PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) and Rice Energy Inc. (NYSE:RICE) announce that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which EQT will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Rice common stock for total consideration of approximately $6.7 billion – consisting of 0.37 shares of EQT common stock and $5.30 in cash per share of Rice common stock. EQT will also assume or refinance approximately $1.5 billion of net debt and preferred equity. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017, subject to customary closing conditions.
“This transaction brings together two of the top Marcellus and Utica producers to form a natural gas operating position that will be unmatched in the industry. Rice has built an outstanding company with an acreage footprint that is largely contiguous to our existing acreage, which will provide substantial synergies and make this transaction significantly accretive in the first year, said Steve Schlotterbeck, EQT’s president and chief executive officer.
“Since the beginning of 2016, we have added more than 485,000 acres to our development portfolio and have achieved significant scale in the core of the Marcellus. We will now shift our focus from acquisitions to integration as we work to drive higher capital efficiency through longer laterals; reduce per unit operating costs through operational and G&A synergies; improve our sales portfolio by expanding access to premium markets; and deliver increased value to our shareholders,” continued Schlotterbeck.
Daniel J. Rice IV, chief executive officer, Rice Energy, stated, “Natural gas is the key to a cleaner energy world; and the combination of Rice and EQT – two of the United States’ largest, lowest-cost, and most responsible natural gas producers – creates an unparalleled leader in shale gas development that will benefit the environment and our shareholders for many decades to come.”
As the vast majority of the acquired acreage is contiguous with EQT’s existing acreage position, EQT anticipates a 50% increase in average lateral lengths for future wells located in Greene and Washington Counties in Pennsylvania. This same land synergy also complements the infrastructure footprint of EQT Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE:EQM), where growth opportunities are expected through drop-downs and additional organic projects. Already a leading producer in the Appalachian Basin, this acquisition will make EQT the largest natural gas producer in the United States.
Acquisition Highlights
Acquisition |
Post- |
|||||
Core acres (net) | ||||||
Marcellus | 187,000 | 670,000 | ||||
Upper Devonian | 64,000 | 149,000 | ||||
PA & WV Utica | 105,000 | 616,000 | ||||
OH Utica | 65,000 | 65,000 | ||||
Total undeveloped locations | ||||||
Marcellus | 980 | 3,700 | ||||
Upper Devonian | 430 | 955 | ||||
PA & WV Utica | 630 | 3,680 | ||||
OH Utica | 280 | 280 | ||||
2017E average sales volume (Bcfe/d) | 1.3 | 3.6 | ||||
EQT will also obtain Rice’s midstream assets, including a 92% interest in Rice Midstream GP Holdings LP, which owns 100% of the general partner incentive distribution rights and 28% of the limited partner interests in Rice Midstream Partners LP (NYSE:RMP), and the retained midstream assets currently held at Rice. The retained midstream assets, which EQT intends to sell to EQM in the future through drop-down transactions, are expected to generate approximately $130 million of EBITDA in 2018. See the Non-GAAP Disclosures section for important information regarding the non-GAAP financial measures included in this news release.
The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction. Completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of both EQT and Rice shareholders, as well as certain customary regulatory and other closing conditions.
Webcast Information
EQT will host a conference call with security analysts at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time today. A brief Q&A session for security analysts will immediately follow the transaction discussion. Slides accompanying the prepared remarks are available on our website at ir.eqt.com. The conference call will be broadcast live via the EQT investor information page at ir.eqt.com, with a replay available for seven days following the call.
NON-GAAP DISCLOSURES
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)
As used in this news release, EBITDA means the earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation of Rice’s retained midstream assets. EBITDA of these assets is a non-GAAP supplemental financial measure that management and external users of EQT’s consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, use to assess the potential contribution of Rice’s retained midstream assets to EQT’s future operating performance and cash flows.
EQT believes that the projected EBITDA of Rice’s retained midstream assets provides useful information to investors in assessing the viability of the proposed transaction and the related return on investment as well as the future impact of the assets on EQT’s financial condition and results of operations. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income. Additionally, because EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in EQT’s industry, the definition of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing the utility of the measure.
Advisors
Citigroup acted as financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz acted as legal advisor to EQT for the transaction. Barclays Capital Inc. acted as financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins LLP acted as legal advisor to Rice Energy.
About EQT Corporation:
EQT Corporation is an integrated energy company with emphasis on Appalachian area natural gas production, gathering, and transmission. With more than 125 years of experience, EQT continues to be a leader in the use of advanced horizontal drilling technology – designed to minimize the potential impact of drilling-related activities and reduce the overall environmental footprint. Through safe and responsible operations, the Company is committed to meeting the country’s growing demand for clean-burning energy, while continuing to provide a rewarding workplace and enrich the communities where its employees live and work. EQT also owns a 90% limited partner interest in EQT GP Holdings, LP. EQT GP Holdings, LP owns the general partner interest, all of the incentive distribution rights, and a portion of the limited partner interests in EQT Midstream Partners, LP.
Visit EQT Corporation at www.EQT.com.
About Rice Energy:
Rice Energy Inc. is an independent natural gas and oil company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of natural gas and oil properties in the Appalachian Basin. For more information, please visit our website at www.riceenergy.com.