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- Archer To Acquire Fishing and P&A Specialist WFR
Archer to acquire fishing and P&A specialist WFR
30 Oct 2024 16:40 CET
Issuer
Archer Limited
Hamilton, Bermuda (October 30, 2024)
Archer Limited ("Archer") today announces that it has entered into an agreement
to acquire Wellbore Fishing & Rental Tools, LLC ("WFR"). WFR is a US based well
technology player focused on fishing operation in the oil and gas sector.
Fishing operations include multiple activities during the well life cycle,
including the removal of stuck equipment, pipe, completion, downhole tools,
casing, and liners for intervention, as well as workover and P&A operations.
The acquisition of WFR is well aligned with Archer's strategy and the
transaction yields robust financial returns. This acquisition will strengthen
Archer's presence in the Gulf of Mexico and position us for the estimated $18
billion deep water P&A market emerging in the Gulf of Mexico. It will also build
upon Archer's relationship with global majors in the region.
WFR's 2024 revenue is expected to reach approximately $45 million, with an
EBITDA margin above 30%, and cash contribution (EBITDA less capex) of 90% of
EBITDA for the last 3 years. Archer sees clear and tangible cost and revenue
synergies, as the WFR service offering and projects serve as attractive sales
channels for many of Archer's high-end plug, slot recovery, and P&A services.
The WFR acquisition is estimated to have a payback of approximately 3 years,
improve Archer's 2025 EBITDA by 10-15%, and increase Archer's cash flow to
equity on average by $15-20 million annually over the first few years.
Total consideration for the acquisition is $51.5 million, which will be financed
through an equity capital raise of $40m (the "Equity Raise"), $10 million worth
of shares issued to the existing owners of WFR based on 60-day volume-weighted
average price at closing of the acquisition, and cash at hand.
The acquisition of WFR is expected to be closed shortly after the Special
General Meeting expected to be summoned shortly after the Equity Raise.
Further information about the Equity Raise will be published by Archer in a
separate stock exchange notice via newsweb.no when the Equity Raise is launched
today.
M&A track record
The acquisition adds to Archer's strong M&A track record. In the last two years,
Archer has invested just above $40 million in accretive bolt-on M&A
transactions, with the acquired companies expected to generate more than $20
million of pro-forma EBITDA in 2024. This represents a multiple of about 2x
2024E EBITDA, with a payback of approximately 3 years based on 2024 cash flows.
Archer will continue to build on its successful M&A track record and look for
accretive and synergetic bolt on acquisitions.
Q3 financial update
Archer has just announced 3[rd] quarter financial results where we outlined a
record quarter with an EBITDA of $34.9 million, up 14% from the same quarter
last year. Archer's EBITDA YTD is 15% higher than the same period last year.
Growth and updated pro-forma guidance for 2024
Archer has grown substantially through organic growth and strategic M&A over the
last few years. We have guided 2024 EBITDA between $134 million and $140
million, representing approximately 60% growth in EBITDA from 2022 to 2024.
Including full year pro-forma financials for Iceland Drilling and WFR, we update
our guidance for 2024 EBITDA to a proforma EBITDA in the range of $155-160
million, the mid-point representing a pro-forma EBITDA growth of 85% since 2022.
Our pro-forma leverage ratio (NIBD / Adjusted EBITDA) is expected to continue to
improve to between 2.2-2.4x at 2024 year end, down from 5.3x at 2022 year end.
Archer's main business is within brownfield operations with exposure to low
marginal cost production, providing less exposure to current macro uncertainties
and implication on delayed short cycle projects among oil and gas operators. We
foresee modest organic growth in revenue and EBITDA in 2025 and anticipate our
leverage ratio could drop to around 2x by end of 2025.
Plan for refinance of debt in 2025 with subsequent pathway to dividend capacity
Archer has showcased significant underlying financial improvements since 2022,
which together with the equity financing of this transaction, has improved
Archer's credit metrics significantly. These improvements are positioning Archer
to refinance our existing debt in 2025 at improved terms and creating a clear
pathway to dividend capacity.
For further details, please contact:
Dag Skindlo, Chief Executive Officer | Mobile: +47 982 26 624 | Email:
dag.skindlo@archerwell.com
Espen Joranger, Chief Financial Officer | Mobile: +47 982 06 812 |
Email:espen.joranger@archerwell.com
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl
(Norwegian Securities Trading Act)
More information:
Access the news on Oslo Bors NewsWeb site
Source
Archer Limited
Provider
Oslo Børs Newspoint
Company Name
ARCHER
ISIN
BMG0451H2087
Symbol
ARCH
Market
Oslo Børs