CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwired – July 27, 2016) – Gear Energy Ltd. (“Gear“) (TSX:GXE) and Striker Exploration Corp. (“Striker“) (TSX VENTURE:SKX) are pleased to announce the successful completion of the combination of the two companies pursuant to the previously announced plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement“). Pursuant to the Arrangement, shareholders of Striker received 2.325 Gear common shares (“Gear Shares“) for each Striker common share (“Striker Share“). As a result, Gear has approximately 190.5 million Gear Shares outstanding with existing Gear shareholders holding approximately 60% of such Gear Shares and former Striker shareholders holding approximately 40% of such Gear Shares. Pursuant to the Arrangement, Gear also assumed Striker’s net debt of approximately $9 million, after taking into account expected Striker transaction costs.
Concurrent with the closing of the Arrangement, Gear entered into a credit agreement for new $50 million senior secured revolving credit facilities with a syndicate of lenders with approximately $33 million drawn on such facilities, net of cash on hand, as at the date hereof. Striker’s credit facility and Gear’s former credit facility have been re-paid in full and terminated in connection with the closing of the Arrangement.
Upon completion of the Arrangement, three existing members of Striker’s board of directors, Neil Roszell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Raging River Exploration Inc., John O’Connell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Davis-Rea Ltd. and Kevin Olson, President of Kyklopes Capital Management Ltd., have been appointed to the board of directors of Gear (the “Gear Board“). Additionally, in connection with the completion of the Arrangement, Mr. Greg Bay, President of Cypress Capital Management Ltd. has retired from the Gear Board. Mr. Bay has served on the Gear Board since 2013. The Gear Board and management would like to thank Mr. Bay for his valuable contributions to the Gear Board and for his continued support of Gear.
As part of the Arrangement, Gear and Striker were amalgamated and continued under the name “Gear Energy Ltd.” and the Striker Shares will be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange on or about July 29, 2016.
Peters & Co. Limited acted as financial advisor to Gear and FirstEnergy Capital Corp. acted as financial advisor to Striker with respect to the Arrangement.
Shareholders whose Striker Shares are held by a broker, agent or other intermediary should contact their broker or agent in respect of the exchange of their Striker Shares pursuant to the Arrangement. Registered holders of Striker Shares must deposit their certificates with a duly completed letter of transmittal in order to receive their Gear Shares, as set forth in the joint management information circular (the “Circular“) of Gear and Striker dated June 27, 2016. Certificates formerly representing Striker Shares now represent only the right to receive Gear Shares to which the holders thereof are entitled pursuant to the Arrangement.