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Laredo to sell Medallion Pipeline interest

Published by , Senior Editor
World Pipelines,


Laredo Petroleum, Inc. announced yesterday that an agreement has been signed among an affiliate of Global Infrastructure Partners Laredo’s wholly owned subsidiary Laredo Midstream Services, LLC and Medallion Midstream Holdings, LLC which is owned and controlled by an affiliate of The Energy & Minerals Group, whereby GIP will purchase 100% of the ownership interests in Medallion Gathering & Processing, LLC for a cash purchase price of US$1.825 billion plus potential additional cash consideration subject to customary closing adjustments.

The potential Additional Consideration is structured based on GIP’s realised profit at exit. MGP is the sole owner of the Medallion – Midland Basin pipeline system. If the Transaction closes, in exchange for its 49% interest in MGP, LMS will receive 49% of the purchase price after deduction of its proportionate share of fees and other expenses associated with the transaction. EMG, Laredo and LMS may have certain post-closing indemnity obligations.

"In late 2013, we made our initial investment in MGP, creating a partnership to build a pipeline system to provide Laredo access to multiple sales points for its oil," commented Randy A. Foutch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "This eventually grew into the premier pipeline system in the Midland Basin. Upon the closing of this transaction, Laredo will recognise proceeds of more than three times its invested capital, equivalent to an internal rate of return of more than 65%, and, through our various ongoing contracts with Medallion, retain the strategic benefits that were the initial goal for building the system."

Net cash proceeds to LMS from the transaction at closing are expected to be approximately US$825 million. Laredo currently anticipates using the proceeds primarily to pay down a portion of the company’s outstanding debt. Federal income tax on the transaction gain is expected to be minimal, as net operating loss carry-forwards will offset the gain, but a small amount of alternative minimum tax and Texas margin tax is expected. There will be no impact to Laredo’s existing cost structure from the transaction. Currently, all tariffs related to agreements with Medallion are reflected in the company’s realised oil price and the system has no impact on Laredo’s lease operating expenses.

"Since the inception of the company, Laredo has viewed strategic investments in infrastructure as a long-term benefit to the company and has been willing to borrow the funds to facilitate these investments, including the Medallion – Midland Basin pipeline system and our five production corridors," continued Mr. Foutch. "The expected transaction proceeds, which we intend to apply to debt repayment, should cut our outstanding debt balance by more than half. This will afford Laredo additional flexibility in our development plan as we test tighter spacing to add premium locations in the Upper and Middle Wolfcamp formations. We anticipate interest savings from the debt reduction to better align operating cash flow with capital expenditures. Based upon the current environment for commodity prices, service costs, forecasted rig cadence and production growth, we expect operating cash flow to increase sequentially, with the company anticipating being approximately cash flow neutral by the end of 2019."

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/03102017/laredo-to-sell-medallion-pipeline-interest/

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