BP transforms its US onshore oil and gas business

Under the terms of the agreement, BP America Production Company will acquire from BHP Billiton Petroleum (North America) Inc. 100% of the issued share capital of Petrohawk Energy Corporation – the wholly-owned subsidiary of BHP which holds the assets – for a total consideration of US$10.5 billion, subject to customary adjustments.

On completion, US$5.25 billion, as adjusted, will be paid in cash from existing resources. US$5.25 billion will be deferred and payable in cash in six equal instalments over six months from the date of completion. BP intends to finance this deferred consideration through equity issued over the duration of the instalments. Subject to regulatory approvals, the transaction is anticipated to complete by the end of October 2018.

Bob Dudley, BP Group Chief Executive, said:

“This is a transformational acquisition for our Lower 48 business, a major step in delivering our Upstream strategy and a world-class addition to BP’s distinctive portfolio. Given our confidence in BP’s future – further bolstered by additional earnings and cash flow from this deal – we are increasing the dividend, reflecting our long-standing commitment to growing distributions to shareholders.”

Accretive acquisition, disciplined value growth

After integration of the acquisition with BP’s existing US onshore business, the transaction will be accretive to BP’s earnings and cash flow on a per share basis. BP expects the acquisition to be fully accommodated within its current financial frame, with organic capital expenditure in a range of US$15 - 17 billion a year out to 2021 and gearing maintained within a 20 - 30% range.

Following completion of the acquisition, BP intends to make new divestments of US$5 - 6 billion, predominantly from the Upstream segment. The proceeds are intended to fund a share buyback programme of up to US$5 - 6 billion over time. The divestments will be in addition to BP’s ongoing programme of around US$2 - 3 billion divestments a year.

Brian Gilvary, BP Chief Financial Officer, said:

“The financial repositioning we have delivered in recent years and the confidence we have in our outlook for free cash flow allow us to take this extremely attractive opportunity now without any adjustment to our financial frame. This is fully consistent with our commitment to financial discipline and creating value for shareholders. With our planned additional divestments and buybacks, we expect to deliver this major step forward for a net investment of around US$5 billion.”

Liquids-rich assets with synergies

BP has agreed to acquire assets with 470 000 net acres of licences, including a new position for BP in the liquids-rich Permian-Delaware basin, and two premium positions in the Eagle Ford and Haynesville basins. The assets have combined current production of 190 000 boe/d, approximately 45% of which is liquid hydrocarbons, and 4.6 billion boe resources.

Bernard Looney, BP’s Upstream Chief Executive, said: “This is a major upgrade for one of BP’s key Upstream regions, giving us some of the best acreage in some of the best basins in the onshore US. I believe our dynamic, highly-efficient team will be able to unlock the full potential of these assets. This will increase our target for free cash flow from the Upstream by US$1 billion, to US$14 - 15 billion in 2021, and provide opportunities for continuing growth well into the next decade.”

 

The acquisition will significantly increase the liquid hydrocarbon proportion of BP’s production and resources in the US onshore, to around 27% of production and 29% of resources from the current 14% and 17% respectively.

BP’s existing US onshore oil and gas business currently produces around 315 000 boe/d from operations across seven oil and gas basins in five states with resources of 8.1 billion boe. Since BP established it as a separate business organisation with new management four years ago, it has grown production and improved capital efficiency, with unit production costs reduced by 34% since 2013.

The combined business will continue to be led by David Lawler, CEO of BP’s existing US onshore business. BP estimates that post-integration it will deliver more than US$350 million of annual pre-tax synergies through sustainable cost reductions and commercial and trading opportunities unique to BP.

Growing distributions for shareholders

BP has announced a 2Q18 dividend of US$0.1025 cents per ordinary share, an increase of 2.5%. This dividend is expected to be paid on 21 September 2018 to ordinary shareholders and American Depositary Share (ADS) holders on the register on 10 August 2018. Holders of ADSs are expected to receive US$0.615 per ADS (less applicable fees). A scrip dividend alternative is available, allowing shareholders to elect to receive their dividend in the form of new ordinary shares and ADS holders in the form of new ADSs.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/27072018/bp-transforms-its-us-onshore-oil-and-gas-business/