Saudi Aramco, Shell to separate Motiva assets
HOUSTON -- Saudi Arabian Oil Company and Royal Dutch Shell plc announce the signing of binding definitive agreements between Saudi Refining, Inc. -- a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco -- and SOPC Holdings East LLC -- a US downstream subsidiary of Shell -- on the separation of assets, liabilities and businesses of Motiva Enterprises LLC.
Subject to regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017.
"This transaction is well aligned with Aramco's global downstream strategy,” said Abdulaziz Al-Judaimi, Senior Vice President of Downstream, Saudi Aramco. “Motiva is a strong competitor among US refiners, and we value this important link with the dynamic US energy sector. Our intent is to continue providing Motiva with strong financial support as it transitions into a stand-alone downstream affiliate. We have a long history with the Motiva team, and we're proud of the impressive strides they have made in recent years toward building on the company's core strengths."
Per the terms of the non-binding letter of intent the partners signed in March 2016, both companies have evaluated options and through negotiations and selected a deal structure to divide and transfer Motiva Enterprises LLC's assets, liabilities and businesses between the companies. The final negotiated transaction includes the following:
- SRI will assume full ownership of the Motiva Enterprises LLC name and legal entity, including the refinery at Port Arthur, Texas and 24 distribution terminals. Additionally, Motiva will have the right to exclusively sell Shell-branded gasoline and diesel in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., as well as the eastern half of Texas and the majority of Florida.
- Shell will assume sole ownership of the Norco, La., refinery (where Shell operates a chemicals plant), the Convent, La., refinery, 11 distribution terminals, and Shell-branded markets in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, a portion of the Florida panhandle, and the North-eastern region of the US These assets will be fully integrated with Shell's downstream business in North America.
Both Motiva owners said they are committed to supporting the venture during this period of transition and assuring customer service and continued health, safety and environmental performance. Owner financing support arrangements for Motiva will remain in place throughout the transition, and both parties are committed to maintaining Motiva's balance sheet strength and liquidity.
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