RE: 20196 Jan 2019 17:28
giant
January 4, 2019 Asia, Company News,Crude Oil, Featured, M&A, Natural Gas, News 0
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The potential acquisition of UK-listed oil and gas company Ophir Energy by Indonesia’s Medco Energi could create a Southeast Asia upstream powerhouse, Kallanish Energy learns from Wood Mackenzie.
According to research director Angus Rodger, a potentially successful deal would make the combined firm the seventh-largest non-national oil company upstream producer in Southeast Asia, above Hess and BP, and just behind Repsol and Total.
On Dec. 31, Ophir announced it was in discussions with Medco over a potential cash offer by the Indonesian firm. No further details have been disclosed, except Medco has a Jan. 28 deadline to formalize its intentions whether or not to make an offer.
Ophir is listed in London but its upstream portfolio includes assets in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania, as well as exploration acreage in Mexico and Bangladesh. The firm currently produces 25,000 barrels of oil-equivalent per day (Boe/d).
“This is a bold move by Medco and, if successful, would create a Southeast Asian upstream powerhouse,” Rodger said, adding Medco would substantially increase its regional footprint and diversify its mature, Indonesia-heavy portfolio.
“It would also bulk up its non-Asian exposure by adding growth options in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea, to add to its existing positions in Libya, Oman, Yemen, Tunisia and the U.S.,” he added.