Repsol and Statoil announce asset swap

Alfa Sentral platform in the North Sea

On 11th December, Statoil and Repsol announced that they had entered into number of asset swaps as part of a packaged deal:

• In the North Sea, Statoil farms down a 15% WI in Gudrun (Norway), whilst retaining operatorship and will acquire a 31% WI in Alfa Sentral (UK portion), a field which spans the UK-Norway border
• In the US, Statoil acquires a 13% WI in the Eagle Ford JV and becomes operator, taking its interest to 63%; Repsol’s interest reduces to 37%
• In the Brazil Campos Basin, Repsol-Sinopec will transfer operatorship of the BM-C-33 licence to Statoil

Summary of asset swaps

From Statoil's perspective, sole-operatorship on the Eagle Ford JV will allow the company to have more control of the project going forward and improve efficiency of the operations. The JV was previously jointly operated with Repsol operating one-half of the acreage and Statoil operating the other half, leading to sub-optimal development. In the North Sea, Statoil will remain the largest partner in Gudrun and will consolidate its position in Alfa Sentral. Statoil increased its interest in the Norwegian part of Alfa Sentral to 62% in October 2015 (from First Oil) and the 60mmboe gas condensate field is a priority project for Statoil and will be developed as a tie-back to the Sleipner Area. The assumption of operatorship in Brazil will further Statoil’s strategy of growing in the country and enable the company to build on its deepwater experience.

Alfa Sentral tie-back to Sleipner

For Repsol, the key swap is the reduced interest in the Eagleford, alongside acquiring a producing asset in the form of Gudrun. The transaction will support Repsol’s financial position and stretched balance sheet with cash flows expected to improve by €500m in the period 2015-17. Furthermore, the transfer of operatorship in Brazil is consistent with Repsol’s focus on three themes (onshore, shallow offshore and unconventionals) as outlined in its 2016-2020 strategic plan.