SDX Energy, the MENA-focused oil and gas company, announced the proposed disposal of 33% of the shares in the entity that holds its interests across its South Disouq concession and its intention to initiate a share buyback program of up to $3.0 million in H2 2022.
Mark Reid, the CEO of SDX said, “I am very pleased to announce that we have entered into an agreement to dispose of 33% of our interests in the South Disouq concession for a consideration of $5.5 million, which is a significant premium to the asset’s value within our market capitalisation. We intend to use the proceeds to initiate a share buyback program of up to $3.0 million in H2 2022 with the remainder to be used for investment into innovative, portfolio growth opportunities which I look forward to updating the market on in due course. In summary, this transaction allows us to achieve a number of our strategic objectives;Â Firstly, it permits us to return capital to our shareholders which has been a long-term goal; Secondly, it provides capital to support growth projects across the portfolio; and Thirdly, it provides a clear value read across of 6.1 pence per share for the full value of South Disouq. We will retain 67% of our pre-transaction interests in the South Disouq concession, remaining as operator, continuing to benefit from the cash-generation of the fields, while reducing our risk exposure on the two South Disouq exploration wells to be drilled this year.”
The Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) signed with Energy Flow Global Limited, a private company with upstream and oilfield services activities in Egypt, the Middle East and Asia, will dispose off 33% of the equity in Sea Dragon Energy (Nile) B.V. ((“Nile) B.V.”), the entity that holds SDX’s gas producing, development and exploration assets in the South Disouq concession, located in the Nile Delta.
The transaction is effective1 February 2022, with $5.5 million cash consideration to be received throughout Q2 and Q3 2022 by way of contributions to SDX’s remaining capital and operational expenditure in South Disouq.
The Company also announced that the FY 2020 profit before tax relating to the 33% equity being disposed, equated to $0.24 million. The disposal proceeds will allow the Company to plan for a share buyback program returning up to $3.0 million to shareholders in H2 2022 once the consideration has been fully received, and investing the remainder into growth initiatives across the portfolio.
The completion of the transaction is subject to the release of the share pledge held by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the shares in (Nile) B.V. that are being transferred to Energy Flow Global Limited. Energy Flow Global will have the right to appoint a representative to the Board of Directors of (Nile) B.V..