, but not limited to, completing job tasks in progress, transitioning job tasks to other Company personnel, responding to questions and being available for such purposes. Any cooperation requests shall take into account the Participant’s personal and business commitments, and the Participant shall be reasonably compensated for the Participant’s time (if appropriate for the matter) and further reimbursed for any documented expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with such cooperation within thirty (30) days of the Participant providing an invoice to the Company.

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9.Forfeiture/Clawback.

(A)The delivery of Shares under this Award is subject to any policy (whether in existence as of the Grant Date or later adopted) established by the Company or required by applicable law providing for clawback or recovery of amounts that were paid to the Participant. The Company will make any determination for clawback or recovery in its sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation.

(B)In addition to Paragraph 9(A) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Board or Committee determines that the Participant has, without the consent of the Company, violated a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant (including the covenants in Paragraph 7) between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, then the Board or Committee may in its sole discretion (i) determine that all or any portion of any unvested RSUs shall be forfeited for no consideration and/or (ii) require the Participant to promptly repay to the Company any gain realized in respect of this Award within the three years preceding the date on which the Board or Committee determines that any of the events described above has occurred (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on each of the date(s) on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period). Unless otherwise required by law, the provisions of this Paragraph 9(B) shall apply during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason. The foregoing forfeiture and repayment obligations shall be without prejudice to any other rights that the Company may have.

10.Effect of the Plan.This Award is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, together with all of the rules and determinations from time to time issued by the Committee and/or the Board pursuant to the Plan, including the restrictions in the Plan on the transferability of awards. In the event of a conflict between any provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control but only to the extent such conflict is permitted under the Plan. By accepting this Award, the Participant acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of the Plan and agrees that the Participant will enter into such written representations, warranties and agreements and execute such documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules or regulations, or with this document or the terms of the Plan.

11.Amendment and Termination; Waiver. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement by the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may not be amended or terminated by the Company in a manner that would be materially adverse to the Participant without the written consent of the Participant, provided that the Company may amend this Agreement unilaterally (a) as provided in the Plan or (b) if the Company determines that an amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law (including the requirements of the Code). Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement may be waived in writing, either generally or in any particular instance, by the Company. A waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the same or any other breach on a future occasion.

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12.Unsecured Obligation. The Company’s obligation under this Agreement shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise. The Participant’s right to receive the payments and benefits contemplated hereby from the Company under this Agreement shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company, and the Participant shall not have nor acquire any legal or equitable right, interest or claim in or to any property or assets of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Participant and the Company or any other person.

13.No Right To Continued Employment. Neither this Award nor anything in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment with the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) or shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.

14.Tax Matters; No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. This Agreement is intended to be exempt from, or to comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly; provided that in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on the Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. The Company makes no commitment or guarantee to the Participant that any federal or state tax treatment will apply or be available to any person eligible for benefits under this Agreement.

15.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware to the extent federal law does not supersede and preempt Delaware law (in which case such federal law shall apply).

16.Severability; Interpretive Matters. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be fully severable, but shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never been included herein. Whenever required by the context, pronouns and any variation thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The captions and headings used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement granted hereunder for construction or interpretation.

17.Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, with the same force and effect as if the signature thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Blank — Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date indicated below.

COMPANY:
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
By:
	Name:
	Title:

I hereby accept the Award subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. I acknowledge and agree that the Award shall vest and become payable, if at all, only during the period of my continued service with the Company or as otherwise provided in this Agreement (not through the act of issuing the Award).

PARTICIPANT:
By:
	Name:

Grant Date:

[Signature Page — Restricted Stock Unit Award under 2011 Incentive Plan]

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Schedule A

• RSUs: ●

• Vesting Dates:

Date	Number of RSUs that Vest
[●]	●
[●]	●
[●]	●

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EX-10.40

Exhibit 10.40

Form for Grade 16 and Below Severance Pay Plan

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

1.Award. Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has awarded the undersigned Participant (for purposes of this Agreement, the “Participant”) restricted stock units (this “Award”) effective as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Grant Date”) pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). Unless otherwise defined in this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”), capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan.

2.Restricted Stock Units. The Company hereby awards the Participant the number of restricted stock units set forth in Schedule A (the “RSUs”). Each RSU constitutes an unfunded and unsecured promise by the Company to deliver (or cause to be delivered) one share of common stock, $0.003 par value per share, of the Company (a “Share”). The RSUs will be subject to vesting in accordance with Paragraph 3 below.

3.Vesting. Subject to the Participant’s continued employment and Paragraphs 4 and 5, the RSUs shall vest on the date or dates set forth in Schedule A (each, a “Vesting Date”).

4.Termination of Employment or Services. Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 4, the Participant will automatically forfeit any unvested RSUs covered by this Award on the termination, resignation, or removal of the Participant from employment with or services to the Company and its Affiliates for any reason. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(A)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause, unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”). In the event that the Severance Plan is terminated prior to the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates in accordance with the preceding sentence and no successor plan governs the treatment of the unvested RSUs on a termination of employment described in this Paragraph 4(A), then the unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan as it existed immediately prior to its termination.

(B)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate (1) by the Company or an Affiliate due to the Disability of the Participant while performing Continuous Service or (2) due to the death of the Participant while performing Continuous Service, unvested RSUs shall vest in full immediately.

(C)Upon the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement (as defined in the Company’s Retirement Policy), unvested RSUs will be treated in accordance with the Company’s Retirement Policy.

(D)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, unvested RSUs will not vest as a result of a termination by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause or due to the Disability of the Participant, in each case, unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a Release Agreement (as defined in the Severance Plan) that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of termination. Additionally, unvested RSUs will not vest following the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a release of claims in accordance with the Retirement Policy. If a release described in this Paragraph 4(D) is not timely executed and delivered by the Participant to the Company, or if such release is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will automatically forfeit the unvested RSUs covered by this Award effective as of the date of termination of employment.

(E)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means a separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) as a result of any of the following:

(i)the commission by the Participant of a crime or other act of misconduct that causes or is likely to cause economic damage to the Company or an Affiliate or injury to the business reputation of the Company or an Affiliate;

(ii)the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud in the performance of the Participant’s duties on behalf of the Company or an Affiliate;

(iii)the violation by the Participant of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy; or

(iv)the failure of the Participant to perform his or her duties at a level and in a manner satisfactory to the Company in its sole discretion.

The determination of whether Cause exists with respect to the Participant shall be made by the Company’s Chief Human Resources Officer in his or her sole discretion in consultation with the Company’s General Counsel.

(F)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Related Employer” means (i) an Affiliate that is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in section 414(b) of the Code) that includes the Company, (ii) an Affiliate (whether or not incorporated) that is in common control (as defined in section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company, or (iii) an Affiliate that is a member of the same affiliated service group (as defined in section 414(m) of the Code) as the Company.

5.Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(A)any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as modified in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than (A) the Company or any Affiliate, (B) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Affiliate, (C) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company, or (D) an

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underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities (a “Person”), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3(a) of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50.1% or more of the shares of voting stock of the Company then outstanding; or

(B)the consummation of any merger, organization, business combination or consolidation of the Company with or into any other company, other than a merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding securities which represent immediately after such merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the surviving company or the parent of such surviving company; or

(C)the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition if the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto hold securities immediately thereafter which represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the acquiror, or parent of the acquiror, of such assets, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(D)individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination by the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an election contest or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur or be deemed to occur if any event set forth in subsections (A) — (D) above, that would otherwise constitute a Change in Control, occurs as a direct result of the consummation of a transaction solely between the Company and one or more of its controlled Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in any circumstance or transaction in which compensation payable pursuant to this Award would be subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules if the foregoing definition of “Change in Control” were to apply, but would not be so subject if the term “Change in Control” were defined herein to mean a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5), then “Change in Control” means, but only to the extent necessary to prevent such compensation from becoming subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules, a transaction or circumstance that satisfies the requirements of both (1) a Change in Control under the applicable clause (A) through (D) above, and (2) a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section § 1.409A-3(i)(5).

6.Settlement; Dividend Equivalents; Withholding of Taxes.

(A)Subject to the Severance Plan or Retirement Policy, if applicable, and Paragraph 6(B), one Share will be delivered in respect of each vested RSU on or as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the sixtieth (60^th) day, following the date on

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which the RSUs vest as determined in accordance with Paragraph 3, 4 or 5; provided, however, that if vesting is contingent on the effectiveness of a Release Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 4(D), and the release period in Paragraph 4(D) begins in one taxable year and ends in a subsequent taxable year, then the Shares will be delivered in such subsequent taxable year. All ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares delivered in respect of the vested RSUs had such Shares been issued as of the Grant Date (as determined by the Committee) will be paid to the Participant (without interest) on the date on which the RSUs are settled in accordance with this Paragraph 6(A) to the extent that the RSUs vest.

(B)The Company’s obligation to deliver Shares under this Award is subject to the payment of all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Company in connection with this Award. The Company shall have the right to take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to satisfy any withholding obligations, provided, however, that except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Participant and the Company, if the Participant is an Executive Officer or an individual subject to Rule 16b-3, such tax withholding obligations will be effectuated by the Company withholding a number of Shares that would otherwise be delivered in respect of the RSUs with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such tax withholding obligations (at the minimum withholding tax rate required by the Code).

7.Participant Covenants.

(A)Non-Solicitation. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following or assist any other person, firm, or entity to do any of the following: (a) solicit on behalf of the Participant or another person or entity, the employment or services of, or hire or retain, any person who is employed by or is a substantially full-time consultant or independent contractor to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or was within six (6) months prior to the action; (b) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or its affiliates to terminate that employee’s employment with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate; (c) induce or attempt to induce any consultant or independent contractor doing business with or retained by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate their consultancy or contractual relationship with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or otherwise reduce the services they provide to the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or (d) interfere with the relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with any vendor or supplier.

(B)Confidentiality. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall maintain the confidentiality of the following information: proprietary technical and business information relating to any Company plans, analyses or strategies concerning international or domestic acquisitions, possible acquisitions or new ventures; development plans or introduction plans for products or services; unannounced products or services; operation costs; pricing of products or services; research and development; personnel information; manufacturing processes; installation, service, and distribution procedures and processes; customer lists; any know-how relating to the design, manufacture, and marketing of any of the Company’s services and products, including components and parts thereof; non-public information acquired by the Company concerning the requirements and specifications of any of the Company’s agents,

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vendors, contractors, customers and potential customers; non-public financial information, business and marketing plans, pricing and price lists; non-public matters relating to employee benefit plans; quotations or proposals given to agents or customers or received from suppliers; documents relating to any of the Company’s legal rights and obligations; the work product of any attorney employed by or retained by the Company; and any other information which is sufficiently confidential, proprietary, and secret to derive economic value from not being generally known including with respect to intellectual property inventions and work product. The Participant shall maintain in the strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, intentionally or inadvertently, use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any person or entity whatsoever, any of the information of or belonging to the Company or to any agent, joint venture, contractor, customer, vendor, or supplier of the Company regardless of its form, without the prior written explicit consent of the Company. The Participant acknowledges that the foregoing information is not generally known, is highly confidential and constitutes trade secrets or confidential information of the Company. The Participant shall take reasonable precautions to protect the inadvertent disclosure of information. The foregoing shall not apply to information that the Participant is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation, or legal process (provided that the Participant provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Participant from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any government agency or entity or making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of law.  The Participant does not need prior authorization to make such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that the Participant has made any such report or disclosure.

(C)Non-Disparagement. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall not make or publish any disparaging statements (whether written, electronic or oral) regarding, or otherwise malign the business reputation of, the Company, its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees or partners.

(D)Participant Acknowledgements.

(i)The Participant agrees that the restrictions in this Paragraph 7 are reasonable in light of the scope of the Company’s business operations, the Participant’s position within the Company, the interests which the Company seeks to protect, and the consideration provided to the Participant. The Participant agrees that these restrictions go only so far as to protect the Company’s business and business interests, and that those interests are worth protecting for the continued success, viability, and goodwill of the Company.

(ii)The Participant expressly acknowledges that any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7 may result in substantial, continuing, and irreparable injury to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates for which monetary damages alone would not be a sufficient remedy. Therefore, the Participant hereby agrees that, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company (including pursuant to Paragraph 9), in the event of any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance or other equitable relief by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, without the requirement of posting bond or the necessity of proving irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or threatened breach. Without limitation on the Company’s rights under

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the foregoing sentence or under Paragraph 9, (a) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraph 7(A) during the term of such covenants, or (b) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraphs 7(B) or (C) of this Agreement prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates for any reason: (i) if the Award is unvested, then the Award will immediately be forfeited for no consideration; (ii) the Company will cease to be obligated to furnish the Participant any further payments or deliveries pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) the Participant shall promptly repay to the Company an amount equal to the gain realized in respect of this Award within the three preceding years (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on each of the date(s) on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period); provided that the foregoing repayment obligations, and the cessation of further payments and benefits, shall be without prejudice to the Company’s other rights.

(iii)Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 7, as applicable, shall be tolled during any period of violation of any of the covenants therein and during any other period required for litigation during which the Company seeks to enforce such covenants against the Participant.

8.Cooperation. Following the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Participant agrees (i) to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its directors, officers, attorneys and experts, and take all actions the Company may reasonably request, including but not limited to cooperation with respect to any investigation, government inquiry, administrative proceeding or litigation relating to any matter in which the Participant was involved or had knowledge during the Participant’s employment with the Company and (ii) that, if called upon by the Company, the Participant will provide assistance with respect to business, personnel or other matters which arose during the Participant’s employment with the Company or as to which the Participant has relevant information, knowledge or expertise, with such cooperation including, but not limited to, completing job tasks in progress, transitioning job tasks to other Company personnel, responding to questions and being available for such purposes. Any cooperation requests shall take into account the Participant’s personal and business commitments, and the Participant shall be reasonably compensated for the Participant’s time (if appropriate for the matter) and further reimbursed for any documented expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with such cooperation within thirty (30) days of the Participant providing an invoice to the Company.

9.Forfeiture/Clawback.

(A)The delivery of Shares under this Award is subject to any policy (whether in existence as of the Grant Date or later adopted) established by the Company or required by applicable law providing for clawback or recovery of amounts that were paid to the Participant. The Company will make any determination for clawback or recovery in its sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation.

(B)In addition to Paragraph 9(A) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Board or Committee determines that the Participant has, without the consent of the Company, violated a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant (including the covenants in Paragraph 7) between the Participant and the

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Company or any Affiliate, then the Board or Committee may in its sole discretion (i) determine that all or any portion of any unvested RSUs shall be forfeited for no consideration and/or (ii) require the Participant to promptly repay to the Company any gain realized in respect of this Award within the three years preceding the date on which the Board or Committee determines that any of the events described above has occurred (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on each of the date(s) on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period). Unless otherwise required by law, the provisions of this Paragraph 9(B) shall apply during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason. The foregoing forfeiture and repayment obligations shall be without prejudice to any other rights that the Company may have.

10.Effect of the Plan.This Award is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, together with all of the rules and determinations from time to time issued by the Committee and/or the Board pursuant to the Plan, including the restrictions in the Plan on the transferability of awards. In the event of a conflict between any provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control but only to the extent such conflict is permitted under the Plan. By accepting this Award, the Participant acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of the Plan and agrees that the Participant will enter into such written representations, warranties and agreements and execute such documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules or regulations, or with this document or the terms of the Plan.

11.Amendment and Termination; Waiver. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement by the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may not be amended or terminated by the Company in a manner that would be materially adverse to the Participant without the written consent of the Participant, provided that the Company may amend this Agreement unilaterally (a) as provided in the Plan or (b) if the Company determines that an amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law (including the requirements of the Code). Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement may be waived in writing, either generally or in any particular instance, by the Company. A waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the same or any other breach on a future occasion.

12.Unsecured Obligation. The Company’s obligation under this Agreement shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise. The Participant’s right to receive the payments and benefits contemplated hereby from the Company under this Agreement shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company, and the Participant shall not have nor acquire any legal or equitable right, interest or claim in or to any property or assets of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Participant and the Company or any other person.

13.No Right To Continued Employment. Neither this Award nor anything in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment with the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) or shall interfere in any way with the

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right of the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.

14.Tax Matters; No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. This Agreement is intended to be exempt from, or to comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly; provided that in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on the Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. The Company makes no commitment or guarantee to the Participant that any federal or state tax treatment will apply or be available to any person eligible for benefits under this Agreement.

15.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware to the extent federal law does not supersede and preempt Delaware law (in which case such federal law shall apply).

16.Severability; Interpretive Matters. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be fully severable, but shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never been included herein. Whenever required by the context, pronouns and any variation thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The captions and headings used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement granted hereunder for construction or interpretation.

17.Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, with the same force and effect as if the signature thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Blank — Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date indicated below.

COMPANY:
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
By:
	Name:
	Title:

I hereby accept the Award subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. I acknowledge and agree that the Award shall vest and become payable, if at all, only during the period of my continued service with the Company or as otherwise provided in this Agreement (not through the act of issuing the Award).

PARTICIPANT:
By:
	Name:

Grant Date:

[Signature Page — Restricted Stock Unit Award under 2011 Incentive Plan]

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Schedule A

• RSUs: ●

• Vesting Dates:

Date	Number of RSUs that Vest
[●]	●
[●]	●
[●]	●

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EX-10.41

Exhibit 10.41

Form for Grades 18-20

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

1.Award. Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has awarded the undersigned Participant (for purposes of this Agreement, the “Participant”) performance stock units (this “Award”) effective as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Grant Date”) pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). Unless otherwise defined in this Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”), capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan.

2.Performance Stock Units. The Company hereby awards the Participant the target number of performance stock units (“PSUs”) set forth in Schedule A (the “Target PSUs”). Each PSU constitutes an unfunded and unsecured promise by the Company to deliver (or cause to be delivered) one share of common stock, $0.003 par value per share, of the Company (a “Share”). The actual number of PSUs that will be earned is subject to the Committee’s certification of the level of achievement of the performance conditions set forth in Schedule A (the “Performance Metrics”) at the end of the applicable performance period (such earned PSUs, the “Earned PSUs”). The number of Shares covered by the Earned PSUs may range from 0% to 200% of your Target PSUs; provided that the number of Shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. The Earned PSUs will be subject to vesting in accordance with Paragraph 3 below, and any PSUs that do not become Earned PSUs at the end of the performance period will be automatically forfeited without consideration.

3.Vesting. Subject to the Participant’s continued employment and Paragraphs 4 and 5, the Earned PSUs, if any, shall vest on the date on which the Committee certifies achievement of the Performance Metrics (the “Certification Date”). The Certification Date will be within 75 days following the end of the performance period set forth in Schedule A.

4.Termination of Employment or Services. Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 4, the Participant will automatically forfeit the PSUs covered by this Award on the termination, resignation, or removal of the Participant from employment with or services to the Company and its Affiliates for any reason prior to the date on which the PSUs vest. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(A)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate prior to vesting (1) by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause or (2) by the Participant for Good Reason, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Key Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”). In the event that the Severance Plan is terminated prior to the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates in accordance with the preceding sentence and no successor plan governs the treatment of this

Award on a termination of employment described in this Paragraph 4(A), then this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan as it existed immediately prior to its termination.

(B)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate prior to vesting (1) by the Company or an Affiliate due to the Disability of the Participant while performing Continuous Service or (2) due to the death of the Participant while performing Continuous Service, the Target PSUs shall be deemed to be the Earned PSUs and shall vest in full immediately.

(C)Upon the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement (as defined in the Company’s Retirement Policy), this Award will be treated in accordance with the Company’s Retirement Policy.

(D)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Award will not vest as a result of a termination by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause, by the Participant for Good Reason or due to the Disability of the Participant, in each case, unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a Release Agreement (as defined in the Severance Plan) that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of termination. Additionally, this Award will not vest following the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a release of claims in accordance with the Retirement Policy. If a release described in this Paragraph 4(D) is not timely executed and delivered by the Participant to the Company, or if such release is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will automatically forfeit the PSUs covered by this Award effective as of the date of termination of employment.

(E)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means a separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) as a result of any of the following:

i.the willful commission by the Participant of a crime or other act of misconduct that causes or is likely to cause substantial economic damage to the Company or an Affiliate or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Company or an Affiliate;

ii.the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud in the performance of the Participant’s duties on behalf of the Company or an Affiliate;

iii.the willful and material violation by the Participant of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy; or

iv.the continuing and repeated failure of the Participant to perform his or her duties to the Company or an Affiliate, including by reason of the Participant’s habitual absenteeism (other than such failure resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure has continued for a period of at least thirty (30) days following delivery of a written demand for substantial performance to the Participant by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Participant has not performed his or her duties;

provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, for purposes of determining whether “Cause” exists under this Plan, no act, or failure to act, on the part of the

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Participant shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Participant’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be.

The determination of whether Cause exists with respect to the Participant shall be made by the Board (or its designee) in its sole discretion.

(F)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions:

(i)a material diminution in the Participant’s authority, duties, or responsibilities with the Company or the applicable Related Employer;

(ii)a reduction by the Company or the applicable Related Employer in the Participant’s gross annual base salary as reflected in the Company’s records and as in effect immediately prior to the Participant’s termination of employment (“Annual Base Pay”) of more than five percent (5%) (other than a reduction that is part of reductions in Annual Base Pay for executives generally); or

(iii)the requirement by the Company or the applicable Related Employer that the principal place of business at which the Participant performs his or her duties be permanently changed to a location more than fifty (50) miles from his or her then current principal place of business.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Participant cannot terminate his or her employment for Good Reason unless he or she has provided written notice to the Company of the existence of the circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of such circumstances and the Company has had at least thirty (30) days from the date on which such notice is provided to cure such circumstances. In the event the Company does not timely cure such circumstances and if the Participant does not terminate his or her employment for Good Reason within ninety (90) days after the first occurrence of the applicable circumstances, then the Participant will be deemed to have waived his or her right to terminate for Good Reason with respect to such circumstances.

(G)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Related Employer” means (i) an Affiliate that is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in section 414(b) of the Code) that includes the Company, (ii) an Affiliate (whether or not incorporated) that is in common control (as defined in section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company, or (iii) an Affiliate that is a member of the same affiliated service group (as defined in section 414(m) of the Code) as the Company.

5.Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(A)any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as modified in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than (A) the Company or any Affiliate, (B) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Affiliate, (C) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of the

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Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company, or (D) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities (a “Person”), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3(a) of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50.1% or more of the shares of voting stock of the Company then outstanding; or

(B)the consummation of any merger, organization, business combination or consolidation of the Company with or into any other company, other than a merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding securities which represent immediately after such merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the surviving company or the parent of such surviving company; or

(C)the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition if the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto hold securities immediately thereafter which represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the acquiror, or parent of the acquiror, of such assets, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(D)individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination by the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an election contest or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur or be deemed to occur if any event set forth in subsections (A) — (D) above, that would otherwise constitute a Change in Control, occurs as a direct result of the consummation of a transaction solely between the Company and one or more of its controlled Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in any circumstance or transaction in which compensation payable pursuant to this Award would be subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules if the foregoing definition of “Change in Control” were to apply, but would not be so subject if the term “Change in Control” were defined herein to mean a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5), then “Change in Control” means, but only to the extent necessary to prevent such compensation from becoming subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules, a transaction or circumstance that satisfies the requirements of both (1) a Change in Control under the applicable clause (A) through (D) above, and (2) a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section § 1.409A-3(i)(5).

6.Settlement; Dividend Equivalents; Withholding of Taxes.

(A)Subject to the Severance Plan or Retirement Policy, if applicable, and Paragraph 6(B), one Share will be delivered in respect of each vested Earned PSU on or as soon

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as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the sixtieth (60^th) day, following the date on which the Earned PSUs vest as determined in accordance with Paragraph 3, 4 or 5; provided, however, that if vesting is contingent on the effectiveness of a Release Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 4(D), and the release period in Paragraph 4(D) begins in one taxable year and ends in a subsequent taxable year, then the Shares will be delivered in such subsequent taxable year. All ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares delivered in respect of the vested Earned PSUs had such Shares been issued as of the Grant Date (as determined by the Committee) will be paid to the Participant (without interest) on the date on which the Earned PSUs are settled in accordance with this Paragraph 6(A) to the extent that the Earned PSUs vest.

(B)The Company’s obligation to deliver Shares under this Award is subject to the payment of all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Company in connection with this Award. The Company shall have the right to take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to satisfy any withholding obligations, provided, however, that except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Participant and the Company, if the Participant is an Executive Officer or an individual subject to Rule 16b-3, such tax withholding obligations will be effectuated by the Company withholding a number of Shares that would otherwise be delivered in respect of the Earned PSUs with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such tax withholding obligations (at the minimum withholding tax rate required by the Code).

7.Participant Covenants.

(A)Non-Competition. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, alone or jointly, with any person or entity, participate in, engage in, consult with, advise, be employed by, own (wholly or partially), possess an interest in, solicit the business of the vendors, suppliers or customers of the Company for, or in any other manner be involved with, any business or person that is engaged in business activities anywhere in the Territory that are competitive with the Business, provided, however, if the Participant voluntarily resigns without Good Reason (and not due to a Qualifying Retirement) within three years following the Grant Date, this Paragraph 7(A) will only apply in the event the Company elects to make the payments set forth in Paragraph 7(E) subject to the requirements of that Paragraph 7(E). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant shall not be prohibited from passively owning less than 1% of the securities of any publicly-traded corporation. For purposes of this Paragraph 7(A), “Territory” means anywhere in which the Company engages in Business and “Business” means the business of (i) selling, distributing or marketing liquefied natural gas and/or (ii) designing, permitting, constructing, developing or operating liquefied natural gas facilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant shall not be prohibited from being employed by, or consulting for, an entity that has a division immaterial to the business of such entity in the aggregate, which division may compete with, or could assist another in competing with, the Company in the Business in the Territory (a “Competitive Division”), so long as the Participant is not employed in, and does not perform work for or otherwise provide services to, the Competitive Division.

(B)Non-Solicitation. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and

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other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following or assist any other person, firm, or entity to do any of the following: (a) solicit on behalf of the Participant or another person or entity, the employment or services of, or hire or retain, any person who is employed by or is a substantially full-time consultant or independent contractor to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or was within six (6) months prior to the action; (b) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or its affiliates to terminate that employee’s employment with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate; (c) induce or attempt to induce any consultant or independent contractor doing business with or retained by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate their consultancy or contractual relationship with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or otherwise reduce the services they provide to the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or (d) interfere with the relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with any vendor or supplier.

(C)Confidentiality. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall maintain the confidentiality of the following information: proprietary technical and business information relating to any Company plans, analyses or strategies concerning international or domestic acquisitions, possible acquisitions or new ventures; development plans or introduction plans for products or services; unannounced products or services; operation costs; pricing of products or services; research and development; personnel information; manufacturing processes; installation, service, and distribution procedures and processes; customer lists; any know-how relating to the design, manufacture, and marketing of any of the Company’s services and products, including components and parts thereof; non-public information acquired by the Company concerning the requirements and specifications of any of the Company’s agents, vendors, contractors, customers and potential customers; non-public financial information, business and marketing plans, pricing and price lists; non-public matters relating to employee benefit plans; quotations or proposals given to agents or customers or received from suppliers; documents relating to any of the Company’s legal rights and obligations; the work product of any attorney employed by or retained by the Company; and any other information which is sufficiently confidential, proprietary, and secret to derive economic value from not being generally known including with respect to intellectual property inventions and work product. The Participant shall maintain in the strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, intentionally or inadvertently, use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any person or entity whatsoever, any of the information of or belonging to the Company or to any agent, joint venture, contractor, customer, vendor, or supplier of the Company regardless of its form, without the prior written explicit consent of the Company. The Participant acknowledges that the foregoing information is not generally known, is highly confidential and constitutes trade secrets or confidential information of the Company. The Participant shall take reasonable precautions to protect the inadvertent disclosure of information. The foregoing shall not apply to information that the Participant is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation, or legal process (provided that the Participant provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Participant from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any government agency or entity or making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of law.  The Participant does not need prior authorization to

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make such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that the Participant has made any such report or disclosure.

(D)Non-Disparagement. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall not make or publish any disparaging statements (whether written, electronic or oral) regarding, or otherwise malign the business reputation of, the Company, its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees or partners.

(E)Voluntary Resignation. If (a) the Participant voluntarily resigns without Good Reason (and not due to a Qualifying Retirement) within three years following the Grant Date and (b) the Company elects to enforce the covenants in Paragraph 7(A), then the Company agrees, as further consideration for such covenants, to continue to pay the Participant his or her base salary (at the rate in effect at the time of the Participant’s voluntary resignation) in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll dates for one year following the date of voluntary resignation. The payment of the Participant’s base salary in accordance with this Paragraph 7(E) will begin on the first payroll after the 60^th day following the Participant’s voluntary resignation (with the first payment including the aggregate amount that would have been paid in the first sixty (60) days) subject to the Participant’s execution and delivery to the Company (and non-revocation) of a Release Agreement that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of voluntary resignation. If a Release Agreement is not timely executed and delivered to the Company by the Participant, or if such Release Agreement is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will not be entitled to the base salary continuation set forth in this Paragraph 7(E). The Participant agrees to promptly notify the Company of the date on which the Participant begins employment with a new employer in compliance with this Paragraph 7 (the “Commencement Date”) within 12 months following the Participant’s voluntary resignation. The Company will not have any obligation to pay the Participant’s base salary in accordance with this Paragraph 7(E) after the Commencement Date.

(F)Participant Acknowledgements.

i.The Participant agrees that the restrictions in this Paragraph 7 are reasonable in light of the scope of the Company’s business operations, the Participant’s position within the Company, the interests which the Company seeks to protect, and the consideration provided to the Participant. The Participant agrees that these restrictions go only so far as to protect the Company’s business and business interests, and that those interests are worth protecting for the continued success, viability, and goodwill of the Company.

ii.The Participant expressly acknowledges that any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7 may result in substantial, continuing, and irreparable injury to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates for which monetary damages alone would not be a sufficient remedy. Therefore, the Participant hereby agrees that, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company (including pursuant to Paragraph 9), in the event of any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance or other equitable relief by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, without the requirement of posting bond or the necessity of proving irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or threatened breach. Without limitation on the Company’s rights under the foregoing sentence or under Paragraph 9, (a) in the event of any actual breach of any of the

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terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraph 7(A) or 7(B) during the term of such covenants, or (b) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraphs 7(C) or (D) of this Agreement prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates for any reason: (i) if the Award is unvested, then the Award will immediately be forfeited for no consideration; (ii) the Company will cease to be obligated to furnish the Participant any further payments or deliveries pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) the Participant shall promptly repay to the Company an amount equal to the gain realized in respect of this Award within the three preceding years (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the Fair Market Value, on the date on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period); provided that the foregoing repayment obligations, and the cessation of further payments and benefits, shall be without prejudice to the Company’s other rights.

iii.Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 7, as applicable, shall be tolled during any period of violation of any of the covenants therein and during any other period required for litigation during which the Company seeks to enforce such covenants against the Participant.

8.Cooperation. Following the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Participant agrees (i) to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its directors, officers, attorneys and experts, and take all actions the Company may reasonably request, including but not limited to cooperation with respect to any investigation, government inquiry, administrative proceeding or litigation relating to any matter in which the Participant was involved or had knowledge during the Participant’s employment with the Company and (ii) that, if called upon by the Company, the Participant will provide assistance with respect to business, personnel or other matters which arose during the Participant’s employment with the Company or as to which the Participant has relevant information, knowledge or expertise, with such cooperation including, but not limited to, completing job tasks in progress, transitioning job tasks to other Company personnel, responding to questions and being available for such purposes. Any cooperation requests shall take into account the Participant’s personal and business commitments, and the Participant shall be reasonably compensated for the Participant’s time (if appropriate for the matter) and further reimbursed for any documented expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with such cooperation within thirty (30) days of the Participant providing an invoice to the Company.

9.Forfeiture/Clawback.

(A)The delivery of Shares under this Award is subject to any policy (whether in existence as of the Grant Date or later adopted) established by the Company or required by applicable law providing for clawback or recovery of amounts that were paid to the Participant. The Company will make any determination for clawback or recovery in its sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation.

(B)In addition to Paragraph 9(A) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Board or Committee determines that (i) any material misstatement of financial results has occurred as a result of the Participant’s conduct or (ii) the Participant has, without the consent of the Company, violated a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant (including the covenants in Paragraph 7) between the Participant and

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the Company or any Affiliate, then the Board or Committee may in its sole discretion (a) determine that all or any portion of any unvested PSUs shall be forfeited for no consideration and/or (b) require the Participant to promptly repay to the Company any gain realized in respect of this Award within the three years preceding the date on which the Board or Committee determines that any of the events described in prongs (i) and (ii) above has occurred (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on the date on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period). Unless otherwise required by law, the provisions of this Paragraph 9(B) shall apply during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason. The foregoing forfeiture and repayment obligations shall be without prejudice to any other rights that the Company may have.

10.Effect of the Plan.This Award is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, together with all of the rules and determinations from time to time issued by the Committee and/or the Board pursuant to the Plan, including the restrictions in the Plan on the transferability of awards. In the event of a conflict between any provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control but only to the extent such conflict is permitted under the Plan. By accepting this Award, the Participant acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of the Plan and agrees that the Participant will enter into such written representations, warranties and agreements and execute such documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules or regulations, or with this document or the terms of the Plan.

11.Amendment and Termination; Waiver. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement by the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may not be amended or terminated by the Company in a manner that would be materially adverse to the Participant without the written consent of the Participant, provided that the Company may amend this Agreement unilaterally (a) as provided in the Plan or (b) if the Company determines that an amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law (including the requirements of the Code). Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement may be waived in writing, either generally or in any particular instance, by the Company. A waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the same or any other breach on a future occasion.

12.Unsecured Obligation. The Company’s obligation under this Agreement shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise. The Participant’s right to receive the payments and benefits contemplated hereby from the Company under this Agreement shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company, and the Participant shall not have nor acquire any legal or equitable right, interest or claim in or to any property or assets of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Participant and the Company or any other person.

13.No Right To Continued Employment. Neither this Award nor anything in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment with the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) or shall interfere in any way with the

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right of the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.

14.Tax Matters; No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. This Agreement is intended to be exempt from, or to comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly; provided that in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on the Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. The Company makes no commitment or guarantee to the Participant that any federal or state tax treatment will apply or be available to any person eligible for benefits under this Agreement.

15.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware to the extent federal law does not supersede and preempt Delaware law (in which case such federal law shall apply).

16.Severability; Interpretive Matters. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be fully severable, but shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never been included herein. Whenever required by the context, pronouns and any variation thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The captions and headings used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement granted hereunder for construction or interpretation.

17.Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, with the same force and effect as if the signature thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Blank — Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date indicated below.

COMPANY:
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
By:
	Name:
	Title:

I hereby accept the Award subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. I acknowledge and agree that the Award shall vest and become payable, if at all, only during the period of my continued service with the Company or as otherwise provided in this Agreement (not through the act of issuing the Award).

PARTICIPANT:
By:
	Name:

Grant Date:

[Signature Page — Performance Stock Unit Award under 2011 Incentive Plan]

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Schedule A

• Target PSUs:

• Performance Period:

• Performance Metrics:

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EX-10.42

Exhibit 10.42

Form for Grade 17

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

1.Award. Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has awarded the undersigned Participant (for purposes of this Agreement, the “Participant”) performance stock units (this “Award”) effective as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Grant Date”) pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). Unless otherwise defined in this Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”), capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan.

2.Performance Stock Units. The Company hereby awards the Participant the target number of performance stock units (“PSUs”) set forth in Schedule A (the “Target PSUs”). Each PSU constitutes an unfunded and unsecured promise by the Company to deliver (or cause to be delivered) one share of common stock, $0.003 par value per share, of the Company (a “Share”). The actual number of PSUs that will be earned is subject to the Committee’s certification of the level of achievement of the performance conditions set forth in Schedule A (the “Performance Metrics”) at the end of the applicable performance period (such earned PSUs, the “Earned PSUs”). The number of Shares covered by the Earned PSUs may range from 0% to 200% of your Target PSUs; provided that the number of Shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. The Earned PSUs will be subject to vesting in accordance with Paragraph 3 below, and any PSUs that do not become Earned PSUs at the end of the performance period will be automatically forfeited without consideration.

3.Vesting. Subject to the Participant’s continued employment and Paragraphs 4 and 5, the Earned PSUs, if any, shall vest on the date on which the Committee certifies achievement of the Performance Metrics (the “Certification Date”). The Certification Date will be within 75 days following the end of the performance period set forth in Schedule A.

4.Termination of Employment or Services. Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 4, the Participant will automatically forfeit the PSUs covered by this Award on the termination, resignation, or removal of the Participant from employment with or services to the Company and its Affiliates for any reason prior to the date on which the PSUs vest. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(A)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate prior to vesting by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Key Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”). In the event that the Severance Plan is terminated prior to the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates in accordance with the preceding sentence and no successor plan governs the treatment of this Award on a termination of employment described in

this Paragraph 4(A), then this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan as it existed immediately prior to its termination.

(B)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate prior to vesting (1) by the Company or an Affiliate due to the Disability of the Participant while performing Continuous Service or (2) due to the death of the Participant while performing Continuous Service, the Target PSUs shall be deemed to be the Earned PSUs and shall vest in full immediately.

(C)Upon the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement (as defined in the Company’s Retirement Policy), this Award will be treated in accordance with the Company’s Retirement Policy.

(D)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Award will not vest as a result of a termination by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause or due to the Disability of the Participant, in each case, unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a Release Agreement (as defined in the Severance Plan) that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of termination. Additionally, this Award will not vest following the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a release of claims in accordance with the Retirement Policy. If a release described in this Paragraph 4(D) is not timely executed and delivered by the Participant to the Company, or if such release is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will automatically forfeit the PSUs covered by this Award effective as of the date of termination of employment.

(E)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means a separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) as a result of any of the following:

i.the willful commission by the Participant of a crime or other act of misconduct that causes or is likely to cause substantial economic damage to the Company or an Affiliate or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Company or an Affiliate;

ii.the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud in the performance of the Participant’s duties on behalf of the Company or an Affiliate;

iii.the willful and material violation by the Participant of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy; or

iv.the continuing and repeated failure of the Participant to perform his or her duties to the Company or an Affiliate, including by reason of the Participant’s habitual absenteeism (other than such failure resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure has continued for a period of at least thirty (30) days following delivery of a written demand for substantial performance to the Participant by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Participant has not performed his or her duties;

provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, for purposes of determining whether “Cause” exists under this Plan, no act, or failure to act, on the part of the

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Participant shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Participant’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be.

The determination of whether Cause exists with respect to the Participant shall be made by the Board (or its designee) in its sole discretion.

(F)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Related Employer” means (i) an Affiliate that is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in section 414(b) of the Code) that includes the Company, (ii) an Affiliate (whether or not incorporated) that is in common control (as defined in section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company, or (iii) an Affiliate that is a member of the same affiliated service group (as defined in section 414(m) of the Code) as the Company.

5.Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(A)any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as modified in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than (A) the Company or any Affiliate, (B) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Affiliate, (C) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company, or (D) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities (a “Person”), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3(a) of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50.1% or more of the shares of voting stock of the Company then outstanding; or

(B)the consummation of any merger, organization, business combination or consolidation of the Company with or into any other company, other than a merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding securities which represent immediately after such merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the surviving company or the parent of such surviving company; or

(C)the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition if the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto hold securities immediately thereafter which represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the acquiror, or parent of the acquiror, of such assets, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(D)individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination by the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial

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assumption of office occurs as a result of an election contest or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur or be deemed to occur if any event set forth in subsections (A) — (D) above, that would otherwise constitute a Change in Control, occurs as a direct result of the consummation of a transaction solely between the Company and one or more of its controlled Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in any circumstance or transaction in which compensation payable pursuant to this Award would be subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules if the foregoing definition of “Change in Control” were to apply, but would not be so subject if the term “Change in Control” were defined herein to mean a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5), then “Change in Control” means, but only to the extent necessary to prevent such compensation from becoming subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules, a transaction or circumstance that satisfies the requirements of both (1) a Change in Control under the applicable clause (A) through (D) above, and (2) a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section § 1.409A-3(i)(5).

6.Settlement; Dividend Equivalents; Withholding of Taxes.

(A)Subject to the Severance Plan or Retirement Policy, if applicable, and Paragraph 6(B), one Share will be delivered in respect of each vested Earned PSU on or as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the sixtieth (60^th) day, following the date on which the Earned PSUs vest as determined in accordance with Paragraph 3, 4 or 5; provided, however, that if vesting is contingent on the effectiveness of a Release Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 4(D), and the release period in Paragraph 4(D) begins in one taxable year and ends in a subsequent taxable year, then the Shares will be delivered in such subsequent taxable year. All ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares delivered in respect of the vested Earned PSUs had such Shares been issued as of the Grant Date (as determined by the Committee) will be paid to the Participant (without interest) on the date on which the Earned PSUs are settled in accordance with this Paragraph 6(A) to the extent that the Earned PSUs vest.

(B)The Company’s obligation to deliver Shares under this Award is subject to the payment of all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Company in connection with this Award. The Company shall have the right to take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to satisfy any withholding obligations, provided, however, that except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Participant and the Company, if the Participant is an Executive Officer or an individual subject to Rule 16b-3, such tax withholding obligations will be effectuated by the Company withholding a number of Shares that would otherwise be delivered in respect of the Earned PSUs with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such tax withholding obligations (at the minimum withholding tax rate required by the Code).

7.Participant Covenants.

(A)Non-Competition. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for six months following the Participant’s termination of

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employment for any reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, alone or jointly, with any person or entity, participate in, engage in, consult with, advise, be employed by, own (wholly or partially), possess an interest in, solicit the business of the vendors, suppliers or customers of the Company for, or in any other manner be involved with, any business or person that is engaged in business activities anywhere in the Territory that are competitive with the Business, provided, however, if the Participant voluntarily resigns (not due to a Qualifying Retirement) within three years following the Grant Date, this Paragraph 7(A) will only apply in the event the Company elects to make the payments set forth in Paragraph 7(E) subject to the requirements of that Paragraph 7(E). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant shall not be prohibited from passively owning less than 1% of the securities of any publicly-traded corporation. For purposes of this Paragraph 7(A), “Territory” means anywhere in which the Company engages in Business and “Business” means the business of (i) selling, distributing or marketing liquefied natural gas and/or (ii) designing, permitting, constructing, developing or operating liquefied natural gas facilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant shall not be prohibited from being employed by, or consulting for, an entity that has a division immaterial to the business of such entity in the aggregate, which division may compete with, or could assist another in competing with, the Company in the Business in the Territory (a “Competitive Division”), so long as the Participant is not employed in, and does not perform work for or otherwise provide services to, the Competitive Division.

(B)Non-Solicitation. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following or assist any other person, firm, or entity to do any of the following: (a) solicit on behalf of the Participant or another person or entity, the employment or services of, or hire or retain, any person who is employed by or is a substantially full-time consultant or independent contractor to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or was within six (6) months prior to the action; (b) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or its affiliates to terminate that employee’s employment with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate; (c) induce or attempt to induce any consultant or independent contractor doing business with or retained by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate their consultancy or contractual relationship with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or otherwise reduce the services they provide to the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or (d) interfere with the relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with any vendor or supplier.

(C)Confidentiality. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall maintain the confidentiality of the following information: proprietary technical and business information relating to any Company plans, analyses or strategies concerning international or domestic acquisitions, possible acquisitions or new ventures; development plans or introduction plans for products or services; unannounced products or services; operation costs; pricing of products or services; research and development; personnel information; manufacturing processes; installation, service, and distribution procedures and processes; customer lists; any know-how relating to the design, manufacture, and marketing of any of the Company’s services and products, including components and parts thereof; non-public information acquired by the Company concerning the requirements and specifications of any of the Company’s agents, vendors, contractors, customers and potential customers; non-public financial information,

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business and marketing plans, pricing and price lists; non-public matters relating to employee benefit plans; quotations or proposals given to agents or customers or received from suppliers; documents relating to any of the Company’s legal rights and obligations; the work product of any attorney employed by or retained by the Company; and any other information which is sufficiently confidential, proprietary, and secret to derive economic value from not being generally known including with respect to intellectual property inventions and work product. The Participant shall maintain in the strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, intentionally or inadvertently, use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any person or entity whatsoever, any of the information of or belonging to the Company or to any agent, joint venture, contractor, customer, vendor, or supplier of the Company regardless of its form, without the prior written explicit consent of the Company. The Participant acknowledges that the foregoing information is not generally known, is highly confidential and constitutes trade secrets or confidential information of the Company. The Participant shall take reasonable precautions to protect the inadvertent disclosure of information. The foregoing shall not apply to information that the Participant is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation, or legal process (provided that the Participant provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Participant from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any government agency or entity or making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of law.  The Participant does not need prior authorization to make such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that the Participant has made any such report or disclosure.

(D)Non-Disparagement. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall not make or publish any disparaging statements (whether written, electronic or oral) regarding, or otherwise malign the business reputation of, the Company, its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees or partners.

(E)Voluntary Resignation. If (a) the Participant voluntarily resigns (not due to a Qualifying Retirement) within three years following the Grant Date and (b) the Company elects to enforce the covenants in Paragraph 7(A), then the Company agrees, as further consideration for such covenants, to continue to pay the Participant his or her base salary (at the rate in effect at the time of the Participant’s voluntary resignation) in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll dates for six months following the date of such voluntary resignation. The payment of the Participant’s base salary in accordance with this Paragraph 7(E) will begin on the first payroll after the 60^th day following the Participant’s voluntary resignation (with the first payment including the aggregate amount that would have been paid in the first 60 days) subject to the Participant’s execution and delivery to the Company (and non-revocation) of a Release Agreement that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of voluntary resignation. If a Release Agreement is not timely executed and delivered to the Company by the Participant, or if such Release Agreement is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will not be entitled to the base salary continuation set forth in this Paragraph 7(E). The Participant agrees to promptly notify the Company of the date on which the Participant begins employment with a new employer in compliance with this Paragraph 7 (the “Commencement Date”) within six months following the Participant’s voluntary resignation. The Company will not have any

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obligation to pay the Participant’s base salary in accordance with this Paragraph 7(E) after the Commencement Date.

(F)Participant Acknowledgements.

i.The Participant agrees that the restrictions in this Paragraph 7 are reasonable in light of the scope of the Company’s business operations, the Participant’s position within the Company, the interests which the Company seeks to protect, and the consideration provided to the Participant. The Participant agrees that these restrictions go only so far as to protect the Company’s business and business interests, and that those interests are worth protecting for the continued success, viability, and goodwill of the Company.

ii.The Participant expressly acknowledges that any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7 may result in substantial, continuing, and irreparable injury to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates for which monetary damages alone would not be a sufficient remedy. Therefore, the Participant hereby agrees that, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company (including pursuant to Paragraph 9), in the event of any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance or other equitable relief by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, without the requirement of posting bond or the necessity of proving irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or threatened breach. Without limitation on the Company’s rights under the foregoing sentence or under Paragraph 9, (a) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraph 7(A) or 7(B) during the term of such covenants, or (b) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraphs 7(C) or (D) of this Agreement prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates for any reason: (i) if the Award is unvested, then the Award will immediately be forfeited for no consideration; (ii) the Company will cease to be obligated to furnish the Participant any further payments or deliveries pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) the Participant shall promptly repay to the Company an amount equal to the gain realized in respect of this Award within the three preceding years (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the Fair Market Value, on the date on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period); provided that the foregoing repayment obligations, and the cessation of further payments and benefits, shall be without prejudice to the Company’s other rights.

iii.Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 7, as applicable, shall be tolled during any period of violation of any of the covenants therein and during any other period required for litigation during which the Company seeks to enforce such covenants against the Participant.

8.Cooperation. Following the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Participant agrees (i) to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its directors, officers, attorneys and experts, and take all actions the Company may reasonably request, including but not limited to cooperation with respect to any investigation, government inquiry, administrative proceeding or litigation relating to any matter in which the Participant was involved or had knowledge during the Participant’s employment with the Company and (ii) that, if called upon by the Company, the Participant will provide assistance

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with respect to business, personnel or other matters which arose during the Participant’s employment with the Company or as to which the Participant has relevant information, knowledge or expertise, with such cooperation including, but not limited to, completing job tasks in progress, transitioning job tasks to other Company personnel, responding to questions and being available for such purposes. Any cooperation requests shall take into account the Participant’s personal and business commitments, and the Participant shall be reasonably compensated for the Participant’s time (if appropriate for the matter) and further reimbursed for any documented expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with such cooperation within thirty (30) days of the Participant providing an invoice to the Company.

9.Forfeiture/Clawback.

(A)The delivery of Shares under this Award is subject to any policy (whether in existence as of the Grant Date or later adopted) established by the Company or required by applicable law providing for clawback or recovery of amounts that were paid to the Participant. The Company will make any determination for clawback or recovery in its sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation.

(B)In addition to Paragraph 9(A) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Board or Committee determines that (i) any material misstatement of financial results has occurred as a result of the Participant’s conduct or (ii) the Participant has, without the consent of the Company, violated a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant (including the covenants in Paragraph 7) between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, then the Board or Committee may in its sole discretion (a) determine that all or any portion of any unvested PSUs shall be forfeited for no consideration and/or (b) require the Participant to promptly repay to the Company any gain realized in respect of this Award within the three years preceding the date on which the Board or Committee determines that any of the events described in prongs (i) and (ii) above has occurred (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on the date on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period). Unless otherwise required by law, the provisions of this Paragraph 9(B) shall apply during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason. The foregoing forfeiture and repayment obligations shall be without prejudice to any other rights that the Company may have.

10.Effect of the Plan.This Award is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, together with all of the rules and determinations from time to time issued by the Committee and/or the Board pursuant to the Plan, including the restrictions in the Plan on the transferability of awards. In the event of a conflict between any provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control but only to the extent such conflict is permitted under the Plan. By accepting this Award, the Participant acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of the Plan and agrees that the Participant will enter into such written representations, warranties and agreements and execute such documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules or regulations, or with this document or the terms of the Plan.

11.Amendment and Termination; Waiver. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement by the Participant and the Company with respect to the

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subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may not be amended or terminated by the Company in a manner that would be materially adverse to the Participant without the written consent of the Participant, provided that the Company may amend this Agreement unilaterally (a) as provided in the Plan or (b) if the Company determines that an amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law (including the requirements of the Code). Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement may be waived in writing, either generally or in any particular instance, by the Company. A waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the same or any other breach on a future occasion.

12.Unsecured Obligation. The Company’s obligation under this Agreement shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise. The Participant’s right to receive the payments and benefits contemplated hereby from the Company under this Agreement shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company, and the Participant shall not have nor acquire any legal or equitable right, interest or claim in or to any property or assets of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Participant and the Company or any other person.

13.No Right To Continued Employment. Neither this Award nor anything in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment with the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) or shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.

14.Tax Matters; No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. This Agreement is intended to be exempt from, or to comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly; provided that in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on the Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. The Company makes no commitment or guarantee to the Participant that any federal or state tax treatment will apply or be available to any person eligible for benefits under this Agreement.

15.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware to the extent federal law does not supersede and preempt Delaware law (in which case such federal law shall apply).

16.Severability; Interpretive Matters. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be fully severable, but shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never been included herein. Whenever required by the context, pronouns and any variation thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The captions and headings used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement granted hereunder for construction or interpretation.

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17.Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, with the same force and effect as if the signature thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Blank — Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date indicated below.

COMPANY:
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
By:
	Name:
	Title:

I hereby accept the Award subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. I acknowledge and agree that the Award shall vest and become payable, if at all, only during the period of my continued service with the Company or as otherwise provided in this Agreement (not through the act of issuing the Award).

PARTICIPANT:
By:
	Name:

Grant Date:

[Signature Page — Performance Stock Unit Award under 2011 Incentive Plan]

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Schedule A

• Target PSUs:

• Performance Period:

• Performance Metrics:

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EX-10.43

Exhibit 10.43

Form for Grade 16 and Below Key Executive Severance Plan

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

1.Award. Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has awarded the undersigned Participant (for purposes of this Agreement, the “Participant”) performance stock units (this “Award”) effective as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Grant Date”) pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). Unless otherwise defined in this Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”), capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan.

2.Performance Stock Units. The Company hereby awards the Participant the target number of performance stock units (“PSUs”) set forth in Schedule A (the “Target PSUs”). Each PSU constitutes an unfunded and unsecured promise by the Company to deliver (or cause to be delivered) one share of common stock, $0.003 par value per share, of the Company (a “Share”). The actual number of PSUs that will be earned is subject to the Committee’s certification of the level of achievement of the performance conditions set forth in Schedule A (the “Performance Metrics”) at the end of the applicable performance period (such earned PSUs, the “Earned PSUs”). The number of Shares covered by the Earned PSUs may range from 0% to 200% of your Target PSUs; provided that the number of Shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. The Earned PSUs will be subject to vesting in accordance with Paragraph 3 below, and any PSUs that do not become Earned PSUs at the end of the performance period will be automatically forfeited without consideration.

3.Vesting. Subject to the Participant’s continued employment and Paragraphs 4 and 5, the Earned PSUs, if any, shall vest on the date on which the Committee certifies achievement of the Performance Metrics (the “Certification Date”). The Certification Date will be within 75 days following the end of the performance period set forth in Schedule A.

4.Termination of Employment or Services. Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 4, the Participant will automatically forfeit the PSUs covered by this Award on the termination, resignation, or removal of the Participant from employment with or services to the Company and its Affiliates for any reason prior to the date on which the PSUs vest. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(A)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate prior to vesting by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Key Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”). In the event that the Severance Plan is terminated prior to the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates in accordance with the preceding sentence and no successor plan governs the treatment of this Award on a termination of employment described in

this Paragraph 4(A), then this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan as it existed immediately prior to its termination.

(B)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate prior to vesting (1) by the Company or an Affiliate due to the Disability of the Participant while performing Continuous Service or (2) due to the death of the Participant while performing Continuous Service, the Target PSUs shall be deemed to be the Earned PSUs and shall vest in full immediately.

(C)Upon the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement (as defined in the Company’s Retirement Policy), this Award will be treated in accordance with the Company’s Retirement Policy.

(D)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Award will not vest as a result of a termination by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause or due to the Disability of the Participant, in each case, unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a Release Agreement (as defined in the Severance Plan) that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of termination. Additionally, this Award will not vest following the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a release of claims in accordance with the Retirement Policy. If a release described in this Paragraph 4(D) is not timely executed and delivered by the Participant to the Company, or if such release is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will automatically forfeit the PSUs covered by this Award effective as of the date of termination of employment.

(E)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means a separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) as a result of any of the following:

i.the willful commission by the Participant of a crime or other act of misconduct that causes or is likely to cause substantial economic damage to the Company or an Affiliate or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Company or an Affiliate;

ii.the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud in the performance of the Participant’s duties on behalf of the Company or an Affiliate;

iii.the willful and material violation by the Participant of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy; or

iv.the continuing and repeated failure of the Participant to perform his or her duties to the Company or an Affiliate, including by reason of the Participant’s habitual absenteeism (other than such failure resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure has continued for a period of at least thirty (30) days following delivery of a written demand for substantial performance to the Participant by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Participant has not performed his or her duties;

provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, for purposes of determining whether “Cause” exists under this Plan, no act, or failure to act, on the part of the

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Participant shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by the Participant not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Participant’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be.

The determination of whether Cause exists with respect to the Participant shall be made by the Board (or its designee) in its sole discretion.

(F)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Related Employer” means (i) an Affiliate that is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in section 414(b) of the Code) that includes the Company, (ii) an Affiliate (whether or not incorporated) that is in common control (as defined in section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company, or (iii) an Affiliate that is a member of the same affiliated service group (as defined in section 414(m) of the Code) as the Company.

5.Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(A)any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as modified in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than (A) the Company or any Affiliate, (B) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Affiliate, (C) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company, or (D) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities (a “Person”), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3(a) of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50.1% or more of the shares of voting stock of the Company then outstanding; or

(B)the consummation of any merger, organization, business combination or consolidation of the Company with or into any other company, other than a merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding securities which represent immediately after such merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the surviving company or the parent of such surviving company; or

(C)the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition if the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto hold securities immediately thereafter which represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the acquiror, or parent of the acquiror, of such assets, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(D)individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination by the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial

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assumption of office occurs as a result of an election contest or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur or be deemed to occur if any event set forth in subsections (A) — (D) above, that would otherwise constitute a Change in Control, occurs as a direct result of the consummation of a transaction solely between the Company and one or more of its controlled Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in any circumstance or transaction in which compensation payable pursuant to this Award would be subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules if the foregoing definition of “Change in Control” were to apply, but would not be so subject if the term “Change in Control” were defined herein to mean a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5), then “Change in Control” means, but only to the extent necessary to prevent such compensation from becoming subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules, a transaction or circumstance that satisfies the requirements of both (1) a Change in Control under the applicable clause (A) through (D) above, and (2) a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section § 1.409A-3(i)(5).

6.Settlement; Dividend Equivalents; Withholding of Taxes.

(A)Subject to the Severance Plan or Retirement Policy, if applicable, and Paragraph 6(B), one Share will be delivered in respect of each vested Earned PSU on or as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the sixtieth (60^th) day, following the date on which the Earned PSUs vest as determined in accordance with Paragraph 3, 4 or 5; provided, however, that if vesting is contingent on the effectiveness of a Release Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 4(D), and the release period in Paragraph 4(D) begins in one taxable year and ends in a subsequent taxable year, then the Shares will be delivered in such subsequent taxable year. All ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares delivered in respect of the vested Earned PSUs had such Shares been issued as of the Grant Date (as determined by the Committee) will be paid to the Participant (without interest) on the date on which the Earned PSUs are settled in accordance with this Paragraph 6(A) to the extent that the Earned PSUs vest.

(B)The Company’s obligation to deliver Shares under this Award is subject to the payment of all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Company in connection with this Award. The Company shall have the right to take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to satisfy any withholding obligations, provided, however, that except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Participant and the Company, if the Participant is an Executive Officer or an individual subject to Rule 16b-3, such tax withholding obligations will be effectuated by the Company withholding a number of Shares that would otherwise be delivered in respect of the Earned PSUs with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such tax withholding obligations (at the minimum withholding tax rate required by the Code).

7.Participant Covenants.

(A)Non-Solicitation. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any

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reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following or assist any other person, firm, or entity to do any of the following: (a) solicit on behalf of the Participant or another person or entity, the employment or services of, or hire or retain, any person who is employed by or is a substantially full-time consultant or independent contractor to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or was within six (6) months prior to the action; (b) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or its affiliates to terminate that employee’s employment with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate; (c) induce or attempt to induce any consultant or independent contractor doing business with or retained by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate their consultancy or contractual relationship with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or otherwise reduce the services they provide to the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or (d) interfere with the relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with any vendor or supplier.

(B)Confidentiality. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall maintain the confidentiality of the following information: proprietary technical and business information relating to any Company plans, analyses or strategies concerning international or domestic acquisitions, possible acquisitions or new ventures; development plans or introduction plans for products or services; unannounced products or services; operation costs; pricing of products or services; research and development; personnel information; manufacturing processes; installation, service, and distribution procedures and processes; customer lists; any know-how relating to the design, manufacture, and marketing of any of the Company’s services and products, including components and parts thereof; non-public information acquired by the Company concerning the requirements and specifications of any of the Company’s agents, vendors, contractors, customers and potential customers; non-public financial information, business and marketing plans, pricing and price lists; non-public matters relating to employee benefit plans; quotations or proposals given to agents or customers or received from suppliers; documents relating to any of the Company’s legal rights and obligations; the work product of any attorney employed by or retained by the Company; and any other information which is sufficiently confidential, proprietary, and secret to derive economic value from not being generally known including with respect to intellectual property inventions and work product. The Participant shall maintain in the strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, intentionally or inadvertently, use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any person or entity whatsoever, any of the information of or belonging to the Company or to any agent, joint venture, contractor, customer, vendor, or supplier of the Company regardless of its form, without the prior written explicit consent of the Company. The Participant acknowledges that the foregoing information is not generally known, is highly confidential and constitutes trade secrets or confidential information of the Company. The Participant shall take reasonable precautions to protect the inadvertent disclosure of information. The foregoing shall not apply to information that the Participant is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation, or legal process (provided that the Participant provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Participant from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any government agency or entity or making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of law.  The Participant does not need prior authorization to make such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that the Participant has made any such report or disclosure.

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(C)Non-Disparagement. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall not make or publish any disparaging statements (whether written, electronic or oral) regarding, or otherwise malign the business reputation of, the Company, its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees or partners.

(D)Participant Acknowledgements.

i.The Participant agrees that the restrictions in this Paragraph 7 are reasonable in light of the scope of the Company’s business operations, the Participant’s position within the Company, the interests which the Company seeks to protect, and the consideration provided to the Participant. The Participant agrees that these restrictions go only so far as to protect the Company’s business and business interests, and that those interests are worth protecting for the continued success, viability, and goodwill of the Company.

ii.The Participant expressly acknowledges that any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7 may result in substantial, continuing, and irreparable injury to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates for which monetary damages alone would not be a sufficient remedy. Therefore, the Participant hereby agrees that, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company (including pursuant to Paragraph 9), in the event of any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance or other equitable relief by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, without the requirement of posting bond or the necessity of proving irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or threatened breach. Without limitation on the Company’s rights under the foregoing sentence or under Paragraph 9, (a) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraph 7(A) during the term of such covenants, or (b) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraphs 7(B) or (C) of this Agreement prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates for any reason: (i) if the Award is unvested, then the Award will immediately be forfeited for no consideration; (ii) the Company will cease to be obligated to furnish the Participant any further payments or deliveries pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) the Participant shall promptly repay to the Company an amount equal to the gain realized in respect of this Award within the three preceding years (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the Fair Market Value, on the date on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period); provided that the foregoing repayment obligations, and the cessation of further payments and benefits, shall be without prejudice to the Company’s other rights.

iii.Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 7, as applicable, shall be tolled during any period of violation of any of the covenants therein and during any other period required for litigation during which the Company seeks to enforce such covenants against the Participant.

8.Cooperation. Following the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Participant agrees (i) to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its directors, officers, attorneys and experts, and take all actions the Company may reasonably request, including but not limited to cooperation with respect to any investigation, government inquiry, administrative proceeding or litigation relating to any matter in which the

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Participant was involved or had knowledge during the Participant’s employment with the Company and (ii) that, if called upon by the Company, the Participant will provide assistance with respect to business, personnel or other matters which arose during the Participant’s employment with the Company or as to which the Participant has relevant information, knowledge or expertise, with such cooperation including, but not limited to, completing job tasks in progress, transitioning job tasks to other Company personnel, responding to questions and being available for such purposes. Any cooperation requests shall take into account the Participant’s personal and business commitments, and the Participant shall be reasonably compensated for the Participant’s time (if appropriate for the matter) and further reimbursed for any documented expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with such cooperation within thirty (30) days of the Participant providing an invoice to the Company.

9.Forfeiture/Clawback.

(A)The delivery of Shares under this Award is subject to any policy (whether in existence as of the Grant Date or later adopted) established by the Company or required by applicable law providing for clawback or recovery of amounts that were paid to the Participant. The Company will make any determination for clawback or recovery in its sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation.

(B)In addition to Paragraph 9(A) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Board or Committee determines that (i) any material misstatement of financial results has occurred as a result of the Participant’s conduct or (ii) the Participant has, without the consent of the Company, violated a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant (including the covenants in Paragraph 7) between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, then the Board or Committee may in its sole discretion (a) determine that all or any portion of any unvested PSUs shall be forfeited for no consideration and/or (b) require the Participant to promptly repay to the Company any gain realized in respect of this Award within the three years preceding the date on which the Board or Committee determines that any of the events described in prongs (i) and (ii) above has occurred (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on the date on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period). Unless otherwise required by law, the provisions of this Paragraph 9(B) shall apply during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason. The foregoing forfeiture and repayment obligations shall be without prejudice to any other rights that the Company may have.

10.Effect of the Plan.This Award is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, together with all of the rules and determinations from time to time issued by the Committee and/or the Board pursuant to the Plan, including the restrictions in the Plan on the transferability of awards. In the event of a conflict between any provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control but only to the extent such conflict is permitted under the Plan. By accepting this Award, the Participant acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of the Plan and agrees that the Participant will enter into such written representations, warranties and agreements and execute such documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules or regulations, or with this document or the terms of the Plan.

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11.Amendment and Termination; Waiver. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement by the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may not be amended or terminated by the Company in a manner that would be materially adverse to the Participant without the written consent of the Participant, provided that the Company may amend this Agreement unilaterally (a) as provided in the Plan or (b) if the Company determines that an amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law (including the requirements of the Code). Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement may be waived in writing, either generally or in any particular instance, by the Company. A waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the same or any other breach on a future occasion.

12.Unsecured Obligation. The Company’s obligation under this Agreement shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise. The Participant’s right to receive the payments and benefits contemplated hereby from the Company under this Agreement shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company, and the Participant shall not have nor acquire any legal or equitable right, interest or claim in or to any property or assets of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Participant and the Company or any other person.

13.No Right To Continued Employment. Neither this Award nor anything in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment with the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) or shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.

14.Tax Matters; No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. This Agreement is intended to be exempt from, or to comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly; provided that in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on the Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. The Company makes no commitment or guarantee to the Participant that any federal or state tax treatment will apply or be available to any person eligible for benefits under this Agreement.

15.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware to the extent federal law does not supersede and preempt Delaware law (in which case such federal law shall apply).

16.Severability; Interpretive Matters. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be fully severable, but shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never been included herein. Whenever required by the context, pronouns and any variation thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The captions and headings used in this Agreement are inserted

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for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement granted hereunder for construction or interpretation.

17.Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, with the same force and effect as if the signature thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Blank — Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date indicated below.

COMPANY:
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
By:
	Name:
	Title:

I hereby accept the Award subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. I acknowledge and agree that the Award shall vest and become payable, if at all, only during the period of my continued service with the Company or as otherwise provided in this Agreement (not through the act of issuing the Award).

PARTICIPANT:
By:
	Name:

Grant Date:

[Signature Page — Performance Stock Unit Award under 2011 Incentive Plan]

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Schedule A

• Target PSUs:

• Performance Period:

• Performance Metrics:

11

EX-10.44

Exhibit 10.44

Form for Grade 16 and Below Severance Pay Plan

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

2011 INCENTIVE PLAN

PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

1.Award. Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has awarded the undersigned Participant (for purposes of this Agreement, the “Participant”) performance stock units (this “Award”) effective as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Grant Date”) pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). Unless otherwise defined in this Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”), capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan.

2.Performance Stock Units. The Company hereby awards the Participant the target number of performance stock units (“PSUs”) set forth in Schedule A (the “Target PSUs”). Each PSU constitutes an unfunded and unsecured promise by the Company to deliver (or cause to be delivered) one share of common stock, $0.003 par value per share, of the Company (a “Share”). The actual number of PSUs that will be earned is subject to the Committee’s certification of the level of achievement of the performance conditions set forth in Schedule A (the “Performance Metrics”) at the end of the applicable performance period (such earned PSUs, the “Earned PSUs”). The number of Shares covered by the Earned PSUs may range from 0% to 200% of your Target PSUs; provided that the number of Shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. The Earned PSUs will be subject to vesting in accordance with Paragraph 3 below, and any PSUs that do not become Earned PSUs at the end of the performance period will be automatically forfeited without consideration.

3.Vesting. Subject to the Participant’s continued employment and Paragraphs 4 and 5, the Earned PSUs, if any, shall vest on the date on which the Committee certifies achievement of the Performance Metrics (the “Certification Date”). The Certification Date will be within 75 days following the end of the performance period set forth in Schedule A.

4.Termination of Employment or Services. Except as otherwise provided in this Paragraph 4, the Participant will automatically forfeit the PSUs covered by this Award on the termination, resignation, or removal of the Participant from employment with or services to the Company and its Affiliates for any reason prior to the date on which the PSUs vest. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(A)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate prior to vesting by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Cheniere Energy, Inc. Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”). In the event that the Severance Plan is terminated prior to the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates in accordance with the preceding sentence and no successor plan governs the treatment of this Award on a termination of employment described in this Paragraph 4(A), then this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan as it existed immediately prior to its termination.

(B)Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate prior to vesting (1) by the Company or an Affiliate due to the Disability of the

Participant while performing Continuous Service or (2) due to the death of the Participant while performing Continuous Service, the Target PSUs shall be deemed to be the Earned PSUs and shall vest in full immediately.

(C)Upon the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement (as defined in the Company’s Retirement Policy), this Award will be treated in accordance with the Company’s Retirement Policy.

(D)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Award will not vest as a result of a termination by the Company or an Affiliate without Cause or due to the Disability of the Participant, in each case, unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a Release Agreement (as defined in the Severance Plan) that becomes fully effective and irrevocable within fifty-five (55) days following the date of termination. Additionally, this Award will not vest following the Participant’s Qualifying Retirement unless the Participant executes and delivers to the Company (and does not revoke) a release of claims in accordance with the Retirement Policy. If a release described in this Paragraph 4(D) is not timely executed and delivered by the Participant to the Company, or if such release is timely executed and delivered but is subsequently revoked by the Participant, then the Participant will automatically forfeit the PSUs covered by this Award effective as of the date of termination of employment.

(E)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” means a separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) as a result of any of the following:

i.the commission by the Participant of a crime or other act of misconduct that causes or is likely to cause economic damage to the Company or an Affiliate or injury to the business reputation of the Company or an Affiliate;

ii.the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud in the performance of the Participant’s duties on behalf of the Company or an Affiliate;

iii.the violation by the Participant of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy; or

iv.the failure of the Participant to perform his or her duties at a level and in a manner satisfactory to the Company in its sole discretion.

The determination of whether Cause exists with respect to the Participant shall be made by the Company’s Chief Human Resources Officer in his or her sole discretion in consultation with the Company’s General Counsel.

(F)For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Related Employer” means (i) an Affiliate that is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in section 414(b) of the Code) that includes the Company, (ii) an Affiliate (whether or not incorporated) that is in common control (as defined in section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company, or (iii) an Affiliate that is a member of the same affiliated service group (as defined in section 414(m) of the Code) as the Company.

5.Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, this Award will be treated in accordance with the Severance Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(A)any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as modified in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than (A) the Company or any Affiliate, (B) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Affiliate, (C) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company, or (D) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities (a “Person”),

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becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3(a) of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50.1% or more of the shares of voting stock of the Company then outstanding; or

(B)the consummation of any merger, organization, business combination or consolidation of the Company with or into any other company, other than a merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation which would result in the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding securities which represent immediately after such merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the surviving company or the parent of such surviving company; or

(C)the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition if the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto hold securities immediately thereafter which represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the acquiror, or parent of the acquiror, of such assets, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(D)individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination by the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an election contest or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur or be deemed to occur if any event set forth in subsections (A) — (D) above, that would otherwise constitute a Change in Control, occurs as a direct result of the consummation of a transaction solely between the Company and one or more of its controlled Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in any circumstance or transaction in which compensation payable pursuant to this Award would be subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules if the foregoing definition of “Change in Control” were to apply, but would not be so subject if the term “Change in Control” were defined herein to mean a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5), then “Change in Control” means, but only to the extent necessary to prevent such compensation from becoming subject to the income tax under the Section 409A Rules, a transaction or circumstance that satisfies the requirements of both (1) a Change in Control under the applicable clause (A) through (D) above, and (2) a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section § 1.409A-3(i)(5).

6.Settlement; Dividend Equivalents; Withholding of Taxes.

(A)Subject to the Severance Plan or Retirement Policy, if applicable, and Paragraph 6(B), one Share will be delivered in respect of each vested Earned PSU on or as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the sixtieth (60^th) day, following the date on which the Earned PSUs vest as determined in accordance with Paragraph 3, 4 or 5; provided, however, that if vesting is contingent on the effectiveness of a Release Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 4(D), and the release period in Paragraph 4(D) begins in one taxable year and ends in a subsequent taxable year, then the Shares will be delivered in such subsequent taxable year. All ordinary cash dividends that would have been paid upon any Shares delivered in respect of the

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vested Earned PSUs had such Shares been issued as of the Grant Date (as determined by the Committee) will be paid to the Participant (without interest) on the date on which the Earned PSUs are settled in accordance with this Paragraph 6(A) to the extent that the Earned PSUs vest.

(B)The Company’s obligation to deliver Shares under this Award is subject to the payment of all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Company in connection with this Award. The Company shall have the right to take any action as may be necessary or appropriate to satisfy any withholding obligations, provided, however, that except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Participant and the Company, if the Participant is an Executive Officer or an individual subject to Rule 16b-3, such tax withholding obligations will be effectuated by the Company withholding a number of Shares that would otherwise be delivered in respect of the Earned PSUs with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such tax withholding obligations (at the minimum withholding tax rate required by the Code).

7.Participant Covenants.

(A)Non-Solicitation. In exchange for the promises set forth herein, including the consideration set forth in Paragraph 1, and in order to protect the Company’s goodwill and other legitimate business needs, during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following or assist any other person, firm, or entity to do any of the following: (a) solicit on behalf of the Participant or another person or entity, the employment or services of, or hire or retain, any person who is employed by or is a substantially full-time consultant or independent contractor to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or was within six (6) months prior to the action; (b) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or its affiliates to terminate that employee’s employment with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate; (c) induce or attempt to induce any consultant or independent contractor doing business with or retained by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate their consultancy or contractual relationship with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or otherwise reduce the services they provide to the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate or (d) interfere with the relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates with any vendor or supplier.

(B)Confidentiality. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall maintain the confidentiality of the following information: proprietary technical and business information relating to any Company plans, analyses or strategies concerning international or domestic acquisitions, possible acquisitions or new ventures; development plans or introduction plans for products or services; unannounced products or services; operation costs; pricing of products or services; research and development; personnel information; manufacturing processes; installation, service, and distribution procedures and processes; customer lists; any know-how relating to the design, manufacture, and marketing of any of the Company’s services and products, including components and parts thereof; non-public information acquired by the Company concerning the requirements and specifications of any of the Company’s agents, vendors, contractors, customers and potential customers; non-public financial information, business and marketing plans, pricing and price lists; non-public matters relating to employee benefit plans; quotations or proposals given to agents or customers or received from suppliers; documents relating to any of the Company’s legal rights and obligations; the work product of any attorney employed by or retained by the Company; and any other information which is sufficiently confidential, proprietary, and secret to derive economic value from not being generally known including with respect to intellectual property inventions and work product. The Participant shall maintain in the strictest confidence and will not, directly or indirectly,

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intentionally or inadvertently, use, publish, or otherwise disclose to any person or entity whatsoever, any of the information of or belonging to the Company or to any agent, joint venture, contractor, customer, vendor, or supplier of the Company regardless of its form, without the prior written explicit consent of the Company. The Participant acknowledges that the foregoing information is not generally known, is highly confidential and constitutes trade secrets or confidential information of the Company. The Participant shall take reasonable precautions to protect the inadvertent disclosure of information. The foregoing shall not apply to information that the Participant is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation, or legal process (provided that the Participant provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Participant from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any government agency or entity or making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of law.  The Participant does not need prior authorization to make such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that the Participant has made any such report or disclosure.

(C)Non-Disparagement. During employment and thereafter, the Participant shall not make or publish any disparaging statements (whether written, electronic or oral) regarding, or otherwise malign the business reputation of, the Company, its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees or partners.

(D)Participant Acknowledgements.

i.The Participant agrees that the restrictions in this Paragraph 7 are reasonable in light of the scope of the Company’s business operations, the Participant’s position within the Company, the interests which the Company seeks to protect, and the consideration provided to the Participant. The Participant agrees that these restrictions go only so far as to protect the Company’s business and business interests, and that those interests are worth protecting for the continued success, viability, and goodwill of the Company.

ii.The Participant expressly acknowledges that any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7 may result in substantial, continuing, and irreparable injury to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates for which monetary damages alone would not be a sufficient remedy. Therefore, the Participant hereby agrees that, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company (including pursuant to Paragraph 9), in the event of any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Paragraph 7, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance or other equitable relief by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, without the requirement of posting bond or the necessity of proving irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or threatened breach. Without limitation on the Company’s rights under the foregoing sentence or under Paragraph 9, (a) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraph 7(A) during the term of such covenants, or (b) in the event of any actual breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in Paragraphs 7(B) or (C) of this Agreement prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Participant’s employment terminates for any reason: (i) if the Award is unvested, then the Award will immediately be forfeited for no consideration; (ii) the Company will cease to be obligated to furnish the Participant any further payments or deliveries pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) the Participant shall promptly repay to the Company an amount equal to the gain realized in respect of this Award within the three preceding years (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the Fair Market Value, on the date on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period); provided that the

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foregoing repayment obligations, and the cessation of further payments and benefits, shall be without prejudice to the Company’s other rights.

iii.Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 7, as applicable, shall be tolled during any period of violation of any of the covenants therein and during any other period required for litigation during which the Company seeks to enforce such covenants against the Participant.

8.Cooperation. Following the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Participant agrees (i) to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its directors, officers, attorneys and experts, and take all actions the Company may reasonably request, including but not limited to cooperation with respect to any investigation, government inquiry, administrative proceeding or litigation relating to any matter in which the Participant was involved or had knowledge during the Participant’s employment with the Company and (ii) that, if called upon by the Company, the Participant will provide assistance with respect to business, personnel or other matters which arose during the Participant’s employment with the Company or as to which the Participant has relevant information, knowledge or expertise, with such cooperation including, but not limited to, completing job tasks in progress, transitioning job tasks to other Company personnel, responding to questions and being available for such purposes. Any cooperation requests shall take into account the Participant’s personal and business commitments, and the Participant shall be reasonably compensated for the Participant’s time (if appropriate for the matter) and further reimbursed for any documented expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with such cooperation within thirty (30) days of the Participant providing an invoice to the Company.

9.Forfeiture/Clawback.

(A)The delivery of Shares under this Award is subject to any policy (whether in existence as of the Grant Date or later adopted) established by the Company or required by applicable law providing for clawback or recovery of amounts that were paid to the Participant. The Company will make any determination for clawback or recovery in its sole discretion and in accordance with any applicable law or regulation.

(B)In addition to Paragraph 9(A) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Board or Committee determines that (i) any material misstatement of financial results has occurred as a result of the Participant’s conduct or (ii) the Participant has, without the consent of the Company, violated a non-competition, non-solicitation or non-disclosure covenant (including the covenants in Paragraph 7) between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, then the Board or Committee may in its sole discretion (a) determine that all or any portion of any unvested PSUs shall be forfeited for no consideration and/or (b) require the Participant to promptly repay to the Company any gain realized in respect of this Award within the three years preceding the date on which the Board or Committee determines that any of the events described in prongs (i) and (ii) above has occurred (which gain shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value, on the date on which the Award is settled, of the Shares delivered to the Participant under this Award within such three-year period). Unless otherwise required by law, the provisions of this Paragraph 9(B) shall apply during the Participant’s employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and for one year following the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason. The foregoing forfeiture and repayment obligations shall be without prejudice to any other rights that the Company may have.

10.Effect of the Plan.This Award is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, together with all of the rules and determinations from time to time issued by the

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Committee and/or the Board pursuant to the Plan, including the restrictions in the Plan on the transferability of awards. In the event of a conflict between any provision of the Plan and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control but only to the extent such conflict is permitted under the Plan. By accepting this Award, the Participant acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of the Plan and agrees that the Participant will enter into such written representations, warranties and agreements and execute such documents as the Company may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules or regulations, or with this document or the terms of the Plan.

11.Amendment and Termination; Waiver. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement by the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Participant and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may not be amended or terminated by the Company in a manner that would be materially adverse to the Participant without the written consent of the Participant, provided that the Company may amend this Agreement unilaterally (a) as provided in the Plan or (b) if the Company determines that an amendment is necessary to comply with applicable law (including the requirements of the Code). Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement may be waived in writing, either generally or in any particular instance, by the Company. A waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the same or any other breach on a future occasion.

12.Unsecured Obligation. The Company’s obligation under this Agreement shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise. The Participant’s right to receive the payments and benefits contemplated hereby from the Company under this Agreement shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company, and the Participant shall not have nor acquire any legal or equitable right, interest or claim in or to any property or assets of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Participant and the Company or any other person.

13.No Right To Continued Employment. Neither this Award nor anything in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment with the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) or shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company (or its Affiliates or their respective successors) to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.

14.Tax Matters; No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. This Agreement is intended to be exempt from, or to comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly; provided that in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on the Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each payment under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. The Company makes no commitment or guarantee to the Participant that any federal or state tax treatment will apply or be available to any person eligible for benefits under this Agreement.

15.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware to the extent federal law does not supersede and preempt Delaware law (in which case such federal law shall apply).

16.Severability; Interpretive Matters. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be fully severable, but shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this

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Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never been included herein. Whenever required by the context, pronouns and any variation thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. The captions and headings used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement granted hereunder for construction or interpretation.

17.Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, with the same force and effect as if the signature thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Blank — Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date indicated below.

COMPANY:
CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
By:
	Name:
	Title:

I hereby accept the Award subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof. I acknowledge and agree that the Award shall vest and become payable, if at all, only during the period of my continued service with the Company or as otherwise provided in this Agreement (not through the act of issuing the Award).

PARTICIPANT:
By:
	Name:

Grant Date:

[Signature Page — Performance Stock Unit Award under 2011 Incentive Plan]

9

Schedule A

• Target PSUs:

• Performance Period:

• Performance Metrics:

10

EX-10.45

Exhibit 10.45

[Company Letterhead]

●, 2017

[Name]

[Address]

[Address]

Dear [Name]:

This letter is to inform you of your opportunity to earn an award of restricted stock units under the Cheniere Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) 2011 Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Plan”). Terms used and not defined in this letter have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

If the Company achieves a final investment decision of Train 3 of the Corpus Christi LNG terminal project on or prior to December 31, 2018 (the “Milestone”), and you remain actively employed by the Company or one of its Affiliates (and have not given notice of resignation or been given notice of termination of your employment) through the date on which the Milestone is achieved, then, subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board, the Company will grant you, as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, a one-time award of restricted stock units (the “Milestone RSUs”). The determination of whether and when the Milestone is achieved is in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board. The number of Milestone RSUs that you are eligible to receive is set forth on Exhibit A.

If you are granted the Milestone RSUs in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Milestone RSUs will vest on the third anniversary of February 17, 2017, subject to your continued employment with the Company through that date, and will be settled in shares of Cheniere Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the award. The terms of the Milestone RSUs will be set forth in an award agreement, which will be provided to you on or shortly following the grant of the award, and the Plan.

Nothing in this letter is intended to suggest any guaranteed period of continued employment, and your employment will at all times continue to be terminable by you or the Company for any reason or no reason. In the event of any conflict in the terms of this letter and the award agreement for the Milestone RSUs, if granted to you, then the terms of the award agreement will control. This letter constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding your opportunity to earn the Milestone RSUs and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This letter will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original.

[Remainder of page blank — signature page follows]

Please acknowledge your acceptance of the terms of this letter and return it to [●] as soon as possible but no later than ●, 2017.

	Sincerely,
	[Name]
	[Position]
Acknowledged and agreed:
[Name]
Date:

[Milestone Letter Agreement]

EX-10.65

Exhibit 10.65

Cheniere Energy, Inc. Retirement Policy

Purpose: This Retirement Policy (this “Policy”) is designed to reward eligible employees of Cheniere Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) for their service and tenure. This Policy is limited to employees located in the United States. For the avoidance of doubt, this Policy is not applicable in any jurisdictions outside of the United States.

Definition of Qualifying Retirement

A “Qualifying Retirement” is a voluntary resignation by an employee who satisfies the Rule of 72 based on the sum of (i) the employee’s age and (ii) full years of service with the Company and/or its affiliates, provided that the employee also meets the following criteria:

• Employee must be at least age 60 and have at least 4 years of service with the Company and/or its affiliates (such age and years of service, the “Retirement Criteria”).

• Employee must provide Human Resources with a written notice of his or her planned retirement date at least three (3) months in advance thereof; however, the Company may eliminate, or decrease the length of, the notice period in its sole discretion.

• The Chief Executive Officer of the Company is not eligible for a Qualifying Retirement under this Policy, and accordingly, no retirement by the Chief Executive will be deemed to be a Qualifying Retirement.

• Non-US employees, other than those on expatriate assignment from the US are not eligible for Qualifying Retirements under this Policy.

The determination of whether an employee satisfies the criteria for a Qualifying Retirement shall be determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

Retirement Treatment

With respect to Covered Incentive Awards (as defined below) granted under the Company’s Annual Long Term Performance Incentive Program on or after the Effective Date, and subject to the exclusions below, following a Qualifying Retirement, the employee will be entitled to:

• Accelerated vesting of the Employee’s outstanding unvested time-based equity or equity-based incentive awards (“Time-based Awards”), provided that the awards were granted at least six (6) months prior to the Qualifying Retirement; and

• Continued vesting of a pro rata portion of each outstanding unvested performance-based equity or equity-based incentive awards (“Performance Awards”), provided that the awards were granted at least six (6) months prior to the Qualifying Retirement, with proration determined by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of complete months since the grant of such Performance Awards and the denominator of which is the number of months in the performance period with respect thereto, which shall vest based on actual results at the end of such performance period(s).

1

The Company will waive the continuous employment vesting provisions set forth in any Covered Incentive Awards (as described below) granted prior to the Effective Date (excluding any Covered Incentive Awards granted under the Annual Long Term Performance Incentive Program) (collectively, the “Prior Incentive Awards”) that are held by employees who satisfy the criteria for Qualifying Retirements, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion. Following a Qualifying Retirement, all Prior Incentive Awards will continue to vest in accordance with the terms under the grant agreement(s), notwithstanding any continuous service conditions; however, except as otherwise determined by the Company, Prior Incentive Awards will remain subject to the applicable performance-based vesting conditions, if any.

With respect to certain Covered Incentive Awards, meeting the Retirement Criteria, even in the absence of a Qualifying Retirement, may result in taxation of the Covered Incentive Award at the time the Retirement Criteria are satisfied.

Notwithstanding anything in the Policy to the contrary, the Company may not waive any performance- based vesting conditions in Covered Incentive Awards that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m), as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

Covered Incentive Awards

The retirement provisions and this Policy will apply to all long-term equity and cash-based awards outstanding on the Effective Date of this Policy and, except as otherwise provided in this Policy or determined by the Company, to long-term equity and cash-based awards granted after the Effective Date of this Policy (collectively, “Covered Incentive Awards”).

The retirement provisions are intended to be applied only to regular long-term incentive awards and not one-time, special, and/or retention-based awards, subject to the discretion of the Company. Accordingly, except as otherwise determined by the Company on a case-by-case basis, this Policy shall not apply to, and “Covered Incentive Awards” shall not include: (i) new hire awards; (ii) special retention awards; (iii) other awards not part of any annual long-term incentive compensation program or to awards under any annual cash bonus program; (iv) outstanding time-based awards granted within six (6) months prior to the Qualifying Retirement; or (v) outstanding performance-based awards granted within six (6) months prior to the Qualifying Retirement.

For the avoidance of doubt, and subject to the exclusions from Covered Incentive Awards above, the retirement provisions, and this Policy, will apply to the following awards outstanding on the Effective Date of this Policy:

• All outstanding Restricted Stock Awards under Trains 3-4; and/or

• All outstanding Phantom Unit Awards under the 2014-2018 Long-Term Cash Incentive Program.

In addition, the retirement provisions, and this Policy, will apply to any long-term cash and/or phantom unit awards granted after the effective date of this Policy or any other annual or long-term incentive compensation plan or program adopted after the effective date of this Policy, except as otherwise determined by the Company on a case-by- case basis or otherwise provided in the applicable plan, program or award agreements.

Conditions to Retirement Treatment

The accelerated vesting or the Company’s waiver of the continuous employment vesting conditions, as applicable, of certain Covered Incentive Awards is subject to the employee’s execution and non-revocation of a release of claims in the form provided by the Company at (or within a specified time after) the time of retirement. In the event that the period in which the employee may consider the release of claims begins in

2

one taxable year and ends in a subsequent taxable year, then any shares or cash payable as a result of vesting under this Policy will be delivered in such subsequent taxable year. Additionally, vesting is subject to compliance with the restrictive covenant provisions described below and any applicable performance vesting conditions that may apply to the Covered Incentive Awards. If the agreement governing the applicable Covered Incentive Award addresses a release of claims, the provisions of such agreement regarding the release shall govern. If the agreement governing the applicable Covered Incentive Award does not address a release of claims, then the Company shall determine the form of and timing requirements with respect to such release. In the event that a Covered Incentive Award is required to be settled prior to the release of claims becoming irrevocable, the employee shall be required to promptly repay or return to the Company all cash and property received with respect to such Covered Incentive Award in the event such release does not become irrevocable during the permitted period. The restrictive covenant provisions will apply for the duration of the vesting schedule for any unvested Covered Incentive Award(s), and the employee’s failure to comply with the restrictive covenant provisions will result in the immediate forfeiture of any then-outstanding Covered Incentive Awards.

Restrictive Covenants

• If, during employment or subsequent to a Qualifying Retirement, the employee violates any of the restrictions below, he or she will immediately forfeit all Covered Incentive Awards covered by this Policy that are outstanding at the time of such violation.

• During employment or subsequent to a Qualifying Retirement, the employee will not, directly or indirectly, do any of the following or assist any other person, firm or entity to do any of the following: (a) solicit on behalf of another person or entity, the employment or services of, or hire or retain, any person who is employed by or is a substantially full-time consultant or independent contractor to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or was within six (6) months prior to the action; or (b) otherwise knowingly interfere in any material respect with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or the relationship with any vendor or supplier that existed prior to the date of termination of the employee’s employment with the Company.

• During employment or subsequent to a Qualifying Retirement, the employee shall not make or publish any disparaging statements (whether written, electronic or oral) regarding, or otherwise malign the business reputation of, the Company, its present and former owners, officers, employees, shareholders, directors, partners, attorneys, agents and assignees, and all other persons, firms, partnerships, or corporations in control of, under the direction of, or in any way presently or formerly associated with the Company (each, a “Released Party” and collectively the “Released Parties”).

• During employment or subsequent to a Qualifying Retirement, the employee shall maintain the confidentiality of the following information: proprietary technical and business information relating to any Company plans, analyses or strategies concerning international or domestic acquisitions, possible acquisitions or new ventures; development plans or introduction plans for products or services; unannounced products or services; operation costs; pricing of products or services; research and development; personnel information; manufacturing processes; installation, service, and distribution procedures and processes; customer lists; any know-how relating to the design, manufacture, and marketing of any of the Company's services and products, including components and parts thereof; non-public information acquired by the Company concerning the requirements and specifications of any of the Company's agents, vendors, contractors, customers and potential customers; non-public financial information, business and marketing plans, pricing and price lists; non-public matters relating to employee benefit plans; quotations or proposals given to agents or

3

customers or received from suppliers; documents relating to any of the Company's legal rights and obligations; the work product of any attorney employed by or retained by the Company; and any other information which is sufficiently confidential, proprietary, secret to derive economic value from not being generally known including with respect to intellectual property inventions, and work product. The foregoing shall not apply to information that the employee is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that the employee provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement prohibits employee from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any government agency or entity or making other disclosures that are protected under whistleblower provisions of law. An employee does not need prior authorization to make such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that he has made any such report or disclosure.

• For employees who attain Qualifying Retirement from a position of a director level or above, during employment and for one (1) year subsequent to a Qualifying Retirement, to protect the confidential information of the Company, following the Qualifying Retirement, the employee shall not, directly or indirectly, alone or jointly, with any person or entity, participate in, engage in, consult with, advise, be employed by, own (wholly or partially), possess an interest in, solicit the business of the vendors, suppliers or customers of the Company for, or in any other manner be involved with, any business or person that is engaged in business activities anywhere in the Territory that are competitive with the Business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the employee shall not be prohibited from passively owning less than 1% of the securities of any publicly-traded corporation. For purposes of this paragraph, “Territory” means anywhere in which the Company engages in Business and “Business” means the business of (i) selling, distributing or marketing liquefied natural gas and/or (ii) designing, permitting, constructing, developing or operating liquefied natural gas facilities. The employee agrees that the covenants contained in this paragraph are reasonable and desirable to protect the Confidential Information of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the employee shall not be prohibited from being employed by, or consulting for, an entity that has a division immaterial to the business of such entity in the aggregate, which division may compete with, or could assist another in competing with, the Company in the Business in the Territory (a “Competitive Division”), so long as the employee is not employed in, and does not perform work for or otherwise provide services to, the Competitive Division.

• The Company (in its sole discretion) may elect to subject employees to additional or other restrictive covenants in consideration for the special treatment of their long-term equity and cash awards under this Policy or otherwise. These covenants shall be without limitation to such additional or other restrictions.

Tax Matters; No Guarantee of Tax Consequences

In the event the Company determines that this Policy results in a taxable event for a retiree or eligible employee with respect to the foregoing Covered Incentive Awards, except as otherwise agreed in writing by the employee and the Company, any federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld by the Company in connection with the vesting of such restricted stock awards, or sooner upon the lapse of a substantial risk of forfeiture thereon for purposes of Code Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) shall be effectuated, as specified by the Company, by either the Company withholding delivery of a number of shares of common stock of the Company having a fair market value equal to the minimum amount of such tax withholding obligations determined at the time of taxation at the minimum withholding tax rate required by the Code or by the employee writing a check, acceptable to the Company,

4

to the Company equal to such amount.

The Covered Incentive Awards subject to this Policy are subject to all federal, state and local income, employment, and other taxes, and any required withholding in connection with such taxes. This Policy is intended to be exempt from, or to comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and this Policy shall be interpreted accordingly; provided that in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on an employee by Code Section 409A or any damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A or damages for noncompliance. The Company makes no commitment or guarantee to the employee that any federal, state or other tax treatment will (or will not) apply or be available to any person eligible for benefits under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Policy to the contrary, in the event that an employee is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), no payments hereunder that are “deferred compensation” subject to Code Section 409A shall be made to the employee prior to the date that is six (6) months after the date of the employee’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A) or, if earlier, the employee’s date of death. Following any applicable six (6) month delay, all such delayed payments will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest date permitted under Code Section 409A that is also a business day.

No Right to Continued Employment

Nothing in this Policy shall confer upon any employee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its affiliates to terminate the employment of any employee for any reason or no reason at any time.

Interpretation

The Company may interpret and construe the terms and application of this Policy. All actions taken by the Company in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall be final and binding on all persons.

Effective Date of Policy

This Policy, as amended, is effective as of February 17, 2017 (the “Effective Date”). The Policy was originally effective as of June 11, 2015.

Policy Will Not Prevent Clawback

This Policy shall not be construed to prevent the forfeiture or divestiture of any Covered Incentive Award if otherwise contemplated under the terms of any restrictive covenant agreement or clawback policy applicable to an employee or former employee.

Amendment; Termination; Conflict

This Policy can be amended, modified, or terminated at any time at the discretion of the Company or the Board, provided it shall not affect any employees who retire or have previously delivered written notice of retirement prior to such amendment, modification, or termination. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Policy and the terms of the applicable equity incentive plan, the terms of the applicable equity incentive plan shall control.

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EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiaries of the Registrant as of December 31, 2016

Entity Name	Jurisdiction of Incorporation
Caldera LNG Holdings SpA	Chile
Cheniere Chile SpA	Chile
Cheniere CCH HoldCo I, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere CCH HoldCo II, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P.	Delaware
Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline Stage III, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline, L.P.	Delaware
Cheniere Energy Investments, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Energy Operating Co., Inc.	Delaware
Cheniere Energy Partners GP, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P.	Delaware
Cheniere Energy Shared Services Holdings, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Energy Shared Services, Inc.	Delaware
Cheniere Field Services, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere GP Holding Company, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Ingleside Marine Terminal, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere International Investments Holdings, S.à.r.l	Luxembourg
Cheniere International Investments, S.à.r.l	Luxembourg
Cheniere Land Holdings, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Liquids, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere LNG Holdings GP, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere LNG O&M Services, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Marketing International HoldCo I, L.P.	Bermuda
Cheniere Marketing International HoldCo II, Ltd.	Bermuda
Cheniere Marketing International, LLP	United Kingdom
Cheniere Marketing, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Marketing, Ltd.	United Kingdom
Cheniere Marketing PTE Ltd.	Singapore
Cheniere Midship Holdings, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Midstream Holdings, Inc.	Delaware
Cheniere Pipeline GP Interests, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Pipeline Holdings, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere San Patricio Processing Hub, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Southern Trail GP, Inc.	Delaware
Cheniere SPH Pipeline, LLC	Delaware
Cheniere Supply & Marketing, Inc.	Delaware
Concepción LNG Holding SpA	Chile
Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC	Delaware

Entity Name	Jurisdiction of Incorporation
Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage III, LLC	Delaware
Corpus Christi LNG, LLC	Delaware
Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC	Delaware
Corpus Christi Tug Services, LLC	Delaware
CQH Holdings Company, LLC	Delaware
CUI I, LLC	Delaware
Johnson Bayou Holdings, LLC	Delaware
Live Oak LNG Holdings, LLC	Delaware
Louisiana LNG Holdings, LLC	Delaware
Nordheim Eagle Ford Gathering, LLC	Delaware
Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC	Delaware
Sabine Pass LNG-GP, LLC	Delaware
Sabine Pass LNG-LP, LLC	Delaware
Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.	Delaware
Sabine Pass Tug Services, LLC	Delaware

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Cheniere Energy, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 333-171736 and 333-204432) on Form S-3 and the registration statements (Nos. 333-112379, 333-127266, 333-134886, 333-160017, 333-175297, 333-186451, and 333-207651) on Form S-8 of Cheniere Energy, Inc. of our reports dated February 24, 2017, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Cheniere Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, and the related financial statement schedule I, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, which reports appear in the December 31, 2016 annual report on Form 10-K of Cheniere Energy, Inc. Our report refers to a change in the method of accounting for debt issuance costs and a change in the presentation of cash flows.

/s/    KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

February 24, 2017

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT

I, Jack A. Fusco, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Cheniere Energy, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 24, 2017

/s/ Jack A. Fusco

Jack A. Fusco
Chief Executive Officer of

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT

I, Michael J. Wortley, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Cheniere Energy, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 24, 2017

/s/ Michael J. Wortley

Michael J. Wortley
Chief Financial Officer of

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the annual report of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jack A. Fusco, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: February 24, 2017

/s/ Jack A. Fusco

Jack A. Fusco
Chief Executive Officer of

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the annual report of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael J. Wortley, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: February 24, 2017

/s/ Michael J. Wortley

Michael J. Wortley
Chief Financial Officer of

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

XML

Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 17, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CHENIERE ENERGY INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000003570
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		237,866,370
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 8.7

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 875,836	$ 1,201,112
Restricted cash	859,898	503,397
Accounts and other receivables	217,925	5,749
Inventory	160,161	18,125
Derivative assets	23,750	3,416
Other current assets	100,748	50,787
Total current assets	2,238,318	1,782,586
Non-current restricted cash	90,819	31,722
Property, plant and equipment, net	20,635,294	16,193,907
Debt issuance costs, net	276,551	378,677
Non-current derivative assets	82,861	30,887
Goodwill	76,819	76,819
Other non-current assets, net	302,075	314,455
Total assets	23,702,737	18,809,053
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	48,577	22,820
Accrued liabilities	637,097	427,199
Current debt, net	247,467	1,673,379
Deferred revenue	72,631	26,669
Derivative liabilities	70,673	35,201
Other current liabilities	224	0
Total current liabilities	1,076,669	2,185,268
Long-term debt, net	21,687,532	14,920,427
Non-current deferred revenue	5,500	9,500
Non-current derivative liabilities	45,106	79,387
Other non-current liabilities	49,534	53,068
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 19)
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5.0 million shares authorized, none issued	0	0
Common stock, $0.003 par value, Authorized: 480.0 million shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015; Issued: 250.1 million shares and 247.3 million shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively
Outstanding: 238.0 million shares and 235.6 million shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	714	708
Treasury stock: 12.2 million shares and 11.6 million shares at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, at cost	(374,324)	(353,927)
Additional paid-in-capital	3,211,124	3,075,317
Accumulated deficit	(4,233,939)	(3,623,948)
Total stockholders’ deficit	(1,396,425)	(901,850)
Non-controlling interest	2,234,821	2,463,253
Total equity	838,396	1,561,403
Total liabilities and equity	$ 23,702,737	$ 18,809,053

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Consolidated Balance Sheets Parentheticals - $ / shares shares in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred Stock, Par Value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Common Stock, Par Value Per Share	$ 0.003	$ 0.003
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	480,000	480,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	250,143	247,288
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	237,960	235,639
Treasury Stock, Shares	12,183	11,649

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Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues
LNG revenues (losses)		$ 1,016,133		$ 66		$ (1,286)
Regasification revenues		265,405		265,720		266,659
Other revenues		1,629		5,099		2,581
Total revenues		1,283,167		270,885		267,954
Operating costs and expenses
Cost (cost recovery) of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)		581,917		(15,033)		(342)
Operating and maintenance expense		216,220		94,800		84,745
Development expense		6,838		42,141		54,376
Selling, general and administrative expense		259,692		363,093		323,709
Depreciation and amortization expense		174,042		82,680		64,258
Restructuring expense		61,409		60,769		0
Impairment expense		10,572		91,317		0
Other		1,844		431		13,387
Total operating costs and expenses		1,312,534		720,198		540,133
Loss from operations		(29,367)	[1]	(449,313)	[1]	(272,179)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest		(488,390)		(322,083)		(181,236)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		(135,142)		(124,180)		(114,335)
Derivative loss, net		(10,130)		(203,639)		(119,401)
Other income (expense)		144		1,804		(583)
Total other expense		(633,518)		(648,098)		(415,555)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest	[2]	(662,885)		(1,097,411)		(687,734)
Income tax benefit (provision)		(1,908)		96		(4,143)
Net loss		(664,793)		(1,097,315)		(691,877)
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		(54,802)		(122,206)		(143,945)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$ (609,991)		$ (975,109)		$ (547,932)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted		$ (2.67)		$ (4.30)		$ (2.44)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—basic and diluted		228,768		226,903		224,338

[1] Includes restructuring expense of $44.4 million and $60.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the corporate and other column and $17.0 million and zero for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the LNG and natural gas marketing segment.

[2] Items to reconcile income (loss) from operations and income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest include consolidated other income (expense) amounts as presented on our Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily related to our LNG terminal segment.

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Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Non-controlling Interest
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning of Period at Dec. 31, 2013		238,091
Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning of Period at Dec. 31, 2013			8,970
Stockholders' Equity, Beginning of Period at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 2,840,057	$ 716	$ (179,826)	$ 2,459,699	$ (2,100,907)	$ 2,660,375
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options, shares		387	0
Exercise of stock options	11,409	$ 1	$ 0	11,408	0	0
Issuances of restricted stock, shares		550	0
Issuances of restricted stock	0	$ 2	$ 0	(2)	0	0
Forfeitures of restricted stock, shares		(726)	69
Forfeitures of restricted stock	0	$ (2)	$ 0	2	0	0
Share-based compensation	110,039	$ 0	$ 0	110,039	0	0
Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation, shares		(1,557)	1,557
Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation	(112,926)	$ (5)	$ (112,926)	5	0	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	3,605	0	0	3,605	0	0
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(143,945)	0	0	0	0	(143,945)
Equity portion of convertible notes, net	191,946	0	0	191,946	0	0
Sale of Cheniere Holdings’ common shares to non-controlling interest	228,781	0	0	0	0	228,781
Distributions to non-controlling interest	(79,517)	0	0	0	0	(79,517)
Net loss	(547,932)	$ 0	$ 0	0	(547,932)	0
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End of Period at Dec. 31, 2014		236,745
Treasury Stock, Shares, End of Period at Dec. 31, 2014			10,596
Stockholders' Equity, End of Period at Dec. 31, 2014	2,501,517	$ 712	$ (292,752)	2,776,702	(2,648,839)	2,665,694
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options, shares		67	0
Exercise of stock options	2,279	$ 0	$ 0	2,279	0	0
Issuances of restricted stock, shares		19	0
Issuances of restricted stock	0	$ 0	$ 0	0	0	0
Forfeitures of restricted stock, shares		(156)	17
Forfeitures of restricted stock	0	$ (1)	$ 0	1	0	0
Share-based compensation	89,636	$ 0	$ 0	89,636	0	0
Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation, shares		(1,036)	1,036
Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation	(61,175)	$ (3)	$ (61,175)	3	0	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	1,524	0	0	1,524	0	0
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(122,206)	0	0	0	0	(122,206)
Equity portion of convertible notes, net	205,172	0	0	205,172	0	0
Distributions to non-controlling interest	(80,235)	0	0	0	0	(80,235)
Net loss	$ (975,109)	$ 0	$ 0	0	(975,109)	0
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End of Period at Dec. 31, 2015	235,639	235,639
Treasury Stock, Shares, End of Period at Dec. 31, 2015	11,649		11,649
Stockholders' Equity, End of Period at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 1,561,403	$ 708	$ (353,927)	3,075,317	(3,623,948)	2,463,253
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options, shares	2	2	0
Exercise of stock options	$ 50	$ 0	$ 0		0	0
Issuances of restricted stock, shares		273	0
Issuances of restricted stock	0	$ 1	$ 0	(1)	0	0
Issuance of stock to acquire additional interest in Cheniere Holdings, shares		3,011	0
Issuance of stock to acquire additional interest in Cheniere Holdings	0	$ 9	$ 0	93,566	0	(93,575)
Forfeitures of restricted stock, shares		(457)	26
Forfeitures of restricted stock	0	$ (2)	$ 0	2	0	0
Share-based compensation	40,696	$ 0	$ 0	40,696	0	0
Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation, shares		(508)	508
Shares repurchased related to share-based compensation	(20,397)	$ (2)	$ (20,397)	2	0	0
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(54,802)	0	0	0	0	(54,802)
Equity portion of convertible notes, net	1,492	0	0	1,492	0	0
Distributions to non-controlling interest	(80,055)	0	0	0	0	(80,055)
Net loss	$ (609,991)	$ 0	$ 0	0	(609,991)	0
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, End of Period at Dec. 31, 2016	237,960	237,960
Treasury Stock, Shares, End of Period at Dec. 31, 2016	12,183		12,183
Stockholders' Equity, End of Period at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 838,396	$ 714	$ (374,324)	$ 3,211,124	$ (4,233,939)	$ 2,234,821

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (664,793,000)	$ (1,097,315,000)	$ (691,877,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Non-cash LNG inventory write-downs	0	17,537,000	24,461,000
Depreciation and amortization expense	174,042,000	82,680,000	64,258,000
Share-based compensation expense	100,523,000	172,396,000	102,003,000
Non-cash interest expense	76,624,000	58,915,000	1,877,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs, deferred commitment fees, premium and discount	61,948,000	47,733,000	16,593,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	135,142,000	124,180,000	114,335,000
Total (gains) losses on derivatives, net	(28,232,000)	168,426,000	118,968,000
Net cash used for settlement of derivative instruments	(44,952,000)	(99,616,000)	(22,758,000)
Impairment expense	10,572,000	91,317,000	0
Other	6,502,000	959,000	14,037,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables	(207,470,000)	(662,000)	67,000
Inventory	(119,302,000)	(27,876,000)	(18,874,000)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	64,093,000	1,727,000	16,073,000
Deferred revenue	41,961,000	(3,986,000)	(3,938,000)
Other, net	(10,500,000)	(18,935,000)	1,977,000
Net cash used in operating activities	(403,842,000)	(482,520,000)	(262,798,000)
Cash flows from investing activities
Property, plant and equipment, net	(4,355,598,000)	(6,852,583,000)	(2,829,558,000)
Other	(57,813,000)	(131,128,000)	(66,862,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,413,411,000)	(6,983,711,000)	(2,896,420,000)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuances of debt	12,864,467,000	7,073,000,000	3,584,500,000
Repayments of debt	(7,670,712,000)	0	(177,000,000)
Debt issuance and deferred financing costs	(171,629,000)	(513,062,000)	(109,806,000)
Debt extinguishment costs	(14,149,000)	0	0
Distributions and dividends to non-controlling interest	(80,055,000)	(80,235,000)	(79,517,000)
Proceeds from sale of common shares by Cheniere Holdings	0	0	228,781,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	50,000	2,279,000	10,805,000
Payments related to tax withholdings for share-based compensation	(20,397,000)	(61,175,000)	(112,324,000)
Other	0	1,524,000	3,605,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	4,907,575,000	6,422,331,000	3,349,044,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	90,322,000	(1,043,900,000)	189,826,000
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period	1,736,231,000	2,780,131,000	2,590,305,000
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period	1,826,553,000	1,736,231,000	2,780,131,000
Balances per Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	875,836,000	1,201,112,000	1,747,583,000
Restricted cash	859,898,000	503,397,000	481,737,000
Non-current restricted cash	90,819,000	31,722,000	550,811,000
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 1,826,553,000	$ 1,736,231,000	$ 2,780,131,000

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Organization and Nature of Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Nature of Operations

ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Cheniere, a Delaware corporation, is a Houston-based energy company primarily engaged in LNG-related businesses. We own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana through our ownership interest in and management agreements with Cheniere Partners, which is a publicly traded limited partnership that we created in 2007. We own 100% of the general partner interest in Cheniere Partners and 82.6% of Cheniere Holdings, which is a publicly traded limited liability company formed in 2013 that owns a 55.9% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners. We are currently developing and constructing two natural gas liquefaction and export facilities.

The Sabine Pass LNG terminal is located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, on the Sabine-Neches Waterway less than four miles from the Gulf Coast. Cheniere Partners is developing, constructing and operating natural gas liquefaction facilities (the “SPL Project”) at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal adjacent to the existing regasification facilities through a wholly owned subsidiary, SPL. Cheniere Partners plans to construct up to six Trains, which are in various stages of development, construction and operations. Trains 1 and 2 have commenced operating activities, Train 3 is undergoing commissioning and has produced LNG, Trains 4 and 5 are under construction and Train 6 is fully permitted. Each Train is expected to have a nominal production capacity, which is prior to adjusting for planned maintenance, production reliability and potential overdesign, of approximately 4.5 mtpa of LNG. The Sabine Pass LNG terminal has operational regasification facilities owned by Cheniere Partners’ wholly owned subsidiary, SPLNG, that include existing infrastructure of five LNG storage tanks with capacity of approximately 16.9 Bcfe, two marine berths that can accommodate vessels with nominal capacity of up to 266,000 cubic meters and vaporizers with regasification capacity of approximately 4.0 Bcf/d. Cheniere Partners also owns a 94-mile pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with a number of large interstate pipelines (the “Creole Trail Pipeline”) through a wholly owned subsidiary, CTPL.

We are developing and constructing a second natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal, which is on nearly 2,000 acres of land that we own or control near Corpus Christi, Texas, and a pipeline facility (collectively, the “CCL Project”) through wholly owned subsidiaries CCL and CCP, respectively. The CCL Project is being developed for up to three Trains, with expected aggregate nominal production capacity, which is prior to adjusting for planned maintenance, production reliability and potential overdesign, of approximately 13.5 mtpa of LNG, three LNG storage tanks with capacity of approximately 10.1 Bcfe and two marine berths that can accommodate vessels with nominal capacity of up to 266,000 cubic meters. The CCL Project is being developed in stages. The first stage (“Stage 1”) is in construction and includes Trains 1 and 2, two LNG storage tanks, one complete marine berth and a second partial berth and all of the CCL Project’s necessary infrastructure facilities. The second stage (“Stage 2”), which is in development with all necessary regulatory approvals in place, includes Train 3, one LNG storage tank and the completion of the second partial berth. The CCL Project also includes a 23-mile natural gas supply pipeline that will interconnect the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with several interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines (the “Corpus Christi Pipeline”).

The CCL Stage III entities, our wholly owned subsidiaries, are also developing additional Trains and one LNG storage tank at the Corpus Christi LNG terminal adjacent to the CCL Project, along with a second natural gas pipeline.

Cheniere Marketing is engaged in the LNG and natural gas marketing business and is developing a portfolio of long- and medium-term SPAs. Cheniere Marketing has entered into SPAs with SPL and CCL to purchase, at Cheniere Marketing’s option, LNG produced by the SPL Project and the CCL Project.

We are also in various stages of developing other projects which, among other things, will require acceptable commercial and financing arrangements before we make a final investment decision (“FID”).

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cheniere, its majority owned subsidiaries and entities in which it holds a controlling interest, including the accounts of Cheniere Holdings and Cheniere Partners and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in non-controlled entities, over which Cheniere has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method. In applying the equity method of accounting, the investments are initially recognized at cost, and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of earnings, losses and distributions. Investments in non-controlled entities, over which Cheniere does not have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for using the cost method. Under the cost method the investments are initially recognized at cost and dividends received from the accumulated earnings of an investee are recorded as income. Dividends received in excess of the accumulated earnings of an investee are recorded as a reduction in the investment. We periodically assess our cost method investments for indicators of impairment. An impairment is recorded if an indicator is identified, the carrying value of our investment exceeds its fair value, and the impairment is considered to be other than temporary. Investments accounted for using the equity method and cost method are reported as a component of other assets.

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior period information to the current presentation.  The reclassifications had no effect on our overall consolidated financial position, operating results or cash flows.

In 2016, we started production at the SPL Project. As a result, we introduced a new line item entitled “cost of sales” and modified the components of activity included in “operating and maintenance expense” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. To conform to the new presentation, reclassifications were made to the prior periods. Cost of sales includes costs incurred directly for the production and delivery of LNG from the SPL Project such as natural gas feedstock, variable transportation and storage costs, derivative gains and losses associated with economic hedges to secure natural gas feedstock for the SPL Project, vessel chartering costs and other costs related to converting natural gas into LNG, all to the extent not utilized for the commissioning process. These costs were reclassified from operating and maintenance expense. Also included in cost of sales are purchase and delivery costs of our LNG and natural gas marketing business incurred by Cheniere Marketing. Operating and maintenance expense now primarily includes costs associated with operating and maintaining the SPL Project such as third-party service and maintenance contract costs, payroll and benefit costs of operations personnel, natural gas transportation and storage capacity demand charges, derivative gains and losses related to the sale and purchase of LNG associated with the regasification terminal, insurance and regulatory costs.

Additionally, we distinguished and reclassified our historical “LNG terminal revenues” line item into “regasification revenues” and “LNG revenues.” Regasification revenues include LNG regasification capacity reservation fees that are received pursuant to our TUAs and tug services fees that are received by Sabine Pass Tug Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SPLNG. LNG revenues include fees that are received pursuant to our SPAs and related LNG marketing activities.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, including those related to the value of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, collectability of accounts and notes receivable, derivative instruments, asset retirement obligations (“AROs”), income taxes including valuation allowances for net deferred tax assets, share-based compensation and fair value measurements. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ from these estimates.

Fair Value

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Hierarchy Levels 1, 2 and 3 are terms for the priority of inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Hierarchy Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Hierarchy Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. Hierarchy Level 3 inputs are inputs that are not observable in the market.

In determining fair value, we use observable market data when available, or models that incorporate observable market data. In addition to market information, we incorporate transaction-specific details that, in management’s judgment, market participants would take into account in measuring fair value. We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize our use of unobservable inputs in arriving at fair value estimates.

Recurring fair-value measurements are performed for derivative instruments as disclosed in Note 7—Derivative Instruments. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value. The fair value of debt is the estimated amount we would have to pay to repurchase our debt in the open market, including any premium or discount attributable to the difference between the stated interest rate and market interest rate at each balance sheet date. Debt fair values, as disclosed in Note 12—Debt, are based on quoted market prices for identical instruments, if available, or based on valuations of similar debt instruments using observable or unobservable inputs. Non-financial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value include certain assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination, intangible assets, goodwill and AROs.

Revenue Recognition

Fees received pursuant to SPAs are recognized as LNG revenues after substantial completion of the respective Train. Prior to substantial completion, sales generated during the commissioning phase are offset against the cost of construction for the respective Train, as the production and removal of LNG from storage is necessary to test the facility and bring the asset to the condition necessary for its intended use. LNG revenues are recognized when LNG is delivered to the counterparty, either at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal or at the counterparty’s LNG receiving terminal, based on the terms of the contract. LNG revenues generated by Cheniere Marketing are reported on a gross or net basis based on an assessment of whether it is acting as the principal or the agent in the transaction.

LNG regasification capacity reservation fees are recognized as regasification revenues over the term of the respective TUAs. Advance capacity reservation fees are initially deferred and amortized over a 10-year period as a reduction of a customer’s regasification capacity reservation fees payable under its TUA.  Under each of these TUAs, SPLNG is entitled to retain 2% of LNG delivered for each customer’s account at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, which is recognized as revenue as SPLNG performs the services set forth in each customer’s TUA.

LNG and Natural Gas Marketing

Historically, a portion of our LNG and natural gas marketing business activities was comprised of energy trading and risk management activities for trading purposes and we elected to present these activities on a net basis on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  These energy trading and risk management activities included, but were not limited to, the purchase of LNG and natural gas, transportation contracts and LNG trading derivative instruments.  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of funds that are contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal and have been presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Accounts and Notes Receivable

Accounts and notes receivable are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts. Notes receivable that are not classified as trade receivables are recorded within other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Impaired receivables are specifically identified and evaluated for expected losses.  The expected loss on impaired receivables is primarily determined based on the debtor’s ability to pay and the estimated value of any collateral.  We did not recognize any impairment expense related to accounts and notes receivable during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized bad debt expense of $36.2 million which was primarily attributable to a reserve against funds loaned to Parallax Enterprises, LLC, as further discussed in Note 19—Commitments and Contingencies. This charge was recorded as impairment expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Inventory

LNG and natural gas inventory are recorded at weighted average cost and materials and other inventory are recorded at cost. Inventory is subject to lower of cost or market (“LCM”) adjustments at the end of each period.  Our LCM adjustments primarily related to LNG inventory purchased to maintain the cryogenic readiness of the regasification facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal that are recorded in operating and maintenance expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Recoveries of losses resulting from interim period LCM adjustments are recorded when market price recoveries occur on the same inventory in the same fiscal year.  These recoveries are recognized as gains in later interim periods with such gains not exceeding previously recognized losses.  

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized zero, $17.5 million and $24.5 million, respectively, as operating and maintenance expense as a result of LCM adjustments primarily related to LNG inventory purchased to maintain the cryogenic readiness of the regasification facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.

Accounting for LNG Activities

Generally, we begin capitalizing the costs of our LNG terminals and related pipelines once the individual project meets the following criteria: (1) regulatory approval has been received, (2) financing for the project is available and (3) management has committed to commence construction. Prior to meeting these criteria, most of the costs associated with a project are expensed as incurred. These costs primarily include professional fees associated with front-end engineering and design work, costs of securing necessary regulatory approvals, and other preliminary investigation and development activities related to our LNG terminals and related pipelines.

Generally, costs that are capitalized prior to a project meeting the criteria otherwise necessary for capitalization include: land and lease option costs that are capitalized as property, plant and equipment and certain permits that are capitalized as other non-current assets. The costs of lease options are amortized over the life of the lease once obtained. If no lease is obtained, the costs are expensed.

We capitalize interest and other related debt costs during the construction period of our LNG terminals and related pipelines. Upon commencement of operations, capitalized interest, as a component of the total cost, is amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for construction and commissioning activities, major renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs and general and administrative activities are charged to expense as incurred. Interest costs incurred on debt obtained for the construction of property, plant and equipment are capitalized as construction-in-process over the construction period or related debt term, whichever is shorter. We depreciate our property, plant and equipment using the straight-line depreciation method. Upon retirement or other disposition of property, plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the account, and the resulting gains or losses are recorded in other operating costs and expenses.

Management tests property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment might not be recoverable. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets for purposes of assessing recoverability. Recoverability generally is determined by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the asset. If the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable, the amount of impairment loss is measured as the excess, if any, of the carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair value.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded $10.1 million of impairment expense related to corporate and other within our segment disclosures. This related to a corporate airplane that was written down to fair value based on market-based appraisals, which was ultimately sold by the end of the year. The impairment was recognized due to the potential disposition of the airplane in connection with the Company having initiated organizational changes and the associated operational focus for financially disciplined investment.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded, primarily in relation to a liquid hydrocarbon export project in Texas along the Gulf Coast, $55.1 million of impairment expense as a result of our strategic focus to complete construction and commence operation of the first five Trains of the SPL Project and the first two Trains of the CCL Project. This amount is included in impairment expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and relates to corporate and other within our segment disclosures. We did not record any impairment expense related to property, plant and equipment during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Regulated Natural Gas Pipelines

The Creole Trail Pipeline and Corpus Christi Pipeline are subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC in accordance with the Natural Gas Act of 1938 and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978. The economic effects of regulation can result in a regulated company recording as assets those costs that have been or are expected to be approved for recovery from customers, or recording as liabilities those amounts that are expected to be required to be returned to customers, in a rate-setting process in a period different from the period in which the amounts would be recorded by an unregulated enterprise. Accordingly, we record assets and liabilities that result from the regulated rate-making process that may not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. We continually assess whether regulatory assets are probable of future recovery by considering factors such as applicable regulatory changes and recent rate orders applicable to other regulated entities. Based on this continual assessment, we believe the existing regulatory assets are probable of recovery. These regulatory assets and liabilities are primarily classified in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as other assets and other liabilities. We periodically evaluate their applicability under GAAP and consider factors such as regulatory changes and the effect of competition. If cost-based regulation ends or competition increases, we may have to reduce our asset balances to reflect a market basis less than cost and write off the associated regulatory assets and liabilities. 

Items that may influence our assessment are:

• inability to recover cost increases due to rate caps and rate case moratoriums;  

• inability to recover capitalized costs, including an adequate return on those costs through the rate-making process and the FERC proceedings;  

• excess capacity;  

• increased competition and discounting in the markets we serve; and  

• impacts of ongoing regulatory initiatives in the natural gas industry.

Natural gas pipeline costs include amounts capitalized as an Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”). The rates used in the calculation of AFUDC are determined in accordance with guidelines established by the FERC. AFUDC represents the cost of debt and equity funds used to finance our natural gas pipeline additions during construction. AFUDC is capitalized as a part of the cost of our natural gas pipelines. Under regulatory rate practices, we generally are permitted to recover AFUDC, and a fair return thereon, through our rate base after our natural gas pipelines are placed in service.

Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to cash flow variability from interest rate, commodity price and foreign currency exchange (“FX”) rate risk. Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets or liabilities depending on the derivative position and the expected timing of settlement, unless they satisfy criteria and we elect the normal purchases and sales exception. When we have the contractual right and intend to net settle, derivative assets and liabilities are reported on a net basis.

Changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments are recorded in current earnings, unless we elect to apply hedge accounting and meet specified criteria, including completing contemporaneous hedge documentation. We did not have any derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. See Note 7—Derivative Instruments for additional details about our derivative instruments.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. We maintain cash balances at financial institutions, which may at times be in excess of federally insured levels. We have not incurred losses related to these balances to date.

The use of derivative instruments exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments. Our commodity derivative transactions are executed through over-the-counter contracts which are subject to nominal credit risk as these transactions are settled on a daily margin basis with investment grade financial institutions. Collateral deposited for such contracts is recorded as other current asset. Our interest rate and FX derivative instruments are placed with investment grade financial institutions whom we believe are acceptable credit risks. We monitor counterparty creditworthiness on an ongoing basis; however, we cannot predict sudden changes in counterparties’ creditworthiness. In addition, even if such changes are not sudden, we may be limited in our ability to mitigate an increase in counterparty credit risk. Should one of these counterparties not perform, we may not realize the benefit of some of our derivative instruments.

SPL has entered into six fixed price 20-year SPAs with six unaffiliated third parties. CCL has entered into eight fixed price 20-year SPAs with seven unaffiliated third parties. SPL and CCL are dependent on the respective counterparties’ creditworthiness and their willingness to perform under their respective SPAs. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we received 50% of our net LNG revenues from one SPA customer, which was generated by our LNG terminal segment.

SPLNG has entered into two long-term TUAs with unaffiliated third parties for regasification capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, which accounts for substantially all of the regasification revenues in our LNG terminal segment. SPLNG is dependent on the respective counterparties’ creditworthiness and their willingness to perform under their respective TUAs. SPLNG has mitigated this credit risk by securing TUAs for a significant portion of its regasification capacity with creditworthy third-party customers with a minimum Standard & Poor’s rating of AA.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of the assets of businesses acquired. The goodwill on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 is associated with our LNG terminal reporting unit. We determine our reporting units by identifying each unit that engaged in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, had operating results regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of resource allocation and performance assessment, and had discrete financial information.

Goodwill is assessed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that impairment of the carrying value of goodwill is likely, but no less often than annually. During the fourth quarters of 2016 and 2015, we performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill in accordance with guidance from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), which permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If we fail the qualitative test, then we must compare our estimate of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recorded, as necessary. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value, if any, of that goodwill. We determine the implied fair value of the goodwill in the same manner as determining the amount of goodwill to be recognized in a business combination.

We completed our annual assessment of goodwill impairment during the fourth quarters of 2016 and 2015, and the tests indicated no impairment. Our last quantitative assessment indicated that the reporting unit’s fair value substantially exceeded its carrying value. As discussed above regarding our use of estimates, our judgments and assumptions are inherent in our estimate of future cash flows used to determine the estimate of the reporting unit’s fair value. The use of alternate judgments and/or assumptions could result in the recognition of impairment charges in the Consolidated Financial Statements. A lower fair value estimate in the future for our LNG terminal reporting unit could result in an impairment of goodwill. Factors that could trigger a lower fair value estimate include significant negative industry or economic trends, cost increases, disruptions to our business, regulatory or political environment changes or other unanticipated events.

Debt

Our debt consists of current and long-term secured debt securities, convertible debt securities and credit facilities with banks and other lenders.  Debt issuances are placed directly by us or through securities dealers or underwriters and are held by institutional and retail investors.

Debt is recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at par value adjusted for unamortized discount or premium and net of unamortized debt issuance costs related to term notes. Discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs directly related to the issuance of debt are amortized over the life of the debt and are recorded in interest expense, net of capitalized interest using the effective interest method. Gains and losses on the extinguishment of debt are recorded in gains and losses on the extinguishment of debt on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Debt issuance costs consist primarily of arrangement fees, professional fees, legal fees and printing costs. These costs are recorded as a direct deduction from the debt liability unless incurred in connection with a line of credit arrangement, in which case they are presented as an asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense or property, plant and equipment over the term of the related debt facility. Upon early retirement of debt or amendment to a debt agreement, certain fees are written off to loss on early extinguishment of debt.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We recognize AROs for legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset and for conditional AROs in which the timing or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within our control. The fair value of a liability for an ARO is recognized in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying amount is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. Our assessment of AROs is described below.

We have not recorded an ARO associated with the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Based on the real property lease agreements at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, at the expiration of the term of the leases we are required to surrender the LNG terminal in good working order and repair, with normal wear and tear and casualty expected. Our property lease agreements at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal have terms of up to 90 years including renewal options. We have determined that the cost to surrender the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in good order and repair, with normal wear and tear and casualty expected, is zero.

We have not recorded an ARO associated with the Creole Trail Pipeline. We believe that it is not feasible to predict when the natural gas transportation services provided by the Creole Trail Pipeline will no longer be utilized. In addition, our right-of-way agreements associated with the Creole Trail Pipeline have no stipulated termination dates. We intend to operate the Creole Trail Pipeline as long as supply and demand for natural gas exists in the United States and intend to maintain it regularly.

Share-based Compensation

We have awarded share-based compensation in the form of stock, restricted stock, stock options and phantom units that are more fully described in Note 15—Share-based Compensation. We recognize share-based compensation at fair value on the date of grant. The fair value is recognized as expense (net of any capitalization) over the requisite service period. For equity-classified share-based compensation awards (which include stock, restricted stock to employees and non-employee directors and stock options), compensation cost is recognized based on the grant-date fair value using the quoted market price of our common stock and not subsequently remeasured. The fair value is recognized as expense (net of any capitalization) using the straight-line basis for awards that vest based on service conditions and using the accelerated recognition method for awards that vest based on performance conditions. We estimate the service periods for performance awards utilizing a probability assessment based on when we expect to achieve the performance conditions. For liability-classified share-based compensation awards (which include restricted stock to non-employees and phantom units), compensation cost is initially recognized on the grant date using estimated payout levels. Compensation cost is subsequently adjusted quarterly to reflect the updated estimated payout levels based on the changes in the Company’s stock price.

Non-controlling Interests

When we consolidate a subsidiary, we include 100% of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the subsidiary in our Consolidated Financial Statements, even if we own less than 100% of the subsidiary. Non-controlling interests represent third-party ownership in the net assets of our consolidated subsidiaries and are presented as a component of equity. Changes in our ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in deconsolidation are recognized within equity. See Note 10—Non-controlling Interest for additional details about our non-controlling interest.

Income Taxes

Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred taxes on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the current period’s provision for income taxes. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying value of our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will expire before realization of the benefit or future deductibility is not probable. A valuation allowance equal to our federal and state net deferred tax asset balance has been established due to the uncertainty of realizing the tax benefits related to our federal and state net deferred tax assets.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the tax position.

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per share (“EPS”) is computed in accordance with GAAP. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and were dilutive. The dilutive effect of stock options and unvested stock is calculated using the treasury-stock method and the dilutive effect of convertible securities is calculated using the if-converted method. Basic and diluted EPS for all periods presented are the same since the effect of our options and unvested stock is anti-dilutive to our net loss per share, as disclosed in Note 17—Net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders.

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Restricted Cash

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Restricted Cash

RESTRICTED CASH

Restricted cash consists of funds that are contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal and have been presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, restricted cash consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Current restricted cash
SPLNG debt service and interest payment	$	—	$	77,415
SPL Project	357,953		189,260
CTPL construction and interest payment	—		7,882
CQP and cash held by guarantor subsidiaries	246,991		—
CCL Project	197,201		46,770
Cash held by our subsidiaries restricted to Cheniere	219		147,138
Other	57,534		34,932
Total current restricted cash	$	859,898	$	503,397
Non-current restricted cash
SPLNG debt service	$	—	$	13,650
CCL Project	73,339		—
Other	17,480		18,072
Total non-current restricted cash	$	90,819	$	31,722

In February 2016, Cheniere Partners entered into the $2.8 billion credit facilities (the “2016 CQP Credit Facilities”). Cheniere Partners, as well as Cheniere Investments, SPLNG and CTPL as Cheniere Partners’ guarantor subsidiaries, are subject to limitations on the use of cash under the terms of the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities and the related depositary agreement governing the extension of credit to Cheniere Partners. Specifically, Cheniere Partners, Cheniere Investments, SPLNG and CTPL may only withdraw funds from collateral accounts held at a designated depositary bank on a monthly basis and for specific purposes, including for the payment of operating expenses. In addition, distributions and capital expenditures may only be made quarterly and are subject to certain restrictions.

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Accounts and Other Receivables

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Accounts and Other Receivables

ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, accounts and other receivables consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Trade receivables
SPL	$	87,555	$	—
Cheniere Marketing	120,751		—
SPLNG	396		—
Other accounts receivable	9,223		5,749
Total accounts and other receivables	$	217,925	$	5,749

Pursuant to the accounts agreement entered into with the collateral trustee for the benefit of SPL’s debt holders, SPL is required to deposit all cash received into reserve accounts controlled by the collateral trustee.  The usage or withdrawal of such cash is restricted to the payment of liabilities related to the SPL Project and other restricted payments.

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Inventory

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventory

INVENTORY

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Natural gas	$	14,755	$	5,724
LNG	50,318		5,148
LNG in-transit	57,822		—
Materials and other	37,266		7,253
Total inventory	$	160,161	$	18,125

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Property, Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consists of LNG terminal costs and fixed assets and other, as follows (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016			2015
LNG terminal costs
LNG terminal	$	7,973,741		$	2,487,759
LNG terminal construction-in-process	12,995,056			13,875,204
LNG site and related costs, net	40,951			33,512
Accumulated depreciation	(554,672		)	(413,545		)
Total LNG terminal costs, net	20,455,076			15,982,930
Fixed assets and other
Computer and office equipment	12,513			12,153
Furniture and fixtures	17,393			17,101
Computer software	85,164			69,340
Leasehold improvements	47,129			40,136
Land	60,582			60,612
Other	21,960			49,376
Accumulated depreciation	(64,523		)	(37,741		)
Total fixed assets and other, net	180,218			210,977
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	20,635,294		$	16,193,907

Depreciation expense during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $172.6 million, $82.4 million and $64.2 million, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we realized offsets to LNG terminal costs of $214.3 million that was related to the sale of commissioning cargoes because this amount was earned prior to the start of commercial operations, during the testing phase for the construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project.

LNG Terminal Costs

The Sabine Pass LNG terminal is depreciated using the straight-line depreciation method applied to groups of LNG terminal assets with varying useful lives. The identifiable components of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with similar estimated useful lives have a depreciable range between 6 and 50 years, as follows:

Components	Useful life (yrs)
LNG storage tanks	50
Natural gas pipeline facilities	40
Marine berth, electrical, facility and roads	35
Regasification processing equipment	30
Sendout pumps	20
Liquefaction processing equipment	6-50
Other	15-30

Fixed Assets and Other

Our fixed assets and other are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line method based on estimated lives of the individual assets or groups of assets.

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Derivative Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

We have entered into the following derivative instruments that are reported at fair value:

• interest rate swaps to hedge the exposure to volatility in a portion of the floating-rate interest payments under certain of our credit facilities (“Interest Rate Derivatives”);

• commodity derivatives to hedge the exposure to price risk attributable to future: (1) sales of our LNG inventory and (2) purchases of natural gas to operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal (“Natural Gas Derivatives”);

• commodity derivatives consisting of natural gas supply contracts for the commissioning and operation of the SPL Project(“Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”) and associated economic hedges (“Financial Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”, and collectively with the Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives, the “Liquefaction Supply Derivatives”);

• financial derivatives to hedge the exposure to the commodity markets in which we have contractual arrangements to purchase or sell physical LNG (“LNG Trading Derivatives”); and

• FX contracts to hedge exposure to currency risk associated with operations in countries outside of the United States (“FX Derivatives”).

None of our derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedging instruments, and changes in fair value are recorded within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value of our derivative instruments that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, which are classified as derivative assets, non-current derivative assets, derivative liabilities or non-current derivative liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

	Fair Value Measurements as of
	December 31, 2016											December 31, 2015
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives liability	$	—		$	(6,224	)	$	—	$	(6,224	)	$	—	$	(8,740	)	$	—	$	(8,740	)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives asset	—			13,108			—		13,108			—		—			—		—
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives liability	—			(86,488		)	—		(86,488		)	—		(104,999		)	—		(104,999		)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives asset (liability)	(4,483		)	(1,474		)	79,022		73,065			—		(25		)	32,492		32,467
LNG Trading Derivatives asset (liability)	2,512			(5,309		)	—		(2,797		)	—		1,053			—		1,053
Natural Gas Derivatives liability	—			—			—		—			—		(66		)	—		(66		)
FX Derivatives asset	—			168			—		168			—		—			—		—

We value our Interest Rate Derivatives using valuations based on the initial trade prices. Using an income-based approach, subsequent valuations are based on observable inputs to the valuation model including interest rate curves, risk adjusted discount rates, credit spreads and other relevant data. The estimated fair values of our economic hedges related to the LNG Trading Derivatives and our Natural Gas Derivatives are the amounts at which the instruments could be exchanged currently between willing parties. We value these derivatives using observable commodity price curves and other relevant data. We estimate the fair values of our FX Derivatives with a market approach using observable FX rates and other relevant data.

The fair value of substantially all of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives is developed through the use of internal models which are impacted by inputs that are unobservable in the marketplace. As a result, the fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives is designated as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. The curves used to generate the fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives are based on basis adjustments applied to forward curves for a liquid trading point. In addition, there may be observable liquid market basis information in the near term, but terms of a particular Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives contract may exceed the period for which such information is available, resulting in a Level 3 classification. In these instances, the fair value of the contract incorporates extrapolation assumptions made in the determination of the market basis price for future delivery periods in which applicable commodity basis prices were either not observable or lacked corroborative market data. Internal fair value models include conditions precedent to the respective long-term natural gas supply contracts. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, some of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives existed within markets for which the pipeline infrastructure is under development to accommodate marketable physical gas flow. Accordingly, our internal fair value models are based on market prices that equate to our own contractual pricing due to: (1) the inactive and unobservable market and (2) conditions precedent and their impact on the uncertainty in the timing of our actual receipt of the physical volumes associated with each forward. The fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives is predominantly driven by market commodity basis prices and our assessment of the associated conditions precedent, including evaluating whether the respective market is available as pipeline infrastructure is developed. Upon the completion and placement into service of relevant pipeline infrastructure to accommodate marketable physical gas flow, we recognize a gain or loss based on the fair value of the respective natural gas supply contracts as of the reporting date.

As all of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives are either purely index-priced or index-priced with a fixed basis, we do not believe that a significant change in market commodity prices would have a material impact on our Level 3 fair value measurements. The following table includes quantitative information for the unobservable inputs for our Level 3 Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives as of December 31, 2016:

	Net Fair Value Asset (in thousands)	Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Input	Significant Unobservable Inputs Range
Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	$79,022	Income Approach	Basis Spread	$(0.260) - $(0.003)

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value of our Level 3 Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
Balance, beginning of period	$	32,492		$	342
Realized and mark-to-market gains:
Included in cost of sales (1)	48,218			32,150
Purchases and settlements:
Purchases	538			—
Settlements (1)	(2,226		)	—
Transfers out of Level 3	—			—
Balance, end of period	$	79,022		$	32,492
Change in unrealized gains relating to instruments still held at end of period	$	48,938		$	32,150

(1) Does not include the decrease in fair value of $0.7 million related to the realized gains capitalized during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Derivative assets and liabilities arising from our derivative contracts with the same counterparty are reported on a net basis, as all counterparty derivative contracts provide for net settlement. The use of derivative instruments exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments in instances when our derivative instruments are in an asset position. Our derivative instruments are subject to contractual provisions which provide for the unconditional right of set-off for all derivative assets and liabilities with a given counterparty in the event of default.

Interest Rate Derivatives

SPL Interest Rate Derivatives

SPL has entered into interest rate swaps (“SPL Interest Rate Derivatives”) to protect against volatility of future cash flows and hedge a portion of the variable interest payments on the credit facilities it entered into in June 2015 (the “2015 SPL Credit Facilities”). The SPL Interest Rate Derivatives hedge a portion of the expected outstanding borrowings over the term of the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities.

In March 2015, SPL settled a portion of the SPL Interest Rate Derivatives and recognized a derivative loss of $34.7 million within our Consolidated Statements of Operations in conjunction with the termination of approximately $1.8 billion of commitments under the previous credit facilities.

CQP Interest Rate Derivatives

In March 2016, Cheniere Partners entered into interest rate swaps (“CQP Interest Rate Derivatives”) to protect against volatility of future cash flows and hedge a portion of the variable interest payments on the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities. The CQP Interest Rate Derivatives hedge a portion of the expected outstanding borrowings over the term of the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities.

CCH Interest Rate Derivatives

CCH has entered into interest rate swaps (“CCH Interest Rate Derivatives”) to protect against volatility of future cash flows and hedge a portion of the variable interest payments on its credit facility (the “2015 CCH Credit Facility”). The CCH Interest Rate Derivatives hedge a portion of the expected outstanding borrowings over the term of the 2015 CCH Credit Facility. The CCH Interest Rate Derivatives have a seven-year term and were contingent upon reaching an FID with respect to the CCL Project, which was reached in May 2015. Upon meeting the contingency related to the CCH Interest Rate Derivatives in May 2015, we paid $50.1 million related to contingency and syndication premiums, which is included in derivative loss, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As of December 31, 2016, we had the following Interest Rate Derivatives outstanding:

	Initial Notional Amount	Maximum Notional Amount	Effective Date	Maturity Date	Weighted Average Fixed Interest Rate Paid	Variable Interest Rate Received
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives	$20.0 million	$628.8 million	August 14, 2012	July 31, 2019	1.98%	One-month LIBOR
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives	$225.0 million	$1.3 billion	March 22, 2016	February 29, 2020	1.19%	One-month LIBOR
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives	$28.8 million	$5.5 billion	May 20, 2015	May 31, 2022	2.29%	One-month LIBOR

The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value and location of our Interest Rate Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	December 31, 2016												December 31, 2015
	SPL Interest Rate Derivatives			CQP Interest Rate Derivatives			CCH Interest Rate Derivatives			Total			SPL Interest Rate Derivatives			CQP Interest Rate Derivatives		CCH Interest Rate Derivatives			Total
Balance Sheet Location
Non-current derivative assets	$	—		$	16,073		$	—		$	16,073		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
Derivative liabilities	(4,223		)	(2,965		)	(43,383		)	(50,571		)	(5,940		)	—		(28,559		)	(34,499		)
Non-current derivative liabilities	(2,001		)	—			(43,105		)	(45,106		)	(2,800		)	—		(76,440		)	(79,240		)
Total derivative liabilities	(6,224		)	(2,965		)	(86,488		)	(95,677		)	(8,740		)	—		(104,999		)	(113,739		)
Derivative asset (liability), net	$	(6,224	)	$	13,108		$	(86,488	)	$	(79,604	)	$	(8,740	)	$	—	$	(104,999	)	$	(113,739	)

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value and settlements of our Interest Rate Derivatives recorded in derivative loss, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives loss	$	(5,934	)	$	(41,722	)	$	(119,401	)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives gain	11,478			—			—
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives loss	(15,571		)	(161,917		)	—

Commodity Derivatives

Liquefaction Supply Derivatives

SPL has entered into index-based physical natural gas supply contracts and associated economic hedges to purchase natural gas for the commissioning and operation of the SPL Project. The terms of the physical natural gas supply contracts primarily range from approximately one to seven years and commence upon the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, including but not limited to the date of first commercial delivery of specified Trains of the SPL Project. We recognize our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. Changes in the fair value of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives are reported in earnings. As of December 31, 2016, SPL has secured up to approximately 1,993.9 millionMMBtu of natural gas feedstock through natural gas supply contracts. The notional natural gas position of our Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives was approximately 1,111.4 millionMMBtu as of December 31, 2016.

Our Financial Liquefaction Supply Derivatives are executed through over-the-counter contracts which are subject to nominal credit risk as these transactions are settled on a daily margin basis with investment grade financial institutions. We are required by these financial institutions to use margin deposits as credit support for our Financial Liquefaction Supply Derivatives activities. The notional natural gas position of our Financial Liquefaction Supply Derivatives was approximately 5.6 millionMMBtu as of December 31, 2016.

LNG Trading Derivatives

As of December 31, 2016, we have entered into certain LNG Trading Derivatives representing a long position of 0.2 million MMBtu, and we may from time to time enter into certain financial derivatives in the form of swaps, forwards, options or futures to economically hedge exposure to the commodity markets in which we have contractual arrangements to purchase or sell physical LNG. We have entered into LNG Trading Derivatives to secure a fixed price position to minimize future cash flow variability associated with such LNG transactions.

Natural Gas Derivatives

Our Natural Gas Derivatives were executed through over-the-counter contracts which were subject to nominal credit risk as these transactions settled on a daily margin basis with investment grade financial institutions. We were required by these financial institutions to use margin deposits as credit support for our Natural Gas Derivatives activities. As of December 31, 2016, we did not have any open Natural Gas Derivatives positions or margin deposits at financial institutions.

We recognize all commodity derivative instruments, including our Liquefaction Supply Derivatives, LNG Trading Derivatives and Natural Gas Derivatives(collectively, “Commodity Derivatives”), as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value.  Changes in the fair value of our Commodity Derivatives are reported in earnings.

The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value and location of our Commodity Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	December 31, 2016											December 31, 2015
	Liquefaction Supply Derivatives (1)			LNG Trading Derivatives (2)			Natural Gas Derivatives		Total			Liquefaction Supply Derivatives			LNG Trading Derivatives (2)			Natural Gas Derivatives (3)			Total
Balance Sheet Location
Derivative assets	$	13,535		$	6,471		$	—	$	20,006		$	2,737		$	640		$	—		$	3,377
Non-current derivative assets	66,788			—			—		66,788			30,304			583			—			30,887
Total derivative assets	80,323			6,471			—		86,794			33,041			1,223			—			34,264
Derivative liabilities	(7,258		)	(9,268		)	—		(16,526		)	(490		)	(107		)	(66		)	(663		)
Non-current derivative liabilities	—			—			—		—			(84		)	(63		)	—			(147		)
Total derivative liabilities	(7,258		)	(9,268		)	—		(16,526		)	(574		)	(170		)	(66		)	(810		)
Derivative asset (liabilities), net	$	73,065		$	(2,797	)	$	—	$	70,268		$	32,467		$	1,053		$	(66	)	$	33,454

(1) Does not include collateral of $6.0 million deposited for such contracts, which is included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016.

(2) Does not include collateral of $10.4 million and $11.0 million deposited for such contracts, which are included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

(3) Does not include collateral of $5.5 million deposited for such contracts, which is included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015.

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value, settlements and location of our Commodity Derivatives recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

		Year Ended December 31,
	Statement of Operations Location (1)	2016			2015			2014
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives loss	LNG revenues (losses)	$	(8	)	$	—		$	—
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives gain (2)	Cost (cost recovery) of sales	(42,172		)	(32,503		)	(342		)
LNG Trading Derivatives gain (loss)	LNG revenues (losses)	(3,580		)	1,053			—
Natural Gas Derivatives loss	LNG revenues (losses)	(5		)	(407		)	(1,298		)
Natural Gas Derivatives gain	Operating and maintenance expense	(174		)	(2,065		)	(1,389		)

(1) Fair value fluctuations associated with commodity derivative activities are classified and presented consistently with the item economically hedged and the nature and intent of the derivative instrument.

(2)    Does not include the realized value associated with derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery.

The use of Commodity Derivatives exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments in instances when our Commodity Derivatives are in an asset position.

FX Derivatives

Cheniere Marketing has entered into FX Derivatives to protect against the volatility in future cash flows attributable to changes in international currency exchange rates. The FX Derivatives economically hedge the foreign currency exposure arising from cash flows expended for both physical and financial LNG transactions and selling, general and administrative expenses related to operations in countries outside of the United States. The total notional amount of our FX Derivatives was $10.8 million as of December 31, 2016.

The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value and location of our FX Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

		Fair Value Measurements as of
	Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
FX Derivatives	Derivative assets	$	3,744		$	—
FX Derivatives	Derivative liabilities	(3,576		)	—

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value of our FX Derivatives recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

		Year Ended December 31,
	Statement of Operations Location	2016			2015		2014
FX Derivatives gain	LNG revenues (losses)	$	118		$	—	$	—
FX Derivatives loss	Derivative loss, net	(103		)	—		—
FX Derivatives loss	Other income (expense)	(509		)	—		—

Balance Sheet Presentation

Our derivative instruments are presented on a net basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as described above. The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value of our derivatives outstanding on a gross and net basis:

	Gross Amounts Recognized			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Offsetting Derivative Assets (Liabilities)
As of December 31, 2016
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives	$	(6,229	)	$	5		$	(6,224	)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives	16,073			—			16,073
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives	(3,020		)	55			(2,965		)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives	(95,923		)	9,435			(86,488		)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	82,116			(1,793		)	80,323
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	(11,078		)	3,820			(7,258		)
LNG Trading Derivatives	21,363			(14,892		)	6,471
LNG Trading Derivatives	(17,049		)	7,781			(9,268		)
FX Derivatives	5,112			(1,368		)	3,744
FX Derivatives	(3,625		)	49			(3,576		)
As of December 31, 2015
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives	$	(8,740	)	$	—		$	(8,740	)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives	(104,999		)	—			(104,999		)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	33,636			(595		)	33,041
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	(574		)	—			(574		)
LNG Trading Derivatives	1,922			(699		)	1,223
LNG Trading Derivatives	(2,826		)	2,656			(170		)
Natural Gas Derivatives	188			(254		)	(66		)

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Other Non-Current Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]

Other Non-Current Assets

OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, other non-current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Advances made under EPC and non-EPC contracts	$	69,207	$	83,579
Advances made to municipalities for water system enhancements	98,903		89,953
Advances and other asset conveyances to third parties to support LNG terminals	52,674		41,610
Tax-related payments and receivables	31,181		31,712
Equity method investments	10,097		20,295
Cost method investments	4,994		—
Other	35,019		47,306
Total other non-current assets, net	$	302,075	$	314,455

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Variable Interest Entity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Variable Interest Entity [Abstract]

Variable Interest Entity

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY

On January 1, 2016, we adopted ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This guidance changed (1) the identification of variable interests, (2) the variable interest entity characteristics for a limited partnership or similar entity and (3) the primary beneficiary determination.

Cheniere Holdings

Cheniere Holdings is a limited liability company formed by us in 2013 to hold our Cheniere Partners limited partner interests. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we owned 82.6% and 80.1%, respectively, of Cheniere Holdings as well as the director voting share. The director voting share is the sole share entitled to vote in the election of Cheniere Holdings’ board of directors and allows us to remove members of the board of directors at any time and for any reason. If we cease to own greater than 25% of the common shares of Cheniere Holdings or if we choose to relinquish the director voting share, the director voting share will be extinguished.

The board of directors makes all major operating and financial decisions on behalf of Cheniere Holdings. Because ownership of the director voting share allows us to control Cheniere Holdings, irrespective of our majority ownership interest, and the director voting share cannot be removed from our control by the other equity holders of Cheniere Holdings, we have determined that Cheniere Holdings is now a variable interest entity. However, this determination has not changed the consolidation of Cheniere Holdings as we have determined that we are its primary beneficiary. Therefore, the determination that Cheniere Holdings is now a variable interest entity had no impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cheniere Partners

Cheniere Partners is a limited partnership formed by us in 2006 to own and operate the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and related assets. As of December 31, 2016, we owned 82.6% of Cheniere Holdings, which owns a 55.9% limited partner interest in Cheniere Partners in the form of 12.0 million common units, 45.3 million Class B units and 135.4 million subordinated units. We also own 100% of the general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights in Cheniere Partners.

Cheniere Partners GP, our wholly owned subsidiary, is the general partner of Cheniere Partners. In 2012, Cheniere Partners, Cheniere and Blackstone CQP Holdco LP (“Blackstone CQP Holdco”) entered into a unit purchase agreement (the “Blackstone Unit Purchase Agreement”) whereby Cheniere Partners sold 100.0 millionClass B units of Cheniere Partners (“Class B units”) to Blackstone CQP Holdco in a private placement. The board of directors of Cheniere Partners GP was modified to include three directors appointed by Blackstone CQP Holdco, four directors appointed by us and four independent directors mutually agreed upon by Blackstone CQP Holdco and us and appointed by us. In addition, we provided Blackstone CQP Holdco with a right to maintain one board seat on our Board of Directors (our “Board”). A quorum of Cheniere Partners GP directors consists of a majority of all directors, including at least two directors appointed by Blackstone CQP Holdco, two directors appointed by us and two independent directors. Blackstone CQP Holdco will no longer be entitled to appoint Cheniere Partners GP directors in the event that Blackstone CQP Holdco’s ownership in Cheniere Partners is less than: (1) 20% of outstanding common units, subordinated units and Class B units, and (2) 50.0 millionClass B units.

As a result of contractual changes in the governance of Cheniere Partners GP in connection with the Blackstone Unit Purchase Agreement, we have determined that Cheniere Partners GP is a variable interest entity and that we, as the holder of the equity at risk, do not have a controlling financial interest due to the rights held by Blackstone CQP Holdco. However, we continue to consolidate Cheniere Partners as a result of Blackstone CQP Holdco’s right to maintain one board seat on our Board which creates a de facto agency relationship between Blackstone CQP Holdco and us. GAAP requires that when a de facto agency relationship exists, one of the members of the de facto agency relationship must consolidate the variable interest entity based on certain criteria. As a result, we consolidate Cheniere Partners in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Non-Controlling Interest

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Non-Controlling Interest

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

Cheniere Holdings was formed by us in 2013 to hold our Cheniere Partners limited partner interests. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, our ownership interest in Cheniere Holdings was 82.6% and 80.1%, respectively, with the remaining non-controlling interest held by the public. In December 2016, we increased our ownership percentage of Cheniere Holdings by acquiring additional publicly-owned shares of Cheniere Holdings in exchange with unregistered shares of our common stock.

Our ownership of Cheniere Partners interests is further discussed in Note 9—Variable Interest Entity.

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Accrued Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]

Accrued Liabilities

ACCRUED LIABILITIES

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): 

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Interest costs and related debt fees	$	273,053	$	159,968
Compensation and benefits	55,980		99,511
LNG terminals and related pipeline costs	283,820		149,677
Other accrued liabilities	24,244		18,043
Total accrued liabilities	$	637,097	$	427,199

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Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

DEBT

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, our debt consisted of the following (in thousands): 

	December 31,
	2016			2015
Long-term debt:
SPLNG
6.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (“2020 SPLNG Senior Notes”)	$	—		$	420,000
SPL
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (“2021 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized premium of $7,181 and $8,718	2,007,181			2,008,718
6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (“2022 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,000,000			1,000,000
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (“2023 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized premium of $5,657 and $6,392	1,505,657			1,506,392
5.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (“2024 SPL Senior Notes”)	2,000,000			2,000,000
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (“2025 SPL Senior Notes”)	2,000,000			2,000,000
5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (“2026 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,500,000			—
5.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (“2027 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,500,000			—
2015 SPL Credit Facilities	314,000			845,000
CTPL
$400.0 million Term Loan Facility (“CTPL Term Loan”), net of unamortized discount of zero and $1,429	—			398,571
Cheniere Partners
2016 CQP Credit Facilities	2,560,000			—
CCH
7.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (“2024 CCH Senior Notes”)	1,250,000			—
5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (“2025 CCH Senior Notes”)	1,500,000			—
2015 CCH Credit Facility	2,380,788			2,713,000
CCH HoldCo II
11.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (“2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes”)	1,171,008			1,050,588
Cheniere
4.875% Convertible Unsecured Notes due 2021 (“2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $146,467 and $174,095	959,577			879,938
4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2045 (“2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $316,875 and $319,062	308,125			305,938
Unamortized debt issuance costs (1)	(268,804		)	(207,718		)
Total long-term debt, net	21,687,532			14,920,427
Current debt:
7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (“2016 SPLNG Senior Notes”), net of unamortized discount of zero and $4,303	—			1,661,197
$1.2 billion SPL Working Capital Facility (“SPL Working Capital Facility”)	223,500			15,000
$350 million CCH Working Capital Facility (“CCH Working Capital Facility”)	—			—
Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities	23,967			—
Unamortized debt issuance costs (1)	—			(2,818		)
Total current debt, net	247,467			1,673,379
Total debt, net	$	21,934,999		$	16,593,806

(1) Effective January 1, 2016, we adopted ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15, which require debt issuance costs related to term notes to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability, rather than as an asset, retrospectively for each reporting period presented. As a result, we reclassified $207.7 million and $2.8 million from debt issuance costs, net to long-term debt, net and current debt, net, respectively, as of December 31, 2015.

Below is a schedule of future principal payments that we are obligated to make, based on current construction schedules, on our outstanding debt at December 31, 2016 (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Principal Payments
2017	$	247,467
2018	—
2019	—
2020	2,874,000
2021	5,486,831
Thereafter	14,046,008
Total	$	22,654,306

Senior Notes

SPLNG Senior Notes

In November 2016, SPLNG repaid the 2016 SPLNG Senior Notes and redeemed all of the outstanding 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes at a price equal to 103.250% of the principal amount of the 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes.

SPL Senior Notes

The terms of the 2021 SPL Senior Notes, 2022 SPL Senior Notes, 2023 SPL Senior Notes, 2024 SPL Senior Notes, 2025 SPL Senior Notes, 2026 SPL Senior Notes and the 2027 SPL Senior Notes(collectively, the “SPL Senior Notes”) are governed by a common indenture (the “SPL Indenture”), and interest on the SPL Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. The SPL Indenture contains customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit SPL’s ability and the ability of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock, make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; purchase, redeem or retire capital stock; sell or transfer assets, including capital stock of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries; restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; incur liens; enter into transactions with affiliates; consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of SPL’s assets; and enter into certain LNG sales contracts. See Note 23—Subsequent Events for additional information regarding covenants under the SPL Indenture. Subject to permitted liens, the SPL Senior Notes are secured on a pari passu first-priority basis by a security interest in all of the membership interests in SPL and substantially all of SPL’s assets. SPL may not make any distributions until, among other requirements, deposits are made into debt service reserve accounts as required and a debt service coverage ratio for the prior 12-month period and a projected debt service coverage ratio for the upcoming 12-month period of 1.25:1.00 are satisfied.

At any time prior to three months before the respective dates of maturity for each series of the SPL Senior Notes (except for the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and 2027 SPL Senior Notes, in which case the time period is six months before the respective dates of maturity), SPL may redeem all or part of such series of the SPL Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the “make-whole” price set forth in the SPL Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. SPL may also, at any time within three months of the respective maturity dates for each series of the SPL Senior Notes (except for the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and 2027 SPL Senior Notes, in which case the time period is six months before the respective dates of maturity), redeem all or part of such series of the SPL Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such series of the SPL Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

In connection with the issuance of the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and the 2027 SPL Senior Notes, SPL entered into registration rights agreements (the “SPL Registration Rights Agreements”). Under the terms of the SPL Registration Rights Agreements, SPL has agreed, and any future guarantors will agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective registration statements relating to offers to exchange any and all of the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and 2027 SPL Senior Notes for like aggregate principal amounts of debt securities of SPL with terms identical in all material respects to the respective senior notes sought to be exchanged (other than with respect to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate), within 360 days after June 14, 2016 and September 23, 2016, respectively. Under specified circumstances, SPL has also agreed, and any future guarantors will also agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective shelf registration statements relating to resales of the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and the 2027 SPL Senior Notes. SPL will be obligated to pay additional interest on these senior notes if it fails to comply with its obligation to register them within the specified time period.

CCH Senior Notes

In May and December 2016, CCH issued aggregate principal amounts of $1.25 billion of the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and $1.5 billion of the 2025 CCH Senior Notes(collectively, the “CCH Senior Notes”), respectively. The CCH Senior Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed by its subsidiaries, CCL, CCP and Corpus Christi Pipeline GP, LLC (“CCP GP”, and collectively with CCL and CCP, the “CCH Guarantors”). The indenture governing the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and the 2025 CCH Senior Notes(the “CCH Indenture”) contains customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit CCH’s ability and the ability of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on membership interests or subordinated indebtedness or purchase, redeem or retire membership interests; sell or transfer assets, including membership or partnership interests of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries; restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries to CCH or any of CCH’s restricted subsidiaries; incur liens; enter into transactions with affiliates; dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of the properties or assets of CCH and its restricted subsidiaries taken as a whole; or permit any CCH Guarantor to dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets. Interest on the CCH Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears.

At any time prior to six months before the respective dates of maturity for each series of the CCH Senior Notes, CCH may redeem all or part of such series of the CCH Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the “make-whole” price set forth in the CCH Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. CCH also may at any time within six months of the respective dates of maturity for each series of the CCH Senior Notes, redeem all or part of such series of the CCH Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the CCH Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

In connection with the closing of the sale of the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and 2025 CCH Senior Notes, CCH and the CCH Guarantors entered into Registration Rights Agreements (the “CCH Registration Rights Agreements”). Under the terms of the CCH Registration Rights Agreements, CCH and the CCH Guarantors have agreed, and any future guarantors of the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and 2025 CCH Senior Notes will agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC and cause to become effective a registration statement relating to offers to exchange any and all of the CCH Senior Notes for like aggregate principal amounts of debt securities of CCH with terms identical in all material respects to the respective CCH Senior Notes sought to be exchanged (other than with respect to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate) within 360 days after May 18, 2016 and December 9, 2016, respectively. Under specified circumstances, CCH and the CCH Guarantors have also agreed, and any future guarantors of the CCH Senior Notes will also agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to resales of the CCH Senior Notes. CCH will be obligated to pay additional interest if it fails to comply with its obligation to register the CCH Senior Notes within the specified time period.

Credit Facilities

Below is a summary of our credit facilities outstanding as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

	2015 SPL Credit Facilities		SPL Working Capital Facility		2016 CQP Credit Facilities		2015 CCH Credit Facility		CCH Working Capital Facility
Original facility size	$	4,600,000	$	1,200,000	$	2,800,000	$	8,403,714	$	350,000
Outstanding balance	314,000		223,500		2,560,000		2,380,788		—
Commitments prepaid or terminated	2,643,867		—		—		2,420,212		—
Letters of credit issued	—		323,677		45,000		—		—
Available commitment	$	1,642,133	$	652,823	$	195,000	$	3,602,714	$	350,000
Interest rate	LIBOR plus 1.30% - 1.75% or base rate plus 1.75%		LIBOR plus 1.75% or base rate plus 0.75%		LIBOR plus 2.25% or base rate plus 1.25% (1)		LIBOR plus 2.25% or base rate plus 1.25% (2)		LIBOR plus 1.50% - 2.0% or base rate plus 0.50% - 1.00%
Maturity date	Earlier of December 31, 2020 or second anniversary of SPL Trains 1 through 5 completion date		December 31, 2020, with various terms for underlying loans		February 25, 2020, with principals due quarterly commencing on February 19, 2019		Earlier of May 13, 2022 or second anniversary of CCL Trains 1 and 2 completion date		December 14, 2021, with various terms for underlying loans

(1) There is a 0.50% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans beginning on February 25, 2019.

(2) There is a 0.25% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans following completion of the first two Trains of the CCL Project.

2015 SPL Credit Facilities

In June 2015, SPL entered into the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities with commitments aggregating $4.6 billion. The 2015 SPL Credit Facilities are being used to fund a portion of the costs of developing, constructing and placing into operation Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project. Borrowings under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities may be refinanced, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty; however, interest rate hedging and interest rate breakage costs may be incurred.

During 2016, in conjunction with the issuance of the 2026 SPL Senior Notes and the 2027 SPL Senior Notes, SPL prepaid outstanding borrowings and terminated commitments under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities for approximately $2.6 billion. These prepayments and termination of commitments resulted in a write-off of debt issuance costs and payment of fees associated with the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities of $52.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Loans under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to, at SPL’s election, LIBOR or the base rate plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans ranges from 1.30% to 1.75%, depending on the applicable 2015 SPL Credit Facility, and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 1.75%. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each LIBOR period and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end of each quarter. In addition, SPL is required to pay insurance/guarantee premiums of 0.45% per annum on any drawn amounts under the covered tranches of the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities. The 2015 SPL Credit Facilities also require SPL to pay a quarterly commitment fee calculated at a rate per annum equal to either: (1) 40% of the applicable margin, multiplied by the average daily amount of the undrawn commitment or (2) 0.70% of the undrawn commitment, depending on the applicable 2015 SPL Credit Facility. The principal of the loans made under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities must be repaid in quarterly installments, commencing with the earlier of June 30, 2020 and the last day of the first full calendar quarter after the completion date of Trains 1 through 5 of the SPL Project. Scheduled repayments are based upon an 18-year amortization profile, with the remaining balance due upon the maturity of the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities.

The 2015 SPL Credit Facilities contain conditions precedent for borrowings, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of SPL under the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities are secured by substantially all of the assets of SPL as well as all of the membership interests in SPL on a pari passu basis with the SPL Senior Notes and the SPL Working Capital Facility.

Under the terms of the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, SPL is required to hedge not less than 65% of the variable interest rate exposure of its projected outstanding borrowings, calculated on a weighted average basis in comparison to its anticipated draw of principal. Additionally, SPL may not make any distributions until certain conditions have been met, including that deposits are made into debt service reserve accounts and a debt service coverage ratio test of 1.25:1.00 is satisfied.

SPL Working Capital Facility

In September 2015, SPL entered into the SPL Working Capital Facility, which is intended to be used for loans to SPL (“SPL Working Capital Loans”), the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of SPL, as well as for swing line loans to SPL (“SPL Swing Line Loans”), primarily for certain working capital requirements related to developing and placing into operation the SPL Project. SPL may, from time to time, request increases in the commitments under the SPL Working Capital Facility of up to $760.0 million and, upon the completion of the debt financing of Train 6 of the SPL Project, request an incremental increase in commitments of up to an additional $390 million.

Loans under the SPL Working Capital Facility accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to LIBOR or the base rate (equal to the highest of the senior facility agent’s published prime rate, the federal funds effective rate, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, plus 0.50% and one month LIBOR plus 0.50%), plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans under the SPL Working Capital Facility is 1.75% per annum, and the applicable margin for base rate loans under the SPL Working Capital Facility is 0.75% per annum. Interest on SPL Swing Line Loans and loans deemed made in connection with a draw upon a letter of credit (“SPL LC Loans”) is due and payable on the date the loan becomes due. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each applicable LIBOR period, and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end of each fiscal quarter. However, if such base rate loan is converted into a LIBOR loan, interest is due and payable on that date. Additionally, if the loans become due prior to such periods, the interest also becomes due on that date.

SPL pays (1) a commitment fee equal to an annual rate of 0.70% on the average daily amount of the excess of the total commitment amount over the principal amount outstanding without giving effect to any outstanding SPL Swing Line Loans and (2) a letter of credit fee equal to an annual rate of 1.75% of the undrawn portion of all letters of credit issued under the SPL Working Capital Facility. If draws are made upon a letter of credit issued under the SPL Working Capital Facility and SPL does not elect for such draw (an “SPL LC Draw”) to be deemed an SPL LC Loan, SPL is required to pay the full amount of the SPL LC Draw on or prior to the business day following the notice of the SPL LC Draw. An SPL LC Draw accrues interest at an annual rate of 2.0% plus the base rate. As of December 31, 2016, noSPL LC Draws had been made upon any letters of credit issued under the SPL Working Capital Facility.

The SPL Working Capital Facility matures on December 31, 2020, and the outstanding balance may be repaid, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty upon three business days’ notice. SPL LC Loans have a term of up to one year. SPL Swing Line Loans terminate upon the earliest of (1) the maturity date or earlier termination of the SPL Working Capital Facility, (2) the date 15 days after such SPL Swing Line Loan is made and (3) the first borrowing date for a SPL Working Capital Loan or SPL Swing Line Loan occurring at least three business days following the date the SPL Swing Line Loan is made. SPL is required to reduce the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all SPL Working Capital Loans to zero for a period of five consecutive business days at least once each year.

The SPL Working Capital Facility contains conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of SPL under the SPL Working Capital Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of SPL as well as all of the membership interests in SPL on a pari passu basis with the SPL Senior Notes and the 2015 SPL Credit Facilities.

2016 CQP Credit Facilities

In February 2016, Cheniere Partners entered into the $2.8 billion2016 CQP Credit Facilities, which consist of: (1) a $450.0 million CTPL tranche term loan that was used to prepay the $400.0 millionCTPL Term Loan in February 2016, (2) an approximately $2.1 billion SPLNG tranche term loan that was used to repay and redeem the approximately $2.1 billion of the 2016 SPLNG Senior Notes and 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes in November 2016, (3) a $125.0 million debt service reserve credit facility (the “DSR Facility”) that may be used to satisfy a six-month debt service reserve requirement and (4) a $115.0 million revolving credit facility that may be used for general business purposes.

The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to LIBOR or the base rate (equal to the highest of the prime rate, the federal funds effective rate, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, plus 0.50% and adjusted one month LIBOR plus 1.0%), plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR loans is 2.25% per annum, and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 1.25% per annum, in each case with a 0.50% step-up beginning on February 25, 2019. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each applicable LIBOR period (and at the end of every three month period within the LIBOR period, if any), and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end of each calendar quarter.

Cheniere Partners incurred $73.1 million of debt issuance costs related to the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities during the year ended December 31, 2016. The prepayment of the CTPL Term Loan and the redemption of the 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes resulted in a write-off of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs and redemption premium of $19.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. Cheniere Partners pays a commitment fee equal to an annual rate of 40% of the margin for LIBOR loans multiplied by the average daily amount of the undrawn commitment, payable quarterly in arrears. The DSR Facility and the revolving credit facility are both available for the issuance of letters of credit, which incur a fee equal to an annual rate of 2.25% of the undrawn portion with a 0.50% step-up beginning on February 25, 2019.

The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities mature on February 25, 2020, and the outstanding balance may be repaid, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, except for interest hedging and interest rate breakage costs. The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities contain conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants and limit Cheniere Partners’ ability to make restricted payments, including distributions, to once per fiscal quarter as long as certain conditions are satisfied. Under the terms of the 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, Cheniere Partners is required to hedge not less than 50% of the variable interest rate exposure on its projected aggregate outstanding balance, maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15x at the end of each fiscal quarter beginning March 31, 2019 and have a projected debt service coverage ratio of 1.55x in order to incur additional indebtedness to refinance a portion of the existing obligations.

The 2016 CQP Credit Facilities are unconditionally guaranteed by each subsidiary of Cheniere Partners other than SPL, certain of the subsidiaries of Cheniere Partners owning other development projects, as well as certain other specified subsidiaries and members of the foregoing entities.

2015 CCH Credit Facility

In May 2015, CCH entered into the 2015 CCH Credit Facility, which is being used to fund a portion of the costs associated with the development, construction, operation and maintenance of Stage 1 of the CCL Project. Borrowings under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility may be refinanced, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty; however, interest rate hedging and interest rate breakage costs may be incurred. In conjunction with the issuance of the 2024 CCH Senior Notes and 2025 CCH Senior Notes, CCH prepaid approximately $2.4 billion of outstanding borrowings under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility. These prepayments resulted in a write-off of debt issuance costs associated with the 2015 CCH Credit Facility of $63.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.

The principal of the loans made under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility must be repaid in quarterly installments, commencing on the earlier of (1) the first quarterly payment date occurring more than three calendar months following project completion and (2) a set date determined by reference to the date under which a certain LNG buyer linked to Train 2 of the CCL Project is entitled to terminate its SPA for failure to achieve the date of first commercial delivery for that agreement. Scheduled repayments will be based upon a 19-year tailored amortization, commencing the first full quarter after the project completion and designed to achieve a minimum projected fixed debt service coverage ratio of 1.55:1.

Loans under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to, at CCH’s election, LIBOR or the base rate, plus the applicable margin. The applicable margins for LIBOR loans are 2.25% prior to completion of Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project and 2.50% on completion and thereafter. The applicable margins for base rate loans are 1.25% prior to completion Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project and 1.50% on completion and thereafter. Interest on LIBOR loans is due and payable at the end of each applicable interest period and interest on base rate loans is due and payable at the end of each quarter. The 2015 CCH Credit Facility also requires CCH to pay a commitment fee at a rate per annum equal to 40% of the margin for LIBOR loans, multiplied by the outstanding undrawn debt commitments.

The obligations of CCH under the 2015 CCH Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of CCH and its subsidiaries and by a pledge by CCH HoldCo I of its limited liability company interests in CCH.

Under the terms of the 2015 CCH Credit Facility, CCH is required to hedge not less than 65% of the variable interest rate exposure of its senior secured debt. CCH is restricted from making distributions under agreements governing its indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, the completion of the construction of Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project, funding of a debt service reserve account equal to six months of debt service and achieving a historical debt service coverage ratio and fixed projected debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25:1.00.

CCH Working Capital Facility

In December 2016, CCH entered into the $350 millionCCH Working Capital Facility, which is intended to be used for loans to CCH (“CCH Working Capital Loans”), the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of CCH, as well as for swing line loans to CCH (“CCH Swing Line Loans”) for certain working capital requirements related to developing and placing into operation the CCL Project. Loans under the CCH Working Capital Facility are guaranteed by the CCH Guarantors. CCH may, from time to time, request increases in the commitments under the CCH Working Capital Facility of up to the maximum allowed under the Common Terms Agreement that was entered in concurrently with the 2015 CCH Credit Facility.

Loans under the CCH Working Capital Facility, including CCH Working Capital Loans, CCH Swing Line Loans and loans made in connection with a draw upon any letter of credit (“CCH LC Loans” and collectively, the “Revolving Loans”) accrue interest at a variable rate per annum equal to LIBOR or the base rate (equal to the highest of (1) the federal funds rate, plus 0.50%, (2) the prime rate, and (3) one month LIBOR plus 0.50%), plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR Revolving Loans ranges from 1.50% to 2.0% per annum, and the applicable margin for base rate Revolving Loans ranges from 0.50% to 1.00% per annum. Interest on CCH Working Capital Loans, CCH Swing Line Loans and CCH LC Loans is due and payable on the date the loan becomes due. Interest on LIBOR Revolving Loans is due and payable at the end of each LIBOR period, and interest on base rate Revolving Loans is due and payable at the end of each quarter.

CCH incurred $8.0 million of debt issuance costs related to the CCH Working Capital Facility during the year ended December 31, 2016. CCH pays (1) a commitment fee equal to an annual rate of 40% of the applicable margin for LIBOR Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of the excess of the total commitment amount over the principal amount outstanding without giving effect to any outstanding CCH Swing Line Loans, (2) a letter of credit fee equal to an annual rate equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR Revolving Loans on the undrawn portion of all letters of credit issued under the CCH Working Capital Facility, and (3) a letter of credit fronting fee equal to an annual rate of 0.20% of the undrawn portion of all letters of credit. Each of these fees is payable quarterly in arrears.

If draws are made upon a letter of credit issued under the CCH Working Capital Facility and CCH does not elect for such draw (a “CCH LC Draw”) to be deemed a CCH LC Loan, CCH is required to pay the full amount of the CCH LC Draw on or prior to the business day following the notice of the CCH LC Draw. A CCH LC Draw accrues interest at an annual rate of 2.0% plus the base rate.

The CCH Working Capital Facility matures on December 14, 2021, and CCH may prepay the Revolving Loans at any time without premium or penalty upon three business days’ notice and may re-borrow at any time. CCH LC Loans have a term of up to one year. CCH Swing Line Loans terminate upon the earliest of (1) the maturity date or earlier termination of the CCH Working Capital Facility, (2) the date that is 15 days after such CCH Swing Line Loan is made and (3) the first borrowing date for a CCH Working Capital Loan or CCH Swing Line Loan occurring at least four business days following the date the CCH Swing Line Loan is made. CCH is required to reduce the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all CCH Working Capital Loans to zero for a period of five consecutive business days at least once each year.

The CCH Working Capital Facility contains conditions precedent for extensions of credit, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The obligations of CCH under the CCH Working Capital Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of CCH and the CCH Guarantors as well as all of the membership interests in CCH and each of the CCH Guarantors on a pari passu basis with the CCH Senior Notes and the 2015 CCH Credit Facility.

Convertible Notes

Below is a summary of our convertible notes outstanding as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

	2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes			2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes			2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes
Aggregate original principal	$	1,000,000		$	1,000,000		$	625,000
Debt component, net of discount	$	959,577		$	1,171,008		$	308,125
Equity component	$	204,529		$	—		$	194,082
Maturity date	May 28, 2021			March 1, 2025			March 15, 2045
Contractual interest rate	4.875		%	11.0		%	4.25		%
Effective interest rate	8.3		%	11.9		%	9.4		%
Remaining debt discount and debt issuance costs amortization period (1)	4.4 years			3.8 years			28.2 years

(1) We amortize any debt discount and debt issuance costs using the effective interest over the period through contractual maturity except for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes, which are amortized through the date they are first convertible by holders into our common stock.

2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes

In November 2014, we issued the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes on a private placement basis in reliance on the exemption from registration provided for under section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation S promulgated thereunder. The 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.875% per annum, which is payable in kind semi-annually in arrears by increasing the principal amount of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes outstanding. Beginning one year after the closing date, the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes will be convertible at the option of the holder into our common stock at the then applicable conversion rate, provided that the closing price of our common stock is greater than or equal to the conversion price on the conversion date. The initial conversion price was $93.64 and is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events. We have the option to satisfy the conversion obligation with cash, common stock or a combination thereof.

Under GAAP, certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion are required to be separately accounted for as liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer’s non-convertible debt borrowing rate. We determined that the fair value of the debt component was $808.8 million and the residual value of the equity component was $191.2 million as of the issuance date. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying value of the equity component was $204.5 million and $203.0 million, respectively. The debt component is accreted to the total principal amount due at maturity by amortizing the debt discount. The effective rate of interest to amortize the debt discount was approximately 8.3% and 9.6% as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, the if-converted value of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes did not exceed the principal balance.

2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes

In May 2015, CCH HoldCo II issued the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes on a private placement basis in reliance on the exemption from registration provided for under section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes were issued pursuant to the amended and restated note purchase agreement entered into among CCH HoldCo II, EIG Management Company, LLC, The Bank of New York Mellon, the Company and the note purchasers. The $1.0 billion principal of the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes will be used to partially fund costs associated with Stage 1 of the CCL Project. The 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 11.0% per annum, which is payable quarterly in arrears. Prior to the substantial completion of Train 2 of the CCL Project, interest on the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes will be paid entirely in kind. Following this date, the interest generally must be paid in cash; however, a portion of the interest may be paid in kind under certain specified circumstances. The 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes are secured by a pledge by us of 100% of the equity interests in CCH HoldCo II, and a pledge by CCH HoldCo II of 100% of the equity interests in CCH HoldCo I.

At CCH HoldCo II’s option, the outstanding 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes are convertible into our common stock, provided the total market capitalization of Cheniere at that time is not less than $10.0 billion, on or after the later of (1) 58 months from May 1, 2015, and (2) the substantial completion of Train 2 of the CCL Project (the “Eligible Conversion Date”). The conversion price for 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes converted at CCH HoldCo II’s option is the lower of (1) a 10% discount to the average of the daily volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of our common stock for the 90 trading day period prior to the date on which notice of conversion is provided, and (2) a 10% discount to the closing price of our common stock on the trading day preceding the date on which notice of conversion is provided. At the option of the holders, the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes are convertible on or after the six-month anniversary of the Eligible Conversion Date, provided the total market capitalization of Cheniere at that time is not less than $10.0 billion, at a conversion price equal to the average of the daily VWAP of our common stock for the 90 trading day period prior to the date on which notice of conversion is provided. Conversions are also subject to various limitations and conditions.

CCH HoldCo II is restricted from making distributions to Cheniere under agreements governing its indebtedness generally until, among other requirements, Trains 1 and 2 of the CCL Project are in commercial operation and a historical debt service coverage ratio and a projected fixed debt services coverage ratio of 1.20:1.00 are achieved.

2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes

In March 2015, we issued the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes to certain investors through a registered direct offering. The 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes were issued with an original issue discount of 20% and accrue interest at a rate of 4.25% per annum, which is payable semi-annually in arrears. We have the right, at our option, at any time after March 15, 2020, to redeem all or any part of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes at a redemption price payable in cash equal to the accreted amount of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to such redemption date. The conversion rate will initially equal 7.2265 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, which corresponds to an initial conversion price of approximately $138.38 per share of our common stock. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events. We have the option to satisfy the conversion obligation with cash, common stock or a combination thereof.

We determined that the fair value of the debt component of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes was $304.3 million and the residual value of the equity component was $195.7 million as of the issuance date, excluding debt issuance costs. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying value of the equity component, net of debt issuance costs, was $194.1 million and $194.0 million, respectively. The debt component is accreted to the total principal amount due at maturity by amortizing the debt discount. The effective rate of interest to amortize the debt discount was approximately 9.4% as of both December 31, 2016 and 2015. As of December 31, 2016, the if-converted value of the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes did not exceed the principal balance.

Interest Expense

Total interest expense, including interest expense related to our convertible notes, consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Interest cost on convertible notes:
Interest per contractual rate	$	201,752		$	145,848		$	4,469
Amortization of debt discount	31,310			28,347			2,328
Amortization of debt issuance costs	5,240			2,989			4
Total interest cost related to convertible notes	238,302			177,184			6,801
Interest cost on debt excluding convertible notes	1,062,887			820,309			580,235
Total interest cost	1,301,189			997,493			587,036
Capitalized interest	(812,799		)	(675,410		)	(405,800		)
Total interest expense, net	$	488,390		$	322,083		$	181,236

Fair Value Disclosures

The following table (in thousands) shows the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our debt:

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Senior Notes, net of premium or discount (1)	$	14,262,838	$	15,210,299	$	10,596,307	$	9,525,809
CTPL Term Loan, net of discount (2)	—		—		398,571		400,000
Credit facilities (2) (3)	5,502,255		5,502,255		3,573,000		3,573,000
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes, net of discount (4)	959,577		983,384		879,938		825,413
2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes (4)	1,171,008		1,327,818		1,050,588		914,363
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, net of discount (5)	308,125		375,250		305,938		331,919

(1) Includes 2016 SPLNG Senior Notes, 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes, SPL Senior Notes and CCH Senior Notes(collectively, the “Senior Notes”). The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotes obtained from broker-dealers or market makers of the Senior Notes and other similar instruments.

(2) The Level 3 estimated fair value approximates the principal amount because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and the debt may be repaid, in full or in part, at any time without penalty. 

(3) Includes 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, SPL Working Capital Facility, 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, 2015 CCH Credit Facility, CCH Working Capital Facility and Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities.

(4) The Level 3 estimated fair value was calculated based on inputs that are observable in the market or that could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data, including our stock price and interest rates based on debt issued by parties with comparable credit ratings to us and inputs that are not observable in the market. 

(5) The Level 1 estimated fair value was based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical liabilities that we had the ability to access at the measurement date.

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Restructuring Expense

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring Expense

RESTRUCTURING EXPENSE

During 2015 and 2016, we initiated and implemented certain organizational changes to simplify our corporate structure, improve our operational efficiencies and implement a strategy for sustainable, long-term stockholder value creation through financially disciplined development, construction, operation and investment.  As a result of these efforts, we recorded $61.4 million and $60.8 million of restructuring charges and other costs associated with restructuring and operational efficiency initiatives during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, for which the majority of these charges required, or will require, cash expenditure. Included in these amounts are $46.9 million and $57.9 million for share-based compensation during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  All charges were recorded within the line item entitled “restructuring expense” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and substantially all related to severance and other employee-related costs. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $6.1 million and $33.0 million, respectively, of accrued restructuring charges and other costs that were recorded as part of accrued liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Operational efficiency initiatives are ongoing but are substantially complete as of December 31, 2016.

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

INCOME TAXES

Income tax benefit (provision) included in our reported net loss consisted of the following (in thousands): 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Current:
Federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
State	—			—			—
Foreign	(54		)	(1,970		)	(4,143		)
Total current	(54		)	(1,970		)	(4,143		)
Deferred:
Federal	—			—			—
State	—			—			—
Foreign	(1,854		)	2,066			—
Total deferred	(1,854		)	2,066			—
Total income tax benefit (provision)	$	(1,908	)	$	96		$	(4,143	)

The reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to our effective income tax rate is as follows: 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
U.S. federal statutory tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Non-controlling interest	(2.1	)%	(2.3	)%	(4.8	)%
State tax rate	1.8	%	1.9	%	4.3	%
Uncertain tax position	—	%	—	%	(12.5	)%
Net impact of non-U.S. taxes	(1.2	)%	(1.3	)%	(2.0	)%
Valuation allowance	(27.5	)%	(30.1	)%	(19.8	)%
Nondeductible interest expense	(6.6	)%	(2.6	)%	—	%
Other	0.3	%	(0.5	)%	(0.6	)%
Effective tax rate as reported	(0.3	)%	0.1	%	(0.4	)%

Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows (in thousands): 

	December 31,
	2016			2015
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss carryforwards and credits
Federal and foreign	$	1,060,026		$	862,218
State	183,153			166,321
Book deferred gain	77,182			77,182
Share-based compensation expense	52,727			71,693
Property, plant and equipment	—			12,957
Derivative instruments	46,754			54,052
Long-term debt	17,676			8,725
Other	13,511			5,641
Less: valuation allowance	(1,251,959		)	(1,070,309		)
Total deferred tax assets	199,070			188,480
Deferred tax liabilities
Investment in limited partnership	(76,265		)	(57,466		)
Convertible debt	(118,341		)	(128,948		)
Property, plant and equipment	(4,464		)	—
Total deferred tax liabilities	(199,070		)	(186,414		)
Net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	2,066

The federal deferred tax assets presented above do not include the state tax benefits as our net deferred state tax assets are offset with a full valuation allowance.

At December 31, 2016, we had federal and state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $3.8 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively. These NOL carryforwards will expire between 2025 and 2036.

Due to our history of NOLs, current year NOLs and significant risk factors related to our ability to generate taxable income, we have established a valuation allowance to offset our deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.  We will continue to evaluate our ability to release the valuation allowance in the future. The increase in the valuation allowance was $181.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are classified as non-current in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Changes in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows (in thousands): 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of the year	$	103,640		$	104,491
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	—			—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—			—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(728		)	(851		)
Settlements	—			—
Balance at end of the year	$	102,912		$	103,640

Our effective tax rate will not be affected if the unrecognized federal income tax benefits provided above were recognized. Currently, we do not recognize any accrued liabilities, interest and penalties associated with the unrecognized tax benefits provided above in our Consolidated Statements of Operations or our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as part of income tax expense.

We experienced an ownership change within the provisions of Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 382 in 2008, 2010 and 2012. An analysis of the annual limitation on the utilization of our NOLs was performed in accordance with IRC Section 382. It was determined that IRC Section 382 will not limit the use of our NOLs in full over the carryover period. We will continue to monitor trading activity in our shares which may cause an additional ownership change which could ultimately affect our ability to fully utilize our existing NOL carryforwards.

We are subject to tax in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. We remain subject to periodic audits and reviews by taxing authorities; however, we do not expect these audits will have a material effect on our tax provision. The federal tax returns for the years after 2012 remain open for examination. Tax authorities may have the ability to review and adjust net operating loss or tax credit carryforwards that were generated prior to these periods if utilized in an open tax year.

Accounting for share-based compensation provides that when settlement of a share based award contributes to an NOL carryforward, neither the associated excess tax benefit nor the credit to additional paid-in capital (“APIC”) should be recorded until the share-based award deduction reduces income tax payable. Upon utilization of the loss in future periods, a benefit of $177.3 million will be reflected in APIC, or as income tax expense upon adoption of ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.

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Share-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

We have granted stock, restricted stock, phantom units and options to purchase common stock to employees, outside directors and a consultant under the Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2003 Plan”), 2011 Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2011 Plan”), the 2015 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) and the 2015 Employee Inducement Incentive Plan (the “Inducement Plan”).

The 2003 Plan and 2011 Plan provide for the issuance of 21.0 million shares and 35.0 million shares, respectively, of our common stock that may be in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, purchased stock, restricted (non-vested) stock, bonus (unrestricted) stock, stock appreciation rights, phantom units and other share-based performance awards deemed by the Compensation Committee of our Board(the “Compensation Committee”) to be consistent with the purposes of the 2003 Plan and 2011 Plan. As of December 31, 2016, all of the shares under the 2003 Plan have been granted and 26.5 million shares, net of cancellations, have been granted under the 2011 Plan. See Note 23—Subsequent Events for information regarding the approval of additional awards under the 2011 Plan. The 2015 Plan generally provides for cash-settled awards in the form of stock appreciation rights, phantom unit awards, performance unit awards, other-stock based awards and cash awards. As of December 31, 2016, 6.7 million phantom units have been granted under the 2015 Plan. The Inducement Plan initially provided for the issuance of up to 1.0 million shares of our common stock in the form of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, phantom stock awards and other stock-based awards deemed by the Compensation Committee to provide us with an opportunity to attract employees. As of December 31, 2016, 0.2 million shares of restricted stock have been granted under the Inducement Plan. In December 2016, the Compensation Committee recommended, and our Board approved, reducing the remaining shares available for issuance under the Inducement Plan to zero.

In August 2012, the Compensation Committee granted the Long-Term Commercial Bonus Awards for Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project, which consisted of approximately $60 million in cash awards and 10 million restricted shares of common stock under the 2011 Plan. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the final 25% of the restricted stock awards granted under this award vested.

In February 2013, the Compensation Committee granted the Long-Term Commercial Bonus Awards related to Trains 3 and 4 of the SPL Project under the 2003 Plan and 2011 Plan. A portion of each employee’s Long-Term Commercial Bonus Award for Trains 3 and 4 of the SPL Project was granted as a stock price award (“Stock Price Award”), with vesting of the Stock Price Award conditional on the achievement of minimum average Company stock price hurdles, and a portion was granted as a milestone award (“Milestone Award”), with vesting of the Milestone Award conditional on certain performance milestones relating to financing and constructing Trains 3 and 4 of the SPL Project. As of December 31, 2016, 100% of the Stock Price Awards had vested and 50% of the Milestone Awards had vested. The remaining 20% and 30% of Milestone Awards will vest upon substantial completion of Train 4 of the SPL Project, as defined in the EPC contract for Trains 3 and 4 of the SPL Project, and on the first anniversary thereof, respectively.

In April 2015, the Compensation Committee recommended and our Board approved the 2014-2018 Long-Term Cash Incentive Program (the “2014-2018 LTIP”) under the 2015 Plan. The 2014-2018 LTIP consists of phantom units settled in cash with five consecutive annual performance periods commencing on November 1 and ending on October 31 of each year from November 1, 2013 through October 31, 2018. Awards under the 2014-2018 LTIP are subject to a three-year vesting schedule, with one-third of the phantom units vesting and becoming payable on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of the grant (except for the initial grant for the 2014 performance period, which was subject to a three-year vesting schedule ending on February 1, 2016, 2017 and 2018). The Compensation Committee recommended and our Board approved the termination of the 2014-2018 LTIP in October 2016.

Total share-based compensation expense consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Total share-based compensation	$	116,835		$	195,308		$	110,229
Capitalized share-based compensation	(16,312		)	(22,912		)	(8,226		)
Total share-based compensation expense	$	100,523		$	172,396		$	102,003

The total unrecognized compensation cost at December 31, 2016 relating to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements was $125.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years.

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized share-based compensation expense of $5.6 million, zero and $10.8 million, respectively, related to the modification of awards resulting from employee terminations.

We have disclosed the deferred tax benefit realized from share-based compensation exercised during the annual period in Note 14—Income Taxes. A valuation allowance equal to the deferred tax asset has been established due to the uncertainty of realizing the tax benefits related to this deferred tax asset.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock awards are awards of common stock that are subject to restrictions on transfer and to a risk of forfeiture if the recipient terminates employment with the Company prior to the lapse of the restrictions. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we issued 273,000 shares, 19,000 shares and 550,000 shares, respectively, of restricted stock awards to our employees, executives, directors and a consultant. These awards vest based on service conditions (one, three or four-year service periods), performance conditions and/or market conditions. The amortization of the value of restricted stock grants is accounted for as a charge to compensation expense or capitalized, depending on the nature of services provided by the employee, with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in-capital over the requisite service period.

Grants of restricted stock to employees and non-employee directors that vest based on service and/or performance conditions are measured at the closing quoted market price of our common stock on the grant date. For restricted stock awards granted to non-employees that vest based on service and/or performance conditions, we record compensation cost equal to the fair value of the award at the measurement date, which is determined to be the earlier of the performance commitment date or the service completion date. In addition, compensation cost for unvested restricted stock awards to non-employees is adjusted quarterly for any changes in our stock price.

The table below provides a summary of our restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2016 (in thousands, except for per share information):

	Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at January 1, 2016	7,536		$	22.80
Granted	273		34.41
Vested	(1,701	)	21.37
Forfeited	(457	)	23.00
Non-vested at December 31, 2016	5,651		$	24.12

The weighted average grant date fair value per share of restricted stock granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $34.41, $70.43 and $60.09, respectively. The total grant date fair value of restricted stock vested during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $36.3 million, $50.2 million and $84.0 million, respectively.

Phantom Units

Phantom units are share-based awards granted to employees over a vesting period that entitle the grantee to receive the cash equivalent to the value of a share of our common stock upon each vesting. Phantom units are not eligible to receive quarterly distributions. We initially measure compensation cost based on our stock price on the grant date, which is included in accrued liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and is adjusted quarterly for any changes in our stock price and period of service rendered. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we granted 1.8 million, 5.9 million and 0.1 million phantom units, respectively, to employees, of which 3.9 million and 4.7 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The value of phantom units vested during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $78.3 million and $50.0 million, respectively of which $1.1 million and $45.4 million was recorded as part of accrued liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. There were no vestings of phantom units during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Stock Options

Stock options to employees are valued at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model and the cost is recognized over the option vesting period. We did not issue any options to purchase shares of our common stock and did not declare dividends on our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. 

The table below provides a summary of our options outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2016:

	Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(in thousands)				(in years)	(in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2016	27		$	39.88	0.27	$	—
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(2	)	33.39
Forfeited or Expired	(25	)	40.27
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	—		$	—	—	$	—
Exercisable at December 31, 2016	—		$	—	—	$	—

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $17,000, $2.7 million and $11.9 million, respectively. We received $0.1 million, $2.3 million and $10.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

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Employee Benefit Plan

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plan

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

We have a defined contribution plan (“401(k) Plan”) which allows eligible employees to contribute up to 100% of their compensation up to the IRS maximum. We match each employee’s salary deferrals (contributions) up to 6% of compensation and may make additional contributions at our discretion. Employees are immediately vested in the contributions made by us. Our contributions to the 401(k) Plan were $6.3 million, $4.9 million and $3.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We have made no discretionary contributions to the 401(k) Plan to date.

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Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

The following table (in thousands, except for loss per share) reconciles basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	228,768			226,903			224,338
Dilutive common stock options and unvested stock	—			—			—
Diluted	228,768			226,903			224,338
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders	$	(2.67	)	$	(4.30	)	$	(2.44	)

Potentially dilutive securities that were not included in the diluted net loss per share computations because their effect would have been anti-dilutive were as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016	2015	2014
Stock options and unvested stock (1)	621	2,134	5,063
Convertible Notes (2)	16,328	15,773	10,727
Total dilutive common shares	16,949	17,907	15,790

(1) Does not include 5.0 million shares, 5.4 million shares and 5.5 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of unvested stock because the performance conditions had not yet been satisfied as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(2) Includes shares in aggregate issuable upon conversion of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes and the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes. There were no shares included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes because substantive non-market-based contingencies underlying the eligible conversion date have not been met as of December 31, 2016.

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Leases

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

LEASES

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized rental expense for all operating leases of $85.8 million, $40.6 million and $19.1 million, respectively, related primarily to office space, land sites and LNG vessel time charters. Our land site leases for the Sabine Pass LNG terminal have initial terms varying up to 30 years with multiple options to renew up to an additional 60 years.

Future annual minimum lease payments, excluding inflationary adjustments, for operating leases are as follows (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Operating Leases (1)
2017	$	129,000
2018	106,519
2019	102,451
2020	83,418
2021	21,651
Thereafter	96,814
Total	$	539,853

(1) Includes certain lease option renewals that are reasonably assured.

Capital Leases

In December 2015, we entered into a lease agreement for tug services related to the CCL Project that was accounted for as a capital lease. As of December 31, 2016, we did not have any assets recorded under this obligation due to the service term of this lease commencing in 2018. We will record assets acquired under capital leases, net of accumulated amortization, in property, plant and equipment, net, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets upon commencement of the service term, and the related amortization expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Future annual minimum lease payments, excluding inflationary adjustments, for capital leases are as follows (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Capital Leases
2017	$	—
2018	4,980
2019	9,960
2020	9,988
2021	9,960
Thereafter	164,426
Total	$	199,314

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Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have various contractual obligations which are recorded as liabilities in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments and other executed contracts which do not meet the definition of a liability as of December 31, 2016, are not recognized as liabilities but require disclosures in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

LNG Terminal Commitments and Contingencies

Obligations under EPC Contracts

SPL has entered into lump sum turnkey contracts with Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc. (“Bechtel”) for the engineering, procurement and construction of Trains 3 through 5 of the SPL Project.

The EPC contract for SPL Trains 3 and 4 and the EPC contract for SPL Train 5 provide that SPL will pay Bechtel contract prices of $3.9 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively, subject to adjustment by change order.  SPL has the right to terminate each EPC contract for its convenience, in which case Bechtel will be paid (1) the portion of the contract price for the work performed, (2) costs reasonably incurred by Bechtel on account of such termination and demobilization, and (3) a lump sum of up to $30.0 million depending on the termination date.

CCL has entered into lump sum turnkey contracts with Bechtel for the engineering, procurement and construction of Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the CCL Project. The EPC contract prices for Stage 1 of the CCL Project and Stage 2 of the CCL Project are approximately $7.7 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, reflecting amounts incurred under change orders through December 31, 2016. CCL has the right to terminate each of the EPC contracts for its convenience, in which case Bechtel will be paid the portion of the contract price for the work performed plus costs reasonably incurred by Bechtel on account of such termination and demobilization. If the EPC contract for Stage 1 of the CCL Project is terminated, Bechtel will also be paid a lump sum of up to $30.0 million depending on the termination date. If the EPC contract for Stage 2 of the CCL Project is terminated, Bechtel will be paid a lump sum of $5.0 million if the termination date is prior to the issuance of the notice to proceed, or Bechtel will be paid a lump sum of up to $30.0 million if the termination date is after the issuance of the notice to proceed, depending on the termination date.

Obligations under SPAs

SPL has entered into third-party SPAs which obligate SPL to purchase and liquefy sufficient quantities of natural gas to deliver 401.5 million MMBtu per year of LNG to the customers’ vessels for Trains 1 and 2 of the SPL Project and 628.5 million MMBtu per year of LNG for Trains 3 through 5 of the SPL Project, subject to completion of construction.

CCL has entered into third-party SPAs which obligate CCL to purchase and liquefy sufficient quantities of natural gas to deliver 438.7 million MMBtu per year of LNG to the customers’ vessels, subject to completion of construction of Trains 1 through 3 of the CCL Project.

Obligations under LNG TUAs

SPLNG has entered into third-party TUAs with Total Gas & Power North America, Inc. and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. to provide berthing for LNG vessels and for the unloading, storage and regasification of LNG at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.

Obligations under Natural Gas Supply, Transportation and Storage Service Agreements

SPL has entered into index-based physical natural gas supply contracts to secure natural gas feedstock for the SPL Project. The terms of these contracts primarily range from approximately one to six years and commence upon the occurrence of conditions precedent, including SPL’s declaration to the respective natural gas supplier that it is ready to commence the term of the supply arrangement in anticipation of the date of first commercial operation of the applicable, specified Trains of the SPL Project. As of December 31, 2016, SPL has secured up to approximately 1,993.9 million MMBtu of natural gas feedstock through natural gas supply contracts, of which we determined that we have purchase obligations for the contracts for which conditions precedent were met.

Additionally, SPL has entered into transportation and storage service agreements for the SPL Project. The initial term of the transportation agreements ranges from 10 to 20 years, with renewal options for certain contracts, and commences upon the occurrence of conditions precedent. The term of the SPL storage service agreements ranges from three to ten years. CCL has entered into a combined transportation and storage service agreement with a 20-year term beginning in 2019.

As of December 31, 2016, our obligations under natural gas supply, transportation and storage service agreements for contracts in which conditions precedent were met were as follows (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Payments Due (1)
2017	$	1,611,296
2018	1,192,791
2019	1,029,621
2020	1,069,222
2021	917,113
Thereafter	2,406,125
Total	$	8,226,168

(1) Pricing of natural gas supply contracts are variable based on market commodity basis prices adjusted for basis spread. Amounts included are based on prices and basis spreads as of December 31, 2016.

Restricted Net Assets

At December 31, 2016, our restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries were approximately $2.4 billion.

Obligations under Certain Guarantee Contracts

Cheniere and certain of its subsidiaries enter into guarantee arrangements in the normal course of business to facilitate transactions with third parties. These arrangements include financial guarantees, letters of credit and debt guarantees. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no liabilities recognized under these guarantee arrangements.

Other Commitments

In the ordinary course of business, we have entered into certain multi-year licensing and service agreements, none of which are considered material to our financial position. Additionally, we have various lease commitments, as disclosed in Note 18—Leases.

Legal Proceedings

We may in the future be involved as a party to various legal proceedings, which are incidental to the ordinary course of business. We regularly analyze current information and, as necessary, provide accruals for probable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters.

Parallax Litigation

In 2015, our wholly owned subsidiary, Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC (“CLNGT”), entered into discussions with Parallax Enterprises, LLC (“Parallax Enterprises”) regarding the potential joint development of two liquefaction plants in Louisiana (the “Potential Liquefaction Transactions”). While the parties negotiated regarding the Potential Liquefaction Transactions, CLNGT loaned Parallax Enterprises approximately $46 million, as reflected in a secured note dated April 23, 2015, as amended on June 30, 2015, September 30, 2015 and November 4, 2015 (the “Secured Note”). The Secured Note was secured by all assets of Parallax Enterprises and its subsidiary entities. On June 30, 2015, Parallax Enterprises’ parent entity, Parallax Energy LLC (“Parallax Energy”), executed a Pledge and Guarantee Agreement further securing repayment of the Secured Note by providing a parent guaranty and a pledge of all of the equity of Parallax Enterprises in satisfaction of the Secured Note (the “Pledge Agreement”). CLNGT and Parallax Enterprises never executed a definitive agreement to pursue the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. The Secured Note matured on December 11, 2015, and Parallax Enterprises failed to make payment. On February 3, 2016, CLNGT filed an action against Parallax Energy, Parallax Enterprises, and certain of Parallax Enterprises’ subsidiary entities, styled Cause No. 4:16-cv-00286, Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC v. Parallax Energy LLC, et al., in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Texas Suit”). CLNGT asserted claims in the Texas Suit for (1) recovery of all amounts due under the Secured Note and (2) declaratory relief establishing that CLNGT is entitled to enforce its rights under the Secured Note and Pledge Agreement in accordance with each instrument’s terms and that CLNGT has no obligations of any sort to Parallax Enterprises concerning the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. On March 11, 2016, Parallax Enterprises and the other defendants in the Texas Suit moved to dismiss the suit for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. On August 2, 2016, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss without prejudice and permitted the parties to pursue jurisdictional discovery, which is ongoing.

On March 11, 2016, Parallax Enterprises filed a suit against us and CLNGT styled Civil Action No. 62-810, Parallax Enterprises LLP v. Cheniere Energy, Inc. and Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC, in the 25th Judicial District Court of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana (the “Louisiana Suit”), wherein Parallax Enterprises asserted claims for breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, detrimental reliance, unjust enrichment and violation of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act. Parallax Enterprises predicated its claims in the Louisiana Suit on an allegation that we and CLNGT breached a purported agreement to jointly develop the Potential Liquefaction Transactions. Parallax Enterprises sought $400 million in alleged economic damages and rescission of the Secured Note. On April 15, 2016, we and CLNGT removed the Louisiana Suit to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which subsequently transferred the Louisiana Suit to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, where it was assigned Civil Action No. 4:16-cv-01628 and transferred to the same judge presiding over the Texas Suit for coordinated handling. On August 22, 2016, Parallax Enterprises voluntarily dismissed all claims asserted against CLNGT and us in the Louisiana Suit without prejudice to refiling. We do not expect that the resolution of this litigation will have a material adverse impact on our financial results.

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Business Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Business Segment Information

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

We have two reportable segments: LNG terminal segment and LNG and natural gas marketing segment. We determine our reportable segments by identifying each segment that engaged in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, had operating results regularly reviewed by the entities’ chief operating decision maker for purposes of resource allocation and performance assessment and had discrete financial information. Revenues from external customers that were derived from customers outside of the United States were $514.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, of which $161.7 million was derived from a customer in Japan. Substantially all of our revenues from external customers for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were attributed to the United States. We attribute revenues from external customers to the country in which the party to the applicable agreement has its principal place of business. Substantially all of our long-lived assets are located in the United States.

Our LNG terminal segment consists of the Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi LNG terminals. Our LNG and natural gas marketing segment consists of LNG and natural gas marketing activities by Cheniere Marketing. Cheniere Marketing is developing a portfolio of long- and medium-term SPAs with professional staff based in the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore and Chile.

During 2016, we initiated certain organizational changes to simplify our corporate structure, improve our operational efficiencies and implement a strategy for sustainable, long-term stockholder value creation through financially disciplined development, construction, operation and investment. We are currently evaluating the way we manage our business as a result of these changes. This evaluation is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2017 and may result in a change to our reportable segments as organizational alignment is finalized.

The following table (in thousands) summarizes revenues (losses) and income (loss) from operations for each of our reporting segments: 

	Segments
	LNG Terminal			LNG & Natural Gas Marketing			Corporate and Other (1)			Total Consolidation
Year Ended December 31, 2016
Revenues (losses) from external customers	$	803,480		$	520,645		$	(40,958	)	$	1,283,167
Intersegment revenues (losses) (2)	294,889			37,970			(332,859		)	—
Depreciation and amortization expense	149,690			1,386			22,966			174,042
Income (loss) from operations (3)	237,432			31,012			(297,811		)	(29,367		)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(384,605		)	—			(103,785		)	(488,390		)
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest (4)	(268,955		)	35,406			(429,336		)	(662,885		)
Share-based compensation	25,364			24,772			66,699			116,835
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets	4,623,438			2,714			(1,136		)	4,625,016
Year Ended December 31, 2015
Revenues from external customers	$	269,281		$	66		$	1,538		$	270,885
Intersegment revenues (losses) (2)	2,225			29,373			(31,598		)	—
Depreciation and amortization expense	65,137			1,071			16,472			82,680
Loss from operations (3)	(69,923		)	(85,577		)	(293,813		)	(449,313		)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(219,831		)	—			(102,252		)	(322,083		)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (4)	(596,432		)	(87,133		)	(413,846		)	(1,097,411		)
Share-based compensation	32,948			14,401			147,959			195,308
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets	6,984,152			2,731			97,216			7,084,099
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Revenues (losses) from external customers	$	267,606		$	(1,285	)	$	1,633		$	267,954
Intersegment revenues (losses) (2)	(779		)	41,908			(41,129		)	—
Depreciation and amortization expense	58,883			271			5,104			64,258
Loss from operations	(89,790		)	(12,993		)	(169,396		)	(272,179		)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(177,400		)	—			(3,836		)	(181,236		)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (4)	(480,366		)	(14,874		)	(192,494		)	(687,734		)
Share-based compensation	14,129			6,027			90,073			110,229
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets	2,684,045			1,888			161,882			2,847,815

(1) Includes corporate activities, business development, strategic activities and certain intercompany eliminations. These activities have been included in the corporate and other column. Also includes $338.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 of Cheniere Marketing’s LNG revenues, which is eliminated in consolidation.

(2) Intersegment revenues (losses) related to our LNG and natural gas marketing segment are primarily a result of international revenue allocations using a cost plus transfer pricing methodology. These LNG and natural gas marketing segment intersegment revenues (losses) are eliminated with intersegment revenues (losses) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(3) Includes restructuring expense of $44.4 million and $60.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the corporate and other column and $17.0 million and zero for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the LNG and natural gas marketing segment.

(4) Items to reconcile income (loss) from operations and income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest include consolidated other income (expense) amounts as presented on our Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily related to our LNG terminal segment.

The following table (in thousands) shows total assets for each of our reporting segments: 

	December 31,
	2016		2015
LNG Terminal	$	22,420,568	$	17,363,750
LNG & Natural Gas Marketing	731,023		550,896
Corporate and Other	551,146		894,407
Total Consolidation	$	23,702,737	$	18,809,053

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The following table (in thousands) provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$	66,436	$	122,860	$	130,578
Non-cash conveyance of assets	—		13,169		—

The balance in property, plant and equipment, net funded with accounts payable and accrued liabilities was $395.1 million, $301.4 million and $129.8 million as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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Recent Accounting Standards

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Standards

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting standards that had not been adopted by the Company as of December 31, 2016:

Standard	Description	Expected Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and subsequent amendments thereto	This standard provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model which replaces and supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance and requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard requires that the costs to obtain and fulfill contracts with customers should be recognized as assets and amortized to match the pattern of transfer of goods or services to the customer if expected to be recoverable. The standard also requires enhanced disclosures. This guidance may be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented subject to allowable practical expedients (“full retrospective approach”) or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption (“modified retrospective approach”).	January 1, 2018	We continue to evaluate the effect of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Preliminarily, we plan to adopt this standard using the full retrospective approach and we do not currently anticipate that the adoption will have a material impact upon our revenues. The FASB has issued and may issue in the future amendments and interpretive guidance which may cause our evaluation to change. Furthermore, we routinely enter into new contracts and we cannot predict with certainty whether the accounting for any future contract under the new standard would result in a significant change from existing guidance. Because this assessment is preliminary and the accounting for revenue recognition is subject to significant judgment, this conclusion could change as we finalize our assessment. We have not yet determined the impact that recognizing fulfillment costs as assets will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Standard	Description	Expected Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory	This standard requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This guidance may be early adopted and must be adopted prospectively.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)	This standard requires a lessee to recognize leases on its balance sheet by recording a lease liability representing the obligation to make future lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. A lessee is permitted to make an election not to recognize lease assets and liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. The standard also modifies the definition of a lease and requires expanded disclosures. This guidance may be early adopted, and must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach with certain available practical expedients.	January 1, 2019	We continue to evaluate the effect of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Preliminarily, we anticipate a material impact from the requirement to recognize all leases upon our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Because this assessment is preliminary and the accounting for leases is subject to significant judgment, this conclusion could change as we finalize our assessment. We have not yet determined the impact of the adoption of this standard upon our results of operations or cash flows, whether we will elect to early adopt this standard or which, if any, practical expedients we will elect upon transition.
ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting	This standard primarily requires the recognition of excess tax benefits for share-based awards in the statement of operations and the classification of excess tax benefits as an operating activity within the statement of cash flows. The guidance also allows an entity to elect to account for forfeitures when they occur. This guidance may be early adopted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory	This standard requires the immediate recognition of the tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers other than inventory. This guidance may be early adopted, but only at the beginning of an annual period, and must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach.	January 1, 2018	We are currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	This standard simplifies the measurement of goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement for an entity to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation. An entity will instead measure the impairment as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. This guidance may be early adopted beginning January 1, 2017, and must be adopted prospectively.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.

Additionally, the following table provides a brief description of recent accounting standards that were adopted by the Company during the reporting period:

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis	These amendments primarily affect asset managers and reporting entities involved with limited partnerships or similar entities, but the analysis is relevant in the evaluation of any reporting organization’s requirement to consolidate a legal entity. This guidance changes (1) the identification of variable interests, (2) the variable interest entity characteristics for a limited partnership or similar entity and (3) the primary beneficiary determination. This guidance may be early adopted, and may be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption.	January 1, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and ASU 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements	These standards require debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability rather than as an asset. Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with line of credit arrangements may be presented as an asset and subsequently amortized ratably over the term of the line of credit arrangement. This guidance may be early adopted, and must be adopted retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented.	January 1, 2016	Upon adoption of these standards, the balance of debt, net was reduced by the balance of debt issuance costs, net, except for the balance related to line of credit arrangements, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 12—Debt for additional disclosures.
ASU 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement	This standard clarifies the circumstances under which a cloud computing customer would account for the arrangement as a license of internal-use software. This guidance may be early adopted, and may be adopted as either retrospectively or prospectively to arrangements entered into, or materially modified, after the effective date.	January 1, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern	This standard requires an entity’s management to evaluate, for each reporting period, whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the financial statements are issued. Additional disclosures are required if management concludes that conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Early adoption is permitted.	December 31, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230):Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)	This standard requires an entity to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. This guidance may be early adopted, and must be adopted retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented.	December 31, 2016	As a result of adopting this standard, our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows now reconciles the balance of total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from the beginning of the period to the end of the period. This resulted in changes to previously reported cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities.
ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business	This standard narrows the accounting definition of a business and clarifies that when substantially all of the fair value of an integrated set of assets and activities is concentrated in a single asset or a group of similar assets, the integrated set of assets and activities is not a business. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. This guidance may be early adopted and must be adopted prospectively.	December 31, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.

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Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SPL Senior Notes

In January 2017, SPL was assigned a second investment grade rating on its senior secured notes by rating agencies. As a result, certain covenants, including those that limit SPL’s ability to make certain investments, under the SPL Indenture are no longer applicable.

SPL Private Placement Notes

In February 2017, SPL entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with various purchasers to issue and sell $800 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior secured notes due 2037 in a private placement conducted pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

Approval and Grant of Additional Awards under the 2011 Plan

In January 2017, the issuance of awards with respect to 7.8 million shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2011 Plan was approved at a special meeting of our shareholders. In February 2017, an aggregate of 1.1 million restricted stock units and target performance stock units were granted to employees as part of the 2017 Long Term Incentive Program under the 2011 Plan, exclusive of performance milestone awards that may be earned upon an FID being made on or prior to December 31, 2018 with respect to a third train of the CCL Project.

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Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

Summarized Quarterly Financial Data—(in thousands, except per share amounts)

	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Year ended December 31, 2016:
Revenues	$	69,081		$	176,827		$	465,673		$	571,586
Income (loss) from operations	(90,559		)	(76,454		)	15,276			122,370
Net income (loss)	(348,974		)	(334,944		)	(130,416		)	149,541
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	(320,838		)	(298,418		)	(100,442		)	109,707
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted (1)	(1.41		)	(1.31		)	(0.44		)	0.48
Year ended December 31, 2015:
Revenues	$	68,369		$	68,025		$	66,059		$	68,432
Loss from operations	(60,244		)	(95,874		)	(52,074		)	(241,121		)
Net loss	(335,844		)	(141,802		)	(307,092		)	(312,577		)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	(267,709		)	(118,495		)	(297,808		)	(291,097		)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted (1)	(1.18		)	(0.52		)	(1.31		)	(1.28		)

(1) The sum of the quarterly net income (loss) per share—basic and diluted may not equal the full year amount as the computations of the weighted average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted shares outstanding for each quarter and the full year are performed independently.

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Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Parent Company [Member]

Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]

Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

	December 31,
	2016			2015
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	—
Current assets	287			132
Non-current restricted cash	6,575			6,572
Property, plant and equipment, net	14,987			8,899
Debt receivable—affiliates	—			843,629
Investments in affiliates	(145,252		)	(426,420		)
Other non-current assets	115			—
Total assets	$	(123,288	)	$	432,812
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities	$	8,184		$	8,051
Current debt—affiliate	—			143,580
Long-term debt, net	1,264,953			1,183,031
Stockholders’ deficit	(1,396,425		)	(901,850		)
Total liabilities and equity	$	(123,288	)	$	432,812

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Operating costs and expenses
General and administrative expense (recovery)	$	5,741		$	(356	)	$	10,597
Depreciation expense	107			58			—
Total operating costs and expenses (recovery)	5,848			(298		)	10,597
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(103,784		)	(93,116		)	(4,205		)
Interest expense, net—affiliates	(7,314		)	(9,137		)	(9,137		)
Interest income	3			3			3
Interest income—affiliates	24,211			34,213			34,213
Equity loss of affiliates	(517,259		)	(907,370		)	(558,209		)
Total other expense	(604,143		)	(975,407		)	(537,335		)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(609,991	)	$	(975,109	)	$	(547,932	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(101,345	)	$	(176,068	)	$	(180,990	)
Cash flows from investing activities
Investments in affiliates	201,750			(181,471		)	(869,842		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	201,750			(181,471		)	(869,842		)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt	—			500,000			1,000,000
Debt issuance and deferred financing costs	—			(4,129		)	(516		)
Proceeds from sale of common shares by Cheniere Holdings	—			—			228,781
Distribution and dividends to non-controlling interest	(80,055		)	(80,235		)	(79,517		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	50			2,279			10,805
Payments related to tax withholdings for share-based compensation	(20,397		)	(61,175		)	(112,323		)
Other	—			1,524			3,605
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(100,402		)	358,264			1,050,835
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	3			725			3
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period	6,572			5,847			5,844
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period	$	6,575		$	6,572		$	5,847

Balances per Condensed Balance Sheets:

	December 31
	2016		2015		2014
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	—	$	—
Non-current restricted cash	6,575		6,572		5,847
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	6,575	$	6,572	$	5,847

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Condensed Financial Statements represent the financial information required by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X 5-04 for Cheniere.

In the Condensed Financial Statements, Cheniere’s investments in affiliates are presented under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the assets and liabilities of affiliates are not consolidated. The investments in net assets of the affiliates are recorded on the Condensed Balance Sheets. The loss from operations of the affiliates is reported on a net basis as investment in affiliates (investment in and equity in net losses of affiliates).

A substantial amount of Cheniere’s operating, investing and financing activities are conducted by its affiliates. The Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with Cheniere’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 2—DEBT

In October 2016, Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC (“Cheniere Terminals”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere, forgave Cheniere’s total previously outstanding current debt—affiliate balance, which was composed of a $93.7 million note and $57.2 million in related accumulated interest payable to Cheniere Terminals. This $150.9 million forgiveness of debt was recorded as a non-cash equity contribution to our subsidiaries on our Condensed Balance Sheet.

NOTE 3—GUARANTEES

Obligations under Certain Guarantee Contracts

Cheniere and certain of its subsidiaries enter into guarantee arrangements in the normal course of business to facilitate transactions with third parties. These arrangements include financial guarantees, letters of credit and debt guarantees. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no liabilities recognized under these guarantee arrangements.

NOTE 4 —SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The following table provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (in thousands): 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Non-cash capital contributions (1)	$	(517,259	)	$	(907,370	)	$	(558,209	)
Non-cash capital contribution from subsidiaries for forgiveness of debt	150,895			—			—
Non-cash capital distribution to subsidiaries for forgiveness of debt	(867,840		)	—			—
Issuance of stock to acquire additional interest in Cheniere Holdings	93,575			—			—

(1) Amounts represent equity losses of affiliates.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation, Policy

Basis of Presentation

Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cheniere, its majority owned subsidiaries and entities in which it holds a controlling interest, including the accounts of Cheniere Holdings and Cheniere Partners and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in non-controlled entities, over which Cheniere has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method. In applying the equity method of accounting, the investments are initially recognized at cost, and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of earnings, losses and distributions. Investments in non-controlled entities, over which Cheniere does not have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for using the cost method. Under the cost method the investments are initially recognized at cost and dividends received from the accumulated earnings of an investee are recorded as income. Dividends received in excess of the accumulated earnings of an investee are recorded as a reduction in the investment. We periodically assess our cost method investments for indicators of impairment. An impairment is recorded if an indicator is identified, the carrying value of our investment exceeds its fair value, and the impairment is considered to be other than temporary. Investments accounted for using the equity method and cost method are reported as a component of other assets.

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior period information to the current presentation.  The reclassifications had no effect on our overall consolidated financial position, operating results or cash flows.

In 2016, we started production at the SPL Project. As a result, we introduced a new line item entitled “cost of sales” and modified the components of activity included in “operating and maintenance expense” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. To conform to the new presentation, reclassifications were made to the prior periods. Cost of sales includes costs incurred directly for the production and delivery of LNG from the SPL Project such as natural gas feedstock, variable transportation and storage costs, derivative gains and losses associated with economic hedges to secure natural gas feedstock for the SPL Project, vessel chartering costs and other costs related to converting natural gas into LNG, all to the extent not utilized for the commissioning process. These costs were reclassified from operating and maintenance expense. Also included in cost of sales are purchase and delivery costs of our LNG and natural gas marketing business incurred by Cheniere Marketing. Operating and maintenance expense now primarily includes costs associated with operating and maintaining the SPL Project such as third-party service and maintenance contract costs, payroll and benefit costs of operations personnel, natural gas transportation and storage capacity demand charges, derivative gains and losses related to the sale and purchase of LNG associated with the regasification terminal, insurance and regulatory costs.

Additionally, we distinguished and reclassified our historical “LNG terminal revenues” line item into “regasification revenues” and “LNG revenues.” Regasification revenues include LNG regasification capacity reservation fees that are received pursuant to our TUAs and tug services fees that are received by Sabine Pass Tug Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SPLNG. LNG revenues include fees that are received pursuant to our SPAs and related LNG marketing activities.

Use of Estimates, Policy

Use of Estimates

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, including those related to the value of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, collectability of accounts and notes receivable, derivative instruments, asset retirement obligations (“AROs”), income taxes including valuation allowances for net deferred tax assets, share-based compensation and fair value measurements. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ from these estimates.

Fair Value, Policy

Fair Value

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Hierarchy Levels 1, 2 and 3 are terms for the priority of inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Hierarchy Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Hierarchy Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. Hierarchy Level 3 inputs are inputs that are not observable in the market.

In determining fair value, we use observable market data when available, or models that incorporate observable market data. In addition to market information, we incorporate transaction-specific details that, in management’s judgment, market participants would take into account in measuring fair value. We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize our use of unobservable inputs in arriving at fair value estimates.

Recurring fair-value measurements are performed for derivative instruments as disclosed in Note 7—Derivative Instruments. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value. The fair value of debt is the estimated amount we would have to pay to repurchase our debt in the open market, including any premium or discount attributable to the difference between the stated interest rate and market interest rate at each balance sheet date. Debt fair values, as disclosed in Note 12—Debt, are based on quoted market prices for identical instruments, if available, or based on valuations of similar debt instruments using observable or unobservable inputs. Non-financial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value include certain assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination, intangible assets, goodwill and AROs.

Revenue Recognition, Policy

Revenue Recognition

Fees received pursuant to SPAs are recognized as LNG revenues after substantial completion of the respective Train. Prior to substantial completion, sales generated during the commissioning phase are offset against the cost of construction for the respective Train, as the production and removal of LNG from storage is necessary to test the facility and bring the asset to the condition necessary for its intended use. LNG revenues are recognized when LNG is delivered to the counterparty, either at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal or at the counterparty’s LNG receiving terminal, based on the terms of the contract. LNG revenues generated by Cheniere Marketing are reported on a gross or net basis based on an assessment of whether it is acting as the principal or the agent in the transaction.

LNG regasification capacity reservation fees are recognized as regasification revenues over the term of the respective TUAs. Advance capacity reservation fees are initially deferred and amortized over a 10-year period as a reduction of a customer’s regasification capacity reservation fees payable under its TUA.  Under each of these TUAs, SPLNG is entitled to retain 2% of LNG delivered for each customer’s account at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, which is recognized as revenue as SPLNG performs the services set forth in each customer’s TUA.

LNG and Natural Gas Marketing, Policy

LNG and Natural Gas Marketing

Historically, a portion of our LNG and natural gas marketing business activities was comprised of energy trading and risk management activities for trading purposes and we elected to present these activities on a net basis on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  These energy trading and risk management activities included, but were not limited to, the purchase of LNG and natural gas, transportation contracts and LNG trading derivative instruments.  

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash, Policy

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of funds that are contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal and have been presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Accounts and Notes Receivables, Policy

Accounts and Notes Receivable

Accounts and notes receivable are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts. Notes receivable that are not classified as trade receivables are recorded within other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Impaired receivables are specifically identified and evaluated for expected losses.  The expected loss on impaired receivables is primarily determined based on the debtor’s ability to pay and the estimated value of any collateral.  We did not recognize any impairment expense related to accounts and notes receivable during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized bad debt expense of $36.2 million which was primarily attributable to a reserve against funds loaned to Parallax Enterprises, LLC, as further discussed in Note 19—Commitments and Contingencies. This charge was recorded as impairment expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Inventory, Policy

Inventory

LNG and natural gas inventory are recorded at weighted average cost and materials and other inventory are recorded at cost. Inventory is subject to lower of cost or market (“LCM”) adjustments at the end of each period.  Our LCM adjustments primarily related to LNG inventory purchased to maintain the cryogenic readiness of the regasification facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal that are recorded in operating and maintenance expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Recoveries of losses resulting from interim period LCM adjustments are recorded when market price recoveries occur on the same inventory in the same fiscal year.  These recoveries are recognized as gains in later interim periods with such gains not exceeding previously recognized losses.  

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized zero, $17.5 million and $24.5 million, respectively, as operating and maintenance expense as a result of LCM adjustments primarily related to LNG inventory purchased to maintain the cryogenic readiness of the regasification facilities at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal.

Accounting for LNG Activities, Policy

Accounting for LNG Activities

Generally, we begin capitalizing the costs of our LNG terminals and related pipelines once the individual project meets the following criteria: (1) regulatory approval has been received, (2) financing for the project is available and (3) management has committed to commence construction. Prior to meeting these criteria, most of the costs associated with a project are expensed as incurred. These costs primarily include professional fees associated with front-end engineering and design work, costs of securing necessary regulatory approvals, and other preliminary investigation and development activities related to our LNG terminals and related pipelines.

Generally, costs that are capitalized prior to a project meeting the criteria otherwise necessary for capitalization include: land and lease option costs that are capitalized as property, plant and equipment and certain permits that are capitalized as other non-current assets. The costs of lease options are amortized over the life of the lease once obtained. If no lease is obtained, the costs are expensed.

We capitalize interest and other related debt costs during the construction period of our LNG terminals and related pipelines. Upon commencement of operations, capitalized interest, as a component of the total cost, is amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for construction and commissioning activities, major renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs and general and administrative activities are charged to expense as incurred. Interest costs incurred on debt obtained for the construction of property, plant and equipment are capitalized as construction-in-process over the construction period or related debt term, whichever is shorter. We depreciate our property, plant and equipment using the straight-line depreciation method. Upon retirement or other disposition of property, plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the account, and the resulting gains or losses are recorded in other operating costs and expenses.

Management tests property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment might not be recoverable. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets for purposes of assessing recoverability. Recoverability generally is determined by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the asset. If the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable, the amount of impairment loss is measured as the excess, if any, of the carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair value.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded $10.1 million of impairment expense related to corporate and other within our segment disclosures. This related to a corporate airplane that was written down to fair value based on market-based appraisals, which was ultimately sold by the end of the year. The impairment was recognized due to the potential disposition of the airplane in connection with the Company having initiated organizational changes and the associated operational focus for financially disciplined investment.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded, primarily in relation to a liquid hydrocarbon export project in Texas along the Gulf Coast, $55.1 million of impairment expense as a result of our strategic focus to complete construction and commence operation of the first five Trains of the SPL Project and the first two Trains of the CCL Project. This amount is included in impairment expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and relates to corporate and other within our segment disclosures. We did not record any impairment expense related to property, plant and equipment during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Regulated Natural Gas Pipelines, Policy

Regulated Natural Gas Pipelines

The Creole Trail Pipeline and Corpus Christi Pipeline are subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC in accordance with the Natural Gas Act of 1938 and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978. The economic effects of regulation can result in a regulated company recording as assets those costs that have been or are expected to be approved for recovery from customers, or recording as liabilities those amounts that are expected to be required to be returned to customers, in a rate-setting process in a period different from the period in which the amounts would be recorded by an unregulated enterprise. Accordingly, we record assets and liabilities that result from the regulated rate-making process that may not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. We continually assess whether regulatory assets are probable of future recovery by considering factors such as applicable regulatory changes and recent rate orders applicable to other regulated entities. Based on this continual assessment, we believe the existing regulatory assets are probable of recovery. These regulatory assets and liabilities are primarily classified in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as other assets and other liabilities. We periodically evaluate their applicability under GAAP and consider factors such as regulatory changes and the effect of competition. If cost-based regulation ends or competition increases, we may have to reduce our asset balances to reflect a market basis less than cost and write off the associated regulatory assets and liabilities. 

Items that may influence our assessment are:

• inability to recover cost increases due to rate caps and rate case moratoriums;  

• inability to recover capitalized costs, including an adequate return on those costs through the rate-making process and the FERC proceedings;  

• excess capacity;  

• increased competition and discounting in the markets we serve; and  

• impacts of ongoing regulatory initiatives in the natural gas industry.

Natural gas pipeline costs include amounts capitalized as an Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”). The rates used in the calculation of AFUDC are determined in accordance with guidelines established by the FERC. AFUDC represents the cost of debt and equity funds used to finance our natural gas pipeline additions during construction. AFUDC is capitalized as a part of the cost of our natural gas pipelines. Under regulatory rate practices, we generally are permitted to recover AFUDC, and a fair return thereon, through our rate base after our natural gas pipelines are placed in service.

Derivative Instruments, Policy

Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to cash flow variability from interest rate, commodity price and foreign currency exchange (“FX”) rate risk. Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets or liabilities depending on the derivative position and the expected timing of settlement, unless they satisfy criteria and we elect the normal purchases and sales exception. When we have the contractual right and intend to net settle, derivative assets and liabilities are reported on a net basis.

Changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments are recorded in current earnings, unless we elect to apply hedge accounting and meet specified criteria, including completing contemporaneous hedge documentation. We did not have any derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. See Note 7—Derivative Instruments for additional details about our derivative instruments.

Concentration of Credit Risk, Policy

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. We maintain cash balances at financial institutions, which may at times be in excess of federally insured levels. We have not incurred losses related to these balances to date.

The use of derivative instruments exposes us to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its commitments. Our commodity derivative transactions are executed through over-the-counter contracts which are subject to nominal credit risk as these transactions are settled on a daily margin basis with investment grade financial institutions. Collateral deposited for such contracts is recorded as other current asset. Our interest rate and FX derivative instruments are placed with investment grade financial institutions whom we believe are acceptable credit risks. We monitor counterparty creditworthiness on an ongoing basis; however, we cannot predict sudden changes in counterparties’ creditworthiness. In addition, even if such changes are not sudden, we may be limited in our ability to mitigate an increase in counterparty credit risk. Should one of these counterparties not perform, we may not realize the benefit of some of our derivative instruments.

SPL has entered into six fixed price 20-year SPAs with six unaffiliated third parties. CCL has entered into eight fixed price 20-year SPAs with seven unaffiliated third parties. SPL and CCL are dependent on the respective counterparties’ creditworthiness and their willingness to perform under their respective SPAs. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we received 50% of our net LNG revenues from one SPA customer, which was generated by our LNG terminal segment.

SPLNG has entered into two long-term TUAs with unaffiliated third parties for regasification capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, which accounts for substantially all of the regasification revenues in our LNG terminal segment. SPLNG is dependent on the respective counterparties’ creditworthiness and their willingness to perform under their respective TUAs. SPLNG has mitigated this credit risk by securing TUAs for a significant portion of its regasification capacity with creditworthy third-party customers with a minimum Standard & Poor’s rating of AA.

Goodwill, Policy

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of the assets of businesses acquired. The goodwill on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 is associated with our LNG terminal reporting unit. We determine our reporting units by identifying each unit that engaged in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, had operating results regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for purposes of resource allocation and performance assessment, and had discrete financial information.

Goodwill is assessed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that impairment of the carrying value of goodwill is likely, but no less often than annually. During the fourth quarters of 2016 and 2015, we performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill in accordance with guidance from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), which permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If we fail the qualitative test, then we must compare our estimate of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recorded, as necessary. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value, if any, of that goodwill. We determine the implied fair value of the goodwill in the same manner as determining the amount of goodwill to be recognized in a business combination.

We completed our annual assessment of goodwill impairment during the fourth quarters of 2016 and 2015, and the tests indicated no impairment. Our last quantitative assessment indicated that the reporting unit’s fair value substantially exceeded its carrying value. As discussed above regarding our use of estimates, our judgments and assumptions are inherent in our estimate of future cash flows used to determine the estimate of the reporting unit’s fair value. The use of alternate judgments and/or assumptions could result in the recognition of impairment charges in the Consolidated Financial Statements. A lower fair value estimate in the future for our LNG terminal reporting unit could result in an impairment of goodwill. Factors that could trigger a lower fair value estimate include significant negative industry or economic trends, cost increases, disruptions to our business, regulatory or political environment changes or other unanticipated events.

Debt, Policy

Debt

Our debt consists of current and long-term secured debt securities, convertible debt securities and credit facilities with banks and other lenders.  Debt issuances are placed directly by us or through securities dealers or underwriters and are held by institutional and retail investors.

Debt is recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at par value adjusted for unamortized discount or premium and net of unamortized debt issuance costs related to term notes. Discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs directly related to the issuance of debt are amortized over the life of the debt and are recorded in interest expense, net of capitalized interest using the effective interest method. Gains and losses on the extinguishment of debt are recorded in gains and losses on the extinguishment of debt on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Debt issuance costs consist primarily of arrangement fees, professional fees, legal fees and printing costs. These costs are recorded as a direct deduction from the debt liability unless incurred in connection with a line of credit arrangement, in which case they are presented as an asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense or property, plant and equipment over the term of the related debt facility. Upon early retirement of debt or amendment to a debt agreement, certain fees are written off to loss on early extinguishment of debt.

Asset Retirement Obligations, Policy

Asset Retirement Obligations

We recognize AROs for legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset and for conditional AROs in which the timing or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within our control. The fair value of a liability for an ARO is recognized in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying amount is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. Our assessment of AROs is described below.

We have not recorded an ARO associated with the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. Based on the real property lease agreements at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, at the expiration of the term of the leases we are required to surrender the LNG terminal in good working order and repair, with normal wear and tear and casualty expected. Our property lease agreements at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal have terms of up to 90 years including renewal options. We have determined that the cost to surrender the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in good order and repair, with normal wear and tear and casualty expected, is zero.

We have not recorded an ARO associated with the Creole Trail Pipeline. We believe that it is not feasible to predict when the natural gas transportation services provided by the Creole Trail Pipeline will no longer be utilized. In addition, our right-of-way agreements associated with the Creole Trail Pipeline have no stipulated termination dates. We intend to operate the Creole Trail Pipeline as long as supply and demand for natural gas exists in the United States and intend to maintain it regularly.

Share-based Compensation, Policy

Share-based Compensation

We have awarded share-based compensation in the form of stock, restricted stock, stock options and phantom units that are more fully described in Note 15—Share-based Compensation. We recognize share-based compensation at fair value on the date of grant. The fair value is recognized as expense (net of any capitalization) over the requisite service period. For equity-classified share-based compensation awards (which include stock, restricted stock to employees and non-employee directors and stock options), compensation cost is recognized based on the grant-date fair value using the quoted market price of our common stock and not subsequently remeasured. The fair value is recognized as expense (net of any capitalization) using the straight-line basis for awards that vest based on service conditions and using the accelerated recognition method for awards that vest based on performance conditions. We estimate the service periods for performance awards utilizing a probability assessment based on when we expect to achieve the performance conditions. For liability-classified share-based compensation awards (which include restricted stock to non-employees and phantom units), compensation cost is initially recognized on the grant date using estimated payout levels. Compensation cost is subsequently adjusted quarterly to reflect the updated estimated payout levels based on the changes in the Company’s stock price.

Non-controlling Interests, Policy

Non-controlling Interests

When we consolidate a subsidiary, we include 100% of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the subsidiary in our Consolidated Financial Statements, even if we own less than 100% of the subsidiary. Non-controlling interests represent third-party ownership in the net assets of our consolidated subsidiaries and are presented as a component of equity. Changes in our ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in deconsolidation are recognized within equity. See Note 10—Non-controlling Interest for additional details about our non-controlling interest.

Income Taxes, Policy

Income Taxes

Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred taxes on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the current period’s provision for income taxes. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying value of our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will expire before realization of the benefit or future deductibility is not probable. A valuation allowance equal to our federal and state net deferred tax asset balance has been established due to the uncertainty of realizing the tax benefits related to our federal and state net deferred tax assets.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the tax position.

Net Loss Per Share, Policy

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per share (“EPS”) is computed in accordance with GAAP. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and were dilutive. The dilutive effect of stock options and unvested stock is calculated using the treasury-stock method and the dilutive effect of convertible securities is calculated using the if-converted method. Basic and diluted EPS for all periods presented are the same since the effect of our options and unvested stock is anti-dilutive to our net loss per share, as disclosed in Note 17—Net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders.

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Restricted Cash (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Schedule of Restricted Cash

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, restricted cash consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Current restricted cash
SPLNG debt service and interest payment	$	—	$	77,415
SPL Project	357,953		189,260
CTPL construction and interest payment	—		7,882
CQP and cash held by guarantor subsidiaries	246,991		—
CCL Project	197,201		46,770
Cash held by our subsidiaries restricted to Cheniere	219		147,138
Other	57,534		34,932
Total current restricted cash	$	859,898	$	503,397
Non-current restricted cash
SPLNG debt service	$	—	$	13,650
CCL Project	73,339		—
Other	17,480		18,072
Total non-current restricted cash	$	90,819	$	31,722

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Accounts and Other Receivables (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Schedule of Accounts and Other Receivables

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, accounts and other receivables consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Trade receivables
SPL	$	87,555	$	—
Cheniere Marketing	120,751		—
SPLNG	396		—
Other accounts receivable	9,223		5,749
Total accounts and other receivables	$	217,925	$	5,749

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Inventory (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventory

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Natural gas	$	14,755	$	5,724
LNG	50,318		5,148
LNG in-transit	57,822		—
Materials and other	37,266		7,253
Total inventory	$	160,161	$	18,125

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Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consists of LNG terminal costs and fixed assets and other, as follows (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016			2015
LNG terminal costs
LNG terminal	$	7,973,741		$	2,487,759
LNG terminal construction-in-process	12,995,056			13,875,204
LNG site and related costs, net	40,951			33,512
Accumulated depreciation	(554,672		)	(413,545		)
Total LNG terminal costs, net	20,455,076			15,982,930
Fixed assets and other
Computer and office equipment	12,513			12,153
Furniture and fixtures	17,393			17,101
Computer software	85,164			69,340
Leasehold improvements	47,129			40,136
Land	60,582			60,612
Other	21,960			49,376
Accumulated depreciation	(64,523		)	(37,741		)
Total fixed assets and other, net	180,218			210,977
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	20,635,294		$	16,193,907

Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives

The identifiable components of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with similar estimated useful lives have a depreciable range between 6 and 50 years, as follows:

Components	Useful life (yrs)
LNG storage tanks	50
Natural gas pipeline facilities	40
Marine berth, electrical, facility and roads	35
Regasification processing equipment	30
Sendout pumps	20
Liquefaction processing equipment	6-50
Other	15-30

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Derivative Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]

Fair Value of Derivative Assets and Liabilities

The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value of our derivative instruments that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, which are classified as derivative assets, non-current derivative assets, derivative liabilities or non-current derivative liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

	Fair Value Measurements as of
	December 31, 2016											December 31, 2015
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives liability	$	—		$	(6,224	)	$	—	$	(6,224	)	$	—	$	(8,740	)	$	—	$	(8,740	)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives asset	—			13,108			—		13,108			—		—			—		—
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives liability	—			(86,488		)	—		(86,488		)	—		(104,999		)	—		(104,999		)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives asset (liability)	(4,483		)	(1,474		)	79,022		73,065			—		(25		)	32,492		32,467
LNG Trading Derivatives asset (liability)	2,512			(5,309		)	—		(2,797		)	—		1,053			—		1,053
Natural Gas Derivatives liability	—			—			—		—			—		(66		)	—		(66		)
FX Derivatives asset	—			168			—		168			—		—			—		—

Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information

The following table includes quantitative information for the unobservable inputs for our Level 3 Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives as of December 31, 2016:

	Net Fair Value Asset (in thousands)	Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Input	Significant Unobservable Inputs Range
Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	$79,022	Income Approach	Basis Spread	$(0.260) - $(0.003)

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value of our Level 3 Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
Balance, beginning of period	$	32,492		$	342
Realized and mark-to-market gains:
Included in cost of sales (1)	48,218			32,150
Purchases and settlements:
Purchases	538			—
Settlements (1)	(2,226		)	—
Transfers out of Level 3	—			—
Balance, end of period	$	79,022		$	32,492
Change in unrealized gains relating to instruments still held at end of period	$	48,938		$	32,150

(1) Does not include the decrease in fair value of $0.7 million related to the realized gains capitalized during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Derivative Net Presentation on Consolidated Balance Sheets

The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value of our derivatives outstanding on a gross and net basis:

	Gross Amounts Recognized			Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets			Net Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Offsetting Derivative Assets (Liabilities)
As of December 31, 2016
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives	$	(6,229	)	$	5		$	(6,224	)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives	16,073			—			16,073
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives	(3,020		)	55			(2,965		)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives	(95,923		)	9,435			(86,488		)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	82,116			(1,793		)	80,323
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	(11,078		)	3,820			(7,258		)
LNG Trading Derivatives	21,363			(14,892		)	6,471
LNG Trading Derivatives	(17,049		)	7,781			(9,268		)
FX Derivatives	5,112			(1,368		)	3,744
FX Derivatives	(3,625		)	49			(3,576		)
As of December 31, 2015
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives	$	(8,740	)	$	—		$	(8,740	)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives	(104,999		)	—			(104,999		)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	33,636			(595		)	33,041
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives	(574		)	—			(574		)
LNG Trading Derivatives	1,922			(699		)	1,223
LNG Trading Derivatives	(2,826		)	2,656			(170		)
Natural Gas Derivatives	188			(254		)	(66		)

Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]

Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions

As of December 31, 2016, we had the following Interest Rate Derivatives outstanding:

	Initial Notional Amount	Maximum Notional Amount	Effective Date	Maturity Date	Weighted Average Fixed Interest Rate Paid	Variable Interest Rate Received
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives	$20.0 million	$628.8 million	August 14, 2012	July 31, 2019	1.98%	One-month LIBOR
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives	$225.0 million	$1.3 billion	March 22, 2016	February 29, 2020	1.19%	One-month LIBOR
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives	$28.8 million	$5.5 billion	May 20, 2015	May 31, 2022	2.29%	One-month LIBOR

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments by Balance Sheet Location

The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value and location of our Interest Rate Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	December 31, 2016												December 31, 2015
	SPL Interest Rate Derivatives			CQP Interest Rate Derivatives			CCH Interest Rate Derivatives			Total			SPL Interest Rate Derivatives			CQP Interest Rate Derivatives		CCH Interest Rate Derivatives			Total
Balance Sheet Location
Non-current derivative assets	$	—		$	16,073		$	—		$	16,073		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
Derivative liabilities	(4,223		)	(2,965		)	(43,383		)	(50,571		)	(5,940		)	—		(28,559		)	(34,499		)
Non-current derivative liabilities	(2,001		)	—			(43,105		)	(45,106		)	(2,800		)	—		(76,440		)	(79,240		)
Total derivative liabilities	(6,224		)	(2,965		)	(86,488		)	(95,677		)	(8,740		)	—		(104,999		)	(113,739		)
Derivative asset (liability), net	$	(6,224	)	$	13,108		$	(86,488	)	$	(79,604	)	$	(8,740	)	$	—	$	(104,999	)	$	(113,739	)

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value and settlements of our Interest Rate Derivatives recorded in derivative loss, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives loss	$	(5,934	)	$	(41,722	)	$	(119,401	)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives gain	11,478			—			—
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives loss	(15,571		)	(161,917		)	—

Commodity Derivatives [Member]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments by Balance Sheet Location

The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value and location of our Commodity Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	December 31, 2016											December 31, 2015
	Liquefaction Supply Derivatives (1)			LNG Trading Derivatives (2)			Natural Gas Derivatives		Total			Liquefaction Supply Derivatives			LNG Trading Derivatives (2)			Natural Gas Derivatives (3)			Total
Balance Sheet Location
Derivative assets	$	13,535		$	6,471		$	—	$	20,006		$	2,737		$	640		$	—		$	3,377
Non-current derivative assets	66,788			—			—		66,788			30,304			583			—			30,887
Total derivative assets	80,323			6,471			—		86,794			33,041			1,223			—			34,264
Derivative liabilities	(7,258		)	(9,268		)	—		(16,526		)	(490		)	(107		)	(66		)	(663		)
Non-current derivative liabilities	—			—			—		—			(84		)	(63		)	—			(147		)
Total derivative liabilities	(7,258		)	(9,268		)	—		(16,526		)	(574		)	(170		)	(66		)	(810		)
Derivative asset (liabilities), net	$	73,065		$	(2,797	)	$	—	$	70,268		$	32,467		$	1,053		$	(66	)	$	33,454

(1) Does not include collateral of $6.0 million deposited for such contracts, which is included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016.

(2) Does not include collateral of $10.4 million and $11.0 million deposited for such contracts, which are included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

(3) Does not include collateral of $5.5 million deposited for such contracts, which is included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015.

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value, settlements and location of our Commodity Derivatives recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

		Year Ended December 31,
	Statement of Operations Location (1)	2016			2015			2014
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives loss	LNG revenues (losses)	$	(8	)	$	—		$	—
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives gain (2)	Cost (cost recovery) of sales	(42,172		)	(32,503		)	(342		)
LNG Trading Derivatives gain (loss)	LNG revenues (losses)	(3,580		)	1,053			—
Natural Gas Derivatives loss	LNG revenues (losses)	(5		)	(407		)	(1,298		)
Natural Gas Derivatives gain	Operating and maintenance expense	(174		)	(2,065		)	(1,389		)

(1) Fair value fluctuations associated with commodity derivative activities are classified and presented consistently with the item economically hedged and the nature and intent of the derivative instrument.

(2)    Does not include the realized value associated with derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery.

FX Derivatives [Member]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments by Balance Sheet Location

The following table (in thousands) shows the fair value and location of our FX Derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

		Fair Value Measurements as of
	Balance Sheet Location	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
FX Derivatives	Derivative assets	$	3,744		$	—
FX Derivatives	Derivative liabilities	(3,576		)	—

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)

The following table (in thousands) shows the changes in the fair value of our FX Derivatives recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

		Year Ended December 31,
	Statement of Operations Location	2016			2015		2014
FX Derivatives gain	LNG revenues (losses)	$	118		$	—	$	—
FX Derivatives loss	Derivative loss, net	(103		)	—		—
FX Derivatives loss	Other income (expense)	(509		)	—		—

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Other Non-Current Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Non-Current Assets

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, other non-current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Advances made under EPC and non-EPC contracts	$	69,207	$	83,579
Advances made to municipalities for water system enhancements	98,903		89,953
Advances and other asset conveyances to third parties to support LNG terminals	52,674		41,610
Tax-related payments and receivables	31,181		31,712
Equity method investments	10,097		20,295
Cost method investments	4,994		—
Other	35,019		47,306
Total other non-current assets, net	$	302,075	$	314,455

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Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): 

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Interest costs and related debt fees	$	273,053	$	159,968
Compensation and benefits	55,980		99,511
LNG terminals and related pipeline costs	283,820		149,677
Other accrued liabilities	24,244		18,043
Total accrued liabilities	$	637,097	$	427,199

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Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt Instruments

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, our debt consisted of the following (in thousands): 

	December 31,
	2016			2015
Long-term debt:
SPLNG
6.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (“2020 SPLNG Senior Notes”)	$	—		$	420,000
SPL
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (“2021 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized premium of $7,181 and $8,718	2,007,181			2,008,718
6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (“2022 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,000,000			1,000,000
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (“2023 SPL Senior Notes”), net of unamortized premium of $5,657 and $6,392	1,505,657			1,506,392
5.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (“2024 SPL Senior Notes”)	2,000,000			2,000,000
5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (“2025 SPL Senior Notes”)	2,000,000			2,000,000
5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (“2026 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,500,000			—
5.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (“2027 SPL Senior Notes”)	1,500,000			—
2015 SPL Credit Facilities	314,000			845,000
CTPL
$400.0 million Term Loan Facility (“CTPL Term Loan”), net of unamortized discount of zero and $1,429	—			398,571
Cheniere Partners
2016 CQP Credit Facilities	2,560,000			—
CCH
7.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (“2024 CCH Senior Notes”)	1,250,000			—
5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (“2025 CCH Senior Notes”)	1,500,000			—
2015 CCH Credit Facility	2,380,788			2,713,000
CCH HoldCo II
11.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (“2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes”)	1,171,008			1,050,588
Cheniere
4.875% Convertible Unsecured Notes due 2021 (“2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $146,467 and $174,095	959,577			879,938
4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2045 (“2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes”), net of unamortized discount of $316,875 and $319,062	308,125			305,938
Unamortized debt issuance costs (1)	(268,804		)	(207,718		)
Total long-term debt, net	21,687,532			14,920,427
Current debt:
7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (“2016 SPLNG Senior Notes”), net of unamortized discount of zero and $4,303	—			1,661,197
$1.2 billion SPL Working Capital Facility (“SPL Working Capital Facility”)	223,500			15,000
$350 million CCH Working Capital Facility (“CCH Working Capital Facility”)	—			—
Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities	23,967			—
Unamortized debt issuance costs (1)	—			(2,818		)
Total current debt, net	247,467			1,673,379
Total debt, net	$	21,934,999		$	16,593,806

(1) Effective January 1, 2016, we adopted ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15, which require debt issuance costs related to term notes to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability, rather than as an asset, retrospectively for each reporting period presented. As a result, we reclassified $207.7 million and $2.8 million from debt issuance costs, net to long-term debt, net and current debt, net, respectively, as of December 31, 2015.

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt

Below is a schedule of future principal payments that we are obligated to make, based on current construction schedules, on our outstanding debt at December 31, 2016 (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Principal Payments
2017	$	247,467
2018	—
2019	—
2020	2,874,000
2021	5,486,831
Thereafter	14,046,008
Total	$	22,654,306

Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities

Below is a summary of our credit facilities outstanding as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

	2015 SPL Credit Facilities		SPL Working Capital Facility		2016 CQP Credit Facilities		2015 CCH Credit Facility		CCH Working Capital Facility
Original facility size	$	4,600,000	$	1,200,000	$	2,800,000	$	8,403,714	$	350,000
Outstanding balance	314,000		223,500		2,560,000		2,380,788		—
Commitments prepaid or terminated	2,643,867		—		—		2,420,212		—
Letters of credit issued	—		323,677		45,000		—		—
Available commitment	$	1,642,133	$	652,823	$	195,000	$	3,602,714	$	350,000
Interest rate	LIBOR plus 1.30% - 1.75% or base rate plus 1.75%		LIBOR plus 1.75% or base rate plus 0.75%		LIBOR plus 2.25% or base rate plus 1.25% (1)		LIBOR plus 2.25% or base rate plus 1.25% (2)		LIBOR plus 1.50% - 2.0% or base rate plus 0.50% - 1.00%
Maturity date	Earlier of December 31, 2020 or second anniversary of SPL Trains 1 through 5 completion date		December 31, 2020, with various terms for underlying loans		February 25, 2020, with principals due quarterly commencing on February 19, 2019		Earlier of May 13, 2022 or second anniversary of CCL Trains 1 and 2 completion date		December 14, 2021, with various terms for underlying loans

(1) There is a 0.50% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans beginning on February 25, 2019.

(2) There is a 0.25% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans following completion of the first two Trains of the CCL Project.

Schedule of Convertible Debt

Below is a summary of our convertible notes outstanding as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

	2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes			2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes			2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes
Aggregate original principal	$	1,000,000		$	1,000,000		$	625,000
Debt component, net of discount	$	959,577		$	1,171,008		$	308,125
Equity component	$	204,529		$	—		$	194,082
Maturity date	May 28, 2021			March 1, 2025			March 15, 2045
Contractual interest rate	4.875		%	11.0		%	4.25		%
Effective interest rate	8.3		%	11.9		%	9.4		%
Remaining debt discount and debt issuance costs amortization period (1)	4.4 years			3.8 years			28.2 years

(1) We amortize any debt discount and debt issuance costs using the effective interest over the period through contractual maturity except for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes, which are amortized through the date they are first convertible by holders into our common stock.

Schedule of Interest Expense

Total interest expense, including interest expense related to our convertible notes, consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Interest cost on convertible notes:
Interest per contractual rate	$	201,752		$	145,848		$	4,469
Amortization of debt discount	31,310			28,347			2,328
Amortization of debt issuance costs	5,240			2,989			4
Total interest cost related to convertible notes	238,302			177,184			6,801
Interest cost on debt excluding convertible notes	1,062,887			820,309			580,235
Total interest cost	1,301,189			997,493			587,036
Capitalized interest	(812,799		)	(675,410		)	(405,800		)
Total interest expense, net	$	488,390		$	322,083		$	181,236

Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments

The following table (in thousands) shows the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our debt:

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Senior Notes, net of premium or discount (1)	$	14,262,838	$	15,210,299	$	10,596,307	$	9,525,809
CTPL Term Loan, net of discount (2)	—		—		398,571		400,000
Credit facilities (2) (3)	5,502,255		5,502,255		3,573,000		3,573,000
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes, net of discount (4)	959,577		983,384		879,938		825,413
2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes (4)	1,171,008		1,327,818		1,050,588		914,363
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, net of discount (5)	308,125		375,250		305,938		331,919

(1) Includes 2016 SPLNG Senior Notes, 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes, SPL Senior Notes and CCH Senior Notes(collectively, the “Senior Notes”). The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotes obtained from broker-dealers or market makers of the Senior Notes and other similar instruments.

(2) The Level 3 estimated fair value approximates the principal amount because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and the debt may be repaid, in full or in part, at any time without penalty. 

(3) Includes 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, SPL Working Capital Facility, 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, 2015 CCH Credit Facility, CCH Working Capital Facility and Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities.

(4) The Level 3 estimated fair value was calculated based on inputs that are observable in the market or that could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data, including our stock price and interest rates based on debt issued by parties with comparable credit ratings to us and inputs that are not observable in the market. 

(5) The Level 1 estimated fair value was based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical liabilities that we had the ability to access at the measurement date.

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Benefit (Provision)

Income tax benefit (provision) included in our reported net loss consisted of the following (in thousands): 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Current:
Federal	$	—		$	—		$	—
State	—			—			—
Foreign	(54		)	(1,970		)	(4,143		)
Total current	(54		)	(1,970		)	(4,143		)
Deferred:
Federal	—			—			—
State	—			—			—
Foreign	(1,854		)	2,066			—
Total deferred	(1,854		)	2,066			—
Total income tax benefit (provision)	$	(1,908	)	$	96		$	(4,143	)

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation

The reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to our effective income tax rate is as follows: 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
U.S. federal statutory tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Non-controlling interest	(2.1	)%	(2.3	)%	(4.8	)%
State tax rate	1.8	%	1.9	%	4.3	%
Uncertain tax position	—	%	—	%	(12.5	)%
Net impact of non-U.S. taxes	(1.2	)%	(1.3	)%	(2.0	)%
Valuation allowance	(27.5	)%	(30.1	)%	(19.8	)%
Nondeductible interest expense	(6.6	)%	(2.6	)%	—	%
Other	0.3	%	(0.5	)%	(0.6	)%
Effective tax rate as reported	(0.3	)%	0.1	%	(0.4	)%

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows (in thousands): 

	December 31,
	2016			2015
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss carryforwards and credits
Federal and foreign	$	1,060,026		$	862,218
State	183,153			166,321
Book deferred gain	77,182			77,182
Share-based compensation expense	52,727			71,693
Property, plant and equipment	—			12,957
Derivative instruments	46,754			54,052
Long-term debt	17,676			8,725
Other	13,511			5,641
Less: valuation allowance	(1,251,959		)	(1,070,309		)
Total deferred tax assets	199,070			188,480
Deferred tax liabilities
Investment in limited partnership	(76,265		)	(57,466		)
Convertible debt	(118,341		)	(128,948		)
Property, plant and equipment	(4,464		)	—
Total deferred tax liabilities	(199,070		)	(186,414		)
Net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	2,066

Summary of Income Tax Contingencies

Changes in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows (in thousands): 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of the year	$	103,640		$	104,491
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	—			—
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—			—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(728		)	(851		)
Settlements	—			—
Balance at end of the year	$	102,912		$	103,640

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Share-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Share-based Compensation Expense, Net

Total share-based compensation expense consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Total share-based compensation	$	116,835		$	195,308		$	110,229
Capitalized share-based compensation	(16,312		)	(22,912		)	(8,226		)
Total share-based compensation expense	$	100,523		$	172,396		$	102,003

Schedule of Non-vested Restricted Stock Activity

The table below provides a summary of our restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2016 (in thousands, except for per share information):

	Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at January 1, 2016	7,536		$	22.80
Granted	273		34.41
Vested	(1,701	)	21.37
Forfeited	(457	)	23.00
Non-vested at December 31, 2016	5,651		$	24.12

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity

The table below provides a summary of our options outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2016:

	Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(in thousands)				(in years)	(in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2016	27		$	39.88	0.27	$	—
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(2	)	33.39
Forfeited or Expired	(25	)	40.27
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	—		$	—	—	$	—
Exercisable at December 31, 2016	—		$	—	—	$	—

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Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The following table (in thousands, except for loss per share) reconciles basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	228,768			226,903			224,338
Dilutive common stock options and unvested stock	—			—			—
Diluted	228,768			226,903			224,338
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders	$	(2.67	)	$	(4.30	)	$	(2.44	)

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share

Potentially dilutive securities that were not included in the diluted net loss per share computations because their effect would have been anti-dilutive were as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016	2015	2014
Stock options and unvested stock (1)	621	2,134	5,063
Convertible Notes (2)	16,328	15,773	10,727
Total dilutive common shares	16,949	17,907	15,790

(1) Does not include 5.0 million shares, 5.4 million shares and 5.5 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of unvested stock because the performance conditions had not yet been satisfied as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(2) Includes shares in aggregate issuable upon conversion of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes and the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes. There were no shares included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes because substantive non-market-based contingencies underlying the eligible conversion date have not been met as of December 31, 2016.

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Leases (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases

Future annual minimum lease payments, excluding inflationary adjustments, for operating leases are as follows (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Operating Leases (1)
2017	$	129,000
2018	106,519
2019	102,451
2020	83,418
2021	21,651
Thereafter	96,814
Total	$	539,853

(1) Includes certain lease option renewals that are reasonably assured.

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases

Future annual minimum lease payments, excluding inflationary adjustments, for capital leases are as follows (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Capital Leases
2017	$	—
2018	4,980
2019	9,960
2020	9,988
2021	9,960
Thereafter	164,426
Total	$	199,314

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Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

SPL [Member] | Natural Gas Supply Transportation And Storage Service Agreements [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule

As of December 31, 2016, our obligations under natural gas supply, transportation and storage service agreements for contracts in which conditions precedent were met were as follows (in thousands): 

Years Ending December 31,	Payments Due (1)
2017	$	1,611,296
2018	1,192,791
2019	1,029,621
2020	1,069,222
2021	917,113
Thereafter	2,406,125
Total	$	8,226,168

(1) Pricing of natural gas supply contracts are variable based on market commodity basis prices adjusted for basis spread. Amounts included are based on prices and basis spreads as of December 31, 2016.

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Business Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

The following table (in thousands) summarizes revenues (losses) and income (loss) from operations for each of our reporting segments: 

	Segments
	LNG Terminal			LNG & Natural Gas Marketing			Corporate and Other (1)			Total Consolidation
Year Ended December 31, 2016
Revenues (losses) from external customers	$	803,480		$	520,645		$	(40,958	)	$	1,283,167
Intersegment revenues (losses) (2)	294,889			37,970			(332,859		)	—
Depreciation and amortization expense	149,690			1,386			22,966			174,042
Income (loss) from operations (3)	237,432			31,012			(297,811		)	(29,367		)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(384,605		)	—			(103,785		)	(488,390		)
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest (4)	(268,955		)	35,406			(429,336		)	(662,885		)
Share-based compensation	25,364			24,772			66,699			116,835
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets	4,623,438			2,714			(1,136		)	4,625,016
Year Ended December 31, 2015
Revenues from external customers	$	269,281		$	66		$	1,538		$	270,885
Intersegment revenues (losses) (2)	2,225			29,373			(31,598		)	—
Depreciation and amortization expense	65,137			1,071			16,472			82,680
Loss from operations (3)	(69,923		)	(85,577		)	(293,813		)	(449,313		)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(219,831		)	—			(102,252		)	(322,083		)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (4)	(596,432		)	(87,133		)	(413,846		)	(1,097,411		)
Share-based compensation	32,948			14,401			147,959			195,308
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets	6,984,152			2,731			97,216			7,084,099
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Revenues (losses) from external customers	$	267,606		$	(1,285	)	$	1,633		$	267,954
Intersegment revenues (losses) (2)	(779		)	41,908			(41,129		)	—
Depreciation and amortization expense	58,883			271			5,104			64,258
Loss from operations	(89,790		)	(12,993		)	(169,396		)	(272,179		)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(177,400		)	—			(3,836		)	(181,236		)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest (4)	(480,366		)	(14,874		)	(192,494		)	(687,734		)
Share-based compensation	14,129			6,027			90,073			110,229
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets	2,684,045			1,888			161,882			2,847,815

(1) Includes corporate activities, business development, strategic activities and certain intercompany eliminations. These activities have been included in the corporate and other column. Also includes $338.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 of Cheniere Marketing’s LNG revenues, which is eliminated in consolidation.

(2) Intersegment revenues (losses) related to our LNG and natural gas marketing segment are primarily a result of international revenue allocations using a cost plus transfer pricing methodology. These LNG and natural gas marketing segment intersegment revenues (losses) are eliminated with intersegment revenues (losses) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(3) Includes restructuring expense of $44.4 million and $60.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the corporate and other column and $17.0 million and zero for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the LNG and natural gas marketing segment.

(4) Items to reconcile income (loss) from operations and income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest include consolidated other income (expense) amounts as presented on our Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily related to our LNG terminal segment.

The following table (in thousands) shows total assets for each of our reporting segments: 

	December 31,
	2016		2015
LNG Terminal	$	22,420,568	$	17,363,750
LNG & Natural Gas Marketing	731,023		550,896
Corporate and Other	551,146		894,407
Total Consolidation	$	23,702,737	$	18,809,053

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures

The following table (in thousands) provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$	66,436	$	122,860	$	130,578
Non-cash conveyance of assets	—		13,169		—

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Recent Accounting Standards (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Standards, Not Yet Adopted

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting standards that had not been adopted by the Company as of December 31, 2016:

Standard	Description	Expected Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and subsequent amendments thereto	This standard provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model which replaces and supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance and requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard requires that the costs to obtain and fulfill contracts with customers should be recognized as assets and amortized to match the pattern of transfer of goods or services to the customer if expected to be recoverable. The standard also requires enhanced disclosures. This guidance may be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented subject to allowable practical expedients (“full retrospective approach”) or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption (“modified retrospective approach”).	January 1, 2018	We continue to evaluate the effect of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Preliminarily, we plan to adopt this standard using the full retrospective approach and we do not currently anticipate that the adoption will have a material impact upon our revenues. The FASB has issued and may issue in the future amendments and interpretive guidance which may cause our evaluation to change. Furthermore, we routinely enter into new contracts and we cannot predict with certainty whether the accounting for any future contract under the new standard would result in a significant change from existing guidance. Because this assessment is preliminary and the accounting for revenue recognition is subject to significant judgment, this conclusion could change as we finalize our assessment. We have not yet determined the impact that recognizing fulfillment costs as assets will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Standard	Description	Expected Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory	This standard requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This guidance may be early adopted and must be adopted prospectively.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)	This standard requires a lessee to recognize leases on its balance sheet by recording a lease liability representing the obligation to make future lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. A lessee is permitted to make an election not to recognize lease assets and liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. The standard also modifies the definition of a lease and requires expanded disclosures. This guidance may be early adopted, and must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach with certain available practical expedients.	January 1, 2019	We continue to evaluate the effect of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Preliminarily, we anticipate a material impact from the requirement to recognize all leases upon our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Because this assessment is preliminary and the accounting for leases is subject to significant judgment, this conclusion could change as we finalize our assessment. We have not yet determined the impact of the adoption of this standard upon our results of operations or cash flows, whether we will elect to early adopt this standard or which, if any, practical expedients we will elect upon transition.
ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting	This standard primarily requires the recognition of excess tax benefits for share-based awards in the statement of operations and the classification of excess tax benefits as an operating activity within the statement of cash flows. The guidance also allows an entity to elect to account for forfeitures when they occur. This guidance may be early adopted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory	This standard requires the immediate recognition of the tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers other than inventory. This guidance may be early adopted, but only at the beginning of an annual period, and must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach.	January 1, 2018	We are currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	This standard simplifies the measurement of goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement for an entity to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation. An entity will instead measure the impairment as the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. This guidance may be early adopted beginning January 1, 2017, and must be adopted prospectively.	January 1, 2017	The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.

Recent Accounting Standards, Adopted

Additionally, the following table provides a brief description of recent accounting standards that were adopted by the Company during the reporting period:

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis	These amendments primarily affect asset managers and reporting entities involved with limited partnerships or similar entities, but the analysis is relevant in the evaluation of any reporting organization’s requirement to consolidate a legal entity. This guidance changes (1) the identification of variable interests, (2) the variable interest entity characteristics for a limited partnership or similar entity and (3) the primary beneficiary determination. This guidance may be early adopted, and may be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption.	January 1, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and ASU 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements	These standards require debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability rather than as an asset. Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with line of credit arrangements may be presented as an asset and subsequently amortized ratably over the term of the line of credit arrangement. This guidance may be early adopted, and must be adopted retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented.	January 1, 2016	Upon adoption of these standards, the balance of debt, net was reduced by the balance of debt issuance costs, net, except for the balance related to line of credit arrangements, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 12—Debt for additional disclosures.
ASU 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement	This standard clarifies the circumstances under which a cloud computing customer would account for the arrangement as a license of internal-use software. This guidance may be early adopted, and may be adopted as either retrospectively or prospectively to arrangements entered into, or materially modified, after the effective date.	January 1, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern	This standard requires an entity’s management to evaluate, for each reporting period, whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the financial statements are issued. Additional disclosures are required if management concludes that conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Early adoption is permitted.	December 31, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230):Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)	This standard requires an entity to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. This guidance may be early adopted, and must be adopted retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented.	December 31, 2016	As a result of adopting this standard, our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows now reconciles the balance of total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash from the beginning of the period to the end of the period. This resulted in changes to previously reported cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities.
ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business	This standard narrows the accounting definition of a business and clarifies that when substantially all of the fair value of an integrated set of assets and activities is concentrated in a single asset or a group of similar assets, the integrated set of assets and activities is not a business. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. This guidance may be early adopted and must be adopted prospectively.	December 31, 2016	The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.

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Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information

Summarized Quarterly Financial Data—(in thousands, except per share amounts)

	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Year ended December 31, 2016:
Revenues	$	69,081		$	176,827		$	465,673		$	571,586
Income (loss) from operations	(90,559		)	(76,454		)	15,276			122,370
Net income (loss)	(348,974		)	(334,944		)	(130,416		)	149,541
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	(320,838		)	(298,418		)	(100,442		)	109,707
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted (1)	(1.41		)	(1.31		)	(0.44		)	0.48
Year ended December 31, 2015:
Revenues	$	68,369		$	68,025		$	66,059		$	68,432
Loss from operations	(60,244		)	(95,874		)	(52,074		)	(241,121		)
Net loss	(335,844		)	(141,802		)	(307,092		)	(312,577		)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	(267,709		)	(118,495		)	(297,808		)	(291,097		)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted (1)	(1.18		)	(0.52		)	(1.31		)	(1.28		)

(1) The sum of the quarterly net income (loss) per share—basic and diluted may not equal the full year amount as the computations of the weighted average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted shares outstanding for each quarter and the full year are performed independently.

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Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]

Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures

The following table (in thousands) provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$	66,436	$	122,860	$	130,578
Non-cash conveyance of assets	—		13,169		—

Parent Company [Member]

Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]

Condensed Balance Sheets

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

	December 31,
	2016			2015
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	—
Current assets	287			132
Non-current restricted cash	6,575			6,572
Property, plant and equipment, net	14,987			8,899
Debt receivable—affiliates	—			843,629
Investments in affiliates	(145,252		)	(426,420		)
Other non-current assets	115			—
Total assets	$	(123,288	)	$	432,812
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities	$	8,184		$	8,051
Current debt—affiliate	—			143,580
Long-term debt, net	1,264,953			1,183,031
Stockholders’ deficit	(1,396,425		)	(901,850		)
Total liabilities and equity	$	(123,288	)	$	432,812

Condensed Statements of Operations

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Operating costs and expenses
General and administrative expense (recovery)	$	5,741		$	(356	)	$	10,597
Depreciation expense	107			58			—
Total operating costs and expenses (recovery)	5,848			(298		)	10,597
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(103,784		)	(93,116		)	(4,205		)
Interest expense, net—affiliates	(7,314		)	(9,137		)	(9,137		)
Interest income	3			3			3
Interest income—affiliates	24,211			34,213			34,213
Equity loss of affiliates	(517,259		)	(907,370		)	(558,209		)
Total other expense	(604,143		)	(975,407		)	(537,335		)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(609,991	)	$	(975,109	)	$	(547,932	)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(101,345	)	$	(176,068	)	$	(180,990	)
Cash flows from investing activities
Investments in affiliates	201,750			(181,471		)	(869,842		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	201,750			(181,471		)	(869,842		)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt	—			500,000			1,000,000
Debt issuance and deferred financing costs	—			(4,129		)	(516		)
Proceeds from sale of common shares by Cheniere Holdings	—			—			228,781
Distribution and dividends to non-controlling interest	(80,055		)	(80,235		)	(79,517		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	50			2,279			10,805
Payments related to tax withholdings for share-based compensation	(20,397		)	(61,175		)	(112,323		)
Other	—			1,524			3,605
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(100,402		)	358,264			1,050,835
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	3			725			3
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period	6,572			5,847			5,844
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period	$	6,575		$	6,572		$	5,847

Balances per Condensed Balance Sheets:

	December 31
	2016		2015		2014
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	—	$	—
Non-current restricted cash	6,575		6,572		5,847
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	6,575	$	6,572	$	5,847

Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures

The following table provides supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (in thousands): 

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Non-cash capital contributions (1)	$	(517,259	)	$	(907,370	)	$	(558,209	)
Non-cash capital contribution from subsidiaries for forgiveness of debt	150,895			—			—
Non-cash capital distribution to subsidiaries for forgiveness of debt	(867,840		)	—			—
Issuance of stock to acquire additional interest in Cheniere Holdings	93,575			—			—

(1) Amounts represent equity losses of affiliates.

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Organization and Nature of Operations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 a mi item milliontonnes / yr bcf / d Bcfe unit trains m³	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number Of Natural Gas Liquefaction And Export Facilities | unit	2
Sabine Pass LNG Terminal [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of Liquefaction LNG Trains | trains	6
Train Nominal Capacity | milliontonnes / yr	4.5
Number Of LNG Storage Tanks	5
Storage Capacity | Bcfe	16.9
Number of marine berths	2
Volume Of Vessel | m³	266,000
Regasification Capacity | bcf / d	4.0
Creole Trail Pipeline [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Length Of Natural Gas Pipeline | mi	94
Corpus Christi LNG Terminal [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of Liquefaction LNG Trains | trains	3
Train Nominal Capacity | milliontonnes / yr	13.5
Number Of LNG Storage Tanks	3
Storage Capacity | Bcfe	10.1
Number of marine berths	2
Volume Of Vessel | m³	266,000
Acres of land owned or controlled | a	2,000
Corpus Christi LNG Terminal [Member] | Stage 1 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of Liquefaction LNG Trains | trains	2
Number Of LNG Storage Tanks	2
Number of marine berths	1
Corpus Christi LNG Terminal [Member] | Stage 2 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of Liquefaction LNG Trains | trains	1
Number Of LNG Storage Tanks	1
Corpus Christi Pipeline [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Length Of Natural Gas Pipeline | mi	23
Cheniere Partners [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
General Partner ownership percentage	100.00%
Cheniere Holdings [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	82.60%	80.10%
Corpus Christi Stage III entities [Member] | Corpus Christi LNG Terminal [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number Of LNG Storage Tanks	1
Cheniere Holdings [Member] | Cheniere Partners [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Limited Partner ownership percentage	55.90%

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) customer item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Advanced Capacity Reservation Fees Amortization Period	10 years
Retained Percentage Of LNG Delivered	2.00%
Impairment expense resulting from bad debt expense	$ 0	$ 36,200,000	$ 0
Non-cash LNG inventory write-downs	0	17,537,000	24,461,000
Impairments related to property, plant and equipment			0
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges	0	0	$ 0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0	0
Sabine Pass LNG Terminal [Member]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation	0
Creole Trail Pipeline [Member]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Asset Retirement Obligation	$ 0
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | SPA Customers [Member]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Number Of Significant Customers | customer	1
LNG terminal [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | LNG Revenues [Member]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	50.00%
Corporate and Other Consolidating Items [Member]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Impairments related to property, plant and equipment	$ 10,100,000	$ 55,100,000
Maximum [Member] | Sabine Pass LNG Terminal [Member]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property lease term	90 years
SPL [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | SPA Customers [Member]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Fixed Price Contracts | item	6
Sale And Purchase Agreement Term Of Agreement	20 years
Sale And Purchase Agreement Number Of Unaffiliated Counterparties | customer	6
CCL [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | SPA Customers [Member]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Fixed Price Contracts | item	8
Sale And Purchase Agreement Term Of Agreement	20 years
Sale And Purchase Agreement Number Of Unaffiliated Counterparties | customer	7
SPLNG [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | TUA Customers [Member]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Number Of Significant Customers | customer	2

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Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 859,898,000		$ 503,397,000	$ 481,737,000
Non-current restricted cash	90,819,000		31,722,000	$ 550,811,000
SPLNG debt service and interest payment [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	0		77,415,000
SPL Project [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	357,953,000		189,260,000
CTPL construction and interest payment [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	0		7,882,000
CQP And Cash Held By Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	246,991,000		0
CCL Project [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	197,201,000		46,770,000
Non-current restricted cash	73,339,000		0
Cash held by our subsidiaries restricted to Cheniere [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	219,000		147,138,000
Other [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash	57,534,000		34,932,000
Non-current restricted cash	17,480,000		18,072,000
SPLNG debt service [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Non-current restricted cash	$ 0		$ 13,650,000
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 2,800,000,000.0

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Accounts and Other Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts and Other Receivables [Line Items]
Other accounts receivable	$ 9,223	$ 5,749
Total accounts and other receivables	217,925	5,749
SPL [Member]
Accounts and Other Receivables [Line Items]
Trade receivable	87,555	0
Cheniere Marketing [Member]
Accounts and Other Receivables [Line Items]
Trade receivable	120,751	0
SPLNG [Member]
Accounts and Other Receivables [Line Items]
Trade receivable	$ 396	$ 0

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Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory	$ 160,161	$ 18,125
Natural gas [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory	14,755	5,724
LNG [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory	50,318	5,148
LNG in-transit [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory	57,822	0
Materials and other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventory	$ 37,266	$ 7,253

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Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 20,635,294	$ 16,193,907
Depreciation expense	172,600	82,400	$ 64,200
Property, plant and equipment, reduction for testing costs recovered	214,300
LNG terminal costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated depreciation	(554,672)	(413,545)
Property, plant and equipment, net	20,455,076	15,982,930
LNG terminal [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	7,973,741	2,487,759
LNG terminal construction-in-process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	12,995,056	13,875,204
LNG site and related costs, net [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	40,951	33,512
Fixed assets and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated depreciation	(64,523)	(37,741)
Property, plant and equipment, net	180,218	210,977
Computer and office equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	12,513	12,153
Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	17,393	17,101
Computer software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	85,164	69,340
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	47,129	40,136
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	60,582	60,612
Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 21,960	$ 49,376

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Property, Plant and Equipment - Estimated Useful Lives (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
LNG terminal costs [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	6 years
LNG terminal costs [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	50 years
LNG storage tanks [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	50 years
Natural gas pipeline facilities [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	40 years
Marine berth, electrical, facility and roads [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	35 years
Regasification processing equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	30 years
Sendout pumps [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	20 years
Liquefaction processing equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	6 years
Liquefaction processing equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	50 years
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	30 years

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Derivative Instruments - Narrative (Details) MMBTU in Millions, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) MMBTU
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount			$ 20.0
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount			628.8
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount			28.8
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount			$ 5,500.0
Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | MMBTU			1,111.4
Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Term of Contract			1 year
Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Term of Contract			7 years
Financial Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | MMBTU			5.6
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | MMBTU			0.2
SPL [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Energy Units Secured Through Long-Term Supply Contracts | MMBTU			1,993.9
SPL [Member] | SPL Previous Credit Facilities [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Decrease, Net		$ 1,800.0
SPL [Member] | SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Loss, Net		$ 34.7
CCH [Member] | CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Term of Contract			7 years
Derivative, Cost of Hedge	$ 50.1
Cheniere Marketing [Member] | FX Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount			$ 10.8

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Derivative Instruments - Fair Value of Derivative Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	$ (6,224)	$ (8,740)
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	0
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(6,224)	(8,740)
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	0
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	13,108	0
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	0
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	13,108	0
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	0
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(86,488)	(104,999)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	0
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(86,488)	(104,999)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	0
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	73,065	32,467
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(4,483)	0
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(1,474)	(25)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	79,022	32,492
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(2,797)	1,053
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	2,512	0
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(5,309)	1,053
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	0
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	(66)
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	0
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	(66)
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	0
FX Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	168	0
FX Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	0	0
FX Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	168	0
FX Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Derivative Instruments - Fair Value Inputs - Quantitative Information (Details) - Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net Fair Value Asset	$ 79,022,000
Valuation Technique	Income Approach
Significant Unobservable Input	Basis Spread
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Significant Unobservable Inputs Range	$ (0.260)
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Significant Unobservable Inputs Range	$ (0.003)

XML

Derivative Instruments - Schedule of Level 3 Derivatives Activity (Details) - Physical Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		$ 32,492	$ 342
Realized and mark-to-market gains:
Included in cost of sales	[1]	48,218	32,150
Purchases and settlements:
Purchases		538	0
Settlements	[1]	(2,226)	0
Transfers out of Level 3		0	0
Balance, end of period		79,022	32,492
Change in unrealized gains relating to instruments still held at end of period		48,938	$ 32,150
Decrease in Fair Value Realized and Capitalized During Period		$ 700

[1] Does not include the decrease in fair value of $0.7 million related to the realized gains capitalized during the year ended December 31, 2016.

XML

Derivative Instruments - Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 20.0
Effective Date	Aug. 14, 2012
Maturity Date	Jul. 31, 2019
Weighted Average Fixed Interest Rate Paid	1.98%
Variable Interest Rate Received	One-month LIBOR
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 628.8
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 225.0
Effective Date	Mar. 22, 2016
Maturity Date	Feb. 29, 2020
Weighted Average Fixed Interest Rate Paid	1.19%
Variable Interest Rate Received	One-month LIBOR
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 1,300.0
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 28.8
Effective Date	May 20, 2015
Maturity Date	May 31, 2022
Weighted Average Fixed Interest Rate Paid	2.29%
Variable Interest Rate Received	One-month LIBOR
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 5,500.0

XML

Derivative Instruments - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments by Balance Sheet Location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets		$ 23,750		$ 3,416
Non-current derivative assets		82,861		30,887
Derivative liabilities		(70,673)		(35,201)
Non-current derivative liabilities		(45,106)		(79,387)
Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative liabilities		(95,677)		(113,739)
Derivative asset (liability), net		(79,604)		(113,739)
Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative assets		16,073		0
Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		(50,571)		(34,499)
Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative liabilities		(45,106)		(79,240)
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative liabilities		(6,224)		(8,740)
Derivative asset (liability), net		(6,224)		(8,740)
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative assets		0		0
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		(4,223)		(5,940)
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative liabilities		(2,001)		(2,800)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative liabilities		(2,965)		0
Derivative asset (liability), net		13,108		0
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative assets		16,073		0
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		(2,965)		0
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative liabilities		0		0
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative liabilities		(86,488)		(104,999)
Derivative asset (liability), net		(86,488)		(104,999)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative assets		0		0
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		(43,383)		(28,559)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative liabilities		(43,105)		(76,440)
Commodity Derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative assets		86,794		34,264
Total derivative liabilities		(16,526)		(810)
Derivative asset (liability), net		70,268		33,454
Commodity Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets		20,006		3,377
Commodity Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative assets		66,788		30,887
Commodity Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		(16,526)		(663)
Commodity Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative liabilities		0		(147)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative assets		80,323	[1]	33,041
Total derivative liabilities		(7,258)	[1]	(574)
Derivative asset (liability), net		73,065	[1]	32,467
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets		13,535		2,737
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative assets		66,788	[1]	30,304
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		(7,258)	[1]	(490)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative liabilities		0	[1]	(84)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash		6,000
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative assets	[2]	6,471		1,223
Total derivative liabilities	[2]	(9,268)		(170)
Derivative asset (liability), net	[2]	(2,797)		1,053
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets	[2]	6,471		640
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative assets	[2]	0		583
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	[2]	(9,268)		(107)
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative liabilities	[2]	0		(63)
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash		10,400		11,000
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivative assets		0		0	[3]
Total derivative liabilities		0		(66)	[3]
Derivative asset (liability), net		0		(66)	[3]
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets		0		0	[3]
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative assets		0		0	[3]
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		0		(66)	[3]
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member] | Non-current Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-current derivative liabilities		0		0	[3]
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash				5,500
FX Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets		3,744		0
FX Derivatives [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities		$ (3,576)		$ 0

[1] Does not include collateral of $6.0 million deposited for such contracts, which is included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016.

[2] Does not include collateral of $10.4 million and $11.0 million deposited for such contracts, which are included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015

[3] Does not include collateral of $5.5 million deposited for such contracts, which is included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015.

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Derivative Instruments - Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Derivative gain (loss), net [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		$ (5,934)	$ (41,722)	$ (119,401)
CQP Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Derivative gain (loss), net [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		11,478	0	0
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives [Member] | Derivative gain (loss), net [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		(15,571)	(161,917)	0
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | LNG revenues (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		(8)	0	0
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives [Member] | Cost (cost recovery) of sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	[1]	42,172	32,503	342
LNG Trading Derivatives [Member] | LNG revenues (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		(3,580)	1,053	0
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member] | LNG revenues (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		(5)	(407)	(1,298)
Natural Gas Derivatives [Member] | Operating and maintenance expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		174	2,065	1,389
FX Derivatives [Member] | Derivative gain (loss), net [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		(103)	0	0
FX Derivatives [Member] | LNG revenues (losses) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		118	0	0
FX Derivatives [Member] | Other income (expense) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		$ (509)	$ 0	$ 0

[1] Does not include the realized value associated with derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery.

XML

Derivative Instruments - Derivative Net Presentation on Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
SPL Interest Rate Derivatives Liability [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Recognized	$ (6,229)	$ (8,740)
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	5	0
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(6,224)	(8,740)
CQP Interest Rate Derivative Asset [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Gross Amounts Recognized	16,073
Derivative Asset, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	0
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	16,073
CQP Interest Rate Derivative Liability [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Recognized	(3,020)
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	55
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(2,965)
CCH Interest Rate Derivatives Liability [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Recognized	(95,923)	(104,999)
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	9,435	0
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(86,488)	(104,999)
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives Asset [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Gross Amounts Recognized	82,116	33,636
Derivative Asset, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	(1,793)	(595)
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	80,323	33,041
Liquefaction Supply Derivatives Liability [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Recognized	(11,078)	(574)
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	3,820	0
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(7,258)	(574)
LNG Trading Derivatives Asset [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Gross Amounts Recognized	21,363	1,922
Derivative Asset, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	(14,892)	(699)
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	6,471	1,223
LNG Trading Derivatives Liability [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Recognized	(17,049)	(2,826)
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	7,781	2,656
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	(9,268)	(170)
FX Derivatives Asset [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Gross Amounts Recognized	5,112
Derivative Asset, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	(1,368)
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	3,744
FX Derivatives Liability [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Recognized	(3,625)
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	49
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net	$ (3,576)
Natural Gas Derivatives Liability [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Recognized		188
Derivative Liability, Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		(254)
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net		$ (66)

XML

Other Non-Current Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Advances made under EPC and non-EPC contracts	$ 69,207	$ 83,579
Advances made to municipalities for water system enhancements	98,903	89,953
Advances and other asset conveyances to third parties to support LNG terminals	52,674	41,610
Tax-related payments and receivables	31,181	31,712
Equity method investments	10,097	20,295
Cost method investments	4,994	0
Other	35,019	47,306
Other non-current assets, net	$ 302,075	$ 314,455

XML

Variable Interest Entity (Details) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015
Cheniere Holdings [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	82.60%		80.10%
Cheniere Holdings [Member] | Ownership Percentage of Outstanding Shares Required To Control Company [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	25.00%
Cheniere Partners [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
General Partner ownership percentage	100.00%
Cheniere Partners [Member] | Class B Units [Member] | Director Appointment Entitlement Minimum [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Limited Partner ownership percentage	20.00%
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	50.0
Cheniere Holdings [Member] | Cheniere Partners [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Limited Partner ownership percentage	55.90%
Cheniere Holdings [Member] | Cheniere Partners [Member] | Common Units [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Partners Capital Account, Units, Units Held	12.0
Cheniere Holdings [Member] | Cheniere Partners [Member] | Class B Units [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Partners Capital Account, Units, Units Held	45.3
Cheniere Holdings [Member] | Cheniere Partners [Member] | Subordinated Units [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Partners Capital Account, Units, Units Held	135.4
Cheniere Partners [Member] | Blackstone CQP Holdco LP [Member] | Class B Units [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Partners Capital Account, Units Sold In Private Placement		100.0

XML

Non-Controlling Interest (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cheniere Holdings [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	82.60%	80.10%

XML

Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Interest costs and related debt fees	$ 273,053	$ 159,968
Compensation and benefits	55,980	99,511
LNG terminals and related pipeline costs	283,820	149,677
Other accrued liabilities	24,244	18,043
Total accrued liabilities	$ 637,097	$ 427,199

XML

Debt - Schedule of Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 21,687,532,000	$ 14,920,427,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs, Noncurrent	[1]	(268,804,000)	(207,718,000)
Current debt, net		247,467,000	1,673,379,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs, Current	[1]	0	(2,818,000)
Total Debt, Net		21,934,999,000	16,593,806,000
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member] | Debt Issuance Costs, Net [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs, Noncurrent			(207,718,000)
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs, Current			(2,818,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member] | Long-term Debt, Net [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs, Noncurrent			207,718,000
Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member] | Current Debt, Net [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs, Current			2,818,000
2020 SPLNG Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 0	420,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.50%
2021 SPL Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 2,007,181,000	2,008,718,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.625%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium		$ 7,181,000	8,718,000
2022 SPL Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.25%
2023 SPL Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 1,505,657,000	1,506,392,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.625%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium		$ 5,657,000	6,392,000
2024 SPL Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 2,000,000,000	2,000,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.75%
2025 SPL Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 2,000,000,000	2,000,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.625%
2026 SPL Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 1,500,000,000	0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.875%
2027 SPL Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 1,500,000,000	0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.00%
2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 314,000,000	845,000,000
CTPL Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		0	398,571,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			400,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount		0	1,429,000
2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		2,560,000,000	0
2024 CCH Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 1,250,000,000	0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		7.00%
2025 CCH Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 1,500,000,000	0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.875%
2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 2,380,788,000	2,713,000,000
2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 1,171,008,000	1,050,588,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		11.00%
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 959,577,000	879,938,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.875%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount		$ 146,467,000	174,095,000
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt, Net		$ 308,125,000	305,938,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.25%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount		$ 316,875,000	319,062,000
2016 SPLNG Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current debt, net		$ 0	1,661,197,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		7.50%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount		$ 0	4,303,000
SPL Working Capital Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current debt, net		223,500,000	15,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		1,200,000,000.0
CCH Working Capital Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current debt, net		0	0
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		350,000,000
Cheniere Marketing Trade Finance Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current debt, net		$ 23,967,000	$ 0

[1] Effective January 1, 2016, we adopted ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15, which require debt issuance costs related to term notes to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability, rather than as an asset, retrospectively for each reporting period presented. As a result, we reclassified $207.7 million and $2.8 million from debt issuance costs, net to long-term debt, net and current debt, net, respectively, as of December 31, 2015.

XML

Debt - Schedule of Maturities (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2017	$ 247,467
2018	0
2019	0
2020	2,874,000
2021	5,486,831
Thereafter	14,046,008
Total	$ 22,654,306

XML

Debt - Senior Notes (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Rate	May 31, 2016 USD ($)
SPLNG [Member] | 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	103.25%
SPL [Member] | SPL Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Period	12 months
Debt Instrument, Fixed Charge, Coverage Ratio | Rate	1.25
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
SPL [Member] | SPL Senior Notes - Excluding 2026 SPL Senior Notes and 2027 SPL Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Minimum Number of Months Prior to Maturity Date, Redemption Price Equals Make-Whole Price	3 months
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Maximum Number of Months Prior to Maturity Date, Redemption Price Equals Principal Amount	3 months
SPL [Member] | 2026 SPL Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Minimum Number of Months Prior to Maturity Date, Redemption Price Equals Make-Whole Price	6 months
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Maximum Number of Months Prior to Maturity Date, Redemption Price Equals Principal Amount	6 months
Debt Instrument Registration Period	360 days
SPL [Member] | 2027 SPL Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Minimum Number of Months Prior to Maturity Date, Redemption Price Equals Make-Whole Price	6 months
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Maximum Number of Months Prior to Maturity Date, Redemption Price Equals Principal Amount	6 months
Debt Instrument Registration Period	360 days
CCH [Member] | CCH Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Minimum Number of Months Prior to Maturity Date, Redemption Price Equals Make-Whole Price	6 months
Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Maximum Number of Months Prior to Maturity Date, Redemption Price Equals Principal Amount	6 months
Debt Instrument Registration Period	360 days
CCH [Member] | 2024 CCH Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount		$ 1,250,000,000.00
CCH [Member] | 2025 CCH Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 1,500,000,000.0

XML

Debt - Credit Facilities Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding balance		$ 21,687,532	$ 14,920,427
Outstanding balance - current		247,467	1,673,379
2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Original facility size		4,600,000
Outstanding balance		314,000	845,000
Commitments prepaid or terminated		2,643,867
Letters of credit issued		0
Available commitment		$ 1,642,133
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis		LIBOR or base rate
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description		Earlier of December 31, 2020 or second anniversary of SPL Trains 1 through 5 completion date
2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.75%
2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.30%
2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.75%
SPL Working Capital Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Original facility size		$ 1,200,000
Outstanding balance - current		223,500	15,000
Commitments prepaid or terminated		0
Letters of credit issued		323,677
Available commitment		$ 652,823
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis		LIBOR or base rate
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description		December 31, 2020, with various terms for underlying loans
SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.75%
SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		0.75%
2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Original facility size		$ 2,800,000
Outstanding balance		2,560,000	0
Commitments prepaid or terminated		0
Letters of credit issued		45,000
Available commitment		$ 195,000
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	[1]	LIBOR or base rate
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description		February 25, 2020, with principals due quarterly commencing on February 19, 2019
2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | February 25, 2019 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase		0.50%
2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	[1]	2.25%
2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	[1]	1.25%
2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Original facility size		$ 8,403,714
Outstanding balance		2,380,788	2,713,000
Commitments prepaid or terminated		2,420,212
Letters of credit issued		0
Available commitment		$ 3,602,714
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	[2]	LIBOR or base rate
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description		Earlier of May 13, 2022 or second anniversary of CCL Trains 1 and 2 completion date
2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member] | Completion Of First Two Trains [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase		0.25%
2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	[2]	2.25%
2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	[2]	1.25%
CCH Working Capital Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Original facility size		$ 350,000
Outstanding balance - current		0	$ 0
Commitments prepaid or terminated		0
Letters of credit issued		0
Available commitment		$ 350,000
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis		LIBOR or base rate
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description		December 14, 2021, with various terms for underlying loans
CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.50%
CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		0.50%
CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.00%
CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.00%

[1] There is a 0.50% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans beginning on February 25, 2019.

[2] There is a 0.25% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans following completion of the first two Trains of the CCL Project.

XML

Debt - 2015 SPL Credit Facilities (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Rate	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	$ 135,142	$ 124,180	$ 114,335
2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility, Original Borrowing Capacity	4,600,000
Commitments prepaid or terminated	$ 2,643,867
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR or base rate
2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.30%
2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
SPL [Member] | 2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility, Original Borrowing Capacity				$ 4,600,000
Commitments prepaid or terminated	$ 2,643,867
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	$ 52,200
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR or the base rate
Line Of Credit Facility, Insurance Premium, Percentage Of Drawn Amount	0.45%
Line Of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity Commitment Fee, Percentage Of Margin On Undrawn Commitment	40.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.70%
Line Of Credit Facility Amortization Period	18 years
Debt Instrument, Fixed Charge, Coverage Ratio | Rate	1.25
SPL [Member] | 2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
SPL [Member] | 2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Percentage of Debt Hedged by Interest Rate Derivatives	65.00%
SPL [Member] | 2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.30%
SPL [Member] | 2015 SPL Credit Facilities [Member] | Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%

XML

Debt - SPL Working Capital Facility (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
SPL Working Capital Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR or base rate
SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.75%
SPL [Member] | SPL Working Capital Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR or the base rate
Letter of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.70%
Line of Credit Facility Number of Business Days Notice Required for Repayment of Debt Without Penalty	3 days
SPL [Member] | SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | Portion issued and not drawn [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	1.75%
SPL [Member] | SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
SPL [Member] | SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.75%
SPL [Member] | SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | Base Rate Determination Federal Funds Rate [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
SPL [Member] | SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | Base Rate Determination LIBOR [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
SPL [Member] | SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility Permitted Increase	$ 760,000,000
SPL [Member] | SPL Working Capital Facility [Member] | Completion of Train Six Financing [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility Permitted Increase	390,000,000
SPL [Member] | SPL Letter of Credit [Member] | Drawn Portion [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 0
SPL [Member] | SPL Letter of Credit [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Drawn Portion [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%
SPL [Member] | SPL Working Capital Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Annual Temporary Requirement, Balance, Outstanding Principal	$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Annual Temporary Requirement, Period, Number of Consecutive Business Days	5 days
SPL [Member] | SPL Swing Line Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Minimum Period For Termination Date, Number of Business Days	3 days
SPL [Member] | SPL Swing Line Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	15 days
SPL [Member] | SPL LC Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	1 year

XML

Debt - 2016 CQP Credit Facilities (Details)		1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Rate	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Loss on early extinguishment of debt				$ 135,142,000	$ 124,180,000	$ 114,335,000
2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	[1]			LIBOR or base rate
2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | February 25, 2019 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase				0.50%
2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	[1]			2.25%
2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	[1]			1.25%
CTPL Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity					$ 400,000,000.0
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 2,800,000,000.0
Debt Instrument, Balance Required in Reserve Account, Period of Debt Service				6 months
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis				LIBOR or the base rate
Debt Issuance Costs, Line of Credit Arrangements, Gross				$ 73,100,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt				$ 19,600,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage				40.00%
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | February 25, 2019 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase				0.50%
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				2.25%
Line Of Credit Facility, Number Of Months Period Within LIBOR Period Interest Due				3 months
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				1.25%
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | Base Rate Determination Federal Funds Rate [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				0.50%
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | Base Rate Determination LIBOR [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				1.00%
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Percentage of Debt Hedged by Interest Rate Derivatives				50.00%
Debt Instrument, Fixed Charge, Coverage Ratio | Rate				1.15
Debt Instrument, Fixed Charge, Coverage Ratio, Projected | Rate				1.55
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities - CTPL Tranche Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				$ 450,000,000.0
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities - SPLNG Tranche Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				2,100,000,000
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities - Debt Service Reserve Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				125,000,000.0
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities - Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				$ 115,000,000.0
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities - Letter of Credit [Member] | Portion issued and not drawn [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage				2.25%
Cheniere Partners [Member] | 2016 CQP Credit Facilities - Letter of Credit [Member] | Portion issued and not drawn [Member] | February 25, 2019 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase				0.50%
Cheniere Partners [Member] | CTPL Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt			$ 400,000,000.0
Cheniere Partners [Member] | SPLNG Senior Notes [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt		$ 2,100,000,000

[1] There is a 0.50% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans beginning on February 25, 2019.

XML

Debt - 2015 CCH Credit Facilities (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Rate	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		$ 135,142	$ 124,180	$ 114,335
2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitments prepaid or terminated		$ 2,420,212
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	[1]	LIBOR or base rate
2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	[1]	2.25%
2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	[1]	1.25%
CCH [Member] | 2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitments prepaid or terminated		$ 2,380,788
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		$ 63,300
Line of Credit Facility, Date of First Quarterly Payment, Number of Months Following Project Completion		3 months
Line Of Credit Facility Amortization Period		19 years
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis		LIBOR or the base rate
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		40.00%
Debt Instrument, Balance Required in Reserve Account, Period of Debt Service		6 months
CCH [Member] | 2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.25%
CCH [Member] | 2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Completion Of First Two Trains [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.50%
CCH [Member] | 2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.25%
CCH [Member] | 2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Completion Of First Two Trains [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.50%
CCH [Member] | 2015 CCH Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Fixed Charge, Coverage Ratio, Projected | Rate		1.55
Percentage of Debt Hedged by Interest Rate Derivatives		65.00%
Debt Instrument, Fixed Charge, Coverage Ratio | Rate		1.25

[1] There is a 0.25% step-up for both LIBOR and base rate loans following completion of the first two Trains of the CCL Project.

XML

Debt - CCH Working Capital Facility (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
CCH Working Capital Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 350,000,000
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR or base rate
CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%
CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
CCH [Member] | CCH Working Capital Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 350,000,000
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR or the base rate
Debt Issuance Costs, Line of Credit Arrangements, Gross	$ 8,000,000
CCH [Member] | CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Base Rate Determination Federal Funds Rate [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
CCH [Member] | CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Base Rate Determination LIBOR [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
CCH [Member] | CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
CCH [Member] | CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
CCH [Member] | CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%
CCH [Member] | CCH Working Capital Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
CCH [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Undrawn [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.20%
CCH [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Drawn Portion [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%
CCH [Member] | CCH Revolving Loans [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line Of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity Commitment Fee, Percentage Of Margin On Undrawn Commitment	40.00%
Line of Credit Facility Number of Business Days Notice Required for Repayment of Debt Without Penalty	3 days
CCH [Member] | CCH LC Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	1 year
CCH [Member] | CCH Swing Line Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Minimum Period For Termination Date, Number of Business Days	4 days
CCH [Member] | CCH Swing Line Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term	15 days
CCH [Member] | CCH Working Capital Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Annual Temporary Requirement, Balance, Outstanding Principal	$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Annual Temporary Requirement, Period, Number of Consecutive Business Days	5 days

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Debt - Convertible Notes Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 09, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate original principal		$ 1,000,000
Debt component, net of discount		959,577			$ 808,800
Equity component		$ 204,529	$ 203,000		$ 191,200
Maturity date		May 28, 2021
Contractual interest rate		4.875%
Effective interest rate		8.30%	9.60%
Remaining debt discount and debt issuance costs amortization period	[1]	4 years 149 days
2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate original principal		$ 1,000,000
Debt component, net of discount		1,171,008
Equity component		$ 0
Maturity date		Mar. 01, 2025
Contractual interest rate		11.00%
Effective interest rate		11.90%
Remaining debt discount and debt issuance costs amortization period	[1]	3 years 274 days
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate original principal		$ 625,000
Debt component, net of discount		308,125		$ 304,300
Equity component		$ 194,082	$ 194,000	$ 195,700
Maturity date		Mar. 15, 2045
Contractual interest rate		4.25%
Effective interest rate		9.40%	9.40%
Remaining debt discount and debt issuance costs amortization period	[1]	28 years 81 days

[1] We amortize any debt discount and debt issuance costs using the effective interest over the period through contractual maturity except for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes, which are amortized through the date they are first convertible by holders into our common stock.

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Debt - Convertible Notes (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Rate $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 09, 2015 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2014 USD ($)
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.875%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Earliest date of conversion, Period after closing	1 year
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Initial Conversion Price | $ / shares	$ 93.64
Convertible Debt	$ 959,577			$ 808,800
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component	$ 204,529	$ 203,000		$ 191,200
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	8.30%	9.60%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 1,000,000
2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	11.00%
Convertible Debt	$ 1,171,008
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component	$ 0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	11.90%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 1,000,000
2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | CCH Holdco II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Collateral Amount, Equity Interest in Subsidiary	100.00%
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.25%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Initial Conversion Price | $ / shares	$ 138.38
Convertible Debt	$ 308,125		$ 304,300
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component	$ 194,082	$ 194,000	$ 195,700
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	9.40%	9.40%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 625,000
Debt Instrument, Original Issue Discount	20.00%
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Note Holders [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Initial Conversion Ratio per $1,000 principal amount, in shares	7.2265
CCH Holdco II [Member] | 2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	11.00%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Minimum Capitalization for Conversion	$ 10,000,000
Debt Instrument, Fixed Charge, Coverage Ratio | Rate	1.20
CCH Holdco II [Member] | 2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Note Holders [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Earliest date of conversion, Period after closing	6 months
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Threshold Consecutive Trading Days 2	90 days
CCH Holdco II [Member] | 2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | CCH Holdco II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Earliest date of conversion, Period after Eligible Conversion Date	58 months
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Percentage of Conversion 1, Discount to VWAP	10.00%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Consecutive Trading Days 1	90 days
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Percentage of Conversion 2, Discount to closing price of common stock	10.00%
CCH Holdco II [Member] | 2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Cheniere CCH Holdco I LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Collateral Amount, Equity Interest in Subsidiary	100.00%

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Debt - Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total interest cost	$ 1,301,189	$ 997,493	$ 587,036
Capitalized interest	(812,799)	(675,410)	(405,800)
Total interest expense, net	488,390	322,083	181,236
Convertible Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest per contractual rate	201,752	145,848	4,469
Amortization of debt discount	31,310	28,347	2,328
Amortization of debt issuance costs	5,240	2,989	4
Total interest cost	238,302	177,184	6,801
Debt Excluding Convertible Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total interest cost	$ 1,062,887	$ 820,309	$ 580,235

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Debt - Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Amount, Debt		$ 21,934,999	$ 16,593,806
Senior Notes, net of premium or discount [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Amount, Debt	[1]	14,262,838	10,596,307
Senior Notes, net of premium or discount [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Estimated Fair Value	[1]	15,210,299	9,525,809
CTPL Term Loan, net of discount [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Amount, Debt	[2]	0	398,571
CTPL Term Loan, net of discount [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
CTPL Term Loan, Estimated Fair Value	[2]	0	400,000
Credit Facilities [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Amount, Debt	[2],[3]	5,502,255	3,573,000
Credit Facilities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Credit Facilities, Estimated Fair Value	[2],[3]	5,502,255	3,573,000
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes, net of discount [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Amount, Debt	[4]	959,577	879,938
2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes, net of discount [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Convertible Debt, Estimated Fair Value	[4]	983,384	825,413
2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Amount, Debt	[4]	1,171,008	1,050,588
2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Convertible Debt, Estimated Fair Value	[4]	1,327,818	914,363
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, net of discount [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Amount, Debt	[5]	308,125	305,938
2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes, net of discount [Member] | Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Convertible Debt, Estimated Fair Value	[5]	$ 375,250	$ 331,919

[1] Includes 2016 SPLNG Senior Notes, 2020 SPLNG Senior Notes, SPL Senior Notes and CCH Senior Notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”). The Level 2 estimated fair value was based on quotes obtained from broker-dealers or market makers of the Senior Notes and other similar instruments.

[2] The Level 3 estimated fair value approximates the principal amount because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates and the debt may be repaid, in full or in part, at any time without penalty.

[3] Includes 2015 SPL Credit Facilities, SPL Working Capital Facility, 2016 CQP Credit Facilities, 2015 CCH Credit Facility, CCH Working Capital Facility and Cheniere Marketing trade finance facilities.

[4] The Level 3 estimated fair value was calculated based on inputs that are observable in the market or that could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data, including our stock price and interest rates based on debt issued by parties with comparable credit ratings to us and inputs that are not observable in the market.

[5] The Level 1 estimated fair value was based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical liabilities that we had the ability to access at the measurement date.

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Restructuring Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring expense	$ 61,409	$ 60,769	$ 0
Share-based compensation	116,835	195,308	$ 110,229
Restructuring expense [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	46,900	57,900
Accrued liabilities [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued restructuring expense	$ 6,100	$ 33,000

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Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current
Federal	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
State	0	0	0
Foreign	(54)	(1,970)	(4,143)
Total current	(54)	(1,970)	(4,143)
Deferred
Federal	0	0	0
State	0	0	0
Foreign	(1,854)	2,066	0
Total deferred	(1,854)	2,066	0
Total income tax benefit (provision)	$ (1,908)	$ 96	$ (4,143)

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Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Effective Income Tax Rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Non-controlling interest	(2.10%)	(2.30%)	(4.80%)
State tax rate	1.80%	1.90%	4.30%
Uncertain tax position	0.00%	0.00%	(12.50%)
Net impact of non-U.S. taxes	(1.20%)	(1.30%)	(2.00%)
Valuation allowance	(27.50%)	(30.10%)	(19.80%)
Nondeductible interest expense	(6.60%)	(2.60%)	(0.00%)
Other	0.30%	(0.50%)	(0.60%)
Effective tax rate as reported	(0.30%)	0.10%	(0.40%)

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Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]
Federal and foreign NOL carryforwards and credits	$ 1,060,026	$ 862,218
State NOL carryforwards and credits	183,153	166,321
Book deferred gain	77,182	77,182
Share-based compensation expense	52,727	71,693
Property, plant and equipment	0	12,957
Derivative instruments	46,754	54,052
Long-term debt	17,676	8,725
Other	13,511	5,641
Less: valuation allowance	(1,251,959)	(1,070,309)
Total deferred tax assets	199,070	188,480
Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]
Investment in limited partnership	(76,265)	(57,466)
Convertible debt	(118,341)	(128,948)
Property, plant and equipment	(4,464)	0
Total deferred tax liabilities	(199,070)	(186,414)
Total net deferred tax assets	0	$ 2,066
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase, Amount	181,700
Federal Tax [Member]
Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Subject to Expiration	3,800,000
State Tax [Member]
Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Subject to Expiration	$ 2,300,000

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Income Taxes - Changes in Gross Amounts of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of the year	$ 103,640	$ 104,491
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	0	0
Additions for tax positions of prior years	0	0
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(728)	(851)
Settlements	0	0
Balance at end of the year	102,912	$ 103,640
Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation To Be Realized Upon Utilization Of Net Operating Loss Carryforward	$ 177,300

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Share-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Installment_vestings annual_performance_periods shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2012 USD ($) shares
Share-based Compensation Expense, Net Components
Total share-based compensation | $	$ 116,835	$ 195,308	$ 110,229
Capitalized share-based compensation | $	(16,312)	(22,912)	(8,226)
Total share-based compensation expense | $	100,523	172,396	102,003
Share-based compensation, unrecognized compensation | $	$ 125,300
Share-based compensation, unrecognized compensation, period for recognition	1 year 8 months 1 day
Share-based compensation plan modification, incremental compensation cost | $	$ 5,600	$ 0	$ 10,800
2003 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Authorized	21,000,000
Number of Shares Granted Plan-to-Date, Net of Cancellations	21,000,000
2011 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Authorized	35,000,000
Number of Shares Granted Plan-to-Date, Net of Cancellations	26,500,000
2015 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Granted Plan-to-Date, Net of Cancellations	6,700,000
2015 Inducement Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Authorized	1,000,000
Number of Shares Granted Plan-to-Date, Net of Cancellations	200,000
Share-Based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	0
Long Term Commercial Stock Price Bonus Award for Train 1 and Train 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash Awards Under Long Term Compensation Arrangement | $				$ 60,000
Long Term Commercial Stock Price Bonus Award for Train 1 and Train 2 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-Based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant				10,000,000
Share-based Payment Award, Vesting Percentage	25.00%
Long Term Commercial Stock Price Bonus Award For Train 3 And Train 4 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Payment Award, Vested Percentage	100.00%
Long Term Commercial Milestone Bonus Award For Train 3 And Train 4 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Payment Award, Vested Percentage	50.00%
Long Term Commercial Milestone Bonus Award For Train 3 And Train 4 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Substantial Completion Of Construction Of Train 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Payment Award, Vesting Percentage	20.00%
Long Term Commercial Milestone Bonus Award For Train 3 And Train 4 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | First Anniversary Of Substantial Completion Of Construction Of Train 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Payment Award, Vesting Percentage	30.00%
2014-2018 Long-Term Cash Incentive Program [Member] | Phantom Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Consecutive Annual Performance Periods | annual_performance_periods	5
Number of Vesting Installments | Installment_vestings	3

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Share-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock, Phantom Units and Stock Options (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities, Share-Based Compensation Obligation	$ 637,097,000	$ 427,199,000
Granted, Number of Options	0	0	0
Dividends declared	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised	17,000	2,700,000	11,900,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	$ 50,000	$ 2,279,000	$ 10,805,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in Period, Number of Awards	273,000	19,000	550,000
Restricted Stock Vesting Period - service years, option 1	1 year
Restricted Stock Vesting Period - service years, option 2	3 years
Restricted Stock Vesting Period - service years, option 3	4 years
Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 34.41	$ 70.43	$ 60.09
Vested in Period, Fair Value	$ 36,300,000	$ 50,200,000	$ 84,000,000
Phantom Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in Period, Number of Awards	1,800,000	5,900,000	100,000
Awards Outstanding, Number of Awards	3,900,000	4,700,000
Vested in Period, Fair Value	$ 78,300,000	$ 50,000,000	$ 0
Accrued liabilities, Share-Based Compensation Obligation	$ 1,100,000	$ 45,400,000

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Share-Based Compensation - Schedule of Non-vested Share Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non-vested at January 1, 2016, Shares	7,536
Non-vested at January 1, 2016, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$ 22.80
Granted, Shares	273	19	550
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 34.41	$ 70.43	$ 60.09
Vested, Shares	(1,701)
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$ 21.37
Forfeited, Shares	(457)
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 23.00
Non-vested at December 31, 2016, Shares	5,651	7,536
Non-vested at December 31, 2016, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$ 24.12	$ 22.80

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Share-Based Compensation - Schedule of Stock Options Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Outstanding at January 1, 2016, Number of Options	27,000
Outstanding at January 1, 2016, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 39.88
Outstanding at January 1, 2016, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	0 days	3 months 6 days
Outstanding at January 1, 2016, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 0
Granted, Number of Options	0	0	0
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 0
Exercised, Number of Options	(2,000)
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 33.39
Forfeited or Expired, Number of Options	(25,000)
Forfeited or Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 40.27
Outstanding at December 31, 2016, Number of Options	0	27,000
Outstanding at December 31, 2016, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 0.00	$ 39.88
Outstanding at December 31, 2016, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	0 days	3 months 6 days
Outstanding at December 31, 2016, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 0	$ 0
Exercisable at December 31, 2016, Number of Options	0
Exercisable at December 31, 2016, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 0.00
Exercisable at December 31, 2016, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	0 days
Exercisable at December 31, 2016, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 0

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Employee Benefit Plan (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent	100.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay	6.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 6,300,000	$ 4,900,000	$ 3,600,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount	$ 0

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Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders (Details) - $ / shares		3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	[1]	Sep. 30, 2016	[1]	Jun. 30, 2016	[1]	Mar. 31, 2016	[1]	Dec. 31, 2015	[1]	Sep. 30, 2015	[1]	Jun. 30, 2015	[1]	Mar. 31, 2015	[1]	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding, Basic																		228,768,000	226,903,000	224,338,000
Dilutive Common Stock Options and Unvested Stock																		0	0	0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted																		228,768,000	226,903,000	224,338,000
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders		$ 0.48		$ (0.44)		$ (1.31)		$ (1.41)		$ (1.28)		$ (1.31)		$ (0.52)		$ (1.18)		$ (2.67)	$ (4.30)	$ (2.44)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount																		16,949,000	17,907,000	15,790,000
Stock options and unvested stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	[2]																	621,000	2,134,000	5,063,000
2021 Cheniere Convertible Notes And 2045 Cheniere Convertible Notes [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	[3]																	16,328,000	15,773,000	10,727,000
Restricted Stock With Unsatisfied Performance Conditions [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount																		5,000,000	5,400,000	5,500,000
2025 CCH Holdco II Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount																		0	0	0

[1] The sum of the quarterly net income (loss) per share—basic and diluted may not equal the full year amount as the computations of the weighted average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted shares outstanding for each quarter and the full year are performed independently.

[2] Does not include 5.0 million shares, 5.4 million shares and 5.5 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of unvested stock because the performance conditions had not yet been satisfied as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

[3] Includes shares in aggregate issuable upon conversion of the 2021 Cheniere Convertible Unsecured Notes and the 2045 Cheniere Convertible Senior Notes. There were no shares included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for the 2025 CCH HoldCo II Convertible Senior Notes because substantive non-market-based contingencies underlying the eligible conversion date have not been met as of December 31, 2016.

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Leases - Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense		$ 85,800	$ 40,600	$ 19,100
2017, Minimum Payment	[1]	129,000
2018, Minimum Payment	[1]	106,519
2019, Minimum Payment	[1]	102,451
2020, Minimum Payment	[1]	83,418
2021, Minimum Payment	[1]	21,651
Thereafter, Minimum Payment	[1]	96,814
Total, Minimum Payment	[1]	$ 539,853
Land [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Initial Term of Lease		30 years
Term of Available Extension		60 years

[1] Includes certain lease option renewals that are reasonably assured.

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Leases - Capital Leases (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Capital Leased Assets	$ 0
2017, Minimum Payment	0
2018, Minimum Payment	4,980,000
2019, Minimum Payment	9,960,000
2020, Minimum Payment	9,988,000
2021, Minimum Payment	9,960,000
Thereafter, Minimum Payment	164,426,000
Total, Minimum Payment	$ 199,314,000

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) MMBTU / yr in Millions, MMBTU in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) MMBTU / yr MMBTU	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount of Restricted Net Assets for Consolidated Subsidiaries	$ 2,400,000,000
Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual	$ 0	$ 0
SPL [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Energy Units Secured Through Long-Term Supply Contracts | MMBTU	1,993.9
Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 400,000,000
Cheniere LNG Terminals, LLC [Member] | Parallax Enterprises [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Secured note receivable	$ 46,000,000
SPA Commitment, Trains 1 and 2 [Member] | SPL [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Contract Volumes | MMBTU / yr	401.5
SPA Commitment, Trains 3 Through 5 [Member] | SPL [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Contract Volumes | MMBTU / yr	628.5
SPA Commitment [Member] | CCL [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Contract Volumes | MMBTU / yr	438.7
SPL Bechtel EPC Contracts [Member] | SPL [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Contract Termination Convenience Penalty	$ 30,000,000
EPC Contract, Trains 3 And 4 [Member] | SPL [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	3,900,000,000
EPC Contract, Train 5 [Member] | SPL [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	3,000,000,000
EPC Contract, Stage 1 [Member] | CCL [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	7,700,000,000
EPC Contract, Stage 1 [Member] | CCL [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Contract Termination Convenience Penalty	30,000,000
EPC Contract, Stage 2 [Member] | CCL [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	2,400,000,000
EPC Contract, Stage 2 [Member] | Prior to Issuance of NTP [Member] | CCL [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Contract Termination Convenience Penalty	5,000,000
EPC Contract, Stage 2 [Member] | After Issuance Of NTP [Member] | CCL [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Contract Termination Convenience Penalty	$ 30,000,000
Natural Gas Supply Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period	1 year
Natural Gas Supply Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period	6 years
Transportation Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period	10 years
Transportation Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period	20 years
Storage Service Agreement [Member] | SPL [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period	3 years
Storage Service Agreement [Member] | SPL [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period	10 years
Transportation And Storage Service Agreement [Member] | CCL [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period	20 years

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Commitments and Contingencies - Purchase Obligations Table (Details) - SPL [Member] - Natural Gas Supply Transportation And Storage Service Agreements [Member] $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	[1]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
2017	$ 1,611,296
2018	1,192,791
2019	1,029,621
2020	1,069,222
2021	917,113
Thereafter	2,406,125
Total	$ 8,226,168

[1] Pricing of natural gas supply contracts are variable based on market commodity basis prices adjusted for basis spread. Amounts included are based on prices and basis spreads as of December 31, 2016.

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Business Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item		Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments | item										2
Revenues (losses) from external customers		$ 571,586	$ 465,673	$ 176,827	$ 69,081	$ 68,432	$ 66,059	$ 68,025	$ 68,369	$ 1,283,167		$ 270,885		$ 267,954
Intersegment revenues (losses)	[1]									0		0		0
Depreciation and amortization expense										174,042		82,680		64,258
Income (loss) from operations		122,370	$ 15,276	$ (76,454)	$ (90,559)	(241,121)	$ (52,074)	$ (95,874)	$ (60,244)	(29,367)	[2]	(449,313)	[2]	(272,179)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest										(488,390)		(322,083)		(181,236)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest	[3]									(662,885)		(1,097,411)		(687,734)
Share-based compensation										116,835		195,308		110,229
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets										4,625,016		7,084,099		2,847,815
Restructuring expense										61,409		60,769		0
Total assets		23,702,737				18,809,053				23,702,737		18,809,053
Non-US [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (losses) from external customers										514,300
Japan
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (losses) from external customers										161,700
Corporate and other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (losses) from external customers	[4]									(40,958)		1,538		1,633
Intersegment revenues (losses)	[1],[4]									(332,859)		(31,598)		(41,129)
Depreciation and amortization expense	[4]									22,966		16,472		5,104
Income (loss) from operations	[4]									(297,811)	[2]	(293,813)		(169,396)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	[4]									(103,785)		(102,252)		(3,836)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest	[3],[4]									(429,336)		(413,846)		(192,494)
Share-based compensation	[4]									66,699		147,959		90,073
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets	[4]									(1,136)		97,216		161,882
Restructuring expense	[4]									44,400		60,800
Total assets		551,146				894,407				551,146		894,407
LNG terminal [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (losses) from external customers										803,480		269,281		267,606
Intersegment revenues (losses)	[1]									294,889		2,225		(779)
Depreciation and amortization expense										149,690		65,137		58,883
Income (loss) from operations										237,432	[2]	(69,923)		(89,790)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest										(384,605)		(219,831)		(177,400)
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest	[3]									(268,955)		(596,432)		(480,366)
Share-based compensation										25,364		32,948		14,129
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets										4,623,438		6,984,152		2,684,045
Total assets		22,420,568				17,363,750				22,420,568		17,363,750
LNG & natural gas marketing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (losses) from external customers										520,645		66		(1,285)
Intersegment revenues (losses)	[1]									37,970		29,373		41,908
Depreciation and amortization expense										1,386		1,071		271
Income (loss) from operations										31,012	[2]	(85,577)		(12,993)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest										0		0		0
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest	[3]									35,406		(87,133)		(14,874)
Share-based compensation										24,772		14,401		6,027
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets										2,714		2,731		$ 1,888
Restructuring expense										17,000		0
Total assets		$ 731,023				$ 550,896				731,023		$ 550,896
Cheniere Marketing [Member] | Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (losses) from external customers	[4]									$ 338,200

[1] Intersegment revenues (losses) related to our LNG and natural gas marketing segment are primarily a result of international revenue allocations using a cost plus transfer pricing methodology. These LNG and natural gas marketing segment intersegment revenues (losses) are eliminated with intersegment revenues (losses) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

[2] Includes restructuring expense of $44.4 million and $60.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the corporate and other column and $17.0 million and zero for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the LNG and natural gas marketing segment.

[3] Items to reconcile income (loss) from operations and income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interest include consolidated other income (expense) amounts as presented on our Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily related to our LNG terminal segment.

[4] Includes corporate activities, business development, strategic activities and certain intercompany eliminations. These activities have been included in the corporate and other column. Also includes $338.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 of Cheniere Marketing’s LNG revenues, which is eliminated in consolidation.

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$ 66,436	$ 122,860	$ 130,578
Non-cash conveyance of assets	0	13,169	0
Balance in property, plant and equipment, net funded with accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 395,100	$ 301,400	$ 129,800

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Subsequent Events (Details) - Subsequent Event [Member] - USD ($) shares in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Feb. 24, 2017
2011 Incentive Plan [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of Additional Shares Authorized		7.8
2011 Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units And Target Performance Stock Units [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Grants in Period, Number of Awards	1.1
SPL [Member] | 2037 SPL Notes [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount			$ 800,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.00%

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Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2015		Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 571,586		$ 465,673		$ 176,827		$ 69,081		$ 68,432		$ 66,059		$ 68,025		$ 68,369		$ 1,283,167		$ 270,885		$ 267,954
Income (loss) from operations	122,370		15,276		(76,454)		(90,559)		(241,121)		(52,074)		(95,874)		(60,244)		(29,367)	[1]	(449,313)	[1]	(272,179)
Net income (loss)	149,541		(130,416)		(334,944)		(348,974)		(312,577)		(307,092)		(141,802)		(335,844)		(664,793)		(1,097,315)		(691,877)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ 109,707		$ (100,442)		$ (298,418)		$ (320,838)		$ (291,097)		$ (297,808)		$ (118,495)		$ (267,709)		$ (609,991)		$ (975,109)		$ (547,932)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted	$ 0.48	[2]	$ (0.44)	[2]	$ (1.31)	[2]	$ (1.41)	[2]	$ (1.28)	[2]	$ (1.31)	[2]	$ (0.52)	[2]	$ (1.18)	[2]	$ (2.67)		$ (4.30)		$ (2.44)

[1] Includes restructuring expense of $44.4 million and $60.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the corporate and other column and $17.0 million and zero for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the LNG and natural gas marketing segment.

[2] The sum of the quarterly net income (loss) per share—basic and diluted may not equal the full year amount as the computations of the weighted average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted shares outstanding for each quarter and the full year are performed independently.

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Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 875,836	$ 1,201,112	$ 1,747,583
Current assets	2,238,318	1,782,586
Non-current restricted cash	90,819	31,722	550,811
Property, plant and equipment, net	20,635,294	16,193,907
Investments in affiliates	10,097	20,295
Total assets	23,702,737	18,809,053
Current liabilities	1,076,669	2,185,268
Long-term debt, net	21,687,532	14,920,427
Stockholders’ deficit	(1,396,425)	(901,850)
Total liabilities and equity	23,702,737	18,809,053
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Current assets	287	132
Non-current restricted cash	6,575	6,572	$ 5,847
Property, plant and equipment, net	14,987	8,899
Debt receivable—affiliates	0	843,629
Investments in affiliates	(145,252)	(426,420)
Other non-current assets	115	0
Total assets	(123,288)	432,812
Current liabilities	8,184	8,051
Current debt—affiliate	0	143,580
Long-term debt, net	1,264,953	1,183,031
Stockholders’ deficit	(1,396,425)	(901,850)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (123,288)	$ 432,812

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Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating costs and expenses
Depreciation expense									$ 172,600	$ 82,400	$ 64,200
Total operating costs and expenses (recovery)									1,312,534	720,198	540,133
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net									(488,390)	(322,083)	(181,236)
Total other expense									(633,518)	(648,098)	(415,555)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$ 109,707	$ (100,442)	$ (298,418)	$ (320,838)	$ (291,097)	$ (297,808)	$ (118,495)	$ (267,709)	(609,991)	(975,109)	(547,932)
Parent Company [Member]
Operating costs and expenses
General and administrative expense (recovery)									5,741	(356)	10,597
Depreciation expense									107	58	0
Total operating costs and expenses (recovery)									5,848	(298)	10,597
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net									(103,784)	(93,116)	(4,205)
Interest expense, net—affiliates									(7,314)	(9,137)	(9,137)
Interest income									3	3	3
Interest income—affiliates									24,211	34,213	34,213
Equity loss of affiliates									(517,259)	(907,370)	(558,209)
Total other expense									(604,143)	(975,407)	(537,335)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders									$ (609,991)	$ (975,109)	$ (547,932)

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Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in operating activities	$ (403,842)	$ (482,520)	$ (262,798)
Cash flows from investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(4,413,411)	(6,983,711)	(2,896,420)
Cash flows from financing activities
Debt issuance and deferred financing costs	(171,629)	(513,062)	(109,806)
Proceeds from sale of common shares by Cheniere Holdings	0	0	228,781
Distributions and dividends to non-controlling interest	(80,055)	(80,235)	(79,517)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	50	2,279	10,805
Payments related to tax withholdings for share-based compensation	(20,397)	(61,175)	(112,324)
Other	0	1,524	3,605
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	4,907,575	6,422,331	3,349,044
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	90,322	(1,043,900)	189,826
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period	1,736,231	2,780,131	2,590,305
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period	1,826,553	1,736,231	2,780,131
Balances per Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	875,836	1,201,112	1,747,583
Non-current restricted cash	90,819	31,722	550,811
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	1,826,553	1,736,231	2,780,131
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash used in operating activities	(101,345)	(176,068)	(180,990)
Cash flows from investing activities
Investments in affiliates	201,750	(181,471)	(869,842)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	201,750	(181,471)	(869,842)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	500,000	1,000,000
Debt issuance and deferred financing costs	0	(4,129)	(516)
Proceeds from sale of common shares by Cheniere Holdings	0	0	228,781
Distributions and dividends to non-controlling interest	(80,055)	(80,235)	(79,517)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	50	2,279	10,805
Payments related to tax withholdings for share-based compensation	(20,397)	(61,175)	(112,323)
Other	0	1,524	3,605
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(100,402)	358,264	1,050,835
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	3	725	3
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period	6,572	5,847	5,844
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period	6,575	6,572	5,847
Balances per Condensed Balance Sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Non-current restricted cash	6,575	6,572	5,847
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 6,575	$ 6,572	$ 5,847

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Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Debt Footnote (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Accumulated interest payable		$ 273,053	$ 159,968
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Forgiveness of debt	$ 150,900
Parent Company [Member] | Affiliate Note Payable [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	93,700
Accumulated interest payable	$ 57,200

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Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Guarantees Footnote (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	$ 0	$ 0

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Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Supplemental Cash Flow Information Footnote (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Issuance of stock to acquire additional interest in Cheniere Holdings		$ 0
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Non-cash capital contributions	[1]	(517,259)	$ (907,370)	$ (558,209)
Non-cash capital contribution from subsidiaries for forgiveness of debt		150,895	0	0
Non-cash capital distribution to subsidiaries for forgiveness of debt		(867,840)	0	0
Issuance of stock to acquire additional interest in Cheniere Holdings		$ 93,575	$ 0	$ 0

[1] Amounts represent equity losses of affiliates.