Tullow Oil said that Total has agreed to buy its entire stake in their joint onshore oil fields in Uganda for $575 million as part of its target to raise $1 billion this year to tackle its $2.8 billion debt pile.
Tullow, whose shares have shed around 90% since last April and whose market capitalisation was around $285 million on Wednesday, will receive $500 million in cash and $75 million once a final investment decision is reached on the project, it said on Thursday.
An agreement on a tax issue with the Ugandan authorities, which had delayed the sale of a smaller stake in the project to Total for months, has been reached in principle, Tullow said.
The deal depends on the two companies signing a final tax agreement with the Ugandan authorities and a green light from Tullow’s shareholders. It expects the deal to close in the second half of the year.
“We are pleased to announce that a new agreement has been reached with Tullow ... for less than $2 a barrel in line with our strategy of acquiring long-term resources at low cost, and that we have an agreement with the Uganda government on the fiscal framework,” Total Chief Patrick Pouyanne said in a statement.
The third partner in the 230,000 barrel per day project, China’s CNOOC, has pre-emption rights for half of the stake to be sold to Total.
Money from the sale will be used “to reduce Tullow’s net debt, strengthening the balance sheet and moving Tullow towards a more conservative capital structure,” the company said.
“Tullow has consulted with shareholders holding approximately 27.5% in aggregate of Tullow’s issued share capital and is pleased to report that they have indicated their support for the Transaction,” it added.
Latest Stories
-
Ebo Whyte offers fully-funded trip as he unveils new play ‘Dubai or No Sex’
11 mins -
Ancient culture of Anlo Kingdom: Exploring “Torkor Atorlia,” the fifth landing stage’s old ways of punishment
26 mins -
Leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Botswana, Cameroon and Sierra Leone to lead discussions at Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) 4th Country & Stakeholder Symposium
57 mins -
Network International Delivers Strong 2023 Revenue growth at 15% y/y and free cashflow growth of 16% y/y
57 mins -
President Akufo-Addo extends Easter Greetings to Ghanaians, urges safe drive
1 hour -
Government pushes for use of more local materials in housing, other infrastructure projects
2 hours -
Dr Bawumia extends Easter greetings to Christians
2 hours -
CAF Confederation Cup: ‘Ghanaians should expect victory against Stade Malien’ – Dreams FC forward Ishmael Dede
2 hours -
CAF Confederation Cup: ‘We want to go there and win’ – Karim Zito on Stade Malian clash
3 hours -
Togbe Adzie Lãkle Howusu XII endorses youth leadership as New Force Movement gains momentum
3 hours -
Public Utility Workers Union appeals to PURC to address power crisis
4 hours -
Anbariya loses another appeal in Kumasi as Appeal Court ratifies High Court ruling against the Islamic Institute
4 hours -
Highway construction health hazard: Ofankor-Pokuase-Nsawam residents appeal for dust relief
4 hours -
SuperJazzClub releases its first single of the year ‘Off’
4 hours -
Methodist Church to lobby Akufo-Addo for expedited assent to anti-LGBTQI+ Bill
4 hours