Neptune Energy today announced that Eni International BV (Eni) has signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire Neptune Energy Group Limited (xxxxxxNeptune), with Vår Energi ASA (Vår Energi) simultaneously signing an inter-conditional sale and purchase agreement to acquire Neptune Energy Norge AS for an aggregate enterprise value (subject to customary adjustments) of $4.9 billion.

Neptune’s business in Germany is not part of the transactions and will continue to be owned and operated by the ultimate existing Neptune shareholders as a standalone group.

Clear strategic and value drivers

The Boards of Eni, Vår Energi and Neptune believe the proposed combinations will enhance their technical and financial capabilities to provide energy security and participate in the energy transition.

The existing upstream portfolios of the companies are low carbon intensity gas-focused, with complementary geographic exposure, providing Eni and Vår Energi with increased scale in growth areas and high-value markets, and enhanced decarbonisation opportunities.

Conditions for completion

Completion of the acquisitions is conditional upon, among other things, the receipt of necessary regulatory and governmental clearances. The transactions are expected to close by the end of Q1 2024.

Sam Laidlaw, Executive Chairman of Neptune Energy, said: “Since Neptune’s formation in 2018, we have invested in the business and transformed the organisation, resulting in material improvements in safety, operational performance and cost efficiency.

“I am incredibly proud of Neptune’s achievements over the past five years – and the hard work and dedication of so many people across our organisation, who, together with our shareholders, have contributed to the growth and success of the business.

“This transaction offers a new and exciting phase for Neptune, with significant growth opportunities supporting energy security and the energy transition, which will benefit from Eni’s and Vår Energi’s larger scale and available resources.”

About Eni

Eni is an integrated energy company employing more than 34.000 people in 69 countries in the world. Eni engages in oil and natural gas exploration, field development and production, as well as in the supply, trading and shipping of natural gas, LNG, electricity and fuels. Through refineries and chemical plants, Eni processes crude oil and other oil-based feedstock to produce fuels, lubricants and chemical products that are supplied to wholesalers or through retail networks or distributors.

About Vår Energi

Vår Energi (OSE: VAR) is a leading independent upstream oil and gas company on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). We are committed to deliver a better future through responsible value driven growth based on over 50 years of NCS operations, a robust and diversified asset portfolio with ongoing development projects, and a strong exploration track record. Our ambition is to be the safest operator on the NCS, the partner of choice, an ESG leader and a net-zero producer (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030.

Vår Energi has more than 900 employees and equity stakes in 36 fields producing net 220,000 boe per day in 2022. We have our headquarters outside Stavanger, Norway, with offices in Oslo and Hammerfest.

About Neptune Energy Group

Neptune Energy is an independent global E&P company with operations across Europe, North Africa and Asia Pacific. The business had production of 135,000 net barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2022 and 2P reserves at 31st December 2022 of 552 million barrels of oil equivalent. Neptune aims to store more carbon than is emitted from its operations and the use of its sold products by 2030. The Company, founded by Sam Laidlaw, is backed by CIC and funds advised by Carlyle Group and CVC Capital Partners.