June 24, 2021 (MLN): The Board of Directors of Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL), in its meeting held today, has decided that a consortium comprising MPCL, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, and Government Holding (Private) Limited, shall incorporate a company/special purpose vehicle (a “NewCo”), in Abu Dhabi Global Market or Pakistan.
As per the notice sent to Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), each Consortium partner will have a 25% shareholding in the NewCo. Moreover, the above decision is subject to shareholders’ approval.
The Consortium has submitted a bid for one of the blocks offered in the Abu Dhabi Bid Round 2019 and incorporation of the NewCo is one of the conditions precedent to qualify for the award: It is hereby clarified that the award shall be granted by the Supreme Council for Finance and Economic Affairs (SCFEA) of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and that no decision in this regard has so far been made.
In case the block is not awarded to the Consortium, the NewCo shall be dissolved. Further, subject to the approval of respective shareholders and the Consortium being declared a successful bidder by SCFEA, the incorporation of the NewCo and execution of all definitive agreements, an amount of up to USD 100 million will be invested by MPCL over a period of five years (total investment by all Consortium partners: Up to USD 400 million). Any subsequent funding, if required, will be subject to seeking shareholders' and relevant approvals.
In addition, subject to the approval of their respective shareholders, MPCL (and other members of the Consortium) are required to provide a parent company guarantee for all obligations of the NewCo under the definitive agreements to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and SCFEA, the notice said.
