Company in strong disagreement with Letko's conclusions and
reiterates its shareholder value rationale
CALGARY, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Encana Corporation
(NYSE, TSX: ECA) today issued a statement in strong disagreement to
Letko's news release earlier today titled: "Letko Brosseau Will
Vote Against Encana's Proposed Exit from Canada."
"We were disappointed by Letko's release earlier today stating
its opposition to our recent decision to establish Encana's
corporate domicile in the United
States," said Encana's CEO Doug
Suttles. "We have had a long relationship with Letko and
most certainly appreciate their investment in our Company.
"Our establishment of domicile in the U.S. was carefully
considered by our leadership, Board of Directors and outside
advisors. The rationale for the move is crystal clear—we want
to expose our Company and all its stockholders to
increasingly larger pools of investment in U.S. index funds and
passively managed accounts. The change in corporate
domicile will not change how we run our day-to-day business, nor
diminish the important role our Canadian assets play in our
portfolio today. We do not believe that our Canadian investors will
be forced to sell beyond the Canadian indices, and we will remain
listed on both the TSX and the NYSE. Furthermore, we know that most
of our large investors in Canada
also own many of our U.S.-domiciled peers today. We deeply believe
this move ultimately will be positive for ALL shareholders as
exposure to the significantly larger U.S. market and funds is
estimated to create more than $1
billion of additional demand for our shares. As we said at
the time of the original announcement in late October, 'our actions
show that we will leave no stone unturned to capture the value we
deeply believe exists within our equity'."
Encana has significantly transformed the Company over the last
half-decade. Today's quality, liquids-rich portfolio supports a
sustainable business model that generates free cash flow and a
return of cash to shareholders. Our focus on innovation and
efficiency is consistently delivering superior financial and
operational performance. Our establishment of domicile in the U.S.,
as well as our subsequent name change to Ovintiv Inc., reflects our
significant transformation and better aligns us with our U.S.
peers. Today, more than 80% of Encana's capital investments, 75% of
revenues and approximately 70% of proved reserves are located in
the U.S.
A preliminary proxy statement/prospectus was recently filed with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities
regulatory authorities. We have also prepared a detailed slide
packet outlining the significant under-representation of index
funds and passive accounts in Encana's current ownership when
compared to similar U.S. peer companies. The preliminary proxy
statement/prospectus and the referenced slide packet can both be
found on Encana's website at www.encana.com.
The change in corporate domicile, the rebrand to Ovintiv, and a
previously announced 1 – for – 5 consolidation and share exchange
require two-thirds of votes cast for shareholder approval. A
special meeting of Encana shareholders will be held in early 2020.
In addition to shareholder approval, stock exchange and Canadian
court approvals are also required.
Important Information for Investors and
Securityholders
This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an
offer to sell, buy or exchange or the solicitation of an offer to
sell, buy or exchange any securities or the solicitation of any
vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale,
purchase, or exchange of securities or solicitation of any vote or
approval in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. In
connection with the proposed corporate reorganization that
includes, among other things, the redomicile, Encana's subsidiary
1847432 Alberta ULC, a predecessor to Ovintiv Inc. ("Ovintiv"), has
filed a registration statement on Form S-4, which includes
Ovintiv's preliminary prospectus as well as Encana's preliminary
proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and Canadian
securities regulatory authorities. Encana plans to mail the
definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus to its shareholders and
holders of its equity incentives in connection with the proposed
corporate reorganization. INVESTORS AND SECURITYHOLDERS OF ENCANA
ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT
DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC AND CANADIAN SECURITIES
REGULATORY AUTHORITIES CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE
THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ENCANA, OVINTIV, THE
CORPORATE REORGANIZATION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and
securityholders will be able to obtain free copies of the
definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other
documents filed with the SEC by Encana or Ovintiv through the
website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Investors and
securityholders will also be able to obtain free copies of the
definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other
documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities by
Encana, through the website maintained by the Canadian Securities
Administrators at www.sedar.com. In addition, investors and
securityholders will be able to obtain free copies of the documents
filed with the SEC and Canadian securities regulatory authorities
on Encana's website at www.encana.com or by contacting Encana's
Corporate Secretary.
Participants in the Solicitation
Encana and certain of its directors, executive officers and
employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of
proxies in connection with the proposed corporate reorganization.
Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the
SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the
securityholders of Encana in connection with the corporate
reorganization, including a description of their respective direct
or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be
included in the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus described
above when it is filed with the SEC and Canadian securities
regulatory authorities. Additional information regarding Encana's
directors and executive officers is also included in Encana's
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and 2019 Proxy Statement,
which was filed with the SEC and Canadian securities regulatory
authorities on March 14, 2019. This
document is available free of charge as described above.
ADVISORY REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS – This
news release contains forward-looking statements or information
(collectively, "FLS") 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. FLS include: completion of the corporate
reorganization, including corporate domicile, and the timing
thereof; benefits of the transaction including exposure to larger
pools of investment, alignment with U.S. peers and demand for our
shares; impact to our shareholders and their ability to invest;
asset composition; and sustainable business model and ability to
generate free cash flow and return cash. FLS involve assumptions,
risks and uncertainties that may cause such statements not to occur
or results to differ materially. These assumptions include: the
ability to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms,
required securityholder, stock exchange and court approvals;
assumptions contained in our corporate guidance; and expectations
and projections made in light of Encana's historical experience and
its perception of historical trends. Risks and uncertainties
include: ability to achieve anticipated benefits of the corporate
reorganization; receipt of securityholder, stock exchange and court
approvals and satisfaction of other conditions; risks relating to
the new company following the reorganization; publicity resulting
from the reorganization and impacts to the company's business and
share price; risks outlined in our corporate guidance; changes in
or interpretation of laws or regulations; and other risks and
uncertainties as described in Encana's Annual Report on Form 10-K
and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and as described from time to
time in Encana's other periodic filings as filed on SEDAR and
EDGAR. Although Encana believes such FLS are reasonable, there can
be no assurance they will prove to be correct. The above
assumptions, risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. FLS are
made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Encana
undertakes no obligation to update or revise any FLS. Further,
descriptions in this communication are summary in nature and may
not fully describe all underlying legal and tax principles of the
corporate reorganization. Investors and securityholders are urged
to read the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents
filed or to be filed with the SEC and Canadian securities
regulatory authorities when they become available for details on
the corporate reorganization.
Further information on Encana Corporation is available on the
company's website, www.encana.com, or by contacting:
Investor
contact:
|
Media contact:
|
(281) 210-5110
|
(281)
210-5253
|
(403) 645-3550
|
|
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SOURCE Encana Corporation