Summary
This Form 8-K filing by EQT Corp (EQT) on April 16, 2007, details a significant divestiture and joint venture transaction. The company, through its subsidiary Equitable Production Company, has entered into an agreement to sell a portion of its gas property interests in the Nora Field, Southwestern Virginia, to Pine Mountain Oil and Gas, Inc. (a subsidiary of Range Resources Corporation) for approximately $262 million. This sale will reduce EQT's proved reserves by 81 Bcf and impact its 2007 production sales forecast. In conjunction with the sale, EQT is also forming a joint venture with Pine Mountain Oil and Gas, Inc. to operate the Nora Field gathering facilities. EQT's subsidiaries will contribute the existing gathering facilities and pipelines to a new entity, Nora Gathering, LLC, which will be equally owned by EQT and Pine Mountain Oil and Gas. Pine Mountain Oil and Gas will contribute approximately $53 million to this new entity. The transaction is expected to provide EQT with after-tax proceeds exceeding $150 million and is subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust clearance.
Key Highlights
- 1EQT Corp divests a portion of its Nora Field gas properties for approximately $262 million.
- 2Forms a 50/50 joint venture, Nora Gathering, LLC, with Pine Mountain Oil and Gas (a Range Resources subsidiary) to manage Nora Field gathering facilities.
- 3Pine Mountain Oil and Gas will contribute approximately $53 million to the joint venture.
- 4The sale will reduce EQT's proved reserves by 81 Bcf (74 Bcf developed).
- 5Transaction is expected to generate after-tax proceeds for EQT in excess of $150 million.
- 6The sale of developed wells will decrease EQT's 2007 production sales forecast by 3.2 Bcf, with a revised forecast of 77-78 Bcf.
- 7Transaction closing is anticipated by the end of May 2007, pending regulatory approvals like Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance.