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    Santos, ConocoPhillips complete northern Australia transaction

    May 29, 2020
    Santos has completed the acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ northern Australia and Timor-Leste assets for a reduced purchase price and an increased contingent payment subject to a final investment decision on Barossa.
    (Courtesy ConocoPhillips)
    Schematic of the Barossa gas project.
    Schematic of the Barossa gas project.

    Offshore staff

    ADELAIDE, Australia – Santos has completed the acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ northern Australia and Timor-Leste assets for a reduced purchase price and an increased contingent payment subject to a final investment decision (FID) on Barossa.

    Due to recent market volatility and the deferral of Barossa FID, Santos and ConocoPhillips agreed to decrease the $1.39 billion upfront payment at completion to $1.265 billion and increase the contingent payment on Barossa FID from $75 million to $200 million.

    At completion, the net settlement amount was $655 million, lower than the previously forecast amount of $800 million, comprising the revised firm purchase price of $1.265 billion less cash in the acquired business from the effective date of Jan. 1, 2019 to completion with customary adjustments. The net settlement amount is before any sell-downs of interests owned by Santos in the acquired assets.

    The acquisition delivers operatorship and control of a portfolio of low-cost, long-life natural gas assets and strategic LNG infrastructure. Santos’ interest in Bayu-Undan and Darwin LNG increases to 68.4% at completion and will provide a boost to 2020 production and cash flows. Santos’ interest in the Barossa project to backfill Darwin LNG increases to 62.5%.

    The company has an agreement to sell a 25% interest in Darwin LNG and Bayu-Undan to SK E&S for $390 million and signed a letter of intent to sell a 12.5% interest in Barossa to JERA.

    The sale of interests in Bayu-Undan and Darwin LNG to SK E&S, and in Barossa to JERA, are subject to third-party consents, regulatory approvals, and an FID decision on Barossa.

    05/29/2020