Hammerhead Energy Inc. ("Hammerhead") (TSX: HHRS ; NASDAQ: HHRS) is
pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive
arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") with Crescent
Point Energy Corp. (“Crescent Point”) (TSX: CPG ; NYSE: CPG)
pursuant to which Crescent Point has agreed to acquire all of the
issued and outstanding Class A common shares of Hammerhead
("Hammerhead Shares") for total consideration of C$21.00 per
Hammerhead Share (the "Purchase Price"). The proposed transaction
(the "Transaction") is to be completed by way of a plan of
arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) and is
expected to close in late December 2023.
Pursuant to the Transaction, each Hammerhead
Share will be exchanged for C$15.50 of cash consideration and
C$5.50 in value in the form of common shares of Crescent Point,
based on the offering price of the concurrent equity offering
announced by Crescent Point.
Scott Sobie, President and CEO of Hammerhead
notes “We are exceptionally proud of having built a business that
has proven to be a top tier asset that has delivered significant
organic growth. A combination of asset quality, exceptional people
and a solid business plan has positioned the company to be an
attractive acquisition target that will benefit from a lower cost
of capital inside of a larger enterprise. Since going public in
early 2023, we have delivered attractive equity returns for our
shareholders, and the ability to maintain a share position in
Crescent Point provides our shareholders with the ability to
benefit from the continued growth of the business.”
Robert Tichio, Chairman of the Board of
Hammerhead notes “On behalf of my fellow Board members and all
shareholders, I want to personally congratulate the Hammerhead team
for the exceptional performance they have delivered over many years
that has resulted in this excellent outcome. Riverstone first
invested in Hammerhead in 2014 as a 1,100 boe/d producer, and
subsequently invested additional capital over the last nine years
to support the company’s leadership, their skills, and these
assets. The delivery of superior operational and financial results
for all shareholders is a testament to our management team partners
and all Hammerhead employees.”
Strategic Rationale:
-
Attractive Value for Hammerhead Shareholders. The
Purchase Price implies an enterprise value for Hammerhead of
approximately C$2.55 billion, inclusive of assumed net debt. This
represents a 17% premium over the five-day volume weighted average
trading price of the Hammerhead Shares based on trading on all
exchanges as of the close of markets on November 3, 2023.
-
Continued Upside Exposure: The Transaction also
provides Hammerhead shareholders with continued ownership in
Crescent Point, a leading Canadian producer offering an attractive
total return to shareholders through return of capital and growth.
Crescent Point ownership offers enhanced scale, asset
diversification, liquidity in financial markets and a long-term
sustainable return of capital framework underpinned by a deep
portfolio of high-quality inventory.
-
Increasing Size and Scale: The Transaction will
create the seventh-largest E&P in Canada with production
weighted 65% to oil and liquids. Pro-forma Crescent Point
production is expected to total over 200,000 boe/d in 2024, with
significant drilling inventory in place to deliver additional
long-term organic growth. Crescent Point will immediately become
the largest owner of land in the volatile oil fairway in the
Alberta Montney, in addition to already controlling the largest
amount of land in the condensate-rich Kaybob Duvernay play. This
increased scale is expected to allow Crescent Point to continue to
improve its cost of capital.
Transaction Approvals:
Hammerhead will seek approval of the Transaction
by its shareholders (the "Hammerhead Shareholders") at a special
meeting expected to be held in late December 2023 (the
"Meeting").
The Transaction is subject to customary closing
conditions, including receipt of court approval, Hammerhead
Shareholder approval by at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast at the
Meeting and customary regulatory and stock exchange approvals,
including under the Competition Act (Canada). Upon closing of the
Transaction, the Hammerhead Shares will be de-listed from the TSX
and NASDAQ.
Certain affiliates of Riverstone Holdings LLC
(collectively “Riverstone”), who own in aggregate approximately 82%
of the Hammerhead Shares (on a non-diluted basis), have entered
into voting support agreements with Crescent Point and have agreed
to support and vote in favor of the Transaction, subject to the
provisions of such support agreements.
All of the directors and executive officers of
Hammerhead have also entered into voting support agreements
pursuant to which they have agreed, among other things, to vote
their Hammerhead Shares in favour of the Transaction, subject to
the provisions of such support agreements.
The Arrangement Agreement includes customary
deal protection provisions, including that Hammerhead has agreed
not to solicit or initiate any discussions regarding any other
transaction, subject to customary "fiduciary out" rights to respond
to a superior proposal. Hammerhead has also granted Crescent Point
a right-to-match any superior proposal and will pay a termination
fee of C$85 million to Crescent Point if the Arrangement Agreement
is terminated in certain circumstances. Crescent Point has also
agreed to pay a termination fee of C$85 million to Hammerhead if
the Arrangement Agreement is terminated in certain
circumstances.
Further details with respect to the Transaction
will be included in the information circular to be mailed to the
Hammerhead Shareholders in connection with the Meeting. A copy of
the Arrangement Agreement, the voting support agreements and the
information circular will be filed on Hammerhead's SEDAR+ profile
and will be available for viewing at www.sedarplus.ca.
Recommendation of the Board and Special
Committee:
Based on the unanimous recommendation of the
Special Committee of the Hammerhead Board of Directors, which was
comprised solely of independent directors and did not include any
directors associated with Riverstone or management, the Fairness
Opinions (as defined below) and consultations with its financial
and legal advisors, among other considerations, the Hammerhead
Board of Directors has unanimously: (i) determined that the
Transaction is fair to Hammerhead Shareholders and in the best
interests of Hammerhead; and (ii) resolved to recommend that the
Hammerhead Shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction.
Advisors:
CIBC Capital Markets (“CIBC”) is acting as
Financial Advisor to Hammerhead. CIBC has also provided a verbal
opinion (“CIBC Fairness Opinion”) to Hammerhead’s Board of
Directors to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and
based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and
qualifications set forth therein, the consideration to be received
by Hammerhead Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement,
is fair from a financial point of view, to Hammerhead Shareholders.
Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP is acting as Canadian counsel to
Hammerhead and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is
acting as U.S. counsel to Hammerhead. ATB Capital Markets and
Stifel Canada are acting as Strategic Advisors to Hammerhead.
Peters & Co. Limited (“Peters & Co.”) is
acting as Financial Advisor to the Special Committee of the
Hammerhead Board of Directors. Peters & Co. has also provided a
verbal opinion (“Peters & Co. Fairness Opinion” and, together
with CIBC Fairness Opinion, the “Fairness Opinions”) to the Special
Committee of the Hammerhead Board of Directors to the effect that,
as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to the
assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, the
consideration to be received by Hammerhead Shareholders pursuant to
the Transaction, is fair from a financial point of view, to
Hammerhead Shareholders. Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is acting
as counsel to the Special Committee of the Hammerhead Board of
Directors.
Bennett Jones LLP and Vinson & Elkins LLP
are acting as counsel to Riverstone.
About Hammerhead Energy
Inc.
Hammerhead is a Calgary, Canada-based energy
company, with assets and operations in Alberta targeting the
Montney formation. Hammerhead Resources Inc., the predecessor
entity to Hammerhead Resources ULC, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Hammerhead, was formed in 2009.
Contacts:
For further information, please contact:
Scott SobiePresident
& CEOHammerhead Energy Inc.403-930-0560
Mike KohutSenior Vice President &
CFOHammerhead Energy Inc.403-930-0560
Kurt MolnarVice President Capital
Markets & Corporate PlanningHammerhead Energy
Inc.403-930-0560
READER ADVISORY
Currency
All amounts in this press release are stated in Canadian dollars
(C$) unless otherwise specified.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain information contained herein may
constitute forward-looking statements and information
(collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of
applicable securities legislation, including Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve known and
unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors. Undue
reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like
“anticipates”, “estimates”, “expects”, “indicates”, “forecast”,
“intends”, “may”, “believes”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “plans”,
“proposed”, “potential”, “will”, “target”, “approximate”,
“continue”, “might”, “possible”, “predicts”, “projects” and similar
expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a
statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in
this press release include but are not limited to: the Transaction
and the timing and benefits thereof; the consideration expected to
be received by Hammerhead Shareholders pursuant to the Transaction;
the timing of the Meeting; and the anticipated benefits of the
Transaction, including in respect of production, drilling
inventory, growth, cost of capital and liquidity.
Such statements reflect the current views of
Hammerhead and Crescent Point, as applicable, with respect to
future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and
assumptions that could cause results to differ materially from
those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These risks and
uncertainties include but are not limited to: that the Transaction
is not completed on the timing anticipated or at all; the
occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could
give rise to the termination of the definitive agreements relating
to the Transaction; the inability to complete the Transaction due
to the failure to obtain approval of Hammerhead Shareholders, the
court, regulatory bodies or stock exchanges, as required; the risk
that pro forma Crescent Point may not be able to realize the
anticipated benefits of the Transaction, including with respect to
increased production, long-term organic growth and improved cost of
capital; risks related to capital market liquidity and long-term
return of capital; risks related to the retention or recruitment,
or changes required in, officers, key employees or directors
following completion of the Transaction; geopolitical risks and
changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that
Hammerhead, Crescent Point and/or pro forma Hammerhead may be
adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive
factors; the impact of general economic conditions; volatility in
market prices for crude oil and natural gas; industry conditions;
currency fluctuations; imprecision of reserve estimates;
liabilities inherent in crude oil and natural gas operations;
environmental risks; incorrect assessments of the value of
acquisitions and exploration and development programs; the lack of
availability of qualified personnel, drilling rigs or other
services; changes in income tax laws or changes in royalty rates
and incentive programs relating to the oil and gas industry
including abandonment and reclamation programs; hazards such as
fire, explosion, blowouts, and spills, each of which could result
in substantial damage to wells, production facilities, other
property and the environment or in personal injury; ability to
access sufficient capital from internal and external sources;
Hammerhead’s success in retaining or recruiting, or changes
required in, its officers, key employees or directors; operational
risks; litigation and regulatory enforcement risks, including the
diversion of management time and attention and the additional costs
and demands on resources; general economic and business conditions;
risks related to the oil and natural gas industry, such as
operational risks in exploring for, developing and producing crude
oil and natural gas and market demand; pricing pressures and supply
and demand in the oil and gas industry; fluctuations in currency
and interest rates; risks related to debt agreements and access to
capital; inflation; risks of war, hostilities, civil insurrection,
pandemics and epidemics, and general political and economic
instability; severe weather conditions and risks related to climate
change; terrorist threats; risks associated with technology;
changes in laws and regulations, including environmental,
regulatory and taxation laws, and the application of such changes
to pro forma Crescent Point's future business; availability of
adequate levels of insurance; and difficulty in obtaining necessary
regulatory approvals and the maintenance of such approvals. Readers
are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all
possible risks and uncertainties.
With respect to forward-looking statements
contained in this press release, Hammerhead and Crescent Point, as
applicable, have made assumptions regarding, among other things:
the satisfaction of the conditions to completion of the
Transaction, including the timely receipt of required Hammerhead
Shareholder, court, regulatory and stock exchange approvals, as
required; the ability of Crescent Point to realize benefits and
efficiencies with respect to the Transaction; future capital
expenditure levels; future oil and natural gas prices; future oil
and natural gas production levels; future currency exchange rates
and interest rates; ability to obtain equipment and services in a
timely manner to carry out development activities; ability to
market oil and natural gas successfully to current and new
customers; the impact of competition; the general stability of the
economic and political environments in which Hammerhead and
Crescent Point operate; the ability to obtain qualified staff,
equipment and services in a timely and cost efficient manner; that
Crescent Point, Hammerhead and/or pro forma Crescent Point will
have sufficient cash flow, debt or equity sources or other
financial resources required to fund the expenses in connection
with the Transaction, capital and operating expenditures and other
requirements as needed; that pro forma Crescent Point's conduct and
results of operations will be consistent with its expectations;
that pro forma Crescent Point will have the ability to develop its
oil and gas properties in the manner currently contemplated; the
estimates of production volumes and the assumptions related thereto
(including commodity prices and development costs) are accurate in
all material respects; the ability to add production and reserves
through development and exploration activities; and other matters.
Although Hammerhead believes that the expectations reflected in the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release, and the
assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are made, are
reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will
prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list
is not an exhaustive list of all assumptions which have been
considered.
Management has included the above summary of
assumptions and risks related to forward-looking information
provided in this press release in order to provide shareholders
with a more complete perspective on Hammerhead's current and future
operations and such information may not be appropriate for other
purposes. Hammerhead's actual results, performance or achievement
could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by,
these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can
be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking
statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what
benefits Hammerhead will derive. The forward-looking statements
contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this
press release. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not
be relied upon as representing Hammerhead’s views as of any
subsequent date, and except as expressly required by applicable
securities laws, Hammerhead does not undertake any obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Oil and Gas Information
The term "Boe" means a barrel of oil equivalent
on the basis of 6 Mcf of natural gas to 1 barrel of oil ("bbl").
Boe’s may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe
conversation ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 bbl is based on an energy
equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner
tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.
Given the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as
compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy
equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion ratio at 6:1 may be
misleading as an indication of value.
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