Sona Petroleum arranges financing for Salamander purchase

Oct. 29, 2014
Sona Petroleum Bhd is borrowing $140 million to part finance its proposed purchase of a stake in UK-listed Salamander Energy plc.

Offshore staff

KUALA LUMPURSona Petroleum Bhd is borrowing $140 million to part finance its proposed purchase of a stake in UK-listed Salamander Energy plc.

Sona has signed a facility agreement with BNP Paribas and RHB Bank (L) Ltd., which will be the joint lead arrangers. The financing is conditional upon the approvals of the Securities Commission and the shareholders of Sona Petroleum, for the proposed transaction.

Salamander Energy plc has received a takeover proposal from a consortium led by Compañía Española de Petróleos (CEPSA) and Jho Low’s Jynwel Capital.

In the latest development, Salamander Energy also updated its transaction with Sona Petroleum Bhd, which was signed on July 21.
Under the deal, Sona would acquire an effective 40% working interest in the B8/38 concession (containing the Bualuang oil field) and the surrounding G4/50 concession, both located in the Gulf of Thailand. Salamander expects to receive $280 million from the sale.
Salamander also confirmed that the Sona transaction remains on track for completion before the end of 2014.

10/29/2014