NOG acquires assets in Appalachian Basin from Reliance’s subsidiary
MINNEAPOLIS: Northern Oil and Gas Inc. (NOG) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire certain non-operated assets in the Appalachian Basin from a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd, a news release said.
At the effective date of July 1, 2020, the Assets were producing approximately 120 MMcfe/d of natural gas equivalents, net to Northern’s ownership.
In 2021E, the Assets are expected to produce approximately 100 – 110 MMcfe/d (or approximately 19,000 Boe/d) net to Northern and consist of approximately 64,000 net acres containing approximately 102.2 net producing wells, approximately 22.6 net wells in process, and approximately 231.1 net undrilled locations in the core of the Marcellus and Utica plays.
The Assets are expected to generate approximately $55-60 million in unhedged cash flow from operations during 2021E with an estimated capital expenditure budget of $25-30 million (net to Northern).
Total consideration to be paid to Seller, net to Northern, consists of $175 million in cash and approximately 3.25 million warrants to purchase shares of Northern’s common stock at an exercise price of $14.00 per share.
The cash portion of the consideration is subject to typical closing and post-closing adjustments. The transaction has an effective date of July 1, 2020 and is expected to close in April 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
The transaction is expected to be funded through a combination of equity and debt financings and is anticipated to be leverage neutral on a trailing basis and leverage accretive on a forward basis.
Northern will begin hedging expected PDP volumes commensurate with the signing of the transaction, including basis differentials, with a target of hedging up to 75% of volumes for approximately three years.
“This transaction furthers our goal of becoming a national non-operated franchise with low leverage, strong free cash flow and a path towards returning capital to shareholders. With this transaction, we expect increased opportunities to efficiently allocate capital and diversify risk, our commodity mix and geographic footprint,” said Nick O’Grady, Northern’s Chief Executive Officer.
“Coupled with stable future development, these assets are expected to provide, at current strip prices, an average 18% free cash flow yield on the investment over a multiyear period. With these estimates, Northern is expected to produce increased free cash flow providing opportunities for growth, shareholder returns, and continued deleveraging.”
“Our cash purchase price for these assets only ascribes value for producing wells and the large inventory of wells-in-process, with significant upside value on the undeveloped properties. The joint venture structure allows Northern significant input and clarity on the development plans for these assets on a multiyear basis,” commented Adam Dirlam, Chief Operating Officer of Northern.
“We look forward to being an excellent partner for the development of these properties side by side with EQT for years to come.”
“The acquisition is expected to be funded through a combination of equity and debt financings and is anticipated to be leverage neutral on a trailing basis and leverage accretive on a forward basis. With these transactions, our debt metrics improve immediately on a pro forma basis and we expect them to continue to improve over the coming years,” commented Chad Allen, Chief Financial Officer of Northern.
“Importantly, the contemplated transactions are expected to improve liquidity, remove all near-term maturities and significantly improve free cash flow on a multiyear period.”
Fourth quarter production of 35,500 – 35,900 barrels of equivalent (Boe) per day was toward the upper end of management’s guidance range provided in its January 7, 2021 operations update. Northern estimates that December 2020 production averaged approximately 37,000 Boe per day, despite 3,000 Boe per day of continued production curtailments.
Realized oil differentials are expected to be less than $7.25 per barrel for the fourth quarter. Natural gas realizations are expected to exceed 70% of NYMEX Henry Hub prices for the fourth quarter of 2020.
Fourth quarter 2020 capital expenditures are expected to total approximately $48.5 – $49.8 million. A 32% improvement in oil prices during Q4 drove an acceleration of development of Northern’s wells in process that were previously scheduled for Q1 and Q2 2021E.
In addition, Northern realized continued success in its high return Ground Game strategy, which accounted for approximately $18 million in capital expenditures. Adjusting to the shift in development timing, Northern has reduced the midpoint of its 2021E standalone capital expenditure guidance by $12.5 million and has increased its 2021E standalone production guidance.
Cash flow from operations, inclusive of net changes in working capital, is expected to have increased over 100% sequentially during Q4, which drove a $39 million reduction in total debt.
Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. is a company with a primary strategy of investing in non-operated minority working and mineral interests in oil & gas properties, with a core area of focus in the premier basins within the United States.
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