FRONTERA ANNOUNCES DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT WITH GEOPARK TO DIVEST ITS COLOMBIAN E&P ASSETS PORTFOLIO FOR A FIRM VALUE OF $622 MILLION
PROCEEDS FROM TRANSACTION TO DELIVER CASH TO SHAREHOLDERS AT CLOSING, WITH A FURTHER $25 MILLION CONTINGENT PAYMENT UPON ACHIEVEMENT OF SPECIFIED DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
Upon Completion of the Transaction and Proposed Return of Capital to Shareholders,
2028 Senior Unsecured Notes to Transfer to Geopark Upon Closing of the Transaction
As a result of the Transaction,
Pursuant to the agreement, GeoPark will acquire 100% of
The equity purchase price of
|
(1) Based on 69,535,349
common shares outstanding as of |
"The Board and management have focused on maximizing shareholder value unlocking approximately
"Following an exhaustive review of the Company's alternatives, we believe this Transaction crystallizes value for shareholders at an attractive premium for our Colombian E&P assets, converting exposure to oil prices into cash, and retaining upside through a standalone Infrastructure Business.
The additional Infrastructure Business upside will come from our interest in ODL and Puerto Bahía as the backbone of our post‑transaction
TRANSACTION DETAILS
Total cash consideration is up to
-
$375 million payable at closing, subject to customary closing adjustments, of which$75 million has been deposited by Geopark into escrow; and -
$25 million contingent payment payable upon the achievement of specified development milestones within a period of up to 12 months following the Transaction's closing date.
Under the terms of the agreement, GeoPark will assume all the obligations under
The transaction has an effective date of
The Transaction requires approval by at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Frontera's Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at a special meeting of
Further details with respect to the Arrangement and the anticipated return of capital to
Puerto Bahia Highlights
- Centrally located Operations Hub in
Cartagena Bay with unrestricted draft and direct hinterland access. - Integrated liquids and general cargo operations with vast expansion area.
- Several near-term growth projects will enhance asset value and cash flow potential including LPG import facilities, an LNG regasification project, and containerized cargo expansion.
ODL Highlights
- Key midstream asset in
Colombia , transporting ~30% of Colombian oil production and serving the Llanos area holding ~70% of Colombian proven crude oil reserves. - Stable cash generation and strong market and operating position.
- Unique position to capture additional revenue streams from its area of influence.
Below is a breakdown of
|
|
|
Infrastructure |
Equity |
|
|
|
Unit |
EBITDA |
Interest |
Infrastructure |
|
|
$MM |
15.0 |
99.97 % |
15.0 |
|
ODL Pipeline |
$MM |
299.8 |
35.00 % |
104.9 |
|
Total |
$MM |
314.8 |
|
119.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Frontera Infrastructure Debt |
$MM |
|
|
173.2 |
|
Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents(1) |
$MM |
|
|
14.5 |
|
Net Debt |
$MM |
|
|
158.6 |
|
(1) Cash and Cash Equivalents refer to the portion of |
|
|
|
|
Frontera Infrastructure |
($ million) |
|
Frontera Infrastructure Operating EBITDA(1) |
15.0 |
|
Plus: ODL Dividends, net of Taxes(1) |
61.6 |
|
Infrastructure Distributable Cash Flow |
76.6 |
|
FPI Debt Service, net(1)(2) |
(60.9) |
|
Infrastructure Capex(3)(1) |
(2.5) |
|
Infrastructure Free Cash Flow |
13.2 |
|
Net Debt to Infrastructure Distributable Cash Flow (4) |
2.1x |
|
(1) |
Refers to Preliminary Unaudited 2025 Financial Data |
|
(2) |
2025 financing flows including cash sweep |
|
(3) |
Excludes Capex related to the Reficar Connection construction |
|
(4) |
Net Debt to Cash Flow from Operating Activities refers to Net Debt divided by Cash Flow from Operating Activities |
FINANCIAL ADVISORS AND FAIRNESS OPINION
Citi is acting as financial advisor to
After consultation with their independent financial and legal advisors, the independent members of the
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Advisories:
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "estimate", "will", "would", "believe", "plan", "expected", "potential", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by such words. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. In particular, and without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains forward looking statements with respect to: the expected closing date of the Transaction; the ability of Frontera to obtain all necessary court, third-party and shareholder approvals to complete the Transaction; the anticipated benefits of the Transaction to Frontera Shareholders; the cash consideration to be received pursuant to the Transaction; the expected use of proceeds resulting from the Transaction; the anticipated return of capital to
These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the failure to obtain all necessary court, third-party and shareholder approvals to complete the Transaction or the shareholder approval required to complete the return of capital; the risk that the Transaction may be varied, accelerated or terminated in certain circumstances; risks relating to the outcome of the Transaction, including the risks associated with approval at the Frontera Meeting and receipt of regulatory approvals; the risk that the conditions to the Transaction may not be satisfied, or to the extent permitted, waived, including the risk that required regulatory approvals may not be received in a timely manner or at all; the risk that circumstances may impact the amount and timing of the planned return of capital to shareholders; volatility in market prices for oil and natural gas; uncertainties associated with estimating and establishing oil and natural gas reserves and resources; liabilities inherent with the exploration, development, exploitation and reclamation of oil and natural gas; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, production estimates and estimated economic return; increases or changes to transportation costs; expectations regarding the Company's ability to raise capital and to continually add reserves through acquisition and development; the Company's ability to access additional financing; the ability of the Company to maintain its credit ratings; the ability of the Company to: meet its financial obligations and minimum commitments, fund capital expenditures and comply with covenants contained in the agreements that govern indebtedness; political developments in the countries where the Company operates; the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data; geological, technical, drilling and processing problems; timing on receipt of government approvals; fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates and stock market volatility, the ability of the Company and CGX to reach an agreement with the Government of
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
This news release contains future oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, "FOFI") (including, without limitation, statements regarding expected average production), and are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations and qualifications as set forth in the above paragraph. The FOFI has been prepared by management to provide an outlook of the Company's activities and results, and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company and management believe that the FOFI has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's reasonable estimates and judgments, however, actual results of operations of the Company and the resulting financial results may vary from the amounts set forth herein. Any FOFI speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any FOFI, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, unless required by applicable laws.
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
This press release contains various "non-IFRS financial measures" (equivalent to "non-GAAP financial measures", as such term is defined in NI 52-112), "non-IFRS ratios" (equivalent to "non-GAAP ratios", as such term is defined in NI 52-112), and "capital management measures" (as such term is defined in NI 52-112)], including: operating EBITDA, net leverage, adjusted Infrastructure EBITDA, net debt and adjusted net debt.
Non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios do not have standardized IFRS definitions. The Company's determination of these non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios may differ from other reporting issuers and they are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Furthermore, these financial measures and ratios should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance or cash flows as prepared in accordance with IFRS. These financial measures and ratios do not replace or supersede any standardized measure under IFRS. Other companies in our industry may calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.
The Company discloses these financial measures, together with measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, because management believes they provide useful information to investors and shareholders, as management uses them to evaluate the operating performance of the Company. These financial measures highlight trends in the Company's core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. Further, management also uses non-IFRS measures to exclude the impact of certain expenses and income that management does not believe reflect the Company's underlying operating performance. The Company's management also uses non-IFRS measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period and to prepare annual operating budgets and as a measure of the Company's ability to finance its ongoing operations and obligations.
Set forth below is a description of the non-IFRS financial measures, non-IFRS ratios and capital management measures used in this press release. Additional information regarding such non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios is contained in the "Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures" section of the Company's management discussion & analysis dated
Operating EBITDA
EBITDA is a commonly used non-IFRS financial measure that adjusts net income (loss) as reported under IFRS to exclude the effects of income taxes, finance income and expenses, and DD&A. Operating EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure that represents the operating results of the Company's business, excluding the following items: restructuring, severance and other costs, post-termination obligation, trunkline costs, temporal taxes, payments of minimum work commitments and, certain non-cash items (such as impairments, foreign exchange, unrealized risk management contracts, share-based compensation and debt extinguishment cost) and gains or losses arising from the disposal of capital assets. In addition, other unusual or non-recurring items are excluded from operating EBITDA, as they are not indicative of the underlying core operating performance of the Company. The most directly comparable financial measure to operating EBITDA that is specified, defined and determined in accordance with IFRS and disclosed in
Adjusted Infrastructure EBITDA
The Adjusted Infrastructure EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure used to assist in measuring the operating results of the Infrastructure Colombia Segment business.
Infrastructure Distributable Cash Flow
Distributable Cash Flow is a non‑IFRS financial measure used to assess the cash available to the Company from its operations and equity investments to support capital expenditures, debt service and dividends.
Infrastructure Free Cash Flow
Infrastructure Free Cash Flow is a non-IFRS financial measure that is used by the Company to assess the Company's ability to generate cash after capital expenditures and debt service that is available for reinvestment or distribution. Free Cash Flow is a non-IFRS ratio that is calculated as Infrastructure Distributable Cash Flow minus FPI Debt Service and Infrastructure Capex.
Net Debt and Adjusted Net Debt
Net debt is a non-IFRS financial measure that is used by the Company to monitor its capital structure, financial leverage, and as measures of overall financial strength. Net debt is defined as consolidated total indebtedness, less unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. Adjusted net debt is a non-IFRS ratio that is calculated as total Debt and Lease Liabilities divided by Cash and Cash Equivalents.
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