AkerBP and Lundin Energy to launch E&P company of the future
Lundin Energy AB announced that the Board of Directors of Lundin Energy and AkerBP have reached an agreement on a combination (Combination Proposal) to create the leading European independent E&P company (the Combined Company) with a world class asset base, industry leading operating costs and low carbon emissions with increased and sustainable dividends.
Under the agreement in exchange for Lundin Energy’s portfolio of E&P business, shareholders will be entitled to;
- Cash totalling BUSD 2.22 (approx. SEK 71.0 per share after conversion from USD)
- 271,910,019 AkerBP shares (0.950985 AkerBP shares, represented by Swedish Depository Receipts, for each share in Lundin Energy outstanding at completion of the combination – which is equivalent to approximately 279.3 SEK per Lundin Energy share at close 20th of December 2021)
- Retain their existing shareholding in Lundin Energy and its renewables businesses
Accordingly, following the completion of the Combination Proposal, the shareholders of Lundin Energy will hold 43 percent of the total number of shares and votes of AkerBP (based on a total of 360,113,509 shares and votes in AkerBP). The Combination Proposal will be carried out as a statutory cross-border merger in accordance with Norwegian and Swedish law, through which AkerBP will absorb a company holding Lundin Energy’s E&P business.
AkerBP
AkerBP is a pure-play oil and gas company, focused on the Norwegian Continental shelf with industry-leading low emissions, efficient low-cost operations and a strong production growth profile, with robust free cash flow and attractive returns in a supportive fiscal regime. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker ‘AKRBP’.
The Combined Company
The proposed combination of Lundin Energy’s E&P business and AkerBP has the following strategic and value accretive benefits:
- World class asset base with market leading low operating costs and production efficiency
- One of the lowest carbon intensities of any E&P globally
- Over 2.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) of reserves and resources with significant growth potential
- Production in 2022 of over 400 Mboepd and growing to over 500 Mboepd by 2028
- Ownership of 31.6% in the world class Johan Sverdrup field, delivering 755 Mbopd gross on plateau
- Low break-even and highly cash generative portfolio
- Enhanced balance sheet with investment grade credit profile
- Operational synergies by combining the expertise of both organisations
Dividend Policies
Lundin Energy will continue with its currently announced quarterly dividend, representing a payment of USD 0.45 per share in January 2022. The Board has proposed to increase the 2021 quarterly dividend by 25 percent, amounting to USD 0.5625 per share from April 2022 until completion of the transaction, subject to approval at the 2022 Annual General Meeting for shareholders (AGM).
AkerBP today proposed to increase their current quarterly dividend by 14 percent to USD 0.475 per share from January 2022, and will continue to pay this increased dividend after completion, with the ambition to increase by a minimum of 5% per annum from 2023 onwards.
Lundin Energy to retain its Renewable Portfolio
Lundin Energy has developed a portfolio of onshore renewable assets in the Nordics, with power generation of 600 gigawatt hours per annum once fully built out. As part of this transaction the Company’s E&P businesses are being sold to and combined with AkerBP, leaving behind a standalone renewable energy business. As such, the legal entity of Lundin Energy is not a part of the Combination Proposal. The renewable business will remain listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm, and maintain its headquarters in Sweden. The renewable business will be debt free and, on completion will have a cash balance of MUSD 130, to cover all capital expenditure and other working capital requirements until late 2023. After the completion of all currently planned projects, this business is expected to be free cash flow positive and will form the basis of a viable, independent renewables company. Details on the business plan, management and governance will be published prior to the 2022 AGM.
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