Santos-Oil Search deal gets final approval

The proposed merger between Australian LNG player Santos and PNG-focused Oil Search is almost complete, following the final court approval.

The National Court of Papua New Guinea on Thursday made orders approving the scheme of arrangement under which Santos would acquire all of the shares in Oil Search in return for the issue of new Santos shares to Oil Search shareholders, the duo said in a statement.

This follows approval by Oil Search shareholders earlier this week.

Oil Search expects to lodge a certified copy of the orders with the PNG Registrar of
Companies on Friday, December 10, at which time the scheme would become effective.

“If this occurs, Oil Search will apply for its shares to be suspended from trading on the PNGX and ASX with effect from close of trade on Friday,” it said.

Santos also said in a filing to the ASX it proposes to issue 1.3 billion new Santos shares.

In September, Oil Search and Santos have entered into a definitive merger deal that would create an LNG player worth about A$21 billion ($15.5 billion).

Following the completion of the scheme, Oil Search shareholders would own about 38.5 percent of the merged group and Santos shareholders would own 61.5 percent.

Oil Search has a stake in the ExxonMobil-led PNG LNG project but also the planned Papua LNG development.

Most Popular

QatarEnergy CEO says damaged Ras Laffan LNG trains to take three years to repair

State-owned LNG giant QatarEnergy expects the damage to two liquefaction trains at its giant Ras Laffan complex to take three years to repair, according to Qatar’s energy minister and CEO of QatarEnergy, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi.

Glencore pens Chinese LNG supply deal

Switzerland-based energy trader Glencore has signed a long-term deal to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to a unit of China Suntien Green Energy.

Equinor seals long-term LNG SPA with Thailand’s PTT

Norwegian energy firm Equinor has signed a long-term LNG sales and purchase agreement with a unit of Thailand’s PTT.

More News Like This

Australia’s Santos strengthens LNG portfolio with new deals

Australian LNG player Santos has signed two separate, non-binding LNG agreements that underscore the company’s growing global LNG portfolio position. Santos entered into a non-binding heads of agreement to buy LNG from the Ksi Lisims LNG project in Canada and the company agreed key commercial terms with South Korea's Posco Steel to supply the latter with LNG.

Australia’s Santos kicks off drilling of first Beetaloo appraisal well

Australian LNG player Santos on Tuesday announced the spudding of its first appraisal well in the Beetaloo Basin, marking a "major" milestone towards unlocking a new source of long-term gas supply for Australian households, businesses, and industry.

TotalEnergies to transfer Papua LNG operatorship to ExxonMobil

French energy giant TotalEnergies said on Monday that Papua LNG has achieved "major" contractual and commercial milestones, marking "decisive" steps towards a final investment decision. These include completing the EPC tendering process and transferring Papua LNG operatorship to US energy giant ExxonMobil, operator of the PNG LNG project.

TotalEnergies, partners seal Papua LNG deal with Papua New Guinea

France’s TotalEnergies and its partners in the Papua LNG export project have signed amendments to the project's gas agreement with the government of Papua New Guinea, paving the way for a final investment decision by the end of the year.