Neptune Energy Group has proposed to acquire a majority shareholding in ENGIE E&P International (EPI) for $3.9bn from France’s ENGIE Group.

Neptune is backed by funds advised by The Carlyle Group (through its Carlyle International Energy Partners platform), CVC Capital Partners Fund VI and a group of co-investors.

Sam Laidlaw, Executive Chairman of Neptune Energy Group, said: “EPI is a strong business with a balanced portfolio of long-life assets with low operating costs in diversified geographies across the entire E&P value chain.” 

“We look forward to working with the EPI leadership team to grow the business organically and through acquisitions. We intend to capitalise on the quality of EPI’s people and the company’s global asset portfolio, to generate long term sustained value for employees, the countries in which we are privileged to operate and for our investors. Our ambition is to create a leading international independent E&P company within the next 5 years,” he said.

The proposed transaction is subject to relevant consultation processes and customary regulatory approvals with completion expected by early Q1 2018.

EPI is a large global E&P business focused on North West Europe and with operations in North Africa and South East Asia. 

EPI produces more than 150 kboepd and has proven and probable reserves of 672 mmboe. 

The assets are advantageously spread across the spectrum of the value chain from pre-development and development through to long-life production. 

EPI’s production mix is equally weighted between oil and gas.

The EPI business that would be acquired by Neptune includes significant North Sea operations in Norway, including operatorship of the Gjøa field, in the Netherlands where EPI is the number one offshore operator and the UK, with operatorship of the recently commissioned Cygnus gas field, as well as onshore Germany, and the Jangkrik LNG project in Indonesia. 

In all, EPI operates some 60 producing oil and gas fields. 

It also includes the large Touat gas development underway in Algeria, where ENGIE would retain a substantial interest alongside Neptune.

Following the exclusivity agreement reached between Neptune and ENGIE, there will be a full consultation process with employee representatives in all relevant jurisdictions to outline the proposed plans for the business going forward. 

Once that consultation process has finished and definitive agreements are entered into, Neptune and ENGIE will work together to obtain regulatory approvals in the shortest possible time frame to ensure an efficient transition of EPI from ENGIE to Neptune. 

It is anticipated that following the consultation period with all appropriate employee representative bodies and the obtaining of all regulatory approvals, the transaction would be complete by early Q1 2018.  

EPI management and its employees are critical to the future growth and success of the business and Neptune has made certain commitments in respect of EPI’s ongoing restructuring programme and maintaining employment arrangements.

Neptune was launched in June 2015 to focus on investing in large oil and gas portfolios that may come available as a result of energy market dynamics. 

Zaoui & Co acted as lead financial advisor to Neptune, whereas BNP Paribas and Citi also provided financial advice..