沙特阿美与EIG牵头的财团签署价值124亿美元的基础设施投资协议
— 全球最大的能源基础设施交易之一
— 新设实体沙特阿美石油管道公司将租赁使用沙特阿美的稳定原油管网，租约为期25年
— 该交易体现沙特阿美业务组合优化计划的持续进展，沙特阿美业务组合优化计划旨在释放价值、并最大限度地提高股东回报
— 大量外资注入巩固沙特阿美在国际能源领域的领先地位，并强化沙特阿拉伯对全球知名机构投资者的吸引力
沙特阿拉伯达兰，2021年4月9日--沙特阿美与世界领先的能源基础设施投资商之一EIG Global Energy Partners（以下简称“ EIG”）牵头的财团签署一项协议，以通过出租及租回的方式优化资产，所涉及资产为沙特阿美的稳定原油管网。
交易完成后，沙特阿美将获得约124亿美元的一次性收益。这项全球最大的能源基础设施交易之一，将进一步巩固沙特阿美的资产负债表。这项交易是沙特阿美战略的延续，旨在发掘资产基础的潜力，并为股东带来最大价值。它还加将强化沙特阿美作为催化剂、吸引大量外国投资进入沙特的作用。
作为交易的一部分，沙特阿美新成立的子公司沙特阿美石油管道公司将租赁沙特阿美的稳定原油管网使用权，租约为期25年。作为回报，沙特阿美石油管道公司将向沙特阿美对流经管网的稳定原油收取管道使用费，以及少量承诺费。沙特阿美将持有新公司51％的多数股权，由EIG牵头的财团将持有49％的股份。沙特阿美将继续保留其稳定原油管网的全部所有权和运营控制权。此次交易不会对沙特阿美实际的原油产量施加任何限制，沙特阿美原油产量仍取决于沙特王国发布的生产决定。
沙特阿美总裁兼首席执行官阿敏·纳瑟尔（Amin H. Nasser）表示：“这一具有里程碑意义的交易为我们的投资组合优化计划确定了前进的方向。我们正在利用新的机遇，这些机遇与沙特最近推出的Shareek计划在战略上保持一致。此次交易将进一步提升沙特阿美强大的资本结构，有助于为股东带来最大回报。此外，我们此次交易的长期合作伙伴也将受益，这项投资的标的是世界上最强大的能源基础设施之一。展望未来，我们将继续探索机会，为我们的长期价值创造战略提供支持。”
沙特阿美企业发展高级副总裁顾达明（Abdulaziz M. Al Gudaimi）说：“这项交易不仅可以强化我们的资产负债表，而且还为地区和国际基础设施交易树立了新的基准。这是EIG和投资界其他重量级机构对我们长期前景的信心之选，是我们在投资组合优化计划中所取得的重大进展。这项交易释放了我们资产的价值，并将增强沙特阿美的应变能力、敏捷性和应对不断变化的市场动态的能力。”
EIG董事长兼首席执行官布莱尔·托马斯（R. Blair Thomas）表示：“与无可争议的行业领导者沙特阿美合作进行这项具有里程碑意义的交易，我们对此深感荣幸。沙特阿美石油管网是全球基础设施的重要组成部分。我们期待投资于对全球经济至关重要的基础设施，并为我们全球的机构投资者创造价值。”
EIG和其他机构投资者的长期投资突显这项投资机会的吸引力：沙特阿美具有全球地位的管道资产、沙特阿美的长期前景以及沙特阿拉伯王国作为国际投资者理想的投资目的地。预计该交易将在惯例成交条件（包括任何必要的合并控制和相关批准）的约束下，在切实可行的时间区间内很快完成。
Aramco signs $12.4 billion infrastructure investment deal with EIG-led consortium
One of the world’s largest energy infrastructure deals
Newly-formed entity, Aramco Oil Pipelines Company, to lease usage rights of Aramco’s stabilized crude oil pipeline network over 25-year period
Transaction reflects ongoing progress in Aramco’s portfolio optimization program, which aims to unlock value and maximize shareholder returns
Significant injection of foreign capital reinforces Aramco’s leading position in the international energy arena and Saudi Arabia’s appeal to prominent institutional investors globally
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, April 9, 2021--Aramco has signed a deal with a consortium led by EIG Global Energy Partners (“EIG”), one of the world’s leading energy infrastructure investors, to optimize its assets through a lease-and-lease-back agreement involving its stabilized crude oil pipeline network.
Upon closing, Aramco will receive upfront proceeds of around $12.4 billion, further strengthening its balance sheet through one of the largest energy infrastructure deals globally. The transaction represents a continuation of Aramco’s strategy to unlock the potential of its asset base and maximize value for its shareholders. It also reinforces Aramco’s role as a catalyst for attracting significant foreign investment into the Kingdom.
As part of the transaction, a newly-formed Aramco subsidiary, Aramco Oil Pipelines Company, will lease usage rights in Aramco’s stabilized crude oil pipelines network for a 25-year period. In return, Aramco Oil Pipelines Company will receive a tariff payable by Aramco for the stabilized crude oil that flows through the network, backed by minimum volume commitments. Aramco will hold a 51% majority stake in the new company and the EIG-led consortium will hold a 49% stake. Aramco will continue to retain full ownership and operational control of its stabilized crude oil pipeline network. The transaction will not impose any restrictions on Aramco’s actual crude oil production volumes that are subject to production decisions issued by the Kingdom.
Aramco President & CEO, Amin H. Nasser, said: “This landmark transaction defines the way forward for our portfolio optimization program. We are capitalizing on new opportunities that also align strategically with the Kingdom’s recently-launched Shareek program. Aramco’s strong capital structure will be further enhanced with this transaction, which in turn will help maximize returns for our shareholders. Additionally, our long-term partners in this venture will benefit from investment in one of the world’s most robust energy infrastructures. Moving forward, we will continue to explore opportunities that underpin our strategy of long-term value creation.”
Abdulaziz M. Al Gudaimi, Aramco Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, said: “In addition to strengthening our balance sheet, this deal sets a new benchmark for infrastructure transactions both regionally and internationally. It is a vote of confidence in our long-term outlook by EIG and other heavyweights in the investment world and reflects the significant progress we are making in our portfolio optimization program. This transaction unlocks value from our assets and strengthen Aramco’s resilience, agility and ability to respond to changing market dynamics.”
R. Blair Thomas, EIG’s Chairman & CEO, said: “We are honored to partner with Aramco, an undisputed industry leader, on this landmark transaction. Aramco’s oil pipeline network is a marquee global infrastructure asset. We look forward to investing in this infrastructure which is critical to the global economy, and to driving value for our institutional investors worldwide.”
The long-term investment by EIG and other institutional investors underscores the compelling investment opportunity represented by Aramco’s globally-significant pipeline assets, the Company’s long-term outlook and the attractiveness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a desirable investment destination for international investors. The transaction is expected to close as soon as practicable, subject to customary closing conditions, including any required merger control and related approvals.
