08-06-2012

Chesapeake Energy announces plan to sell its midstream assets for more than $4B

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) today announced plans to sell its midstream assets in three separate transactions for total expected cash proceeds of more than $4.0 billion. The midstream divestitures will also enable Chesapeake to reduce previously budgeted capital expenditures by approximately $3.0 billion over the next three years.

Chesapeake has agreed to sell its limited partner units and its general partner interests in Chesapeake Midstream Partners, L.P. (NYSE:CHKM) to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) for cash proceeds of $2.0 billion. Chesapeake expects to receive the first half of the proceeds on June 15, 2012 with a final closing and payment of the second half of the proceeds scheduled to occur by June 29, 2012. Chesapeake’s net book value for these assets as of March 31, 2012 was approximately $1.0 billion, and the company anticipates reporting a pretax gain on the sale of approximately $1.0 billion.

Chesapeake has also entered into a letter agreement with CHKM relating to the potential sale of certain Mid-Continent gathering and processing assets to CHKM and a separate letter agreement with GIP for the sale of the company’s interests in its wholly owned subsidiary, Chesapeake Midstream Development, L.P. (CMD) to GIP. Chesapeake expects total cash proceeds of more than $2.0 billion from these two transactions. The company’s net book value for these assets as of March 31, 2012 was approximately $1.4 billion. The GIP letter agreement includes a 45-day exclusive negotiation period and a 45-day extension period if a purchase price has been agreed to and progress is being made toward closing.

Aubrey K. McClendon, Chesapeake’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We have been working for the past few months to monetize our substantial and valuable midstream assets and are pleased to announce the sale of our investments in CHKM and a plan to sell our remaining midstream assets at attractive prices. These transactions will preserve the strategic relationships we have with CHKM and CMD as our primary midstream service providers and further strengthen the close relationship we have enjoyed with GIP since 2009. The proceeds of these transactions are an important part of our 2012 asset sales program that is on track to generate cash proceeds of $11.5-14.0 billion. Combined with the $2.6 billion of proceeds generated to date in 2012 from asset sales, this series of midstream transactions will bring our announced asset sales for the year up to approximately $6.6 billion. With our Permian asset sale, Mississippi Lime JV and other miscellaneous asset sales still to come in the second half of the year, we feel very good about our ability to meet our targeted range for 2012 asset sales. Importantly, the sale of CMD will also reduce previously planned capital expenditures by approximately $3.0 billion over the next three years. We greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication of our midstream employees as they have contributed to building one of the largest and highest quality midstream businesses in the industry. We look forward to the continued success of our midstream businesses under the leadership of its existing midstream management team and GIP’s new ownership.”

J. Mike Stice, CHKM’s Chief Executive Officer and CMD’s President, commented, “This is a new beginning for both CHKM and CMD and an opportunity to explore additional growth opportunities from a solid foundation provided by CHK as our anchor shipper. We have built a very talented and profitable organization, and I am very excited about the future of our independent midstream businesses. We believe our unique combination of contractual, organic and dropdown growth is unmatched in the midstream industry.”

Adebayo Ogunlesi, GIP’s Managing Partner, commented, “We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with Chesapeake over the past three years, and we look forward to continuing to provide Chesapeake with high quality midstream services while expanding these offerings to other producers requiring similar services. The management team and employees at CHKM have proven to be very capable and highly customer focused, and we are confident this business will continue to be successful and grow profitably in the years ahead.”