Equinor and Shell to create the UK’s largest independent oil and gas company
December 05 2024 - 1:11AM
UK Regulatory
Equinor and Shell to create the UK’s largest independent oil and
gas company
Equinor UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Equinor ASA (OSE: EQNR,
NYSE: EQNR, “Equinor”) and Shell UK Limited, a subsidiary of Shell
plc (LSE: SHEL, NYSE: ADR SHEL, AMS EURONEXT: SHELL, “Shell”) are
to combine their UK offshore oil & gas assets and expertise to
form a new company which will be the UK North Sea’s biggest
independent producer. The incorporated joint venture (IJV) will be
set up to sustain domestic oil and gas production and security of
energy supply in the UK.
On deal completion, the new independent producer will be jointly
owned by Equinor (50%) and Shell (50%), two leading global energy
companies with decades of experience operating in the UK North Sea.
With the once prolific basin now maturing and production naturally
declining, the combination of portfolios and expertise will allow
continued economic recovery of this vital UK resource. The new
company will be more agile, focused, cost-competitive and
strategically well positioned to maximise the value of its combined
portfolios on the UK Continental Shelf.
The new company will invest to provide a long-term future for
the individual oil and gas fields and platforms, helping extend the
life of this crucial sector for the benefit of the UK. Based in
Aberdeen, the heart of the nation’s energy sector, the joint
venture will include Equinor’s equity interests in Mariner,
Rosebank and Buzzard, and Shell’s equity interests in Shearwater,
Penguins, Gannet, Nelson, Pierce, Jackdaw, Victory, Clair and
Schiehallion. A range of exploration licenses will also be part of
the transaction.
Both Equinor and Shell are proud to continue the development of
the North Sea as investing partners rather than individual
operators, opening a new chapter in which they will remain
significant players in the UK energy sector.
Following completion, the new company will be self-funded,
Equinor’s ownership stake will be equity accounted, and no organic
capital expenditures related to this investment will be reported by
Equinor. This transaction enables Equinor to benefit from increased
short-term production and cash flow. The more balanced ownership
structure of the assets also contributes to reduced overall risk
exposure.
Equinor’s Executive Vice President for Exploration and
Production International, Philippe Mathieu, said: “Equinor has been
a reliable energy partner to the UK for over 40 years, providing
oil and gas, developing the offshore wind industry, and advancing
decarbonisation. This transaction strengthens Equinor’s near-term
cash flow, and by combining Equinor’s and Shell’s long-standing
expertise and competitive assets, this new entity will play a
crucial role in securing the UK’s energy supply.”
Shell’s Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, Zoë Yujnovich,
commented: “Domestically produced oil and gas is expected to have a
significant role to play in the future of the UK’s energy system.
To achieve this in an already mature basin, we are combining forces
with Equinor, a partner of many years. The new venture will help
play a critical role in a balanced energy transition providing the
heat for millions of UK homes, the power for industry and the
secure supply of fuels people rely on.”
The transaction has economic effect on 1st January 2025.
Completion of the transaction remains subject to approvals and is
expected by the end of 2025.
Notes to Editors
- In the UK, Equinor currently produces approx. 38,000 barrels of
oil equivalent per day; Shell UK produces over 100,000 barrels of
oil equivalent per day. The new company is expected to produce over
140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025.
- Equinor will retain ownership of its cross-border assets,
Utgard, Barnacle and Statfjord and offshore wind portfolio
including Sheringham Shoal, Dudgeon, Hywind Scotland and Dogger
Bank. It will also retain the hydrogen, carbon capture and storage,
power generation, battery storage and gas storage assets.
- Shell UK will retain ownership of its interests in the Fife NGL
plant, St Fergus Gas Terminal and floating wind projects under
development - MarramWind and CampionWind. Shell UK will also remain
Technical Developer of Acorn, Scotland’s largest carbon capture and
storage project.
- Equinor employs around 300 people in oil and gas roles in the
UK, while Shell employs approximately 1,000 in similar oil and gas
positions across the country.
Contact details:
Investor relations
Bård Glad Pedersen, senior vice president Investor Relations,
+47 918 01 791
Media
Ola Morten Aanestad, Media Relations,
+47 480 80 212
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements
pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading
Act
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