CALGARY, May 28, 2018 /CNW/ - Vermilion Energy Inc.
("Vermilion", "We" or "Our") (TSX, NYSE: VET) is pleased to announce that we have closed the acquisition of Spartan Energy Corp.
("Spartan") for total consideration of $1.40 billion, comprised of $1.23
billion in Vermilion shares (valued at closing price prior to announcement) plus the assumption of approximately
$175 million in debt, pursuant to the terms of the previously announced arrangement agreement (the
"Arrangement").
Under the terms of the Arrangement, Vermilion acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Spartan on the basis
of 0.1476 of a Vermilion share for each Spartan common share, resulting in the issuance of 27.9 million Vermilion common shares
(the "Acquisition").
The Spartan common shares will be delisted from the TSX in approximately 2 or 3 trading days. The Vermilion shares
issued to the former holders of Spartan common shares pursuant to the Arrangement will be listed on the TSX and NYSE under the
symbol "VET".
The Spartan assets are comprised of high-netback, light oil producing properties covering approximately 480,000 net acres of
land (80% average working interest), including 400,000 net acres in southeast Saskatchewan with
multi-zone potential. In addition, the Acquisition includes approximately 80,000 net acres of land in other areas of
Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. Production from the
assets is projected to be approximately 23,000 boe/d (91% oil) during 2018. The Acquisition also includes ownership and
control of producing infrastructure that are synergistic with our existing assets, as well as significant 2D and 3D seismic
data. Under the current commodity strip, we expect the assets to generate cash flow in excess of capital requirements for
continued growth plus the incremental gross dividends associated with the new shares issued.
We look forward to integrating Spartan employees into our organization, and believe our combined enterprise will have the
operating, technical and financial capability to maximize the value of our combined southeast Saskatchewan assets.
Credit Facility Extension and Increase
We have negotiated an extension of our revolving credit facility with our syndicate of lenders to May
31, 2022. We elected to increase the total facility amount to $1.6 billion from
$1.4 billion, maintaining roughly the same unutilized capacity as before the Acquisition.
About Vermilion
Vermilion is an international energy producer that seeks to create value through the acquisition, exploration, development and
optimization of producing properties in North America, Europe
and Australia. Our business model emphasizes organic production growth augmented with
value-adding acquisitions, along with providing reliable and increasing dividends to investors. Vermilion is targeting
growth in production primarily through the exploitation of light oil and liquids-rich natural gas conventional resource plays in
Canada and the United States, the exploration and development
of high impact natural gas opportunities in the Netherlands and Germany, and through oil drilling and workover programs in France and
Australia. Vermilion currently holds an 18.5% working interest in the Corrib gas field in
Ireland. Vermilion pays a monthly dividend of Canadian $0.23
per share, which provides a current yield of approximately 6.0%.
Vermilion's priorities are health and safety, the environment, and profitability, in that order. Nothing is more
important to us than the safety of the public and those who work with us, and the protection of our natural surroundings.
We have been recognized as a top decile performer amongst Canadian publicly listed companies in governance practices, as a
Climate Leadership level (A-) performer by the CDP, and a Best Workplace in the Great Place to Work® Institute's annual rankings
in Canada, the Netherlands and Germany. In addition,
Vermilion emphasizes strategic community investment in each of our operating areas.
Employees and directors hold approximately 6.5% of our fully diluted shares, are committed to consistently delivering superior
rewards for all stakeholders, and have delivered over 20 years of market outperformance. Vermilion trades on the Toronto
Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VET.
Disclaimer
Certain statements included or incorporated by reference in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements under
applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements or information typically contain statements with words such
as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", or similar words suggesting future outcomes or
statements regarding an outlook. Forward looking statements or information in this press release may include, but are not
limited to:
- the estimate of 2018 annualized production per day from the Spartan assets;
- expectations regarding the cash flow generation from the Spartan assets;
- development plans and strategic objectives;
- expectations regarding the operating, technical and financial capability of our combined southeast Saskatchewan asset; and
- projected liquidity requirements.
Although Vermilion believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable,
undue reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements because Vermilion can give no assurance that such expectations
will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements or information are based on current expectations, estimates and
projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated by Vermilion and described in the forward looking statements or information. These risks and uncertainties
include but are not limited to:
- the ability of management to execute its business plan or realize anticipated synergies or cost savings from the
Acquisition;
- the risks of the oil and gas industry, both domestically and internationally, such as operational risks in exploring for,
developing and producing crude oil and natural gas and market demand;
- risks and uncertainties involving geology of oil and natural gas deposits;
- risks inherent in Vermilion's marketing operations, including credit risk;
- the uncertainty of reserves estimates and reserves life;
- the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses;
- potential delays or changes in plans with respect to proposed acquisitions (including the Acquisition), exploration or
development projects or capital expenditures;
- Vermilion's ability to enter into or renew leases;
- fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates;
- health, safety and environmental risks;
- uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing;
- the ability of Vermilion to add production and reserves through development and exploration activities;
- general economic and business conditions;
- the possibility that government policies or laws may change or governmental approvals may be delayed or withheld;
- uncertainty in amounts and timing of royalty payments;
- risks associated with existing and potential future law suits and regulatory actions against Vermilion; and
- other risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this document or in Vermilion's other filings with Canadian securities
regulatory authorities.
The forward-looking statements or information contained in this document are made as of the date hereof and Vermilion
undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.
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SOURCE Vermilion Energy Inc.
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