Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byTrevor Cross Modified over 9 years ago
1
FINANCING LNG PROJECTS
2
Contracting for and financing LNG assets April 2006
3
Gas extraction Transmission Liquefaction Storage Transport Re-gasification Distribution The “LNG chain”
4
Gas Suppliers LNG purchasers Governments Trading houses Ship owners Terminal owners/operators Who are the investors?
5
Investment might cover: Interest in production sharing arrangements Liquefaction/re-gasification plant assets Operation of liquefaction/re-gasification plant assets Interest in LNG tonnage LNG Purchasers
6
Government entities Export phase participation Financial strength Trading Companies Play a major role in Asian trades Facilitate sale by identifying markets and negotiating contracts Often own a small piece of a project Local entities Depend on local political leverage Might seek a share ownership of LNG carrier, participation in production sharing contract or license Major supplier or contractor Other Investors
7
Commercial banks Export Credit Agencies Capital markets Private equity Inter-creditor issues Financing issues
8
Type of financing driven by: Experience and creditworthiness of sponsors Type and location of terminal facilities Condition of capital markets Project company structure Works for both debt and equity investors Separation of assets/liabilities from those of sponsors’ Is flexible, allowing for different levels of participation and risk exposure Financing issues (continued)
9
Parent guarantees and security Restrictions on use of facilities – negative covenants/negative pledge provisions Take or pay provisions Need to disclose proprietary information in connection with financing Potential liability to creditors for misrepresentation in connection with such disclosure Timing – dovetailing readiness of project documentation Financing issues (continued)
10
Key Documents: Gas Supply Contract LNG Sales Contract EPC Contracts Shipping documentation Shareholder Agreements Technical Services Agreements LNG Project Agreement Letters of Intent, Heads of Agreement, MOUs Documentation
11
Quantities Transportation Price Scheduling Delay Provisions Force Majeure Termination Gas Supply Contracts
12
Same list as for Gas Supply, but also: Transportation – ex-ship or FOB? Short/long term Excess quantities LNG Sales Contracts
13
A superior force An event which can neither be anticipated nor controlled Consequences could not have been avoided through the exercise of due care Allocation of force majeure risk as between seller and buyer Incidence of force majeure will suspend affected party’s performance obligations Force Majeure – some pointers
14
Address risk and harmonize in project documents Will the clause cover LNG buyer’s customers? Does LNG buyer have to continue to pay seller’s transportation costs during a force majeure event preventing buyer from taking LNG? Can force majeure be affected by negligence? Unexpected depletion in recoverable reserves: force majeure event or breach of seller’s reserves warranty Termination right if force majeure is lengthy Will delay in construction of the facilities or the vessel(s) constitute force majeure? Force Majeure – principal discussion points
15
Allocation of remaining LNG supplies between buyer under sales contract and other purchasers of LNG from LNG plant Allocation of LNG purchases between seller under sales contract and other exporters of LNG to buyer’s receiving facility Future obligations of parties to sell or purchase quantities of LNG that could not be timely delivered/received due to force majeure Payments made during disputed force majeure period to be held in escrow pending determination of validity of a force majeure claim Vessels to be covered by force majeure clauses where there is loss or damage while carrying LNG in separate trade Force Majeure – principal discussion points (continued)
16
Important issues – integral to the success of the entire project Ex-ship versus FoB Sales contract obligations to converge with availability of transportation Availability and cost of LNG carriers in world market not dedicated to a specific LNG trade Potential to utilise short term excess shipping capacity LNG shipping issues
17
Method of calculation of LNG transportation fee Cost allocation in case of carrier or terminal upgrading needs Demurrage/excess boil-off costs if seller’s LNG carrier is not timely berthed and unloaded Seller’s liabilities in contract where there would be no liability in tort (under local law) LNG shipping issues – ex-ship
18
Liability regime governing buyer’s use of loading facilities Financial guarantees from buyer or vessel owners Allocation of cost for upgrading of tanker or loading/receiving terminal to ensure compatibility Seller to pay demurrage/excess boil-off if it does not timely berth and load buyer’s LNG tanker LNG shipping issues – FoB issues
19
Movement from fixed price, long term supply contract to market based, flexible framework Delivery schedules – greater flexibility LNG spot market The above current trends create a stronger negotiating position for LNG importers More uncertainty in developing additional LNG infrastructure Impact on ability to project finance an LNG project Current trends
Similar presentations
© 2024 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.