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Excelerate Energy, Inc. (EE) FY 2024 MD&A

Verbatim Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis from Excelerate Energy, Inc.'s 10-K for fiscal year 2024. Filing date: 2025-02-27. Report date: 2024-12-31. Accession: 0000950170-25-029147.

This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.

Extracted from Item 7 to the first post-MD&A boundary after HTML sanitization. Confidence: high.

Company profile: EE · All MD&A years: index · Previous year: FY 2023 · Next year: FY 2025

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Annual Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” included in Item 1A of this Annual Report and our other filings with the SEC. Please also see the section titled “Forward-Looking Statements” in this Annual Report.

Overview

Excelerate is changing the way the world accesses cleaner and more reliable energy by delivering regasified natural gas, which benefits hundreds of millions of people around the world. From our founding, we have focused on providing liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) solutions to markets in diverse environments across the globe, providing a lesser emitting form of energy to markets that often rely on coal as their primary energy source. At Excelerate, we believe that access to energy sources such as LNG is critical to assisting markets in their decarbonization efforts, while at the same time promoting economic growth and improving quality of life.

Our business spans the globe, with regional presences in 11 countries and an operational presence in Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), and the United States. We are the largest provider of regasified LNG capacity in Argentina, Bangladesh, Finland and the UAE. We are also one of the largest providers of regasified LNG capacity in Brazil, where we operate the largest floating storage and regasification unit (“FSRU”), and Pakistan, where we have regasified more LNG than any other provider in the past 10 years. We intend to continue marketing natural gas and LNG, both of which offer a cleaner energy source from which power can be generated consistently, in the markets where we operate. The high value our customers place on our services has resulted in a reliable source of revenues to us. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we generated revenues of $851.4 million, net income of $153.0 million and adjusted earnings before income tax, depreciation, and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) of $348.2 million. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we generated revenues of $1,159.0 million, net income of $126.8 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $346.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we generated revenues of $2,473.0 million, net income of $80.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $296.4 million. For more information regarding our non-GAAP measure Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to net income, the most comparable U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) measure, see “How We Evaluate Our Operations.”

Our business focuses on the integration of natural gas-to-power in the LNG value chain, and as part of this value chain, we operate at regasification terminals that utilize our FSRU fleet to serve economies throughout the world. Our business is substantially supported by time charter and terminal use contracts, which are effectively long-term, take-or-pay arrangements and provide consistent revenue and cash flow from our high-quality customer base. As of December 31, 2024, we operate a fleet of 10 purpose-built FSRUs, have completed more than 3,000 ship-to-ship transfers of LNG with over 50 LNG operators since we began operations and have safely delivered more than 7,300 billion cubic feet of natural gas through 16 LNG regasification terminals. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, we generated revenues of $612.2 million, $506.8 million and $445.2 million, respectively, from our FSRU and terminal services businesses, representing approximately 72%, 44% and 18% of our total revenues for each of those periods.

We also procure LNG from major producers and sell natural gas through our LNG terminals. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, we generated revenues of $239.3 million, $652.2 million and $2,027.8 million, respectively, from LNG and natural gas sales, representing approximately 28%, 56% and 82% of our total revenues for each of those periods. We believe that the commercial momentum that we have established in recent years and the increasing need for access to LNG around the world have resulted in a significant portfolio of new growth opportunities for us to pursue. In addition to our FSRU and terminal services businesses and LNG and natural gas sales, we plan to expand our business through investments in organic and inorganic commercial opportunities. We are evaluating and pursuing projects in various stages of development with opportunities in Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Recent Trends and Outlook

Natural gas and LNG prices rose in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024. Dutch Title Transfer Facility (“TTF”) and Japan Korea Marker (“JKM”) reported average third quarter of 2024 prices of $11.53 per million British thermal units (“MMBtu”) and $13.03/MMBtu, respectively, which increased to $13.57/MMBtu and $13.94/MMBtu, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Global LNG trade volumes reached approximately 105.7 million tons per annum (“MTPA”) in the fourth quarter of 2024, marking an 8% increase from 97.9 MTPA in the third quarter of 2024. Higher demand from Europe, fueled by precautionary measures against potential supply disruptions and heightened seasonal needs, largely drove this growth. This increased European demand elevated TTF prices relative to JKM, which resulted in the diverting of LNG cargoes away from Asia. While European demand surged by 48% quarter-over-quarter, Asian demand dropped by 2%.

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By November 1, 2024, European natural gas storage was 95% full, surpassing the European Commission’s 80% target. However, withdrawals began by mid-November and continued in the following months due to a colder 2024–2025 winter compared to the prior two years. The expiration of the Russia-Ukraine natural gas pipeline transit agreement on December 31, 2024, added further pressure on TTF prices, removing approximately 12 billion cubic meters per annum (approximately 8 MTPA) of natural gas from the European market.

Due to limited new production, global LNG supply in 2024 remained largely flat at 414 MTPA as compared to 413 MTPA in 2023, marking the slowest supply growth since 2015. While Russia’s Arctic LNG came online in October 2024 with limited operational capacity of 6.6 MTPA due to existing international sanctions, exports from that project ceased shortly afterward due to further sanctions. Two United States (“U.S.”) LNG export projects made significant advances in December 2024. The first phase of Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG, which has an operational capacity of 13.3 MTPA, exported its first commercial cargo, and Cheniere’s Corpus Christi LNG Stage III, which has an operational capacity of over 10 MTPA, began LNG production and is expected to be substantially completed in early 2025.

Looking ahead, LNG export projects in Canada, Mexico, and Senegal, along with additional developments in the U.S., are set to ramp up in 2025, adding approximately 43.1 MTPA of new capacity. This 10% capacity increase as compared to 2024 could help alleviate price risk premiums by diversifying supply in the structurally tight global LNG market. However, geopolitical tensions, unpredictable weather, and supply-side disruptions remain potential risks to the global LNG trade in 2025.

For Excelerate, the evolving market dynamics support our growth strategy. The heightened focus on energy security, coupled with the global shift toward cleaner energy sources, will continue supporting demand for LNG. As LNG supply continues to grow, there will be an increasing need for more FSRUs to connect this supply with demand centers worldwide. This reinforces our commitment to focusing on the downstream segment of the LNG value chain, where we believe Excelerate is well positioned to be a key player in facilitating the transition to a more secure and diversified energy landscape.

Components of Our Results of Operations

Revenue

We generate revenue through the provision of regasification services using our fleet of FSRUs and LNG terminal assets, as well as physical sales of LNG and natural gas, that are made primarily in connection with our regasification and terminal projects. We provide regasification services through time charters and operation service contracts primarily related to our long-term charter and terminal use contracts. Most of our time charter revenues are from long-term contracts that function similarly to take-or-pay arrangements in that we are paid if our assets and teams are available and ready to provide services to our customers regardless of whether our customers utilize the services. We generally charge fixed fees for the use of and services provided with our vessels and terminal capacity plus additional amounts for certain variable costs.

Expenses

The principal expenses involved in conducting our business are operating costs, direct cost of gas sales, general and administrative expenses, and depreciation and amortization. A large portion of the fixed and variable costs we incur in our business are in the operation of our fleet of FSRUs and terminals that provide regasification and gas supply to our customers. We manage the level of our fixed costs based on several factors, including industry conditions and expected demand for our services and generally pass-through certain variable costs.

We incur significant equipment costs in connection with the operation of our business, including capital equipment recorded as property and equipment, net on our balance sheets and related depreciation and amortization on our income statement. In addition, we incur repair and maintenance and leasing costs related to our property and equipment utilized both in our FSRU and terminal services and gas sales. Property and equipment and other assets include costs incurred for our fleet of FSRUs and terminal assets, including capitalized costs related to drydocking activities. We are required to drydock our vessels periodically for maintenance and in accordance with applicable international regulations.

Cost of revenue and vessel operating expenses

Cost of revenue and vessel operating expenses include the following major cost categories: vessel operating costs; personnel costs; repair and maintenance; and leasing costs. These operating costs are incurred for both our FSRU and terminal services revenues and gas sales revenues.

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Direct cost of gas sales

Direct cost of gas sales includes the cost of LNG and other fuel and direct costs incurred in selling natural gas and LNG, which are significant variable operating costs. These costs fluctuate in proportion to the amount of our natural gas and LNG sales as well as LNG prices.

Depreciation and amortization expenses

Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of our property and equipment assets, less an estimated salvage value. Certain recurring repairs and maintenance expenditures required by regulators are amortized over the required maintenance period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and other employee-related costs for personnel engaged in executive management, sales, finance, legal, tax and human resources. Selling, general and administrative expenses also consists of expenses associated with office facilities, information technology, external professional services, business development, legal costs and other administrative expenses.

Restructuring, transition and transaction expenses

We incurred restructuring, transition and transaction expenses related to consulting, legal, and audit costs incurred as part of and in preparation for our IPO.

Other income, net

Other income, net, primarily contains interest income, gains or losses from the effect of foreign exchange rates and gains and losses on asset sales.

Interest expense and Interest expense – related party

Our interest expense is primarily associated with our finance leases liabilities and loan agreements with external banks and related parties.

Earnings from equity-method investment

Earnings from equity-method investment relate to our 45% ownership interest in the joint venture with Nakilat Excelerate LLC (“Nakilat JV”), which we acquired in 2018.

Provision for income taxes

Excelerate is a corporation for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes. EELP is treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, has generally not been subject to U.S. federal income tax at the entity level. Instead, EELP’s U.S. income is allocated to its Class A and Class B partners proportionate to their interest. In addition, EELP has international operations that are subject to foreign income tax and U.S. corporate subsidiaries subject to U.S. federal tax. These taxes are also included in our provision for income taxes.

Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest

Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests includes earnings allocable to our shares of Class B Common Stock, as well as earnings allocable to the third-party equity ownership interests in our subsidiaries, Excelerate Energy Bangladesh, LLC and Excelerate Albania Holding Sh.p.k.

Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest – ENE Onshore

Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest – ENE Onshore includes the earnings allocable to the equity ownership interests in Excelerate New England Onshore, LLC (“ENE Onshore”). On October 17, 2022, Excelerate Energy Holdings, LLC (“EE Holdings”), the indirect sole member of ENE Onshore, and EELP, the sole member of Excelerate New England Lateral, LLC (“ENE Lateral”), entered into a merger agreement, pursuant to which ENE Onshore was merged with and into ENE Lateral (the “ENE Onshore Merger”), effective October 31, 2022. ENE Lateral was the surviving entity and ENE Onshore ceased to exist as a separate entity. Prior to the ENE Onshore Merger, Excelerate consolidated ENE Onshore as a variable interest entity as Excelerate was determined to be the primary beneficiary of ENE Onshore. As a result of the ENE Onshore Merger, Excelerate ceased to have a non-controlling interest related to ENE Onshore.

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Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results of Operations

As a result of a number of factors, our historical results of operations may not be comparable from period to period or going forward. Set forth below is a brief discussion of the key factors impacting the comparability of our results of operations.

Impact of the Reorganization

Following the completion of the IPO in April 2022, we are a corporation for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes. EELP is treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, is generally not subject to U.S. federal income tax at the entity level. Accordingly, unless otherwise specified, our historical results of operations prior to the IPO do not include provision for U.S. federal income tax for EELP. The reorganization undertaken in connection with the IPO, as described under “Organizational Structure—The Reorganization” in our prospectus (the “Prospectus”), dated April 12, 2022 and filed on April 14, 2022 with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act (the “Reorganization”), was accounted for as a reorganization of entities under common control. As a result, our consolidated financial statements recognized the assets and liabilities received in the Reorganization at their historical carrying amounts, as reflected in the historical consolidated financial statements of EELP. In addition, in connection with the Reorganization and the IPO, we entered into the TRA with EE Holdings and the George Kaiser Family Foundation (the “Foundation”) (or their affiliates) (together, the “TRA Beneficiaries”) pursuant to which we will be required to pay the TRA Beneficiaries 85% of the net cash savings, if any, that we are deemed to realize as a result of our utilization of certain tax benefits described under “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Related Person Transactions—Transactions in Connection with our Reorganization and Initial Public Offering—Tax Receivable Agreement” in our Proxy Statement on DEF 14A filed on April 16, 2024.

Also included in the Reorganization is our acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in Excelsior, LLC and FSRU Vessel (Excellence), LLC (f/k/a Excellence, LLC) (collectively, the “Foundation Vessels”). The acquisition of Excelsior, LLC was accounted for as an acquisition of property and equipment at the completion of the Reorganization. The Foundation Vessels had historically been accounted for as finance leases in our historical financial statements. In 2018, EELP entered into an agreement with a customer to lease Excellence with the vessel transferring ownership to the customer at the conclusion of the agreement for no additional consideration. Historically, EELP, as a lessor, has accounted for Excellence contract with our customer as a sales-type lease in the consolidated balance sheet in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases. The Excellence contract with our customer continues to be accounted for as a sales-type lease and thus did not result in an adjustment to property and equipment.

Depreciation Expense

During the fourth quarter of 2023, we performed a review of the estimated useful lives of our FSRU vessels. As a relatively new asset class, being first built in 2005, we initially estimated a useful life of 30 years with no salvage value. As the vessels approach almost 20 years of life, there has been improved visibility into the expected term of FSRU productive capabilities, demand, and salvage potential. As a result, we changed the useful lives of our FSRU vessel assets to 40 years and added an estimated salvage value.

How We Evaluate Our Operations

We operate in a single reportable segment. However, we use a variety of qualitative, operational and financial metrics to assess our performance and valuation. Among other measures, management considers each of the following in assessing our business:

Adjusted Gross Margin;

Adjusted EBITDA; and

Capital Expenditures.

Adjusted Gross Margin

We use Adjusted Gross Margin, a non-GAAP financial measure, which we define as revenues less direct cost of sales and operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, to measure our operational financial performance. Management believes Adjusted Gross Margin is useful because it provides insight on profitability and true operating performance excluding the implications of the historical cost basis of our assets. Our computation of Adjusted Gross Margin may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure included as a supplemental disclosure because we believe it is a useful indicator of our operating performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, accretion, non-cash long-term incentive compensation expense and items such as charges and non-recurring expenses that management does not consider as part of assessing ongoing operating performance.

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We adjust net income for the items listed above to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures and the method by which the assets were acquired. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income as determined in accordance with GAAP or as an indicator of our operating performance or liquidity. This measure has limitations as certain excluded items are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the historic costs of depreciable assets, none of which are components of Adjusted EBITDA. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Our computations of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. For the foregoing reasons, Adjusted EBITDA has significant limitations that affect its use as an indicator of our profitability and valuation, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information.

Capital Expenditures

We incur capital expenditures as part of our regular business operations. Capital expenditures are costs incurred to expand our business operations, increase the efficiency of business operations, extend the life of an existing asset, improve an asset’s capabilities, increase the future service of an asset, repair existing assets in order to maintain their service capability, and provide the upkeep required for regulatory compliance. Costs related to prospective projects are capitalized once it is determined to be probable that the related assets will be constructed.

The tables below reconcile the financial measures discussed above to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP:

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
(In thousands)
FSRU and terminal services revenues$612,164$506,810$445,157
Gas sales revenues239,273652,1532,027,816
Cost of revenue and vessel operating expenses(215,610)(228,165)(209,195)
Direct cost of gas sales(227,745)(518,394)(1,906,781)
Depreciation and amortization expense(98,939)(114,323)(97,313)
Gross Margin$309,143$298,081$259,684
Depreciation and amortization expense98,939114,32397,313
Adjusted Gross Margin$408,082$412,404$356,997
Years ended December 31,
202420232022
(In thousands)
Net income$153,034$126,844$79,996
Interest expense61,02266,99559,539
Provision for income taxes26,09933,24728,326
Depreciation and amortization expense98,939114,32397,313
Accretion expense1,8561,7741,494
Long-term incentive compensation expense7,2453,639956
Restructuring, transition and transaction expenses6,900
Early extinguishment of lease liability on vessel acquisition21,834
Adjusted EBITDA$348,195$346,822$296,358

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Consolidated Results of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

Years ended December 31,Change
2024202320222024 vs. 20232023 vs. 2022
(In thousands)
Revenues
FSRU and terminal services$612,164$506,810$445,157$105,354$61,653
Gas sales239,273652,1532,027,816(412,880)(1,375,663)
Total revenues851,4371,158,9632,472,973(307,526)(1,314,010)
Operating expenses
Cost of revenue and vessel operating expenses (exclusive of items below)215,610228,165209,195(12,555)18,970
Direct cost of gas sales227,745518,3941,906,781(290,649)(1,388,387)
Depreciation and amortization98,939114,32397,313(15,384)17,010
Selling, general and administrative94,14887,47666,0996,67221,377
Restructuring, transition and transaction6,900(6,900)
Total operating expenses636,442948,3582,286,288(311,916)(1,337,930)
Operating income214,995210,605186,6854,39023,920
Other income (expense)
Interest expense(47,365)(52,468)(33,927)5,103(18,541)
Interest expense – related party(13,657)(14,527)(25,612)87011,085
Earnings from equity method investments2,2478832,6981,364(1,815)
Early extinguishment of lease liability on vessel acquisition(21,834)21,834
Other income, net22,91315,5983127,31515,286
Income before income taxes179,133160,091108,32219,04251,769
Provision for income taxes(26,099)(33,247)(28,326)7,148(4,921)
Net income153,034126,84479,99626,19046,848
Less net income attributable to non-controlling interests120,15696,43255,11923,72441,313
Less net loss attributable to non-controlling interests – ENE Onshore(1,396)1,396
Less pre-IPO net income attributable to EELP12,950(12,950)
Net income attributable to shareholders$32,878$30,412$13,323$2,466$17,089
Additional financial data:
Gross Margin$309,143$298,081$259,684$11,062$38,397
Adjusted Gross Margin408,082412,404356,997(4,322)55,407
Adjusted EBITDA348,195346,822296,3581,37350,464
Capital expenditures113,257312,735119,267(199,478)193,468

Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023

Net income

Net income was $153.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $26.2 million, as compared to $126.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Net income was higher primarily due to the update to our useful life assumption in the fourth quarter of 2023 ($17.9 million), various charter rate increases ($14.3 million), a full year of earnings from our charter with Germany ($8.1 million), a decrease in the provision for income taxes ($7.1 million), lower interest expense due to decreased debt balances ($5.1 million), an increase in interest income ($4.0 million), and the benefit of the Sequoia acquisition ($4.0 million), partially offset by a decrease due to the transition of Sequoia to a time charter party (“TCP”) agreement in the first quarter of 2024 ($22.3 million), increased selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to business development activities and long-term incentive compensation ($6.7 million), a decrease in other gas sales opportunities ($4.0 million), and increased personnel costs in Argentina ($3.7 million).

Gross Margin and Adjusted Gross Margin

Gross Margin was $309.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $11.0 million, as compared to $298.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2024, Adjusted Gross Margin was $408.1 million, a decrease of $4.3 million, as compared to $412.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Gross Margin and Adjusted Gross

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Margin were affected primarily by various charter rate increases ($14.3 million), a full year of earnings from our charter with Germany ($8.1 million), and lower operating lease expense due to the acquisition of Sequoia ($6.0 million), partially offset by a decrease due to the transition of Sequoia to a time charter party (“TCP”) agreement in the first quarter of 2024 ($22.3 million), a decrease in other gas sales opportunities ($4.0 million), and increased personnel costs in Argentina ($3.7 million). Gross Margin was also improved by the update to our useful life assumption in the fourth quarter of 2023 ($17.9 million), partially offset by higher depreciation expense as a result of our acquisition of Sequoia ($2.0 million).

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $348.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $1.4 million, as compared to $346.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was higher primarily due to various charter rate increases ($14.3 million), a full year of earnings from our charter with Germany ($8.1 million), lower operating lease expense due to the acquisition of Sequoia ($6.0 million), and an increase in interest income ($4.0 million), partially offset by a decrease due to the transition of Sequoia to a TCP agreement in the first quarter of 2024 ($22.3 million), a decrease in other gas sales opportunities ($4.0 million), increased personnel costs in Argentina ($3.7 million), and increased selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to business development activities ($3.1 million).

For more information regarding our non-GAAP measures Adjusted Gross Margin and Adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation to their most comparable GAAP measures, see “—How We Evaluate Our Operations.”

FSRU and terminal services revenues

FSRU and terminal services revenues were $612.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $105.4 million as compared to $506.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. FSRU and terminal services revenues were higher primarily due to beginning our TCP agreement in Brazil in the first quarter of 2024 and our charter in Germany and various charter rate increases, partially offset by 2023 seasonal service in Argentina.

Gas sales revenues

Gas sales revenues were $239.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $412.9 million, as compared to $652.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the completion of our natural gas sales agreement in Brazil in December 2023 and gas sales into Finland in the first quarter of 2023, partially offset by increased LNG sales in Asia Pacific and a partial LNG cargo sale in the Atlantic Basin in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Cost of revenue and vessel operating expenses

Cost of revenue and vessel operating expenses was $215.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $12.6 million, as compared to $228.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in cost of revenue and vessel operating expenses was primarily due to lower expenses in Brazil as a result of transitioning to a TCP agreement in the first quarter of 2024, 2023 drydock costs on Excellence, and lower operating lease expense due to the acquisition of Sequoia, partially offset by drydock costs on Summit LNG and increased personnel costs in Argentina.

Direct cost of gas sales

Direct cost of gas sales was $227.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $290.7 million, as compared to $518.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the completion of our natural gas sales agreement in Brazil in December 2023 and gas sales into Finland in the first quarter of 2023, partially offset by increased LNG sales in Asia Pacific and a partial LNG cargo sale in the Atlantic Basin in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Depreciation and amortization expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $98.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $15.4 million, as compared to $114.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Depreciation and amortization decreased primarily due to the update to our useful life assumptions and accelerated depreciation recognized in the second quarter of 2023 for assets removed from service, partially offset by increases from the acquisition of Sequoia in the second quarter of 2023 and extended commissioning time on our power barge assets in Albania.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $94.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $6.6 million, as compared to $87.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to increased business development activities and long-term incentive compensation.

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Interest expense

Interest expense was $47.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $5.1 million, as compared to $52.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Interest expense decreased due to accelerated amortization of deferred issuance costs related to the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined herein) recognized in the year ended 2023, partially offset by our entering into the Term Loan Facility (as defined herein) in the second quarter of 2023.

Other income, net

Other income, net was $22.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $7.3 million as compared to $15.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher interest income received on cash balances invested in money market funds.

Provision for income taxes

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $26.1 million and $33.2 million, respectively. The decrease was primarily attributable to the year-over-year change in the geographical distribution of income.

The effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was 14.6% and 20.8%, respectively. The decrease was primarily driven by the geographical distribution of income and the varying tax regimes of jurisdictions.

Excelerate is a corporation for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes. EELP is treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, has generally not been subject to U.S. federal income tax at the entity level.

We have international operations that are also subject to foreign income tax and U.S. corporate subsidiaries subject to U.S. federal tax. Therefore, its effective income tax rate is dependent on many factors, including the geographical distribution of income, a rate benefit attributable to the portion of our earnings not subject to corporate level taxes, and the impact of nondeductible items and foreign exchange impacts as well as varying tax regimes of jurisdictions. In one jurisdiction, our tax rate is significantly less than the applicable statutory rate as a result of a tax holiday that was granted. This tax holiday will expire in 2033 at the same time that our contract and revenue with our customer ends.

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest was $120.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $23.8 million, as compared to $96.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net income attributable to non-controlling interest was primarily due to higher net income attributable to owners of our Class B Common Stock.

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

Net income

Net income was $126.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $46.8 million, as compared to $80.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Net income was higher primarily due to new charters in Finland and Germany, and higher rates on charters in Brazil, Argentina and the UAE, partially offset by the end of our contract in Israel in the fourth quarter of 2022 ($41.0 million), lower operating lease expense due to the acquisition of Sequoia ($22.4 million), the early extinguishment of the Excellence finance lease liability as part of the vessel acquisition ($21.8 million), higher interest income received on cash balances invested in money market funds ($17.3 million), higher direct margin earned on gas sales in Brazil, Finland and Bangladesh during the year ended December 31, 2023 ($133.8 million), which exceeded direct margin earned on gas sales that occurred in Brazil, Finland and New England during the year ended December 31, 2022 ($121.0 million), less interest expense – related party incurred in the year ended December 31, 2023 due to the acquisition of the Foundation Vessels (as defined herein) ($7.9 million), improved utilization resulting in lower idle vessel costs in 2023 ($7.7 million), lower restructuring, transition and transaction expenses after the completion of our IPO in April 2022 ($6.9 million), and one of our vessels coming off of suspension in the second quarter of 2022 ($5.6 million), partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses ($21.4 million), as discussed below, the drydocking of one of our vessels, Excellence, that is accounted for as a sales-type lease ($20.3 million), an increase in interest expense ($18.5 million), primarily due to the new Term Loan Facility, extended commissioning time for our power barge assets in Albania ($8.7 million), an increase in depreciation and amortization ($8.3 million), primarily as a result of acquiring Sequoia and Excelsior in the second quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively, an increase in operating personnel costs ($6.7 million), increases in repairs and maintenance ($5.0 million), and an increase in the provision for income taxes ($4.9 million), as discussed below.

Gross Margin and Adjusted Gross Margin

Gross Margin was $298.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $38.4 million, as compared to $259.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Adjusted Gross Margin was $412.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $55.4 million, as compared to $357.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Gross Margin and Adjusted Gross

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Margin were higher primarily due to new charters in Finland and Germany, and higher rates on charters in Brazil, Argentina and the UAE, partially offset by the end of our contract in Israel in the fourth quarter of 2022 ($41.0 million), lower operating lease expense due to the acquisition of Sequoia ($22.4 million), higher direct margin earned on gas sales in Brazil, Finland and Bangladesh during the year ended December 31, 2023 ($133.8 million), which exceeded direct margin earned on gas sales that occurred in Brazil, Finland and New England during the year ended December 31, 2022 ($121.0 million), improved utilization resulting in lower idle vessel costs in 2023 ($7.7 million), and one of our vessels coming off of suspension in the second quarter of 2022 ($5.6 million), partially offset by the drydocking of one of our vessels, Excellence, that is accounted for as a sales-type lease ($20.3 million), an increase in operating personnel costs ($6.7 million) and increases in repairs and maintenance ($5.0 million). The increase in Gross Margin was also offset by extended commissioning time for our power barge assets in Albania ($8.7 million) and an increase in depreciation and amortization expense ($8.3 million), primarily as a result of acquiring Sequoia and Excelsior in the second quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $346.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $50.4 million, as compared to $296.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Adjusted EBITDA was higher primarily due to new charters in Finland and Germany, and higher rates on charters in Brazil, Argentina and the UAE, partially offset by the end of our contract in Israel in the fourth quarter of 2022 ($41.0 million), lower operating lease expense due to the acquisition of Sequoia ($22.4 million), higher interest income received on cash balances invested in money market funds ($17.3 million), higher direct margin earned on gas sales in Brazil, Finland and Bangladesh during the year ended December 31, 2023 ($133.8 million), which exceeded direct margin earned on gas sales that occurred in Brazil, Finland and New England during the year ended December 31, 2022 ($121.0 million), improved utilization resulting in lower idle vessel costs in 2023 ($7.7 million), and one of our vessels coming off of suspension in the second quarter of 2022 ($5.6 million), partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses ($21.4 million), as discussed below, the drydocking of one of our vessels, Excellence, that is accounted for as a sales-type lease ($20.3 million), an increase in operating personnel costs ($6.7 million) and increases in repairs and maintenance ($5.0 million).

For more information regarding our non-GAAP measures Adjusted Gross Margin and Adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation to their most comparable GAAP measures, see “—How We Evaluate Our Operations.”

FSRU and terminal services revenues

FSRU and terminal services revenues were $506.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $61.6 million, as compared to $445.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. FSRU and terminal services revenues were higher primarily due to the Exemplar charter beginning in Finland in the fourth quarter of 2022, seasonal service by Excelsior in Argentina before redelivery to Germany at the end of the third quarter of 2023, and higher daily rates in Brazil, Argentina and the UAE, partially offset by the end of our contract with Israel in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Gas sales revenues

Gas sales revenues were $652.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $1,375.6 million, as compared to $2,027.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction of natural gas sales volumes and prices related to our terminal operations in Brazil and of LNG sales at our terminal in New England during the year ended December 31, 2022, partially offset by an increase in LNG sales in Bangladesh during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Cost of revenue and vessel operating expenses

Cost of revenue and vessel operating expenses was $228.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $19.0 million, as compared to $209.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in cost of revenue and vessel operating expenses was primarily due to drydock costs on Excellence, higher repairs and maintenance on our other vessels, personnel costs and positioning costs associated with seasonal service in Argentina, partially offset by lower operating lease expense due to the acquisition of Sequoia, and improved utilization resulting in lower idle vessel costs in 2023.

Direct cost of gas sales

Direct cost of gas sales was $518.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $1,388.4 million, as compared to $1,906.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction of natural gas sales volumes related to our terminal operations in Brazil and of LNG sales at our terminal in New England during the year ended December 31, 2022, partially offset by LNG sales in Bangladesh during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Depreciation and amortization expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $114.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $17.0 million, as compared to $97.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to the acquisition of Sequoia in the second quarter of 2023, extended commissioning time for our power barge assets in Albania, and

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accelerated depreciation recognized for assets removed from service on one of our vessels in the second quarter of 2023, partially offset by a decrease due to the update to our useful life assumptions.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $87.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $21.4 million, as compared to $66.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to incremental costs incurred in conjunction with our transition to a publicly traded company, expenses related to new contracts in Europe, and additional business development activities.

Restructuring, transition and transaction expenses

We had no restructuring, transition and transaction expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023. Restructuring, transition and transaction expenses relating to the completion of our IPO in April 2022 were $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Interest expense

Interest expense was $52.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $18.6 million, as compared to $33.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Interest expense increased primarily due to the new Term Loan Facility (as defined herein), accelerated amortization of deferred issuance costs related to the Amended Credit Agreement, and increases in London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) rates, partially offset by lower balances remaining on our finance leases and long-term debt.

Interest expense – related party

Interest expense – related party was $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $11.1 million, as compared to $25.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Interest expense decreased primarily due to the acquisition of the Foundation Vessels (as defined herein) in the second quarter of 2022.

Early extinguishment of lease liability on vessel acquisition

In the year ended December 31, 2022, we incurred a $21.8 million expense as a result of the difference between the consideration given to acquire Excellence and the historical finance lease liability.

Other income, net

Other income, net was $15.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $15.3 million, as compared to $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher interest income received on cash balances invested in money market funds and lower foreign currency exchange losses related to our operations in Brazil.

Provision for income taxes

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $33.2 million and $28.3 million, respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to the year-over-year change in the geographical distribution of income.

The effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was 20.8% and 26.1%, respectively. The decrease was primarily driven by the geographical distribution of income and the varying tax regimes of jurisdictions. Our 2022 effective tax rate was also impacted by the reduction of income before tax due to the loss on early extinguishment of the lease liability on acquisition of Excellence without a corresponding tax benefit, which increased our effective tax rate by 4.2% for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Excelerate is a corporation for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes. EELP is treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, has generally not been subject to U.S. federal income tax at the entity level. Accordingly, unless otherwise specified, our historical results of operations prior to the IPO do not include any provision for U.S. federal income tax for EELP.

We have international operations that are also subject to foreign income tax and U.S. corporate subsidiaries subject to U.S. federal tax. Therefore, our effective income tax rate is dependent on many factors, including geographical distribution of income, a rate benefit attributable to the portion of our earnings not subject to corporate level taxes, and the impact of nondeductible items and foreign exchange impacts as well as varying tax regimes of jurisdictions. In one jurisdiction, our tax rate is significantly less than the applicable statutory rate as a result of a tax holiday that was granted. This tax holiday will expire in 2033 at the same time that our contract and revenue with our customer ends.

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Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest was $96.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $41.3 million, as compared to $55.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net income attributable to non-controlling interest was primarily due to higher net income and the addition of non-controlling interest related to owners of our Class B Common Stock after our IPO.

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest – ENE Onshore

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest – ENE Onshore was $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. In October 2022, ENE Onshore merged with and into ENE Lateral.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Based on our cash positions, cash flows from operating activities and borrowing capacity on our debt facilities, we believe we will have sufficient liquidity for the next 12 months for ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures, other investments, debt service obligations, payment of tax distributions and our announced and expected quarterly dividends and distributions, as described in Part II, Item 5 – Our Dividend and Distribution Policy. For more information regarding our planned dividend payments, see Note 12 – Equity. As of December 31, 2024, we had $537.5 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents.

At times, we purchase and sell natural gas and LNG. Some of the inventory purchases that we make to fulfill these sales could potentially exceed cash on hand. We plan to fund any cash shortfalls with borrowings under the EE Revolver (as defined herein). Management believes the EE Revolver will provide sufficient liquidity to execute our contractual purchase obligations. In the event sufficient funds were not available under the EE Revolver, we would seek alternative funding sources.

We have historically funded our business, including meeting our day-to-day operational requirements, repaying our indebtedness and funding capital expenditures, through debt financing, capital contributions and our operating cash flows as discussed below. We expect that our future principal uses of cash will also include additional capital expenditures to fund our growth strategy, pay income taxes and make distributions from EELP to fund income taxes, fund our obligations under the TRA, and pay cash dividends and distributions. Any determination to pay dividends to holders of our common stock and distributions to holders of EELP’s Class B interests will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, projections, liquidity, earnings, legal requirements, covenant compliance, restrictions in our existing and any future debt and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant. In the future we may enter into arrangements to grow our business or acquire or invest in complementary businesses which could decrease our cash and cash equivalents and increase our cash requirements. As a result of these and other factors, we could use our available capital resources sooner than expected and may be required to seek additional equity or debt.

Repurchase of Equity Securities

On February 22, 2024, our board of directors approved a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”) to purchase up to $50.0 million of our Class A Common Stock. The board of directors approved the Share Repurchase Program because it believed that it (i) would be a prudent use of our available cash, (ii) would enhance the long-term value of the Class A Common Stock, (iii) would demonstrate management’s and the board of directors’ confidence in the business and (iv) was advisable and in the best interests of the Company. The timing, manner, price and amount of any Class A Common Stock repurchases under the Share Repurchase Program were determined by us in our discretion and depended on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price, and business, economic, and market conditions. The Share Repurchase Program was completed in December 2024 as the Company had repurchased the maximum approved amount of $50 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Program we repurchased 2,473,787 shares of our outstanding Class A Common Stock at a weighted average price of $20.41 per share, for a total net cost of approximately $50.0 million. For more information, see Part II – Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities – Repurchase of Equity by Issuer.

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Cash Flow Statement Highlights

Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
Net cash provided by (used in):(In thousands)
Operating activities$244,437$231,885$225,090
Investing activities(113,257)(308,634)(119,267)
Financing activities(149,024)111,357341,184
Effect of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash(119)(121)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$(17,963)$34,487$447,007

Operating Activities

Cash flows provided by operating activities increased by $12.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to differences in the timing of collections and payments related to gas purchases and sales and collections received after our power barge assets went into service, partially offset by drydock expenditures and increased cash tax payments.

Cash flows provided by operating activities increased by $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to differences in the timing of TCP invoice collections and drydocks, partially offset by differences in the timing of collections and payments related to gas purchases and sales.

Investing Activities and Capital Expenditures

Cash flows used in investing activities were primarily comprised of capital expenditures made for the purchases of property and equipment, which decreased by $195.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the 2023 purchase of Sequoia, partially offset by our milestone payment under the Newbuild Agreement (as defined herein).

Cash flows used in investing activities were comprised of capital expenditures made for the purchases of property and equipment, which increased by $189.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to the purchase of Sequoia and vessel upgrades made ahead of beginning service at the Inkoo Terminal in Finland.

Financing Activities

Financing activities cash flows decreased by $260.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to $250.0 million in proceeds received from the Term Loan Facility in 2023, $50.0 million in cash paid under the Share Repurchase Program in 2024, a $6.3 million increase in distributions, and a $2.2 million decrease in contributions received from our minority owner related to the Albania Power Project, partially offset by a $41.3 million decrease in repayments on long-term debt and payments of $7.7 million for debt issuance costs in 2023.

Cash flows provided by financing activities decreased by $229.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to proceeds of $412.1 million from the IPO sale of Class A Common Stock in 2022, a $13.4 million increase in distributions to shareholders and joint venture partners and $6.6 million of repayments on a note receivable from George B. Kaiser (together with his affiliates other than the Company, “Kaiser”) during the year ended December 31, 2022, partially offset by $174.8 million increase in net borrowings on our long-term debt and Term Loan Facility (as defined herein) and $25.0 million in cash payments in 2022 made as part of the early extinguishment of a lease liability related to our acquisition of the Foundation Vessels.

Debt Facilities

Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility

On April 18, 2022, EELP entered into a senior secured revolving credit agreement, by and among EELP, as borrower, Excelerate, as parent, the lenders party thereto, the issuing banks party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, pursuant to which the lenders and issuing banks thereunder made available a revolving credit facility (the “EE Revolver”), including a letter of credit sub-facility, to EELP. The EE Revolver enabled us to borrow up to $350.0 million over a three-year term originally set to expire in April 2025.

Also, on April 18, 2022, the Company borrowed under the EE Revolver, on the closing day of such facility, and used the proceeds to repay the KFMC Note (as defined herein) in full. The KFMC Note was terminated in connection with such repayment.

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On March 17, 2023, EELP entered into an amended and restated senior secured credit agreement (“Amended Credit Agreement”), by and among EELP, as borrower, Excelerate, as parent, the lenders party thereto, the issuing banks party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. Under the Amended Credit Agreement, EELP obtained a new $250.0 million term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility” and, together with the EE Revolver as amended by the Amended Credit Agreement, the “EE Facilities”). The EE Facilities mature in March 2027. The Amended Credit Agreement requires EELP to maintain (i) a maximum consolidated total leverage of 3.50x, provided that, if the aggregate value of all unsecured debt is equal to or greater than $250.0 million, the maximum permitted consolidated total leverage increases to 4.25x, (ii) collateral vessel maintenance coverage to be not less than the greater of (a) $750.0 million and (b) 130% of the sum of the total credit exposure under the Amended Credit Agreement and (iii) a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of 2.50x. Proceeds from the EE Revolver may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes and up to $305.0 million of the EE Revolver may be used for letters of credit.

In April 2023, we purchased Sequoia for $265.0 million using $250.0 million borrowed through our Term Loan Facility together with cash on hand. Concurrently with the purchase, we entered into interest rate swaps for the same notional amount as the Term Loan Facility. The purpose of the swaps is to hedge our exposure to fluctuations in SOFR related to borrowings on the Term Loan Facility. The interest rate swaps have maturity, payment and reset dates that align with those of the Term Loan Facility.

On September 8, 2023, EELP entered into an amendment to the Amended Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment provides for, among other things (i) inclusion of commodity and foreign exchange swap termination value in the collateral vessel maintenance coverage test and (ii) an update to the ordering of payment applications in the event of default.

In December 2023, we paid off $55.2 million of the principal outstanding on our Term Loan Facility. We also terminated the same notional value of the interest rate swaps we had previously entered into to hedge the fluctuations in the SOFR rates associated with the variable interest rate on the loan.

Borrowings under the EE Facilities bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the term SOFR reference rate for such period plus an applicable margin, which applicable margin is based on EELP’s consolidated total leverage ratio as defined and calculated under the Amended Credit Agreement and can range from 2.75% to 3.50%. The unused portion of the EE Revolver commitment is subject to an unused commitment fee calculated at a rate per annum ranging from 0.375% to 0.50% based on EELP's consolidated total leverage ratio.

The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants (affirmative and negative, including maximum consolidated total leverage ratio, minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio, and collateral vessel maintenance coverage covenants), and events of default, the occurrence of which would permit the lenders to accelerate the maturity date of amounts borrowed under the EE Facilities. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had issued $22.8 million in letters of credit under the EE Revolver. As a result of the EE Revolver’s financial ratio covenants and after taking into account the outstanding letters of credit issued under the facility, all of the $327.2 million of undrawn capacity was available for additional borrowings as of December 31, 2024.

Experience Vessel Financing

In December 2016, the Company entered into a sale leaseback agreement with a third party to provide $247.5 million of financing for Experience (the “Experience Vessel Financing”). Due to the Company’s requirement to repurchase the vessel at the end of the term, the transaction was accounted for as a failed sale leaseback (a financing transaction). Under the Experience Vessel Financing agreement, the Company is deemed the owner of the vessel and continues to recognize the vessel on its consolidated balance sheets, with the proceeds received recorded as a financial obligation. As amended, the Company makes quarterly principal payments of $3.1 million and interest payments at the three-month SOFR plus 3.4% and the loan has a maturity date of December 2033. After the final quarterly payment in December 2033, there will be no remaining balance due.

In the second quarter of 2023, the agreement was amended to convert the reference rate in the Experience Vessel Financing from the LIBOR to the SOFR yield curve. Prior to the amendment, the Company made interest payments at the three-month LIBOR plus 3.25%. Debt issuance costs of $7.2 million related to the original loan and subsequent amendments are presented as a direct deduction from the debt and are being amortized over the life of the original loan. The agreement contains certain security rights related to Experience in the event of default.

The Company’s vessel financing loan has certain financial covenants as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. EELP must maintain a minimum equity of $500.0 million, a maximum debt-to-equity ratio of 3.5 to 1 and a minimum cash and cash equivalents balance, including loan availability, of $20.0 million. The agreement also requires that a three-month debt service reserve be funded and that the value of the vessel equal or exceed 110% of the remaining amount outstanding, in addition to other affirmative and negative covenants customary for vessel financings. The financing also requires the vessel to carry the typical vessel marine insurances.

2017 Bank Loans

On June 23, 2017, we entered into two loan agreements with external banks (the “2017 Bank Loans”) to finance the Moheshkhali LNG (“MLNG”) terminal in Bangladesh. The first arrangement allowed us to borrow up to $32.8 million. The loan accrues interest at

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the six-month SOFR plus 2.85%. Payments are due semi-annually with an original scheduled maturity date of April 15, 2030. We partially prepaid the loan during 2019. As a result of this prepayment, the loan matures on October 15, 2029. In the fourth quarter of 2023, we executed an amendment to convert the reference rate from the LIBOR to the SOFR yield curve effective on the first interest payment date occurring after June 30, 2023. Prior to the amendment, the Company made interest payments at the six-month LIBOR plus 2.42%. The debt issuance costs of $1.3 million are presented as a direct reduction from the debt liability and are amortized over the life of the loan.

The second arrangement allowed us to draw funds up to $92.8 million. The loan accrues interest at the three-month SOFR plus 4.76%. Payments are due quarterly with an original scheduled maturity date of April 15, 2030. We partially prepaid the loan during 2019. As a result of this prepayment, the loan matures on October 15, 2029. In the fourth quarter of 2023, we executed an amendment to convert the reference rate from the LIBOR to the SOFR yield curve effective on the first interest payment date occurring after June 30, 2023. Prior to the amendment, the Company made interest payments at the three-month LIBOR plus 4.50%. Debt issuance costs of $4.8 million are presented as a direct deduction from the debt liability and are amortized over the life of the loan. The agreement contains certain security rights related to MLNG terminal assets and project contracts in the event of default.

The 2017 Bank Loans require compliance with certain financial covenants, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants associated with limited recourse project financing facilities. The loan agreements also require that a six-month debt service reserve amount be funded and that an off-hire reserve amount be funded monthly to cover operating expenses and debt service while the vessel is away during drydock major maintenance. The loan agreements also require that the MLNG terminal and project company be insured on a stand-alone basis with property insurance, liability insurance, business interruption insurance and other customary insurance policies. The respective project company must have a quarterly debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.10 to 1. In 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, waivers were obtained for immaterial non-financial covenants and are still in effect.

Exquisite Vessel Financing

In June 2018, we entered into a sale leaseback agreement with the Nakilat JV to provide $220.0 million of financing via a fifteen-year lease agreement for Exquisite at 7.73%. The lease agreement has a symmetrical put and call option at the end of the original term or, optionally, two five-year extensions with symmetrical put and call options after each extension. The agreement did not meet the terms for recognition of a sale leaseback transaction and instead was treated as financing due to the terms of the transaction. The agreement contains certain security rights related to Exquisite in the event of default.

KFMC Note

In November 2018, the Company entered into a promissory note (the “KFMC Note”) with Kaiser-Francis Management Company, L.L.C. (“KFMC”), an affiliate of Kaiser, as lender. The KFMC Note, as amended, allowed for a maximum commitment amount of up to $260 million, had a maturity date of December 31, 2023, and had an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.55%. Upon consummation of the IPO, the KFMC Note was replaced by the EE Revolver, as discussed in Note 10 – Long-term debt, net.

KFMC-ENE Onshore Note

In September 2021, ENE Lateral assigned to KFMC all of its rights, title and interest to receive payment under a note with ENE Onshore (the “KFMC-ENE Onshore Note”), which assignment was made in partial satisfaction of the amounts owed by ENE Lateral to KFMC under a promissory note it entered into with KFMC in December 2015. As a result of such assignment, ENE Onshore was obligated to pay KFMC all amounts under the KFMC-ENE Onshore Note. In November 2021, KFMC and ENE Onshore entered into an amended and restated note allowing a maximum commitment of $25.0 million. The KFMC-ENE Onshore Note was settled in full and canceled in connection with the ENE Onshore Merger.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under its debt facilities.

Foundation Vessels Purchase

In April 2022, in exchange for (i) 7,854,167 shares of Class A Common Stock with a fair market value of $188.5 million, (ii) a cash payment of $50.0 million and (iii) $21.5 million of estimated future payments under the TRA, EELP purchased from Maya Maritime LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Foundation, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in the Foundation Vessels. In 2018, EELP entered into an agreement with a customer to lease Excellence with the vessel transferring ownership to the customer at the conclusion of the agreement for no additional consideration. Historically, EELP, as a lessor, has accounted for Excellence contract with our customer as a sales-type lease in the consolidated balance sheet in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases (“ASC 842”). Excellence will continue to be accounted for as a sales-type lease and thus did not result in an adjustment to property and equipment. The difference between the consideration given to acquire Excellence and the historical finance lease liability resulted in a $21.8 million early extinguishment of lease liability loss on our consolidated statements of income.

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Other Contractual Obligations

Operating Leases

We lease offices in various locations under noncancelable operating leases. As of December 31, 2023, we had future minimum lease payments totaling $7.3 million. As of December 31, 2024, we had future minimum lease payments totaling $5.6 million and are committed to $1.8 million in year one, $2.5 million for years two and three, $1.3 million for years four and five and no payments thereafter.

Finance Leases

Certain enforceable vessel charters and pipeline capacity agreements are classified as finance leases, and the right-of-use assets are included in property and equipment. As of December 31, 2023, we had future minimum lease payments totaling $274.1 million. As of December 31, 2024, we had future minimum lease payments totaling $240.4 million and are committed to $33.2 million in payments in year one, $66.5 million for years two and three, $55.2 million for years four and five, and $85.5 million thereafter.

Newbuild Agreement Commitments

In October 2022, we signed a binding shipbuilding contract (“the Newbuild Agreement”) with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for a new FSRU to be delivered in 2026. As part of and related to the Newbuild Agreement, our milestone payments are due in installments with the final installment due concurrently with the delivery of the vessel, which is expected in 2026. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we made the first milestone payment of approximately $30 million. In the fourth quarter of 2024, we made a milestone payment of approximately $50 million, leaving approximately $260 million in remaining spend. Our near-term payment commitments related to the Newbuild Agreement are expected to be approximately $30 million in the first quarter of 2025 and $20 million in the second quarter of 2025, with the remainder due beyond the next twelve months.

Tax Receivable Agreement

In April 2022, we entered into the TRA with the TRA Beneficiaries. The TRA will provide for payment by us to the TRA Beneficiaries of 85% of the amount of the net cash tax savings, if any, that we are deemed to realize as a result of our utilization of certain tax benefits resulting from (i) certain increases in the tax basis of assets of EELP and its subsidiaries resulting from exchanges of EELP partnership interests in the future, (ii) certain tax attributes of EELP and subsidiaries of EELP (including the existing tax basis of assets owned by EELP or its subsidiaries and the tax basis of certain assets purchased from the Foundation) that existed as of the time of the IPO or may exist at the time when Class B interests of EELP are exchanged for shares of Class A Common Stock, and (iii) certain other tax benefits related to us entering into the TRA, including tax benefits attributable to payments that we make under the TRA. See “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Related Person Transactions—Transactions in Connection with our Reorganization and Initial Public Offering—Tax Receivable Agreement” in our Proxy Statement on DEF 14A filed on April 16, 2024.

The payments that we will be required to make under the TRA, including those made if we elect to terminate the agreement early, have the potential to be substantial. Based on certain assumptions, including no material changes in the relevant tax law and that we earn sufficient taxable income to realize the full tax benefits that are the subject of the TRA, we expect that future payments to the TRA Beneficiaries (not including Excelerate) will equal $62.1 million in the aggregate, although the actual future payments to the TRA Beneficiaries will vary based on the factors discussed in “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Related Person Transactions—Transactions in Connection with our Reorganization and Initial Public Offering—Tax Receivable Agreement” in our Proxy Statement on DEF 14A filed on April 16, 2024. In addition, payments we make under the TRA will be increased by any interest accrued from the due date (without extensions) of the corresponding tax return. Estimating the amount of payments that may be made under the TRA is by its nature imprecise, insofar as the calculation of amounts payable depends on a variety of factors and future events.

For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we made payments under the TRA of $4.0 million and $3.4 million, respectively. The TRA payment forecasted to be made in 2025 as of December 31, 2024, is $3.1 million. If EE Holdings were to have exchanged all of its EELP interests as of the balance sheet date, we would recognize a liability for payments under the TRA of approximately $433.4 million, assuming (i) that EE Holdings exchanged all of its EELP interests using our December 31, 2024 closing market price of $30.25 per share of Class A Common Stock, (ii) no material changes in relevant tax law, (iii) a constant combined effective income tax rate of 21.0% and (iv) that we have sufficient taxable income in each year to realize on a current basis the increased depreciation, amortization and other tax benefits that are the subject of the TRA. The actual future payments to the TRA Beneficiaries will vary, and estimating the amount and timing of payments that may be made under the TRA is by its nature imprecise, as the calculation of amounts payable depends on a variety of factors and future events. As a result of the Share Repurchase Program, our expected payments under the TRA decreased by $7.0 million in 2024. We expect to receive distributions from EELP in order to make any required payments under the TRA. Any distributions that EELP makes to us will generally require EELP to make distributions to the other owners of EELP pro rata based on ownership of EELP interests. To the extent such distributions or our cash resources are insufficient to meet our obligations under the TRA as result of timing discrepancies or otherwise, we may need to incur debt to finance payments under the TRA.

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LNG purchase and sale commitments

In February 2023, we executed a 20-year LNG sale and purchase agreement (“SPA”) with Venture Global LNG. Under the agreement, we will purchase 0.7 MTPA of LNG on a free-on-board basis from the Plaquemines Phase 2 LNG facility in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Our purchase commitment will be based on the final settlement price of monthly Henry Hub natural gas futures contracts plus a contractual spread. The start of this commitment, however, is dependent on the second phase of the LNG facility becoming operational, which is not expected in the next 12 months.

In November 2023, we signed a 15-year SPA with Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation (“Petrobangla”). Under the agreement, Petrobangla has agreed to purchase LNG from us beginning in 2026. We will deliver 0.85 MTPA of LNG in 2026 and 2027 and 1.0 MTPA from 2028 to 2040. The take-or-pay LNG volumes are expected to be delivered through our two existing FSRUs in Bangladesh, Excellence and Summit LNG, on a Delivery ex-Ship basis.

In January 2024, we executed a 15-year SPA with QatarEnergy. Under the agreement, we have agreed to purchase LNG from QatarEnergy beginning in 2026. QatarEnergy will deliver 0.85 MTPA of LNG in 2026 and 2027 and 1.0 MTPA from 2028 to 2040. Our purchase commitment will be based on a three-month average of Brent Crude prices for the months immediately preceding each delivery, multiplied by a fixed percentage. These LNG volumes are intended to be used to supply sales under the SPA we have with Petrobangla.

In the third quarter of 2024, we signed medium-term agreements for LNG purchases and sales in one of the Atlantic Basin regions in which we do business. Over the term of these agreements, we will purchase and sell approximately 0.65 million tonnes of LNG, the pricing of which will be based on TTF. The first purchase under these agreements was made during the fourth quarter of 2024.

The following table presents our future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024 (in thousands):

Next Twelve MonthsBeyond
LNG purchase and capacity obligations$89,056$11,533,184
Long-term debt obligations57,378452,142
Lease obligations35,030210,989
Other purchase obligations91,569219,090
Total commitments$273,033$12,415,405

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The accounting policies and estimates discussed below are considered by management to be critical to an understanding of our financial statements as their application requires the most significant judgments from management in estimating matters for financial reporting that are inherently uncertain. For additional information about our accounting policies and estimates, see the Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Leases

We account for leases under the provisions of ASC 842. In the application of ASC 842 for leases in which we are the lessee, certain estimates and management judgments are required such as determining the useful life of a leased asset, the discount rate used in calculating the present value of lease payments, and when leases have extension or termination options that are likely to be exercised. When we are the lessor, estimates are required in allocating the contract consideration between the lease component and non-lease components on a relative standalone selling price basis.

Lessee Accounting

As of the lease commencement date, we recognize a liability for our lease obligation, initially measured at the present value of lease payments not yet paid, and an asset for our right to use the underlying asset, initially measured equal to the lease liability and adjusted for lease payments made at or before lease commencement, lease incentives, and any initial direct costs. The discount rate used to determine the present value of the lease payments is the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term for an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.

The initial recognition of the lease obligation and right-of-use asset excludes short-term leases. Short-term leases are leases with an original term of one year or less, excluding those leases with an option to extend the lease for greater than one year or an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is deemed reasonably certain to exercise. We have elected, as an accounting policy, not to apply the recognition requirements to short-term leases. Instead, we may recognize the lease payments in the statements of income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We have certain lease agreements that provide for the option to extend or terminate early, which was evaluated on each lease to arrive at the lease term. If we were reasonably certain to exercise a renewal or termination option, this period was factored into the lease

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term. As of December 31, 2024, we did not have any lease agreements with residual value guarantees or material restrictions or covenants.

Lessor Accounting

We determined that our time charter and terminal use contracts contain a lease and a performance obligation for the provision of time charter and other regasification services. Leases are classified based upon defined criteria either as sales-type, direct financing, or operating leases by the lessor.

For those leases classified as sales-type, the underlying asset is derecognized and the net investment in the lease is recorded. We have determined that these contracts contain a lease component for the use of the vessel and non-lease components relating to operation of the vessels. We have allocated the contract consideration between the lease component and non-lease components on a relative standalone selling price basis. We utilize a combination of approaches to estimate the standalone selling prices when the directly observable selling price is not available by utilizing information available such as market conditions and prices, entity-specific factors, and internal estimates when market data is not available. Given that there are no observable standalone selling prices for either of these two components, judgment is required in determining the standalone selling price of each component.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. New assets, modifications to existing assets which improve the asset’s operational efficiency, capacity or useful life, and our finance leases are assigned a useful life. Useful lives of property and equipment are determined using various assumptions, including our expected use of our assets and the supply of and demand for LNG and natural gas in the markets we serve, normal wear and tear of assets, and the expected extent and frequency of maintenance. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, less an estimated salvage value.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, we performed a review of the estimated useful lives of our FSRU vessels. As a relatively new asset class, being first built in 2005, we initially estimated a useful life of 30 years with no salvage value. As the vessels approach almost 20 years of life, there has been improved visibility into the expected term of FSRU productive capabilities, demand, and salvage potential. As a result, we changed the useful lives of our FSRU vessel assets to 40 years and added an estimated salvage value.

Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”)

We recognize liabilities for retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets when there is a legal obligation associated with the retirement of such assets and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The fair value of a liability for an ARO is recognized in the period which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. In order to estimate the fair value, we use judgments and assumptions for factors including the existence of legal obligations for an ARO; technical assessments of the assets; discount rates; inflation rates; and estimated amounts and timing of settlements. The offsetting asset retirement cost is recorded as an increase to the carrying value of the associated property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheets and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. In periods subsequent to the initial measurement of an ARO, we recognize period-to-period changes in the liability resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows.

Income taxes

We are a corporation for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes. EELP is treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, is generally not subject to U.S. federal income tax at the entity level. As part of our income tax accounting process, we are required to make certain assumptions and estimations.

We record valuation allowances to reflect the estimated amount of certain deferred tax assets that are more likely to not be realized. In making such a determination, we evaluate a variety of factors, including our operating history, accumulated deficit, and the existence of taxable or deductible temporary differences and reversal periods.

The effect of tax positions is recognized only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Conclusions reached regarding tax positions are continually reviewed based on ongoing analyses of tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof. To the extent that our assessment of the conclusions reached regarding tax positions changes as a result of the evaluation of new information, such change in estimate will be recorded in the period in which such determination is made. We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax provision only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the tax position.

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Tax receivable agreement

In connection with the IPO, we entered into the TRA with the TRA Beneficiaries. The TRA will provide for payment by us to the TRA Beneficiaries of 85% of the amount of the net cash tax savings, if any, that we are deemed to realize as a result of our utilization of certain tax benefits. The amount and timing of future payments to the TRA Beneficiaries will vary as the calculation depends on a variety of factors and future events. Potential future actions taking by us, such as mergers or other forms of business combinations that would constitute a change in control, may influence the timing and amount of payments we make under the TRA in a manner that does not correspond to our use of the corresponding tax benefits.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies to the notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.

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