InterOil Executes Agreements with SHI and FLEX LNG to Construct LNG Processing Vessel

InterOil Corporation yesterday announced that InterOil and Pacific LNG Operations Ltd., have executed agreements, conditional upon Flex shareholder approval and final FID, with Samsung Heavy Industries and FLEX LNG Ltd. related to the construction and operation of a 2 million tonne per annum (mtpa) floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing vessel (FLNG). The FLNG project is intended to integrate with and augment proposed infrastructure to liquefy natural gas from the onshore Elk and Antelope gas fields in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea pursuant to preliminary arrangements with Energy World Corporation and to link with InterOil’s proposed condensate stripping plant (CSP) being pursued in joint venture with the Mitsui Group and to accelerate the intended monetization of the Elk and Antelope fields. Commencement of the FLNG vessel’s operations is targeted for mid 2014.

FLEX LNG has informed InterOil that it has already completed the generic Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) in 2009. The project specific FEED is targeted to start in May 2011, with all parties working towards reaching a final investment decision (FID) before the end of 2011. The agreements represent a continuation of the over 12 month collaboration between Samsung Heavy Industries, FLEX LNG, InterOil, Pacific LNG and Liquid Niugini Gas Ltd. (LNGL), InterOil’s joint venture LNG project company with Pacific LNG, to work together to develop the first floating facility to produce LNG.

FLEX LNG and Samsung Heavy Industries will be responsible for the design, engineering, construction and commissioning of the FLNG vessel. FLEX LNG will also be joint operator of the FLNG vessel together with LNGL. Construction of the FLNG unit will be fully financed by FLEX LNG and Samsung Heavy Industries.

The FLNG vessel is expected to be moored alongside the proposed jetty located in the Gulf Province, which will be shared with InterOil’s proposed land-based LNG facilities, and have a production capacity of up to 2 million tons of LNG per annum and to process an estimated 2.25 trillion cubic feet of gas over a firm 25-year period. FLEX LNG will receive 14.5% of the revenue, less agreed deductions and premiums, from the sale of LNG from the FLNG vessel for an initial 15-year period. Thereafter, for the next 5 years FLEX LNG will receive 12.5% of the revenue and 10% of the revenue for the last 5-year period. During the 25 year term of the contract, LNGL will become a part owner of the FLNG vessel.

As a part of the arrangements, InterOil and Pacific LNG will receive options, exercisable no later than 15 days after Flex LNG shareholder approval of this equity transaction, to acquire 11,315,080 common shares of FLEX LNG at an average strike price of 4.5909 NOK. This is approximately a 12% premium to the average FLEX LNG share price during October 2010 when an initial non-binding agreement was executed between FLEX LNG, InterOil and Pacific LNG.

Additionally, upon the project reaching FID, InterOil and Pacific LNG will receive FLEX LNG shares at par value equivalent to 5% of FLEX LNG. An additional amount of shares equalling up to 15% ownership in FLEX LNG may be issued to InterOil and Pacific LNG for $0.01 per share in three 5% tranches during the period from FID until 9 months after FID.

The agreements signed with InterOil, Pacific LNG, LNGL and Samsung Heavy Industries are all conditional upon FLEX LNG’s shareholders approving the proposed equity transaction with InterOil and Pacific LNG and achieving a positive project FID. Such approval is targeted for April/May 2011 and FID by the end of 2011.

Commenting on the agreements, the Chairman of InterOil, Phil Mulacek stated: “InterOil is proud to be partners with Samsung Heavy Industries, FLEX LNG, and Pacific LNG in a proposed project utilizing a FLNG vessel to accelerate the commercialization of our natural gas resources in PNG. The confidence of Samsung, the largest Korean conglomerate, to be the undisputed leader in FLNG, with a full completion guarantee, solidified our participation. All stakeholders benefit from higher utilization of the core infrastructure and high quality gas assets required for the project. The additional time required to increase upstream capacity and integrate the proposed marine facility to accommodate the FLNG vessel is warranted by the increased scale of the entire project and the incorporation of additional respected industry partners. In less than one year, we have negotiated agreements, contingent on FID, to construct facilities for the processing and sale of 5 mtpa of LNG (4.5 Tcf of natural gas) in addition to our expanded CSP project.”

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Source: InterOil, April 11, 2011; Image: Flex LNG