Diamondback Energy (FANG) to buy Endeavor - Feb 12
Diamondback Energy (FANG) to buy Endeavor - Feb 12
(Bloomberg) -- Diamondback Energy Inc. agreed to buy fellow Texas oil-and-gas producer Endeavor Energy Resources LP in a $26 billion cash-and-stock deal to create the largest operator focused on the prolific Permian Basin.
Dan Steffens
Energy Prospectus Group
Energy Prospectus Group
Re: Diamondback Energy (FANG) to buy Endeavor - Feb 12
More on takeover
https://archive.ph/o0TKU
https://archive.ph/o0TKU
Re: Diamondback Energy (FANG) to buy Endeavor - Feb 12
FANG up over 7% on the announcement. Usually goes the other way.
Re: Diamondback Energy (FANG) to buy Endeavor - Feb 12
Cliff: The Wall Street Gang has been "IN LOVE" with Diamondback ever since it was formed. I was hoping they would merge with PR. Overall sector up today because one of the Gang's Alpha Dogs, JPMorgan said that oil should be $10/bbl higher by May.
I am updating my forecast model for FANG now.
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MIDLAND, Texas, Feb. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FANG) (“Diamondback” or the “Company”) and Endeavor Energy Resources, L.P. (“Endeavor”), today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Diamondback and Endeavor will merge in a transaction valued at approximately $26 billion, inclusive of Endeavor’s net debt. The combination will create a premier Permian independent operator.
The transaction consideration will consist of approximately 117.3 million shares of Diamondback common stock and $8 billion of cash, subject to customary adjustments. The cash portion of the consideration is expected to be funded through a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under the Company’s credit facility and/or proceeds from term loans and senior notes offerings. As result of the transaction, the Company’s existing stockholders are expected to own approximately 60.5% of the combined company and Endeavor’s equity holders are expected to own approximately 39.5% of the combined company.
The transaction was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and has all necessary Endeavor approvals.
“This is a combination of two strong, established companies merging to create a ‘must own’ North American independent oil company. The combined company’s inventory will have industry-leading depth and quality that will be converted into cash flow with the industry’s lowest cost structure, creating a differentiated value proposition for our stockholders,” stated Travis Stice, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Diamondback. “This combination meets all the required criteria for a successful combination: sound industrial logic with tangible synergies, improved combined capital allocation and significant near and long-term financial accretion. With this combination, Diamondback not only gets bigger, it gets better.”
Mr. Stice continued, “Over the past forty-five years, Mr. Stephens and his team at Endeavor have built the highest quality private oil company in the United States. Our companies share a similar culture and operating philosophy and are headquartered across the street from one another, which should allow for a seamless integration of our two teams. As a result, we look forward to continuing to deliver best-in-class results with a combined employee base headquartered in Midland, assuring Midland’s relevance in the global oil market for the next generation.”
“I am grateful to the Endeavor team and proud of what we have built since 1979,” said Autry C. Stephens,
Founder and Chairman of the Board of Endeavor. “We believe Diamondback is the right partner for Endeavor, our employees, families and communities. Together we will create value for shareholders and our other stakeholders.”
“As we look toward the future, we are confident joining with Diamondback is a transformational opportunity for us,” said Lance Robertson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Endeavor. “Our success up to this point is attributable to the dedication and hard work of Endeavor employees, and today’s announcement is recognition by Diamondback of the significant efforts from our team over the past seven years, driving production growth, improving safety performance and building a more sustainable company. We look forward to working together to scale our combined business, unlock value for all of our stakeholders and ensure our new company is positioned for long-term success as we build the premier Permian-focused company in Midland.”
Strategic and Financial Benefits
Combined pro forma scale of approximately 838,000 net acres and 816 MBOE/d of net production
Best in-class inventory depth and quality with approximately 6,100 pro forma locations with break evens at <$40 WTI
Annual synergies of $550 million representing over $3.0 billion in NPV10 over the next decade
Capital and operating cost synergies: approximately $325 million
Capital allocation and land synergies: approximately $150 million
Financial and corporate cost synergies: approximately $75 million
Substantial near and long-term financial accretion with ~10% free cash flow per share accretion expected in 2025
Stock-weighted transaction solidifies investment grade balance sheet
Advances leading ESG profile
“This combination offers significant, tangible synergies that will accrue to the pro forma stockholder base,” stated Travis Stice. “Diamondback has proven itself to be a premier low-cost operator in the Permian Basin over the last twelve years, and this combination allows us to bring this cost structure to a larger asset and allocate capital to a stronger pro forma inventory position. We expect both teams will learn from each other and implement best practices to improve combined capital efficiency for years to come.”
2024 Diamondback Stand-alone Guidance and Base Dividend Increase
In conjunction with this announcement, Diamondback is releasing selected operating information for the fourth quarter of 2023 and providing initial production and capital guidance for 2024. Diamondback today also announced that the Company's Board of Directors will approve a 7% increase to its base dividend to $3.60 per share annually ($0.90 per share quarterly), effective for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Average fourth quarter 2023 production of 273.1 MBO/d (462.6 MBOE/d)
Fourth quarter 2023 cash capital expenditures of $649 million
On a stand-alone basis in 2024 Diamondback expects to generate oil production of 270 – 275 MBO/d (458 – 466 MBOE/d) with a total capital budget of approximately $2.3 - $2.55 billion
Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, Diamondback will reduce its return of capital commitment to at least 50% of free cash flow to stockholders from at least 75% of free cash flow previously
“Diamondback today released fourth quarter production that exceeded expectations and announced a 2024 capital and operating plan that prioritizes capital efficiency and free cash flow generation over growth,” stated Travis Stice. “The decision to reduce our return of capital to stockholders reflects our Board’s desire to increase financial flexibility and pay down debt added through this combination. Our near-term objective is to reduce pro forma net debt below $10 billion very quickly, ensuring balance sheet strength and best-in-class credit quality. Return of capital to stockholders will always remain a core tenet of our value proposition and capital allocation philosophy at Diamondback.”
2024 Endeavor Stand-alone Guidance
Endeavor is providing stand-alone 2024 capital and operating guidance while the two companies work to close the merger.
Expected 2024 oil production of 190 – 200 MBO/d (350 – 365 MBOE/d)
Total 2024 capital budget of approximately $2.5 - $2.6 billion
Full pro forma guidance will be released by Diamondback after closing of the transaction.
2025 Pro Forma Outlook
Diamondback expects operational synergies to be realized in 2025 by the combined company. Therefore, the Company is providing a preliminary look at its pro forma 2025 combined company capital and operating plan assuming Diamondback’s cost structure and current estimated well costs. The 2025 plan is preliminary and subject to changes, including as result of changes in oil and gas prices, the macro environment and well costs.
On a pro forma basis in 2025, Diamondback expects to generate oil production of 470 – 480 MBO/d (800 – 825 MBOE/d) with a capital budget of approximately $4.1 - $4.4 billion
This operating plan implies significant pro forma cash flow and free cash flow per share accretion
Pro Forma Governance Highlights
The combined company will continue to be headquartered in Midland, Texas.
Upon closing, Diamondback’s Board of Directors will expand to 13 members and Charles Meloy and Lance Robertson, together with two other individuals mutually agreed upon by Diamondback and Endeavor, will be added to the Board of Directors.
At closing, Diamondback will enter into a stockholders agreement with the former equity holders of Endeavor. Under that agreement the former Endeavor equity holders will be subject to certain standstill, voting and transfer restrictions and will be provided with certain director nominations rights and customary registration rights with respect to the shares of Diamondback common stock issued to them as transaction consideration.
Additional details regarding the stockholders agreement will be provided in Diamondback’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Timing and Approvals
Diamondback expects the merger to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including termination or expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and approval of the transaction by the Company’s stockholders. The transaction is not subject to a financing contingency.
Advisors
Jefferies LLC is serving as lead financial advisor to Diamondback and Citi is serving as M&A and Capital Markets advisor to Diamondback. Citi is the sole provider of committed bridge financing, as well as leading the term loan issuances and senior notes offerings. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is acting as legal advisor to Diamondback.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Endeavor, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC provided corporate advisory services and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Vinson & Elkins LLP are acting as legal advisors to Endeavor.
Conference Call
Diamondback will host a conference call and webcast for investors and analysts to discuss this transaction on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 7:30 a.m. CT. Access to the webcast, and replay which will be available following the call, may be found here. The live webcast of the conference call will also be available via Diamondback’s website at www.diamondbackenergy.com under the “Investor Relations” section of the site.
About Diamondback
Diamondback is an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Midland, Texas focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas. For more information, please visit www.diamondbackenergy.com.
About Endeavor
Endeavor is a privately-held exploration and production company. Headquartered near operational activity in Midland, Texas, Endeavor has more than 1,200 valued employees and is one of the largest private operators in the United States.
With more than 45 years of experience acquiring assets, the company is uniquely situated holding nearly 344,000 net acres in the Core 6 Midland Basin counties. For more information, please visit www.endeavorenergylp.com.
Diamondback Investor Contact:
Adam Lawlis
+1 432.221.7467
alawlis@diamondbackenergy.com
I am updating my forecast model for FANG now.
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MIDLAND, Texas, Feb. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FANG) (“Diamondback” or the “Company”) and Endeavor Energy Resources, L.P. (“Endeavor”), today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Diamondback and Endeavor will merge in a transaction valued at approximately $26 billion, inclusive of Endeavor’s net debt. The combination will create a premier Permian independent operator.
The transaction consideration will consist of approximately 117.3 million shares of Diamondback common stock and $8 billion of cash, subject to customary adjustments. The cash portion of the consideration is expected to be funded through a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under the Company’s credit facility and/or proceeds from term loans and senior notes offerings. As result of the transaction, the Company’s existing stockholders are expected to own approximately 60.5% of the combined company and Endeavor’s equity holders are expected to own approximately 39.5% of the combined company.
The transaction was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and has all necessary Endeavor approvals.
“This is a combination of two strong, established companies merging to create a ‘must own’ North American independent oil company. The combined company’s inventory will have industry-leading depth and quality that will be converted into cash flow with the industry’s lowest cost structure, creating a differentiated value proposition for our stockholders,” stated Travis Stice, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Diamondback. “This combination meets all the required criteria for a successful combination: sound industrial logic with tangible synergies, improved combined capital allocation and significant near and long-term financial accretion. With this combination, Diamondback not only gets bigger, it gets better.”
Mr. Stice continued, “Over the past forty-five years, Mr. Stephens and his team at Endeavor have built the highest quality private oil company in the United States. Our companies share a similar culture and operating philosophy and are headquartered across the street from one another, which should allow for a seamless integration of our two teams. As a result, we look forward to continuing to deliver best-in-class results with a combined employee base headquartered in Midland, assuring Midland’s relevance in the global oil market for the next generation.”
“I am grateful to the Endeavor team and proud of what we have built since 1979,” said Autry C. Stephens,
Founder and Chairman of the Board of Endeavor. “We believe Diamondback is the right partner for Endeavor, our employees, families and communities. Together we will create value for shareholders and our other stakeholders.”
“As we look toward the future, we are confident joining with Diamondback is a transformational opportunity for us,” said Lance Robertson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Endeavor. “Our success up to this point is attributable to the dedication and hard work of Endeavor employees, and today’s announcement is recognition by Diamondback of the significant efforts from our team over the past seven years, driving production growth, improving safety performance and building a more sustainable company. We look forward to working together to scale our combined business, unlock value for all of our stakeholders and ensure our new company is positioned for long-term success as we build the premier Permian-focused company in Midland.”
Strategic and Financial Benefits
Combined pro forma scale of approximately 838,000 net acres and 816 MBOE/d of net production
Best in-class inventory depth and quality with approximately 6,100 pro forma locations with break evens at <$40 WTI
Annual synergies of $550 million representing over $3.0 billion in NPV10 over the next decade
Capital and operating cost synergies: approximately $325 million
Capital allocation and land synergies: approximately $150 million
Financial and corporate cost synergies: approximately $75 million
Substantial near and long-term financial accretion with ~10% free cash flow per share accretion expected in 2025
Stock-weighted transaction solidifies investment grade balance sheet
Advances leading ESG profile
“This combination offers significant, tangible synergies that will accrue to the pro forma stockholder base,” stated Travis Stice. “Diamondback has proven itself to be a premier low-cost operator in the Permian Basin over the last twelve years, and this combination allows us to bring this cost structure to a larger asset and allocate capital to a stronger pro forma inventory position. We expect both teams will learn from each other and implement best practices to improve combined capital efficiency for years to come.”
2024 Diamondback Stand-alone Guidance and Base Dividend Increase
In conjunction with this announcement, Diamondback is releasing selected operating information for the fourth quarter of 2023 and providing initial production and capital guidance for 2024. Diamondback today also announced that the Company's Board of Directors will approve a 7% increase to its base dividend to $3.60 per share annually ($0.90 per share quarterly), effective for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Average fourth quarter 2023 production of 273.1 MBO/d (462.6 MBOE/d)
Fourth quarter 2023 cash capital expenditures of $649 million
On a stand-alone basis in 2024 Diamondback expects to generate oil production of 270 – 275 MBO/d (458 – 466 MBOE/d) with a total capital budget of approximately $2.3 - $2.55 billion
Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, Diamondback will reduce its return of capital commitment to at least 50% of free cash flow to stockholders from at least 75% of free cash flow previously
“Diamondback today released fourth quarter production that exceeded expectations and announced a 2024 capital and operating plan that prioritizes capital efficiency and free cash flow generation over growth,” stated Travis Stice. “The decision to reduce our return of capital to stockholders reflects our Board’s desire to increase financial flexibility and pay down debt added through this combination. Our near-term objective is to reduce pro forma net debt below $10 billion very quickly, ensuring balance sheet strength and best-in-class credit quality. Return of capital to stockholders will always remain a core tenet of our value proposition and capital allocation philosophy at Diamondback.”
2024 Endeavor Stand-alone Guidance
Endeavor is providing stand-alone 2024 capital and operating guidance while the two companies work to close the merger.
Expected 2024 oil production of 190 – 200 MBO/d (350 – 365 MBOE/d)
Total 2024 capital budget of approximately $2.5 - $2.6 billion
Full pro forma guidance will be released by Diamondback after closing of the transaction.
2025 Pro Forma Outlook
Diamondback expects operational synergies to be realized in 2025 by the combined company. Therefore, the Company is providing a preliminary look at its pro forma 2025 combined company capital and operating plan assuming Diamondback’s cost structure and current estimated well costs. The 2025 plan is preliminary and subject to changes, including as result of changes in oil and gas prices, the macro environment and well costs.
On a pro forma basis in 2025, Diamondback expects to generate oil production of 470 – 480 MBO/d (800 – 825 MBOE/d) with a capital budget of approximately $4.1 - $4.4 billion
This operating plan implies significant pro forma cash flow and free cash flow per share accretion
Pro Forma Governance Highlights
The combined company will continue to be headquartered in Midland, Texas.
Upon closing, Diamondback’s Board of Directors will expand to 13 members and Charles Meloy and Lance Robertson, together with two other individuals mutually agreed upon by Diamondback and Endeavor, will be added to the Board of Directors.
At closing, Diamondback will enter into a stockholders agreement with the former equity holders of Endeavor. Under that agreement the former Endeavor equity holders will be subject to certain standstill, voting and transfer restrictions and will be provided with certain director nominations rights and customary registration rights with respect to the shares of Diamondback common stock issued to them as transaction consideration.
Additional details regarding the stockholders agreement will be provided in Diamondback’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Timing and Approvals
Diamondback expects the merger to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including termination or expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and approval of the transaction by the Company’s stockholders. The transaction is not subject to a financing contingency.
Advisors
Jefferies LLC is serving as lead financial advisor to Diamondback and Citi is serving as M&A and Capital Markets advisor to Diamondback. Citi is the sole provider of committed bridge financing, as well as leading the term loan issuances and senior notes offerings. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is acting as legal advisor to Diamondback.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Endeavor, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC provided corporate advisory services and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Vinson & Elkins LLP are acting as legal advisors to Endeavor.
Conference Call
Diamondback will host a conference call and webcast for investors and analysts to discuss this transaction on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 7:30 a.m. CT. Access to the webcast, and replay which will be available following the call, may be found here. The live webcast of the conference call will also be available via Diamondback’s website at www.diamondbackenergy.com under the “Investor Relations” section of the site.
About Diamondback
Diamondback is an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Midland, Texas focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas. For more information, please visit www.diamondbackenergy.com.
About Endeavor
Endeavor is a privately-held exploration and production company. Headquartered near operational activity in Midland, Texas, Endeavor has more than 1,200 valued employees and is one of the largest private operators in the United States.
With more than 45 years of experience acquiring assets, the company is uniquely situated holding nearly 344,000 net acres in the Core 6 Midland Basin counties. For more information, please visit www.endeavorenergylp.com.
Diamondback Investor Contact:
Adam Lawlis
+1 432.221.7467
alawlis@diamondbackenergy.com
Dan Steffens
Energy Prospectus Group
Energy Prospectus Group
Re: Diamondback Energy (FANG) to buy Endeavor - Feb 12
Hello Dan, now that FANG has made this move what are your thoughts for PR going forward? Seems like the Permian
"gems" are getting bought up and taken off the market.
"gems" are getting bought up and taken off the market.
Re: Diamondback Energy (FANG) to buy Endeavor - Feb 12
Dropdown of Endeavor's minerals could significantly increase the size of Viper Energy (VNOM).
Diamondback's standalone Q4 2023 production exceeds what I had in my forecast model.
Diamondback's standalone Q4 2023 production exceeds what I had in my forecast model.
Dan Steffens
Energy Prospectus Group
Energy Prospectus Group
Re: Diamondback Energy (FANG) to buy Endeavor - Feb 12
In my opinion, PR is a Screaming Takeover Target. It is about the same size as Endeavor Energy, but has more upside in the Delaware Basin. So, an acceptable bid for PR should be close to what FANG paid for Endeavor. Just remember that stock-for-stock deals are not directly comparable to all cash deals.
PR's true value will become more visible to the market after they release a full quarter of combined results with ESTE.
PR's true value will become more visible to the market after they release a full quarter of combined results with ESTE.
Dan Steffens
Energy Prospectus Group
Energy Prospectus Group
Re: Diamondback Energy (FANG) to buy Endeavor - Feb 12
Thanks Dan, reinforces my thoughts on PR. Great success story, Delaware basin holdings others will want. Happy to wait, dividend ain't bad. Any other current "gems"?
Re: Diamondback Energy (FANG) to buy Endeavor - Feb 12
On this morning's conference call management said "The Sky's the Limit" for Viper. Dropdowns will increase Viper's production by ~60% by end of 2024.
Dan Steffens
Energy Prospectus Group
Energy Prospectus Group