Apache To Sell Wheatstone, Kitimat LNG Projects For Purchase Price Of $2.75 Bln

(RTTNews) - Apache Corp. (APA) said it has agreed to sell its interest in two LNG projects, Wheatstone LNG and Kitimat LNG, along with accompanying upstream oil and gas reserves, to Woodside Petroleum Limited (WOPEF.PK, WOPEY.PK, WPL.AX) for a purchase price of $2.75 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015.

Apache will also be reimbursed for its net expenditure in the Wheatstone and Kitimat LNG projects between June 30, 2014, and closing which is estimated to be around $1 billion.

As per the agreement, Apache will sell its equity ownership in its Australian subsidiary, Apache Julimar Pty Ltd, which owns a 13-percent interest in the Wheatstone LNG project and a 65-percent interest in the WA-49-L block, which includes the Julimar/Brunello offshore gas fields and the Balnaves oil development.

The transaction, which has an effective date of June 30, will also include Apache's 50-percent interest in the Kitimat LNG project and related upstream acreage in the Horn River and Liard natural gas basins in British Columbia, Canada.

Based on current estimates, Apache's net proceeds upon closing are expected to be approximately $3.7 billion. Receipt of proceeds from this transaction will trigger an estimated $650 million cash tax liability, around $600 million of which is associated with the income tax due on Apache's Overall Foreign Loss account balance.

Upon completion of the transaction, Apache will continue to hold upstream acreage offshore Western Australia in the Carnarvon, Exmouth, and Canning basins, along with related hydrocarbon reserves and production. Apache will also retain its 49-percent ownership interest in Yara Holdings Nitrates Pty Ltd and 10-percent interest in the related ammonium nitrate plant.