Husky Energy announced it will undertake a strategic review and will potentially sell its Canadian retail and commercial fuels business and its Prince George Refinery.

Husky’s decision to review and consider a sale of non-core Downstream assets comes as it increasingly focuses on core assets in its Integrated Corridor and on its Offshore business in Atlantic Canada and the Asia Pacific region. The potential disposition is being undertaken independent of the outcome of Husky’s proposed acquisition of MEG Energy.

“Our retail network and the Prince George Refinery are excellent assets, with exceptional employees, which have made solid contributions to Husky over the years,” CEO Rob Peabody said. “However, as we further align our Heavy Oil and Downstream businesses to form one Integrated Corridor, we’ve taken the decision to review and market these non-core properties.

“We expect the businesses will be highly marketable, attracting strong interest and valuations. Husky delivers value to its customers and we anticipate that high level of quality and service will continue whether or not the businesses are sold.”

Husky’s retail and commercial network consists of more than 500 stations, travel centres, cardlock operations and bulk distribution facilities from British Columbia to New Brunswick. The myHusky Rewards loyalty program has about 1.6 million members.

The 12,000 barrel-per day Prince George Refinery is located in Prince George, B.C. and processes light oil into low-sulphur gasoline and ultra-low sulphur diesel, along with other products. It supplies refined products to retail outlets in the central and northern regions of B.C.

TD Securities Inc. is acting as financial advisor, with Torys LLP as legal advisor.

About Husky

Husky (TSX:HSE) is an integrated energy company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. It has approximately 5,200 employees and has average daily production of about 320,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

The Company has two main areas of focus:

- The Integrated Corridor includes natural gas, non-thermal oil, NGLs and thermal production from Western Canada, the Lloydminster upgrading and asphalt refining complex, the Husky Midstream Limited Partnership (35 percent working interest and operatorship), and the Lima and Toledo refineries in the U.S. Midwest. Gas production from the repositioned Western Canada portfolio is closely aligned with the Company’s energy requirements for refining and thermal bitumen production, and acts as a natural hedge.

- The Offshore business includes operations and exploration in the Asia Pacific region, primarily offshore China, Indonesia and Taiwan, and in the Atlantic, offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. Each area generates high-netback production, with near and long-term investment potential.