Statoil has solidified its position offshore Brazil after swooping in to snap up acreage in the South American country’s pre-salt bidding rounds.
Statoil Brasil Oleo e Gas Ltd., a subsidiary of Statoil ASA, ExxonMobil Exploracao Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil and PETROGAL BRASIL, S.A., a subsidiary of Galp (NYSE: GALP.LS), were the high bidders for a production sharing contract for the Carcará North block in Brazil’s second pre-salt offshore licensing round held on today.
The consortium comprising Statoil (operator, 40%), ExxonMobil (40%) and Galp (20%) presented the winning bid (67.12% of profit oil) for the Carcará North block in the Santos basin.
The pre-determined signature bonus to be paid by the consortium is approximately $910million. Statoil’s share is $364million.
Statoil, ExxonMobil and Galp have also agreed a number of subsequent transactions in the adjacent BM-S-8 block to align equity interests across the two blocks that together comprise the Carcará oil discovery.
The aggregate total potential consideration to be received by Statoil in these transactions is around $1.55billion and, following the licensing round, the potential net cash inflow to Statoil is around $1.19billion.
First, Statoil has agreed to divest 33% out of its current 66% interest in BM-S-8 to ExxonMobil for a total potential consideration of around $1.3billion, comprising an upfront cash payment of around $800million and a contingent cash payment of around $500million.
Furthermore, upon the future closing of its acquisition of the 10% interest in BM-S-8 held by Queiroz Galvão Exploração e Produção (QGEP), Statoil has agreed to divest a further 3.5% to ExxonMobil and 3% to Galp for a total consideration of around $250million, comprising an upfront cash payment of around $155million and a contingent cash payment of around $95million.
As a result, both Statoil and ExxonMobil will have a 36.5% interest in BM-S-8 and a 40% interest in Carcará North. Galp will have 17% in BM-S-8 and 20% in Carcará North.
The partners in Carcará North have also agreed that Statoil will be operator for the unitised field development, subject to government approval.
“This further strengthens Statoil’s presence in the prolific Brazilian pre-salt area and these transactions help build a strong and aligned partnership across the two Carcará blocks. Together they significantly advance our strategy in Brazil, a core area for Statoil. Developing a world-class asset like Carcará as operator is a good match with our competence and capacity,” said Statoil chief executive Eldar Sætre.
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