M&A Activity • Jun 20, 2024
M&A Activity
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For immediate release
London, 20 June 2024 - Energean plc (LSE: ENOG, TASE: אנאג (is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding agreement for the sale of its portfolio in Egypt, Italy and Croatia to an entity controlled by Carlyle International Energy Partners ("Carlyle") for an enterprise value ("EV") of up to \$945 million, of which \$820 million is firm (the "Transaction"). Completion is expected by year-end 2024, subject to customary regulatory and antitrust approvals.
1 Of which \$820 million is firm. In addition to the \$945 million, there is a \$/boe contingent payment linked to the recent Location B well in Egypt.
2 The Edison E&P acquisition also included the UK portfolio, which was ascribed minimal value.
3 \$5.4/boe multiple is based upon the firm EV of \$820 million and 150 mmboe of YE23 2P reserves (differences due to rounding). Using the EV of \$945 million, the EV/2P multiple is \$6.3/boe. \$1.2/boe multiple is on the EV of \$284 million and 239 mmboe (excludes 4 mmboe of UK volumes) of YE18 2P reserves.
• Post-closing, Energean's scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity4 will reduce by around 40% to ~5 kgCO2e/boe accelerating its 2035 target by 10 years.
"This deal represents an exciting new chapter for Energean. Today we have realised a significant return on the investment made when we acquired this portfolio over four years ago. The transaction delivers on our strategy and Energean's ability to maximise value for our shareholders. It maintains our highly disciplined approach to capital allocation, as demonstrated by the accretive transaction metrics, coupled with an anticipated special dividend.
"Looking ahead, this transaction unlocks management capacity and financial flexibility to drive future growth. Our focus will now be to create enhanced value from our Israel assets, and evaluate new opportunities that fit Energean's key business drivers: paying a reliable dividend, deleveraging, growth, and our commitment to Net Zero.
"Carlyle is the right custodian of the asset base and will create an excellent home for our colleagues. We wish them every success and look forward to watching their progress. I want to thank all of our colleagues based in Egypt, Italy and Croatia for their hard work and dedication over the years."
"We are delighted to acquire this portfolio of high-quality assets in Italy, Egypt and Croatia, countries that are actively encouraging new gas development, which we believe will play a central role in the energy transition. We look forward to supporting the transformation of these assets into a scalable E&P platform in the Mediterranean, through the execution of near-term developments, unlocking organic growth opportunities, M&A, and accelerating the delivery of existing decarbonisation plans."
Carlyle's offer for Energean's Egypt, Italy and Croatian portfolio has a total enterprise value of up to \$945 million plus a \$/boe contingent payment linked to the recent Location B well in Egypt. This is over a 3x increase versus the original acquisition value of \$284 million in 20205 , and gives a firm EV/2P multiple of \$5.4/boe (versus c.\$1.2/boe) 6 .
The economic effective date of the Transaction is 31 December 2023 ("Effective Date").
After enterprise value to equity value adjustments as at the Effective Date, Energean will receive:
4 On an equity share basis.
5 The Edison E&P acquisition also included the UK portfolio, which was ascribed minimal value.
6 \$5.4/boe multiple is based upon the firm EV of \$820 million and 150 mmboe of YE23 2P reserves (differences due to rounding. Using the EV of \$945 million, the EV/2P multiple is \$6.3/boe. \$1.2/boe multiple is on the EV of \$284 million and 239 mmboe (excludes 4 mmboe of UK volumes) of YE18 2P reserves.
In 2020, Energean acquired Edison E&P, which included production, development and exploration assets in Egypt, Italy and Croatia. Energean's portfolio of assets in these countries has net working interest 2P reserves of 150 mmboe (70% gas) (D&M YE23 CPR) and 2023 net working interest production of 34 kboe/d (37% gas).
This portfolio generated Adjusted EBITDAX of \$264 million in 2023. The gross assets attributable to the Transaction as at 31 December 2023 were \$1.67 billion. Total liabilities attributable to the Transaction as at 31 December 2023 were \$1.27 billion, of which \$516 million was provision for decommissioning.
Energean's strategy is to be the leading independent gas-focused E&P in the Mediterranean and beyond. The Group has taken the decision to sell certain non-core geographies, where at least \$7.5 million per annum of G&A savings have been identified, in line with its key business drivers to:
7 Gas production (mmscf): 26,918 (2025), 24,551 (2026), 21,574 (2027), 19,063 (2028). Oil production (mmbbl): 1.794 (2025), 1.666 (2026), 1.55 (2027), 1.444 (2028).
8 Reference price as follows - Brent (\$/bbl): 77.33 (2025), 73.56 (2026), 70.00 (2027), 70.00 (2028). PSV gas price (€/MWh): 29.87 (2025), 29.16 (2026), 25.00 (2027), 25.00 (2028).
kgCO2e/boe, accelerating its 2035 target of 4-6 kgCO2e/boe by 10 years. This is in addition to the Group's focus on creating a Carbon Storage Hub in Greece and the wider Mediterranean region via its EnEarth subsidiary.
Energean expects sufficient cash proceeds at closing to be able to repay in full the \$450 million PLC Corporate Bond and facilitate a special dividend of up to \$200 million.
In light of the Transaction, the Board will undertake a review of the Company's dividend policy and near-term targets and expects to redefine its dividend policy upon Transaction closing.
Completion of the Transaction is conditional upon customary regulatory approvals in Italy and Egypt together with antitrust approvals in Italy, Egypt and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa ("COMESA"). The Transaction also constitutes a Class 1 transaction under the Listing Rules and is, therefore, as at the date of this announcement, conditional on Energean's shareholders passing a resolution approving the Transaction. As the Listing Rules are expected to change in early H2 2024 in a manner that would mean such shareholder approval would no longer be required, Energean plans to engage closely with shareholders in relation to the Transaction and will, to the extent required as per the FCA's listing rules reforms, seek shareholder approval of the Transaction ahead of completion. The Transaction is subject to the conditions being satisfied by a longstop date of 20 March 2025 (or such other date as may be agreed by Energean and Carlyle), with completion currently expected to occur by year-end 2024.
Staff employed by Energean Italy (which includes Croatia) and Energean Egypt will continue their employment under Carlyle's ownership, which they have committed to guarantee for 18-months post-completion, providing continuity for staff and contributing to ongoing operational reliability and safety.
Rothschild & Co is acting as the Company's financial advisor and, to the extent required, sponsor and White & Case is acting as the Company's legal counsel.
A conference call for analysts and investors will be held today at 10:30 BST / 12:30 Israel Time.
Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/hjn3mc3v
Conference call registration link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI657506a9060d46d68287d141ee2fae7e
After completing your conference call registration you will receive dial-in details on screen and via email. Please note that the dial-in pin number is unique and cannot be shared.
The presentation slides will be made available on the website shortly at www.energean.com
For capital markets: [email protected] Kyrah McKenzie, Investor Relations Manager Tel: +44 (0) 7921 210 862
Paddy Blewer, Corporate Communications Director & Head of CSR Tel: +44 (0) 7765 250 857
This announcement contains inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation no 596/2014 (incorporated into UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 as amended by virtue of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019). Upon the publication of this announcement via a regulatory information service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
This announcement contains statements that are, or are deemed to be, forward-looking statements. In some instances, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terms such as "projects", "forecasts", "on track", "anticipates", "expects", "believes", "intends", "may", "will", or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: general economic and business conditions; demand for the Company's products and services; competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates; exchange rate fluctuations; legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments; political risks; terrorism, acts of war and pandemics; changes in law and legal interpretations; and the impact of technological change. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of such statements and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change without notice.
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