IADC Tax Conference M&A Update for Oil and Gas Sector

Transcription

1 IADC Tax Conference M&A Update for Oil and Gas Sector Deborah Byers 5 June 2014

2 Introduction Page 2

3 Global oil and gas: the macro themes Economic uncertainty Geopolitical volatility Technology-enabled unconventional revolution Industrial Darwinism survival of the fittest (and generally the largest) competition and consolidation Resource nationalism the era of the NOC resource keepers and resource seekers; customers, partners and competitors for IOCs Page 3

4 Global GDP growth hits a soft spot Source: International Monetary Fund Page 4

5 Growth still driven by developing economies Source: International Monetary Fund Page 5

6 Global oil Page 6

7 Global oil markets: the new normal Balanced-to-slightly-loose global crude markets Endemic geopolitical risks = sustained volatility Modest expectations for non-opec supply growth outside US; OPEC growth potential primarily in Iraq Marginal non-opec supply cost ~$70-90/bbl (Bakken/Canadian oil sands) Saudi fiscal needs also dictate ~$80-100/bbl N American logistical constraints causing price disconnects Source: US Department of Energy Page 7

8 The other unconventional US oil production back from terminal decline US as the largest single source of global oil supply growth over next 3-5 years Applying shale gas technology to light tight oil formations Bakken and Eagle Ford booms just getting started Big contributor to logistical constraints in US Midcontinent With increasing Canadian supply, defining the new North American crude oil dynamics Source: US Department of Energy Page 8

9 Oil balances expected to shift Source: EY analysis of data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), World Energy Outlook 2013 Page 9

10 And a big regional shift in the making Americas region (North plus South America) to shift from net importer of oil to a net exporter after 2025 US tight oil, Canadian oil sands, and deepwater Brazil to lead supply growth in the face of only modest demand growth Major economic and geopolitical implications Trade flow implications as Russian, Middle East, and African supplies have to shift from West to East Source: EY analysis of data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) Page 10

11 Risks and issues Strong US production gains counterbalanced by moderately strong global oil demand growth and in particular, OPEC production problems Significant continuing problems in Libya and Iraq, minor but seemingly endemic problems in Nigeria and Venezuela But OPEC to be severely challenged by full return of Iranian production to the market US crude markets trending toward surplus, but global markets remain reasonably tight Saudi/Kuwait sales to the US stay high, amplifying the downward US pressures and keeping global prices high Declining US oil imports shifting global crude flows Despite lots of noise, US crude export ban unlikely to be lifted in short-term Page 11

12 Oil and gas transaction activity Page 12

13 Transactions: developments, prospects and perils Page 13 Annual transaction activity off sharply in 2013 both in terms of reported value and deal numbers Total reported deal value down 21% from 2012; number of deals off 23% Upstream value down 17% and deals down 21% 1Q14 activity neither particularly strong or weak; total reported transaction value of $60 billion, with ~300 deals Notable deals in 1Q14: Russia s Alfa Group buying RWE s upstream assets for $7.1 billion AMEC acquiring OFS/E&C firm Foster Wheeler for $3.5 billion CNQ acquiring Canadian upstream assets from Devon for $2.8 billion Trader Vitol buying Shell s Geelong (Australia) refinery for $2.5 billion Russian and Asian NOCs dominating the landscape last few years Big Rosneft deals for TNK-BP, big Arctic JVs in 2012, and crude supply deal with trading giants in 2013 Big Russian/Chinese oil and gas supply agreements signed in 2013 NOCs do 7% of all deals in 2013, but account for 35% of total global value

14 Global industry M&A activity: down in 2013 Source: IHS Herold, Inc. Page 14

15 Recent industry M&A activity disappoints Source: IHS Herold, Inc. Page 15

16 Industry upstream M&A has been volatile Source: IHS Herold, Inc. Page 16

17 North American M&A activity has been slowing Source: IHS Herold, Inc. Page 17

18 As has the deal activity trend Source: IHS Herold, Inc. Page 18

19 North American upstream with some signs of life Source: IHS Herold, Inc. Page 19

20 But the non-upstream totals have drifted lower Source: IHS Herold, Inc. Page 20

21 Latest Capital Confidence Barometer findings Our April CCB reports a more conservative price outlook and relentless pressure on capital efficiency driving a greater strategic emphasis on optimization as opposed to growth Cautious optimism characterizes the global economic outlook and confidence is growing across most key financial indicators The appetite for M&A activity is moving back to its medium-term average But 59% expect deal volumes to increase and 56% are confident in the number of acquisition opportunities in the next 12 months Bolt-on acquisitions will continue to be favored over transformative deals 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Does your company expect to pursue an acquisition in the next 12 months? 31% 31% 28% 25% Global 29% 27% Oil and gas 39% 35% 31% 30% 0% Apr-12 Oct-12 Apr-13 Oct-13 Apr-14 Page 21

22 But OFS activity picking up Source: IHS Herold, Inc. Page 22

23 OFS revenues by segment top 20 segments Revenue Rev growth Rev growth (US$ billion) (% CAGR) (%) Offshore Contract Drilling $ % 10.0% Offshore Construction Services $ % 5.0% Hydraulic Fracturing $ % 5.0% Land Contract Drilling $ % 3.0% Oil Country Tubular Goods $ % 2.2% Subsea Equipment $ % 20.0% Rig Equipment $ % 8.0% Geophysical Equipment & Services $ % 3.0% Directional Drilling Services $ % 10.0% Wireline Logging $ % 8.0% Artificial Lift $ % 15.0% Completion Equipment & Services $ % 11.0% Drilling & Completion Fluids $ % 10.0% Cementing $ % 5.0% Supply Vessels $ % 12.0% Specialty Chemicals $ % 6.0% Rental & Fishing Services $ % 3.0% Well Servicing $ % 5.0% Surface Equipment $ % 5.0% Production Testing $ % 10.0% Other segments (subtotal) $44.4 TOTAL $ % 7.3% Source: Spears & Associates, Oilfield Market Report, April 2014 Page 23

24 What does the Future Hold? Page 24

25 What s the M&A/Capital Picture for Drilling? Landscape dominated by organic growth and specialization Deepwater Shallow water Onshore conventional Onshore unconventional pressure pumpers Regional plays New entrants add rig count and competition NOCs eyeing drilling companies Spin-offs create new shallow water plays PE continue to show interest in smaller players Capital strategies such as MLPs and non US IPOs continue to be of great interest as way to fund new asset growth New Geographic plays Mexico, Arctic, Middle East, Africa Page 25

26 Crystal Ball..probably wrong but.. Mega Merger on the horizon? Not likely..big barriers Obvious combinations already completed Stock valuations at high levels Executive Management relatively young with succession planning well managed Prior combinations continue digestion, divestment and specialization Note recent spin/divestments by Rowen, Noble, Transocean Ongoing marketing of older fleet New entrants on shallow water fleet with higher horsepower, lower costs make old fleet tough to divest Significant pressure by customers on margin and safety has companies focused on operational efficiencies Money is cheap equity and debt readily available for strong players so build v. buy decision is skewed toward build. A Billion Dollars doesn t buy what it used to.. Page 26

27 MLPs Page 27

28 Overview Why form an MLP? Potential lower cost of capital Valuation uplift Set value/price for retained assets (sponsor assets) Strategic growth alternative acquisition capital Monetization partial immediate liquidity Capital raise alternative Access to different potential investor base Page 28

29 Overview Benefits and considerations Sponsors may form MLPs for several reasons, including: (1) a need for capital, (2) desire for a valuation uplift, or (3) to create a vehicle to execute a growth strategy through acquisitions Benefits Tax advantages provide improved cash flow and potential for a lower cost of capital Opportunity for monetization at premium valuation and valuation uplift on ownership retained Potential to defer taxable gain Ability to retain control of strategic assets through GP Creates a vehicle for growth through drop downs and acquisitions; lower cost of capital may give the MLP a competitive advantage in the acquisition markets Access to capital markets / acquisition currency Issuers have incentive to grow distributions through subordination / Incentive Distribution Rights Considerations Creates a true independent entity with independent directors and independent board committees, and potential for conflicts of interest Requires significant time spent on investor relations, reporting and disclosure Investors expect distribution growth; MLP will need to continue to seek opportunities to grow Consider how to account for shared services, allocation of expenses and push-down of debt Consider accounting ramifications of the MLP on the parent company s financial statements Yield driven security / distribution of available cash flow Smaller institutional investor universe than C-Corps Page 29

30 Overview MLPs investor profile Flow-through treatment to common unitholders Retail (primarily domestic) investors (minimal tax-exempt investors) Tax exempts generally subject to unrelated business taxable income Effectively connected income and withholding issues for non-u.s. investors Cash distributions (and tax shield) driven by market demand/expectations Income Stream MLP yield compares favorably to alternative investments Growth Potential Particularly for publicly traded general partner interests Administrative Complexities (and related costs) K-1 vs State tax compliance Page 30

31 Foreign MLPs Page 31

32 Foreign MLPs General overview Foreign entities with foreign assets offer a unique structuring opportunity By using a foreign limited liability company checked to be classified as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the use of a non-us MLP may be incredibly beneficial Foreign MLPs (although registered on a U.S. exchange) are typically formed in low or no-tax jurisdictions (e.g., Marshall Islands), providing effective flowthrough treatment. e.g., Golar LNG Partners, LP, Seadrill Partners LLC, and Teekay Offshore Partners LP Market multiples for Foreign MLPs are comparable to traditional MLPS Tax analysis and considerations differ substantially depending on the jurisdictional location and tax classification of the entity For instance, to the extent that a traditional MLP is contemplated, numerous additional considerations and strategies would apply Page 32

33 Foreign MLPs General overview (cont.) Certain similarities to domestic MLPs Classes of interests Common units (LP units) GP interests Subordinated units IDRs Structural similarities Page 33

34 Foreign MLPs U.S. federal income tax considerations to investor Foreign MLP is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result and subject to the PFIC rules (see next slide), income and losses do not flow through to unitholders vs. K-1 Foreign investors and institutional investors can invest in the Foreign MLP without limitation (from a U.S. perspective). No U.S. federal income or withholding tax on distributions to non-u.s. unitholders not engaged in a U.S. trade or business. Certain considerations for U.S. investors Distributions to U.S. unitholders would generally be treated as dividends to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions in excess of E&P are treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of such unitholder s adjusted tax basis in the units, then as capital gain. Individual unitholders - so long as certain requirements are met, dividends may be eligible for reduced qualified dividend income rates. Corporate unitholders - generally be taxed at the ordinary rates applicable to such unitholders / not eligible for a dividends received deduction. Page 34

35 Foreign MLPs U.S. federal income tax considerations to investor (cont.) Certain considerations for U.S. investors (cont.) No qualifying income requirements for a Foreign MLP however, must test for Passive Foreign Investment Company ( PFIC ) or controlled foreign corporation ( CFC ) status. Certain negative U.S. tax implications to the extent that MLP constitutes a PFIC or CFC. Should closely monitor status Service vs. rental income U.S. Shareholders (>10%) Page 35

36 Foreign MLPs U.S. federal income taxation of MLP s income The Foreign MLP is subject to U.S. federal income taxation on any income it receives that is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. U.S. source gross transportation income, if any, generally is subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax (without allowance for deduction of expenses), unless an exemption from tax applies under a tax treaty or Section 883 of the Code. Under Section 883 of the Code, U.S. source gross transportation income consists of 50% of the gross shipping income that is attributable to the transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the U.S. Page 36

37 Foreign MLPs Other tax considerations Other tax concerns: Is the MLP subject to taxation in any other jurisdiction (e.g., its jurisdiction of organization or operation)? Although Foreign MLPs are generally organized in jurisdictions that do not impose taxes on their income, if the MLP operates in another jurisdiction, the tax laws of that jurisdiction must also be considered to ensure that the MLP will not be subject to tax in that jurisdiction. Withholding tax considerations Tax analysis and considerations differ substantially depending on the jurisdictional location and tax classification of the entity For instance, to the extent that a traditional MLP is contemplated, numerous additional considerations and strategies would apply (see prior slides) Page 37

38 Potential structure for Non-US Assets Illustration of Foreign MLP structure Sponsor GP LP Interest Public GP units / IDRs MLP (NASDAQ / NYSE) LP Interest OpCo Non-US Assets Non-US Assets Non-US Assets Page 38

39 Comparison Matrix Domestic MLPs vs. Foreign Domestic Foreign Tax characterization Partnership Corporation Qualifying Income Yes No Jurisdiction of formation Commonly Delaware Marshall Islands ECI / UBTI Investor limits Yes No Market requirement for growth Yes; market requires certain tax shield %? Maybe not Distributions Generally tax-free Treated as taxable dividends to the extent of E&P Disposition (nature of gain/loss) Capital (except to the extent of recapture) Capital Investor reporting K-1s 1099 s PFIC Analysis No Yes Page 39