-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, T0okSv5fbzxBpoL2kHgYgectNfvOMmUyWTLvw68VWQeIs5ZNB3trxea2Wv83phR3 07tgxL9kibp2UctzkqBtBQ== 0000837330-98-000024.txt : 19980709 0000837330-98-000024.hdr.sgml : 19980709 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000837330-98-000024 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19980707 ITEM INFORMATION: ITEM INFORMATION: FILED AS OF DATE: 19980708 SROS: AMEX FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DEVON ENERGY CORP /OK/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000837330 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311] IRS NUMBER: 731333969 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OK FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-10067 FILM NUMBER: 98661499 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 20 N BROADWAY STE 1500 CITY: OKLAHOMA CITY STATE: OK ZIP: 73102-8260 BUSINESS PHONE: 4052353611 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 20 NORTH BROADWAY SUITE 1500 CITY: OKLAHOMA CITY STATE: OK ZIP: 73102-8260 8-K 1 ITEMS 5 AND 7 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event report): June 29, 1998 DEVON ENERGY CORPORATION (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) OKLAHOMA 1-10067 73-1474008 (State or Other (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Jurisdiction of Identification Incorporation or Number) Organization) 20 NORTH BROADWAY, SUITE 1500 OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73102 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (405) 235-3611 Page 1 of 8 total pages Item 5. Other Events On June 29, 1998, Registrant announced that it has entered into a definitive Combination Agreement to merge with Northstar Energy Corporation, a Canadian-based independent oil and gas exploration and production company. A copy of the press release concerning this transaction is filed herewith as an exhibit. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits 99 Press Release dated June 29, 1998. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereto duly authorized. Devon Energy Corporation By: /s/ William T. Vaughn Vice President-Finance William T. Vaughn Vice President-Finance Date: July 6, 1998 EXHIBIT 99 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Devon Energy Corporation Vince White Director of Investor Relations (405) 552-4505 Devon Energy and Northstar Energy to Combine: US$2 Billion Oil and Gas Company Would be Created OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, June 29, 1998 - US-based Devon Energy Corporation (AMEX:DVN) today announced its intention to issue 15.4 million shares in a merger with Canadian-based Northstar Energy Corporation (TSE:NEN). The merger would create an evenly balanced oil and gas producer with 53 percent of its reserves in the U.S. and 47 percent in Canada. There also would be balance between oil and gas reserves. The combined company would have total reserves of approximately 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 117 million barrels of oil. The company would have low debt levels relative to its peers. The combined company would have an equity market capitalization approaching US$2 billion. Both US and Canadian stock exchange listings are expected. Basic Terms Of The Merger Both companies' boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive Combination Agreement. Under the agreement, Northstar shareholders would receive .227 fractional Devon common equivalent shares for each existing Northstar share. The common equivalent shares, or "Exchangeable Shares," are expected to be fully tradeable on The Toronto Stock Exchange. The shares will be exchangeable, at each shareholder's option, for Devon common shares. Devon common trades on the American Stock Exchange. In total, Devon would issue 15.4 million common equivalent shares. Devon also would assume existing Northstar debt of US$312 million and certain other obligations. The consideration to be issued by Devon is subject to adjustment under certain limited circumstances. The merger is subject to certain "Other Terms and Conditions" as outlined below. The Merged Company The combined company would be a substantial North American independent oil and gas producer. It would rank in the top 15 of all US-based independent producers in terms of market capitalization and total proved reserves. In terms of US-only production, it would rank among the top 20 public independents. In Canada, the combined company would be a "Tier 1" producer and rank among the top 20 in Canada-only oil and gas production. The company's Canadian property base would be concentrated in six major areas. It would enjoy "economies of scale" and be among the lowest in Canada in operating costs per unit of production. The company's US property base would be concentrated in four major basins. It, too, would enjoy relatively low operating costs and economies of scale. The combined company would have a large inventory of exploration opportunities. The combined company would hold aggregate 2.5 million net acres of undeveloped leasehold. The combined company would have considerable exposure to Canadian and US natural gas markets. This would be nicely balanced by substantial oil reserves, particularly in the Permian Basin of the US. The company would have some 47.7 million outstanding common equivalent shares with approximately 36.8 million shares in public float. The company would have a desirable capital structure with approximately US$70 million in working capital, only US$312 million in total debt and an estimated US$500 million in untapped financing capacity. The company would have proven management teams in both the US and Canada. John A. Hagg, current President and CEO of Northstar and its current executive staff would lead the combined company's Canadian operations. J. Larry Nichols, current President and CEO of Devon, would serve as President and CEO of the combined company. The remainder of Devon's executive staff would also continue in their present capacities. Historical Oil and Gas Reserves and Operating Data Combined proved reserves as of December 31, 1997, based on US reserve estimate conventions and year-end oil and gas prices held constant, would be as follows:
United States Canada Total Oil (millions of 61 39 100 barrels) Gas (billions of 568 598 1,166 cubic feet) NGLs (millions of 12 5 17 barrels)
Approximately 87 percent of these reserves would be classified as proved developed. During 1997, net of royalty interests, the two companies combined had average daily production as follows:
United States Canada Total Oil and NGL's 20,600 20,400 41,000 (barrels/day) Gas (thousand cubic 167,200 194,100 361,300 feet/day)
Both companies have previously released 1998 production estimates. Devon has disclosed that its 1998 average daily production is estimated to be between 20,800 and 24,100 barrels of oil and natural gas liquids per day and between 184 and 215 million cubic feet of gas per day. Northstar has disclosed that its 1998 average daily production (restated in US conventions) is estimated to be approximately 16,000 barrels of oil per day and 185 million cubic feet of gas per day. During 1997, the combined average price realizations received by the companies in US dollars were as follows: [CAPTION] United States Canada Total Oil and NGLs/barrel US $17.92 US $16.19 US $17.06 Gas/thousand $ 2.28 $ 1.35 $ 1.78 Cubic feet
However, during the first quarter of 1998, prices declined significantly. The combined average price realizations received by the companies for the first quarter of 1998 in US dollars were as follows: [CAPTION] United States Canada Total Oil and NGLs/barrel US $13.41 US $11.61 US $12.49 Gas/thousand $ 2.01 $ 1.24 $ 1.61 Cubic feet
Certain Financial Data There are material differences between US and Canadian "generally accepted accounting principles." The companies cautioned investors not to merely combine data from each company to estimate results for the merged company. Pro forma data will be released as soon as practicable. The merger is expected to be accounted for as a pooling of interests. Accordingly, Northstar's financial statements would be restated to conform to US generally accepted accounting principles. Among other things, this would result in a reduction, effective December 31, 1997, in the carrying value of Northstar's oil and gas properties. Following this adjustment, the combined company would expect a 1998 depletion rate for its Canadian oil and gas properties of approximately US$2.50 to US$2.75 per energy equivalent barrel. The merger would not impact the depletion rate for Devon's historical US oil and gas properties. Northstar's Assets Northstar's oil and gas properties are all located in Canada. These properties are concentrated in Alberta and the northeastern Foothills region of British Columbia. The company has total proved reserves of approximately 550 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 36 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids. With 1998 estimated annual production, net of royalties, of approximately 17 million energy equivalent barrels, Northstar's average reserve life approximates 7.5 years. Northstar also has substantial assets other than proved oil and gas reserves. The company has probable reserves of some 11 million barrels of oil and 200 billion cubic feet of gas. It has undeveloped leasehold (drilling rights) covering some 1.6 million acres. The company's seismic inventory totals 17,000 linear miles of "2-D" data and 500 square miles of "3-D" data. Northstar owns interests in and, in some cases controls, processing facilities and pipelines. The company also has financial assets and investments. Devon estimates the value of Northstar's assets, not including proved oil and gas reserves, to be approximately US$200 million. This value does not include any consideration for Northstar's US$420 million of tax pools. Some of the Possible Effects on Devon The addition to Devon of Northstar's oil and gas reserves and production, its operating results and its debt could be disproportionately greater than the number of shares Devon expects to issue. However, because of the restatement of Northstar's "book assets" to US generally accepted accounting principles, the addition to Devon's assets could be is proportionately less than the number of shares to be issued. Devon's Assets Approximately 90 percent of Devon's oil and gas properties are in the US, and 10 percent are in Canada. Devon's properties are generally long-lived and inexpensive to operate. In the US, the company's properties are concentrated in four major focus areas: the Permian Basin, the San Juan Basin, the Rocky Mountain Region and the Mid Continent. Devon's US oil and gas properties have proved reserves of approximately 568 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 73 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids. In Canada, Devon's properties are concentrated in the Peace River Arch of western Alberta. The company's Canadian oil and gas reserves approximate 48 billion cubic feet of gas and 8 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids. In total the company has proved reserves of approximately 616 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 81 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids. With annual production of some 20 million energy equivalent barrels, Devon's average reserve life approximates nine years. In addition to its proved oil and gas reserves, Devon has probable reserves of 5.7 million barrels of oil and 165 billion cubic feet of gas. It has undeveloped leasehold covering some 583 thousand acres. The company's seismic database includes 31,000 linear miles of "2-D" data and 1,050 square miles of "3- D" data. Like Northstar, Devon owns interests in several processing facilities and pipelines. In addition Devon owns a 19-story office building in Oklahoma City and other fixed assets. It has working capital of some US$60 million. Other Terms and Conditions The merger is subject to approval by the shareholders of both companies as well as certain regulatory and court approvals. Devon and Northstar have each provided the other substantive "termination fees" and certain other rights in the event the merger is not completed. Each has agreed not to solicit other proposals within the limits of fiduciary responsibility. The directors and affiliates of each company have indicated their intention to vote their shares in favor of the transaction. Both Devon and Northstar intend to hold special shareholder meetings following regulatory approval of the companies' proxy materials. The Combination Agreement provides Northstar shareholders with a "downside collar". The collar provides for an upward adjustment in the exchange ratio up to a maximum ratio of .235 Exchangeable Shares for each Northstar share under certain circumstances. Such adjustment would begin if the market value of a Devon common share underlying the Exchangeable Shares times .227 would yield a value of less than C$11.00. Assuming current US/Canadian dollar exchange rates, an adjustment of the .227 ratio would not begin unless the price of Devon common shares declines below US$32.95 per share. The exchange ratio would increase pro rata to the maximum .235 Exchangeable Shares for each Northstar share if the Devon share price declines to US$31.82. Thereafter, no adjustment would be made. This press release includes "forward- looking statements" as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements are those concerning the companies' plans, expectations and objectives for future operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the companies expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. This includes completion of the proposed merger, reserve estimates, future production of oil and gas, future financial performance and other matters. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the companies based on their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the companies. Statements regarding future production are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the exploration for and development and production of oil and gas. These risks include, but are not limited to, inflation or lack of availability of goods and services, environmental risks, drilling risks and regulatory changes. Estimates for future production are based on the assumption that market demand will continue at levels that allow for profitable production of these products. There can be no assurance of such stability. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Northstar Energy Corporation is a Canadian company engaged in petroleum and natural gas exploration and production. Northstar's oil and gas properties are concentrated in Alberta and the northeastern and Foothills regions of British Columbia. The company's common shares are listed on the Toronto, Montreal and Alberta stock exchanges under the trading symbol NEN. Devon Energy Corporation is an independent energy company engaged in oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and production. It is one of the top 20 public independent oil and gas companies in the United States, as measured by oil and gas reserves. Devon's common shares trade on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol DVN.
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----