LNGL to acquire Bear Head LNG project in Canada for $11 million
Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (LNGL or the Company) on July 28 2014 announced that it has significantly expanded its presence in the North American Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector by signing an agreement to acquire 100% of Bear Head LNG Corporation (BHLC) from a subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (Anadarko) for US$11.0 million, the Company said Monday in a press release.
The Bear Head LNG Project is located in Richmond County, Nova Scotia, Canada, and the key assets include:
- A 255‐acre site comprising industrial‐zoned land (180 acres) and deep‐water acreage (75 acres) as well as foundations in place for two 180,000 cubic meter LNG tanks. The land has been cleared, a majority of site works completed and roads constructed.
- The Project Rights of the previously proposed LNG import terminal, including all assets, rights and obligations associated with the Bear Head project.
This acquisition, which is subject to standard closing conditions and consents, is in line with LNGL’s strategy of acquiring sites in North America where the Company can replicate its Magnolia LNG Project and fast‐track development by using its existing LNGL development team and its OSMR® technology. The transaction close is expected on or before 31 August 2014.
LNGL plans to transform Bear Head into a 4 mtpa LNG export facility with potential for future expansion.
The Company has already developed a gas supply plan and a transportation plan, and has interest from several parties to enter into Tolling Agreements, adopting the same business model as the Magnolia LNG Project.
LNGL is in discussions with gas transportation companies s and owners of gas reserves regarding the supply of natural gas from onshore and offshore Canadian natural gas supply options, and the Marcellus Shale Gas Play in North‐Eastern USA, to the Bear Head LNG project site.
As part of this transaction and once it is completed, LNGL will appoint Mr John Godbold as Chief Operating Officer and Project Director of Bear Head LNG Corporation. John will be responsible for the project and reports to LNGL’s Managing Director Maurice Brand. He has led energy projects for Pangea LNG, Gulf Coast LNG and El Paso Energy, and is a former NASA engineer.
Mr Ian Salmon will also be appointed Chief Financial Officer and Chief Commercial Officer following the close of the transaction. Ian previously worked for El Paso Energy and Morgan Stanley.
LNGL’s Managing Director Maurice Brand stated: “This is a significant transaction for LNG Limited and is consistent with our strategic plan to selectively secure sites that meet our criteria and develop a strong North American presence. Importantly, Bear Head LNG will further de‐risk the Company’s asset base.
Mr Brand confirmed that Magnolia LNG was on schedule and budget and the Board of Directors is very pleased with the high calibre execution team that has been established and is satisfied that the acquisition and development of Bear Head will not detract from the Company achieving Financial Close of Magnolia LNG in mid‐2015.
About Liquefied Natural Gas Limited
Liquefied Natural Gas Limited is an ASX listed company (Code: LNG and OTC ADR: LNGLY) whose portfolio consists of 100% ownership of the following assets:
- Magnolia LNG LLC (Magnolia LNG), a US‐based wholly owned subsidiary of LNGL, which is developing an 8 million tonne per annum (mtpa) LNG export terminal, in the Port of Lake Charles, Louisiana, US;
- Gladstone LNG Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary, which is progressing the Fisherman’s Landing LNG (FLLNG) Project at the Port of Gladstone in Queensland, Australia; and LNG Technology Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary, which owns and develops the Company’s OSMR® LNG liquefaction process, a mid‐scale LNG business model that plans to deliver: lower capital operating costs; faster construction; and improved efficiency, relative to larger traditional LNG projects.
