IOG rejects RockRose’s takeover attempt

UK-based independent oil and gas company RockRose Energy has made a formal approach to the board of directors of compatriot Independent Oil and Gas (IOG) with a proposal for an all cash takeover offer for IOG, but IOG has rejected the offer.

RockRose made the proposal on the 1^st March 2019. This was only days after RockRose revealed it had signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of Marathon Oil UK (MOUK) and 100% of Marathon Oil West of Shetland Limited (MOWOS) from subsidiaries of Marathon Oil Corporation for about US$140 million.

RockRose said on the 5^th March that the terms of the proposal for IOG were that RockRose would offer 20p in cash per ordinary share for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of IOG which would value the total share capital of IOG at £26.6 million (US$35 million).

The possible offer, if made, would represent a premium of 51 per cent to the closing price of IOG on the 26^th February, the day of the initial approach by RockRose to IOG and a premium of 58 and 44 per cent to the 30 and 60 day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) respectively, up to the period ended the 26^th February.

The proposal was rejected by the board of directors of IOG, who have expressed an intention to continue in their endeavours to find a strategic partner to develop their assets.

It is worth reminding that IOG said on the 25^th February that its plan was to select a preferred partner for its SNS Core Project in the first half of 2019.

IOG’s SNS Core Project consists of six discovered gas fields off the UK coast.

The fields will be developed in two phases with Phase 1 consisting of the Southwark, Blythe, and Elgood fields (158 bcf 2P reserves). Phase 2 consists of the Goddard, Nailsworth, and Elland fields (144 bcf 2P Reserves and 108 bcf 2C resources).

In total, the Core Project comprises 410 bcf of 2P+2C reserves and resources.

‘Compelling offer’ 

RockRose believes that any possible offer would be compelling for IOG shareholders as it would allow shareholders to realise an immediate cash upside on their shareholdings at a significant premium to the current market price. Any possible offer would be wholly funded out of RockRose’s existing cash resources.

In addition, RockRose considers that it would be challenging for IOG to independently fund the field development capital expenditure of approximately £450 million without an industry partner in light of its current market capitalisation – particularly in the current equity market conditions.

RockRose also said that any possible offer removes the risk for IOG shareholders of a protracted or unsuccessful farm-out process

Even in the event of a successful farm-out, RockRose considers it likely that significant funding and dilution risk would remain for IOG shareholders as they sought to fund their remaining share of the assets.

RockRose also expects that it is likely that IOG would have to give up operatorship of the assets as part of any farm-out process thus leaving it with a non-operating minority interest.

RockRose considers it unlikely that cashflows for IOG’s shareholders would flow from the assets until three to four years from the completion of any farm-out and as a likely non-operational minority interest holder, any such timetable would be largely outside of the control of IOG.

As such, RockRose believes that the market would allocate a small percentage of the underlying value of the fields unless and until commercial development is achieved.

In addition, public sources suggest that certain amounts of IOG’s debt owed to London Oil and Gas Ltd (LO&G) may become payable shortly which RockRose believes would require IOG to secure additional funding to avoid the risk of default.

Partnership would be problematic

RockRose had considered the opportunity to partner with IOG but believes any such partnership remains problematic in light of the financing arrangements which IOG has in place with LO&G (in turn financed by London Capital & Finance Limited (in administration)), and the current financial position of IOG in relation to the capital expenditure necessary to fulfil the potential of IOG’s assets even in the event that IOG was able to conclude a favourable farm-out transaction.

In accordance with its obligations under Rule 15 of the Code, in the event that RockRose makes an offer for the ordinary shares it must also make an appropriate offer to holders of certain other outstanding securities.

LO&G holds dilutive securities granted in connection with part of IOG’s outstanding debt and further outstanding debt to LO&G comprises loan facilities which are convertible into the voting equity share capital of IOG.

The exact terms of these convertible securities and conversion rights are unclear and could result in a significant number of IOG Shares being issued upon conversion of the dilutive securities, with certain of these loan facilities appearing close to maturity.

RockRose believes that should all of IOG’s dilutive securities exercisable at the 20p offer price (including those relating to LO&G) be converted at the publicly disclosed strike prices, IOG’s shares in issue could increase from 126.9 million shares to up to 324.2 million shares, a potential increase of 155.5%(1).

Accordingly, RockRose will seek to understand the implications of the conversion of these dilutive securities, which may have conditions that are under the control of London Capital and Finance (in administration), the secured lender to LO&G, given that the full terms (and effect of them) do not appear to be clear from announcements and disclosure made by IOG.

RockRose believes that all IOG shareholders should be given the opportunity to consider the merits of the potential offer which would be at a more than 50 per cent. premium and made fully in cash by a credible bidder.

Furthermore, it is, in the view of RockRose, the fiduciary duty of the IOG Board to engage with RockRose immediately including providing it with access to the convertible loan documents and other documents representing other dilutive securities while the Board considers, in conjunction with its advisers, the merits of the potential offer.

RockRose shares are currently suspended on account of the ongoing transaction with Marathon Oil UK LLC.

The possible offer is separate to the Marathon transaction and RockRose is in a position to proceed with both transactions on a standalone basis or simultaneously.

Source: Offshore Energy Today