Strathcona Resources Ltd. and Pipestone Energy Corp. are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Strathcona will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Pipestone for 100% share consideration (the "Transaction"). Upon closing of the Transaction, Strathcona will become a public reporting issuer in Canada.
Strategic Transaction Rationale for Pipestone Shareholders
The Pipestone Board and management team view this transaction as being in the best interests of Pipestone shareholders. The Company has grown its production rapidly since inception, developing an economically attractive asset base. This all-share combination provides Pipestone shareholders with a meaningful ownership stake in a large, low-decline rate, oil-weighted producer with more than 35 years of highly economic development inventory and significant tax shelter to optimize future growth.
Continued Ownership Stake in a Highly Differentiated Producer: The combined company will have three core areas, each with meaningful scale and inventory, and a balance of heavy oil, condensate / NGLs and natural gas production. The combined company will be strongly positioned against other large oil-weighted Canadian producers on production growth rate, netback, reserve life and free cash flow generation;
Achieves the Size and Scale Required for Market Relevance: The Combination is a compelling opportunity to create the fifth largest liquids producer in Canada measured by production and reserves, significantly increasing market relevance, which is expected to garner incremental institutional investor interest and drive increased long-term value for Pipestone shareholders;
Dustin Hoffman, Pipestone COO and interim CEO, stated, "The acquisition of Pipestone by Strathcona reflects the successful culmination of growing and delineating our asset base over the past four years. This all-share transaction delivers shareholders ongoing exposure to one of the largest, well diversified, upstream producers in North America, which has the capacity to grow its production meaningfully over the next decade."
Gord Ritchie, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pipestone, commented, "We are excited to be combining Pipestone with Strathcona, creating a new Canadian oil and gas champion with long-life reserves, significant growth potential, and low sustaining breakevens. We are proud to have grown Pipestone from 152 boe / d to 35,162 boe / d in just four short years, and now the combination with Strathcona allows Pipestone shareholders to share in future growth and value creation for decades. This transaction is the culmination of a thorough strategic review conducted by the special committee of the board of the directors of Pipestone which concluded that the combination with Strathcona created the strongest value creation opportunity for Pipestone shareholders versus both the status quo and other available alternatives."
About Strathcona Resources Ltd.
Strathcona Resources is one of North America's fastest growing oil and gas producers with operations focused on thermal oil, enhanced oil recovery and liquids-rich natural gas. Strathcona is built on an innovative approach to growth achieved through the consolidation and development of long-life oil and gas assets.
About Pipestone Energy Corp.
Pipestone is an oil and gas exploration and production company focused on developing its large contiguous and condensate rich Montney asset base in the Pipestone area near Grande Prairie. Pipestone is committed to building long term value for our shareholders while maintaining the highest possible environmental and operating standards, as well as being an active and contributing member to the communities in which it operates. Pipestone has achieved certification of all its production from its Montney asset under the Equitable Origin EO100TM Standard for Responsible Energy Development. Pipestone shares trade under the symbol PIPE on the Toronto Stock Exchange.