"Here we have a US tax flow through entity, Denham Capital Management Limited Partnership, funding the conversion of a Canadian tax flow through entity, Fairborne Energy Trust. We can't own what they can. We are double taxed. They aren't. We are subject to growth constraints. They aren't. We pay taxes on these earnings, they don't. We sell undervalued investments, courtesy of our government. They buy undervalued investments, courtesy of our government.
We are second class citizens in our own country. So much for the fruits of being a energy superpower, as Harper likes to call us. It's more like being an energy supermarket in which Canadians work the check out counter and stack the shelves. Meanwhile our Prime Minister is stacking the deck in favour of uber wealthy middle eastern oil sheiks and Hong Kong billionaires and every foreign private equity firm known to man. Denham Commodity Partners Fund IV Limited Partnership in aisle four-eight."
Brent Fullard, October 22 2007
TSX: FEL.UN
Oct 22, 2007 02:01 ET
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Oct. 22, 2007) - Fairborne Energy Trust ("Fairborne" or the "Trust") (TSX:FEL.UN) is pleased to announce its plan to convert into a growth oriented, exploration and production company (the "Reorganization"). Concurrent with closing of the Reorganization, Denham Commodity Partners Fund IV LP ("Denham"), a U.S.-based private equity fund advised by Denham Capital Management LP, will subscribe for, on a private placement basis, approximately 13.4 million common shares of the new corporation (the "Corporation") at a subscription price of $7.45 per share (the "Subscription Price") for aggregate proceeds of approximately Cdn$100 million (the "Private Placement"). The Subscription Price represents a premium of 8% to the closing price of Fairborne's trust units on October 19, 2007 of $6.90 per unit and 13% to the volume weighted average trading price of $6.57 per unit over the last 30 trading days. Denham's investment is conditional on the successful closing of the Reorganization.
Proceeds from the Private Placement will initially be used to reduce outstanding indebtedness. Fairborne plans to continue its current monthly distributions until the closing of the Reorganization, including the November distribution payable on December 17, 2007. Denham's investment will significantly improve Fairborne's financial flexibility and position the reorganized Corporation for growth. Following the Reorganization, Fairborne plans to reinvest 100% of its cash flow to fully exploit its attractive drilling opportunities and grow its production base, while retaining use of its credit facilities for acquisitions. After giving effect to the Private Placement, the reorganized Corporation will have approximately $85 million of net debt drawn against its current borrowing base facility of $220 million.
Fairborne's current production is 13,100 Boe/d (75% natural gas) and the Trust anticipates exiting 2007 at a production rate of approximately 13,400 Boe/d based on recent drilling successes at Columbia/Harlech and Marlboro. The 2008 capital program for the reorganized Corporation is planned to be between $125 million and $150 million.
ABOUT DENHAM
Denham Capital Management LP is a private equity firm focused on the energy and commodities sectors, including natural resources, power and utilities and energy-related infrastructure and services. It invests globally, with investments currently in the US, Canada, South America, Europe and Asia, and across all stages of corporate and asset lifecycle, from development projects to mature, operating businesses. Denham typically targets equity investments in the $50 million to $250 million range. It currently has offices in Boston, Houston, New Jersey and London.
PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
It is contemplated that the Reorganization will be completed pursuant to a plan of arrangement. Holders of trust units (collectively the "Unitholders") of Fairborne will receive an equal number of common shares of the new Corporation that will hold the assets previously held, directly or indirectly, by the Trust. Exchangeable shares will be exchanged for common shares in the new Corporation based on the then current exchange ratio. This will result in approximately 83.2 million common shares of the new Corporation being outstanding after giving effect to the Reorganization and the Private Placement. Fairborne's outstanding convertible debentures bearing a coupon rate of 6.5% and a conversion price of $13.50 will be assumed by the new Corporation and be convertible into common shares of the Corporation with no change to the terms. One representative from Denham will be appointed to the board of directors of the Corporation on completion of the Reorganization. The Reorganization is subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals and securityholder approval by at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Unitholders and holders of exchangeable shares. It is anticipated that an information circular and proxy statement in connection with the special meeting to consider the Reorganization will be mailed to securityholders of the Trust in mid-November, in connection with the meeting of securityholders relating to such approvals anticipated to be held in December, 2007.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATIONS
The Board of Directors has unanimously concluded that the Reorganization and Private Placement are in the best interests of Fairborne and Fairborne securityholders, and has unanimously resolved to recommend that Fairborne securityholders vote their Fairborne trust units and exchangeable shares in favour of the Reorganization. Officers and directors of Fairborne beneficially owning approximately 13% of the issued and outstanding trust units and exchangeable shares of Fairborne have indicated that they intend to vote their trust units and exchangeable shares in favour of the Reorganization. Fairborne has agreed that it will not solicit or initiate any discussions concerning the sale of material assets or any other business combination until completion of the Reorganization.
All of the members of the Board of Directors as well as the CEO, CFO and COO of Fairborne have agreed to waive their right to accelerated vesting of their Restricted and Performance units under the current Trust incentive plan. There will be no change of control or severance payments triggered by the Reorganization for these officers.
RBC Capital Markets acted as financial advisor to Fairborne with respect to the Reorganization and has provided its opinion to the Board of Directors that, as at the date hereof, the consideration to be received by Fairborne Unitholders in connection with the Reorganization and after giving effect to the Private Placement, taken together, is fair, from a financial point of view to Unitholders. Cormark Securities Inc. is acting as a strategic advisor to Fairborne. CIBC World Markets Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Denham with respect to the Private Placement.
TRANSACTION RATIONALE
Strategically, the Reorganization and Private Placement position Fairborne as a high growth natural gas focused exploration and production company with a very strong balance sheet. The Private Placement combined with cash flow from operations will allow the Corporation to aggressively capitalize on over 500 identified drilling prospects, acquisitions and other opportunities identified by its technical staff.
"We see greater value creation to securityholders from investing all of our cash flow in our existing assets and growth opportunities than under the current Trust structure. The Denham investment will significantly improve our balance sheet without diluting existing shareholders as the equity investment is at a substantial premium to the current unit price." commented Steve VanSickle, President & CEO of Fairborne. "The Reorganization will enable us to aggressively pursue identified opportunities on our existing asset base. We are confident that our team can deliver production growth that will more than offset the value of the lost tax shields through the end of the tax fairness period in 2011. We are delighted that, after significant study, a leading private equity firm like Denham, shares our vision and has agreed to acquire approximately a 16% interest in Fairborne," added Mr VanSickle.
"Fairborne's seasoned management team and strong asset base will provide a firm foundation to execute a strategy of growth" said Carl Tricoli, Senior Managing Director of Denham Capital. "We believe that with our strong financial commitment to Fairborne, the Corporation will be well positioned to capture the tremendous value creation opportunities present in the basin today."
Fairborne currently has tax pools of approximately $490 million. Management expects the Corporation to remain non-taxable beyond 2011 as a result of existing tax pools as well as incremental tax pools created through an expanded capital program.
PRELIMINARY 2008 PROGRAM
The Reorganization and the Private Placement will allow Fairborne to transform the growth outlook of the Corporation and significantly increase its reserves, production and cash flow through the development of its large inventory of identified drilling prospects. Fairborne currently has 233,500 net acres of undeveloped land. In addition, the Denham investment will allow Fairborne to reduce debt levels and thereby pursue selected acquisitions.
The Corporation's preliminary 2008 capital expenditures budget will be set between $125 million and $150 million. The budget is balanced between high impact exploration drilling and lower risk infill and step out drilling on well defined existing prospects and is currently planned to include:
- 117 (83 net) wells
- 75% of drilling capital in lower risk locations and 25% directed towards exploration
- $35 mm at Columbia/Harlech
- $25 mm focused on light oil at Brazeau and Clive
- $25 mm in the Deep Basin
- $20 mm for CBM
- The balance of capital will be spent on land and seismic and in other areas.
This budget is based on achieving capital efficiencies of $25,000 per flowing Boe (consistent with Fairborne's three year average) and an operating netback of approximately $30 per Boe (based on CDN$6.00/mcf and US $80.00 per bbl)
Source:
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