Chord Energy and Enerplus Agree to $11 Billion Merger

Oil

In the latest U.S. oil and gas merger, Chord Energy and Enerplus have agreed to combine in an approximately $11 billion stock and cash transaction, which will create a premier Williston basin-focused exploration and production company.

The combined firm will have a premier position in the Williston Basin in North Dakota and Montana with deep, low-cost inventory, around 1.3 million net acres, combined Q4 23 production of 287,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), and enhanced free cash flow generation to return capital to shareholders, the two companies said in a joint statement.

“The combined company is expected to generate meaningful free cash flow from its low-cost asset base, improving efficiencies and disciplined capital spending through a wide range of commodity price scenarios,” Chord Energy and Enerplus said.

The transaction is expected to close by the middle of 2024 and is subject to customary closing conditions in the United States and Canada, as well as the approvals by the shareholders of both companies, approvals in Canada, and regulatory clearances or approvals.

“This transaction brings together Chord’s and Enerplus’ premier asset bases, operational abilities and technical acumen to create a combined company positioned to drive further success, deliver competitive returns and peer-leading shareholder distributions,” Enerplus’ president and CEO Ian Dundas said.

The deal is the latest in a growing list of mergers and acquisitions announced in the United States in recent months.

Consolidation in the shale industry accelerated in the second half of 2023, and it looks like 2024 will bring more of the same—mergers and acquisitions in which large companies become even larger by purchasing smaller and independent companies and their top-tier assets.

ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Occidental are some of the big names that have announced acquisitions since the fourth quarter of 2023. In one of the latest deals, Diamondback Energy agreed earlier this month to buy Endeavor Energy Resources in a $26-billion transaction.

 

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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About Stu Turley 4195 Articles
Stuart Turley is President and CEO of Sandstone Group, a top energy data, and finance consultancy working with companies all throughout the energy value chain. Sandstone helps both small and large-cap energy companies to develop customized applications and manage data workflows/integration throughout the entire business. With experience implementing enterprise networks, supercomputers, and cellular tower solutions, Sandstone has become a trusted source and advisor.   He is also the Executive Publisher of www.energynewsbeat.com, the best source for 24/7 energy news coverage, and is the Co-Host of the energy news video and Podcast Energy News Beat. Energy should be used to elevate humanity out of poverty. Let's use all forms of energy with the least impact on the environment while being sustainable without printing money. Stu is also a co-host on the 3 Podcasters Walk into A Bar podcast with David Blackmon, and Rey Trevino. Stuart is guided by over 30 years of business management experience, having successfully built and help sell multiple small and medium businesses while consulting for numerous Fortune 500 companies. He holds a B.A in Business Administration from Oklahoma State and an MBA from Oklahoma City University.