Cheniere Partners Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results and Tightens Full Year 2026 Distribution Guidance
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (“Cheniere Partners”) (NYSE: CQP) today announced its financial results for third quarter 2026. HIGHLIGHTS During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026,…
Press Release Disclaimer: This is a press release distributed through the XPR Media network. It has not been independently verified by our newsroom.
![]()
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (“Cheniere Partners”) (NYSE: CQP) today announced its financial results for third quarter 2026.
HIGHLIGHTS
- During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, Cheniere Partners generated revenues of approximately $2.6 billion and $8.8 billion, net income of approximately $0.6 billion and $2.0 billion, and Adjusted EBITDA1 of approximately $1.0 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively.
- With respect to the third quarter of 2026, Cheniere Partners declared a cash distribution of $0.890 per common unit to unitholders of record as of November 3, 2026, comprised of a base amount equal to $0.775 and a variable amount equal to $0.115. The common unit distribution and the related general partner distribution will be paid on November 13, 2026.
- Tightening full year 2026 distribution guidance to $3.30 – $3.40 per common unit from $3.10 – $3.40 per common unit, maintaining a base distribution of $3.10 per common unit.
- In October 2026, Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (“SPL”) entered into a long-term liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) sale and purchase agreement (“SPA”) with QatarEnergy to supply up to 2 million tonnes per annum (“mtpa”) of LNG on a free-on-board (“FOB”) basis beginning in the early 2030s through 2054, with 1 mtpa subject to, among other things, a positive Final Investment Decision (“FID”) with respect to the first phase of the SPL Expansion Project (defined below).
- In September 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) issued the final environmental impact statement (“EIS”) relating to the SPL Expansion Project.
- In September 2026, Cheniere Partners and its subsidiaries obtained commitments for a term loan to finance the construction costs of the first phase of the SPL Expansion Project that are not expected to be funded with available cash. The term loan is being sized to finance approximately 50% of the total estimated project costs of the first phase. Closing and funding are subject to customary conditions, including the issuance of a positive FID with respect to the first phase of the SPL Expansion Project.
|
2026 FULL YEAR DISTRIBUTION GUIDANCE |
|||||||||||
|
|
2026 Previous |
|
2026 Revised |
||||||||
|
Distribution per Unit |
$ |
3.10 |
– |
$ |
3.40 |
|
$ |
3.30 |
– |
$ |
3.40 |
|
SUMMARY AND REVIEW OF FINANCIAL RESULTS |
|||||||||||||||||
|
(in millions, except LNG data) |
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
2025 |
|
% Change |
|
|
2026 |
|
|
2025 |
|
% Change |
||
|
Revenues |
$ |
2,574 |
|
$ |
2,404 |
|
7 |
% |
|
$ |
8,757 |
|
$ |
7,848 |
|
12 |
% |
|
Net income |
$ |
639 |
|
$ |
506 |
|
26 |
% |
|
$ |
1,986 |
|
$ |
1,700 |
|
17 |
% |
|
Adjusted EBITDA1 |
$ |
954 |
|
$ |
885 |
|
8 |
% |
|
$ |
3,112 |
|
$ |
2,649 |
|
17 |
% |
|
LNG exported: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Number of cargoes |
|
104 |
|
|
104 |
|
— |
% |
|
|
324 |
|
|
314 |
|
3 |
% |
|
Volumes (TBtu) |
|
377 |
|
|
374 |
|
1 |
% |
|
|
1,185 |
|
|
1,132 |
|
5 |
% |
|
LNG volumes loaded and recognized (TBtu) |
|
378 |
|
|
374 |
|
1 |
% |
|
|
1,187 |
|
|
1,130 |
|
5 |
% |
Net income increased approximately $133 million and $286 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, respectively, as compared to the corresponding 2025 periods. The increases were primarily driven by higher total margins on LNG delivered, primarily driven by higher volumes recognized in income as well as higher margins per MMBtu of LNG delivered during the periods. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was partially offset by approximately $208 million of unfavorable variances related to changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments, including those impacts related to our long-term Integrated Production Marketing (IPM) agreements.
Adjusted EBITDA1 increased by approximately $69 million and $463 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, respectively, due to higher total margins on LNG delivered, primarily driven by higher volumes recognized in income as well as higher margins per MMBtu of LNG delivered during the periods.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, we recognized in income 378 and 1,187 TBtu, respectively, of LNG loaded from the SPL Project (defined below).
|
Capital Resources |
||
|
The table below provides a summary of our available liquidity (in millions) as of September 30, 2026: |
||
|
|
September 30, 2026 |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
569 |
|
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
|
35 |
|
Available commitments under our credit facilities(1): |
|
|
|
SPL Revolving Credit Facility |
|
873 |
|
Cheniere Partners Revolving Credit Facility |
|
1,000 |
|
Total available commitments under our credit facilities |
|
1,873 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total available liquidity |
$ |
2,477 |
|
(1) |
Available commitments represent total commitments less loans outstanding and letters of credit issued under each of our credit facilities as of September 30, 2026. |
Recent Key Financial Transactions and Updates
In September 2026, SPL repaid approximately $54 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of its Senior Secured Notes due 2037 with weighted average rate of 4.748% as of June 30, 2026 (the “2037 SPL Senior Notes”) based on the fixed amortization schedules.
In September 2026, Cheniere Partners and its subsidiaries obtained commitments for a term loan to finance the construction costs of the first phase of the SPL Expansion Project that are not expected to be funded with available cash. Closing and funding are subject to customary conditions, including the issuance of a positive FID with respect to the first phase of the SPL Expansion Project. Additionally, we have secured commitments to amend and extend the maturities of the SPL Revolving Credit Facility and the Cheniere Partners Revolving Credit Facility, including the reallocation of $250 million in commitments from the SPL Revolving Credit Facility to the Cheniere Partners Revolving Credit Facility.
SABINE PASS OVERVIEW
We own natural gas liquefaction facilities with total production capacity of over 30 mtpa of LNG at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana (the “SPL Project”), inclusive of six liquefaction trains.
As of October 23, 2026, approximately 3,560 cumulative LNG cargoes totaling over 245 million tonnes of LNG have been produced, loaded, and exported from the SPL Project.
SPL Expansion Project
We are developing an expansion adjacent to the SPL Project with an expected total peak production capacity of up to approximately 20 mtpa of LNG (the “SPL Expansion Project”), inclusive of estimated debottlenecking opportunities. We expect to execute the SPL Expansion Project in a phased approach, maximizing brownfield economics, and a positive FID is subject to, among other things, receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and acceptable commercial and financing arrangements.
The first phase includes a single train, Train 7, and a boil-off gas re-liquefaction unit, along with supporting infrastructure and tie-ins to the existing Sabine Pass LNG terminal, and has an expected total production capacity of over 6 mtpa of LNG, inclusive of estimated debottlenecking opportunities. In May 2026, the lump sum, turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Bechtel Energy, Inc. (“Bechtel”) for the first phase of the SPL Expansion Project was signed, and Bechtel was released to commence early engineering and procurement under a limited notice to proceed (LNTP).
The FERC application for authorization to site, construct and operate the SPL Expansion Project, as well as the Department of Energy (DOE) application authorizing the export of LNG to non-free trade agreement countries, remain pending. In September 2026, the FERC issued the final EIS relating to the SPL Expansion Project.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS
In October 2026, we declared a cash distribution of $0.890 per common unit to unitholders of record as of November 3, 2026, comprised of a base amount equal to $0.775 ($3.10 annualized) and a variable amount equal to $0.115, which takes into consideration, among other things, amounts reserved for annual debt repayment and capital allocation goals, anticipated capital expenditures to be funded with cash, and cash reserves to provide for the proper conduct of the business. The common unit distribution and the related general partner distribution will be paid on November 13, 2026.
INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE: LNG) will host a conference call to discuss its financial and operating results for the third quarter on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 11 a.m. Eastern time / 10 a.m. Central time. A listen-only webcast of the call and an accompanying slide presentation may be accessed through our website at www.cheniere.com. Following the call, an archived recording will be made available on our website. The call and accompanying slide presentation will include financial and operating results or other information regarding Cheniere Partners.
About Cheniere Partners
Cheniere Partners owns the Sabine Pass LNG terminal located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, which has natural gas liquefaction facilities with a total production capacity of over 30 mtpa of LNG, inclusive of debottlenecking opportunities. The Sabine Pass LNG terminal also has operational regasification facilities that include five LNG storage tanks, vaporizers, and three marine berths. Cheniere Partners also owns the Creole Trail Pipeline, which interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with a number of large interstate and intrastate pipelines.
For additional information, please refer to the Cheniere Partners website at www.cheniere.com and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to disclosing financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the accompanying news release contains a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that is used to facilitate comparisons of operating performance across periods. This non-GAAP measure should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for our U.S. GAAP measures of performance and the financial results calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and the reconciliation from these results should be carefully evaluated.
Non-GAAP measures have limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or in lieu of an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP and should be evaluated only on a supplementary basis.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements that may include “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical or present facts or conditions, included herein are “forward-looking statements.” Included among “forward-looking statements” are, among other things, (i) statements regarding Cheniere Partners’ financial and operational guidance, business strategy, plans and objectives, including the development, construction and operation of liquefaction facilities, (ii) statements regarding Cheniere Partners’ anticipated quarterly distributions and ability to make quarterly distributions at the base amount or any amount, (iii) statements regarding regulatory authorization and approval expectations, (iv) statements expressing beliefs and expectations regarding the development of Cheniere Partners’ LNG terminal and liquefaction business, (v) statements regarding the business operations and prospects of third-parties, (vi) statements regarding potential financing arrangements, (vii) statements regarding future discussions and entry into contracts, and (viii) statements relating to our goals, commitments and strategies in relation to environmental matters. Although Cheniere Partners believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Cheniere Partners’ actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in Cheniere Partners’ periodic reports that are filed with and available from the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required under the securities laws, Cheniere Partners does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.
|
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. Consolidated Statements of Operations (in millions, except per unit data)(1) (unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Nine Months Ended |
||||||||||||
|
|
September 30, |
|
September 30, |
||||||||||||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
LNG revenues |
$ |
1,956 |
|
|
$ |
1,837 |
|
|
$ |
6,561 |
|
|
$ |
5,961 |
|
|
LNG revenues—affiliate |
|
567 |
|
|
|
518 |
|
|
|
2,044 |
|
|
|
1,738 |
|
|
Regasification revenues |
|
34 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
102 |
|
|
|
102 |
|
|
Other revenues |
|
17 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
Total revenues |
|
2,574 |
|
|
|
2,404 |
|
|
|
8,757 |
|
|
|
7,848 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Operating costs and expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Cost of sales (excluding operating and maintenance expense and depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)(2) |
|
1,276 |
|
|
|
1,278 |
|
|
|
4,757 |
|
|
|
4,177 |
|
|
Cost of sales—affiliate |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Operating and maintenance expense |
|
236 |
|
|
|
191 |
|
|
|
692 |
|
|
|
683 |
|
|
Operating and maintenance expense—affiliate |
|
43 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
136 |
|
|
|
126 |
|
|
Operating and maintenance expense—related party |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
General and administrative expense |
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
General and administrative expense—affiliate |
|
25 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
174 |
|
|
|
173 |
|
|
|
522 |
|
|
|
515 |
|
|
Other operating costs and expenses |
|
2 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
Other operating costs and expenses—affiliate |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Total operating costs and expenses |
|
1,759 |
|
|
|
1,708 |
|
|
|
6,241 |
|
|
|
5,611 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Income from operations |
|
815 |
|
|
|
696 |
|
|
|
2,516 |
|
|
|
2,237 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Other income (expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest |
|
(182 |
) |
|
|
(189 |
) |
|
|
(546 |
) |
|
|
(567 |
) |
|
Other income (expense), net |
|
6 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
Other income—affiliate |
|
— |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
Total other expense |
|
(176 |
) |
|
|
(190 |
) |
|
|
(530 |
) |
|
|
(537 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Net income |
$ |
639 |
|
|
$ |
506 |
|
|
$ |
1,986 |
|
|
$ |
1,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Basic and diluted net income per common unit(1) |
$ |
1.01 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
$ |
3.34 |
|
|
$ |
2.79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Weighted average basic and diluted number of common units outstanding |
|
484 |
|
|
|
484 |
|
|
|
484 |
|
|
|
484 |
|
|
(1) |
Please refer to the Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. | |
|
(2) |
Cost of sales includes approximately $10 million of gains and $105 million of losses from changes in the fair value of commodity derivatives prior to contractual delivery or termination, primarily related to non-cash changes in the fair value of our long-term IPM agreements during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 prior to the normal purchases and normal sales (“NPNS”) designation, respectively, as compared to $16 million of losses and $103 million of gains in the corresponding 2025 periods, respectively. | |
|
Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions, except unit data) (1) (unaudited) |
|||||||
|
|
September 30, |
|
December 31, |
||||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
||||
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
||||
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
569 |
|
|
$ |
182 |
|
|
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
|
35 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
Trade and other receivables, net of current expected credit losses |
|
327 |
|
|
|
511 |
|
|
Trade and other receivables—affiliate |
|
290 |
|
|
|
238 |
|
|
Advances to affiliates |
|
152 |
|
|
|
145 |
|
|
Inventory |
|
165 |
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
50 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
Other current assets, net |
|
16 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
Total current assets |
|
1,604 |
|
|
|
1,338 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation |
|
15,087 |
|
|
|
15,259 |
|
|
Operating lease assets |
|
73 |
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
Deferred NPNS assets |
|
669 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Derivative assets |
|
1 |
|
|
|
541 |
|
|
Other non-current assets, net |
|
405 |
|
|
|
223 |
|
|
Total assets |
$ |
17,839 |
|
|
$ |
17,437 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
||||
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
||||
|
Accounts payable |
$ |
97 |
|
|
$ |
53 |
|
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
738 |
|
|
|
990 |
|
|
Current debt, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs |
|
112 |
|
|
|
306 |
|
|
Due to affiliates |
|
50 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Deferred revenue |
|
144 |
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
Current portion of deferred NPNS liabilities |
|
103 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Current derivative liabilities |
|
84 |
|
|
|
164 |
|
|
Other current liabilities |
|
14 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
Other current liabilities—affiliate |
|
6 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
1,348 |
|
|
|
1,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Long-term debt, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs |
|
14,283 |
|
|
|
14,161 |
|
|
Deferred NPNS liabilities |
|
1,055 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Derivative liabilities |
|
41 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
Other non-current liabilities |
|
216 |
|
|
|
231 |
|
|
Other non-current liabilities—affiliate |
|
17 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
16,960 |
|
|
|
17,023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Partners’ equity |
|
|
|
||||
|
Common unitholders’ interest (484 million units issued and outstanding at both September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025) |
|
3,921 |
|
|
|
3,156 |
|
|
General partner’s interest (2% interest with 10 million units issued and outstanding at both September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025) |
|
(3,042 |
) |
|
|
(2,742 |
) |
|
Total partners’ equity |
|
879 |
|
|
|
414 |
|
|
Total liabilities and partners’ equity |
$ |
17,839 |
|
|
$ |
17,437 |
|
|
(1) |
Please refer to the Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. | |
|
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures Regulation G Reconciliations |
|||||||||||||||
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|||||||||||||||
|
The following table reconciles our Adjusted EBITDA to U.S. GAAP results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 (in millions): |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
Net income |
$ |
639 |
|
|
$ |
506 |
|
|
$ |
1,986 |
|
|
$ |
1,700 |
|
|
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest |
|
182 |
|
|
|
189 |
|
|
|
546 |
|
|
|
567 |
|
|
Other expense (income), net |
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
Other income—affiliate |
|
— |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
Income from operations |
$ |
815 |
|
|
$ |
696 |
|
|
$ |
2,516 |
|
|
$ |
2,237 |
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile income from operations to Adjusted EBITDA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
174 |
|
|
|
173 |
|
|
|
522 |
|
|
|
515 |
|
|
Loss (gain) from changes in fair value of commodity derivatives, net |
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
(103 |
) |
|
Amortization of deferred NPNS assets and liabilities |
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
954 |
|
|
$ |
885 |
|
|
$ |
3,112 |
|
|
$ |
2,649 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA is commonly used as a supplemental financial measure by our management and external users of our Consolidated Financial Statements to assess the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structures, or historical cost basis. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flows from operations or net income as defined by U.S. GAAP and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides relevant and useful information to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating the effectiveness of our operating performance in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of financial and operating performance.
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by taking net income before interest expense, net of capitalized interest, depreciation and amortization, and adjusting for the effects of certain non-cash items, other non-operating income or expense items and other items not otherwise predictive or indicative of ongoing operating performance, including the effects of modification or extinguishment of debt, impairment expense, gain or loss on disposal of assets, changes in the fair value of our commodity derivatives prior to contractual delivery or termination, and amortization of deferred NPNS assets and liabilities. Changes in the fair value of commodity derivatives and amortization of deferred NPNS assets and liabilities are considered in determining Adjusted EBITDA given that the timing of recognizing gains and losses associated with these adjustments differs from the recognition of the related item economically hedged. We believe the exclusion of these items enables investors and other users of our financial information to assess our sequential and year-over-year performance and operating trends on a more comparable basis and is consistent with management’s own evaluation of performance.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261028766655/en/
Media gallery

