HAMILTON, BERMUDA--(Marketwired - Jan. 20, 2016) - Teekay GP LLC, the general partner of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (Teekay LNG or the Partnership) (NYSE:TGP), has declared a cash distribution of $0.14 per unit for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, down from $0.70 per unit paid in the prior quarter and consistent with the Partnership's previously announced plan to temporarily reduce its quarterly cash distribution. The Partnership expects to use the cash distribution reduction to create reserves to fund the equity capital requirements on its future profitable growth projects and to reduce debt levels, eliminating the need to access the equity capital markets for the foreseeable future. The cash distribution is payable on February 12, 2016 to all unitholders of record on February 5, 2016.
About Teekay LNG
Teekay LNG Partners is one of the world's largest independent owners and operators of LNG carriers, providing LNG, LPG and crude oil marine transportation services primarily under long-term, fixed-rate charter contracts through its interests in 50 LNG carriers (including one LNG regasification unit and 21 newbuildings), 30 LPG/Multigas carriers (including three in-chartered LPG carriers and seven newbuildings) and eight conventional tankers. The Partnership's interests in these vessels range from 20 to 100 percent. Teekay LNG Partners L.P. is a publicly-traded master limited partnership (MLP) formed by Teekay Corporation (NYSE:TK) as part of its strategy to expand its operations in the LNG and LPG shipping sectors.
Teekay LNG Partners' common units trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TGP".
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which reflect management's current views with respect to certain future events and performance, including statements regarding: the potential for future cash distribution increases; and the use of the cash distribution reduction to create reserves to fund equity capital requirements and to reduce debt levels, including eliminating the need to issue new equity capital for the foreseeable future. The following factors are among those that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, and that should be considered in evaluating any such statement: potential shipyard construction delays, newbuilding specification changes or cost overruns; changes in production of LNG or LPG, either generally or in particular regions; changes in trading patterns or timing of start-up of new LNG liquefaction and regasification projects significantly affecting overall vessel tonnage requirements; changes in applicable industry laws and regulations and the timing of implementation of new laws and regulations; the potential for early termination of long-term contracts of existing vessels in the Teekay LNG fleet; the inability of charterers to make future charter payments; the inability of the Partnership to renew or replace long-term contracts on existing vessels; the Partnership's ability to raise adequate financing and generate internally generated cash flow to purchase additional assets and complete organic growth projects; and other factors discussed in Teekay LNG Partners' filings from time to time with the SEC, including its Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and on Form 6-K for the quarters ended March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015. The Partnership expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Partnership's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
