HZN: New Gas Sales Agreements
Summary
- Horizon Oil's Mereenie joint venture has entered into long-term gas sales agreements, securing the sale of forecast gas production until the end of 2030.
- The agreements include a new gas sales agreement with the Northern Territory Government (NTG) and an amended agreement with Arafura Rare Earths Limited (ARU).
- The NTG agreement covers the supply of up to 8.3 PJs of gas (net to Horizon Oil) on a firm basis from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2030.
- The NTG agreement includes provisions to mitigate risks associated with Northern Gas Pipeline (NGP) closures and supports the drilling of two new infill wells at Mereenie.
- The amended ARU agreement involves the supply of up to 4.1 PJs of gas (Horizon's share) from January 1, 2028, to December 31, 2030.
- The agreements are expected to enhance project cashflows out to the end of the decade.
Sentiment
Score: 8
Explanation: The announcement is positive due to the securing of long-term gas sales agreements, which provides revenue certainty and reduces market dependency. The management comments are also optimistic.
Positives
- The long-term gas sales agreements provide revenue certainty for the Mereenie joint venture until the end of 2030.
- The NTG agreement reduces the market dependency on the NGP.
- The NTG agreement supports further investment at Mereenie with infill drilling planning well advanced.
- The amended ARU agreement aligns gas supply with Arafura's project timeline.
- The agreements are expected to enhance project cashflows.
Risks
- The ARU GSA is conditional and requires Arafura's Board approval for a final investment decision by December 31, 2024.
- The NTG GSA includes contingent offtake arrangements dependent on the NGP being offline or successful drilling results from new wells.
- The NGP is not expected to reopen until later this year.
Future Outlook
The new GSAs are expected to enhance project cashflows out to the end of the decade and support further investment at Mereenie, including infill drilling and appraisal of the Stairway formation.
Management Comments
- We are very pleased to have secured a long-term strategic offtake agreement to supply gas to the NT government.
- This is a strategic milestone for the joint venture with all Mereenie Proved Developed Producing gas production contracted through to the end of the decade at current market prices.
- The new GSAs underscore the strategic merit of Horizons recent acquisition of an interest in the Mereenie field with the new GSAs expected to enhance project cashflows out to the end of the decade.
Industry Context
The announcement comes at a time when gas shortfalls are forecast across the Northern Territory and the East Coast, highlighting the strategic importance of the Mereenie gas field in underpinning domestic gas supply.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- It is difficult to compare the results to industry standards without knowing the specific pricing terms of the gas sales agreements.
- However, securing long-term offtake agreements is a common strategy for oil and gas companies to de-risk projects and ensure stable revenue streams.
- Companies like Santos, Woodside, and Origin Energy also pursue similar long-term gas sales agreements to underpin their projects.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders will benefit from the increased revenue certainty and potential for enhanced project cashflows.
- The agreements support further investment at Mereenie, which could lead to increased employment opportunities.
- Customers in the Northern Territory will benefit from a secure supply of gas.
- Suppliers to the Mereenie joint venture may see increased demand for their products and services.
Next Steps
- Final investment decision by the Mereenie JV for drilling additional wells at Mereenie.
- Further investment in field production increases through additional infill drilling and possible appraisal of the Stairway formation.
- Arafura's Board approval for a final investment decision by December 31, 2024.
Key Dates
- April 2024: Mereenie gas field selling at full capacity since late April.
- 29 July 2024: Date of the ASX announcement.
- 31 July 2024: Original condition precedent date of the Arafura GSA.
- 1 January 2025: Start date for the Mereenie NTG GSA.
- 31 December 2024: New condition precedent date of the Arafura GSA.
- 1 January 2028: Start date for the amended Arafura GSA.
- 31 December 2030: End date for both the Mereenie NTG GSA and the amended Arafura GSA.
Keywords
Filings with Classifications
Conference Presentation
- The sources and uses of funds section includes an increase in ramp-up period from 2 years to 3 years and a 3-month delay in first production.
Conference Presentation
- The company requires a new equity requirement of US$793m (including COF).
- Less NRFC US$133m (A$200m).
- Remaining new equity requirement of US$660m.
Quarterly Activities Report and Appendix 5B
- The final investment decision for Nolans has the potential to extend beyond the previously advised window of the first half of 2025 calendar year due to the assessment of a potential joint venture structure.
Quarterly Activities Report and Appendix 5B
- Arafura is assessing a potential joint venture (JV) structure which could significantly reduce the equity required to fund Arafura's remaining project interest.
- The company and its advisors regularly consider and assess options put forward by third parties (including potential corporate and project-level transactions) which could, if implemented, give rise to an alternative pathway to the funding and development of the Project for the benefit of shareholders.
Investor Presentation
- The company plans to raise equity through industry cornerstones, institutional investors, and an offer to new and existing shareholders.
- The equity raise is intended to fund the US$1.2 billion Nolans Project.
Interim Financial Report
- Arafura signed a binding term sheet with the NRFC for a A$200 million investment through unsecured convertible notes.
- The company may seek additional equity to reduce the amount of funding being sought through public raising.
Interim Financial Report
- The net loss decreased compared to the previous year (A$18.85 million vs A$66.87 million).
Update to Agreement
- The gas supply agreement deadline has been extended from February 4, 2025, to March 31, 2025.
Quarterly Activities Report
- The company is engaging with other potential cornerstone investors to secure the remaining equity required for the project.
- The A$200 million investment from the NRFC is expected to be a catalyst for attracting additional equity funding.
Quarterly Activities Report
- The gas supply agreement condition precedent date has been extended to 4 February 2025, with potential for further extension.
Funding Announcement
- The convertible notes will convert into shares at a 40% premium to the reference price, which will be determined by a future equity raising.
- The company expects to announce the equity financing around the time of the Final Investment Decision for the Nolans Project.
Project Update
- The condition precedent date for the gas supply agreement has been extended from December 31, 2024, to February 4, 2025.
Operational Update
- The condition precedent date for the gas supply agreement has been delayed from December 31, 2024, to February 4, 2025.
Operational Update
- The condition precedent date for the gas supply agreement has been extended from December 31, 2024 to February 4, 2025.
Sustainability Report
- A$20 million was received from sophisticated institutional investors.
- An additional A$4.6 million was received from existing shareholders through a share purchase plan.
Revised Presentation
- The company is seeking to raise the remaining equity funding through an offer to new and existing shareholders.
Annual Report Presentation
- The company is seeking to raise the remaining equity funding needed to commence construction.
Annual Report
- Arafura is actively seeking equity funding to reach a final investment decision on the Nolans Project.
Annual Report
- While the company is making progress, the timeline for reaching a final investment decision has been extended due to the complexities of securing funding in a challenging market environment.
Annual Report
- A $20 million institutional placement was completed.
- A share purchase plan is targeting an additional $7 million, with potential for up to $3 million in oversubscriptions.
Annual General Meeting Notice
- If all Placement Options are exercised, the Company will raise an additional $17,578,125 (before costs) to further progress the development of the Nolans Project and for general working capital purposes.
Share Purchase Plan Results
- The SPP raised $4.6 million (before costs).
- A previous placement raised $20 million.
Share Purchase Plan Results
- The SPP raised $4.6 million, which is less than the targeted $7 million.
Capital Raising Announcement
- A$20 million placement completed in two tranches.
- A$7 million target for the share purchase plan (SPP), with a potential for A$3 million in oversubscriptions.
General Meeting Results
- Share issuance under Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 of a placement.
- Share issuance under the SPP (including shortfall offer).
- Share issuance to directors under the SPP.
Share Purchase Plan Announcement
- Arafura Rare Earths is conducting a Share Purchase Plan (SPP) to raise A$7 million before costs.
- The company may accept oversubscriptions up to A$3 million.
- The SPP offer price is A$0.16 per new share.
Prospectus
- The company may offer SPP Shortfall Shares to specific investors if the SPP does not reach its target of $7 million.
- The company has conditional approval for US$775 million in senior debt facilities, an additional US$80 million for a cost overrun facility (COF) and a further US$200 million in the form of a standby liquidity facility (SLF).
Gas Sales Agreement Announcement
- The condition precedent date of the Arafura GSA has been extended by five months to December 31, 2024.
- The start date of the Arafura GSA has been deferred by two years to January 1, 2028.
- The NGP is not expected to reopen until later this year.
Gas Sales Agreement Announcement
- The Arafura GSA supply start date has been deferred by two years to January 1, 2028.
- The Northern Gas Pipeline (NGP) is not expected to re-open until later this year.
Announcement and Media Release
- The company will require further gas contracting and funding arrangements by Central to progress appraisal wells at Mereenie and Palm Valley.
Announcement and Media Release
- The Arafura GSA has been amended, deferring the supply start date by two years to January 1, 2028.
Trading Halt Request
- Arafura Rare Earths is completing the placement component of a capital raising.
- The trading halt is pending an announcement regarding the completion of this placement.
Quarterly Activities Report
- The company intends to execute a capital raising to secure the equity required for the project.
- Barrenjoey has been appointed as a third joint lead manager alongside UBS AG and Canaccord Genuity to assist in raising the equity.
Investor Presentation
- The sources and uses of funds includes adjustments for a 3-month delay in first production.
Investor Presentation
- The company is focused on securing equity, leveraging strategic nature of NdPr.
- The balance to be raised through offer to new and existing shareholders.
Project Funding Update
- The project includes an increase in ramp-up period (from 2 years to 3 years), and a 3-month delay in first production.
Project Funding Update
- The company needs to raise new equity to meet the balance of the Projects funding requirement.
- The COF equity component of US$80 million is targeted to be raised at the same time as the new equity.
Conference Presentation
- The company is planning a potential build-up of equity capital.
- Customer/strategic commitment will drive participation of financial groups.
- The balance to be raised through offer to new and existing shareholders.
Quarterly Activities Report
- The company intends to execute a capital raising when debt financing with key credit approvals is in place.
- The company is targeting a substantial portion of the equity requirement via cornerstone investors ahead of launching a public equity raising with institutions and retail investors.
Conference Presentation
- The company is planning a potential build-up of equity capital.
- The company has appointed Joint Lead Managers.
- The company is seeking customer/strategic commitment to drive participation of financial groups.
- The company is planning to raise capital through an offer to new and existing shareholders.
Disclaimer: This summary was generated by artificial intelligence and its accuracy is not guaranteed. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.