NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Osprey Energy Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:OSPR, OSPRU, OSPRW), an energy-focused special purpose acquisition entity, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Royal Resources, an entity owned by funds managed by Blackstone Energy Partners and Blackstone Capital Partners. The acquired Royal assets represent the entirety of Blackstone’s mineral interests in the Eagle Ford Shale, and the transaction will create a company with a total enterprise value of approximately $894 million.
The combined company, which will be named Falcon Minerals Corporation, will be led by Osprey’s management team: Jonathan Cohen, Edward Cohen and Daniel Herz. Blackstone will retain a significant ownership stake in Falcon Minerals at closing representing approximately 47% of outstanding common stock.
The formation of Falcon Minerals creates a unique, high growth, core-of-the-core oil and gas minerals company with top-tier Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk asset positions covering 251,000 gross unit mineral acres. Net production over the first quarter was 4,764 boe per day increasing recently to a rate approaching 7,000 boe per day from new wells coming on line. Net production for 2018 is expected to be approximately 6,352 boe per day. Falcon Minerals is expected to have over 85% of its reserve value in long-lived, undeveloped acreage with over 3,000 locations which generate IRRs to operators in excess of 100%. The three largest operators on Falcon Minerals’ lands, which contribute over 90% of reserve value, are ConocoPhillips, EOG and BHP/Devon.
Falcon Minerals expects to generate cash margins above 90%, and to distribute nearly all of its free cash flow, and currently expects to pay an initial cash dividend after closing of the transactions of $0.90 per share per year. Currently, there are over 1,789 producing wells on the properties with expected 2018 liquids production of greater than 73%, and over 80% of revenue derived from oil.
The Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk benefit from proximity to the US Gulf Coast market and significant in-place infrastructure, supporting a premium price for crude oil sales relative to WTI, further advantaging the economics of both plays. Falcon Minerals is further exposed to potential value in the Marcellus Shale with over 58,000 gross unit mineral acres.
“Osprey went public in July 2017 with the intent to find a world class and unique energy business that was poised to benefit from a new phase as a public company, and we believe that is exactly what we are creating with Falcon Minerals,” said Jonathan Z. Cohen, CEO of Osprey Energy Acquisition Corp. “We will have a unique opportunity to benefit from some of the highest quality acreage in the United States, driven by the best operators in the play dedicated to significantly growing their production across our position. There is a tremendous opportunity to build on this excellent business by utilizing our organic growth and acquisition skills in a highly fragmented oil and gas minerals industry, and we are thrilled to partner with Blackstone and benefit from their vast experience in the sector.”
Falcon Minerals Highlights
251,000 gross acres to which royalty applies
Over 3,000 locations each with an IRR of greater than 100% to the operator across Karnes, DeWitt and Gonzales counties
Net production in the first quarter of 4,764 boe per day, recently approaching 7,000 boe per day from new wells coming on line
Consistent cash margins in excess of ~90%, high free cash flow conversion, and a cost structure with no capital expenditures or direct operating expenses
Strong basis differentials due to well established infrastructure in the Eagle Ford and proximity to the US Gulf Coast
Strong financial profile with low leverage
2019 free cash flow1 of approximately $100 million based on a $60/bbl oil price, implying a ~28% discount to the 2019 peer group average, and representing an 8.3x enterprise value to 2019 EBITDA
2019 free cash flow yield2 expected of approximately 11.6% at $10.00 per share
2018 free cash flow of approximately $80 million based on a $60/bbl oil price, implying a ~17% discount to the peer group average
“We have known Jonathan, Ed and Daniel for many years and are excited to partner with them to lead Falcon Minerals,” said Angelo Acconcia, a Senior Managing Director with Blackstone who oversees their private equity investments in the oil and gas sector. “Their prior experience in thoughtfully and accretively building and realizing significant value at both Atlas Pipeline and Atlas Energy demonstrate their capability, and the like mindedness we share in the opportunity, to generate significant long-term value at Falcon Minerals.”
Advisors
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC acted as capital markets advisors to Osprey and sole placement agent on the PIPE; Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz acted as legal counsel to Osprey; Paul Hastings LLP and Ledgewood PC acted as Oil and Gas counsel to Osprey. Citi acted as financial advisor and capital markets advisor to Blackstone and is acting as Lead Arranger and Administrative Agent on the fully underwritten RBL Facility; Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel to Blackstone.
Investor Webcast and Presentation Information
At 10:00 am EST on June 4, 2018, Osprey will be holding an investor conference call to discuss the transaction. For those who wish to participate, the domestic toll-free access number is (877) 522-6073. Once connected with the operator, please provide the Conference ID number of 9716669 and request access to the Falcon Minerals Transaction Announcement Investor Call.
A replay of the call will also be available. To access the replay, the domestic toll-free access number is (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 and participants should provide the Conference ID number of 9716669 and request access to the Falcon Minerals Transaction Announcement Investor Call.
An investor presentation regarding the transaction has been filed by Osprey Energy with the SEC on Form 8-K.
About Falcon Minerals Corporation
Falcon Minerals is a C-Corporation formed to own and acquire high growth core-of-the-core oil and gas minerals which generate substantial free cash flow. Upon closing, Falcon Minerals will own mineral, royalty, and over-riding royalty interests covering 251,000 gross unit acres in the Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk in Karnes County, DeWitt County, and Gonzales County Texas.
About Osprey Energy Acquisition Corp.
Osprey Energy Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: OSPR) is an energy focused special purpose acquisition corporation formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, capitalizing on its Management Team’s experience to identify, acquire and operate a business in the energy industry that may provide opportunities for attractive returns. OSPR completed its $275 Million Initial Public Offering in July, 2017.
About Blackstone
Blackstone (NYSE:BX) is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with over $450 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.
