Chord Energy And Enerplus To Combine In $11B Transaction Creating Premier Williston-Focused E&P Company With Top-Tier Shareholder Returns

Author: Benzinga Newsdesk | February 21, 2024 06:26pm

Enhanced Operating Scale to Drive Returns and Free Cash Flow; Combined Acreage Position

Totaling 1.3 Million Net Acres and Combined 4Q23 Production of 287,000 Boepd

Combined Company has Approximately 10 years of Low-Breakeven Inventory with Significant Opportunity to Enhance Returns through Efficiencies and Expanding Three-Mile Lateral Opportunities

Transaction Accretive to Key Metrics 

While Preserving Low Leverage; Strong Balance Sheet and Significant Liquidity at Close

Transaction Expected to Generate Administrative, Capital and Operational Cost Synergies of

Up To $150 Million Annually with After-Tax Present Value up to $750 Million

Post-Combination Return of Capital Expected to Remain at Chord's Pre-Combination Level of 75%+ of Free Cash Flow; Expected 2024 Pro forma Free Cash Flow of $1.2 Billion(2)

Commitment to ESG and Sustainability Excellence and Capitalizing on Combined

Best Practices

Danny Brown to Serve as President and CEO; Ian Dundas to Serve as Advisor to the CEO and Director; Three Additional Enerplus Directors to Join Combined Company Board

Companies to Host Conference Call Today at 6:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. CT and 4:00 p.m. MT)

HOUSTON and CALGARY, AB, Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) ("Chord", "Chord Energy") and Enerplus Corporation (TSX:ERF) (NYSE:ERF) ("Enerplus") today announced they have entered into a definitive arrangement agreement under which Chord will combine with Enerplus in an approximately $11 billion stock and cash transaction. The combined company will have a premier Williston Basin position with deep, low-cost inventory, approximately 1.3 million net acres, combined 4Q23 production of 287 MBoepd, and enhanced free cash flow generation to return capital to shareholders.

Under the terms of the transaction, each common share of Enerplus will be exchanged for 0.10125 shares of Chord common stock and $1.84 per share in cash, representing 90% stock and 10% cash consideration. Upon completion of the transaction, Chord shareholders will own approximately 67% of the combined company and Enerplus shareholders will own approximately 33% on a fully diluted basis. The combined company's enterprise value of approximately $11 billion is inclusive of Enerplus' net debt, based on the transaction exchange ratio, and the closing share prices for Chord and Enerplus as of February 20, 2024. 

"This combination further strengthens our Williston Basin position and represents a compelling opportunity for both companies' shareholders," said Danny Brown, Chord Energy's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Enerplus' Williston Basin position brings high-quality inventory, and we are excited to leverage best practices from both companies to create a stronger, more efficient entity. The combined company is expected to benefit from improving returns, capital efficiency, low-cost inventory, and a peer-leading balance sheet, all of which support sustainable free cash flow generation and meaningful shareholder returns. This is also a great opportunity for the employees and stakeholders of both Chord and Enerplus, as we believe the combined company will continue to benefit the communities in which we operate in North Dakota and Montana, including the Fort Berthold Reservation. We look forward to working closely with Enerplus to ensure that the full potential of this combination is realized for the benefit of all of our stakeholders."

"This transaction brings together Chord's and Enerplus' premier asset bases, operational abilities and technical acumen to create a combined company positioned to drive further success, deliver competitive returns and peer-leading shareholder distributions," said Ian Dundas, Enerplus' President and Chief Executive Officer. "Joining forces with Chord will provide Enerplus shareholders with immediate value for their investment and the opportunity to participate in the future upside potential from ownership in the stronger, larger company with enhanced shareholder returns. I want to thank our employees for their dedication and hard work over the years that has allowed us to build such a great organization and reach this exciting milestone."

Combined Company Positioned to Drive Value Through Commodity Cycles 

• Enhances Williston Basin Position with Increased Scale. The combined company is expected to be a premier operator in the Williston Basin, with approximately 1.3 million net acres (98% Williston) and 4Q23 production of 287 MBoepd (over 90% Williston). Oil is expected to be approximately 56% of the combined company's production, supporting peer-leading EBITDA margins.
• Adds Significant High-Quality Inventory. The combined company is expected to benefit from an enhanced inventory position, increasing its sub $60 WTI breakeven inventory by over 60%, improved returns and resilient free cash flow through commodity cycles. The pro forma inventory supports approximately 10 years of development at the current pace and expands the company's opportunities for three-mile lateral development.
• Accretive to All Financial Metrics. The transaction is expected to be accretive to all metrics, including: i) cash flow per share, ii) free cash flow per share, iii) net asset value and iv) return of capital. Significant synergies allow for additional potential accretion in 2025 and beyond.
• Delivers Significant Cost Saving and Synergy Opportunities. The combined company expects to benefit from administrative, capital and operating synergies of up to $150 million per year. Administrative synergies are expected to begin immediately in 2024 and increase in 2025 up to $40 million. Capital synergies are expected to increase up to $55 million during 2025, and operating synergies initiate in 2025 and are expected to increase up to $55 million in 2026. The combined company will leverage best practices to further advance efficiencies across the business. The after-tax present value of synergies is expected to exceed $750 million.
• Supports Top-Tier Shareholder Returns. The combined company is expected to generate meaningful free cash flow from its low-cost asset base, improving efficiencies and disciplined capital spending through a wide range of commodity price scenarios. The combined company is expected to generate approximately $1.2 billion of free cash flow with a reinvestment rate of approximately 51% in 2024 at $79/bbl WTI and $2.50/MMBtu NYMEX gas. Post-closing Chord is expected to maintain its peer-leading return of capital framework at 75%+ of free cash flow through base and variable dividends and share repurchases.
• Creates Stronger Financial Position and Relatively Unlevered Balance Sheet. The combined company is expected to have an improved credit profile and cost of capital, with a strong balance sheet with expected leverage of ~0.2x at close.
  • Continued ESG Commitment. The combined company will maintain and build upon its commitment to ESG and sustainability excellence and capitalize on combined best practices.

Posted In: CHRD ERF TSX:ERF