Oando PLC has finalised its acquisition of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) from Italian energy major Eni, marking a significant achievement in its long-term growth strategy.
The total consideration for the deal is $783 million, which includes reimbursement and consideration for the asset, as confirmed by Oando in a press release.
The Nigerian energy solutions provider is listed on both the Nigerian Exchange Limited and Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
According to the statement, the acquisition is a significant milestone in Oando’s long-term strategy to expand its upstream operations and strengthen its position in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
The transaction increases Oando’s current participating interests in OMLs 60, 61, 62, and 63 from 20% to 40%.
It increases Oando’s ownership stake in all NEPL/NAOC/OOL Joint Venture assets and infrastructure which include forty discovered oil and gas fields, of which twenty-four are currently producing, approximately forty identified prospects and leads, twelve production stations, approximately 1,490 km of pipelines, three gas processing plants, the Brass River Oil Terminal, the Kwale-Okpai phases 1 & 2 power plants (with a total nameplate capacity of 960MW), and associated infrastructure.
Based on 2022 reserves estimates, Oando’s total reserves stand at 505.6MMboe and the transaction will deliver a 98% increase of 493.6MMboe, bringing the total reserves to 1.0Bnboe.
The transaction is immediately cash generative and will contribute significantly to the cashflows of the Company.
According to a post on its X handle, Oando disclosed that the signing ceremony was held at The Peninsula Hotel in London.
Commenting, Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, said: “Today’s announcement is the culmination of ten years of toil, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the realisation of our ambition since the 2014 entry into the Joint Venture via the acquisition of Conoco-Philips Nigerian Portfolio.
“It is a win for Oando, and every indigenous energy player, as we take our destiny in our hands, and play a pivotal role in this next phase of the nation’s upstream evolution.
“With our assumption of the role of operator, our immediate focus is on optimizing the assets’ immense potential, advancing production and contributing to our strategic objectives.
“This we will do while prioritizing responsible practices and sustainable development in ensuring a balanced approach to our host communities, and environmental stewardship as we complement the nation’s plan to boost production output.
“Looking to the future, we will continue to pursue strategic diversification opportunities within the broader energy sector that provide enhanced growth and value creation for our stakeholders, particularly in clean energy, agri-feedstock sector, as well as energy infrastructure and mining.”
In a statement on its website on Thursday, Eni also announced the closing for the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Ltd to Oando.
“The transaction, which received the approval of all relevant authorities, is in line with Eni’s strategy focused on the rationalization of the upstream activities by rebalancing its portfolio and divesting non-strategic assets.
“The 5 per cent participating interest in SPDC Joint Venture) is not included in the transaction, as it will be retained in Eni’s portfolio. Eni will continue to be present in the country through investment in deepwater projects and Nigeria LNG, while also exploring new opportunities related to the agri-feedstock sector,” it clarified.
There were earlier reports late July, that Eni received the nod of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to sell its unit, Nigerian Agip Oil Company, to Oando.
Eni had disclosed that the NAOC focuses on onshore oil and gas exploration and production as well as power generation.
NAOC’s five per cent stake in Shell Production Development Company Joint Venture was not included in the transaction and will remain in Eni’s portfolio, the statement stated.
“Eni remains committed to the country through investments in deepwater projects and Nigeria LNG”, it said.
Online reports indicate that a number of the international oil companies in Nigeria have divested to the deepwater.
In September 2023, Oando announced plans to acquire the NAOC, but the deal was delayed due to regulatory approvals required.
On July 3, the NUPRC announced that Oando had completed the acquisition of 100 per cent shares of Eni in its subsidiary, NAOC, adding that an announcement was imminent.
A few weeks after,, the Italian oil company said it has obtained all other relevant local and regulatory authorities’ authorisations.
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