CHENIERE ENERGY INC
10-Q, 1997-01-15
PATENT OWNERS & LESSORS
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<PAGE>
 
================================================================================

                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                            ---------------------- 

                                   FORM 10-Q

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

               For the quarterly period ended November 30, 1996

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1943

               For the transition period from _______ to ________


                          Commission File No. 2-63115

                             CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
                    (Exact name as specified in its charter)

                                    Delaware
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                                   95-4352386
                         (I. R. S. Identification No.)

                         1200 Smith Street, Suite 1710
                                 Houston, Texas
                    (Address or principal place of business)

                                   77002-4312
                                   (Zip Code)

                                (713)  659-1361
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [X] NO [ ].

As of January 10, 1997, there were 11,942,515 shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc.
Common Stock, $.003 par value, issued and outstanding.

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                             CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.
                               INDEX TO FORM 10-Q



                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
Part I.  Financial Information

     Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements..............................   3
 
               Consolidated Balance Sheets..................................   3
 
               Consolidated Statements of Operations........................   4
 
               Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity..............   5
 
               Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows........................   6
 
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements........................   7
 
     Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
               Results of Operations........................................  11
 
Part II.  Other Information
 
     Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...............................  13
 
Signatures..................................................................  14

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                     CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                   (Unaudited)
                                                   Nov. 30, 1996   Aug. 31, 1996
                                                   -------------   -------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C> 
   ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
 Cash                                                $   324,550   $ 1,093,180
 Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets                 6,622         4,800
                                                     -----------   -----------
 
 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                    331,172     1,097,980
                                                     -----------   -----------
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET                               50,988        46,830
                                                     -----------   -----------
 
OTHER ASSETS
 Investment                                            6,000,000     4,000,000
 Security Deposit                                            500           500
                                                     -----------   -----------
 
 TOTAL OTHER ASSETS                                    6,000,500     4,000,500
                                                     -----------   -----------
 
 TOTAL ASSETS                                        $ 6,382,660   $ 5,145,310
                                                     ===========   ===========
 
 
   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses               $   374,184   $   292,894
 Loans Payable                                           215,000       425,000
 Advances for Issuance of Common Stock                   384,985             -
 Advance from Officers                                       961           961
                                                     -----------   -----------
 
   TOTAL LIABILITIES                                     975,130       718,855
                                                     -----------   -----------
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Common Stock - $.003 Par Value
  Authorized 20,000,000 shares;
  10,624,794 and 9,931,767 Issued and
  Outstanding at November 30, 1996 and
  August 31, 1996, respectively                           31,875        29,795
 Preferred Stock - Authorized
  1,000,000 shares; None Issued
  and Outstanding                                              -             -
 Additional Paid-in-Capital                            6,757,501     5,626,840
 Retained Deficit                                     (1,381,846)   (1,230,180)
                                                     -----------   -----------
 
   TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                          5,407,530     4,426,455
                                                     -----------   -----------
 
   TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        $ 6,382,660   $ 5,145,310
                                                     ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                     CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                             For the Three Months Ended
                                                      November 30,
                                              1996                      1995
                                           -----------              -----------
<S>                                        <C>                      <C>
                                                         
Revenue                                    $         -              $    2,522
                                           -----------              ----------
                                                         
General and Administrative Expenses            145,928                  82,614 
Interest Expense                                 7,239                       -
                                           -----------              ----------
                                               153,167                  82,614
                                           -----------              ----------
                                                         
Loss from Operations Before Other                        
 Income                                     (  153,167)             (   80,092)
                                                         
Interest Income                                  1,501                     606
                                           -----------              ----------
                                                         
                                                         
Loss From Continuing Operations                          
 Before Income Taxes                        (  151,666)             (   79,486)
                                                         
Provision for Income Taxes                           -                       -
                                           -----------              ----------
                                                         
Net Loss                                   $(  151,666)             $(  79,486)
                                           ===========              ==========
                                                         
Loss Per Share                             $(      .01)             $(     .03)
                                           ===========              ==========
                                                         
Weighted Average Number of Shares                        
 Outstanding                                10,310,670               1,659,203
                                            ==========               =========
 
</TABLE>



See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                     CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
                 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1996



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
                                                                      
                                         Common Stock                  Additional                       Total     
                                         ------------                   Paid-in        Retained      Stockholders' 
                                   Shares           Par Value           Capital        Deficit         Equity
                                ------------  ----------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------
<S>                             <C>           <C>                     <C>           <C>             <C>
Balance - September 1, 1996        9,931,767         $29,795           $5,626,840     $(1,230,180)   $4,426,455
                                                                    
Sales of Shares                      588,027           1,765            1,288,736               -     1,290,501
                                                                    
Conversion of Debt                   105,000             315              209,685               -       210,000
                                                                    
Expenses Related to Offering               -               -          (   367,760)              -   (   367,760)
                                                                    
Net Loss                                   -               -                    -     (   151,666)  (   151,666)
                                  ----------         -------           ----------   -------------    ----------
                                                                    
Balance - November 30, 1996       10,624,794         $31,875           $6,757,501     $(1,381,846)   $5,407,530
                                  ==========         =======           ==========   =============    ==========
 
</TABLE>



See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                     CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
                 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1996

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

<S>                                                                <C> 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net Loss                                                         $(  151,666)
  Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to
  Net Cash Used by Operating Activities:
  Depreciation                                                           2,023
  (Increase) in Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets           (    1,822)
  Increase in Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses                     81,290
                                                                   -----------


NET CASH USED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                               (   70,175)
                                                                   ----------- 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment                     (    6,180)
  Investment                                                        (2,000,000)
                                                                    ----------

NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES                               (2,006,180)
                                                                    ----------
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Sale of Common Stock                                               1,290,500
  Offering Costs                                                    (  367,760)
  Advances for Issuance of Common Stock                                384,985
                                                                    ----------
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                            1,307,725
                                                                    ----------
 
NET DECREASE IN CASH                                                (  768,630)
 
CASH - BEGINNING OF YEAR                                             1,093,180
                                                                    ----------
 
CASH - NOVEMBER 30, 1996                                            $  324,550
                                                                    ==========
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
  Cash Paid for Interest                                            $    8,570
                                                                    ==========
  Cash Paid for Income Taxes                                        $        -
                                                                    ==========
</TABLE>

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES:
  Common stock totaling 105,000 shares was issued upon the conversion of
  $210,000 of debt.




See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                     CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               NOVEMBER 30, 1996


NOTE 1 -    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING

      a)    Basis of Presentation
            ---------------------
            The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in
            accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
            financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q.
            Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and
            footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for
            complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all
            adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments)
            considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
            Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period to
            conform to the current period's presentation.

            For further information refer to the financial statements and
            footnotes included in the Registrant's Annual Report on form 10-K
            for the year ended August 31, 1996.

            The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily
            indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year
            ended August 31, 1997.

            The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the
            accounts of Cheniere Energy, Inc. ("The Company") and its 100% owned
            subsidiary, Cheniere Energy Operating Co., Inc. ("Cheniere
            Operating").  Accordingly, all references herein to Cheniere Energy,
            Inc. or the "Company" include the consolidated results of its
            subsidiary.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
            have been eliminated in consolidation.

      b)    Loss Per Share
            --------------
            Loss per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of
            common stock outstanding during the period.

NOTE 2 -    WARRANTS

            The Company has issued and outstanding certain warrants described
            herein.

            The Company has issued and outstanding 141,666 and 2/3 warrants
            (collectively, the "June Warrants"), each of which entitles the
            registered holder thereof to purchase one share of Common Stock. The
            June Warrants are exercisable at any time on or before June 14,
            1999, at an exercise price of $3.00 per share (subject to customary
            anti-dilution adjustments). The June Warrants were originally issued
            by

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                     CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               NOVEMBER 30, 1996


            Cheniere Operating and were converted to warrants of Cheniere
            following the Reorganization. The June Warrants were issued to a
            group of 11 investors in connection with a private placement of
            unsecured promissory notes.

            Effective September 14, 1996, the Company failed to pay all amounts
            due and payable under the Notes by the Maturity Date. Certain of the
            noteholders converted their notes into 105,000 shares of common
            stock.

            An individual note holder has purchased the promissory notes of the
            remaining note holders. As per the terms of the notes, the holder is
            also entitled to receive up to an aggregate of 21,500 additional
            warrants for each month, or partial month, any amounts remain due
            and payable after September 14, 1996, up to a maximum aggregate
            number of 86,000 such additional warrants. (See Note 6 - Subsequent
            Events).

            In consideration of certain investment advisory and other services
            to the Company, pursuant to warrant agreements each dated as of
            August 21, 1996, the Company issued warrants to purchase 13,600 and
            54,400 shares of Common Stock, (collectively the "Adviser
            Warrants"). The Adviser Warrants are exercisable at any time on or
            before May 15, 1999 at an exercise price of $3.00 per share (subject
            to customary anti-dilution adjustments).

            In connection with the July and August 1996 placement of 508,400
            shares of Common Stock, the Company agreed to issue warrants to
            purchase 12,500 shares of Common Stock to one of two distributors
            who placed the shares. Such warrants are exercisable on or before
            the second anniversary of the sale of the shares of Common Stock at
            an exercise price of $3.125 per share (subject to customary anti-
            dilution adjustments).

            In late August 1996, the Company sold 100,000 units, each such unit
            consisting of 5 shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase one
            share of Common Stock. Each such warrant is exercisable on or before
            September 1, 1999 at an exercise price of $3.125 per share (subject
            to customary anti-dilution adjustments).

            The Warrants do not confer upon the holders thereof any voting or
            other rights of a stockholder of the Company.
 

NOTE 3 -    STOCK OPTIONS

            The Company has granted certain options to purchase shares of Common
            Stock to 2 executives. Such options aggregate 300,000 shares at an
            exercise price of $3.00 per share. The options vest and are
            exercisable as follows:

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                     CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                             NOVEMBER 30, 1996


      1)    75,000 options vest and become exercisable on June 1, 1997 and
            expire June 1, 2001.

      2)    75,000 options vest and become exercisable on June 1, 1998 and
            expire June 1, 2001.

      3)    150,000 options vest and become exercisable in equal annual
            installments of 25% each on the first through fourth anniversary of
            July 16, 1996 and expire July 16, 2001.

            In addition, the Company has granted options to the former President
            of the Company.  The holder has the option to acquire 19,444 and 2/3
            shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.80 per share.  The
            options expire November 11, 2003.

NOTE 4 -    COMMON STOCK RESERVED

            The Company has reserved 322,166 and 2/3 share of Common Stock for
            issuance upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.

            The Company has reserved 319,444 and 2/3 shares of Common Shares for
            insurance upon the exercise of outstanding options.

NOTE 5 -    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

      1)    The Company subleases its Houston, Texas headquarters from Zydeco
            under a month-to-month sublease.

      2)    On July 26, 1996, the Company signed a Letter of Intent with
            Poseidon Petroleum, LLC ("Poseidon") to purchase Poseidon's 47%
            working interest in undeveloped reserves in the Bonito unit of the
            Pacific Outer Continental Shelf, offshore Santa Barbara County,
            California. The parties are conducting due diligence and are
            negotiating a definitive purchase and sale agreement and related
            documentation. (See Note 6 - Subsequent Events). The transactions
            contemplated in the Letter of Intent may be terminated by either
            party upon the occurrence of certain events and there can be no
            assurance that the Company will successfully consummate such
            transactions. Moreover, if such transactions are consummated, the
            Company expects that development of the reserves will not occur for
            at least five years. There can be no assurance that the Company will
            successfully develop the reserves or that the reserves will yield
            sufficient quantities of oil and gas to be economically viable.

      3)    As of November 30, 1996, the Company has an investment of $6,000,000
            in a 3-D seismic exploration project in south Louisiana (the "3-D
            Joint Venture") pursuant

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                     CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                             NOVEMBER 30, 1996


            to an Exploration Agreement (the "Exploration Agreement") between
            the Company and Zydeco Exploration, Inc. ("Zydeco"). Under the terms
            of the Exploration Agreement, the Company is required to make
            additional monthly payments aggregating, at least, $7.5 million. The
            Company's potential participation in the 3-D Joint Venture could be
            significantly reduced in the event of a failure by the Company to
            make such required monthly payments when due.

NOTE 6 -    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

            During the month of December 1996, the Company issued 1,317,721
            shares of common stock for gross proceeds of $3,169,875. Proceeds
            received are intended to fund future commitments to the 3-D Joint
            Venture.
 
            Certain of these proceeds aggregating $384,895 were received during
            the quarter ended November 30, 1996, and were classified as Advances
            for Issuance of Common Stock.

            Also, on December 14, 1996, the Company repaid the $215,000 loan
            payable and related accrued interest. Upon repaying the loan, the
            Company issued 64,500 warrants in accordance with the loan
            agreement.

            On December 19, 1996, Cheniere Energy California, Inc. ("Cheniere
            California") was incorporated. Cheniere California is a 100% owned
            subsidiary of the Company.

            On December 20, 1996, Cheniere Energy California, inc. ("Cheniere
            California"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, signed a
            Purchase and Sale Agreement with Poseidon Petroleum, LLC
            ("Poseidon") to acquire Poseidon's 60% working interest in six
            undeveloped leases in the Bonito Unit of the Pacific Outer
            Continental Shelf (OCS) off Santa Barbara County, California (which
            is equal to a 47% working interest in the Bonito Unit). Poseidon
            estimates that the net proved undeveloped reserves attributable to
            its interests are approximately 47 million barrels of oil
            equivalent. As payment for this interest, Poseidon will receive
            production payments aggregating $18,000,000 to be paid as three
            percent of the production revenue from the leases being assigned.
            Minimum prepayments of the annual production payment shall be made
            at the rate of $540,000 per year, payable in advance. Poseidon will
            have a reserve report prepared with respect to the leases which is
            subject to Cheniere California's acceptance. The principal amount of
            the production payment and the required minimum yearly payments are
            subject to adjustment based on the results of the reserve report.
            Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, it is anticipated
            that closing of the purchase will occur during the second calendar
            quarter of 1997.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

     The following is a discussion of the Company's financial operations for the
three month periods ended November 30, 1996 and 1995.  The Company's
accompanying unaudited financial statements and notes thereto and the
consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report of
Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1996 contain detailed information that
should be referred to in conjunction with the following discussion.

     General.  On July 3, 1996, the Company changed its name to Cheniere Energy,
Inc. and its principal business became oil and gas exploration.  The assets and
liabilities relating to its former business were distributed to the previous
shareholders as of that same date.  The comparative financial results for the
period ended November 30, 1995 relate to those discontinued operations.

     Private Placement of Common Shares.  In September and October 1996,
pursuant to Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933
("Regulation D"), the Company sold an aggregate of 352,472 shares of Common
Stock to twelve "accredited investors" pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D and
received proceeds of $760,500 net of placement fees from such sales.
Information regarding the sales is set forth in the table below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Date         Shares   Price  Proceeds  Fee/Commission  Net Proceeds
- ----         -------  -----  --------  --------------  ------------
<S>          <C>      <C>    <C>       <C>             <C>
 
    9/12      50,000  $2.00  $100,000              $0      $100,000
    9/16      80,250  $2.00  $160,500              $0      $160,500
    10/30    222,222  $2.25  $500,000              $0      $500,000
             -------         --------              --      --------
             352,472         $760,500              $0      $760,500
</TABLE>

          In October 1996, pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, the Company sold an aggregate of 235,555 shares of
Common Stock to one offshore investor and received proceeds of $477,000 net of
placement fees from such sales.  Information regarding each sale is set forth in
the table below.

    Date   Shares   Price   Proceeds  Fee/Commission  Net Proceeds
    ----   ------   -----   --------  --------------  ------------

    10/30  235,555  $2.25   $530,000        $53,000       $477,000

     The proceeds of the sales of Common Stock during September and October 1996
tabulated above, together with cash balances, were used to fund $2 million in
payments to the 3-D Joint Venture.

     Amendment to Exploration Agreement.  On November 27, 1996, the Company and
Zydeco Exploration, Inc. amended the Exploration Agreement between the two
entities relating to the 3-D Joint Venture whereby the schedule for payment of
Seismic Funds defined by the Exploration Agreement and its amendments from
Cheniere to Zydeco is suspended.  The new amendment calls for Cheniere to
furnish funds to maintain a $1,000,000 balance in the Seismic Fund account and
for Cheniere to resume the payment schedule within thirty days of Zydeco's
notification.  The suspension of payment of Seismic Funds is intended to better
align the payment schedule with Zydeco's need for such funds.  Under the revised
agreement, Cheniere 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
expects to fund an additional $7.5 million of Seismic Fund payments during the
final three quarters of its fiscal year.

Results of Operations; Three Months ended November 30, 1996 and 1995

     The Company's operating results for the three months ended November 30,
1996 reflect a loss of $151,666, or $0.01 per share, as there were no operating
revenues.  General and administrative expenses of $145,928 and interest expenses
of $7,239 were offset by interest income of $1,501.  Operating results for the
prior year's quarter relate to discontinued operations.  For the three months
ended November 30, 1995, the Company had an operating loss of $79,486, or $0.03
per share.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     At November 30, 1996, total assets were $6,382,660 compared to $5,145,310
at August 31, 1996.  The increase is due to primarily to equity proceeds of
$1,237,000 received during the quarter.  Current assets declined to $324,550
from $1,093,180 during the same period.  Other assets reflect an increase in
investment to $6 million from $4 million in the Joint Venture.  This increase
was funded primarily from equity proceeds and from cash balances.

     The Company's balance sheet reflected current assets of $331,172 and
current liabilities of $975,130.  Current liabilities included $384,985
representing funds advanced for the issuance of common stock and $215,000
representing a short term note due January 14, 1997 (see Notes 2 and 6, Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements).  The Company has no long term liabilities.

Other

     This document includes "forward looking" statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Act of 1934, as amended.  Although the Company believes that the
expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are based upon
reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be
achieved.  Certain risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business
are set forth in the filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                          PART II.  Other Information

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  Each of the following exhibits is filed herewith:

10.12   --Fourth Amendment to the Exploration Agreement between FX Energy, Inc.
(now known as Cheniere Energy Operating Co., Inc. ("Cheniere Operating") and
Zydeco Exploration, Inc.

27.1    --Financial Data Schedule


(b)  There were no reports on Form 8-K filed for the three months ended November
30, 1996.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

                              CHENIERE ENERGY, INC.


                              /s/ William D. Forster
                              -------------------------------------------
                              William D. Forster
                              President and Chief Executive Officer

                              Date:  January 15, 1997

                                       14

<PAGE>
 
EXHIBIT 10.12
                      [LETTERHEAD OF ZYDECO ENERGY, INC.]

                                                               November 29, 1996
Cheniere Energy Operating Co., Inc.
237 Park Avenue, Suite 2100
New York, NY 10017

     Re:  Fourth Amendment

Gentlemen:

     I am writing with respect to that certain Exploration Agreement dated April
4, 1996, by and between FX Energy, Inc. and Zydeco Exploration, Inc., as amended
by that certain First Amendment dated May 15, 1996, and that certain Second
Amendment dated August 5, 1996, and that certain Third Amendment dated October
31, 1996 (as amended, the "Agreement").  For convenience, terms defined therein
shall have the same meaning when used herein.  FX Energy, Inc. ("FX") has
changed its name to Cheniere Energy Operating Co., Inc. ("Cheniere").

     Section 2 of the Agreement originally provided:

          FX shall pay the Seismic Funds to ZEI for deposit in the segregated
     account described in Section 12.a on the following schedule.
 
                       Date                       Amount
                       ----                       ------ 

                1996-05-15                 $3,000,000.00
 
                1996-06-30                  1,000,000.00
 
                1996-07-30                  1,000,000.00
 
                1996-08-30                  1,000,000.00
 
                1996-09-30                  2,000,000.00
 
                1996-10-30                  1,000,000.00
 
                1996-11-30                  1,000,000.00
 
                1996-12-30                  1,000,000.00
 
                1997-01-30                  1,000,000.00
 
                1997-02-28                  1,500,000.00


     Through yesterday, November 28, 1996, Cheniere had paid $6,000,00.00.
Under the Third Amendment to the Agreement, we substituted an alternate schedule
for the remaining payments, which provided for payments as follows:

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
                         Date                  Amount
                         ----                  ------
 
                  1996-11-30             2,000,000.00
 
                  1997-01-31             2,000,000.00
 
                  1997-02-28             2,000,000.00
 
                  1997-03-31             1,500,000.00

     Funds in the Seismic Funds Account, an account set up at Bank One Texas,
N.A. styled "Zydeco Exploration Inc. Seismic Joint Venture Account," are
approximately $895,000 at present.

     The parties anticipate that field data acquisition will be temporarily
suspended due to weather.  Assuming a suspension, a minimum balance of
$1,000,000 in the Seismic Fund Account is adequate.

     According, ZEI and Cheniere agree as follows:

     1.   Payments by Cheniere of additional Seismic Funds shall be suspended;
          provided, however, Cheniere shall from time to time furnish additional
          Seismic Funds sufficient to maintain the balance of the Seismic Fund
          Account at approximately $1,000,000.  Such funds shall be forwarded
          within 10 days of request by ZEI.  Should such funds not be forwarded
          within 20 days of a reminder notice, the default shall be treated as a
          Discontinuance under Section 5.

     2.   At any time before December 1, 1997, ZEI may direct Cheniere to resume
          payment of the Seismic Funds.  Such notice shall stipulate the date
          the first resumed installment payment (that due on November 30, 1996
          under the Third Amendment) is due.  The date so specified shall be at
          least 30 days after delivery of notice to Cheniere.

     3.   The first resumed payment shall be reduced from its $2,000,000 amount
          by payments Cheniere has made to replenish the Seismic Fund Account.

     4.   Unless longer periods between payments are specified by ZEI:

          a)   the second resumed payment (that of $2,000,000 due January 31,
               1996 under the Third Amendment) shall be due 60 days after the
               first resumed payment;

          b)   the third resumed payment (that of $2,000,000 due February 28,
               1997 under the Third Amendment) shall be due 90 days after the
               first resumed payment; and

          c)   the fourth resumed payment (that of $1,500,000 due March 31, 1997
               under the Third Amendment) shall be due 120 days after the first
               resumed payment.

     5.   The normal grace period shall apply to each resumed payment.

     6.   Should Zydeco not direct that installment payment of Seismic Funds be
          resumed by December 1, 1997, absent an agreement of the parties to the
          contrary, no further Seismic Funds shall be required under the
          Agreement.

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
     7.   The parties agree that the agreements by Zydeco to defer payments
          under Section 2 do not obligate Zydeco to grant further waivers nor
          waive the rights of Zydeco to have payments made at the times provided
          in the Agreement, as modified hereby.

     If I have correctly set forth our agreements, kindly so indicate by
executing one counterpart of this letter and returning it to the undersigned.

                              Yours very truly,

                              ZYDECO EXPLORATION, INC.


                              By:  /s/  W. Kyle Willis
                                  ------------------------------- 
                              Its: Vice President & Treasurer
                                  -------------------------------


ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO THIS
29TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1996.

CHENIERE ENERGY OPERATING CO., INC.


By:  /s/  William D. Forster
   ---------------------------
Its: President
    --------------------------


                                      17

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