A.P. Moller – Maersk has received all regulatory approvals and has today completed the sale of Maersk Oil to Total, which was announced on 21 August 2017.
A.P. Moller – Maersk has transferred its shares in Maersk Oil to Total and as consideration received 97.5 million Total shares equalling $5.6bn as of 7 March 2018. In addition to the shares, Total has assumed a short-term debt of $2.5bn via a debt push down from A.P. Moller – Maersk into Maersk Oil, which will be repaid to A.P. Moller – Maersk shortly after closing. The proceeds will after customary closing adjustments be used to reduce debt in A.P. Moller – Maersk.
The accounting gain for A.P. Moller – Maersk amounts to $2.6bn. This reflects a locked box interest and the positive development of the Total S.A. share price up to 7 March 2018 and is reduced by Maersk Oil’s net profit realised in the period from 1 July 2017 until closing.
As announced in August, A.P. Moller – Maersk plans, subject to meeting its investment grade objective, to return a material portion of the value of the received Total shares to its shareholders during 2018/2019 in the form of extraordinary dividend, share buyback and/or distribution of Total shares.
Søren Skou, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk, said: “I would like to express our appreciation for the commitment demonstrated by Maersk Oil over the past 18 months to uphold a safe and solid performance, while at the same time successfully progressing on major development projects in the North Sea. The focus and results achieved during the time of transition is a testament to the capabilities and professionalism of Maersk Oil’s people. With the completion of the Maersk Oil transaction, we have taken a significant step in our strategy to focus A.P. Moller – Maersk on container shipping, ports, and logistics”.
Denmark will become a new regional anchor point for Total with strong Copenhagen and Esbjerg bases, which will supervise all of Total’s operations in Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands. Moreover, the Copenhagen office will host the Senior Vice President of Total’s North Sea and Russia Business Unit. A new Technical centre is to be established in Copenhagen, supplementing Total’s existing centres in Paris and Pau. Planned development schedules and investments in strategic and sanctioned projects will be upheld.
Claus V. Hemmingsen, vice-CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk and CEO of the Energy division, said: “We have today secured a financially strong and focused owner of Maersk Oil with a long-term investment interest in the industry. We are very pleased to see Total’s plans to deliver growth, value creation and career opportunities for Maersk Oil’s employees, as well as upholding the long-term investment plans, especially in the Danish part of the North Sea. Based on Maersk Oil’s leading technology position, and its track record as a lean, efficient and trusted partner, Total has made Denmark a regional anchor point for its North Sea business, hereby ensuring a continued Danish stronghold in the North Sea, close to technology and innovation partners at the Danish technical institutions and in the oil and gas service industry.”
Jim Hageman Snabe, chairman of the Board of A.P. Moller – Maersk, said: “By selling Maersk Oil to Total, a leading global oil major, we have ensured the best possible foundation for the continued development of the people, capabilities and assets, on which Maersk Oil has prospered, creating value to the benefit of both A.P. Moller – Maersk and Denmark. On behalf of A.P. Moller – Maersk, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all employees in Maersk Oil for the passion, efforts and devotion to Maersk Oil and A.P. Moller – Maersk displayed by all through the years.”
As part of the transaction, Total will take over all decommissioning liabilities. The Danish Energy Agency’s approval of the transfer conditions that A.P. Moller – Maersk assumes secondary liability for the decommissioning costs related to existing Danish offshore facilities corresponding to Maersk Oil’s 31.2 % interest in the Danish Underground Consortium, should Total be unable to cover such costs. Maersk Oil’s current provision for these decommissioning costs amounts to $1.2bn. A.P. Moller – Maersk’s secondary liability will be reduced as part of the redevelopment of the Tyra project as well as future decommissioning of other existing facilities.
Maersk Drilling and Maersk Supply Service remain to have viable solutions established. Improved market conditions in the offshore drilling industry, as well as strategic progress in both businesses has raised A.P. Moller – Maersk’s confidence in finding structural solutions for both before the end of 2018, why they have been reclassified as discontinued operations.