New Assets Provide Third Party Expansion Opportunity
In addition to the DevCo interests, Noble Midstream has acquired NBL Holdings, which owns Noble Energy’s East Pony gas gathering complex in the DJ Basin and the Clayton Williams gathering system in the Delaware Basin.
The East Pony gas gathering system includes the Keota and Lilli gas processing plants and associated gas gathering pipelines. The two gas processing plants have a combined capacity of approximately 45 MMcf/d and are currently ~80% utilized. The plants can be expanded to a capacity of 60 MMcf/d through additional compression with minimal capital. This asset marks NBLX’s first entry into DJ Basin gas processing. With the need for incremental gas processing capacity in the DJ Basin, the Keota and Lilli plants provide an additional opportunity for NBLX to grow its third-party business.
In addition, NBL Holdings owns the legacy Clayton Williams pipeline system, which includes more than 300 miles of oil, gas, and produced water gathering pipelines. These pipelines service Noble Energy’s central and southern Delaware Basin positions and will provide additional opportunities to drive capital efficiency through new well connections and secure third-party dedications.
Accretive Transaction Improves Distribution Coverage and Leverage
As consideration for the acquisition, the Partnership will issue to Noble Energy approximately $930 million in NBLX common units 2. Noble Midstream expects to fund the remaining $670 million in cash consideration with approximately $420 million from its revolving credit facility and approximately $250 million in proceeds from a private placement of common units.
In the first year, the transaction is expected to be 5% accretive to DCF/unit1 and the transaction is expected to be accretive long term. Upon closing of the acquisition and the private placement, Noble Energy is expected to own a 63% limited partner interest in NBLX. The acquisition closed on November 14, 2019.
2 | Units issued toNBL will be issued at the30-dayVWAP through close of business November 6, at $24.18/sh. |