Genel Energy raises Capricorn offer to $436 million, outbidding Norway's DNO

By Yamini Kalia

Sept 25 (Reuters) - Britain's Genel Energy raised its cash offer for Capricorn Energy to $436 million on Friday, topping a rival offer from DNO and re-securing the backing of Capricorn's board after a months-long bidding war.

Capricorn shares were up 12.2% at a more than 15-year high of 443 pence by 0838 GMT, while Genel's shares fell 2.1%.

• Capricorn has become a prized target for energy firms seeking a foothold in Egypt's upstream sector, with its Western Desert assets attracting competing bids from the two rivals weeks apart.

• Genel secured the backing of Capricorn's board with a $360 million bid in July, before DNO offered $396 million earlier this month.

• Under the revised terms of Genel's bid, Capricorn shareholders will receive about $5.74 per share, comprising $4.75 in cash and a $0.99 special dividend, a 10% premium to DNO's offer.

• Zeus Capital analyst Daniel Slater said that Capricorn would give Genel a much more diversified production base, larger drilling program and sources of cash flow.

• Capricorn's board withdrew its recommendation for DNO's offer to again back Genel's bid, saying it provides shareholders with "superior value, certainty and deliverability".

• DNO declined to comment when asked if the company would raise its offer.

• Genel has secured commitments from shareholders including Palliser Capital, Newtyn Management, Kite Lake Capital and Madison Avenue Partners, locking up about 39% of Capricorn's issued share capital.

(Reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips, Kirsten Donovan)