Statoil in Aasta Hansteen, Polarled farm-downs

Statoil has today announced it will  farm down stakes in Aasta Hansteen, Asterix and Polarled projects and exit two assets on the NCS for a consideration of USD 1.3 billion, including contingent payment.

Statoil in Aasta Hansteen, Polarled farm-downs
Through this transaction Statoil monetises on the Aasta Hansteen field development project, while retaining the operatorship and a 51 % equity share. In addition Statoil exits the non-core Vega and Gjøa fields.

The transaction includes a farm down in four exploration licenses in the Vøring area. The buyer is Wintershall, a Germany-based energy company and a well-established player on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

Wintershall will acquire shares in the two producing fields Gjøa (5%) and Vega (24.5%), the development project Aasta Hansteen (24%), the Asterix discovery (19%), the Polarled pipeline project (13.2%), as well as equity in four exploration licenses in the vicinity of Aasta Hansteen from Norwegian company Statoil ASA. The shares in the assets comprise reserves and resources (2P/2C) of around 170 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe). In addition, the companies agreed that Wintershall will become operator of the producing field Vega, subject to the approval of the authorities and consent of the other license partners.

“We realise significant value, created through successful asset development. The transaction increases our flexibility to further strengthen our portfolio,” says Arne Sigve Nylund, president for Development and Production Norway in Statoil.

The transaction consists of a cash consideration of USD 1.25 billion and a USD 50 million consideration contingent on Aasta Hansteen milestones.

The accounting gain from the transaction is expected to be between USD 0.7-0.9 billion and will be adjusted for activity between the effective date 1 January 2014 and the closing date.

The transaction releases around USD 1.8 billion of capital expenditure for the period from the effective date until end of 2020. Statoil’s production from the divested Gjøa and Vega assets in the first half of 2014 is 22.000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The transaction includes a transfer of operatorship of the sub-sea field Vega. The transaction will not involve transfer of personnel.

Related: ONS: Statoil explains why Aasta Hansteen is unique

 

“We have a strong portfolio of projects. This transaction focuses our NCS portfolio and further improves our capacity to invest in core areas,” says Nylund.

Statoil will invest around 20 USD billion annually in the period 2014-2016. This includes NCS project Gudrun which started up April this year, while Valemon will come on stream towards the end of year. In addition projects like Aasta Hansteen and Gina Krogh are in the execution phase, while Johan Sverdrup and Johan Castberg are under planning. The exploration activity remains high with 50 exploration wells planned globally for 2014.

“With the acquisition of these shares in oil and gas fields, we are continuing on our growth course in Norway and intensifying the cooperation with our partner Statoil,” said Kurt Bock, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF, Wintershall’s parent company.

“The transaction and Wintershall’s further expansion in Norway clearly demonstrate the attractiveness of the Norwegian continental shelf. We look forward to extend our well established partnership into the Aasta Hansteen field development,” said Helge Lund, President and CEO of Statoil.

“We believe in the potential of the Norwegian continental shelf and clearly focus on our goal: We want to become one of the leading oil and gas companies in Norway. With domestic production in Europe we are strengthening the European supply security,” said Rainer Seele, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Wintershall. “By assuming responsibility as operator at Vega, we continue to build up our portfolio of Wintershall-operated fields in Norway.”

Related: Aasta Hansteen, Polarled create 200 jobs in Northern Norway

 

Statoil and Wintershall have signed an extended agreement to continue cooperating on EOR efforts and exploration.
The effective date for the transaction is 1 January 2014. Closing is expected around year end 2014, pending government approval.

Strategic portfolio management

In recent years Statoil has undertaken a series of transactions to position Statoil as a well-capitalised, technology focused upstream company. Active portfolio management continues to realise substantial value that is channeled to further strengthening the company’s growth potential. Total proceeds of around USD 20 billion have been realised through divestments by Statoil since 2010, including this transaction.

Recent portfolio optimisation activity includes divestments internationally as well as on the NCS. Last year Statoil divested their holdings in two West of Shetlands fields, Rosebank and Schiehallion. The same transaction also included shares in Gullfaks and Gudrun. Lambert Energy Advisory was financial advisor to Statoil on this  transaction.

 

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September 12, 2014