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DEBT
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
DEBT
18.DEBT

(in thousands of $)20192018
Total long-term and short-term debt2,535,827  2,565,359  
Less: current portion of long-term debt and short-term debt(1,241,108) (730,257) 
Long-term debt1,294,719  1,835,102  

The outstanding debt as of December 31, 2019 is repayable as follows:
Year ending December 31Golar debt
VIE debt (1)
Total debt
(in thousands of $) 
2020279,011  965,588  1,244,599  
202170,678  261,881  332,559  
2022397,144  67,338  464,482  
202387,344  67,337  154,681  
2024103,355  67,337  170,692  
2025 and thereafter48,050  153,688  201,738  
Total985,582  1,583,169  2,568,751  
Deferred finance charges(29,884) (3,040) (32,924) 
Total955,698  1,580,129  2,535,827  
(1) These amounts relate to certain lessor entities (for which legal ownership resides with financial institutions) that we are required to consolidate under U.S. GAAP into our financial statements as variable interest entities (see note 5).
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, our debt was as follows:
(in thousands of $)20192018Maturity date
Golar Arctic facility43,767  58,300  2024
Golar Viking facility41,667  46,875  2020
2017 Convertible bonds368,133  353,661  2022
Term Facility150,000  —  2020
Margin Loan100,000  100,000  2020
Gimi Facility130,000  —  2029
$1.125 billion facility:
- Golar Bear facility75,425  86,200  2024/2026*
- Golar Frost facility76,590  87,532  2024/2026*
Subtotal (excluding lessor VIE loans)985,582  732,568  
ICBCL VIE loans:
- Golar Glacier facility127,579  154,226  Repayable on demand
- Golar Snow facility 128,112  154,566  Repayable on demand
- Golar Kelvin facility 147,025  182,540  Repayable on demand
- Golar Ice facility 100,799  117,888  Repayable on demand
CMBL VIE loan:
- Golar Tundra facility104,884  121,741  2021
CCBFL VIE loan:
- Golar Seal facility100,424  123,524  2021
COSCO VIE loan:
- Golar Crystal facility91,275  97,163  2027
CSSC VIE loan:
   - Hilli facility
783,071  897,980  Repayable on demand/2026
Total debt (gross)2,568,751  2,582,196  
Deferred finance charges(32,924) (16,837) 
Total debt2,535,827  2,565,359  
* The commercial loan tranche matures at the earlier of the two dates, with the remaining balance maturing at the latter date. However, in the event that the commercial tranche is not refinanced within five years, the lenders have the option to demand repayment. In October 2018, the maturity of the commercial tranche, and consequently the option to the lenders, was extended by five years, to 2024.

Golar Arctic facility

In December 2014, we entered into a secured loan facility for $87.5 million for the purpose of refinancing the Golar Arctic. The Golar Arctic facility bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.25% and was repayable in quarterly installments over a term of five years with a final balloon payment of $52.8 million due in December 2019.

In October 2019, we entered into an agreement with the existing lenders to extend the maturity of our Golar Arctic Facility. The extended facility matures 5 years from execution, is repayable in quarterly installments and has a final balloon of $9.1 million in October 2024. Concurrent with the facility extension, we repaid $9.1 million of the loan principal. The margin has been adjusted from 2.25% to 2.75%.
Golar Viking facility

In December 2015, we entered into a $62.5 million secured loan facility, with certain lenders, to finance the Golar Viking upon repossession of the vessel from Equinox. The facility is repayable in quarterly installments over a term of five years with a final balloon payment of $37.8 million due in December 2020. This facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.5%.

2017 Convertible bonds

On February 17, 2017, we closed a $402.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2.75% convertible senior unsecured notes due 2022. The conversion rate for the bonds was initially equal to 26.5308 common shares per $1,000 principal amount of the bonds. This is equivalent to an initial conversion price of $37.69 per common share, or a 35% premium on the February 13, 2017 closing share price of $27.92. The conversion price is subject to adjustment for dividends paid. To mitigate the dilution risk of conversion to common equity, we also entered into capped call transactions costing approximately $31.2 million. The capped call transactions cover approximately 10,678,647 common shares, have an initial strike price of $37.69, and an initial cap price of $48.86. The cap price of $48.86, which is a proxy for the revised conversion price, represents a 75% premium on the February 13, 2017 closing share price of $27.92. Including the $31.2 million cost of the capped call, the all-in cost of the bond is approximately 4.3%. Bond proceeds, net of fees and the cost of the capped call, amounted to $360.2 million. On inception, we recognized a liability of $320.3 million and an equity portion of $39.9 million.

During 2019 and 2018, the quarterly dividends of the following quarter results exceeded the dividend threshold and resulted in an adjustment to the initial conversion rate.
In $, except conversion rate
Distribution declared per shareConversion rateConversion price
Second quarter, 20180.125  26.610  37.58  
Third quarter, 20180.150  26.638  37.54  
Fourth quarter, 20180.150  26.840  37.26  
First quarter, 20190.150  26.993  37.05  

Term loan facility

In August 2019, we entered into a $150 million term loan facility with a total term of fifteen months. The term loan facility is secured by a pledge against our shares in Golar Power. The non-amortizing term facility has a stepped margin arrangement, in a range of LIBOR plus 1.50% - 2.75%.

Margin Loan

We entered into a loan agreement, dated March 3, 2017, among one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, as borrower, Golar LNG Limited, as guarantor, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, initial collateral agent and calculation agent, and Citibank, N.A., as lender. We refer to this as the Margin Loan facility. Pursuant to the Margin Loan facility Citibank, N.A. provided a loan in the amount of $150 million. The Margin Loan facility had a term of three years, an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 3.95% and was secured by our Golar Partners common units and their associated distributions, and in certain cases, cash or cash equivalents. The Margin Loan facility contained conditions, representations and warranties, covenants (including loan to value requirements), mandatory prepayment events, facility adjustment events, events of default and other provisions customary for a facility of this nature. The loan was primarily used to pay a portion of the amounts due under our 3.75% convertible senior secured bonds due March 2017, or the Prior Convertible Bonds. Concurrently with the repayment of the Prior Convertible Bonds, the trustee for these bonds released our Golar Partners common units that had been pledged to secure them. In connection with the entry into the Margin Loan facility, we pledged 20,852,291 Golar Partners common units as security for the obligations under the facility. This was increased to 21,226,586 as part of the amendments to the facility in 2018.

In July 2018, amendments to the existing Margin Loan facility were completed. Although most of the existing terms remain substantially unchanged, the facility would no longer amortize, remaining at $100 million until maturity in March 2020. Previously the dividend cash received from the pledged Partnership shares was first used to service the interest on the loan, and any excess cash was then used to prepay a portion of the principal. Under the modified agreement, any excess cash after servicing the interest will be returned to Golar.
In August 2019, we entered into an agreement with a group of lenders to refinance our existing Margin Loan facility. The new Margin Loan facility introduces a revolving element, increases the principal amount available to draw to $110.0 million and has a maturity of one year from execution. The new Margin Loan facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.75% and continues to be secured by a pledge against our common units in Golar Partners.

At December 31, 2019, cash collateral held against the Margin Loan facility is required to satisfy one of the mandatory prepayment events within the facility, with this having been triggered when the security position of the pledged Golar Partners common units fell below a defined threshold. If certain requirements are met, the facility allows for the release of the cash collateral. See note 12.

Gimi facility

In October 2019, we entered into a $700 million facility agreement with a group of lenders to finance the conversion and operations of the Gimi. The facility is available for drawdown during the Gimi conversion and amortizes over a 7 year term post commencement of commercial operations, with a final balloon payment of $320.8 million in 2029. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 4.0% during the conversion phase, reducing to LIBOR plus a margin of 3.0% post commencement of commercial operations. As of December 31, 2019, we had drawn $130.0 million of the available funds. Subsequent drawdowns are dependent upon reaching further conversion milestones relating to project spend.
$1.125 billion facility

In July 2013, we entered into a $1.125 billion facility to initially fund eight of our newbuildings. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin. The facility is divided into three tranches, with the following general terms:
TrancheProportion of facilityTerm of loan from date of drawdownRepayment terms
K-Sure40%12 years
six-monthly installments
KEXIM40%12 years
Six-monthly installments
Commercial20%5 years
Six-monthly installments, unpaid balance to be refinanced after 5 years

The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.10% for the K-Sure tranche of the facility and 2.75% for both the KEXIM and commercial tranche of the loan.

The K-Sure tranche is funded by a consortium of lenders, of which 95% is guaranteed by a Korean Trade Insurance Corporation (or K-Sure) policy; the KEXIM tranche is funded by the Export Import Bank of Korea (or KEXIM). Repayments under the K-Sure and KEXIM tranches are due semi-annually with a 12 year repayment profile. The commercial tranche is funded by a syndicate of banks and is for a term of five years from date of drawdown with a final balloon payment depending on drawdown dates for each respective vessel. In the event the commercial tranche is not refinanced prior to the end of the five years, both K-Sure and KEXIM have an option to demand repayment of the balances outstanding under their respective tranches. In October 2018, the term of the commercial tranche, and consequently the option to K-Sure and KEXIM, was extended by 5 years. The facility is further divided into vessel-specific tranches dependent upon delivery and drawdown, with each borrower being the subsidiary owning the respective vessel.

At December 31, 2019, the aggregate balance of the facility was $152.0 million and relates to two of our vessels: the Golar Bear and the Golar Frost, and the cash collateral of $11.0 million held against the $1.125 billion facility. See note 12. However, we continue to guarantee the debt relating to the Golar Celsius that was assumed by Golar Power in connection with the formation transaction in 2016.

Lessor VIE debt

The following loans relate to our lessor VIE entities, including ICBCL, CMBL, CCBFL, COSCO and CSSC, that we consolidate as variable interest entities ("VIEs"). Although we have no control over the funding arrangements of these entities, we consider ourselves the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and we are therefore required to consolidate these loan facilities into our financial results. See note 5 for additional information.
FacilityEffective fromSPVLoan counterpartyLoan facility at inception (in $ millions)Loan facility at December 31, 2019 (in $ millions)Loan duration/maturityInterest
Golar GlacierOctober 2014Hai Jiao 1401 Limited
ICBCIL Finance Co.(1)
184.8127.6Repayable on demand
3.21% - 6.00%
Golar SnowJanuary 2015Hai Jiao 1402 Limited
ICBCIL Finance Co.(1)
182.6128.1Repayable on demand
3.21% - 6.00%
Golar KelvinJanuary 2015Hai Jiao 1405 Limited
ICBCIL Finance Co.(1)
182.5147.0Repayable on demand
3.21% - 3.89%
Golar IceFebruary 2015Hai Jiao 1406 Limited
ICBCIL Finance Co.(1)
172.0100.8Repayable on demand
3.21% - 3.89%
Golar Tundra(2)
November 2015Sea 24 Leasing Co LtdCMBL205.1104.92021LIBOR plus margin
Golar Seal(3)
March 2016Compass Shipping 1 Corporation LimitedCCBFL162.4100.420213.5%
Golar CrystalApril 2018Oriental Fleet LNG 01 LimitedCOSCO Shipping101.091.310 yearsLIBOR plus margin
Hilli(4)
June 2018Fortune Lianjing Shipping S.A.CSSC840.0599.1
10 years non-recourse
LIBOR plus margin
120.0184.0Repayable on demandNil
The vessels in the table above are secured as collateral against the long-term loans (see note 26).
(1) ICBCIL Finance Co. is a related party of ICBCL.

(2) A precondition of the Golar Tundra lease financing with CMBL is for the FSRU to be employed under an effective charter. By virtue of our prior termination of the WAGL charter, we were required to find a replacement charter by June 30, 2019 or we could be required to refinance the vessel. In May 2019, the June 2019 call option date was extended to June 2021. As a result, we have classified the Golar Tundra facility as long-term debt as of December 31, 2019.

(3) In November 2018, we obtained an extension on the Seal Facility's put option to January 2021.

(4) In July 2019, the SPV, Fortune Lianjiang Shipping S.A., repaid $150.0 million to the interest bearing facility and subsequently drew down $150.0 million from the internal loan with CSSC.

Debt restrictions

Certain of our debts are collateralized by vessel liens and, in the case of some debt, pledges of shares by each guarantor subsidiary. The existing financing agreements impose operating and financing restrictions which may significantly limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, sell capital shares of subsidiaries, make certain investments, engage in mergers and acquisitions, purchase and sell vessels, enter into time or consecutive voyage charters or distribute dividends in relation to the term loan facility. In addition, lenders may accelerate the maturity of indebtedness under financing agreements and foreclose upon the collateral securing the indebtedness upon the occurrence of certain events of default, including a failure to comply with any of the covenants contained in the financing agreements. Many of our debt agreements contain certain covenants, which require compliance with certain financial ratios. Such ratios include current assets: liabilities and minimum net worth and minimum free cash restrictions. With regards to cash restrictions, we have covenanted to retain at least $50.0 million of cash and cash equivalents on a consolidated group basis. In addition, as of December 31, 2019 there are cross default provisions in certain of our and Golar Partners' and Golar Power's loan and lease agreements. 

In addition to lien security, some of our debt is also collateralized through pledges of equity shares by our guarantor subsidiaries.
As of December 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all our covenants under our various loan agreements.