Skip to main content

Rystad Energy: ExxonMobil’s Norway exit could break records

Published by , Editor
Oilfield Technology,


With the news that ExxonMobil is looking to sell its Norwegian upstream assets, with an estimated value of US$3.1 billion according to Rystad Energy*, Simon Sjøthun, Rystad Energy partner, has noted that a sale of this magnitude could be the largest private transaction ever recorded on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

“The valuation implies that a combined divestment of the entire portfolio would put the transaction at the very top of pure Norwegian transactions since the SDFI spin off in 2001,” Sjøthun said, with reference to the divestment of 15% of the State’s Direct Financial Interest (SDFI) in Norwegian offshore licenses when then Statoil was partially privatised 18 years ago.

As of 1 January 2019, ExxonMobil controlled 530 million boe on the NCS. The company’s most valuable asset is its stake in the Snorre field, worth almost US$700 million.

“The profile is mature and declining, but nevertheless sizeable in terms of current production. A portfolio generating high cash flow and with limited tax balances, given the Norwegian fiscal regime with 90% nominal tax relief on investment, will be highly attractive for any E&P company without sufficient revenue,” Sjøthun remarked.

ExxonMobil’s decision to put its assets up for sale follows a gradual decline in Norwegian activity, highlighted by the divestment of its stake in the Gassled pipeline infrastructure in 2010, the completion of its last operated exploration well in 2010, and the divestment of its operated portfolio to Point Resources in 2017.

“The portfolio now up for review consists strictly of non-operated assets. The potential exit will follow the trend of American companies refocusing their efforts away from North West Europe,” Sjøthun added.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/special-reports/27062019/rystad-energy-exxonmobils-norway-exit-could-break-records/

You might also like

McDermott awarded offshore contract by Brazil's BRAVA Energia

Under the contract scope, McDermott will execute the transportation and installation of flexible pipelines, umbilicals and associated subsea equipment for two new wells at the Papa-Terra field and two new wells for the Atlanta Phase 2 development.

 
 

Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below):


 

This article has been tagged under the following:

Upstream news Offshore news