Summary
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (ET) has announced an amended and restated merger agreement to acquire Southern Union Company (SUG) for approximately $9.4 billion. This revised agreement offers SUG stockholders a choice between $44.25 in cash or one common unit of ET for each SUG share, with flexibility in the cash and unit components. The maximum cash consideration is capped at 60%, while units will range from 40% to 50% of the total deal value, subject to proration if election limits are exceeded. The increased merger consideration also leads to higher termination fees and expense reimbursement amounts. Furthermore, ET and its subsidiary, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (ETP), have entered into an amended merger agreement concerning the contribution of a 50% interest in Citrus Corp., which holds the Florida Gas Transmission pipeline system, to ETP. This transaction, to occur concurrently with the SUG merger, involves approximately $1.895 billion in cash and $105 million in ETP common units in exchange for the Citrus Corp. stake. These announcements signal significant strategic expansion for Energy Transfer.
Key Highlights
- 1Amended and restated merger agreement to acquire Southern Union Company (SUG) for approximately $9.4 billion.
- 2SUG stockholders can elect to receive either $44.25 in cash or 1.000 common unit of Energy Transfer Equity (ET) per SUG share.
- 3The merger consideration includes a flexible mix of cash (up to 60%) and ET common units (40%-50%), subject to proration.
- 4Increased termination fees and expense reimbursement obligations related to the amended SUG merger agreement.
- 5ET and Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) entered an agreement for SUG to contribute a 50% interest in Citrus Corp. (owner of Florida Gas Transmission) to ETP.
- 6The Citrus Corp. contribution to ETP involves approximately $1.895 billion in cash and $105 million in ETP common units.
- 7The Citrus Corp. transaction is anticipated to occur contemporaneously with the completion of the ET-SUG merger.