Civitas Resources, Inc. (“Civitas” or the “Company”), a Colorado
energy leader that will be formed upon closing of the
recently-announced merger of Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. (NYSE:
BCEI) (“Bonanza Creek”) and Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ:
XOG) (“Extraction”), today announced that it has materially
advanced its consolidation strategy in the Denver-Julesburg (DJ)
Basin by entering into a definitive agreement to acquire Crestone
Peak Resources (“Crestone”), another leading energy producer in the
region. Civitas is expected to have an enterprise value of
approximately $4.5 billion (based on the closing market equity
capitalizations of Extraction and Bonanza Creek as of June 4,
2021), and will be optimally positioned to increase efficiencies
through combining operations across more than half a million net
acres and an estimated production base of approximately 160,000
barrels of oil equivalent per day.
The agreement to acquire Crestone represents the
most recent initiative in Civitas’ execution of the new E&P
business model that has been actively embraced by each of Bonanza
Creek and Extraction. The model is defined by operational
discipline, a strong balance sheet, commitment to free cash flow
generation, financial alignment with stakeholders, environmental
and community leadership, and best-in-class governance. Civitas is
also proud that, inclusive of the Crestone assets, it will be
Colorado’s first carbon neutral oil and gas producer (scope 1 and
scope 2) upon closing, advancing its net-zero goals.
STRATEGIC RATIONALE
- The acquisition of Crestone will
strengthen the strategic rationale underlying the formation of
Civitas, as it is projected to enhance the Company’s scale,
in-basin diversification, balance sheet, and liquidity profile.
Civitas will have established itself as the preferred consolidation
partner in the target-rich DJ Basin, which will help increase its
trading liquidity and market relevance, and ultimately elevate its
presence among top energy producers in the country.
- With the addition of Crestone,
Civitas will operate across more than half a million net acres,
with leasehold positions in all key areas of the DJ Basin. The
Company will also have an estimated production base of
approximately 160,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (on a pro
forma 1Q21 production basis) and YE20 SEC proved reserves of more
than 530 MMBoe.
- Crestone’s primary shareholder is
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPP Investments”). CPP
Investments will become Civitas’ largest shareholder and will
designate one member to the Civitas board upon closing.
- Civitas is committed to returning
capital to shareholders through increased dividends and anticipates
that the previously announced Civitas annual dividend of
$1.60/share will be increased to $1.85 at closing, with the
continued potential for additional increases, share repurchases and
special dividends.
- The acquisition of Crestone is
expected to be accretive on all 2022 estimated key metrics,
including cash flow per share, dividends per share, inventory
quality, credit profile and cost of capital. Civitas, pro forma for
the Crestone transaction, is expected to generate more than $1.3
billion in 2022E EBITDA and more than $575 million in 2022E free
cash flow.
- Civitas expects to target flat to
low production growth with moderate cash flow reinvestment.
- The Company’s enhanced financial
profile is expected to accelerate cash returns to shareholders. The
integration of Crestone is expected to result in approximately
$45 million of annual synergies, in addition to approximately
$25 million in annual synergies associated with the Bonanza
Creek/Extraction merger.
- The acquisition of Crestone will
further advance Civitas’ industry-leading ESG strategy,
demonstrated by the Company’s commitment to achieve net-zero
emissions. Civitas has an intensive, continuing focus to reduce
operational emissions and a multi-year investment in certified
emissions offsets.
- Upon closing, Civitas will provide
a progressive framework for achieving its ESG targets, which it
believes will address the interests of its operating partners,
employees, and service providers.
- Civitas was created with the goal
of operating in partnership with, and delivering unprecedented
value to, its communities. To that end, Civitas is committed to
demonstrating industry-leading alignment with its community
stakeholders through transparent communication, safe and
responsible operations, and innovative community projects.
COMMENTARY
Eric Greager, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Bonanza Creek, said, “We are actively building one of
the most durable and profitable producers in the DJ Basin. Our
combination with Crestone is just one early marker of what we hope
to achieve as Civitas, as we establish ourselves as the preferred
consolidation partner in the DJ Basin and work toward becoming one
of the top energy producers in the nation.”
Tom Tyree, Chief Executive Officer of
Extraction, said, “Crestone brings to Civitas complementary,
premium assets at the front end of the cost curve, along with
common organizational and community values, including an aggressive
commitment to sustainability. We look forward to creating
significant value for all stakeholders and furthering Civitas’
standing as an ESG leader among oil and gas producers in
Colorado.”
Tony Buchanon, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Crestone, said, “The benefits of in-basin consolidation
are compelling, and we are pleased to become part of the dynamic
enterprise that is Civitas. Crestone has long been a leader in
safety and sustainability issues, and we look forward to continuing
that leadership at Civitas.”
“Over the past five years of our investment in
Crestone, the company has demonstrated its commitment to
operational strength and efficiency, along with its introduction of
innovative sustainability practices. The combination of Crestone
with Civitas creates a stronger platform in the DJ Basin with
significant free cash flow and the potential to continue value
creation,” said Michael Hill, Managing Director and Americas Head
of Sustainable Energy, CPP Investments.
GOVERNANCE AND TRANSACTION
DETAILS
Following the closing of the transaction with
Crestone, Civitas’ board of directors will increase from eight to
nine. Each of Bonanza Creek and Extraction will designate four
directors, with CPP Investments designating one director. All board
members will stand for re-election annually. As previously
announced, Bonanza Creek President and Chief Executive Officer,
Eric Greager, will serve as President and CEO of Civitas.
“Our board will reflect exceptional competence,
diversity, and governance standards, consistent with our focus on
share price performance and our commitment to industry-leading
sustainability practices. We also warmly welcome a CPP Investments
director designee to Civitas,” commented Ben Dell, current Chair of
the Board of Extraction, who will serve as Chair of Civitas.
Under the terms of the definitive agreement,
shareholders of Crestone will exchange 100% of the equity interests
in Crestone for approximately 22.5 million shares of Bonanza Creek
common stock. Upon completion of the all-stock transaction, Bonanza
Creek and Extraction shareholders will each own approximately 37%
of Civitas and Crestone shareholders, including CPP Investments,
will own approximately 26% of Civitas. The Company will be
headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
The Crestone transaction, which is expected to
close immediately following the Bonanza Creek/Extraction merger in
the fall of 2021, has been unanimously approved by the boards of
directors of Bonanza Creek, Extraction and Crestone, and fully
approved by Crestone’s shareholders. Kimmeridge Energy and CPP
Investments have entered into support agreements to vote in favor
of the transaction. The transaction is subject to customary closing
conditions, including approvals by Bonanza Creek shareholders and
consummation of the Bonanza Creek / Extraction merger.
ADVISORS
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as
financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins LLP is serving as legal
advisor to Bonanza Creek. Petrie Partners Securities, LLC is
serving as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is
serving as legal advisor to Extraction. Jefferies LLC is serving as
lead financial advisor, TD Securities (USA) LLC is serving as
financial advisor, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is serving
as legal advisor to Crestone.
CONFERENCE CALL WEBCAST AND ADDITIONAL
MATERIALS
Civitas will discuss the transaction on a
conference call today at 7:00a.m. Mountain Time (9:00a.m. Eastern
Time). Institutional investors and analysts are invited to
participate in the call by dialing (877) 793-4362, or (615)
247-0186 for international calls, using conference ID: 2588925.
Other interested parties, including individual investors, members
of the media and employees of Civitas and Crestone, are encouraged
to participate via webcast. The webcast, and an accompanying
investor presentation, may be accessed from each of the company’s
respective investor relations pages:
https://ir.bonanzacrk.com/investor-overview and
https://ir.extractionog.com. A replay of the call will be posted on
the investor relations section of each company’s homepage.
ABOUT THE COMPANIES
Bonanza Creek is an independent energy company
engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and
production of oil and associated liquids-rich natural gas in the
Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Bonanza Creek’s assets
and operations are concentrated in rural, unincorporated Weld
County, Colorado, within the DJ Basin, focused on the Niobrara and
Codell formations. Bonanza Creek’s common shares are listed for
trading on the NYSE under the symbol: “BCEI”. For more information
about Bonanza Creek, please visit www.bonanzacrk.com.
Extraction is a Denver-based independent energy
company differentiated by its financial, operational and governance
model. Extraction is focused on developing and producing crude oil,
natural gas and NGLs in the Denver-Julesburg
Basin of Colorado. Extraction’s common shares are listed
for trading on NASDAQ under the symbol XOG. For more information
about Extraction, please visit www.extractionog.com.
Crestone is an independent energy company
focusing on the acquisition, exploration, development, and
production of oil and gas reserves in the Rocky Mountain Region.
Formed in 2016, Crestone’s team of nearly 200 energy professionals
has significant operating experience and deep ties to communities
in Colorado and is committed to operating safely and
environmentally responsibly. Crestone’s acreage is located in the
Greater Wattenberg Field of Colorado’s Denver-Julesburg Basin.
Crestone is headquartered in Denver and has an office in Firestone.
For more information about Crestone, please visit
www.crestonepeakresources.com.
NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION
This communication relates to proposed business
combination transactions between Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.
(“BCEI”) and Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc. (“XOG”) (the “XOG
Merger”) and between BCEI, Crestone Peak Resources LP (“CPR”),
CPPIB Crestone Peak Resources America Inc. (“CPPIB”), Crestone Peak
Resources Management LP (“CPR Management LP,” and, together with
CPR and CPPIB, the “Group Companies”) and XOG (the “Crestone
Merger,” and together with the XOG Merger, the “Mergers”).
Communications in this document do not constitute an offer to sell
or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy any
securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval with respect
to the Mergers or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance
or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer,
solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or
qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
Offers of securities with respect to the XOG Merger and offers of
securities to certain holders with respect to the Crestone Merger
shall be made only by means of a prospectus meeting the
requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “Securities Act”). BCEI intends to issue the merger
consideration in connection with the Crestone Merger to certain
holders in reliance on the exemptions from the registration
requirements under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2)
thereof.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE
SOLICITATION
BCEI, XOG and their respective directors and
certain of their executive officers and other members of management
and employees may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in
the solicitation of proxies from BCEI’s shareholders and XOG’s
shareholders in connection with the Mergers. Information regarding
the executive officers and directors of BCEI is included in its
definitive proxy statement for its 2021 annual meeting filed with
the SEC on April 28, 2021. Information regarding the executive
officers and directors of XOG is included in its amended annual
report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 30, 2021.
Additional information regarding the persons who may be deemed
participants and their direct and indirect interests, by security
holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the Registration
Statement, Joint Proxy Statement and other materials when they are
filed with the SEC in connection with the Mergers. Free copies of
these documents may be obtained as described in the paragraphs
above.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements in this document concerning
the Mergers, including any statements regarding the expected
timetable for completing the Mergers, the results, effects,
benefits and synergies of the Mergers, future opportunities for the
combined company, future financial performance and condition,
guidance and any other statements regarding BCEI’s, XOG’s or the
Group Companies’ future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives,
financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance
that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements
based on assumptions currently believed to be valid.
Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements
of historical facts. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “ensure,”
“expect,” “if,” “intend,” “estimate,” “probable,” “project,”
“forecasts,” “predict,” “outlook,” “aim,” “will,” “could,”
“should,” “would,” “potential,” “may,” “might,” “anticipate,”
“likely,” “plan,” “positioned,” “strategy,” and similar expressions
or other words of similar meaning, and the negatives thereof, are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. Specific
forward-looking statements include statements regarding BCEI, XOG
and the Group Companies’ plans and expectations with respect to the
Mergers and the anticipated impact of the Mergers on the combined
company’s results of operations, financial position, growth
opportunities and competitive position. The forward-looking
statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided
by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements involve
significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not
limited to, the possibility that shareholders of BCEI may not
approve the issuance of new shares of BCEI common stock in the
Mergers or that shareholders of XOG may not approve the XOG Merger
Agreement; the risk that a condition to closing of the Mergers may
not be satisfied, that either party may terminate the XOG Merger
Agreement or the Crestone Peak Merger Agreement or that the closing
of the Mergers might be delayed or not occur at all; potential
adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships,
including those resulting from the announcement or completion of
the Mergers; the diversion of management time on Merger-related
issues; the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating the
operations of BCEI, XOG and the Group Companies; the effects of the
business combination of BCEI, XOG and the Group Companies,
including the combined company’s future financial condition,
results of operations, strategy and plans; the ability of the
combined company to realize anticipated synergies in the timeframe
expected or at all; changes in capital markets and the ability of
the combined company to finance operations in the manner expected;
regulatory approval of the Mergers; the effects of commodity
prices; the risks of oil and gas activities; and the fact that
operating costs and business disruption may be greater than
expected following the public announcement or consummation of the
Mergers. Expectations regarding business outlook, including changes
in revenue, pricing, capital expenditures, cash flow generation,
strategies for our operations, oil and natural gas market
conditions, legal, economic and regulatory conditions, and
environmental matters are only forecasts regarding these
matters.
Additional factors that could cause results to
differ materially from those described above can be found in BCEI’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and
in its subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, each of
which is on file with the SEC and available from BCEI’s website at
www.bonanzacrk.com under the “Investor Relations” tab, and in other
documents BCEI files with the SEC, and in XOG’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and in its
subsequently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, each of which is
on file with the SEC and available from XOG’s website at
www.extractionog.com under the “Investor Relations” tab, and in
other documents XOG files with the SEC.
All forward-looking statements speak only as of
the date they are made and are based on information available at
that time. Neither BCEI nor XOG assumes any obligation to update
forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that
occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required
by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve
significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised
against placing undue reliance on such statements.
INVESTOR CONTACTS
Bonanza Creek EnergyScott
Landrethslandreth@bonanzacrk.com
Extraction Oil & GasJohn
Wrenir@extractionog.com
MEDIA CONTACTS
Brian Cain(281)
825.2010info@extractionog.com
Daniel YungerKekst
CNCKekst-extraction@kekstcnc.com
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