Woodside and BHP to finalise US$29 billion tie-up
Australia’s BHP Group and Woodside Petroleum have signed a binding share sale agreement (SSA) for the merger of BHP’s oil and gas portfolio with Woodside, under which Woodside will acquire the entire share capital of BHP Petroleum in exchange for new Woodside shares.
The two Australian companies signed a merger commitment deed in the summer, initiating the merger process. The merger is valued at around US$29 billion.
Woodside said that, on completion, the merger will create a global Top Ten independent energy company by production and the largest energy company listed on the ASX. The combined company will have a high-margin oil portfolio, long-life LNG assets, and financial resilience to help supply the energy needed for global growth and development over the energy transition.
“Woodside and BHP’s respective oil and gas portfolios and experienced teams are better together. The combination will deliver the increased scale, diversity, and resilience to better navigate the energy transition,” Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said.
“We will have the balance sheet, cash flow, and financial strength to help fund planned developments in the near-term, invest in future energy opportunities, and return value to our shareholders through the cycle. Our emissions reduction targets will apply to the combined portfolio, supporting our aspiration to be net-zero by 2050 and our strategy to supply lower-carbon energy to our customers across the globe,” she added.
On completion of the merger, Woodside will issue new shares expected to comprise approximately 48 percent of all Woodside shares (on a post-issue basis) as consideration for the acquisition of BHP Petroleum. The merger ratio is based on the number of Woodside shares at the effective date.
Completion is targeted for the second quarter of 2022. Before completion, Woodside and BHP will carry on their respective businesses in the normal course and will put in place appropriate plans to enable a smooth transition of ownership. The effective date of the merger will be the 1st July 2021.
It is worth noting that BHP agreed to exclusivity arrangements with Woodside. These arrangements do not restrict BHP from considering superior proposals for BHP Petroleum in prescribed circumstances. Woodside has agreed to similar exclusivity arrangements in connection with a competing proposal for Woodside.
Woodside and BHP do have termination rights and BHP has a right to terminate upon certain changes to Woodside’s credit rating. Each party has agreed that, if the merger does not complete, its only recourse is a reimbursement fee of US$160 million payable in certain circumstances, including if Woodside’s board changes, withdraws, or qualifies its recommendation that shareholders vote in favour of the merger.
Before the merger is completed it must satisfy several conditions by the 30th June 2022. These include approvals by certain regulatory and competition authorities, approval by Woodside shareholders at a general meeting, independent experts appointed by Woodside issuing a report concluding that the merger is in the best interests of Woodside shareholders, registration statements declared effective by the US SEC, and similar customary conditions.
If a condition precedent has not been satisfied or waived by the 30th June 2022, or an agreed later date, either party may terminate the SSA.
In addition, Woodside and BHP are actively seeking necessary third-party consents resulting from the merger and are working to secure these consents before Woodside shareholders voting to approve the merger.
The Woodside shareholder meeting to approve the move is targeted for the second quarter of 2022.
Source: Rigzone