Caracal Energy and TransGlobe Energy Announce Proposed Business
Combination to Create One of the Largest Independent Africa Focused
Oil Producers
Caracal and TransGlobe joint investor conference call at 7:00
a.m. Calgary Time, March 17, 2014
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Mar 15, 2014) -
NOT FOR DISSEMINATION OUTSIDE OF CANADA AND THE UNITED
STATES
Caracal Energy Inc. (LSE:CRCL) ("Caracal") and TransGlobe Energy
Corporation (TSX:TGL)(NASDAQ:TGA) ("TransGlobe") announced today
that they have entered into an agreement (the "Arrangement
Agreement") to merge the two companies by way of an exchange of
shares pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Business
Corporations Act (Alberta) (the "Arrangement").
Rationale for the Proposed Business Combination
The Arrangement would create one of the largest independent
Africa focused oil producers, poised for strong growth in oil
production and reserves from development and high impact
exploration in Chad and Egypt. Based on March 14, 2014 closing
prices, the merged company would have a combined market
capitalization of approximately US$1.8 billion1 and:
- Material Onshore Oil Production - Pro forma current
oil production of 25,100 bbl/d (company working interest) and 2P
reserve base of 135 MMbbl (company working interest) from majority
operated assets in Chad and Egypt and additional non-operated
interests in Yemen
- Near Term Production Growth - Average 2014E production target
of 31,000-34,000 bbl/d (company working interest); ongoing
appraisal and development program
- Catalyst Rich Exploration Program - Campaign of 30-42 high
impact exploration wells in Chad by 2016, targeting 70+ per cent of
a total 833 MMbbl of gross risked mean prospective resources and
low risk step out exploration in the Egyptian Eastern Desert
- Strong Regional Position - Enhanced scale provides a platform
for future organic and acquisition growth in Africa, building on
core operated positions in Chad and Egypt, with ready access to key
infrastructure and export markets
- Improved Financial Position - Combined business plan remains
fully funded, with a pro forma cash position of US$302 million and
no net debt as at December 31, 2013, and a growing cash flow
profile
1 |
Calculated on basic shares outstanding as of March 14, 2014
including shares assuming full conversion of Caracal outstanding
convertible debentures into 28.6mm shares. Exchange rates based on
posted Bank of England Daily Spot Exchange Rates against GBP as at
March 13, 2014. |
"This transaction will clearly benefit both companies and their
shareholders, as the enhanced scale will expedite production growth
and increase cash flow," said Gary Guidry, Caracal's President
& Chief Executive Officer. "At its core, this transaction is
about greater value creation for all shareholders of the merged
company. Through the combination of complementary asset bases, we
will create a solid regional platform for compounding reserves and
production growth."
Added Ross Clarkson, TransGlobe's President & Chief
Executive Officer, "Consistent with our onshore, operated, oil
strategy, the combination will provide shareholders with
significant organic production and reserves growth, while providing
increased country diversification. Specifically, we're pursuing
additional upside of over four billion barrels of gross mean
unrisked prospective resource, aggressively targeted with a fully
funded drilling program. And as one of the largest independent oil
producers in Africa, we will be well positioned for future
value-enhancing growth."
The merged company will benefit from an experienced Board of
Directors, with Robert Hodgins as independent non-executive
Chairman. Other independent board members include Carol Bell, John
Bentley, Peter Dey, Ronald Royal, and Brooke Wade. It is proposed
that two directors from TransGlobe, Ross Clarkson and Lloyd
Herrick, will join the Caracal Board.
After completion of the transaction the combined assets and
employees will operate under the Caracal name and will be led by
Caracal's CEO Gary Guidry and a combination of Caracal's and
TransGlobe's current executive teams.
In connection with the Arrangement, Caracal is required to seek
a listing for the merged company on the Toronto Stock Exchange
("TSX").
Terms of the proposed transaction
Exchange Ratio
Pursuant to the Arrangement, each TransGlobe shareholder will
receive 1.23 new common shares of Caracal ("New Caracal Shares") in
exchange for each TransGlobe common share ("TransGlobe Share")
held. After completion of the Arrangement the merged company will
have approximately 238,503,645 shares issued and outstanding prior
to adjusting for conversion of Caracal's outstanding convertible
debentures. After taking into consideration the conversion of the
convertible debentures it is expected that current Caracal
shareholders would hold approximately 65.6 per cent and former
TransGlobe shareholders would hold approximately 34.4 per cent of
the issued shares of the merged company. 2
2 |
Calculated on basic shares outstanding as of March 14, 2014
including shares assuming full conversion of Caracal outstanding
convertible debentures into 28.6 million shares. Exchange rates
based on posted Bank of England Daily Spot Exchange Rates against
GBP as at March 13, 2014. |
Treatment of TransGlobe Debentures
Upon completion of the transaction, TransGlobe's 6.0%
convertible unsecured subordinated debentures with an aggregate
principal amount of CAD$97,750,000 (the "TransGlobe Debentures")
will continue to be obligations of TransGlobe, as a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Caracal. The conversion price of the TransGlobe
Debentures will be adjusted pursuant to the terms of the trust
indenture governing the TransGlobe Debentures based on the exchange
ratio under the Arrangement. After completion of the Arrangement,
conversion rights will be into Caracal shares.
Following closing of the transaction, in accordance with its
terms, Caracal intends to make an offer for the TransGlobe
Debentures at Par plus accrued and unpaid interest (the amount of
interest will depend on the time of any repurchase). The repurchase
offer will be made within 30 days of closing of the proposed
transaction. Should a holder of the TransGlobe Debentures elect not
to accept the repurchase offer, the debentures will mature as
originally set out in their respective indentures. Holders who
convert their TransGlobe Debentures following completion of the
Arrangement will receive common shares of Caracal.
Dividends
In light of the significant capital programs for development and
exploration for the combined company, neither Caracal nor
TransGlobe will pay dividends in the interim period prior to
closing. However, the Board of the combined company will consider
dividends in the future as a part of normal course business.
Further details of the transaction
Caracal's CEO Mr. Guidry has recused himself from the process of
considering the Arrangement because he served as a director of
TransGlobe from October 2009 until March 11, 2014, when he
resigned. Mr. Guidry owns the following TransGlobe securities:
40,000 TransGlobe shares, CAD$100,000 in TransGlobe convertible
debentures and options to acquire 160,500 TransGlobe shares. Mr.
Guidry's TransGlobe share ownership amounts to approximately 0.05
per cent of the 74.7 million TransGlobe shares outstanding. Mr.
Guidry's ownership of Caracal shares, including beneficial
ownership, amounts to 1,674,173 shares or approximately 1.14 per
cent of the 146.7 million current basic Caracal shares
outstanding.
The Boards of Directors of Caracal (other than Mr. Guidry, who
has recused himself for the reason mentioned above) and TransGlobe
have each unanimously approved the Arrangement Agreement and have
concluded that the Arrangement is in the best interests of Caracal
and TransGlobe, respectively. The Board of Directors of Caracal has
received fairness opinions from RBC Capital Markets and Canaccord
Genuity Corp. with respect to the Arrangement. The Board of
Directors of TransGlobe has received a fairness opinion from
Scotiabank with respect to the Arrangement.
The Boards of Directors of each of Caracal (other than Mr.
Guidry, who has recused himself for the reason mentioned above) and
TransGlobe intend to unanimously recommend to their respective
shareholders that they vote their shares in favor of the
Arrangement in the information circulars to be prepared and mailed
by Caracal and TransGlobe in connection with the Arrangement.
In addition, each of the Directors and Executive Officers of
Caracal and TransGlobe have agreed to vote their shares in favor of
the Arrangement. In aggregate this represents 3,338,903 Caracal
shares, or approximately 2.28 per cent of the 146.7 million current
basic Caracal shares outstanding, and 3,092,054 TransGlobe shares
or approximately 4.14 per cent of the 74.7 million current basic
TransGlobe shares outstanding.
The proposed transaction will be implemented by way of a
court-approved plan of arrangement and will require the approval of
at least 66 2/3per cent of holders of TransGlobe shares represented
in person or by proxy at a special meeting of TransGlobe
shareholders (the "TransGlobe Meeting") to be called to consider
the Arrangement. If required, the approval will consist of a
"majority of the minority" of the holders of TransGlobe shares,
being a majority of the votes cast by shareholders excluding
shareholders whose votes may not be included pursuant to Canadian
Multilateral Instrument 61- 101 Protection of Minority
Securityholders in Special Transactions. The exclusion, if
required, would apply only to Mr. Guidry, by virtue of his role as
a director of TransGlobe from October 2009 until March 11,
2014.
It is expected that the Arrangement will be exempt from the
registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, pursuant to the court approval exemption afforded by
section 3(a)(10) under that Act. The proposed transaction is also
subject to obtaining the approval of a majority of the votes cast
by the holders of Caracal shares at a special meeting of Caracal
shareholders (the "Caracal Meeting") to be called to consider the
Arrangement and the issuance of New Caracal Shares in connection
with the proposed transaction.
The Arrangement Agreement provides that each party is subject to
non-solicitation provisions and provides that the board of
directors of each party may, under certain circumstances, terminate
the agreement in favour of an unsolicited superior proposal,
subject to payment of a termination fee of US$9.25 million to the
other party and subject to a right in favour of Caracal to match
the superior proposal. In addition, each party has agreed to pay a
termination fee of US$9.25 million to the other party in certain
circumstances.
Trading, Listings And Regulatory Approvals
Subsequent to the completion of the Arrangement, the TransGlobe
shares will cease trading and be delisted from the TSX and the
NASDAQ. Under the Arrangement, Caracal is required to apply to the
TSX to list Caracal shares, including the New Caracal Shares, on
the TSX. It is a condition to the completion of the Arrangement
that such a listing shall have been approved, subject only to
routine filings.
The Arrangement is classified as a reverse takeover for Caracal
under the Listing Rules of the United Kingdom Listing Authority
("UKLA"). Consequently, Caracal will be required to re-apply for
and, on completion of the Arrangement, satisfy the relevant
requirements for listing on the premium segment of the Official
List of the UKLA.
Advisors
For Caracal, RBC Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor.
Each of RBC Capital Markets and Canaccord Genuity Corp. provided a
fairness opinion to Caracal's Board. FirstEnergy Capital Corp. is
acting as a strategic advisor. Stikeman Elliott LLP is the legal
advisor.
For TransGlobe, Scotiabank is acting as financial advisor and
has provided a fairness opinion to TransGlobe's Board. Blake
Cassels & Graydon LLP is the legal advisor.
Information Circulars
Further information regarding the proposed transaction will be
contained in information circulars that Caracal and TransGlobe will
prepare, file and mail in due course to their respective
shareholders in connection with the Caracal Meeting and TransGlobe
Meeting. Prior to the closing of the transaction, Caracal will also
publish a prospectus in connection with the issue of the New
Caracal Shares and the required re-application for listing of such
shares on the Official List and to trading on the London Stock
Exchange's ("LSE") main market for premium listed securities
("Prospectus").
It is expected that the TransGlobe Meeting and the Caracal
Meeting will take place in June 2014, with closing expected to
occur as soon as possible thereafter subject to regulatory
approval. All Caracal and TransGlobe shareholders are urged to read
the relevant information circular once it becomes available, as it
will contain additional important information concerning the
proposed transaction and the Arrangement.
A copy of the Arrangement Agreement will be filed on Caracal's
and TransGlobe's SEDAR profiles and will be available for viewing
at www.sedar.com.
Investor conference call and presentation details
TransGlobe and Caracal will host a joint conference call and
webcast to discuss the Arrangement on March 17, 2014:
Time: 7:00 a.m. Calgary Time (Mountain Time) (9:00 a.m. Eastern
Time)
Dial-in: 416-340-8530 or toll free at 1- 800-766-6630
http://www.gowebcasting.com/5234
Shortly after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be
available by dialing (905) 694-9451 or toll-free at 1-800-408-3053.
The pass code is 5119337#. The replay will expire at 23:59 p.m.
(Eastern Time) on March 23, 2014. Thereafter, a copy of the call
can be accessed through a link on TransGlobe's Web site at
www.trans-globe.com and at Caracal's website at
www.caracalenergy.com.
A joint presentation has been prepared to accompany the
conference call. The presentation is also available for review on
the Caracal and TransGlobe websites.
Exchange Rates
For reference purposes only, the following exchange rates were
prevailing on March 13, 2014 as per the Bank of England Daily Spot
Exchange Rates against GBP (being the latest practicable date prior
to publication of this announcement):
£1.00 = CAD $1.8445
£1.00 = US$1.6677
US$1.00 = CAD$1.1060
All amounts in this announcement expressed in the above
currencies have, unless otherwise stated, been calculated using the
above exchange rates.
About Caracal
Caracal Energy Inc. is an international exploration and
development company focused on oil and gas exploration, development
and production activities in the Republic of Chad, Africa. In 2011,
Caracal entered into three production sharing contracts ("PSCs")
with the government of the Republic of Chad. These PSCs provide
exclusive rights to explore and develop reserves and resources over
a combined area of 26,103 km2 in southern Chad. The PSCs cover two
world-class oil basins with oil discoveries, and numerous
exploration prospects. The Caracal common shares trade on the LSE
under the symbol CRCL.
About TransGlobe
TransGlobe is a Calgary-based, growth-oriented oil and gas
exploration and development company focused on the Middle East and
North Africa region with production operations in the Arab Republic
of Egypt and the Republic of Yemen. TransGlobe's common shares
trade on the TSX under the symbol TGL and on the NASDAQ Exchange
under the symbol TGA. TransGlobe's Convertible Debentures trade on
the TSX under the symbol TGL.DB. In TransGlobe's audited financial
statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2013,
TransGlobe reported gross assets of US$675.8 million and profits
before tax of US$143.9 million.
Cautionary Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable
securities laws and are based on the expectations, estimates and
projections of management of the parties as of the date of this
news release unless otherwise stated. The use of any of the words
"expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective",
"ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans",
"intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and
without limitation, this announcement contains forward-looking
statements and information concerning: the anticipated benefits of
the Arrangement to TransGlobe and its securityholders and to
Caracal and its securityholders, including anticipated synergies;
the timing and anticipated receipt of required regulatory, court
and securityholder approvals for the transaction; the ability of
TransGlobe and Caracal to satisfy the other conditions to, and to
complete, the Arrangement; the anticipated timing of the mailing of
the information circulars regarding the Arrangement, the holding of
the TransGlobe Meeting and the Caracal Meeting and the closing of
the Arrangement and the listing of Caracal's shares on the TSX or
the Official List.
In respect of the forward-looking statements and information
concerning the anticipated benefits and completion of the proposed
Arrangement, the anticipated timing for completion of the
Arrangement and the listing of Caracal's shares on the TSX or the
Official List, Caracal and TransGlobe have provided such in
reliance on certain assumptions that they believe are reasonable at
this time, including assumptions as to the time required to prepare
and mail securityholder meeting materials, including the required
information circulars and Prospectus; the ability of the parties to
receive, in a timely manner, the necessary regulatory, court,
securityholder, stock exchange and other third party approvals,
including but not limited to the receipt of applicable regulatory
approvals; the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely
manner, the other conditions to the closing of the Arrangement; and
expectations and assumptions concerning, among other things:
customer demand for the merged company's services; commodity prices
and interest and foreign exchange rates; planned synergies, capital
efficiencies and cost-savings; applicable tax laws; future
production rates; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures
in carrying out planned activities; and the availability and cost
of labour and services. The anticipated dates provided may change
for a number of reasons, including unforeseen delays in preparing
meeting materials, inability to secure necessary securityholder,
regulatory, court or other third party approvals in the time
assumed or the need for additional time to satisfy the other
conditions to the completion of the Arrangement. Information
relating to reserves and resources is deemed to be forward-looking
information, as it involves the implied assessment, based on
certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and resources
described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated, and can
be profitably produced in the future.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking information which by its nature is based on current
expectations regarding future events that involve a number of
assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause
actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.
Forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but
rather on current expectations and assumptions regarding, among
other things, the timing and scope of certain of Caracal and
TransGlobe's operations and the timing and level of production from
their properties, plans for and results of drilling activity and
testing programmes, future capital and other expenditures
(including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof),
continued political stability, and timely receipt of any necessary
government or regulatory approvals. Although the expectations and
assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are
believed to be reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect.
Forward-looking information involves significant known and unknown
risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual
results to differ materially from those anticipated by Caracal or
TransGlobe including, but not limited to, the merged company's
ability to integrate efficiently new businesses following the
successful completion of the transaction; the merged company's
ability to achieve the anticipated financial and other benefits
resulting from the successful completion of the transaction, risks
associated with the oil and gas industry (e.g. operational risks in
exploration and production; inherent uncertainties in interpreting
geological data; changes in plans with respect to exploration or
capital expenditures; interruptions in operations together with any
associated insurance proceedings; reductions in production
capacity, the uncertainty of estimates and projections in relation
to costs and expenses and health, safety and environmental risks),
the risk of commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations,
the uncertainty associated with negotiating with foreign
governments, risk associated with international activity, including
the risk of political instability, the risk of adverse economic
market conditions, the actual results of marketing activities and
the risk of regulatory changes. Forward-looking information cannot
be relied upon as a guide to future performance. Well-test results
are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate
recovery.
Risks and uncertainties inherent in the nature of the
Arrangement include the failure of TransGlobe or Caracal to obtain
necessary security holder, regulatory, court and other third party
approvals, or to otherwise satisfy the conditions to the
Arrangement, in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to so obtain
such approvals, or the failure of TransGlobe or Caracal to
otherwise satisfy the conditions to the Arrangement, may result in
the Arrangement not being completed on the proposed terms, or at
all. In addition, the failure of one party to comply with the terms
of the Arrangement Agreement may result in that party being
required to pay a non-completion or other fee to the other party,
the result of which could have a material adverse effect on the
paying party's financial position and results of operations and its
ability to fund growth prospects and current operations.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not
exhaustive. Additional information on other factors that could
affect the operations or financial results of the parties, and the
combined company, are included in reports on file with applicable
securities regulatory authorities, including but not limited to;
TransGlobe's Annual Information Form for the year ended December
31, 2013 which may be accessed on TransGlobe's SEDAR profile, and
Caracal's Final Short Form Prospectus dated October 24, 2013 on
Caracal's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
The forward-looking statements and information contained in this
announcement are made as of the date hereof and the parties
undertake no obligation to update, review or revise such
forward-looking information contained in this announcement to
reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which such information is based
unless required to do so by applicable law.
Reserves Disclosure
Terms related to reserves and resources classifications referred
to in this announcement are based on definitions and guidelines in
the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook ("COGE") which are as
follows.
"Proved reserves" are those reserves that can be estimated with
a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the
actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated
proved reserves.
"Probable reserves" are those additional reserves that are less
certain to be recovered than proved reserves. It is equally likely
that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or
less than the sum of the estimated proved plus probable
reserves.
The qualitative certainty levels referred to in the definitions
above are applicable to individual reserves entities (which refers
to the lowest level at which reserves calculations are performed)
and to reported reserves (which refers to the highest-level sum of
individual entity estimates for which reserves estimates are
presented). Reported reserves should target the following levels of
certainty under a specific set of economic conditions:
- at least a 90 percent probability that the quantities actually
recovered will equal or exceed the estimated proved reserves. This
category of reserves can also be denoted as 1P;
- at least a 50 percent probability that the quantities actually
recovered will equal or exceed the sum of the estimated proved plus
probable reserves. This category of reserves can also be denoted as
2P; and
- at least a 10 percent probability that the quantities actually
recovered will equal or exceed the sum of the estimated proved plus
probable plus possible reserves. This category of reserves can also
be denoted as 3P.
Additional clarification of certainty levels associated with
reserves estimates and the effect of aggregation is provided in the
COGE Handbook. The estimates of reserves and future net revenue for
individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as
estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties,
due to the effects of aggregation.
"Prospective resources" are those quantities of petroleum
estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from
undiscovered accumulations by application of future development
projects. Prospective resources have both an associated chance of
discovery (geological chance of success) and a chance of
development (economic, regulatory, market, facility, corporate
commitment or political risks). The chance of commerciality is the
product of these two risk components. The prospective resource
estimates referred to herein have not been risked for either the
chance of discovery or the chance of development.
There is no certainty that any portion of the prospective
resources will be discovered. If a discovery is made, there is no
certainty that it will be developed or, if it is developed, there
is no certainty as to the timing of such development or that it
will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the
prospective resources.
Figures related to Caracal's reserves and resources are derived
from a report prepared by McDaniel & Associates Consultants
Ltd. ("McDaniel"), an independent qualified reserves evaluator,
evaluating the prospective resources of Caracal effective as of
June 30, 2013 (the "McDaniel Resource Report") and a report
prepared by McDaniel evaluating the reserves of Caracal effective
as of December 31, 2013 (the "McDaniel Reserve Report"). A
description of the uncertainties and significant positive and
negative factors associated with the estimates of resources in
respect of the June 30, 2013 McDaniel Report is contained in
Caracal's July 25, 2013 material change report. Copies of these
documents are available on the internet under Caracal's profile at
www.sedar.com.
Figures related to TransGlobe's reserves and resources are
derived from a report prepared by DeGolyer & MacNaughton Canada
Limited ("DeGolyer"), an independent qualified reserves evaluator,
evaluating the prospective reserves and resources of TransGlobe
effective as of December 31, 2013 (the "DeGolyer Report") with a
report date of January 15, 2014. A description of the uncertainties
and significant positive and negative factors associated with the
estimates of resources in respect of the DeGolyer Report is
contained in TransGlobe's Annual Information Form dated March 13,
2014 for the year ended December 31, 2013. Copies of these
documents are available on the internet under TransGlobe's profile
at www.sedar.com.
Caracal Energy Inc.Gary Guidry, President and Chief Executive
OfficerTrevor Peters, Chief Financial Officer+1 403-724-7200For
North American Media InquiriesLongview CommunicationsAlan Bayless+1
604-694-6035Longview CommunicationsJoel Shaffer+1
416-649-8006TransGlobeSteve LangmaidInvestor Relations(403)
444-4787investor.relations@trans-globe.comwww.trans-globe.com
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