Linn Energy announces $581.5 million sale of western Wyoming assets

HOUSTON — Linn Energy, Inc. announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its interest in properties located in western Wyoming to Jonah Energy LLC for a contract price of $581.5 million, subject to closing adjustments. Proceeds from the sale are expected to be used to reduce outstanding borrowings under the company’s revolving credit facility and term loan.

“This sale allows us to significantly reduce leverage and improve financial flexibility,” said Mark E. Ellis, President and CEO. “We are aggressively pursuing higher return opportunities in the SCOOP / STACK / Merge play where we are increasing rig activity and building out our midstream business. In addition, we are pursuing other emerging horizontal plays in the Mid-Continent, Rockies, North Louisiana and East Texas.”

The properties consist of approximately 27,500 total net acres including 16,000 net acres in the Jonah and Pinedale Anticline fields with first quarter net production of approximately 129 MMcfgd, proved reserves of 384 Bcfe and proved developed PV-10 of approximately $369 million. The company forecasts full-year unlevered free cash flow associated with these properties of approximately $60 million. In the second half of the year, the company had budgeted $16 million of capital for the development of these properties. This capital will be redeployed for the development of growth projects or used to further de-lever the balance sheet.

“This sale also marks the first step of transitioning LINN from a conventional production-based MLP to a streamlined growth-oriented enterprise. The Board will continue to work hand-in-hand with management to execute on a value maximizing and transformative business plan.  This plan includes continuing the previously announced sale of non-core assets, accelerating investment in key horizontal growth plays and focusing on our overall cost structure to become a best-in-class low cost operator,” said chairman Evan Lederman on behalf of the company’s board.

The sale of Jonah is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017 with an effective date of March 1, 2017. This transaction is subject to satisfactory completion of title and environmental due diligence, as well as the satisfaction of closing conditions. Jefferies LLC acted as sole financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP as legal counsel during the transaction.

Source: www.worldoil.com