Concho Resources Inc. Announces Sale of the Alpha Crude Connector System for $1.215 Billion
Generates Net Proceeds to Concho of Approximately $800 Million
Ensures Long-Term, Cost-Advantaged Transportation for Concho’s
Growing Crude Oil Production
Concho Resources Inc. (NYSE: CXO) (“Concho” or the “Company”) and
Frontier Midstream Solutions, LLC (“Frontier”) today announced that they
have entered into separate agreements to sell 100% of their respective
ownership interests of Alpha Holding Company, LLC, the owner of the
Alpha Crude Connector system (“ACC”), to Plains All American Pipeline,
L.P. (NYSE: PAA) (“Plains”) for a combined total of $1.215 billion.
Tim Leach, Concho’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President,
commented, “Our investment in ACC was intended to serve two primary
objectives within our core upstream business – provide pipeline
infrastructure to support our rapid crude oil growth in the northern
Delaware Basin and improve wellhead economics through better price
realizations. With both of these objectives secured for the long term,
plus the ongoing flexibility to access multiple key markets, we have
accomplished our goal of developing a premier midstream solution. This
sale not only represents an exceptional return on investment for our
shareholders, but also reflects the quality of the substantial resource
potential across the northern Delaware Basin. As we continue to focus on
and deliver differentiated long-term growth across our four core areas,
the proceeds from this sale provide further optionality to redeploy
capital into our drilling program, fund future acquisitions and reduce
long-term debt.
“I want to thank Frontier for their execution and operation of ACC, and
I look forward to expanding our strong relationship with Plains. Their
extensive crude oil infrastructure and logistics expertise will support
our continued development of our high-quality drilling inventory in the
northern Delaware Basin.”
Dave Presley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Frontier,
commented, “It has been very exciting to work jointly with Concho to
develop the ACC crude oil gathering system that provides a strategic
midstream solution to support the continued growth of crude oil
development in the prolific northern Delaware Basin.”
In 2014, Concho and Frontier formed the ACC joint venture to construct a
crude oil transportation system in the northern Delaware Basin. Concho
owns 50% of the joint venture with an option to purchase Frontier’s
ownership interest at a predetermined multiple of invested capital.
After adjusting for debt and working capital, Concho expects to receive
net cash proceeds from the sale of approximately $800 million. As of
December 31, 2016, Concho’s net investment in ACC was approximately $130
million. Closing is expected to occur in the first half of 2017, subject
to customary terms and conditions, including clearance under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
ACC, which is the first large-scale crude oil gathering system in the
northern Delaware Basin, includes a 515-mile gathering system as well as
crude oil storage facilities, truck terminals and multiple receipt
points. The pipeline system became operational in late 2015, and at that
time, Concho commenced a ten-year crude oil acreage dedication and
transportation agreement. After the closing of this transaction, the
dedication and transportation agreement, which includes the tariff
structure, will remain in place.
Plains intends to make investments on new interconnects and other
enhancements to provide greater flow assurance and support the ongoing
development of the northern Delaware Basin. In addition, Plains’
ownership of ACC will enhance access to multiple markets, including
important crude oil export gateways.
Simmons & Company International, Energy Specialists of Piper Jaffray,
served as exclusive financial advisor, and Vinson & Elkins served as
legal advisor to Concho.
Concho Resources Inc.
Concho Resources Inc. is an independent oil and natural gas company
engaged in the acquisition, development, exploration and production of
oil and natural gas properties. The Company’s operations are focused in
the Permian Basin of southeast New Mexico and west Texas. For more
information, visit the Company’s website at www.concho.com.
Frontier Midstream Solutions, LLC
Frontier Midstream Solutions, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a
privately held, full service midstream energy company that specializes
in the acquisition and commercial development of crude oil and natural
gas midstream assets. Frontier’s exclusive equity partner is Energy
Spectrum Partners, a Dallas-based midstream focused private equity
provider.
Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Statements
The foregoing contains “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than
statements of historical fact, included in this press release that
address activities, events or developments that the Company expects,
believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this
press release specifically include statements, estimates and projections
regarding the Company’s future financial position, operations,
performance, business strategy, oil and natural gas reserves, drilling
program, capital expenditure budget, liquidity and capital resources,
the timing and success of specific projects, outcomes and effects of
litigation, claims and disputes, derivative activities and
potential financing. The words “estimate,” “project,” “predict,”
“believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “could,” “may,”
“foresee,” “plan,” “goal” or other similar expressions that
convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to
identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical
in nature. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the
statements are not forward-looking. These statements are based on
certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company based on
management’s experience, expectations and perception of historical
trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other
factors believed to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of performance. Although the Company believes the
expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable
and are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that
these assumptions are accurate or that any of these expectations will be
achieved (in full or at all) or will prove to have been correct.
Moreover, such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks
and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company,
which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied
or expressed by the forward-looking statements. These include the risk
factors discussed or referenced in the Company’s most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K and in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for the quarters ended June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016; risks
relating to declines in the prices the Company receives, or sustained
depressed prices the Company receives, for its oil and natural gas;
uncertainties about the estimated quantities of oil and natural gas
reserves; drilling and operating risks; the adequacy of the Company’s
capital resources and liquidity including, but not limited to, access to
additional borrowing capacity under its credit facility; the effects of
government regulation, permitting and other legal requirements,
including new legislation or regulation of hydraulic fracturing and the
export of oil and natural gas; the impact of potential changes in the
Company’s credit ratings; environmental hazards, such as uncontrollable
flows of oil, natural gas, brine, well fluids, toxic gas or other
pollution into the environment, including groundwater contamination;
difficult and adverse conditions in the domestic and global capital and
credit markets; risks related to the concentration of the Company’s
operations in the Permian Basin of southeast New Mexico and west Texas;
disruptions to, capacity constraints in or other limitations on the
pipeline systems that deliver the Company’s oil, natural gas liquids and
natural gas and other processing and transportation considerations; the
costs and availability of equipment, resources, services and qualified
personnel required to perform the Company’s drilling and operating
activities; potential financial losses or earnings reductions from the
Company’s commodity price risk-management program; risks and liabilities
associated with acquired properties or businesses; uncertainties about
the Company’s ability to successfully execute its business and financial
plans and strategies; uncertainties about the Company’s ability to
replace reserves and economically develop its current reserves; general
economic and business conditions, either internationally or
domestically; competition in the oil and natural gas industry;
uncertainty concerning the Company’s assumed or possible future results
of operations; and other important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which
such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to
correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
applicable law.
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