Australia: Beach Ups Stake in Adelaide Energy

Today Beach Energy Ltd announced an unconditional on-market cash offer of 20 cents per share (Offer) for all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Adelaide Energy Limited it did not own.

Prior to the offer Beach had a relevant interest in the ordinary shares of Adelaide Energy of 19.95 percent, and at the close of trade today had increased its relevant interest to 44.23 percent.

Beach Managing Director, Reg Nelson, said: “Beach is greatly encouraged to see the support for the offer to date. We believe that with a relevant interest of 44.23 percent, it is unlikely that any counter offer will now be made for the company. We encourage remaining Adelaide Energy shareholders to sell into the Beach offer and receive cash for their shares three days after accepting the offer.”

The remaining Adelaide Energy shareholders are encouraged to accept the Offer as:

– It is unlikely an alternative bid will emerge as Beach now has a relevant interest of 44.23 percent in Adelaide Energy;

– The Offer represents a significant premium to the price that Adelaide Energy was trading at prior to Beach announcing its intention to acquire the company;

– The second largest shareholder (after Beach) has sold into the Offer; – The remaining shareholders are likely to have their shareholding diluted by the future capital requirements of Adelaide Energy; and

– The remaining shareholders who do not accept the Offer face potential share price risk and reduced liquidity once the Offer closes.

[mappress]

Source: Beach Energy, November 7, 2011