Santos-Oil Search merger deal gets another approval

The proposed merger between Australian LNG player Santos and PNG-focused Oil Search continues to progress following an approval from the PNG Securities Commission.

Santos said in a statement on Monday it had received the necessary approval letter and exception notice from the Commission in order to implement the proposed merger with Oil Search.

This is one of the conditions set in the merger implementation deed. It also follows an approval by Papua New Guinea’s National Court.

The deal remains subject to certain conditions including clearance from PNG’s Independent Consumer and Competition Commission.

Also, Oil Search shareholders will vote on December 7 on the merger deal.

“The Oil Search board continues to unanimously recommend that Oil Search shareholders vote in favor of the scheme at the scheme meeting in the absence of a superior proposal,” Oil Search said in a statement on Monday.

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

Galp wins Calcasieu Pass arbitration against Venture Global

Portuguese energy firm Galp has won an arbitration case against US LNG exporter Venture Global LNG over LNG sales from the Calcasieu Pass plant in Louisiana.

Seatrium scores Excelerate FSRU conversion gig

Singapore's Seatrium has secured a floating storage and regasification unit conversion contract with an option for a second contract from US FSRU player Excelerate Energy.

MISC to order five more LNG carriers for Petronas charter

Malaysian shipping firm MISC will order five additional newbuild 174,000-cbm liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers at China's Hudong-Zhonghua. The vessels will serve a 20-year charter with a unit of MISC's parent, Petronas.

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.