Hess says the sale proceeds leave it in a superior financial position
Hess Corporation and Global Infrastructure Partners have completed their joint venture deal to create a midstream energy company to serve the Bakken shale play.
On Wednesday, the companies announced the completed transaction, which includes the previously announced sale of a 50 per cent interest in its Bakken midstream assets to Global Infrastructure for $2.675 billion in cash.
Hess and Global Infrastructure Partners have created a premier midstream joint venture — Hess Infrastructure Partners. The joint venture has incurred $600 million of debt through a 5-year Term Loan A facility with proceeds distributed equally to both partners, resulting in total after-tax cash proceeds net to Hess of $3.0 billion. In addition, the joint venture has independent access to capital including a fully committed $400 million 5-year Senior Revolving Credit Facility. As previously announced, the joint venture plans to proceed with an initial public offering of Hess Midstream Partners LP common units.
“This transaction delivers significant and immediate value to our shareholders,” John Hess, CEO of Hess Corporation, said in a June 11 release when the deal was first announced.
“The joint venture with its strategically located assets will be one of the largest midstream operators in the Bakken. By capitalizing on the financial strength and midstream energy experience of Global Infrastructure Partners, the joint venture will be in a strong position to fund future energy infrastructure investments and continue to grow its midstream business.”
The Hess midstream assets included in the joint venture are:
- Natural gas processing plant in Tioga, North Dakota
- Rail loading terminal in Tioga and associated rail cars
- Crude oil truck and pipeline terminal in Williams County, North Dakota
- Propane storage cavern and rail and truck transloading facility in Mentor, Minnesota
- Crude oil and natural gas gathering systems in North Dakota
Hess expects midstream segment EBITDA for the twelve months ending March 31, 2016 to be $290 million to $300 million. Hess also expects capital expenditures to be funded by the joint venture on a 100 per cent basis for the same period to be $325 million to $350 million, Hess said in the June 11 release.
Hess notes that with the proceeds from this transaction, plus cash on hand and an untapped $4 billion revolving credit facility, the company will have “a highly advantaged liquidity position compared to its peer group.”
Hess says it will use proceeds from this transaction to preserve the strength of its balance sheet in the current oil price environment, provide additional financial flexibility for future growth opportunities and continue to repurchase stock on a disciplined basis.
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