- Energy Transfer Ups Southern Union Bid
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Energy Transfer Equity L.P.
Energy Transfer Equity and Southern Union have entered into an amended and restated merger agreement under which ETE will acquire SUG for $8.9 billion, including $5.1 billion in cash and ETE common units.
Under the terms of the revised agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, SUG shareholders can elect to exchange their common shares for $40.00 of cash or 0.903 ETE common units. The maximum cash component is 60% of the aggregate consideration and the common unit component can fluctuate between 40% and 50%. Elections in excess of either the cash or common unit limits will be subject to proration.
The revised purchase price represents a significant increase in value being paid to SUG shareholders and more than a 42% premium to the closing price of SUG common stock on June 15, 2011, the last trading day prior to the announcement of the original merger agreement.
The revised agreement provides, at the SUG shareholders' option, certainty of value through substantial cash consideration per SUG share and significant potential upside from ETE common units at a compelling fixed exchange ratio and on a tax-deferred basis. The merger is not subject to any financing contingency as ETE has secured approximately $3.3 billion in committed financing from Credit Suisse to fund the cash consideration to SUG shareholders.
"We have listened to SUG shareholders and are providing a superior yet simpler transaction, including a significant cash component and the opportunity to benefit from ETE's upside through the ownership of ETE common units," said Kelcy Warren, ETE's Chairman of the Board of Directors and largest unitholder. "The revised ETE / Southern Union agreement delivers superior value, highly compelling equity participation and certainty to close for SUG shareholders. The Southern Union board and I strongly believe that ETE is the right partner for Southern Union and that the combination of our companies is in the best interests of our investors, customers and employees."
ETE has received signed support agreements from shareholders representing 14% of SUG's total shares outstanding, who will pre-elect to receive ETE common units as their consideration, subject to the same proration as all other shareholders.
George L. Lindemann, Chairman and CEO of SUG, said, "We are pleased to be able to deliver superior value to our shareholders, with greater certainty to close, through this transaction with ETE. This deal creates strategic benefits that could not be achieved through any other industry combination. Our businesses are highly complementary and the combination will provide a broader range of services and market access that our existing and future customers demand."
Eric D. Herschmann, Vice Chairman, President and COO of SUG, added, "Our combination with ETE is the best path forward for this company and our shareholders, who will be able to elect, subject to the proration provision, to exchange their SUG shares for a guaranteed cash payment at closing or opt to participate in the potential upside of the combined companies through long-term equity ownership in ETE."
Prior to receipt of ETE's revised offer, Messrs. Lindemann and Herschmann informed ETE management and a Special Committee of SUG directors that, given their significant combined shareholdings of SUG, they had voluntarily determined to terminate their consulting and non-compete agreements with ETE included in the original merger agreement entered into on June 15, 2011. ETE has accepted the voluntary termination of those agreements.
In a sign of its commitment and confidence that it can complete this transaction in or before the first quarter of 2012, ETE has agreed to divest businesses, to the extent required by regulators, to ensure federal anti-trust approvals for the proposed ETE / SUG transaction will not delay or prohibit the closing. ETE has already begun the approval process with its HSR and Missouri regulatory filings.
In connection with the revised merger agreement, ETE also announced a binding agreement for the drop down of Southern Union Company's 50% interest in Citrus Corp., which owns 100% of the Florida Gas Transmission pipeline system, to Energy Transfer Partners, a publicly traded partnership, for $1.9 billion in cash. The drop down of this interest in Citrus Corp. is subject to the closing of ETE's acquisition of SUG and is not subject to any financing condition on the part of ETP or ETP unitholder approval.
"The drop down of Citrus to ETP allows ETE to deleverage its balance sheet upon closing and provides ETP with an interest in one of the best pipeline systems in the United States," said Mr. Warren.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to ETE, with Latham & Watkins LLP, Bingham McCutchen LLP and Potter Anderson having acted as legal counsel. Evercore Partners and Goldman Sachs Group Inc are serving as financial advisors to the Special Committee of the board of directors of SUG. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Morris Nichols Arhst and Tunnell LLP are serving as legal advisors to the Special Committee. Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP and Roberts & Holland LLP are serving as legal counsel to SUG.
* Energy Transfer Raises Its Offering Price for Southern Union to $8.9 Billion
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