Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
Filed pursuant to Rule 425(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-181094
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated June 8, 2012)
4,300,000 Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests
We are selling 4,300,000 of our common units representing limited partner interests. The underwriter has agreed to purchase our common units from us at a price of $30.50 per unit, which will result in approximately $130.5 million of total net proceeds to us, after deducting estimated offering expenses payable by us. The underwriter may offer our common units in transactions on the Nasdaq Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or through negotiated transactions at market prices or at negotiated prices. See "Underwriting." Golar LNG Limited, which owns and controls our general partner, has agreed to purchase 1,524,590 unregistered common units from us at a price of $30.50 per unit, subject to and at the closing of this offering.
Our common units are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "GMLP." The last reported sale price of our common units on the Nasdaq Global Market on November 1, 2012 was $32.10 per common unit.
Investing in our common units involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-12 of this prospectus supplement and page 7 of the accompanying prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriter expects to deliver the common units on or about November 7, 2012 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.
Morgan Stanley
November 1, 2012
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of common units. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering of common units. Generally, when we refer to the "prospectus," we refer to both parts combined. If information varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.
Any statement made in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any "free writing prospectus" we may authorize to be delivered to you. Neither we nor the underwriter have authorized anyone to provide you with additional, different or inconsistent information. If anyone provides you with additional, different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any "free writing prospectus" we may authorize to be delivered to you, as well as the information we previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or the SEC), that is incorporated by reference herein, is accurate as of any date other than its respective date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.
We are offering to sell the common units, and are seeking offers to buy the common units, only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus and the offering of the common units in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to the offering of the common units and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. This prospectus does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
The prospective financial information included in this prospectus has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of, our management. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has neither examined, compiled nor performed any procedures with respect to the accompanying prospective financial information and, accordingly, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. The PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP report incorporated by reference in this prospectus relates to our historical financial information. It does not extend to the prospective financial information and should not be read to do so.
S-i
S-ii
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 regarding the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information found in such registration statement. For further information regarding us and the securities offered in this prospectus, you may wish to review the full registration statement, including its exhibits. In addition, we file annual and other reports with, and furnish information to, the SEC. You may inspect and copy any document we file with, or furnish to, the SEC at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of this material can also be obtained upon written request from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates or from the SEC's web site on the Internet at www.sec.gov free of charge. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on public reference rooms. You can also obtain information about us at the offices of the Nasdaq Global Market at One Liberty Plaza, 165 Broadway, New York, New York 10016.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or the Exchange Act), from, among other things, certain rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal unitholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, including the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K. However, we intend to make available quarterly reports containing our unaudited interim financial information for the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information that we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we later provide to the SEC, and which is deemed to be "filed" with the SEC and incorporated into this prospectus, automatically will update information previously filed with the SEC, and may replace information in this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below:
These reports contain important information about us, our financial condition and our results of operations.
You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the SEC through its public reference facilities or its website at the addresses provided above. You also may request
S-1
a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus (excluding any exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in this document), at no cost by visiting our internet website at www.golarlngpartners.com. You may also make requests for such documents at no cost by writing or calling us at the following address:
Golar
LNG Partners LP
Attn: Investor Relations
Par-la-Ville Place
14 Par-la-Ville Road
Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
+1 (441) 295-4705
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than its respective date. The information contained in our website, or any other website, is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
S-2
All of the statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain "forward-looking" statements. These forward-looking statements discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations or financial condition, or state other information relating to us, based on the current beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "project," "forecast," "will," "may," "potential," "should," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus and the documents we have incorporated by reference.
Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference, including our 2011 Annual Report on Form 20-F, and include statements with respect to, among other things:
S-3
These and other forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those risks discussed under "Risk Factors" in this prospectus, and those risks discussed in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 20-F and in other reports we file with the SEC and that are incorporated in this prospectus by reference. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions involve known and unknown risks and are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control.
We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of these factors. Further, we cannot assess the effect of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
S-4
The following summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, and does not contain all the information you will need in making your investment decision. You should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein.
References in this prospectus to "Golar LNG Partners LP," "Golar LNG Partners," "we," "our," "us" or similar terms refer to Golar LNG Partners LP or any one or more of its subsidiaries, or to all of such entities.
References in this prospectus to "our general partner" refer to Golar GP LLC, the general partner of Golar LNG Partners LP. References in this prospectus to "Golar" refer, depending on the context, to Golar LNG Limited (NasdaqGS: GLNG) and to any one or more of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Golar LNG Energy Limited and Golar Management Limited (or Golar Management). References in this prospectus to "Golar Wilhelmsen" refer to Golar Wilhelmsen AS, a company that is jointly controlled by Golar and Wilhelmsen Ship Management (Norway) AS.
We are a growth-oriented limited partnership that was formed by Golar to own and operate floating storage and regasification units (or FSRUs) and liquefied natural gas (or LNG) carriers under long-term charters, which we define as charters of five years or more. The vessels in our current fleet are chartered to BG Group PLC (or BG Group), PT Pertamina (PERSERO) (or Pertamina), Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (or Petrobras), Dubai Supply Authority (or DUSUP) and PT Nustantara Regas (or Nusantara Regas) under long-term charters that, as of September 30, 2012, had an average remaining term of 8.8 years. We intend to leverage the relationships, expertise and reputation of Golar, a leading independent owner and operator of FSRUs and LNG carriers, to pursue potential growth opportunities and to attract and retain high quality, creditworthy customers. Golar owns our 2.0% general partner interest, all of our incentive distribution rights and a 55.5% limited partner interest in us. Golar intends to utilize us as its primary growth vehicle to pursue the acquisition of FSRUs and LNG carriers that generate long-term, stable cash flow.
Our current fleet consists of:
S-5
Our Pending Vessel Acquisition
Overview of the Pending Acquisition
We expect to purchase from Golar, following the closing of this offering and the concurrent private placement of common units to Golar, ownership interests in the subsidiaries that lease and operate the Golar Grand (or the Golar Grand Acquisition) for an aggregate purchase price of $265.0 million.
The Golar Grand is an LNG carrier with a carrying capacity of 145,700 cubic meters that was built by Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd and delivered to Golar in 2006. The Golar Grand was delivered to its current charterer, Methane Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of BG Group, in March 2012 under a charter with an initial term expiring in March 2015 (or the Golar Grand charter). The charterer has the option to extend the Golar Grand charter for an additional three years at the same hire rate payable during the initial term. Golar Wilhelmsen will manage the operation of the Golar Grand pursuant to an existing ship management agreement. Please read "Overview of the Golar Grand Charter" for an overview of the charter.
In connection with the Golar Grand Acquisition, we will enter into an option agreement with Golar pursuant to which we will have the option to require Golar to charter the Golar Grand from us in the event that the charterer does not renew the Golar Grand charter beyond its initial term. In the event that we exercise our option, the hire rate that will be paid by Golar will be approximately 75% of the hire rate that would have been payable by Methane Services Limited under the Golar Grand charter. The new charter with Golar would expire in October 2017.
The Golar Grand Acquisition and purchase price were approved by our board of directors and the conflicts committee of our board of directors (or the conflicts committee). The conflicts committee retained DNB Markets as its outside financial advisor to assist it in evaluating the Golar Grand Acquisition and the purchase price offered by Golar. In determining that the Golar Grand Acquisition is fair and reasonable to us, the conflicts committee obtained the views of its financial advisor as to the fairness of the purchase price.
We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering, the proceeds of the concurrent private placement of common units to Golar and the related capital contribution to us by our general partner to fund the cash portion of the purchase price for the Golar Grand Acquisition and for general partnership purposes. The remainder of the purchase price will be financed by the assumption of outstanding lease obligations relating to the Golar Grand (net of the associated cash deposit) amounting to approximately $90.0 million. The Golar Grand is leased from a U.K. financial institution for a remaining period of 23 years. The obligations to the lessor under the lease are secured by a letter of credit. This letter of credit is secured by a cash deposit of $45 million, which was deposited at the same time Golar entered into the lease. The lease obligation and associated cash deposit are both denominated in U.S. dollars. The Golar Grand Acquisition is subject to our obtaining the funds necessary to pay the purchase price. We expect the Golar Grand Acquisition to close following the closing of this offering and the concurrent private placement of common units to Golar, subject to customary closing conditions. This offering and the concurrent private placement of common units to Golar are not conditioned on the closing of the Golar Grand Acquisition. The Golar Grand Acquisition may not close as anticipated or it may close with adjusted terms. Please read "Risk Factors" for further information. We have agreed to the Golar Grand Acquisition for the following reasons:
S-6
We estimate that the Golar Grand Acquisition will generate annual revenues between $42 million and $44 million and annual net cash from operations (before the deduction of interest costs) between $36 million and $38 million during the term of its charter with Methane Services Limited. However, we may not realize these levels of estimated annual revenues or net cash from operations from the acquisition of the Golar Grand.
As a result of this acquisition, our management intends to recommend to our board of directors an increase in our quarterly cash distribution of between $0.0225 and $0.0275 (or an annualized increase of between $0.09 and $0.11), which would become effective for our distribution with respect to the quarter ending December 31, 2012. Any such increase would be conditioned upon, among other things, the closing of the Golar Grand Acquisition, the approval of such increase by our board of directors and the absence of any material adverse developments or potentially attractive opportunities that would make such an increase inadvisable.
Overview of the Golar Grand Charter
The Golar Grand is currently operating under a charter with an initial term that expires in March 2015. The charterer has the right to extend the charter for an additional three years. Hire under the charter is payable monthly, in advance, in U.S. Dollars. The vessel will be offhire if the Golar Grand is unable to perform LNG carrier services when asked to do so by the charterer.
Under the charter, the vessel owner is responsible for operating expenses, which include expenses related to the engagement and provision of qualified crews, maintaining the vessel, arranging supply of stores, equipment and lube oils, cleaning and painting and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, including licensing and certification requirements, insurance and communication, as well as providing all of these items and services. The charterer generally pays all fuel expenses, including LNG boil-off, as well as port fees relating to loading and discharging. The vessel owner is responsible for all costs when the vessel is off-hire.
There are certain conditions under which our charter arrangement could terminate. The charter will terminate automatically upon the loss of the Golar Grand. In addition, the vessel owner is generally entitled to suspend performance (but with the continuing accrual to the vessel owner's benefit of hire payments and default interest) and/or terminate the charter if the charterer defaults in its payment obligations. Either party may also terminate the charter for force majeure after a continuous and specified period or in the event that war or hostilities materially and adversely affect the trading of the applicable vessel. Additionally, either party may elect to terminate the charter upon the occurrence of specified events of default. Methane Services Limited will have the right to terminate the charter in the event of prolonged requisition by any governmental authority or for continuing off-hire reasons.
Senior Unsecured Norwegian Bond Issuance
On October 12, 2012, we issued NOK 1,300 million in senior unsecured bonds that mature in October 2017. The aggregate principal amount of the bonds is equivalent to approximately U.S. $227 million. All interest and principal payments on the bonds will be swapped into U.S. dollars including fixing interest payments at 6.485%.
The net proceeds from the bonds of approximately U.S. $224 million were used to repay the U.S. $222.3 million 6.75% loan due October 2014 from Golar that was utilized to purchase the Golar Freeze. The remainder of the net proceeds were used for general partnership purposes.
S-7
July 2012 Equity Offerings
On July 16, 2012, we sold 6,325,000 common units in a public offering at a price of $30.95 per unit, raising gross proceeds of $195.8 million. Golar GP LLC, the Partnership's general partner, contributed an additional $4.6 million to the Partnership to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest in the Partnership. The Partnership also sold 969,305 common units in a concurrent private placement to Golar at a price of $30.95 per common unit, raising gross proceeds of $30 million.
NR Satu Acquisition
On July 19, 2012, we acquired ownership interests in the entities that own and operate the FSRU, the NR Satu, and related mooring facility (or the NR Satu Acquisition) from Golar for a purchase price of $385 million. The NR Satu Acquisition was financed by the proceeds of our July 2012 equity offerings, cash on hand and vendor financing from Golar in the amount of $155 million. The loan from Golar has a term of three years and bears interest at 6.75% per annum. We expect to refinance the loan from Golar with bank financing in the near future.
The NR Satu is being employed in connection with the West Java FSRU Project in Indonesia and is permanently moored during the charter term at a purpose-built mooring structure located offshore of West Java, Indonesia. The NR Satu has a storage capacity of 125,000 cubic meters of LNG and a maximum offtake capacity of 0.5 billion cubic feet per day of regasified LNG via Nusantara Regas' pipeline that fuels two power plants owned and operated by Perusahaan Listrik Negara, Indonesia's national power company. Nusantara Regas is a joint venture that is 60% owned by Pertamina and 40% owned by an Indonesian distribution firm, PT Perusahaan Gas Negara.
In connection with the NR Satu Acquisition, we acquired a 100% equity interest in a subsidiary of Golar that owns 49% of the issued share capital in, all of the voting stock of and controls all of the economic interest in PT Golar Indonesia (or PTGI), the subsidiary that is the registered owner and operator of the NR Satu, pursuant to a shareholders' agreement with the other sole shareholder of PTGI, PT Pesona Sentra Utama (or PT Pesona). PT Pesona is an Indonesian company, established in 2005 and engaged in technical and crewing management in Indonesia that holds a 51% interest in the issued share capital of PTGI. PT Pesona financed its purchase of 51% of the issued share capital in PTGI with a loan from a subsidiary of Golar. PT Pesona provides agency and local representation service for us with respect to the NR Satu in exchange for a fee from us. PT Pesona is a joint venture partner in respect of the acquisition and operations of NR Satu in order to comply with Indonesian cabotage laws. As a result of the shareholders' agreement, we are entitled to all of the net cash flows from PTGI, after the payment of management, agency and local representation fees to PT Pesona.
Upon its delivery in May 2012, the NR Satu began receiving charter hire under a charter with Nusantara Regas with an initial term that expires on December 31, 2022. Nusantara Regas is required to extend the charter by up to three years if, at the time of the expiration of the initial term, Nusantara Regas has in place contracts for the delivery of LNG to the NR Satu that extend beyond the initial term. Hire under the charter is payable monthly, in advance, in U.S. Dollars. The total hire rate includes three components: the capital cost component, the operating cost component and the tax component. The capital cost component relates to the cost of the vessel and mooring and is structured to provide a return on capital based on the vessel and mooring costs. The operating cost component covers vessel and mooring operating expenses and certain insurance costs, and resets each year in order to take cost increases into account. The tax element covers taxes that result from the vessel operating in Indonesian waters. The hire rate may be reduced if the NR Satu does not satisfy certain operational requirements, such as specified rates of regasification.
Management estimates that the NR Satu Acquisition will generate annual revenues between $61 million and $63 million and annual net cash from operations (before the deduction of interest costs) between $42 million and $44 million during the initial term of its charter with Nusantara Regas. Revenues
S-8
include revenues from the charterer to reimburse us for annual Indonesian taxes estimated to be $11 million that we will be responsible for paying. However, we may not realize these levels of estimated annual revenues or net cash from operations from the NR Satu Acquisition.
Quarterly Cash Distribution
On October 22, 2012, the Partnership declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.475 per unit ($22.5 million in the aggregate) for the three months ended September 30, 2012 payable on November 15, 2012 to all unitholders of record as of the close of business on November 2, 2012. Purchasers of common units in this offering will not be entitled to this distribution.
Our Relationship with Golar and the Fredriksen Group
One of our principal strengths is our relationship with Golar and the Fredriksen Group of companies. Our relationship with Golar gives us access to Golar's long-standing relationships with major energy companies and shipbuilders. We have access to Golar's customer relationships and its technical, commercial and management expertise, which we believe makes us more competitive when seeking additional customers. In addition, trusts established by John Fredriksen, Golar's Chairman, for the benefit of his immediate family, indirectly control investment companies that are the main shareholders of a number of other large publicly traded companies involved in various sectors of the shipping industry, including Frontline Limited, Ship Finance International Limited, Golden Ocean Group Limited and Seadrill Limited. We refer to these companies collectively as the Fredriksen Group. We believe there are opportunities for operational, customer and shipyard based synergies due to our broader relationship with the Fredriksen Group. We can provide no assurance, however, that we will realize any benefits from our relationship with the Fredriksen Group. Furthermore, the Fredriksen Group is not prohibited from competing with us.
We believe that our future prospects for success are enhanced by the following aspects of our business:
S-9
connection with vessel acquisition opportunities and in developing and maintaining relationships with participants in the LNG industry.
Our primary business objective is to increase quarterly distributions per unit over time by executing the following strategies:
We are a limited partnership organized under the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands. Our registered and principal executive offices are located at Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda, and our phone number is +1 (441) 295-4705. We are registered in Bermuda as an "overseas partnership" pursuant to the Bermuda Overseas Partnership Act. The purpose of this registration is to permit the partnership to maintain its principal office in, and to be administered from, Bermuda.
S-10
Issuer | Golar LNG Partners LP | |
Common units offered by us |
4,300,000 common units. |
|
Concurrent private placement to Golar LNG Limited |
Golar has agreed to purchase 1,524,590 of unregistered common units from us at the price at which the common units are being sold to the underwriter, subject to and at the closing of this offering. |
|
Units outstanding after this offering and the concurrent private placement |
36,246,149 common units and 15,949,831 subordinated units. |
|
Use of proceeds |
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering of common units, the concurrent private placement to Golar and the related capital contribution to us by our general partner to fund the cash portion of the purchase price for the Golar Grand Acquisition and for general partnership purposes. |
|
If the Golar Grand Acquisition does not close, we will use the net proceeds from this offering for general partnership purposes. |
S-11
Before investing in our common units, you should carefully consider all of the information included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Although many of our business risks are comparable to those of a corporation engaged in a similar business, limited partner interests are inherently different from the capital stock of a corporation. When evaluating an investment in our common units, you should carefully consider the discussion of risk factors set forth below as well as the risk factors beginning on page 3 of our 2011 Annual Report on Form 20-F incorporated by reference into this prospectus. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially adversely affected. In that case, our ability to pay distributions on our common units may be reduced, the trading price of our common units could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
The pending Golar Grand Acquisition may not close as anticipated or it may close with adjusted terms.
We expect the Golar Grand Acquisition to close following the closing of this offering and the concurrent private placement of common units to Golar, subject to customary closing conditions. If these conditions are not satisfied or waived, we will not complete the Golar Grand Acquisition. Certain of the conditions that remain to be satisfied include, but are not limited to:
We cannot assure you that the pending Golar Grand Acquisition will close on our expected timeframe, or at all, or close without material adjustment. In addition, the closing of this common units offering is not conditioned on the closing of the Golar Grand Acquisition. Accordingly, if you decide to purchase common units in this offering, you should be willing to do so whether or not we complete the Golar Grand Acquisition.
We may be unable to realize expected benefits from the Golar Grand Acquisition.
Similar to any acquisition of any vessel, the Golar Grand Acquisition may not result in anticipated profitability or generate cash flow sufficient to justify our investment. In addition, our acquisition exposes us to risks that may harm our business, financial condition and operating results. In particular, the Golar Grand Acquisition includes risks that we may:
S-12
The Golar Grand is financed by a UK tax lease. In the event of any adverse tax changes or a successful challenge by the UK Revenue authorities with regard to the initial tax basis of the transactions or in the event of an early termination of the lease, the lessee may be required to make additional payments to the UK vessel lessor, which could adversely affect our earnings and financial position.
The Golar Grand is financed by a UK tax lease. In the event of any adverse tax changes to legislation affecting the tax treatment of the lease for the UK vessel lessor or a successful challenge by the UK Revenue authorities to the tax assumptions on which the transaction was based, or in the event this UK tax lease is terminated before its expiration, it may be necessary to return all or a portion of, or in certain circumstances significantly more than, the cash benefits that we have accrued over time, together with fees paid in connection with this lease financing transaction, or post additional security or make additional payments to the UK vessel lessor. Although Golar has agreed to indemnify us against these increased costs, any default by Golar would not limit our obligations in respect of this lease.
U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a "passive foreign investment company," which would have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. unitholders.
A non-U.S. entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as a "passive foreign investment company" (or PFIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes if at least 75.0% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of "passive income" or at least 50.0% of the average value of its assets produce, or are held for the production of, "passive income." For purposes of these tests, "passive income" includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property, and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute "passive income." U.S. shareholders of a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC, and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their interests in the PFIC.
Based on our current and projected method of operation, and an opinion of our U.S. counsel, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P, we believe that we were not a PFIC for our 2011 taxable year, and we expect that we will not be treated as a PFIC for any future taxable year. We have received an opinion of our U.S. counsel in support of this position that concludes that the income our subsidiaries earn from certain of our present time chartering should not constitute passive income for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. In addition, we have represented to our U.S. counsel that we expect that more than 25.0% of our gross income for our 2012 taxable year and each future year will arise from such time charters or other income our U.S. counsel has opined does not constitute passive income, and more than 50% of the average value of our assets for each such year will be held for the production of such nonpassive income. Assuming the composition of our income and assets is consistent with these expectations, and assuming the accuracy of other representations we have made to our U.S. counsel for purposes of their opinion, our U.S. counsel is of the opinion that we should not be a PFIC for our 2012 taxable year or any future year.
While we have received an opinion of our U.S. counsel in support of our position, our counsel has advised us that the conclusions in this area are not free from doubt and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (or the IRS) or a court could disagree with this opinion and our position. In addition, although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner to avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to each taxable year, we cannot assure you that the nature of our operations will not change in the future and that we will not become a PFIC in any taxable year. If the IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year (and regardless of whether we remain a PFIC for subsequent taxable years), our U.S. unitholders would face adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences. Please read "Material Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of an Investment in Us" for a more detailed discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. unitholders if we are treated as a PFIC.
S-13
We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $130.5 million from the sale of common units we are offering after deducting estimated offering expenses payable by us. In addition, we will receive net proceeds of $46.5 million from the sale of common units to Golar in the concurrent private placement. We will also receive approximately $3.6 million of proceeds from the capital contribution to us by Golar GP LLC, our general partner, to maintain its 2% general partner interest in us.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering of common units, the concurrent private placement to Golar and the related capital contribution to us by our general partner to fund the cash portion of the purchase price for the Golar Grand Acquisition and for general partnership purposes. The remainder of the purchase price for the Golar Grand Acquisition will be financed through the assumption of outstanding lease obligations (net of the associated cash deposit) amounting to approximately $90.0 million.
If the Golar Grand Acquisition does not close, we will use the net proceeds from this offering for general partnership purposes.
S-14
The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments and capitalization as of June 30, 2012:
The historical data in the table is derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, our historical financial statements, including accompanying notes, incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also read this table in conjunction with the section entitled "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and our consolidated and combined financial statements and the related notes thereto from our
S-15
Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011 and from our Report on Form 6-K for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
|
As of June 30, 2012 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Actual | As Adjusted |
As Further Adjusted |
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 47,081 | $ | 40,544 | $ | 46,120 | ||||
Restricted cash and short-term investments(1) |
167,054 | 167,054 | 212,062 | |||||||
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments |
$ | 214,135 | $ | 207,598 | $ | 258,182 | ||||
Debt: |
||||||||||
Long-term debt, including current portion |
$ | 375,947 | $ | 568,187 | $ | 568,187 | ||||
Long-term debt due to related parties |
222,310 | 189,953 | (2) | 189,953 | ||||||
Obligations under capital leases, including current portion |
269,368 | 269,368 | 405,808 | |||||||
Total debt |
$ | 867,625 | $ | 1,027,508 | $ | 1,163,948 | ||||
Equity: |
||||||||||
Total partners' capital |
$ | 37,061 | $ | 111,391 | $ | 156,816 | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
(5,061 | ) | (5,061 | ) | (5,061 | ) | ||||
Non-controlling interest |
66,710 | 66,710 | 66,710 | |||||||
Total equity |
98,710 | 173,040 | (3) | 218,465 | (3)(4) | |||||
Total capitalization |
$ | 966,335 | $ | 1,200,548 | $ | 1,382,413 | ||||
S-16
the net assets acquired will be accounted for as an equity distribution. As of June 30, 2012, the book value of the net assets relating to the Golar Grand, was approximately $39.9 million. Accordingly, assuming the Golar Grand Acquisition had occurred as of June 30, 2012, the excess of the purchase price over the book value of the net assets would have been $135.1 million.
S-17
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON UNITS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Our common units were first offered on the Nasdaq Global Market on April 8, 2011 at an initial price of $22.50 per unit. Our common units are traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "GMLP."
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for our common units, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market, and quarterly cash distributions declared per common unit. The last reported sale price of our common units on the Nasdaq Global Market on November 1, 2012 was $32.10 per unit.
|
High | Low | Cash Distributions per Unit(1) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year Ended: |
||||||||||
December 31, 2011(2) |
$ | 30.91 | $ | 22.41 | ||||||
Quarter Ended: |
||||||||||
June 30, 2011(3) |
28.83 | 23.50 | $ | 0.3324 | (4) | |||||
September 30, 2011 |
29.74 | 22.41 | 0.40 | |||||||
December 31, 2011 |
30.91 | 23.02 | 0.43 | |||||||
March 31, 2012 |
39.05 | 30.23 | 0.43 | |||||||
June 30, 2012 |
37.86 | 28.01 | 0.44 | |||||||
September 30, 2012 |
35.00 | 26.43 | 0.475 | (5) | ||||||
December 31, 2012(6) |
33.02 | 30.15 | ||||||||
Month Ended: |
||||||||||
November 30, 2011 |
29.48 | 27.37 | ||||||||
December 31, 2011 |
30.91 | 28.61 | ||||||||
January 31, 2012 |
35.35 | 30.23 | ||||||||
February 29, 2012 |
38.90 | 33.73 | ||||||||
March 31, 2012 |
39.05 | 35.81 | ||||||||
April 30, 2012 |
37.86 | 33.35 | ||||||||
May 31, 2012 |
35.74 | 29.47 | ||||||||
June 30, 2012 |
32.89 | 28.01 | ||||||||
July 31, 2012 |
35.00 | 30.80 | ||||||||
August 31, 2012 |
32.11 | 26.43 | ||||||||
September 30, 2012 |
33.72 | 30.16 | ||||||||
October 31, 2012 |
33.02 | 30.15 |
S-18
Taxation of an Investment in Us
The tax consequences to you of an investment in our common units will depend in part on your own tax circumstances. For a discussion of the principal U.S. federal income tax considerations and non-U.S. federal income tax considerations associated with the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common units, please read "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations," beginning on page 38, and "Non-United States Tax Considerations," beginning on page 44, of the accompanying base prospectus. In addition, please consider the U.S. federal income tax considerations described below. To the extent of any inconsistencies among the discussions of U.S. federal income tax considerations below, in the 2011 Annual Report or in the base prospectus, the discussion in the base prospectus supersedes the discussion in the 2011 Annual Report, and the discussion below supersedes the discussions in both the 2011 Annual Report and the base prospectus. You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor about the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences peculiar to your circumstances.
PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences
Adverse U.S. federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that owns an equity interest in a non-U.S. corporation that is classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which the holder held our units, either:
Income earned, or treated as earned (for U.S. federal income tax purposes), by us in connection with the performance of services would not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income generally would constitute "passive income" unless we were treated as deriving that rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business under the applicable rules.
Based on our current and projected methods of operation, and an opinion of counsel, we do not believe that we are or will be a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. We have received an opinion of our U.S. counsel, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., in support of this position that concludes that the income our subsidiaries earn from certain of our present time chartering activity should not constitute passive income for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. In addition, we have represented to our U.S. counsel that we expect that more than 25.0% of our gross income for our 2012 taxable year and each future year will arise from such time charters or other income our U.S. counsel has opined does not constitute passive income, and more than 50.0% of the average value of our assets for each such year will be held for the production of such nonpassive income. Assuming the composition of our income and assets is consistent with these expectations, and assuming the accuracy of other representations we have made to our U.S. counsel for purposes of their opinion, our U.S. counsel is of the opinion that we should not be a PFIC for our 2012 taxable year or any future year.
The conclusions described above are not free from doubt. While there is legal authority supporting our conclusions, including IRS pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters as services income, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (or the Fifth Circuit) held that income derived from certain marine time charter agreements should be treated as rental income rather than services income for purposes of a "foreign sales corporation" provision of the Code. In
S-19
that case, the Fifth Circuit did not address the definition of passive income or the PFIC rules; however, the reasoning of the case could have implications as to how the income from a time charter would be classified under such rules. If the reasoning of this case were extended to the PFIC context, the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our time chartering activities may be treated as rental income, and we would likely be treated as a PFIC. The IRS has announced its disagreement and nonacquiescence with the analysis in that case, and the position of the IRS is that the marine time charter agreements at issue in that case should be treated as service contracts. Distinguishing between arrangements treated as generating rental income and those treated as generating services income involves weighing and balancing competing factual considerations, and there is no legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing our specific method of operation. Conclusions in this area therefore remain matters of interpretation. We are not seeking a ruling from the IRS on the treatment of income generated from our time chartering operations, and the opinion of our counsel is not binding on the IRS or any court. Thus, while we have received an opinion of counsel in support of our position, it is possible that the IRS or a court could disagree with this position. Moreover, although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner to avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year, we cannot assure unitholders that the nature of our operations will not change in the future and that we will not become a PFIC in any future taxable year.
As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a "Qualified Electing Fund," which we refer to as a "QEF election." As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a "mark-to-market" election with respect to our common units, as discussed below. If we are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will be subject to the PFIC rules described herein with respect to any of our subsidiaries that are PFICs. However, the mark-to-market election discussed below will likely not be available with respect to shares of such PFIC subsidiaries. In addition, if a U.S. Holder owns our common units during any taxable year that we are a PFIC, such holder must file an annual report with the IRS.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election (or an Electing Holder), then, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that holder must report as income for its taxable year its pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain, if any, for our taxable years that end with or within the taxable year for which that holder is reporting, regardless of whether or not the Electing Holder received distributions from us in that year. The Electing Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common units will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that were previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the Electing Holder's adjusted tax basis in common units and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units. A U.S. Holder makes a QEF election with respect to any year that we are a PFIC by filing IRS Form 8621 with its U.S. federal income tax return. If contrary to our expectations, we determine that we are treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, we will provide each U.S. Holder with the information necessary to make the QEF election described above.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a "Mark-to-Market" Election
If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as we anticipate, our units were treated as "marketable stock," then, as an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a "mark-to-market" election with respect to our common units, provided the U.S. Holder completes and files IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and related Treasury Regulations. If that election is made, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the U.S. Holder's common units at the end of the taxable year over the holder's adjusted tax basis in the common units. The U.S. Holder also would be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common units
S-20
over the fair market value thereof at the end of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in its common units would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss recognized. Gain recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common units would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included in income by the U.S. Holder. Because the mark-to-market election only applies to marketable stock, however, it would not apply to a U.S. Holder's indirect interest in any of our subsidiaries that were determined to be PFICs.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election
If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder that does not make either a QEF election or a "mark-to-market" election for that year (or a Non-Electing Holder) would be subject to special rules resulting in increased tax liability with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on our common units in a taxable year in excess of 125.0% of the average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing Holder's holding period for the common units), and (2) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the units. Under these special rules:
These penalties would not apply to a qualified pension, profit sharing or other retirement trust or other tax-exempt organization that did not borrow money or otherwise utilize leverage in connection with its acquisition of our common units. If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and a Non-Electing Holder who is an individual dies while owning our common units, such holder's successor generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to such units.
Taxation of the Partnership
We are subject to tax in certain jurisdictions in which we or our subsidiaries are organized, own assets or have operations. Our 2011 Annual Report on Form 20-F contains discussions of the material tax considerations applicable to our business and assets in these jurisdictions. Please see our 2011 Annual Report on Form 20-F at "Item 4Information on the PartnershipBusiness OverviewTaxation of the Partnership" for further information.
S-21
Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, we have agreed to sell to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, the sole underwriter, 4,300,000 common units at a price of $30.50 per unit.
The underwriter proposes to offer the common units offered hereby from time to time for sale in one or more transactions on the Nasdaq Global Market, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to receipt and acceptance by it and subject to its right to reject any order in whole or in part. The underwriter may effect such transactions by selling common units to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriter and/or purchasers of common units for whom they may act as agents or to whom they may sell as principal. The difference between the price at which the underwriter purchases common units and the price at which the underwriter resells such common units, which may include a commission equivalent of up to $0.35 per unit, may be deemed underwriting compensation.
We, all of our directors and officers and our general partner and its affiliates, including Golar, have agreed that, for a period of 45 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, dispose of or hedge any common units or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common units. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.
Our common units are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "GMLP."
We estimate that our total expenses for this offering will be approximately $700,000.
In connection with the offering, the underwriter may purchase and sell common units in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases.
Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriter for its own account, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common units. They may also cause the price of the common units to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriter may conduct these transactions on the Nasdaq Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriter commences any of these transactions, it may discontinue them at any time.
The underwriter is a full service financial institution engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriter and its affiliates have in
S-22
the past performed commercial banking, investment banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which it has received customary fees and reimbursement of expenses and may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of its business for which it may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. In the ordinary course of its various business activities, the underwriter and its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (which may include bank loans and/or credit default swaps) for its own account and for the accounts of its customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriter may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), other than Germany, with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of securities described in this prospectus supplement may not be made to the public in that relevant member state other than:
provided that no such offer of securities shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
For purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer of securities to the public" in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the relevant member state) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state. The expression "2010 PD Amending Directive" means Directive 2010/73/EU.
The sellers of the securities have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriter with a view to the final placement of the securities as contemplated in this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, no purchaser of the securities, other than the underwriter, is authorized to make any further offer of the securities on behalf of the sellers or the underwriter.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
We may constitute a "collective investment scheme" as defined by section 235 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (or FSMA) that is not a "recognized collective investment scheme" for the purposes of FSMA (or CIS) and that has not been authorized or otherwise approved. As an unregulated
S-23
scheme, it cannot be marketed in the United Kingdom to the general public, except in accordance with FSMA. This prospectus supplement is only being distributed in the United Kingdom to, and is only directed at:
An invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of common units which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement will only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to us.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Germany
This prospectus supplement has not been prepared in accordance with the requirements for a securities or sales prospectus under the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz), the German Sales Prospectus Act (Verkaufsprospektgesetz), or the German Investment Act (Investmentgesetz). Neither the German Federal Financial Services Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht-BaFin) nor any other German authority has been notified of the intention to distribute our common units in Germany. Consequently, our common units may not be distributed in Germany by way of public offering, public advertisement or in any similar manner and this prospectus supplement and any other document relating to this offering, as well as information or statements contained therein, may not be supplied to the public in Germany or used in connection with any offer for subscription of the common units to the public in Germany or any other means of public marketing. Our common units are being offered and sold in Germany only to qualified investors which are referred to in Section 3, paragraph 2 no. 1, in connection with Section 2, no. 6, of the German Securities Prospectus Act, Section 8f paragraph 2 no. 4 of the German Sales Prospectus Act, and in Section 2 paragraph 11 sentence 2 no. 1 of the German Investment Act. This prospectus supplement is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany.
This offering of our common units does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation or an offer to buy our common units in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Netherlands
Our common units may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the Netherlands, other than to qualified investors (gekwalificeerde beleggers) within the meaning of Article 1:1 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).
S-24
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
This prospectus supplement is being communicated in Switzerland to a small number of selected investors only. Each copy of this prospectus supplement is addressed to a specifically named recipient and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or passed on to third parties. Our common units are not being offered to the public in Switzerland, and neither this prospectus supplement, nor any other offering materials relating to our common units may be distributed in connection with any such public offering.
We have not been registered with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA as a foreign collective investment scheme pursuant to Article 120 of the Collective Investment Schemes Act of June 23, 2006 (or CISA). Accordingly, our common units may not be offered to the public in or from Switzerland, and neither this prospectus supplement, nor any other offering materials relating to our common units may be made available through a public offering in or from Switzerland. Our common units may only be offered and this prospectus supplement may only be distributed in or from Switzerland by way of private placement exclusively to qualified investors (as this term is defined in the CISA and its implementing ordinance).
S-25
The validity of the common units offered hereby and certain other legal matters with respect to the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands will be passed upon for us by our counsel as to Marshall Islands law, Watson, Farley & Williams (New York) LLP. Certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. Latham & Watkins LLP will pass upon certain legal matters in connection with the offering on behalf of the underwriter.
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Golar LNG Partners LP's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is located at 1 Embankment Place, London, WC2N 6RH, United Kingdom.
The following table sets forth costs and expenses we expect to incur in connection with the issuance and distribution of the common units covered by this prospectus supplement. Other than the SEC registration fee and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority filing fee, which are set forth in the base prospectus, all amounts are estimated.
Legal fees and expenses |
$ | 400,000 | ||
Accounting fees and expenses |
210,000 | |||
Printing costs |
60,000 | |||
Transfer agent fees |
3,500 | |||
Miscellaneous |
26,500 | |||
Total |
$ | 700,000 | ||
S-26
P R O S P E C T U S
Golar LNG Partners LP
Common Units Representing Limited Partnership Interests
Debt Securities
We may from time to time, in one or more offerings, offer and sell common units representing limited partner interests in Golar LNG Partners LP and the debt securities described in this prospectus. We refer to the common units and the debt securities collectively as the "securities." The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold by us under this prospectus will not exceed $800,000,000.
Golar LNG Limited, the selling unitholder, may from time to time, in one or more offerings, offer and sell up to 6,000,000 common units. These common units were obtained by the selling unitholder in connection with our initial public offering. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of these common units by the selling unitholder. For a more detailed discussion of the selling unitholder, please read "Selling Unitholder."
We or the selling unitholder may offer and sell these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of the offering. This prospectus describes only the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we or the selling unitholder will offer the securities. The specific terms of any securities we or the selling unitholder offer will be included in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific manner in which we or the selling unitholder will offer the securities and also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
Our common units are traded on The Nasdaq Global Market, under the symbol "GMLP." We will provide information in the related prospectus supplement for the trading market, if any, for any securities that may be offered.
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors described under "Risk Factors" on page 7 of this prospectus before you make an investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is June 8, 2012.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
In making your investment decision, you should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not, and the selling unitholder has not, authorized anyone else to give you different information. Neither we nor the selling unitholder are offering these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. We will disclose any material changes in our affairs in an amendment to this prospectus, a prospectus supplement or a future filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
ii
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may over time, in one or more offerings, offer and sell up to $800,000,000 in total aggregate offering price of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. In addition, the selling unitholder may over time, in one or more offerings, offer and sell up to 6,000,000 of our common units.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of Golar LNG Partners and the securities that are registered hereunder that may be offered by us or the selling unitholder. Each time we sell any securities offered by this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities being offered. Because the selling unitholder may be deemed to be "underwriter" under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or the Securities Act), each time the selling unitholder sells any common units offered by this prospectus, the selling unitholder is required to provide you with this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement containing specific information about the selling unitholder and the terms of the common units being offered in the manner required by the Securities Act. Any prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To the extent information in this prospectus is inconsistent with the information contained in a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
The information in this prospectus is accurate as of its date. Additional information, including our financial statements and the notes thereto, is incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our reports filed with the SEC. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully read this prospectus, including the "Risk Factors," any prospectus supplement, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement (including the documents described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" in both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement), and any additional information you may need to make your investment decision.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to "Golar LNG Partners LP," "Golar LNG Partners," the "Partnership," "we," "our," "us" or similar terms refer to Golar LNG Partners LP, a Marshall Islands limited partnership, or any one or more of its subsidiaries. References in this prospectus to "our general partner" refer to Golar GP LLC, the general partner of the Partnership. References in this prospectus to "Golar" refer, depending on the context, to Golar LNG Limited and to any one or more of its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 regarding the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information found in the registration statement. For further information regarding us and the securities offered in this prospectus, you may wish to review the full registration statement, including its exhibits. The registration statement, including the exhibits, may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of this material can also be obtained upon written request from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at that address, at prescribed rates, or from the SEC's web site on the Internet at www.sec.gov free of charge. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on public reference rooms. You can also obtain information about us at the offices of the Nasdaq Global Market at One Liberty Plaza, 165 Broadway, New York, NY 10016, or on our website at http://www.golarlngpartners.com. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus unless specifically so designated and filed with the SEC.
1
We are subject to the information requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act (or the Exchange Act), and, in accordance therewith, we are required to file with the SEC annual reports on Form 20-F within four months of our fiscal year-end, and provide to the SEC other material information on Form 6-K. These reports and other information may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC or obtained from the SEC's website as provided above. Our website on the Internet is located at www.golarlngpartners.com, and we will make our annual reports on Form 20-F and our periodic reports filed with the SEC available, free of charge, through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are electronically filed with the SEC. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, certain rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal unitholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, including the filing of quarterly reports or current reports on Form 8-K. However, we intend to make available quarterly reports containing our unaudited interim financial information for the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus information that we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we later provide to the SEC, and which is deemed to be "filed" with the SEC, automatically will update information previously filed with the SEC, and may replace information in this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below:
These reports contain important information about us, our financial condition and our results of operations.
You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the SEC through its public reference facilities or its website at the addresses provided above. You also may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus (excluding any exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in this document), at no
2
cost, by visiting our Internet website at http://www.golarlngpartners.com, or by writing or calling us at the following address:
Golar
LNG Partners LP
Attn: Investor Relations
Par-la-Ville Place
14 Par-la-Ville Road
Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
+1 (441) 295-4705
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than its respective date.
3
All of the statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference contain "forward-looking" statements. These forward-looking statements discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations or financial condition, or state other information relating to us, based on the current beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Words such as "may," "will," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "project," and other similar phrases or expressions identify forward-looking statements. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference.
Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus and include statements with respect to, among other things:
4
These and other forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those risks discussed in "Risk Factors" and those risks discussed in other reports we file with the SEC and that are incorporated in this prospectus by reference. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions involve known and unknown risks and are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control.
Forward-looking statements are made based upon management's current plans, expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events affecting us and, therefore, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those risks discussed in "Risk Factors." We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of these factors. Further, we cannot assess the effect of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
5
We are a publicly traded limited partnership formed by Golar LNG Limited (or Golar), a leading independent owner and operator of liquefied natural gas (or LNG) carriers and floating storage and regasification units (or FSRUs), to own and operate FSRUs and LNG carriers under long-term charters. Our fleet currently consists of three FSRUs and two LNG carriers. We expect to make acquisitions of FSRUs and LNG carriers with long-term charters from Golar and third parties in the future as market conditions permit.
On April 13, 2011, we completed our initial public offering, in connection with which we issued to Golar 23,127,254 common units and 15,949,831 subordinated units. Our general partner, Golar GP LLC, also received 797,492 general partner units, representing a 2.0% general partner interest in us, and 81% of our incentive distribution rights (or IDRs). We issued the remaining 19% of our IDRs to Golar LNG Energy Limited (or Golar Energy).
We are incorporated under the laws of the Marshall Islands and maintain our principal executive headquarters at Par-La-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton. Bermuda. Our telephone number at that address is +1 (441) 295-4705.
6
An investment in our securities involves a significant degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors and all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, including those in "Item 3Key InformationRisk Factors" in our 2011 Annual Report, as updated by annual, quarterly and other reports and documents we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference herein, in evaluating an investment in the securities. If any of these risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. When we offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to such securities in the prospectus supplement.
7
Except as otherwise provided in an applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities covered by this prospectus for general partnership purposes, including repayment of debt (including debt owed to Golar), acquisitions, capital expenditures and additions to working capital.
The actual application of proceeds we receive from any particular primary offering of securities using this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such offering.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of common units by the selling unitholder.
8
The following table shows our historical cash and capitalization as of December 31, 2011. This table is derived from and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated and combined financial statements, including accompanying notes, incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also read this table in conjunction with the section entitled "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and our consolidated and combined financial statements and the related notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference herein from our 2011 Annual Report.
|
As of December 31, 2011 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
(in thousands) |
|||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 45,962 | ||
Restricted cash and short-term investments(1) |
164,774 | |||
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments |
$ | 210,736 | ||
Debt: |
||||
Long-term debt, including current portion |
$ | 400,574 | ||
Long-term debt due to related parties |
222,310 | |||
Obligations under capital leases, including current portion |
268,080 | |||
Total debt |
$ | 890,964 | ||
Equity: |
||||
Total Partners' Capital |
$ | 32,069 | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
(5,039 | ) | ||
Non-controlling interest |
62,934 | |||
Total Equity |
$ | 89,964 | ||
Total capitalization |
$ | 980,928 | ||
Each prospectus supplement will include updated information on our capitalization.
9
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratio of consolidated earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented:
|
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)(2) |
4.54x | 3.64x | 2.50x | | 1.10x |
For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges:
10
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON UNITS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
As of May 24, 2012, there were 23,127,254 common units outstanding, of which 9,327,254 are held by Golar and 13,800,000 are held by the public by 90 holders of record. Our common units were first offered on the Nasdaq Global Market on April 8, 2011 at an initial price of $22.50 per unit. Our common units are traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "GMLP."
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for our common units, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market, and quarterly cash distributions declared per common unit. The last reported sale price of our common units on the Nasdaq Global Market on May 24, 2012 was $31.87 per unit.
|
High | Low | Cash Distributions per Unit(1) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year ended December 31, 2011(2) |
$ | 30.91 | $ | 22.41 | ||||||
Quarter ended June 30, 2011 (3) |
28.83 | 23.50 | $ | 0.3342 | (4) | |||||
Quarter ended September 30, 2011 |
29.74 | 22.41 | 0.40 | |||||||
Quarter ended December 31, 2011 |
30.91 | 23.02 | 0.43 | |||||||
Quarter ended March 31, 2012 |
39.05 | 30.23 | 0.43 | |||||||
Quarter ended June 30, 2012(5) |
37.86 | 29.47 | ||||||||
Month ended November 30, 2011 |
29.48 | 27.37 | ||||||||
Month ended December 31 2011 |
30.91 | 28.61 | ||||||||
Month ended January 31, 2012 |
35.35 | 30.23 | ||||||||
Month ended February 29, 2012 |
38.90 | 33.73 | ||||||||
Month ended March 31, 2012 |
39.05 | 35.81 | ||||||||
Month ended April 30, 2012 |
37.86 | 33.35 | ||||||||
Month ended May 31, 2012(6) |
35.74 | 29.47 |
11
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON UNITS
Our common units and our subordinated units represent limited partner interests in us. The holders of units are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and privileges of holders of common units and subordinated units in and to partnership distributions, together with a description of the circumstances under which subordinated units convert into common units, please read this section and "Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions."
We currently have 23,127,254 common units outstanding, of which 13,800,000 are held by the public and 9,327,254 are held by Golar, which owns our general partner. We also have 15,949,831 subordinated units outstanding, for which there is no established public trading market, all of which are held by Golar. The common units and the subordinated units represent an aggregate 98% limited partner interest and the general partner interest represents a 2% general partner interest in us.
Computershare serves as registrar and transfer agent for the common units.
By transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of common units will be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission is reflected in our books and records. Each transferee:
A transferee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred common units automatically upon the recording of the transfer on our books and records. Our general partner will cause any transfers to be recorded on our books and records no less frequently than quarterly.
We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder's rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.
Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to become a limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units.
Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.
12
Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, holders of common units have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business. We will hold a meeting of the limited partners every year to elect one or more members of our board of directors and to vote on any other matters that are properly brought before the meeting. Common unitholders will be entitled to elect only four of the seven members of our board of directors. The elected directors will be elected on a staggered basis and will serve for three year terms. Our general partner in its sole discretion will appoint the remaining three directors and set the terms for which those directors will serve. The partnership agreement also contains provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as well as other provisions limiting the unitholders' ability to influence the manner or direction of management. Unitholders will have no right to elect our general partner, and our general partner may not be removed except by a vote of the holders of at least 662/3% of the outstanding common units and subordinated units, including any common units or subordinated units owned by our general partner and its affiliates, voting together as a single class.
Our partnership agreement further restricts unitholders' voting rights by providing that if any person or group owns beneficially more than 4.9% of any class of units then outstanding, any such units owned by that person or group in excess of 4.9% may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes (except for purposes of nominating a person for election to our board), determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes, unless required by law. The voting rights of any such unitholders in excess of 4.9% will effectively be redistributed pro rata among the other common unitholders holding less than 4.9% of the voting power of all classes of units entitled to vote. Our general partner, its affiliates and persons who acquired common units with the prior approval of our board of directors will not be subject to this 4.9% limitation except with respect to voting their common units in the election of the elected directors.
The following is a summary of the unitholder vote required for the approval of the matters specified below. Matters that require the approval of a "unit majority" require:
In voting their common units and subordinated units our general partner and its affiliates will have no fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners.
Action
|
Unitholder Approval Required and Voting Rights | |
---|---|---|
Issuance of additional units | No approval rights; general partner approval required for all issuances not reasonably expected to be accretive within 12 months of issuance or which would otherwise have a material adverse impact on the general partner or its interest in our partnership. | |
Amendment of the partnership agreement |
Certain amendments may be made by our board of directors without the approval of the unitholders. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority. |
13
Action
|
Unitholder Approval Required and Voting Rights | |
---|---|---|
Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets | Unit majority and approval of our general partner and our board of directors. | |
Dissolution of our partnership |
Unit majority and approval of our general partner and our board of directors. |
|
Reconstitution of our partnership upon dissolution |
Unit majority. |
|
Election of four of the seven members of our board of directors |
A plurality of the votes of the holders of the common units. |
|
Withdrawal of our general partner |
Under most circumstances, the approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required for the withdrawal of our general partner prior to March 31, 2021 in a manner which would cause a dissolution of our partnership. |
|
Removal of our general partner |
Not less than 662/3% of the outstanding units, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, voting together as a single class. |
|
Transfer of our general partner interest in us |
Our general partner may transfer all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest in us without a vote of our unitholders to an affiliate or another person in connection with its merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets to such person. The approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required in other circumstances for a transfer of the general partner interest to a third party prior to March 31, 2021. |
|
Transfer of incentive distribution rights |
Except for transfers to an affiliate or another person as part of the general partner's merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets to such person, the approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, voting separately as a class, is required in most circumstances for a transfer of the incentive distribution rights to a third party prior to March 31, 2016. |
|
Transfer of ownership interests in our general partner |
No approval required at any time. |
Issuance of Additional Interests
The partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited amount of additional partnership interests and rights to buy partnership interests for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our board of directors without the approval of the unitholders.
We intend to fund acquisitions through borrowings and the issuance of additional common units or other equity securities and the issuance of debt securities. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our
14
distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other equity securities interests may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.
In accordance with Marshall Islands law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership interests that, as determined by our board of directors, have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled.
Upon issuance of additional partnership interests (other than the issuance of common units in connection with a reset of the incentive distribution target levels or the issuance of partnership interests upon conversion of outstanding partnership interests), our general partner will have the right, but not the obligation, to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest in us. Our general partner's interest in us will thus be reduced if we issue additional partnership interests in the future and our general partner does not elect to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest in us. Our general partner and its affiliates will have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units, subordinated units or other equity securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain its and its affiliates' percentage interest, including its interest represented by common units and subordinated units, that existed immediately prior to each issuance. Other holders of common units will not have similar preemptive rights to acquire additional common units or other partnership interests.
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates hold more than 80% of the then-issued and outstanding partnership interests of any class, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining partnership interests of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a record date to be selected by the general partner, on at least 10 but not more than 60 days' notice equal to the greater of (x) the average of the daily closing prices of the partnership interests of such class over the 20 trading days preceding the date three days before the notice of exercise of the call right is first mailed and (y) the highest price paid by our general partner or any of its affiliates for partnership interests of such class during the 90-day period preceding the date such notice is first mailed. Our general partner is not obligated to obtain a fairness opinion regarding the value of the common units to be repurchased by it upon the exercise of this limited call right and has no fiduciary duty in determining whether to exercise this limited call right.
As a result of the general partner's right to purchase outstanding partnership interests, a holder of partnership interests may have the holder's partnership interests purchased at an undesirable time or price. The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of common units in the market. Please read "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsU.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. HoldersSale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Units" and "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsU.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. HoldersDisposition of Units."
Summary of our Partnership Agreement
A copy of our partnership agreement is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A summary of the important provisions of our partnership agreement and the rights and privileges of our unitholders is included in our registration statement on Form 8-A as filed with the SEC on April 5, 2011, including any subsequent amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. Please read "Where You Can Find More Information."
15
OUR CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS
You should read the following discussion of our cash distribution policy and restrictions on distributions in conjunction with specific assumptions included in this section. In addition, you should read "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" for information regarding statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and certain risks inherent in our business.
Rationale for Our Cash Distribution Policy
Our cash distribution policy reflects a judgment that our unitholders will be better served by our distributing our cash available (after deducting expenses, including estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures and reserves) rather than retaining it. Because we believe we will generally finance any expansion capital expenditures from external financing sources, we believe that our investors are best served by our distributing all of our available cash. Our cash distribution policy is consistent with the terms of our partnership agreement, which requires that we distribute all of our available cash quarterly (after deducting expenses, including estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures and reserves).
Limitations on Cash Distributions and Our Ability to Change Our Cash Distribution Policy
There is no guarantee that unitholders will receive quarterly distributions from us. Our distribution policy is subject to certain restrictions and may be changed at any time, including:
16
Distributions of Available Cash
General
Within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash (defined below) to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.
Definition of Available Cash
Available cash generally means, for each fiscal quarter, all cash on hand at the end of the quarter (including our proportionate share of cash on hand of certain subsidiaries we do not wholly own):
Minimum Quarterly Distribution
Common unitholders are entitled under our partnership agreement to receive a quarterly distribution of $0.3850 per unit, or $1.54 per unit per year, prior to any distribution on the subordinated units to the extent we have sufficient cash on hand to pay the distribution, after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses. There is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units and subordinated units in any quarter. Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions paid under our policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our board of directors, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement. We will be prohibited from making any
17
distributions to unitholders if it would cause an event of default, or if an event of default is then existing, under our financing arrangements.
Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus
General
All cash distributed to unitholders will be characterized as either "operating surplus" or "capital surplus." We treat distributions of available cash from operating surplus differently than distributions of available cash from capital surplus.
Definition of Operating Surplus
Operating surplus for any period generally means:
18
If a working capital borrowing, which increases operating surplus, is not repaid during the 12-month period following the borrowing, it will be deemed repaid at the end of such period, thus decreasing operating surplus at such time. When such working capital borrowing is in fact repaid, it will not be treated as a reduction in operating surplus because operating surplus will have been previously reduced by the deemed repayment.
As described above, operating surplus includes a provision that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to $35.0 million of cash we receive in the future from non-operating sources, such as asset sales, issuances of securities and long-term borrowings, that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. In addition, the effect of including, as described above, certain cash distributions on equity securities or interest payments on debt in operating surplus would be to increase operating surplus by the amount of any such cash distributions or interest payments. As a result, we may also distribute as operating surplus up to the amount of any such cash distributions or interest payments of cash we receive from non-operating sources.
The term operating expenditures generally means all of our cash expenditures, including, but not limited to taxes, employee and director compensation, reimbursement of expenses to our general partner, repayment of working capital borrowings, debt service payments and payments made under any interest rate, currency or commodity hedge contracts (provided that payments made in connection with the termination of any hedge contract prior to the expiration of its stipulated settlement or termination date shall be included in operating expenditures in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such hedge contract), provided that operating expenditures will not include:
Capital Expenditures
For purposes of determining operating surplus, maintenance and replacement capital expenditures are those capital expenditures required to maintain over the long-term the operating capacity of or the revenue generated by our capital assets, and expansion capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that increase the operating capacity of or the revenue generated by our capital assets. In our partnership agreement, we refer to these maintenance and replacement capital expenditures as "maintenance capital expenditures." To the extent, however, that capital expenditures associated with acquiring a new vessel or improving an existing vessel increase the revenues or the operating capacity of our fleet, those capital expenditures would be classified as expansion capital expenditures.
Investment capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that are neither maintenance and replacement capital expenditures nor expansion capital expenditures. Investment capital expenditures largely will consist of capital expenditures made for investment purposes. Examples of investment
19
capital expenditures include traditional capital expenditures for investment purposes, such as purchases of equity securities, as well as other capital expenditures that might be made in lieu of such traditional investment capital expenditures, such as the acquisition of a capital asset for investment purposes.
Examples of maintenance and replacement capital expenditures include capital expenditures associated with drydocking, modifying an existing vessel or acquiring a new vessel to the extent such expenditures are incurred to maintain the operating capacity of or the revenue generated by our fleet. Maintenance and replacement capital expenditures will also include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued (including the amount of any incremental distributions made to the holders of our IDRs) to finance the construction of a replacement vessel and paid in respect of the construction period, which we define as the period beginning on the date that we enter into a binding construction contract and ending on the earlier of the date that the replacement vessel commences commercial service or the date that the replacement vessel is abandoned or disposed of. Debt incurred to pay or equity issued to fund construction period interest payments, and distributions on such equity (including the amount of any incremental distributions made to the holders of our IDRs) will also be considered maintenance and replacement capital expenditures.
Because our maintenance and replacement capital expenditures can be very large and vary significantly in timing, the amount of our actual maintenance and replacement capital expenditures may differ substantially from period to period, which could cause similar fluctuations in the amounts of operating surplus, adjusted operating surplus, and available cash for distribution to our unitholders if we subtracted actual maintenance and replacement capital expenditures from operating surplus each quarter. Accordingly, to eliminate the effect on operating surplus of these fluctuations, our partnership agreement will require that an amount equal to an estimate of the average quarterly maintenance and replacement capital expenditures necessary to maintain the operating capacity of or the revenue generated by our capital assets over the long-term be subtracted from operating surplus each quarter, as opposed to the actual amounts spent. In our partnership agreement, we refer to these estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures to be subtracted from operating surplus as "estimated maintenance capital expenditures." The amount of estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus is subject to review and change by our board of directors at least once a year, provided that any change must be approved by our conflicts committee. The estimate will be made at least annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of our maintenance and replacement capital expenditures, such as a major acquisition or the introduction of new governmental regulations that will affect our fleet. For purposes of calculating operating surplus, any adjustment to this estimate will be prospective only.
The use of estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures in calculating operating surplus will have the following effects:
20
Definition of Capital Surplus
Capital surplus generally will be generated only by:
Characterization of Cash Distributions
We will treat all available cash distributed as coming from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed since we began operations equals the operating surplus as of the most recent date of determination of available cash. We will treat any amount distributed in excess of operating surplus, regardless of its source, as capital surplus. As described above, operating surplus does not reflect actual cash on hand that is available for distribution to our unitholders. For example, it includes a provision that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to $35.0 million of cash we receive in the future from non-operating sources, such as asset sales, issuances of securities and long-term borrowings, that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus.
General
During the subordination period, the common units will have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.3850 per unit, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. Distribution arrearages do not accrue on the subordinated units. The purpose of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash from operating surplus to be distributed on the common units.
Definition of Subordination Period
The subordination period will extend until the second business day following the distribution of available cash from operating surplus in respect of any quarter, ending on or after March 31, 2016, that each of the following tests are met:
If the unitholders remove our general partner without cause, the subordination period may end before March 31, 2016.
21
For purposes of determining whether the tests in the bullets above have been met, the three consecutive four-quarter periods for which the determination is being made may include one or more quarters with respect to which arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units have accrued, provided that all such arrearages have been repaid prior to the end of each such four-quarter period.
If the expiration of the subordination period occurs as a result of us having met the tests described above, each outstanding subordinated unit will convert into one common unit and will then participate pro rata with the other common units in distributions of available cash.
In addition, at any time on or after March 31, 2016, provided that there are no outstanding arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units and subject to approval by our conflicts committee, the holder or holders of a majority of our outstanding subordinated units will have the option to convert each subordinated unit into a number of common units determined by multiplying the number of outstanding subordinated units to be converted by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is equal to the aggregate amount of distributions of available cash from operating surplus (not to exceed adjusted operating surplus) on the outstanding subordinated units ("historical distributions") for the four fiscal quarters preceding the date of conversion (the "measurement period") and (ii) the denominator of which is equal to the aggregate amount of distributions that would have been required during the measurement period to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on all outstanding subordinated units during such four-quarter period; provided, that if the forecasted distributions to be paid from forecasted operating surplus (not to exceed forecasted adjusted operating surplus) on the outstanding subordinated units for the four fiscal quarter period immediately following the measurement period ("forecasted distributions"), as determined by the conflicts committee, is less than historical distributions, then the numerator shall be forecasted distributions; provided, further, however, that the subordinated units may not convert into common units at a ratio that is greater than one-to-one. If the option to convert the subordinated units into common units is exercised as described above, the outstanding subordinated units will convert into the prescribed number of common units and will then participate pro rata with other common units in distributions of available cash.
Definition of Adjusted Operating Surplus
Adjusted operating surplus for any period generally means:
22
Adjusted operating surplus is intended to reflect the cash generated from operations during a particular period and therefore excludes net increases in working capital borrowings and net drawdowns of reserves of cash generated in prior periods.
Effect of Removal of Our General Partner on the Subordination Period
If the unitholders remove our general partner other than for cause and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal:
Distributions of Available Cash From Operating Surplus During the Subordination Period
We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter during the subordination period in the following manner:
The preceding paragraph is based on the assumption that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
Distributions of Available Cash From Operating Surplus After the Subordination Period
We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter after the subordination period in the following manner:
23
The preceding paragraph is based on the assumption that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner is entitled to 2.0% of all distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest if we issue additional units. Our general partner's 2.0% interest, and the percentage of our cash distributions to which it is entitled, will be proportionately reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us in order to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest. Our general partner will be entitled to make a capital contribution in order to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest in the form of the contribution to us of common units based on the current market value of the contributed common units.
IDRs represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. Our general partner and Golar currently hold the IDRs. The IDRs may be transferred separately from our general partner interest, subject to restrictions in the partnership agreement. Except for transfers of IDRs to an affiliate or another entity as part of our general partner's merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of substantially all of its assets to such entity, the approval of a majority of our common units (excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates), voting separately as a class, generally is required for a transfer of the IDRs to a third party prior to March 31, 2016. Any transfer by our general partner of the IDRs would not change the percentage allocations of quarterly distributions with respect to such rights.
If for any quarter:
then, we will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and our general partner in the following manner:
In each case, the amount of the target distribution set forth above is exclusive of any distributions to common unitholders to eliminate any cumulative arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests set forth above assume that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
24
Percentage Allocations of Available Cash From Operating Surplus
The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of the additional available cash from operating surplus among the unitholders, our general partner and the holders of the IDRs up to the various target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under "Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions" are the percentage interests of the unitholders, our general partner and the holders of the IDRs in any available cash from operating surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column "Total Quarterly Distribution Target Amount," until available cash from operating surplus we distribute reaches the next target distribution level, if any. The percentage interests shown for the unitholders, our general partner and the holders of the IDRs for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests shown for our general partner include its 2.0% general partner interest only and assume that our general partner has contributed any capital necessary to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest.
|
|
Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions |
|
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total Quarterly Distribution Target Amount |
|
||||||||||
|
Unitholders | General Partner | Holders of IDRs | |||||||||
Minimum Quarterly Distribution |
$0.3850 | 98.0 | % | 2.0 | % | 0 | % | |||||
First Target Distribution |
up to $0.4428 | 98.0 | % | 2.0 | % | 0 | % | |||||
Second Target Distribution |
above $0.4428 up to $0.4813 |
85.0 | % | 2.0 | % | 13.0 | % | |||||
Third Target Distribution |
above $0.4813 up to $0.5775 |
75.0 | % | 2.0 | % | 23.0 | % | |||||
Thereafter |
above $0.5775 | 50.0 | % | 2.0 | % | 48.0 | % |
General Partner's Right to Reset Incentive Distribution Levels
Our general partner, as the current holder of a majority of our IDRs, has the right under our partnership agreement to elect to relinquish the right of the holders of our IDRs to receive incentive distribution payments based on the initial cash target distribution levels and to reset, at higher levels, the minimum quarterly distribution amount and cash target distribution levels upon which the incentive distribution payments to our general partner and Golar would be set. Our general partner's right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels upon which the incentive distributions payable to our general partner and Golar are based may be exercised, without approval of our unitholders or the conflicts committee of our board of directors, at any time when there are no subordinated units outstanding and we have made cash distributions to the holders of the IDRs at the highest level of incentive distribution for each of the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters. If at the time of any election to reset the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels our general partner and its affiliates are not the holders of a majority of the IDRs, then any such election to reset shall be subject to the prior written concurrence of our general partner that the conditions described in the immediately preceding sentence have been satisfied. The reset minimum quarterly distribution amount and target distribution levels will be higher than the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels prior to the reset such that there will be no incentive distributions paid under the reset target distribution levels until cash distributions per unit following this event increase as described below. We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this reset right in order to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects that would otherwise not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per common unit, taking into account the existing levels of incentive distribution payments being made to our general partner and Golar.
In connection with the resetting of the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels and the corresponding relinquishment by our general partner and Golar of incentive distribution payments based on the target cash distributions prior to the reset, our general partner and
25
Golar will be entitled to receive a number of newly issued common units based on a predetermined formula described below that takes into account the "cash parity" value of the average cash distributions related to the IDRs received by our general partner and Golar for the two quarters prior to the reset event as compared to the average cash distributions per common unit during this period. We will also issue an additional amount of general partner units in order to maintain the general partner's ownership interest in us relative to the issuance of the additional common units.
The number of common units that our general partner and Golar would be entitled to receive from us in connection with a resetting of the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels then in effect would be equal to (x) the average amount of cash distributions received by our general partner and Golar in respect of its IDRs during the two consecutive fiscal quarters ended immediately prior to the date of such reset election divided by (y) the average of the amount of cash distributed per common unit during each of these two quarters. The issuance of the additional common units will be conditioned upon approval of the listing or admission for trading of such common units by the national securities exchange on which the common units are then listed or admitted for trading.
Following a reset election, the minimum quarterly distribution amount will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution amount per unit for the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election (such amount is referred to as the "reset minimum quarterly distribution") and the target distribution levels will be reset to be correspondingly higher such that we would distribute all of our available cash from operating surplus for each quarter thereafter as follows:
Assuming that it continues to hold a majority of our IDRs, our general partner will be entitled to cause the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels to be reset on more than one occasion, provided that it may not make a reset election except at a time when the holders of the IDRs have received incentive distributions for the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters based on the highest level of incentive distributions that the holders of IDRs are entitled to receive under our partnership agreement.
Distributions From Capital Surplus
How Distributions From Capital Surplus Will Be Made
We will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:
26
The preceding paragraph is based on the assumption that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus
The partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus as the repayment of the consideration for the issuance of the units, which is a return of capital. Each time a distribution of capital surplus is made, the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels will be reduced in the same proportion as the distribution had to the fair market value of the common units prior to the announcement of the distribution. Because distributions of capital surplus will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution, after any of these distributions are made, it may be easier for our general partner and Golar to receive incentive distributions and for the subordinated units to convert into common units. However, any distribution of capital surplus before the minimum quarterly distribution is reduced to zero cannot be applied to the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution or any arrearages.
Once we reduce the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels to zero, we will then make all future distributions 50% to the holders of units, 2.0% to our general partner and 48.0% to the holders of the IDRs (currently, our general partner and Golar). The 2.0% interests shown for our general partner assumes that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest.
Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels
In addition to adjusting the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels to reflect a distribution of capital surplus, if we combine our units into fewer units or subdivide our units into a greater number of units, we will proportionately adjust:
For example, if a two-for-one split of the common and subordinated units should occur, the minimum quarterly distribution, the target distribution levels and the initial unit price would each be reduced to 50% of its initial level. If we combine our common units into a lesser number of units or subdivide our common units into a greater number of units, we will combine our subordinated units or subdivide our subordinated units, using the same ratio applied to the common units. We will not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional units for cash or property.
Distributions of Cash upon Liquidation
If we dissolve in accordance with the partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called liquidation. We will apply the proceeds of liquidation in the manner set forth below.
27
If, as of the date three trading days prior to the announcement of the proposed liquidation, the average closing price for our common units for the preceding 20 trading days (or the current market price) is greater than the sum of:
then the proceeds of the liquidation will be applied as follows:
If, as of the date three trading days prior to the announcement of the proposed liquidation, the current market price of our common units is equal to or less than the sum of:
then the proceeds of the liquidation will be applied as follows:
The immediately preceding paragraph is based on the assumption that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.
28
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
When used in this section "Description of Debt Securities," the terms "we," "us," "our" and "issuer" refer to Golar LNG Partners LP.
The following is a description of the terms of the debt securities, which may be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and which we collectively refer to as the debt securities. The descriptions below relating to the debt securities and the indentures are summaries of the anticipated provisions thereof, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable indenture and any applicable U.S. federal income tax considerations as well as any applicable modifications of or additions to the general terms described below in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement may also state that any of the terms set forth herein are inapplicable to such series of debt securities.
If we offer senior debt securities, we will issue them under a senior indenture. If we offer subordinated debt securities, we will issue them under a subordinated indenture. A form of each indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We have not restated either indenture in its entirety in this description. You should read the relevant indenture because it, and not this description, controls your rights as holders of the debt securities. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the indentures.
The debt securities will be:
The term "Trustee" as used in this prospectus shall refer to the trustee under either of the above indentures. The debt securities will be governed by the provisions of the related indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
Specific Terms of Each Series of Debt Securities
The indenture does not limit the total amount of debt securities that may be issued. Debt securities under the indenture may be issued from time to time in separate series, up to the aggregate amount authorized for each such series.
We will prepare a prospectus supplement and either a supplemental indenture or a resolution of our board of directors and an accompanying officers' certificate relating to any series of debt securities that we offer, which will include specific terms relating to some or all of the following:
29
This description of debt securities will be deemed modified, amended or supplemented by any description of any series of debt securities set forth in a prospectus supplement related to that series.
The prospectus supplement will also describe any material United States federal income tax consequences or other special considerations regarding the applicable series of debt securities, including those relating to:
Interest payments may be made by check mailed to the registered holders of debt securities or, if so stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, at the option of a holder, by wire transfer to an account designated by the holder.
30
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, fully registered securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the Trustee at which its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States, subject to the limitations provided in the indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any applicable tax or governmental charge.
Any funds paid to a paying agent for the payment of amounts due on any debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years will be returned to the issuer and the holders of the debt securities must look only to the issuer for payment after that time.
Reports
The indenture contains the following covenant for the benefit of the holders of all series of debt securities:
So long as any debt securities are outstanding, Golar LNG Partners will:
A series of debt securities may contain additional financial and other covenants. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain a description of any such covenants that are added to the indenture specifically for the benefit of holders of a particular series.
Events of Default, Remedies and Notice
Events of Default
Each of the following events will be an "Event of Default" under the indenture with respect to a series of debt securities:
Exercise of Remedies
If an Event of Default, other than an Event of Default described in the fifth bullet point above, occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal of, premium, if any, and
31
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.
A default under the fourth bullet point above will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series notify us of the default and such default is not cured within 60 days after receipt of notice.
If an Event of Default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all outstanding debt securities of all series will become immediately due and payable without any declaration of acceleration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may:
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation, except as otherwise provided in the indenture, to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any costs, liability or expense. No holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the debt securities of any series, except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium or interest when due, unless:
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series have the right, subject to certain restrictions, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any right or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to that series of debt securities. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that:
32
Notice of Event of Default
Within 30 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, we are required to give written notice to the Trustee and indicate the status of the default and what action we are taking or propose to take to cure the default. In addition, we are required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a compliance certificate indicating that we have complied with all covenants contained in the indenture or whether any default or Event of Default has occurred during the previous year.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder a notice of the Event of Default by the later of 90 days after the Event of Default occurs or 30 days after the Trustee knows of the Event of Default. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to any debt securities, the Trustee may withhold such notice, but only if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interests of the holders.
The issuer may amend the indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities to:
In addition, the issuer may amend the indenture if the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of each series that would be affected then outstanding under the indenture consent to it. The issuer may not, however, without the consent of each holder of outstanding debt securities of each series that would be affected, amend the indenture to:
33
The consent of the holders is not necessary under the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, the issuer is required to mail to all holders a notice briefly describing the amendment. The failure to give, or any defect in, such notice, however, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series, on behalf of all such holders, and subject to certain rights of the Trustee, may waive:
except that such majority of holders may not waive a default: (i) in the payment of principal, premium or interest or (ii) in respect of a provision that under the indenture cannot be amended without, in the case of either (i) or (ii), the consent of all holders of the series of debt securities that is affected.
At any time, the issuer may terminate, with respect to debt securities of a particular series, all of its obligations under such series of debt securities and the indenture, which we call a "legal defeasance." If the issuer decides to make a legal defeasance, however, the issuer may not terminate its obligations:
If the issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, any guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of debt securities.
34
At any time the issuer may also effect a "covenant defeasance," which means it has elected to terminate its obligations under covenants applicable to a series of debt securities and described in the prospectus supplement applicable to such series, other than as described in such prospectus supplement.
The legal defeasance option may be exercised notwithstanding a prior exercise of the covenant defeasance option. If the legal defeasance option is exercised, payment of the affected series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect to that series. If the covenant defeasance option is exercised, payment of the affected series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in the fourth or fifth bullet points under "Events of Default" above or an Event of Default that is added specifically for such series and described in a prospectus supplement.
In order to exercise either defeasance option, the issuer must:
None of the past, present or future partners, incorporators, managers, members, directors, officers, employees or unitholders of the issuer or the general partner will have any liability for the obligations of the issuer under either indenture or the debt securities or for any claim based on such obligations or their creation.
By accepting a debt security, each holder will be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. This waiver and release are part of the consideration for our issuance of the debt securities. This waiver may not be effective, however, to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
Provisions Relating only to the Senior Debt Securities
The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The senior debt securities will be effectively subordinated, however, to all of our secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral for that debt. We will disclose the amount of our secured debt in the prospectus supplement.
Provisions Relating only to the Subordinated Debt Securities
Subordinated Debt Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness
The subordinated debt securities will rank junior in right of payment to all of the Senior Indebtedness of Golar LNG Partners. "Senior Indebtedness" will be defined in a supplemental
35
indenture or authorizing resolutions respecting any issuance of a series of subordinated debt securities, and the definition will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.
Payment Blockages
The subordinated indenture will provide that no payment of principal, interest and any premium on the subordinated debt securities may be made in the event:
No Limitation on Amount of Senior Debt
The subordinated indenture will not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness that Golar LNG Partners may incur, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
A series of debt securities may be issued in the form of one or more global certificates deposited with a depositary. We expect that The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or "DTC," will act as depositary. If a series of debt securities is issued in book-entry form, one or more global certificates will be issued and deposited with or on behalf of DTC and physical certificates will not be issued to each holder. A global security may not be transferred unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated security, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a global security as a whole to one another.
DTC will keep a computerized record of its participants, such as a broker, whose clients have purchased the debt securities. The participants will then keep records of their clients who purchased the debt securities. Beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and transfers of beneficial interests in global securities will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.
DTC advises us that it is:
DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., The American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA. The rules that apply to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also records the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through computerized records for participants' accounts. This eliminates the need to exchange
36
certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments due on the global securities will be wired to DTC's nominee. The issuer, the Trustee and any paying agent will treat DTC's nominee as the owner of the global securities for all purposes. Accordingly, the issuer, the Trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global securities to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities.
It is DTC's current practice, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, to credit participants' accounts on the payment date according to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global securities as shown on DTC's records. In addition, it is DTC's current practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to participants, whose accounts are credited with debt securities on a record date, by using an omnibus proxy.
Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities, as well as voting by participants, will be governed by the customary practices between the participants and the owners of beneficial interests, as is the case with debt securities held for the account of customers registered in "street name." Payments to holders of beneficial interests are the responsibility of the participants and not of DTC, the Trustee or us.
Beneficial interests in global securities will be exchangeable for certificated securities with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:
A separate trustee may be appointed for any series of debt securities. We may maintain banking and other commercial relationships with the Trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, and the Trustee may own debt securities.
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
37
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to prospective unitholders and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., our U.S. counsel, insofar as it contains legal conclusions with respect to matters of U.S. federal income tax law. The opinion of our counsel is dependent on the accuracy of factual representations made by us to them, including descriptions of our operations contained herein.
This discussion is based upon provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations, and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all as in effect or existence on the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences of unit ownership to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to "we," "our" or "us" are references to Golar LNG Partners LP.
The following discussion applies only to beneficial owners of common units that own the common units as "capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (i.e., generally, for investment purposes) and is not intended to be applicable to all categories of investors, such as unitholders subject to special tax rules (e.g., financial institutions, insurance companies, broker-dealers, tax-exempt organizations, retirement plans or individual retirement accounts or former citizens or long-term residents of the United States), persons who will hold the units as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, each of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized below. If a partnership or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common units, the tax treatment of its partners generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common units, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences to you of the partnership's ownership of our common units.
No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding any matter affecting us or our unitholders. The opinions and statements made herein may be challenged by the IRS and, if so challenged, may not be sustained upon review in a court.
This discussion does not contain information regarding any U.S. state or local, estate, gift or alternative minimum tax considerations concerning the ownership or disposition of common units. This discussion does not comment on all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to particular unitholders in light of their individual circumstances, and each prospective unitholder is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the ownership or disposition of common units.
Election to be Treated as a Corporation
We have elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Consequently, among other things, U.S. Holders (as defined below) will not be directly subject to U.S. federal income tax on our income, but rather will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on distributions received from us and dispositions of units as described below.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of our common units that owns (actually or constructively) less than 10.0% of our equity and that is:
38
Distributions
Subject to the discussion below of the rules applicable to PFICs, any distributions to a U.S. Holder made by us with respect to our common units generally will constitute dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or "qualified dividend income" as described in more detail below, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder's tax basis in its common units and, thereafter, as capital gain. U.S. Holders that are corporations generally will not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to distributions they receive from us because we are not a U.S. corporation. Dividends received with respect to our common units generally will be treated as "passive category income" for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Dividends received with respect to our common units by a U.S. Holder that is an individual, trust or estate (a "U.S. Individual Holder") generally will be treated as "qualified dividend income," which is currently taxable to such U.S. Individual Holder at preferential capital gain tax rates provided that: (i) our common units are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as The Nasdaq Global Market on which our common units are traded); (ii) we are not a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (which we do not believe we are, have been or will be, as discussed below under "U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. HoldersPFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences"); (iii) the U.S. Individual Holder has owned the common units for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the common units become ex-dividend (and has not entered into certain risk limiting transactions with respect to such common units); and (iv) the U.S. Individual Holder is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. There is no assurance that any dividends paid on our common units will be eligible for these preferential rates in the hands of a U.S. Individual Holder, and any dividends paid on our common units that are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a U.S. Individual Holder. In the absence of legislation extending the term of the preferential tax rates for qualified dividend income, all dividends received by a taxpayer in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013 will be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income.
Special rules may apply to any amounts received in respect of our common units that are treated as "extraordinary dividends." In general, an extraordinary dividend is a dividend with respect to a common unit that is equal to or in excess of 10.0% of a unitholder's adjusted tax basis (or fair market value upon the unitholder's election) in such common unit. In addition, extraordinary dividends include dividends received within a one year period that, in the aggregate, equal or exceed 20.0% of a unitholder's adjusted tax basis (or fair market value). If we pay an "extraordinary dividend" on our common units that is treated as "qualified dividend income," then any loss recognized by a U.S. Individual Holder from the sale or exchange of such common units will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of such dividend.
In addition to U.S. federal income tax imposed on dividends received from us, recently enacted legislation will impose a 3.8% Medicare tax on certain net investment income, including dividends, earned by a U.S. Individual Holder in a taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2013, to the extent that such holder's adjusted gross income exceeds a threshold amount.
39
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Units
Subject to the discussion of PFIC status below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our units in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in such units. The U.S. Holder's initial tax basis in its units generally will be the U.S. Holder's purchase price for the units and that tax basis will be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of any distributions on the units that are treated as non-taxable returns of capital (as discussed above under "U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. HoldersDistributions"). Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder's holding period is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Certain U.S. Holders (including individuals) may be eligible for preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax in respect of long-term capital gains. A U.S. Holder's ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations. Such capital gain or loss generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss, as applicable, for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences
Adverse U.S. federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that owns an equity interest in a non-U.S. corporation that is classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which the holder held our units, either:
Income earned, or deemed earned, by us in connection with the performance of services would not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income generally would constitute "passive income" unless we were treated as deriving that rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business under the applicable rules.
Based on our current and projected methods of operation, and an opinion of counsel, we do not believe that we are or will be a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. Our U.S. counsel, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., is of the opinion that (1) more than 25% of the income we earn from our present time chartering activity and more than 50% of the assets engaged in generating such income should not be treated as passive income or assets, respectively, and (2) so long as such income (and any other income that our counsel has concluded does not constitute passive income) exceeds 25.0% of our gross income for each taxable year after our initial taxable year and the value of our vessels contracted under such time charters (and any other assets that our counsel has concluded do not constitute passive assets) exceeds 50.0% of the average value of all of our assets for each taxable year after our initial taxable year, we should not be a PFIC for any year. This opinion is based on representations and projections provided to our counsel by us regarding our assets, income and charters, and its validity is conditioned on the accuracy of such representations and projections. As a result of these representations and projections, and our counsel's analysis of the terms of our charters under the analogous legal authorities described below, our counsel has concluded that more than 25% of the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from the time chartering activities of our subsidiaries should constitute services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, such income should not constitute passive income, and the assets that we or our subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income, in particular, the vessels we or our subsidiaries own that are subject to such time
40
charters, should not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether we are or have been a PFIC.
Our counsel has indicated to us that the conclusions described above are not free from doubt. While there is legal authority supporting our counsel's conclusions, including IRS pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters as services income, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (or the Fifth Circuit) held that income derived from certain marine time charter agreements should be treated as rental income rather than services income for purposes of a "foreign sales corporation" provision of the Code. In that case, the Fifth Circuit did not address the definition of passive income or the PFIC rules; however, the reasoning of the case could have implications as to how the income from a time charter would be classified under such rules. If the reasoning of this case were extended to the PFIC context, the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our time chartering activities may be treated as rental income, and we would likely be treated as a PFIC. The IRS has announced its disagreement and nonacquiescence with the analysis in that case and the position of the IRS that the marine time charter agreements at issue in that case should be treated as service contracts. Distinguishing between arrangements treated as generating rental income and those treated as generating services income involves weighing and balancing competing factual considerations, and there is no legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing our specific method of operation. Conclusions in this area therefore remain matters of interpretation. We are not seeking a ruling from the IRS on the treatment of income generated from our time chartering operations, and the opinion of our counsel is not binding on the IRS or any court. Thus, while we have received an opinion of counsel in support of our position, there is a possibility that the IRS or a court could disagree with this position and the opinion of our counsel. Although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner to avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year, we cannot assure you that the nature of our operations will not change in the future.
As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a "Qualified Electing Fund," which we refer to as a "QEF election." As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a "mark-to-market" election with respect to our common units, as discussed below. If we are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will be subject to the PFIC rules described herein with respect to any of our subsidiaries that are PFICs. However, the mark-to-market election discussed below will likely not be available with respect to shares of such PFIC subsidiaries. In addition, if a U.S. Holder owns our common units during any taxable year that we are a PFIC, such holder must file an annual report with the IRS.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election (an "Electing Holder"), then, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that holder must report as income for its taxable year its pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain, if any, for our taxable years that end with or within the taxable year for which that holder is reporting, regardless of whether or not the Electing Holder received distributions from us in that year. The Electing Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common units will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that were previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the Electing Holder's adjusted tax basis in common units and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units. A U.S. Holder makes a QEF election with respect to any year that we are a PFIC by filing IRS Form 8621 with its U.S. federal income tax return. If contrary to our expectations, we determine that we are treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, we will provide each U.S. Holder with the information necessary to make the QEF election described above.
41
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a "Mark-to-Market" Election
If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as we anticipate, our units were treated as "marketable stock," then, as an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a "mark-to-market" election with respect to our common units, provided the U.S. Holder completes and files IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and related Treasury Regulations. If that election is made, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the U.S. Holder's common units at the end of the taxable year over the holder's adjusted tax basis in the common units. The U.S. Holder also would be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common units over the fair market value thereof at the end of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in its common units would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss recognized. Gain recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common units would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included in income by the U.S. Holder. Because the mark-to-market election only applies to marketable stock, however, it would not apply to a U.S. Holder's indirect interest in any of our subsidiaries that were determined to be PFICs.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election
If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder that does not make either a QEF election or a "mark-to-market" election for that year (or a Non-Electing Holder) would be subject to special rules resulting in increased tax liability with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on our common units in a taxable year in excess of 125.0% of the average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing Holder's holding period for the common units), and (2) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the units. Under these special rules:
These penalties would not apply to a qualified pension, profit sharing or other retirement trust or other tax-exempt organization that did not borrow money or otherwise utilize leverage in connection with its acquisition of our common units. If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and a Non-Electing Holder who is an individual dies while owning our common units, such holder's successor generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to such units.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
A beneficial owner of our common units (other than a partnership or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not a U.S. Holder is referred to as a Non-U.S. Holder. If you are a partner in a partnership (or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holding our common units, you should consult your
42
own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences to you of the partnership's ownership of our common units.
Distributions
Distributions we pay to a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business. If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business, our distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent they constitute income effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's U.S. trade or business. However, distributions paid to a Non-U.S. Holder that is engaged in a U.S. trade or business may be exempt from taxation under an income tax treaty if the income arising from the distribution is not attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder.
Disposition of Units
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on any gain resulting from the disposition of our common units provided the Non-U.S. Holder is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business. A Non-U.S. Holder that is engaged in a U.S. trade or business will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the event the gain from the disposition of units is effectively connected with the conduct of such U.S. trade or business (provided, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder entitled to the benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States, such gain also is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment). However, even if not engaged in a U.S. trade or business, individual Non-U.S. Holders may be subject to tax on gain resulting from the disposition of our common units if they are present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year in which those units are disposed and meet certain other requirements.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, payments to a non-corporate U.S. Holder of distributions or the proceeds of a disposition of common units will be subject to information reporting. These payments to a non-corporate U.S. Holder also may be subject to backup withholding if the non-corporate U.S. Holder:
Non-U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding by certifying their status on IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI or W-8IMY, as applicable.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, a unitholder generally may obtain a credit for any amount withheld against its liability for U.S. federal income tax (and obtain a refund of any amounts withheld in excess of such liability) by timely filing a U.S. federal income tax return with the IRS.
In addition, individual citizens or residents of the United States holding certain "foreign financial assets" (which generally includes stock and other securities issued by a foreign person unless held in account maintained by a financial institution) with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000 are required to report information relating to such assets. Significant penalties may apply for failure to satisfy the reporting obligations described above. Unitholders should consult their tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations, if any, result of their purchase, ownership or disposition of our units.
43
NON-UNITED STATES TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Marshall Islands Tax Consequences
The following discussion is based upon the opinion of Watson, Farley & Williams (New York) LLP, our counsel as to matters of the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the current laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands applicable to persons who do not reside in, maintain offices in or engage in business in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Because we and our subsidiaries do not and do not expect to conduct business or operations in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and because all documentation related to this offering will be executed outside of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, under current Marshall Islands law you will not be subject to Marshall Islands taxation or withholding on distributions, including upon distribution treated as a return of capital, we make to you as a unitholder. In addition, you will not be subject to Marshall Islands stamp, capital gains or other taxes on the purchase, ownership or disposition of common units, and you will not be required by the Republic of the Marshall Islands to file a tax return relating to your ownership of common units.
United Kingdom Tax Consequences
The following is a discussion of the material United Kingdom tax consequences that may be relevant to prospective unitholders who are persons not resident or individuals not ordinarily resident for tax purposes in the United Kingdom (non-U.K. Holders).
Prospective unitholders who are resident or ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential United Kingdom tax consequences to them of an investment in our common units. For this purpose, a company incorporated outside of the United Kingdom will be treated as resident in the United Kingdom in the event its central management and control is carried out in the United Kingdom.
The discussion that follows is based upon existing United Kingdom legislation and current H.M. Revenue & Customs practice as of the date of this prospectus. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences of unit ownership described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to "we," "our" or "us" are references to Golar LNG Partners LP.
Taxation of Non-U.K. Holders
Under the United Kingdom Tax Acts, non-U.K. holders will not be subject to any United Kingdom taxes on income or profits (including chargeable (capital) gains) in respect of the acquisition, holding, disposition or redemption of the common units, provided that:
A non-United Kingdom resident company or an individual not resident or ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom that carries on a business in the United Kingdom through a partnership is subject to United Kingdom tax on income derived from the business carried on by the partnership in the United Kingdom. Nonetheless, we expect to conduct our affairs in such a manner that we will not be treated as carrying on business in the United Kingdom. Consequently, we expect that non-U.K. Holders will not be considered to be carrying on business in the United Kingdom for the purposes of the
44
United Kingdom Tax Acts solely by reason of the acquisition, holding, disposition or redemption of their common units.
While we do not expect it to be the case, if the arrangements we propose to enter into result in our being considered to carry on business in the United Kingdom for the purposes of the United Kingdom Tax Acts, our unitholders would be considered to be carrying on business in the United Kingdom and would be required to file tax returns with the United Kingdom taxing authority and, subject to any relief provided in any relevant double taxation treaty (including, in the case of holders resident in the United States, the double taxation agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States), would be subject to taxation in the United Kingdom on any income and chargeable gains that are considered to be attributable to the business carried on by us in the United Kingdom.
EACH PROSPECTIVE UNITHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS OWN TAX COUNSEL OR OTHER ADVISOR WITH REGARD TO THE LEGAL AND TAX CONSEQUENCES OF UNIT OWNERSHIP UNDER THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
45
The securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement may be sold in any of the following ways:
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities will set forth, among other things:
We will fix a price or prices of our securities at:
We may change the price of the securities offered from time to time.
We, or agents designated by us, may directly solicit, from time to time, offers to purchase the securities. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter as that term is defined in the Securities Act. We will name any agents involved in the offer or sale of the securities and describe any commissions payable by us to these agents in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, these agents will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment. The agents may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The agents may also be our customers or may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
If we or the selling unitholder utilize any underwriters in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we and, if applicable, the selling unitholder will enter into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters at the time of sale to them. We will set forth the names of these underwriters and the terms of the transaction in the prospectus supplement, which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered to the public. We and, if applicable, the selling unitholder may indemnify the underwriters under the relevant underwriting agreement against specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
46
Act. The underwriters may also be our customers or may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, the maximum compensation to be paid to underwriters participating in any offering made pursuant to this prospectus will not exceed 8% of the gross proceeds from that offering.
If we utilize a dealer in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell those securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. We may indemnify the dealers against specific liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The dealers may also be our customers or may engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. We may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly.
We may offer our common units into an existing trading market on the terms described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in any at-the-market offerings will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.
Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of, may engage in transactions with and may perform services for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
A prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplement in electronic form may be made available on the web sites maintained by the underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of securities for internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, securities may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell securities to online brokerage account holders.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
In connection with offerings of securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and in compliance with applicable law, underwriters, brokers or dealers may engage in transactions that stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market. Specifically, underwriters, brokers or dealers may over-allot in connection with offerings, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the purpose of covering a syndicate short position or stabilizing the price of the securities, the underwriters, brokers or dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the securities in the open market. Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other brokers or dealers for distribution of the securities in offerings may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
47
This prospectus covers the offering for resale from time to time, in one or more offerings, of up to 6,000,000 common units owned by Golar LNG Limited, the selling unitholder. These common units were obtained by the selling unitholder in connection with our initial public offering on April 13, 2011. The selling unitholder also owns 15,949,831 of our subordinated units, which the selling unitholder obtained in connection with our initial public offering. The subordinated units may be converted into common units on a one-for-one basis upon termination of the subordination period under certain circumstances, as set forth in our partnership agreement. In addition to holding the common units and subordinated units in us, the selling unitholder also owns all of the ownership interests in our general partner. See "About Golar LNG Partners LP" for additional information regarding our relationship with the selling unitholder.
The following table sets forth information relating to the selling unitholder as of May 24, 2012 based on information supplied to us by the selling unitholder on or prior to that date. We have not sought to verify such information. Information concerning the selling unitholder may change over time. The selling unitholder may hold or acquire at any time common units in addition to those offered by this prospectus and may have acquired additional common units since the date on which the information reflected herein was provided to us. In addition, the selling unitholder may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of some or all of its common units since the date on which the information reflected herein was provided to us and may in the future sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of its common units in private placement transactions exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
|
|
|
Common Units Owned After Offering |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Selling Unitholder
|
Common Units Owned Prior to Offering(1) |
Common Units Being Offered(1) |
Number of Units(2) |
Percentage(3) | |||||||||
Golar LNG Limited(4) |
9,327,254 | 6,000,000 | 3,327,254 | 14.4 | % |
The prospectus supplement for any offering or our common units by the selling unitholder will set forth the following information with respect to the selling unitholder:
48
SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands as a limited partnership. Our general partner is organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands as a limited liability company. The Marshall Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides protections for investors to a significantly lesser extent.
Most of our directors and officers and those of our subsidiaries are residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of our and our subsidiaries' assets and a substantial portion of the assets of our directors and officers are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for United States investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us, our directors or officers, our general partner or our subsidiaries or to realize against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. However, we have expressly submitted to the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal and New York state courts sitting in the City of New York for the purpose of any suit, action or proceeding arising under the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States, and we have appointed The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc., Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Island, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960, to accept service of process on our behalf in any such action.
Watson, Farley & Williams (New York) LLP, our counsel as to Marshall Islands law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Marshall Islands would (1) recognize or enforce against us, our general partner, or the directors or officers of such entities judgments of courts of the United States based on civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws; or (2) impose liabilities against us, our general partner or such directors and officers in original actions brought in the Marshall Islands, based on these laws.
Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, (a) the validity of the securities and certain other legal matters with respect to the laws of The Republic of the Marshall Islands will be passed upon for us by our counsel as to Marshall Islands law, Watson, Farley & Williams (New York) LLP and (b) the validity of the debt securities under New York law and certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own legal counsel.
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Golar LNG Partners LP's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is located at 1 Embankment Place, London, WC2N 6RH, United Kingdom.
49
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus. All amounts are estimated, except the SEC registration fee and the FINRA fee.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee |
$ | 115,406 | ||
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority filing fee |
75,500 | |||
Nasdaq Global Market listing fee |
* | |||
Legal fees and expenses |
* | |||
Accounting fees and expenses |
* | |||
Printing and engraving costs |
* | |||
Transfer agent fees and other |
* | |||
Miscellaneous |
* | |||
Total |
$ | * | ||
50
4,300,000 Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Morgan Stanley
November 1, 2012