VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: EGY; LSE: EGY)
(“
VAALCO”) and TransGlobe Energy Corporation (TSX:
TGL; NASDAQ: TGA; AIM: TGL) ("
TransGlobe") (VAALCO
and TransGlobe together, the “
Combined Company”)
announced today that they have entered into a definitive
arrangement agreement (the “
Arrangement
Agreement”) pursuant to which VAALCO will acquire all of
the outstanding common shares of TransGlobe in
a stock-for-stock strategic business combination transaction
valued at US$307 million (the “
Transaction”).
Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, VAALCO will acquire
each TransGlobe share for 0.6727 of a VAALCO share of common stock,
which represents a 24.9 percent(1) premium per TransGlobe common
share based on the companies’ respective 30-day volume weighted
average share prices as of market close on July 13, 2022. The
Transaction will result in VAALCO stockholders owning approximately
54.5 percent and TransGlobe shareholders owning approximately 45.5
percent of the Combined Company.
Strategic Rationale for the
Transaction
The combination of VAALCO and TransGlobe will
create a world-class African-focused E&P Company supporting
sustainable growth and stockholder returns, and provide a host of
benefits to the Combined Company’s stockholders and other
stakeholders:
- The Transaction will bring together
two complementary businesses, creating an operated, full-cycle
portfolio of low-risk, high return assets under a production and
development-oriented business model:
- Assets located in prolific and
established basins in Egypt, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Canada,
with significant future growth potential;
- Combination of two highly capable
subsurface / technical, operational and business development teams
enabling the pooling of operational best practices, skills and
technology across the combined portfolio; and
- A highly experienced management
team with an established and multi-decade track record of value
creation in the Combined Company’s areas of operation;
- The Combined Company will have a
larger, and more diversified reserves and production base,
enhancing risk management, increasing portfolio optionality to
high-grade and sequence investment projects towards the
highest-return projects, as well as increasing access to a broader
set of capital sources relative to each company on a standalone
basis. The management of VAALCO and TransGlobe estimate:
- Combined 2022 mid-point production
guidance of 19,100 barrels of oil equivalent per day
(“boepd”) on a net revenue interest
(“NRI”) (96 percent oil & liquids) basis
across Egypt, Gabon and Canada and 24,400 boepd on a working
interest (“WI”) basis(2);
- Combined proved (1P) reserves on an
NRI basis of 32 million barrels of oil equivalent
(“MMboe”) (92 percent oil) and 41 MMboe on a WI
basis (92 percent oil) (as at January 1, 2022 in the case of VAALCO
and as at December 31, 2021 in the case of TransGlobe)(2); and
- Combined proved plus probable (2P)
reserves on an NRI basis of 51 MMboe (90 percent oil) and 66 MMboe
(91 percent oil) on a WI basis (as at January 1, 2022 in the case
of VAALCO and as at December 31, 2021 in the case of
TransGlobe)(2);
- The Combined Company will be in a
net cash(3) position, with US$53 million in combined net cash as of
March 31, 2022 (prior to the receipt of US$44.6 million in April
2022 from VAALCO’s March 2022 lifting), and have operational free
cash flows to underpin sustainable stockholder returns and growth
while maintaining sufficient liquidity and a continued robust
balance sheet;
- The Combined Company will reinforce
VAALCO’s and TransGlobe’s existing commitment to financial
discipline and stockholder returns, with a target annualized
dividend of US$28 million, an annualized target of approximately 25
cents per share (with payments to be made quarterly), and with a
focus on further enhancing stockholder distributions through
returning excess cash via share buybacks and/or dividends;
- The Combined Company will have an
attractive inventory of organic growth projects across the
portfolio in all regions, and will be more favorably positioned to
self-fund, optimize and generate value from these projects on
account of the Combined Company’s superior operational and
technical capabilities and financial resources, relative to each of
VAALCO and TransGlobe on an individual basis;
- In addition, with increased scale
and broader geographical operations, it is expected that the
Combined Company will be well positioned to benefit from additional
targeted inorganic growth in Africa, with reference to strict
strategic, financial and operational criteria;
- Stockholders in the Combined
Company should benefit from a more liquid investment, with an
increased number of shares traded on the NYSE and LSE, a combined
stockholder profile and increased visibility in the public capital
markets, building on the strong equity performance of each of
VAALCO and TransGlobe in recent years; and
- The Boards of Directors of both
companies have unanimously approved the Transaction.
George Maxwell, VAALCO’s Chief Executive
Officer, said:
“This transformational transaction is consistent
with VAALCO’s strategic growth objectives of expanding our African
footprint and providing an enlarged platform to deliver long-term,
sustainable value for our stockholders. The respective portfolios
complement one another well and result in a diverse, full-cycle
asset base which materially increases our production, more than
doubles our reserves, and significantly enhances our ability to
generate meaningful cash flow. Just as important, this combination
results in a financially stronger company with no net debt,
significant cash on the balance sheet and the size and scale to
better fund and execute on a robust set of organic opportunities
while delivering accretive long-term growth objectives.
“VAALCO and TransGlobe share similar corporate
cultures with firm commitments to financial discipline, stockholder
value, operational excellence and positive ESG impact. As such, we
believe this transaction is mutually beneficial for the broader
stakeholders of both companies and reinforces the ability of the
Combined Company to deliver on those commitments. We look forward
to engaging with both sets of equity holders as we re-emphasize the
mutually beneficial nature of the proposed transaction and the
vision for the stronger Combined Company.”
Randy Neely, TransGlobe’s President and
Chief Executive Officer, said:
“We are very pleased to bring together two
leading international oil and gas companies, each with decades of
operational excellence in Africa. Under the stewardship of a joint
VAALCO and TransGlobe board, we are confident that the assets of
VAALCO and TransGlobe will continue to provide strong shareholder
returns. The additional scope and scale of the combined entity will
provide a larger platform, which will provide greater stability to
TransGlobe’s practice of distributing cash to shareholders as well
as growth investment in TransGlobe’s operations in Egypt and
Canada. The TransGlobe management team is committed to working with
George, Ron and their team to ensure a successful combination of
our industry-leading teams.”
Management, Board and Corporate
Matters The Combined Company will continue to be led by
George Maxwell as Chief Executive Officer and Ron Bain as Chief
Financial Officer, with the executive team of TransGlobe remaining
with the business through a three to six month transition
period.
- The Combined Company’s Board of
Directors will be proportionally comprised of VAALCO and TransGlobe
non-executive directors, with Andrew L. Fawthrop as Chair, David
Cook, Edward LaFehr, Tim Marchant, Fabrice Nze-Bekale, and Cathy
Stubbs as non-executive directors and George Maxwell as a director
and Chief Executive Officer;
- TransGlobe’s technical teams in
Canada and Egypt provide skillsets that are applicable to the
entire combined portfolio;
- VAALCO will remain a Delaware
corporation with its corporate headquarters situated in Houston,
Texas;
- VAALCO’s shares will continue be
listed on the NYSE and are intended to be readmitted to trading on
the Standard Segment of the LSE, both under the ticker symbol
“EGY”; and
- VAALCO intends to apply for the
cancellation of trading of TransGlobe’s shares on AIM, and the
delisting of TransGlobe’s shares from the TSX and TransGlobe’s
shares will be delisted from the Nasdaq.
Transaction Terms
- VAALCO to acquire, through an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, each TransGlobe share for 0.6727
of a VAALCO share;
- Implied TransGlobe equity value of
US$307 million (with premium), and enterprise value of US$273
million assuming cash of US$37 million and debt of US$3 million as
of March 31, 2022;
- A 24.9 percent premium per
TransGlobe share based on VAALCO’s and TransGlobe’s respective
30-day volume weighted average share prices as of July 13,
2022;
- VAALCO stockholders and TransGlobe
shareholders will own approximately 54.5 percent and 45.5 percent
of the Combined Company, respectively;
- The Transaction will be implemented
by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business
Corporations Act (Alberta);
- The Transaction requires approval
by at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by the holders of TransGlobe
shares present in person or represented by proxy at a special
meeting of the holders of the TransGlobe shares to be called to
consider the Transaction;
- The issuance of the VAALCO shares
pursuant to the Transaction requires approval by the holders of a
majority of shares of VAALCO common stock who, being present or
voting by proxy and entitled to vote at the VAALCO stockholders
meeting, cast votes affirmatively or negatively on the VAALCO share
issuance resolution. VAALCO will also propose to amend its
certificate of incorporation to increase the size of its authorized
share capital in order to issue the VAALCO shares. Approval of this
proposed amendment will be required by the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of VAALCO common stock entitled to vote at
the VAALCO stockholders meeting;
- The Arrangement Agreement provides
for customary deal protection provisions, including reciprocal
non-solicitation covenants and rights to match superior
proposals;
- The Arrangement Agreement provides
for mutual termination fees of US$9.15 million in the event the
Transaction is terminated by either party in certain circumstances;
and
- Each of VAALCO’s and TransGlobe’s
directors and certain members of the executive leadership team have
entered into voting support agreements agreeing to vote their
shares or stock in favor of the Transaction.
Path to Completion
The Boards of Directors of both companies have
unanimously approved the Transaction.
The Transaction is expected to close in the
second half of 2022. Closing of the Transaction is subject to
approval by the stockholders of VAALCO and the shareholders of
TransGlobe, the approval of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta,
approval for listing of the VAALCO shares to be issued on the
applicable stock exchanges and other customary closing
conditions.
It is anticipated that both the TransGlobe
shareholder and VAALCO stockholder meetings will take place in the
second half of 2022.
Further information regarding the Transaction
will be contained in a management proxy circular that TransGlobe
will prepare, file and mail to TransGlobe common shareholders in
advance of the TransGlobe shareholder meeting and a proxy statement
that VAALCO will file with the SEC and mail to stockholders of
VAALCO in advance of the VAALCO stockholder meeting. Copies of the
Arrangement Agreement and management proxy circular will be
available on TransGlobe’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the
Arrangement Agreement and VAALCO proxy statement will be available
at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. See “Important Information
about the Transaction and Where to Find It” and “Certain Canadian
Regulatory Matters” below.
Advisors
VAALCO has retained Stifel, Nicolaus &
Company, Incorporated as sole financial advisor, and Mayer Brown
International LLP, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, and Al Kamel
Law Firm as legal counsel.
Evercore Partners International LLP is acting as
the sole financial advisor, and Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP,
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Bird & Bird
LLP and Sharkawy & Sarhan are acting as legal counsel to
TransGlobe. Canaccord Genuity Limited is acting as nominated
adviser and corporate broker to TransGlobe.
Analyst and Investor Webcast and
Conference Call:
The management team of VAALCO will be hosting an
analyst and investor webcast and conference call today at 11:00 ET,
16:00 BST. Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the
start time and request to be connected to the “VAALCO and
TransGlobe Transaction Conference Call.”
Conference Call Details
Participant Dial In (Toll Free): |
1-833-685-0907 |
Participant International Dial In: |
1-412-317-5741 |
UK Toll Free: |
08082389064 |
Webcast Details
https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=qzt6MgQE
If you are in the UK, you should only attend
this conference call if you are: (i) a ‘qualified investor’ within
the meaning of section 86 (7) of FSMA purchasing as principal or in
circumstances under section 86 (2) of FSMA; and (ii) have
professional experience in matters relating to investments and who
fall within the category of persons set out in Article 19 of the
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order
2005 as amended (the “Order”) or are high net worth companies
within the meaning set out in Article 49 of the Order; or (iii) are
otherwise permitted to attend.
Enquiries:
VAALCO Investor Contact |
|
Al PetrieChris Delange |
+1
713 543 3422 |
|
|
VAALCO Financial Advisor |
|
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, IncorporatedCallum StewartSimon
Mensley |
+44 20 7710 7600 |
|
|
|
|
VAALCO Financial PR |
|
|
BuchananBen RomneyChris Judd |
+44 20 7466 5000 |
VAALCO@buchanan.uk.com |
TransGlobe Investor Contact |
|
Randy Neely (CEO)Eddie Ok (VP and CFO) |
+1 403 264 9888 |
investor.relations@trans-globe.com |
|
|
|
TransGlobe Financial Advisor |
|
Evercore Partners International LLPDavid WaringAditya LohiaAndrew
MacNiven |
+44 20 7653 6000 |
|
|
|
|
TransGlobe Nomad & Broker |
|
|
Canaccord Genuity LimitedHenry Fitzgerald-O’ConnorGordon
Hamilton |
+44 20 7523 8000 |
|
|
|
|
TransGlobe Investor Relations |
|
|
Tailwind AssociatesDarren Engels |
+1 403 618 8035 |
|
Endnotes
(1) |
Calculated as the volume-weighted average price for the 30
preceding trading days for VAALCO (US$7.53/ share) and TransGlobe
(US$4.06/share). |
|
|
(2) |
Caution to U.S. and Canadian
Investors Regarding Management’s Reserve Estimates |
Aggregated reserves
figures prepared by management and not reviewed by competent person
as required by local requirements. Reserve estimates of VAALCO and
TransGlobe are prepared under different standards and may not be
directly comparable in all relevant respects. References to
reserves in this document represent crude oil and natural gas
reserves only and, in each case, prepared by VAALCO management and
TransGlobe management. VAALCO’s proved reserves or “1P” reserves
net of royalties were prepared in accordance with United States
Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) ASC Topic 932 –
Extractive Activities – Oil and Natural Gas under U.S. GAAP and
subpart 1200 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC (the “U.S.
Standards”). VAALCO’s proved reserves, or “1P” reserves, on a
working interest basis prior to the deduction of royalties and
VAALCO’s proved plus probable “2P” reserves represent estimates
prepared in accordance with the definitions and guidelines set
forth in the 2018 Petroleum Resources Management Systems approved
by the Society of Petroleum Engineers as of December 31, 2021 using
escalated crude oil price and cost assumptions made by VAALCO’s
management. The U.S. Standards definitions of proved and probable
reserves are different from the definitions contained in the 2018
Petroleum Resources Management Systems approved by the Society of
Petroleum Engineers as of December 31, 2021 and from Canadian
National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and
Gas Activities (“NI 51-101”). As a result, VAALCO’s 1P working
interest reserves and 2P reserves may not be comparable to U.S.
Standards or Canadian standards. The U.S. Standards require United
States oil and gas reporting companies, in their filings with the
SEC, to disclose only proved reserves after the deduction of
royalties and production due to others but permits the optional
disclosure of probable and possible reserves in accordance with
SEC’s definitions. VAALCO’s 1P working interest reserves and 2P
reserves may differ from the U.S. Standards and Canadian standards
definitions of proved and probable reserves. Management of VAALCO
uses 1P working interest reserves and 2P reserves as a measurement
of operating performance because it assists management in strategic
planning, budgeting and economic evaluations and in comparing the
operating performance of VAALCO to other companies. Management of
VAALCO believes that the presentation of VAALCO’s 1P working
interest reserves and 2P reserves and of the combined reserves is
useful to its international investors, particularly those that
invest in companies trading on the LSE, in order to better compare
such reserves information to other LSE-traded companies that report
similar measures. VAALCO also believes that this information
enhances its investors’ and securities analysts’ understanding of
its business. However, 1P working interest reserves and 2P reserves
should not be used as a substitute for proved reserves calculated
in accordance with the definitions prescribed by the SEC. In
evaluating VAALCO’s business, investors should rely on VAALCO’s SEC
proved reserves and consider 1P working interest reserves and 2P
reserves only supplementally.
Additionally,
TransGlobe’s reserves were determined in accordance with the
standards set out in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook
(the “COGEH”) and the reserves definitions contained in NI 51-101,
as required for a Canadian reporting issuer under Canadian
securities laws, and the 1P and 2P reserves estimates of VAALCO
were not. The forecast of prices, inflation and exchange rates
utilized in the TransGlobe reserves information were computed using
the average of the forecasts of GLJ Ltd., McDaniel & Associates
Consultants Ltd. and Sproule Associates Limited each dated January
1, 2022. None of VAALCO, TransGlobe, or either of their respective
qualified independent reserves evaluators has been involved in the
preparation of the other company’s reserve estimates. Neither
VAALCO’s nor TransGlobe’s independent reserves evaluators have been
involved with the preparation of the combined reserves information
in this document. In addition to being a reporting issuer in all
provinces of Canada, TransGlobe is a registrant with the SEC but is
permitted to present disclosure of its reserves information in
accordance with the standards set out in COGEH and the reserves
definitions contained in NI 51-101. Estimates of reserves and
future net revenue made in accordance with COGEH and NI 51-101 will
differ from corresponding measures prepared in accordance with the
U.S. Standards and those differences may be material. COGEH and NI
51-101, for example, require disclosure of reserves and related
future net revenue estimates based on forecast prices and costs,
whereas the U.S. Standards require that reserves and related future
net revenue be estimated using average prices for the previous 12
months and that the standardized measure reflect discounted future
net income taxes related to VAALCO’s operations. In addition, COGEH
and NI 51-101 permit the presentation of reserves estimates on a
“company gross” basis, representing TransGlobe’s working interest
share before deduction of royalties, whereas the U.S. Standards
require the presentation of net reserve estimates after the
deduction of royalties and similar payments. There are also
differences in the technical reserves estimation standards
applicable under NI 51-101 and, pursuant thereto, the COGEH, and
those applicable under the U.S. Standards. NI 51-101 requires that
proved undeveloped reserves be reviewed annually for retention or
reclassification if development has not proceeded as previously
planned, while the U.S. Standards specify a five-year limit after
initial booking for the development of proved undeveloped reserves.
Finally, the SEC prohibits disclosure of oil and gas resources in
SEC filings, including contingent resources, whereas Canadian
securities regulatory authorities allow disclosure of oil and gas
resources. Resources are different than, and should not be
construed as, reserves. The foregoing is not an exhaustive summary
of Canadian, U.S. or U.K. reserves reporting requirements. The
management information circular to be prepared for the TransGlobe
shareholder meeting will contain COGEH compliant reserves
disclosure for VAALCO and for TransGlobe and such information,
including any combined reserves information contained therein,
shall replace the estimates contained in this document. VAALCO and
TransGlobe did not construct a consolidated reserves report for the
Combined Company. Therefore, the actual reserve of the Combined
Company, may differ from the pro forma reserves for a number of
reasons.
A breakdown of
VAALCO’s and TransGlobe’s reserves used in this document is
below:
|
Net Proved Reserves(U.S. Standards)(1) |
Working Interest Proved Reserves(2018 Petroleum ResourcesManagement
Systems)(2)(5) |
2P Reserves, Net(2018 Petroleum ResourcesManagement
Systems)(3) |
Working Interest 2P Reserves(2018 Petroleum ResourcesManagement
Systems)(3)(5) |
VAALCO |
11.2 MMbbl |
12.9 MMbbl |
17.0 MMbbl |
19.5 MMbbl |
|
Proved Reserves, Net(Canadian NI 51-101 Standard)(4) |
Working Interest Proved Reserves(Canadian NI 51-101
Standard)(5) |
Proved and Probable Reserves, Net (Canadian NI 51-101
Standard)(4) |
Working Interest 2P Reserves(Canadian NI 51-101 Standard)(5) |
TransGlobe |
20.8 MMboe |
28.0 MMboe |
34.3 MMboe |
46.1 MMboe |
(1) VAALCO proved
“1P” reserves, net are net revenue interest share of volumes on a
working interest basis, after deduction of royalty and are prior to
deductions for “income tax barrels”. Reserves estimates prepared in
accordance with U.S. Standards.(2) VAALCO proved “1P” reserves,
working interest represent proved estimates prepared in accordance
with the definitions and guidelines set forth in the 2018 Petroleum
Resources Management Systems approved by the Society of Petroleum
Engineers using VAALCO management assumptions. (3) VAALCO proved
plus probable “2P” reserves represent proved plus probable
estimates prepared in accordance with the definitions and
guidelines set forth in the 2018 Petroleum Resources Management
Systems approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers using VAALCO
management assumptions. (4) TransGlobe net reserves are
TransGlobe’s working interest share after deduction of royalties.
Net reserves in Egypt include TransGlobe’s share of future cost
recovery and production sharing oil after the government’s royalty
interest but before reserves relating to income taxes payable.
Under this method, a portion of the reported reserves will increase
as oil prices decrease (and vice versa) as the barrels necessary to
achieve cost recovery change with prevailing oil prices. Reserves
were determined in accordance with the standards set out in COGEH
and the reserves definitions contained in NI 51-101. (5) Working
interest numbers are pre-deduction of royalties.
(3) |
Net cash of the Combined Company is a supplemental financial
measure which does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and
therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by
other companies. TransGlobe considers net cash to be a key measure
to assess TransGlobe’s liquidity position at a point in time. The
most directly comparable GAAP measure for net cash is cash and cash
equivalents. Net cash is equal to total cash and cash equivalents
less long-term debt. TransGlobe’s net cash position at March 31,
2022 of $34 million was determined by taking the March 31, 2022
cash balance of $37 million, less long-term debt of $3 million at
March 31, 2022. VAALCO's net cash position at March 31, 2022 of $19
million was equal to the March 31, 2022 cash and equivalent
balance. |
About VAALCO
VAALCO, founded in 1985, is a Houston, USA
based, independent energy company with production, development and
exploration assets in the West African region.
VAALCO is an established operator within the
region, holding a 63.6% participating interest in the Etame Marin
block, located offshore Gabon, which to date has produced over 126
million barrels of crude oil and of which VAALCO is the
operator.
About TransGlobe
TransGlobe Energy Corporation is a cash
flow-focused oil and gas exploration and development company whose
current activities are concentrated in the Arab Republic of Egypt
and Canada. TransGlobe’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock
Exchange and the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the
symbol TGL and on the NASDAQ Exchange under the symbol TGA.
Important Information About the
Transaction and Where to Find It
In connection with the Transaction, VAALCO
intends to file preliminary and definitive proxy statements with
the SEC. The preliminary and definitive proxy statements and other
relevant documents will be sent or given to the stockholders of
VAALCO as of the record date established for voting on the
Transaction and will contain important information about the
Transaction and related matters. Stockholders of VAALCO and other
interested persons are advised to read, when available, the
preliminary proxy statement and any amendments thereto and, once
available, the definitive proxy statement, in connection with
VAALCO’s solicitation of proxies for the meeting of stockholders to
be held to approve, among other things, the issuance of shares of
VAALCO’s common stock in connection with the Transaction because
the proxy statement will contain important information about
VAALCO, TransGlobe and the Transaction. When available, the
definitive proxy statement will be mailed to VAALCO’s stockholders
as of a record date to be established for voting on the
Transaction. Stockholders will also be able to obtain, without
charge, copies of (i) the proxy statement, once available, (ii) the
other filings with the SEC that have been incorporated by reference
into the proxy statement and (iii) other filings containing
information about VAALCO, TransGlobe and the Transaction, at the
SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: VAALCO,
9800 Richmond Avenue, Suite 700, Houston, TX 77042 , Attention:
Secretary, telephone: +1 713-623-0801
Certain Canadian Regulatory
Matters
In connection with the Transaction, TransGlobe
intends to file a copy of the Arrangement Agreement on its profile
on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Further, TransGlobe intends on mailing to
its shareholders a management information circular and other
relevant documents as of the record date established for voting on
the Transaction, which will contain important information about the
Transaction and related matters. Shareholders of TransGlobe are
advised to read, when available, the management information
circular in connection with TransGlobe’s solicitation of proxies
for the meeting of TransGlobe shareholders to approve the
Transaction. When finalized, the management information circular
will be mailed to TransGlobe shareholders as of a record date to be
established for voting on the Transaction. TransGlobe shareholders
will also be able to obtain copies of the management information
circular on TransGlobe's SEDAR profile (www.sedar.com).
Participants in the Transaction
Solicitation
VAALCO, TransGlobe and their respective
directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the
solicitation of proxies from VAALCO’s stockholders in connection
with the Transaction. VAALCO’s stockholders and other interested
persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information (i)
regarding the directors and officers of VAALCO in VAALCO’s 2021
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 11,
2022, its proxy statement relating to its 2022 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders filed with the SEC on April 22, 2022 and other
relevant materials filed with the SEC when they become available;
and (ii) regarding TransGlobe’s directors and officers in
TransGlobe’s 2021 Annual Information Form, which is attached as
Exhibit 99.1 to Form 40-F, filed with the SEC on March 17, 2022 and
other relevant materials filed with the SEC when they become
available. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC
rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to
VAALCO’s stockholders in connection with the Transaction will be
set forth in the proxy statement for the Transaction when
available. Additional information regarding the interests of
participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the
Transaction will be included in the proxy statement that VAALCO
intends to file with the SEC.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”),
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors
created by those laws and other applicable laws and
“forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities laws. Where a forward-looking statement
expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events
or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith
and believed to have a reasonable basis. All statements other than
statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements.
The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,”
“forecast,” “outlook,” “aim,” “target,” “will,” “could,” “should,”
“may,” “likely,” “plan” and “probably” or similar words may
identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words
does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
Forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not
limited to, statements relating to (i) the Transaction and its
expected terms, timing and closing, including receipt of required
approvals, satisfaction of other customary closing conditions and
expected changes and appointments to the executive leadership team
and board of directors; (ii) estimates of future drilling,
production and sales of crude oil and natural gas; (iii) estimates
of future cost reductions, synergies, including pre-tax synergies,
savings and efficiencies; (iv) expectations regarding VAALCO’s
ability to effectively integrate assets and properties it may
acquire as a result of the Transaction into its operations; (v)
expectations regarding future exploration and the development,
growth and potential of VAALCO’s and TransGlobe’s operations,
project pipeline and investments, and schedule and anticipated
benefits to be derived therefrom; (vi) expectations regarding
future investments or divestitures; (vii) expectations of future
dividends and returns to stockholders; (viii) expectations of
future balance sheet strength and credit ratings; (ix)
expectations of future equity and enterprise value; (x)
expectations of the continued listing of VAALCO’s common stock on
the NYSE and LSE; (xi) expectations of future plans, priorities and
focus and benefits of the Transaction; and (xii) the combined
company’s environmental, social and governance related focus and
commitments, and the anticipated benefits derived therefrom.
Forward looking statements regarding the percentage share of the
Combined Company that are expected to be owned by existing VAALCO
stockholders and TransGlobe shareholders have been calculated based
on each company’s vested outstanding shares as of the date of the
Arrangement Agreement.
Such forward-looking statements are subject to
risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual
results to differ materially from future results expressed,
projected or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the ability to
obtain stockholder, shareholder, court and regulatory approvals, if
any, of the Transaction; the ability to complete the Transaction on
anticipated terms and timetable; the possibility that various
closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or
waived; risks relating to any unforeseen liabilities of VAALCO or
TransGlobe; the tax treatment of the Transaction in the United
States and Canada; declines in oil or natural gas prices; the level
of success in exploration, development and production activities;
adverse weather conditions that may negatively impact development
or production activities; the timing and costs of exploration and
development expenditures; inaccuracies of reserve estimates or
assumptions underlying them; revisions to reserve estimates as a
result of changes in commodity prices; impacts to financial
statements as a result of impairment write-downs; the ability to
generate cash flows that, along with cash on hand, will be
sufficient to support operations and cash requirements; the ability
to attract capital or obtain debt financing arrangements; currency
exchange rates and regulations; actions by joint venture co-owners;
hedging decisions, including whether or not to enter into
derivative financial instruments; international, federal and state
initiatives relating to the regulation of hydraulic fracturing;
failure of asses to yield oil or gas in commercially viable
quantities; uninsured or underinsured losses resulting from oil and
gas operations; inability to access oil and gas markets due to
market conditions or operational impediments; the impact and costs
of compliance with laws and regulations governing oil and gas
operations; the ability to replace oil and natural gas reserves;
any loss of senior management or technical personnel; competition
in the oil and gas industry; the risk that the Transaction may not
increase VAALCO’s relevance to investors in the international
E&P industry, increase capital market access through scale and
diversification or provide liquidity benefits for stakeholders; and
other risks described (i) under the caption “Risk Factors” in
VAALCO’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on
March 11, 2022; and (ii) in TransGlobe’s 2021 Annual Report on Form
40-F, filed with the SEC on March 17, 2022 or TransGlobe's annual
information form for the year ended December 31, 2021 dated March
17, 2022. Neither VAALCO nor TransGlobe is affirming or adopting
any statements or reports attributed to the other (including oil
and gas reserves information) in this document or made by the
other outside of this document. More information on potential
factors that could affect VAALCO’s or TransGlobe’s financial
results will be included in the preliminary and the definitive
proxy statements that VAALCO intends to file with the SEC in
connection with VAALCO’s solicitation of proxies for the meeting of
stockholders to be held to approve, among other things, the
issuance of shares of VAALCO’s common stock in connection with the
Transaction. There may be additional risks that neither VAALCO nor
TransGlobe presently know, or that VAALCO or TransGlobe currently
believes are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to
differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In
addition, forward-looking statements reflect VAALCO’s and
TransGlobe’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and
views as of the date of this document. Should one or more of these
risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material
respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements.
No obligation is being undertaken to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as may be required under
applicable securities laws.
Certain Assumptions Relating to Forward Looking
Statements
Forward-looking statements or information are
based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used
to develop such statements and information but which may prove to
be incorrect. Although TransGlobe and VAALCO believe the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or
information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on
forward-looking statements because TransGlobe and VAALCO can give
no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Many
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements contained
herein.
In addition to other factors and assumptions
which may be identified in this document, assumptions have been
made regarding, among other things, anticipated production volumes;
the timing of receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals for
the arrangement; the ability of the combined business to realize
the anticipated benefits of the arrangement; ability to effectively
integrate assets and property as a result of the arrangement;
ability to obtain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and
cost-efficient manner; regulatory framework governing royalties,
taxes and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which
TransGlobe and VAALCO conducts and the combined business will
conduct its business; future capital expenditures; future sources
of funding for capital programs; current commodity prices and
royalty regimes; future exchange rates; the price of oil; the
impact of increasing competition; conditions in general economic
and financial markets; availability of drilling and related
equipment; effects of regulation by governmental agencies; future
operating costs; uninterrupted access to areas of operation and
infrastructure; recoverability of reserves and future production
rates; the combined business will have sufficient cash flow, debt
and equity sources or other financial resources required to fund
its capital and operating expenditures and requirements as needed;
results of operations will be consistent with expectations; current
or, where applicable, proposed industry conditions, laws and
regulations will continue in effect; the estimates of reserves and
resource volumes and the assumptions related thereto are accurate
in all material respects; and other matters.
No Offer or Solicitation
This document shall not constitute a
solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to
any securities or in respect of the Transaction. This document is
for information purposes only and shall not constitute a
recommendation to participate in the Transaction in the Transaction
or to purchase any securities. This document does not constitute an
offer to sell or issue, or the solicitation of an offer to buy,
acquire or subscribe for any securities in any jurisdiction, nor
shall there be any sale of securities in any states or
jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities
shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the
requirements of section 10 of the Securities Act, or by means of a
prospectus approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, or an
exemption therefrom.
Non-GAAP and Other Financial
Measures
Throughout this document, TransGlobe and VAALCO
employ certain measures to analyse financial performance, financial
position and cash flow. These non-GAAP and other financial measures
do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and
therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by
other entities. The non-GAAP and other financial measures should
not be considered to be more meaningful than GAAP measures which
are determined in accordance with IFRS, as indicators of
performance.
Oil and Gas Advisories Relating to
TransGlobe
The estimates of TransGlobe’s December 31, 2021
reserves set forth in this document have been prepared by GLJ Ltd.
(“GLJ”), and independent qualified reserves evaluator as of
December 31, 2021 in accordance with NI 51-101 and COGEH and using
the forecast of prices, inflation and exchange rates computed using
the average of the forecasts of GLJ, McDaniel & Associated
Consultants Ltd. And Sproule Associated Limited each dated January
1, 2022.
BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in
isolation. A BOE conversation ratio of six thousand cubic feet of
natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent (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 that 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 on a 6:1
basis may be misleading as an indication of value.
Inside Information
This announcement contains inside information as
defined in Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 on market abuse which is
part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union
(Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“MAR”) and is made in accordance with the
Company’s obligations under article 17 of MAR. The person
responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on
behalf of VAALCO is Michael Silver, Corporate Secretary of VAALCO
and on behalf of TransGlobe is Eddie Ok, Corporate Secretary of
TransGlobe.
Evercore Partners International LLP
("Evercore"), acts as financial adviser to TransGlobe. Evercore
acts solely for TransGlobe, and will not be responsible to anyone
other than TransGlobe for providing the protections afforded to its
customers or for advising any other person in relation to the
contents of this announcement or on any transaction or arrangement
referred to in this announcement. Evercore has not authorised the
contents of this announcement (or any part of it) and no
representation or warranty (express or implied) is made, or
liability accepted, by Evercore as to any of the contents of this
announcement without prejudice to any liability for, or remedy in
respect of, fraudulent misrepresentation.
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
("Stifel"), acts as financial adviser to VAALCO. Stifel acts solely
for VAALCO, and will not be responsible to anyone other than VAALCO
for providing the protections afforded to its customers or for
advising any other person in relation to the contents of this
announcement or on any transaction or arrangement referred to in
this announcement. Stifel has not authorised the contents of this
announcement (or any part of it) and no representation or warranty
(express or implied) is made, or liability accepted, by Stifel as
to any of the contents of this announcement without prejudice to
any liability for, or remedy in respect of, fraudulent
misrepresentation.
Canaccord Genuity Limited ("Canaccord"), a
member firm of the LSE, is authorised and regulated by the FCA and
acts as nominated adviser and broker to TransGlobe. Canaccord acts
solely for TransGlobe, and will not be responsible to anyone other
than TransGlobe for providing the protections afforded to its
customers or for advising any other person in relation to the
contents of this announcement or on any transaction or arrangement
referred to in this announcement. Canaccord’s responsibilities as
TransGlobe’s nominated adviser under the AIM Rules for Companies
and the AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers are owed solely to the LSE
and are not owed to TransGlobe. Canaccord has not authorised the
contents of this announcement (or any part of it) and no
representation or warranty (express or implied) is made, or
liability accepted, by Canaccord as to any of the contents of this
announcement without prejudice to any liability for, or remedy in
respect of, fraudulent misrepresentation.
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