IFC supports $400 million Seven Energy bond issuances for Nigeria
IFC has subscribed to $50 million of notes in the inaugural bond issuances by Seven Energy International Limited, one of the few companies developing and commercializing stranded gas that is critical for expanding Nigeria's power generation. Seven Energy is Nigeria’s first unlisted oil and gas company to tap the international capital markets.
We had already announced in early October that the IFC was analyzing the deal.
The company’s bond issuances raised a total of $400 million. Part of the proceeds will fund the construction of the Oron?Calabar pipeline which will provide much needed gas for power projects in the city of Calabar in southeastern Nigeria.
Phillip Ihenacho, CEO, Seven Energy, said:
“Seven Energy welcomes and values the continued support of IFC in the development of its business in Nigeria. Seven Energy's objective is to be Nigeria's dominant integrated gas developer and supplier, with a reputation for reliability and operating to the highest international standards.”
Lance Crist, IFC Global Head of Oil and Gas, said:
“This inaugural bond complements Seven Energy’s funding strategy as it expands operations to help address Nigeria’s urgent energy needs. It has also attracted a new class of investors to the sector, showcasing the critical role of capital markets in connecting international and domestic savings to a country’s private sector financing needs.”
Earlier this year, IFC made an equity investment of $75 million in Seven Energy. The IFC African, Latin American and Caribbean Fund also invested $30 million in equity in the company. IFC’s investment in Seven Energy supports the World Bank Group’s Nigeria Energy Business Plan to double power capacity in Nigeria within 5 years by addressing all points of the energy value chain.
Seven energy’s upstream assets include licence interests in the Uquo Field and the Stubb Creek Field (south east Niger Delta), an indirect interest in OMLs 4, 38 and 41 through a Strategic Alliance Agreement with Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (north west Niger Delta) and a licence interest in OPL 905 (Anambra Basin). Its midstream infrastructure assets, focused on south east Niger Delta, include the 200 million cubic feet per day Uquo Gas Processing Facility and a gas pipeline network of 230 km with distribution capacity of 600 MMcfpd.
As of May 31, 2014, three shareholders held greater than 10% of Seven’s shares: Temasek Holdings, Petrofac Limited, and Capital Group Private Markets. IFC and AMC ALAC Fund held 7.7% and 3.1%, respectively.
