Cenovus completes merger with Husky

Canada's Cenovus Energy announced that it has completed its strategic merger with Husky Energy.

The deal was completed through a definitive arrangement agreement announced on October 25, 2020 under which Cenovus and Husky agreed to combine in an all-stock transaction.

With the close of the transaction, Husky has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Cenovus. The combined company will continue to be headquartered in Calgary.

“This is an exciting day for Cenovus as we become a leaner, stronger, more fully integrated oil and natural gas company that is exceptionally well-positioned to weather the current environment and be an energy leader in the years ahead,” said Alex Pourbaix, Cenovus President & Chief Executive Officer.

“With the closing of this transaction, we will focus on safely and efficiently integrating the assets and teams of these two great companies while working to realise the $1.2 billion in synergies we’ve identified. These cost and capital efficiencies, combined with our strong portfolio of well-matched upstream production, midstream and downstream assets as well as improved financial strength, are expected to generate strong value for our shareholders.”

The deal combination creates Canada’s third largest crude oil and natural gas producer, based on total company production, with about 750,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d) of low-cost oil and natural gas production. Cenovus is also now the second largest Canadian-based refiner and upgrader, with total North American upgrading and refining capacity of approximately 660,000 barrels per day (bbls/d). In addition, the company has access to about 265,000 bbls/d of current takeaway capacity from Alberta on existing major pipelines, 305,000 bbls/d of committed capacity on planned pipelines and 16 million barrels of crude oil storage capacity as well as strategic crude-by-rail assets that provide takeaway optionality.

Cenovus said in a statement that it expects to provide additional details on its future plans with the release of its 2021 capital budget and updated corporate guidance in late January.