Senex  is in discussions with POSCO International in relation to a potential change of control transaction.

On 2 September 2021, POSCO International submitted a revised non-binding and indicative proposal to acquire 100% of Senex for a cash offer price of A$4.40 per share (“Revised Proposal”). This followed the submission of two prior non-binding proposals on 30 July 2021 (offer price: A$4.00 per share) and 27 August 2021 (offer price: A$4.20 per share).

The Senex Board met and carefully considered this Revised Proposal and the prior proposals, including consulting with external advisers. On 15 September 2021, Senex granted POSCO International a period of exclusivity (subject to the usual fiduciary carve-outs) in order to complete their due diligence enquiries and further advance the proposal.

Following further discussions between the parties, Senex has now agreed to extend POSCO International’s exclusivity period to 5 November 2021, in order to provide POSCO International with additional time to assess a further revised proposal at a price higher than A$4.40 per share.

The Revised Proposal offer price represents a 40% premium to the 30-day VWAP on 2 September 2021, being the date prior to the receipt of the Revised Proposal, and represents a 19% premium to the 30-day VWAP on 15 October 2021 (being the last trading day prior to the date of this release).

POSCO International has indicated that if a transaction proceeds, it is likely to be implemented by way of an off-market takeover offer which would be subject to a 50.1% minimum acceptance condition and Foreign Investment Review Board (“FIRB”) approval; however, the transaction would not be subject to a financing condition.

Any such offer from POSCO International is subject to various pre-conditions before it can be made or implemented, these pre-conditions include: the negotiation and execution of a bid implementation agreement, the parties agreeing to the terms and conditions of an off-market offer, POSCO International implementing its proposed financing arrangements and board approval of both Senex and POSCO
International.

The Senex Board believes it is in the best interests of its shareholders to continue to engage with POSCO International and will assess any proposal received on its merits. Senex has appointed Macquarie Capital and Rothschild & Co as financial advisers and Clayton Utz as legal adviser. 

KeyFacts Energy: Senex Australia country profile