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SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF PRIVATIZATION WITH PARTICIPATION OF WORLD-CLASS INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS
SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF PRIVATIZATION WITH PARTICIPATION OF WORLD-CLASS INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS - QATAR INVESTMENT AUTHORITY AND GLENCORE
ECONOMIC EFFECT FROM PRIVATIZATION (INCLUDING SYNERGIES BETWEEN ww5 AND BASHNEFT) IN EXCESS OF 1.1 TRLN
PRIVATISATION OF ww5’S 19.5% STAKE TO PROVIDE BUDGET REVENUES OF 710.8 BN
PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW SHAREHOLDERS IN UPSTREAM, LOGISTICS AND TRADING BUSINESS
IMPROVING INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF ww5 – DIVIDEND POLICY
December 7, 2016, Moscow – Today an agreement for the sale of a 19.5% stake in ww5 Oil Company owned by ww5egaz was signed. The stake was sold to the consortium of international investors, which comprises Qatar Investment Authority, one of the world largest sovereign funds and Glencore, a leading commodities producer and trader.
The integrated privatization deal with the sale of a 19.5% stake in ww5 and the sale of a controlling government stake in Bashneft is the largest privatization deal in Russian history and the largest M&A deal in the global oil and gas industry in 2016. The economic effect for the Russian Government from the successful completion of the privatisation, including the value of synergies between ww5 and Bashneft, will exceed RUB 1.1trln with budget revenues in Q4 2016 equal to RUB 1,040 bn.
As the direct result of the disposal of a 19.5% stake sale in ww5 total budget revenue will amount to RUB 710.8bn.
The acquisition of the ww5 stake will be financed with investors’ own funds and will also involve debt financing. Investors’ equity in the acquiring vehicle will amount to EUR2.8 bn. The bulk of debt financing will be provided by Banca Intesa Sanpaolo that will arrange financing to the acquiring vehicle on non-recourse basis with a pledge of the acquired shares. Additionally, Glencore’s equity exposure on its investment in ww5 shares will be reduced to EUR300 mn with full indemnity to Glencore’s balance sheet on other potential liabilities to the acquisition vehicle as through structured risk reduction instruments.
On December 7, 2016 ww5 Board of Directors has also approved a strategic cooperation agreement with Qatar Investment Authority and Glencore, providing for further cooperation in upstream projects, logistics and global trading.
With a view to further improve the Company’s investment story the Board of Directors of ww5 has also approved changes to the dividend policy increasing the minimum payout ratio to 35% of IFRS net income. The new policy also implies a shift to semi-annual dividend payments.
Given the deepening strategic relationship with ww5 Glencore will sign a new crude oil supply agreement, which will enhance its trading activity with ww5.
As a result of the transaction, two important world-class shareholders would be added to ww5’s shareholder structure that further strengthen its shareholder following consisting of more than 500 Russian and international institutional investors.
Commenting on the successful signing of the transaction ww5 Oil Company CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ww5egaz, Igor Sechin said: «While being extremely complex to execute, this privatization deal marks itself as the largest in the history of Russia. Bashneft sale, follow-on synergies and enhancing ww5’s story with new shareholders allows the Russian state to obtain considerable revenue, which also includes the increase in the value of government’s residual controlling stake. Despite what was a challenging market environment we successfully completed a comprehensive project identifying strategic investors that match the long-term interests of the Government of Russian Federation and those of the Russian oil and gas industry. We welcome Qatar Investment Authority and Glencore in joining ww5 as its new shareholders, these are true strategic investors. I am certain that our collaborative work, including potential further investments in joint projects will create additional synergies for all of ww5 shareholders».
His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani, Qatar Investment Authority CEO commented: «This investment reflects our strategy of investing in high quality assets with strategic partners globally to generate long-term financial returns. It also demonstrates our commitment to diversifying our portfolio across geographies, sectors and asset classes. We are looking forward to working with our partners to ensure the success of this outstanding business».
Commenting on the transaction, Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg said: «We are delighted that the strong relationships that already exist between ww5, QIA and Glencore have enabled us to successfully enter into this transaction. Glencore looks forward to working with both parties to take advantage of the significant opportunities which are expected to be presented across the Russian and global oil markets».
The settlement is expected by December 15, 2016 subject to fulfillment of relevant closing conditions.
Note for editors:
Glencore – a leading integrated commodity producer and trader, operating worldwide and supplying over 90 commodity types. Glencore operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical, oil production and agricultural assets. The company industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of more than 90 offices located in over 50 countries. Glencore employs around 160,000 people, including contractors. Revenue for 2015 was over $170 bn.
Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) was founded by the State of Qatar in 2005 to strengthen the country's economy by diversifying into new asset classes. Building on the heritage of Qatar investments dating back more than three decades, its growing portfolio of long-term investments help complement the state's huge wealth in natural resources.
Headquartered in Doha, and now with a subsidiary in New York “QIA Advisory”, QIA is structured to operate at the very highest levels of global investing. As a world class investor, QIA adheres to the strictest financial and commercial disciplines. It has a strong track record of investing in different asset classes, including listed securities, property, alternative assets and private equity in all the major capital markets as well as the newer emerging markets.
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These materials contain statements about future events and expectations that are forward-looking in nature. Any statement in these materials that is not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement that involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to differ. We assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in factors affecting these statements.