Eni Completes Placement of Galp Energia Shares, Italy

Eni S.p.A. has completed the placement of approximately 33.2 million shares in Galp Energia SGPS S.A. , representing 4% per cent of the outstanding share capital of Galp, in an accelerated bookbuilding offer to international institutional investors at a price of EUR 11.48 per share.

Gross proceeds from the Equity Offering amounted to approximately EUR 381 million. Following settlement of the Equity Offering, Eni’s shareholding in Galp will decrease from 28.34 per cent to 24.34 per cent of the outstanding Galp share capital.

In addition, as part of the transaction, Caixa Geral de Depositos S.A. (CGD) has exercised its tag along right, thus selling its 1 per cent interest in Galp, upon the same terms and condition as per Eni.

The total aggregate number of Galp shares placed in the market by Eni and CGD together has been approximately 41.5 million, corresponding to 5% of the outstanding share capital of Galp.

Concurrently with the Equity Offering, Eni has completed the placement of approximately EUR 1,028 million aggregate principal amount of senior, unsecured bonds, exchangeable into ordinary Galp shares.

The Bonds will have a maturity of 3 years and will pay a coupon of 0.25 per cent per annum, payable annually in arrears.

The Bonds will be exchangeable into Galp ordinary shares at an exchange price of approximately EUR 15.50 per share, representing a 35 per cent premium to the Equity Offering placing price of EUR 11.48 per share.

Underlying the exchangeable bonds are approximately 66.3 million ordinary shares of Galp, corresponding to approximately 8% of the currently outstanding share capital of Galp. In line with market practice for equity-linked transactions in Europe, the Bonds were placed with institutional investors outside US.

As a consequence of the Exchangeable Bond Offering, as per the agreements signed on 29 March 2012, Amorim Energia has a right of first refusal of up to 3.34% or up to 8.34% respectively, depending on whether or not the call option will be executed.

Settlement of the Equity Offering and of the Exchangeable Bond Offering are inter-conditional and is expected to take place on 30 November 2012. Eni intends to apply for the admission of the Bonds to trading within 90 days following the settlement date.

Eni has agreed not to place any further shares in the market for a period beginning from yesterday and extending for the 90 days following the settlement of the Transaction.

Deutsche Bank, Mediobanca – Banca di Credito Finanziario S.p.A., Morgan Stanley and UBS Investment Bank have acted as Joint Bookrunners for the Transaction.

[mappress]
LNG World News Staff, November 27, 2012