Shell reaches agreement to sell Nigeria’s onshore oilfields for $2.4bn

Shell, has reached an agreement with relevant stakeholders to sell its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) to Renaissance. Renaissance is a consortium of five companies made up of ND Western, Aradel Energy, First E&P, Waltersmith and Petrolin. The completion of the transaction is subject to approvals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other conditions. In a statement, Shell said “transaction will preserve SPDC’s operating capabilities for the benefit of the joint venture. The transaction has been designed to preserve the full range of SPDC’s operating capabilities following the change of ownership. This includes the technical expertise, management systems and processes that SPDC implements on behalf of all the companies in the SPDC Joint Venture (SPDC JV). SPDC’s staff will continue to be employed by the company as it transitions to new ownership.

“Following completion, Shell will retain a role in supporting the management of SPDC JV facilities that supply a major portion of the feed gas to Nigeria LNG (NLNG), to help Nigeria achieve maximum value from NLNG. Commenting on the deal, Shell’s Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, Zoë Yujnovich, said: “This agreement marks an important milestone for Shell in Nigeria, aligning with our previously announced intent to exit onshore oil production in the Niger Delta, simplifying our portfolio and focusing future disciplined investment in Nigeria on our Deepwater and Integrated Gas positions. It is a significant moment for SPDC, whose people have built it into a high-quality business over many years. Now, after decades as a pioneer in Nigeria’s energy sector, SPDC will move to its next chapter under the ownership of an experienced, ambitious Nigerian-led consortium.

“Shell sees a bright future in Nigeria with a positive investment outlook for its energy sector. We will continue to support the country’s growing energy needs and export ambitions in areas aligned with our strategy.” The SPDC JV is an unincorporated joint venture comprised of SPDC Ltd (30%), the government-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (55%), Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd (10%) and Nigeria Agip Oil Company Ltd (5%). According to Shell, “The SPDC JV holds 15 oil mining leases for petroleum operations onshore and 3 for petroleum operations in shallow water in Nigeria. It is operated by SPDC. “The consideration payable to Shell as part of the transaction is $1.3bln. The buyer will make additional cash payments to Shell of up to $1.1bln, primarily relating to prior receivables and cash balances in the business, with the majority expected to be paid after the transaction.

“The amounts above will be adjusted to reflect any shareholder distributions, above $200 million, made prior to completion. Other contingent payments, including those related to gas supply to NLNG, may become payable depending on business performance and fluctuation of product prices. The net book value of the entity subject to this transaction is approximately $2.8bln as of December 31, 2023. Under the agreed deal structure, economic performance accrues to the buyer with effect from December 31, 2021 (the effective date). However, Shell will continue to consolidate SPDC until control transfers at completed. Although any amounts will depend on the future financial performance of the business, we expect to recognise impairments in respect of the business up to the date of completion, including to the extent that the net book value of SPDC exceeds the expected consideration at completion. 

“At closing, Shell will provide secured term loans of up to US$1.2bln, to cover a variety of funding requirements. Shell is providing additional financing of up to US$1.3bln over future years to fund SPDC’s share of the development of the SPDC JV’s gas resources to supply feedgas to NLNG, and its share of specific decommissioning and restoration costs. This additional financing will only be drawn down when these costs are approved and incurred by the SPDC JV.”