Houston, Texas US | – The world’s largest independent exploration and production company, based on proved reserves and production of liquids and natural gas, ConocoPhillips announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its interests in the San Juan basin to an affiliate of Hilcorp Energy Co for up to $3.0 billion of total proceeds, comprised of $2.7 billion in cash and a contingent payment of up to $300 million. The cash portion of the proceeds is subject to customary closing adjustments. The contingent payment is effective beginning Jan. 1, 2018 and has a term of six years. Proceeds from this transaction will be used for general corporate purposes.
“This transaction significantly accelerates value from our San Juan Basin assets,” said Ryan Lance, chairman and CEO. “Including our recently announced Canadian asset sales, we have line of sight to more than $16 billion of total considerations in 2017. These transactions will materially reduce our exposure to North American gas and achieve an immediate step change improvement in our balance sheet and cash margins, while accelerating our return of cash to shareholders. Our company will be more focused, far stronger financially, and well positioned to execute our disciplined, returns-focused value proposition.”
Full-year 2016 production associated with the San Juan basin assets was 124,000 boed, of which approximately 80% was natural gas. Cash provided by operating activities for 2016 was approximately $0.2 billion. Year-end 2016 proved reserves were 0.6 billion boe.
As of Dec. 31, 2016, the net book value of the assets was approximately $5.9 billion, which includes approximately $2.8 billion of step-up basis associated with the Burlington acquisition in 2006. The company expects to record a non-cash impairment on the assets in the second quarter of 2017. The transaction is subject to specific conditions precedent being satisfied, including regulatory approval, and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017.
The company has posted an investor presentation that summarizes the combined impact of this San Juan basin transaction and the recently announced Canadian transaction. The company also intends to update its cash flow sensitivities to reflect these two transactions when it reports first-quarter 2017 results on May 2, 2017.
