Published on 24/11/2010
PTT gains foothold in Canada $2.28bn deal biggest by Thai firm to date
PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) has gained a foothold in the lucrative Canadian oil sands sector by paying US$2.28 billion for a 40% stake in the Kai Kos Dehseh (KKD) project operated by the Norwegian oil and gas company Stat oil ASA.
Anon: More deals possible with Stat oil The deal is the largest overseas acquisition to date by a Thai company, exceeding the US$1.7 billion paid earlier this year by Banpu Plc to buy Centennial Coal Co of Australia. Anon Sirisaengtaksin, PTTEP's chief executive officer, called the acquisition a "transformational step" in the expansion plans for the exploration flagship of PTT Plc. In addition to gaining access to a highly attractive deposit in the western Canadian province of Alberta, the company hoped to pursue future growth into unconventional resources. That growth could include a partnership with Stat oil, one of the world's leaders in heavy oil and deep-water exploration and production, he said. "It is a win-win business goal for the two firms since we have a strong foothold in the Asia-Pacific region, while Stat oil has strong oil and gas upstream activities in North and South America and Africa," he said. The transaction is expected to be completed within the first quarter of 2011,
Published on 24/11/2010
subject to Canadian regulatory approvals. Stat oil will hold 60% in the project and continue as its operator. Kai Kos Dehseh is a significant deposit covering 257,200 acres with an estimated 4.3 billion barrels of recoverable bitumen resources. All told, the oil sands are said to contain the largest crude reserves outside of Saudi Arabia. According to Mr. Anon, the deal would extend the lifespan of PTTEP's oil reserves to 40 years from 10 years. The company plans to sell $800 million worth of bonds overseas to finance part of the investment plan. It will also sign a five-year, $500-million syndicated loan deal with four foreign banks this week. It will fund another $1 billion of the investment plan with cash. PTTEP currently has 40 projects in 14 countries, most of which are in Asia, while Stat oil has a presence in 13 countries, mostly in North and South America, Africa and the Middle East. The two companies have had a business relationship since the early 1990s, having joined the Bongkot gas field in the Gulf of Thailand after it was transferred from the French energy group Total. Stat oil left Asia including Thailand when the regional financial crisis occurred in 1997. But the company has been returning to Asia over the past few years to tap into high energy demand, according to a source at the Department of Mineral Fuels. PTTEP in May this year had entered a bid to acquire 40% of Stat oil's largest heavy crude venture, the offshore Peregrino Field in Brazil. However, the deal was won by China's biggest chemicals trader, Sinochem, for $3 billion. But four months later, Stat oil directly contacted PTTEP about the Canadian oil sands venture, said Mr. Anon. Production of heavy crude from bitumen from the oil sands is expected to start early next year with daily output of 10,000 barrels, a figure that is forecast to Double in 2012. The five fields in KKD could ultimately produce 300,000 barrels a day, PTTEP said. PTTEP shares closed yesterday on the SET at 180 baht, down 3.50, in the trade worth 1.23 billion baht.