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Tullow Oil and Capricorn Energy agree all-share combination

01/06/2022
  • Merger of equals creating a leading African energy company with a material and diversified asset base and a portfolio of investment opportunities delivering visible production growth.
  • Capricorn Shareholders to receive 3.8068 New Tullow Shares for each Capricorn Share held, with Capricorn Shareholders to own 47% and Tullow Shareholders to own 53% of the Combined Group on Completion.
  • Delivers a Combined Group with robust cash generation and a resilient balance sheet, realising pre-tax net cash cost synergies of $50 million per annum.
  • Establishes the basis for a sustainable shareholder returns programme, with a base annual dividend of $60 million.
  • Commitment to reducing emissions from within its operating assets, targeting net zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030, and continuing a proven track record of safe, low-cost
  • operations.
  • Positions the Combined Group to play a leading role in the African energy sector.

The boards of directors of Tullow Oil and Capricorn Energy have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended all-share combination of Tullow and Capricorn to create the Combined Group.

On completion of the Combination, Capricorn Shareholders will hold approximately 47 per cent. of the Combined Group and Tullow Shareholders will hold approximately 53 per cent. of the Combined Group (based on the fully diluted share capital of Capricorn and the fully diluted share capital of Tullow, in each case as at the date of this Announcement).

Compelling strategic and financial rationale

The Boards of Tullow and Capricorn believe the Combination has compelling strategic, operational and financial rationale, with the ability to deliver substantial benefits to shareholders, host nations and other stakeholders. The Combination represents a unique opportunity to create a leading African energy company, listed in London, with the financial flexibility and human resource capability to access and accelerate near-term organic growth, add new reserves and resources cost-effectively, generate significant future returns for shareholders, and pursue further consolidation. The Combined Group is committed to building a sustainable future through responsible oil and gas development, in close partnership and collaboration with joint venture partners and host governments.

The Boards of Tullow and Capricorn believe this Combination:
Creates a leading African energy company with a material and diversified asset base and a portfolio of investment opportunities delivering visible production growth.

  • The Combined Group provides shareholders with a diversified pan-African upstream portfolio underpinned by low-cost producing assets, with a deep portfolio of incremental high return investment opportunities in Ghana, Egypt, Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire.
  • Capricorn’s Egypt portfolio provides significant opportunity to deliver self-funded growth production via infill drilling and low-cost exploration to sustain the resource base over time, whilst championing electrification and decarbonisation initiatives.
  • The major resource development project in Kenya provides additional growth and value creation optionality.
  • The substantial prospective resource base in Guyana and Mauritania provides material potential upside with limited capital exposure.
  • Pro forma reserves and resources of 343mmboe and 696mmboe with 2021A production of 96kboe/d positions the Combined Group as one of the largest, listed independent African focused energy companies today.

The Combined Group

The board of directors and management of the Combined Group will comprise a mixture of individuals from Tullow and Capricorn, drawing upon the best expertise and talent of both companies to deliver value for the Combined Group's shareholders and partners. Upon completion of the Combination, it is intended that:

  • Phuthuma Nhleko, currently Chair of Tullow, will become Chair of the board of the Combined Group;
  • Nicoletta Giadrossi, currently Chair of Capricorn, will become Senior Independent Director of the Combined Group;
  • Rahul Dhir, CEO of Tullow, will become CEO of the Combined Group;
  • James Smith, CFO of Capricorn, will become CFO of the Combined Group.

The Board of the Combined Group will include a further 5 Non-executive Directors drawn from both companies, with 2 to be current Tullow Non-executive Directors and 3 to be current Capricorn Nonexecutive Directors. The Board composition as outlined will be finalised by agreement amongst the parties at Completion. The Board of the Combined Group is likely to evolve over time, to ensure a balance of skills and diversity including meaningful representation of the geographies in which the Combined Group will operate.

After almost 11 years as CEO of Capricorn, Simon Thomson will step down as CEO on Completion and will become Chair of the Integration Steering Committee to help with the integration of the two companies.

It is intended that, following completion of the Combination, the headquarters of the Combined Group will be at Tullow's existing offices in London and it is intended that the Combined Group will also retain premises in Edinburgh and through the application of a flexible work policy enable employees to operate from both premises. The Combined Group will comply with any obligations to inform and consult with employees and their representatives in respect of these intentions.

Tullow's shares will continue to be listed on the premium listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") and on the First Official List of the Ghana Stock Exchange, and will continue to trade on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities and on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Tullow's shares are also currently listed on the secondary listing segment of the Official List of The Irish Stock Exchange PLC, trading as Euronext Dublin as an overseas company and trade on the Euronext Dublin Market operated by Euronext Dublin. Tullow intends to review the appropriateness of a continued listing of its shares on the secondary listing segment of the Official List of Euronext Dublin and to trading on the Euronext Dublin Market in light of the volume of trading of its shares on the Euronext Dublin Market and the costs related to such listing and admission to trading. Accordingly, at Completion Tullow's shares may not be listed on the secondary listing segment of the Official List of Euronext Dublin and admitted to trading on the Euronext Dublin Market operated by Euronext Dublin.

Commenting on the Combination, Simon Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of Capricorn said:
"The combination of our businesses will create a leading African energy company, with significant scale and opportunities for growth. Our two companies share a track record and continued vision of responsible energy production to support the economic and social development of our host communities. This combination will allow the two companies to accelerate investment in new opportunities across the continent, while retaining a resilient balance sheet and delivering attractive returns to shareholders."

Commenting on the Combination, Rahul Dhir, Chief Executive Officer of Tullow said:
"Our two companies are a perfect fit and this combination draws on the proud heritage of both Tullow and Capricorn to create a leading African energy company. With renewed focus and ambition, the Combined Group will have the financial flexibility to accelerate organic growth and pursue further opportunities as they arise, while creating value for shareholders and host countries alike. Together, we are committed to building a better future through responsible energy development."

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