DUBAI: Saudi Arabian Oil Co (Saudi Aramco) has purchased 70 percent stake in Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) for SAR 259.125 billion (US$ 69.1 billion), equating to SAR 123.39/share. Public Investment Fund (PIF) is the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Saudi Arabia.

Following the receipt of all necessary regulatory clearances in all pre-closing notification jurisdictions, on June 16, 2020, Saudi Aramco completed its acquisition of a 70% stake in SABIC from PIF.

On June 16, 2020, Saudi Aramco and PIF entered into an addendum to the share purchase agreement entered into by the parties on March 27, 2019.  Pursuant to the Addendum, the purchase price amount will be paid over several installments pursuant to a seller loan provided by PIF. Loan payments, which are represented by promissory notes, are payable between August 2, 2020 (being the first payment) and April 7, 2028 (being the last payment).

Saudi Aramco has also agreed to make an advance payment of US$ 3 billion in April 2022 based on the occurrence of certain oil market conditions in 2021.

Saudi Aramco’s overall approach to financing the SABIC transaction adheres to Saudi Aramco’s corporate financing strategy which is based upon prudence and financial flexibility while preserving Saudi Aramco’s premium credit profile. Saudi Aramco has funded the transaction through promissory notes issued to PIF at closing.

SABIC is a global diversified chemicals company, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. SABIC manufactures on a global scale in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, making different products, including chemicals, commodity and high performance plastics, specialties, agri-nutrients and metals.

Saudi Aramco will fully consolidate SABIC’s financial results. In accordance with its accounting policies, Saudi Aramco will account for three of SABIC’s affiliates, namely Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company (“KEMYA”), Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Company (“YANPET”) and Eastern Petrochemical Company (“SHARQ”), as joint ventures and one affiliate, Saudi Methacrylates Company (“SAMAC”), as a joint operation.  These affiliates have historically been fully consolidated by SABIC.

The acquisition of the SABIC stake is consistent with Saudi Aramco’s long-term Downstream strategy to grow its integrated refining and petrochemicals capacity and create value from integration across the hydrocarbon chain.

It specifically enhances Saudi Aramco’s chemicals strategy by:

• Transforming Saudi Aramco into one of the major global petrochemicals players
• Integrating upstream and refining with SABIC
• Expanding capabilities in procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, marketing and sales
• Complementing geographic presence, projects and partners, and
• Increasing the resilience of cash flow generation with synergistic opportunities

As a member of the Saudi Aramco group, SABIC’s strategy will fully support Saudi Aramco’s strategy. Saudi Aramco expects SABIC to benefit from integration with Saudi Aramco’s Upstream and Downstream refining and chemicals businesses and ability to invest in and execute major growth projects.

As a condition to the closing of the transaction, the SABIC bylaws were recently amended by the Extraordinary General Assembly of SABIC. Saudi Aramco expects that SABIC’s dividend policy will continue to consider SABIC’s financial position, cash flows and investment plans, and enable SABIC to provide competitive dividends to shareholders while maintaining a strong financial position.

SABIC will be subject to applicable Zakat and Tax regulations and associated disclosure requirements. It is expected that the transaction will provide growth opportunities that are expected to enhance career opportunities for employees of both Saudi Aramco and SABIC.