Latsis group

Extra 20% of ‘undervalued’ Helleniq Energy to be listed

Posted on by admin

Greek privatization fund TAIPED and the Latsis group’s Paneuropean Oil & Industrial Holdings, the two main shareholders of Helleniq Energy, formerly named Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE), appear to have decided to list a further 20 percent stake of the company’s shares on the Athens stock exchange.

TAIPED currently holds a 35.48 percent stake of Helleniq Energy, and Paneuropean Oil & Industrial Holdings holds 17.4 percent, while 17.4 percent of Helleniq Energy’s shares are already being traded on the Athens bourse.

Discussion regarding the additional allocation of a bundle of Helleniq Energy shares on the Athens stock exchange began as part of broader strategy pursued by the privatization fund to optimize the company’s shares that are publicly traded.

A further privatization effort in 2019 did not succeed and, since then, TAIPED has sought the best possible way to exploit this asset.

According to sources, the privatization fund and Paneuropean Oil & Industrial Holdings will each contribute 10 percent stakes in Helleniq Energy to the listing.

The intention of this move is not to lure a strategic investor but, instead, to increase the company’s free float, the sources added.

Just months ago, Helleniq Energy’s management suggested the company’s share price does not reflect the true value of the energy group. Also, the company’s restructuring and Vision 2025 investment plan, now being implemented for greater emphasis on green-energy activities, have so far failed to boost the share price of the energy group.

The latest plan, sources noted, will seek to deliver more goodwill to shareholders and reflect the group’s true value on the board.

ELPE transformation ending State’s board majority

Posted on by admin

Hellenic Petroleum ELPE is moving ahead with a full transformation, both in terms of investments, taking a turn focused on green energy, as well as administratively, through a revision to soon nullify a 2003 agreement that has given the Greek State, holding a 35.5 percent stake, majority rights, represented by 7 of 13 board members.

Legislation ratified last year and set to be implemented on July 17 will give company shareholders board representation rights reflecting their respective stakes in ELPE.

Besides the Greek State’s 35.5 percent share, the Latsis group’s Paneuropean holds a 47 percent stake in ELPE, while the remaining 17.5 percent is free-floating.

The company is scheduled to hold a general shareholders’ meeting on June 30, when a new board is expected to be voted in.

It is believed that ELPE’s administrative duties will be taken on by a new holding company, now in the making, possibly with its headquarters abroad. Its board membership is expected to be trimmed to 11 from ELPE’s 13 at present.

The ELPE group’s subsidiaries as well as stakes in various companies, including refineries, petroleum product trading companies, namely EKO and BP, as well as ELPE Renewables, energy supplier Elpedison and plastic packaging firm Diaxon, will all be transferred to the new holding company, sources have informed.

ELPE not on 2020 privatizations list despite priority status, unclear why

Posted on by admin

The schedule for the Greek State’s sale of its 35.47 percent stake in Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) remains unclear despite this privatization being declared a priority by the New Democracy government immediately following its election victory last summer.

Speaking yesterday at an energy conference, Athens Energy Dialogues, energy minister Costis Hatzidakis offered a rundown of the government’s planned privatizations for 2020. ELPE was not on the list.

Signs of a slowdown in the ELPE plan emerged in early autumn when energy minister Costis Hatzidakis requested patience from investors for this particular sale. Ministry officials reiterated this call for patience yesterday.

Towards the end of 2019, the privatization fund TAIPED declared that its 2.4 billion-euro revenue target for 2020 would be achieved as a result of a series of planned privatizations.

TAIPED, at the time, included the ELPE sale on its privatization agenda for 2020, along with Athens International Airport and the two new gas utility DEPA entities, DEPA Trade and DEPA Infrastructure.

Some pundits have attributed the government’s ELPE delay to a decision by the Latsis Group, ELPE’s main shareholder with a 45.48 percent share, not to sell and not wish the entry of any new investor into the petroleum group’s equity make-up.

Certain industry experts have gone as far as to say that the ELPE privatization has been cancelled.

Others are attributing the ELPE sale delay to the launch of the DEPA Trade and DEPA Infrastructure privatizations. ELPE holds a 35 percent stake in DEPA and these new entities, established to serve the DEPA privatization.

Also, less favorable international conditions at present cannot be overlooked. Hatzidakis, the energy minister, has, from early on, been adamant on selling at the right time, when international conditions are at an optimal level.

ELPE privatization headed for delay, lenders have approved

Posted on by admin

A privatization plan for part of the Greek State’s 35.48 percent stake in Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) will be delayed for next year as current market conditions are not favorable, while the procedure could even be reassessed from scratch, sources have informed.

This delay, sources said, has already been approved by the country’s lenders, who have admitted the ELPE privatization has never represented a restructuring plan for the Greek economy, but, instead, is a cash-collecting initiative incorporated into the wider effort to reduce public debt.

A government plan to sell the Greek State’s ELPE stake through the Athens bourse was recently reported as finalized and ready for implementation next month.

The Latsis group’s Paneuropean Oil, ELPE’s main shareholder with a 45.5 percent stake, has been allowed a more influential administrative role at ELPE since the summer’s Greek election brought in a new government.

Energy minister Costis Hatzidakis, speaking in Greek Parliament, has noted there is no intention to sell the Greek State’s entire ELPE stake. It remains unclear what the level of the Greek State’s percentage in ELPE could be following the privatization.

TAIPED, the privatization fund, holds the Greek State’s stake in ELPE. A sale of this stake through the bourse would require a legislative revision.

Greek State ELPE stake could be sold within next 2 months

Posted on by admin

The government is pushing ahead with its plan to sell, through the bourse, part of the Greek State’s 35.48 percent stake in Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) in a procedure that is expected to swift and completed within November.

The sale’s consulting duo, National Bank and Goldman Sachs, has launched a related market test to identify interested parties through a book-building procedure.

The level of interest in the sale will determine the percentage of the Greek State’s ELPE stake to be offered to investors. At this stage, the government does not appear willing to disengage the Greek State from its entire 35.48 percent in the petroleum firm.

ELPE’s share has slid 6.4 percent over the past four days, from 9.11 euros to 8.52 euros.

The Latsis Group’s Paneuropean Oil, ELPE’s main shareholder with a 45.5 percent stake, has decided not to participate in the sale, sources have informed.

The two shareholders had joined forces to offer investors an overall 50.1 percent stake in ELPE last April, but the sale failed to procedure a result.

Prior to that sale attempt, the former Syriza government’s energy minister Giorgos Stathakis secured a controlling 51 percent stake for the Greek State in Exploration Holding Company, to which all of ELPE’s hydrocarbon exploration and production licenses were transferred. The holding company’s role could change.

Follow-up ELPE sale effort to involve Greek State stake only

Posted on by admin

A follow-up sale effort offering a stake in Hellenic Petroleum ELPE will only involve the Greek State, holding a 35.48 percent share of the petroleum company, while the Latsis Group’s Paneuropean Oil, the main shareholder with a 45.5 percent stake, has decided not to participate, reliable sources have informed energypress.

An initial ELPE sale attempt, in which the Greek State participated with 20 percent and Paneuropean Oil 30.1 for a concurrent sale offering 50.1 percent, failed to attract investors.

During his speech at the 84th Thessaloniki International Fair, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made clear the ELPE privatization is a top-priority sale along with the Greek State’s stakes in gas utility DEPA and Athens International Airport.

An official agreement between ELPE and the Latsis Group on the privatization is expected within days, the sources noted.

The two sides also appear to have agreed to dismantle an ELPE holding company whose assets include the petroleum firm’s hydrocarbon exploration and production licenses.

If so, prospective bidders ELPE bidders could hail from the upstream sector.

Latsis group unlikely to take part in follow-up ELPE sale

Posted on by admin

The Latsis group, whose Paneuropean Oil is the main shareholder of Hellenic Petroleum ELPE with a 45.5 percent stake, appears unwilling to participate in a follow-up sale effort for ELPE with the Greek State, holding 35.5 percent of the petroleum company.

The Greek State had offered 20 percent and Paneuropean Oil 30.1 for a concurrent sale effort that failed to draw investors.

A refusal by the Latsis group to become involved in a second sale attempt would leave the government with two basic options – one, to offer the Greek State’s 35.5 share of ELPE through a tender; the other, to offer this stake through the bourse, either as one lump offering or a succession of smaller packages.

Pundits believe a gradual sale through the bourse would be the wrong way to go, contending it would amount to a discount offering.

If a sale through the bourse is eventually chosen, a one-off sale of the Greek State’s 35.5 percent appears the most probable course of action. However, none of the options have been ruled out. A final decision is still ahead. A new administration at ELPE was assembled just two days ago.

Latsis Group, government in talks for optimal ELPE solution

Posted on by admin

Business magnate Spiros Latsis, director of the Latsis Group of companies, discussed his investment plans for Greece, including Paneuropean Oil’s 45.5 percent stake in Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE), at a meeting yesterday with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, sources informed.

The entrepreneur made clear that he is looking for an optimal solution for ELPE, according to sources. The petroleum company’s recently failed sale will be relaunched, the Prime Minister noted while presenting his administration’s program.

Any ELPE sale relaunch and its shape will greatly depend on upcoming talks between the newly appointed energy minister Costis Hatzidakis and Paneuropean Oil officials.

The outcome of these talks will determine whether the sale’s relaunch will share the same features as the previous effort.

The Greek State had offered 20 percent of its 35.48 percent share in ELPE and the Latsis group’s Paneuropean Oil 30.1 percent of its 45.47 stake for a concurrent sale effort that failed to draw investors.

Paneuropean’s future stake in a hydrocarbons holding company, Exploration Holding Company, will also be pivotal for the ELPE sale.

The previous Syriza government’s energy minister Giorgos Stathakis had secured a 51 percent stake of the holding company for the Greek State. This development gave the Greek state control of ELPE’s existing exploration and production rights.

Prior to this, Paneuropean Oil had reached an agreement for the Greek State’s share in the holding company to be at 25 percent.

 

Gov’t examining DEPA options, including holding co. model

Posted on by admin

The newly appointed energy ministry is examining alternatives for the sale of gas utility DEPA, one of these being an older plan proposed by the privatization fund TAIPED for the establishment of a holding company that would house three subsidiaries representing the utility’s commercial, network and international project interests.

This plan would involve offering stakes in the commercial and network subsidiaries to investors while the international projects division would remain in the holding company portfolio.

The privatization fund’s proposal, presented about a year-and-a-half ago, foresaw the sale of a majority stake in the commercial entity and a minority stake in the network company.

This plan differs greatly to a DEPA split plan legislated by the previous Syriza government in March.

Contrary to the Syriza effort, the holding company plan entails a partial, not full, break from DEPA of the aforementioned business activities.

Meanwhile, decisions on details concerning a Hellenic Petroleum ELPE sale relaunch have not been reached. The new energy ministry will first need to hold talks with Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis group, holding a 45.5 percent stake in ELPE. It remains unclear whether Paneuropean Oil would be willing to participate in any renewed sale attempt for ELPE.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis indicated a new ELPE sale procedure would be launched following the previous effort’s failure to produce a result. The Greek State offered 20 percent of its 35.48 percent share in ELPE and Paneuropean Oil made available 30.1 percent of its 45.47 stake.

It remains unclear if investors would consider buying the Greek State’s 35.48 percent stake held in ELPE should Paneuropean Oil refuse to take part in the sale.

 

 

 

ND, if elected, wants 65% DEPA sale, not split and sale

Posted on by admin

The main opposition New Democracy party, if victorious in the July 7 snap elections, intends to privatize gas utility DEPA as one corporate entity, through the sale of a 65 percent stake, rather than through a split-and-sale procedure offering separate trading and infrastructure entities, as has been promoted by the ruling Syriza government, currently well behind in polls.

The role of Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE), holding a 35 percent share of DEPA, will be influential when the time comes to make decisions.

Up until now, ELPE has indicated it would be interested in acquiring a 65 percent stake of DEPA Trade – one of the two DEPA entities envisioned by the government for the utility’s split and sale – either alone or with Italy’s Edison, ELPE’s strategic partner.

However, ELPE’s main shareholder, the Latsis group’s Paneuropean Oil, holding a 45.5 percent share, could revise its stance if DEPA’s new sale procedure is redrafted from scratch, as would most probably be the case with a conservative ND election victory.

During a parliamentary debate in March, ND party representatives clearly opposed Syriza’s plan for a DEPA split, describing it as an unnecessary, excessive and complicated approach that would ultimately suppress DEPA’s market value.

The DEPA split, forged by the energy ministry, is not listed as a bailout term, but the country did commit itself to a reduced retail gas market presence for DEPA. This demand was met some time ago when DEPA withdrew from gas supply firm EPA Thessaloniki-Thessaly and acquired Shell’s stakes in EPA Attiki and EDA Attiki, respective supply and distribution firms covering the wider Athens area.

 

 

Ministry, TAIPED to meet for ELPE, DEPA Trade sales

Posted on by admin

The privatization fund TAIPED and the energy ministry plan to hold talks this week in an effort to clarify matters concerning the futures of the Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) and DEPA Trade privatizations.

The privatization plan for DEPA Trade, one of two new entities emerging from a split at gas utility DEPA, is still unclear and will be greatly shaped by the stance at ELPE, holding a 35 percent stake in DEPA.

A government-backed recruitment plan involving DEPA’s sub-contracted external associates is another factor holding back the DEPA Trade privatization, to offer investors a majority stake.

Energy minister Giorgos Stathakis is believed to have held meetings last week with the administrations of DEPA subsidiaries to request swift recruitment procedures for these external associates by the end of the current month.

Matters concerning the DEPA business plan as well as the division of DEPA’s cash reserves to DEPA Trade and DEPA Infrastructure, the other new entity emerging from the company split, appear to have been finalized.

TAIPED could launch the DEPA Trade privatization by the end of this month if ELPE’s role is clarified soon, sources noted.

An initial ELPE privatization effort, offering investors a 50.1 percent share, failed to produce a result and has impacted the DEPA sale. The country’s lenders have requested alternatives from the privatization fund.

The Latsis group’s Paneuropean Oil contributed 30.1 percent of its 45.47 ELPE stake to the initial sale effort. The Greek State offered 20 percent of its 35.48 percent share in ELPE.

ELPE has expressed an interest in DEPA Trade. The petroleum group is waiting for the sale’s terms to be finalized before it decides on whether to increase ELPE’s 35 percent stake in the natural gas company or sell its share and withdraw.

 

 

DEPA Trade tender launch likely within May, minister tells

Posted on by admin

A tender offering investors a 50.1 percent stake of DEPA Trade, one of two new entities that have emerged from a company split at gas utility DEPA, could be launched within May, the country’s top energy sector authority has noted.

The prospect, expressed yesterday by energy ministry Giorgos Stathakis on the sidelines of an annual conference held by HAEE, the Hellenic Association for Energy Economics, has been confirmed by TAIPED, which expects to launch the tender some time during the latter half of the current month.

DEPA’s leadership has declared it is set for this step. Chief executive Dimitris Tzortzis expects a business plan for the natural gas utility’s commercial interests to be ready within the next week or two.

Sub-contracted external associates hired by DEPA on a regular basis and promised job security amid the company’s transformation will be transferred to DEPA subsidiaries – Attiki Natural Gas, EDA and DEDA – before ending up on payrolls, according to the plan.

A number of investors named by DEPA in the recent past as possible buyers are expected to be joined by US and UK funds, according to the company.

As for DEPA’s cash reserves, 110 million euros will be transferred to DEPA Trade and 70 million euros to DEPA Infrastructure, the other new entity emerging from the DEPA split.

Responding to reports claiming that a tender for DEPA Infrastructure could precede that of DEPA Trade – which would represent a turnaround in the order of events as they have been presented until now – Tzortzis, the gas utility’s head, said this is theoretically possible but would require a legislative revision.

Stathakis, the energy minister, and his associates are expected to hold talks during the current week on the next ownership steps to be taken for ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum), after a recent tender offering a 50.1 percent stake failed to produce a result. This failure has impacted the DEPA sale procedure as ELPE holds a 35 percent share of the gas utility.

The Greek State offered 20 percent of its 35.48 percent ELPE share and the Latsis group’s Paneuropean Oil 30.1 percent of its 45.47 stake.

 

 

 

 

ELPE ownership decisions to be sought in coming days

Posted on by admin

The uncertainty concerning the next steps to be taken for the future ownership of ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) could become clearer this week as the country’s lender representatives pursue their post-bailout review in Athens.

The position to be adopted by the lenders on ELPE will be particularly important on how the matter plays out. They could insist on a privatization repeat for ELPE’s 50.1 percent following the initial effort’s failure to produce a result. If so, a relaunch would not take place until after this month’s European elections, and, almost certainly, the Greek elections, due in autumn.

Attracting investors during the pre-election period would be difficult to accomplish. ELPE’s privatization is not a market restructuring measure but is purely driven by cash-collecting incentives.

The Latsis group, whose Paneuropean Oil contributed 30.1 percent of its 45.47 ELPE stake to the initial sale effort, wants to hold on to its stake in the listed petroleum company, according to sources. The Greek State offered 20 percent of its 35.48 percent share in the ELPE sale.

Energy minister Giorgos Stathakis has ruled out the possibility of any sale of the Greek State’s ELPE stake through the bourse.

The sooner ELPE’s future ownership is cleared up the easier it will become for authorities to push ahead with the privatization of DEPA Trade, one of two new entities that emerged from a recent split at gas utility DEPA. ELPE holds a 35 percent stake in DEPA.

The petroleum group, which has made clear its interest for a bigger role in Greece’s natural gas market, may seek to increase its DEPA stake.

All ELPE options, including no sale, to be considered, minister notes

Posted on by admin

All options, except for a sale of the Greek State’s share in ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) through the bourse, will be considered following last week’s failed sale attempt through a tender offering a 50.1 percent stake of the petroleum group, energy minister Giorgos Stathakis has noted.

Decisions will be made at a future date following talks with the country’s lenders and the Latsis group, whose Paneuropean Oil contributed 30.1 percent of its 45.47 stake to the tender, the minister noted. The Greek State was offering 20 percent of its 35.48 percent share.

The possibilities include dropping the ELPE privatization all together as this sale is not a structural measure or market revision but was added to the privatization fund TAIPED’s program for cash-collecting purposes, the minister explained.

Stathakis admitted he was expecting at least one worthwhile bid from the sale’s two bidding teams.

ELPE’s total worth could reach between 5 and 7 billion euros based on international business practices estimating the market value of companies by multiplying EBITDA results several times, the minister said.

Meanwhile, TAIPED is preparing to soon launch a tender offering a majority stake in DEPA Trade, a new entity emerging from a recent split of gas utility DEPA, the minister informed.

ELPE, holding a 35 percent stake in DEPA, has expressed interest in this sale as part of its plan for a natural gas market entry.

ELPE sale ‘may be dropped’ if alternate revenue plan is found

Posted on by admin

An ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) privatization offering a 50.1 percent stake, whose initial tender failed to produce a result last week, could be scrapped if the government finds an alternative way of raising the sale’s anticipated 500 million euros for the country’s privatization fund, highly-ranked energy ministry sources have told energypress.

“The ELPE sale is not a structural measure or market revision but was included in the privatization fund TAIPED’s program for cash-collecting purposes as the sale price achieved would have contributed to reducing the national debt,” a source noted, indicating alternative ways of raising an equivalent amount could be sought instead of an ELPE sale relaunch.

If so, the government will need to convince the country’s lenders of an alternative fund-raising plan when they arrive in Athens next month for a third post-bailout review of the Greek economy.

The Greek State was offering 20 percent of its 35.48 percent share in ELPE and the Latsis group’s Paneuropean Oil 30.1 percent of its 45.47 stake.

Glencore, an early candidate, was eventually joined by US firm Carlyle, and Dutch trading firm Vitol, the sale’s other early contender, was joined by Algeria’s Sonatrach. Neither bidding team followed through with offers last week, when the deadline for binding bids expired.

 

Binding bids for ELPE’s 50.1% due today amid uncertainty

Posted on by admin

Binding bids for an ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) sale offering a 50.1 percent stake are due today, bringing one of the country’s biggest energy-sector privatizations to a crucial stage.

The Greek State is offering 20 percent of its 35.48 percent share and the Latsis group’s Paneuropean Oil is selling 30.1 percent of its 45.47 stake.

Two bidding teams have reached the privatization’s final stage. Glencore, an early qualifier, has teamed up with US firm Carlyle, while Vitol, the procedure’s other early candidate, formed an alliance with Algeria’s Sonatrach for this sale.

Their level of acceptance of the sale’s SPA and SHA terms, as well as ELPE’s financial figures, assessed in due dilligence, will become apparent later in the day.

Despite today’s bidding deadline, it still remains uncertain if the two teams will submit offers. If made, they will be unveiled later this afternoon, at 5pm.  Dossiers carrying technical details will be opened for assessment over the next few days.

Improved bids could be called for if the privatization’s terms have been met by participants.

Should the current sale effort fail to produce a result, the government will need to engage in talks with the country’s lenders on the next move for the ELPE privatization.

ELPE sale expectations, risks high as deadline day nears

Posted on by admin

A succession of record-breaking financial results at ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) over the past few years has boosted the company’s expectations of an elevated sale price in a privatization offering a 50.1 percent stake.

Even so, whether the sale’s two bidding teams both end up submitting binding bids on Wednesday, the deadline day, remains a 50-50 situation, officials have noted, pointing out tough sale-term negotiations that have taken place between the sellers – the Greek State, offering 20 percent of its 35.48 percent share, and the Latsis group’s Paneuropean Oil, selling 30.1 percent of its 45.47 percent share – and the possible buyers.

The privatization’s two early qualifiers, Glencore and Vitol, have pressed hard for sale-term improvements. These demands then increased with the emergence of US firm Carlyle and Algeria’s Sonatrach as respective partners of the initial candidates.

Despite the privatization’s plan for the sale of a 50.1 percent majority, the Greek State has insisted on maintaining veto rights for crucial decisions of national significance.

TAIPED, the state privatization fund, was forced to delay the binding-bids deadline and most recently rescheduled the date for April 3 from March 29.

ELPE’s EBITDA figure averaged 763 million euros between 2015 and 2018, more than double the 350 million-euro average achieved between 2011 and 2014.

ELPE sale entering advanced stage, fairness adviser sought

Posted on by admin

Switzerland’s Glencore and Dutch enterprise Vitol, the two qualifiers for the second round of a Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) international tender offering a 50.1 percent stake, are believed to have just about completed their financial and technical assessments of the oil company.

Binding second-round offers now appear very likely to be submitted some time between September 20 and early October.

TAIPED, the state privatization fund, has just announced a tender for a fairness opinion report. Interested parties willing to take on the task have until September 5 to submit their offers.

The privatization fund has set an August 14 deadline for an additional tender inviting independent evaluators to calculate a nominal price for ELPE’s 50.1 percent up for sale.

Both deadlines indicate that the sale procedure has advanced to a crucial stage.

Glencore and Vitol have already processed information stored in ELPE’s virtual data room set up for the privatization, and, as a follow-up, are soon expected to carry out on-site inspections of ELPE’s refineries.

Any possibility of a third candidate joining forces with one of the two qualifiers for the establishment of a consortium has now been ruled out. The emergence of funds as partners is still being speculated but related reports remain unconfirmed.

Current estimates for ELPE’s 50.1 percent range between one and 1.2 billion euros. TAIPED is selling 20 percent of its 35.48 percent ELPE stake, while Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis group, has agreed to offer 30.1 percent of its 45.47 percent stake in the oil company.

 

‘No ELPE sale Plan B’; workers want Latsis group to keep stake

Posted on by admin

There is no Plan B for the privatization of ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum), offering a 50.1 percent stake of the Greek petroleum firm, plus managerial rights, and the agreement reached with the country’s lenders will lead to new negotiations, from scratch, should the current sale procedure fail to produce results, energy ministry sources have informed in response to yesterday’s claims by union members of an alternative plan entailing a bourse placement of the Greek State’s stake if the sale, orchestrated by TAIPED, the state privatization fund, does not move on.

Members of PSEEP, the ELPE workers union, yesterday made a public appeal to the Latsis group, controlling a 45.47 percent of ELPE through Paneuropean Oil, to not contribute its stake to the sale. The Greek State currently holds a 35.5 percent stake of ELPE.

PSEEP union officials are expected to reiterate this appeal at a meeting they have requested with the Latsis group, whose intentions remain unclear.

Certain sources contend the Latsis group has offered its consent for the sale to proceed, following a request by the government, which has agreed to a specific privatization plan for ELPE.

Even so, it has become apparent that the Latsis group could re-examine its position should the current privatization plan by cancelled.

The ELPE sale effort, originally presented as a fast-track procedure to be completed in autumn, appears to have fallen well behind schedule.

Switzerland’s Glencore and Dutch enterprise Vitol, two of five first-round applicants, have been presented as the favorites to advance to the next round, but a short list of qualifiers has yet to be officially announced. A list of the three disqualified bids has been announced by the privatization fund.

The delayed delivery of the finalized list of qualifiers has been attributed to precautionary steps being taken by the privatization fund in order to avoid any reasons for legal action by the disqualified bidders. Such an outcome would further delay the sale.

It is believed that legal challenges are already being prepared by some of the disqualified bidders. Whatever the case, the submission of binding bids within July and the declaration of a winning bidder in autumn, as initially scheduled in the fast-track sale plan, both seem to have developed into impossible targets.

ELPE 50.1% sale aiming to attract 5-6 majors in first round

Posted on by admin

Expressions of interest by five or six big international firms, either alone or as consortium members, for the ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) privatization, offering a 50.1 percent stake, would represent a major success, a pundit has told energypress, reflecting an overall view of the sale effort’s prospects.

Attracting investors for a Greek refinery with a total equity value of 2.4 billion euros, which should secure a sum of between 1.2 and 1.3 million euros for the stake being sold, represents an enormous challenge, the source contended.

ELPE may be a local giant but represents no more than a small to medium-sized regional power from a global refining industry perspective, which should impact the sale price.

TAIPED, the state privatization fund, has just extended the privatization’s expression of interest deadline, a first-round procedure, to May 30 from May 18, the objective being to satisfy as many investor queries as possible, offer more time and, ultimately, maximize the turnout.

Both TAIPED and ELPE know well that a greater number of participants in the international tender will increase the likelihood of a bidding war and higher bids, as was underlined by the recent DESFA (natural gas grid operator) tender.

A wide gamut of possible investors, including refining, exploration and production firms, as well funds, has so far been approached by the ELPE sellers.

It remains to be seen how the government’s effort to secure a solid hydrocarbon role for the Greek State following negotiations with ELPE co-shareholder Paneuropean, a member of the Latsis group, will affect ELPE’s sale price.

The Greek State currently holds a 35.5 percent stake of ELPE and Paneuropean Oil controls a 45.47 percent stake.

An agreement has been reached for the establishment of a holding company as an umbrella for separate companies to each represent exploration and exploitation rights secured by ELPE for various blocks around Greece – Arta-Preveza; northwest Peloponnese; Gulf of Patras; Block 2, west of Corfu; and Gulf of Kyparissi.

Blocks west and southwest of Crete and in the Ionian Sea will also be incorporated into the holding company if ongoing tenders that have drawn bids from ELPE, via consortiums, produce results.

The Greek State is planned to control 36.25 percent of the holding company, either directly or indirectly, following the ELPE privatization.

 

 

 

Repsol, Eni among investors interested in ELPE’s 50.1%

Posted on by admin

Repsol is seriously considering taking part in an international tender offering 50.1 percent of ELPE (Hellenic Petrolem), announced just days ago, energypress sources have informed.

The Spanish company, already active in Greece’s hydrocarbon exploration and production market, recently formed a partnership with ELPE to submit a joint bid for an offshore block in the Ionian Sea.

Repsol meets all the ELPE tender’s strict criteria – financial, technical and geopolitical – set by TAIPED, the state privatization fund, in association with the sellers, the Greek State and Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis group.

The Spanish firm maintains a strong presence in the refining sector. Its investments in this domain have totalled some 4 billion euros over the past few years. Repsol operates six industrial refineries. In 2016, Repsol’s assets were worth a total of 39.2 billion euros while the enterprise posted a total turnover figure of 36.3 billion euros and an operating profit of over two billion euros.

In the exploration and production field, Repsol has certified deposits of 2.3 billion barrels and is producing 690,000 bpd. Its refining capacity exceeds one mllion bpd.

Another major European petroleum firm, Italy’s Eni, is also believed to be closely monitoring the ELPE tender.

According to the tender’s terms, investors must be able to prove they possess readily available investment amounts worth at least two billion euros.

TAIPED reserves the right to eliminate any interested investor if such a course of action is deemed necessary by the Greek State for protection of national interests, energy securtity and energy supply.

A May 18 deadline has been set for first-round offers. Interested parties have until May 9 to enquire about the international tender’s terms.

 

 

 

Geopolitical factors to restrict ELPE tender participation

Posted on by admin

Geopolitical factors constraining the range of participants in order to safeguard matters such as national and regional security will inevitably be incorporated into the terms of an international tender offering 50.1 percent of ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum), expected to be announced by TAIPED, the state privatization fund, any day now, possibly even today.

Though the terms to be applied to the ELPE tender remain unclear, Russian, Iranian and Chinese players, for example, stand little chance of emerging as candidates, given the current geopolitical climate in the southeast Meditteranean, polarized by US-Russian tension.

Also, European powers such as Germany, France and Italy have been requesting increasingly strict measures from Brussels for protection of strategically important European enterprises against Chinese acquisitions. ELPE belongs to this category.

In the past, Russia’s Rosneft and Lukoil, Iran’s NIOC and a number of Asian petroleum groups have expressed interest in ELPE.

For potential buyers, ELPE clearly represents a platform offering market penetration opportunities in the wider region. New hydrocarbon discoveries in Egypt, Cyprus and Israel have increased the regional importance of ELPE. The two Russian firms Rosneft and Lukoil currently dominate the region.

Echoing this growing regional interest, the Greek State managed to forge an agreement through which it will maintain a 36.25 percent share of ELPE’s hydrocarbon interests following the sale of ELPE’s 50.1 percent share to strategic investors.

The Greek State currently holds an overall 35.5 percent stake of ELPE and Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis corporate group, controls a 45.47 percent stake. The co-shareholders recently struck a deal, enabling the tender, offering 50.1 percent, to proceed. The Greek State and Paneuropean Oil will each end up with 15 percent stakes.

ELPE’s value, based on yesterday’s closing share prices, is 2.56 billion euros, meaning a 50.1 percent should exceed 1.2 billion euros. The sale of a majority stake could fetch more than 1.5 billion euros. ELPE posted a record operating profit of 834 million euros for 2017.

 

 

Greek State to keep 36.25% of ELPE’s hydrocarbon rights

Posted on by admin

The Greek State is expected to maintain a 36.25 percent share of ELPE’s (Hellenic Petroleum) hydrocarbon interests, close its current overall stake held in the petroleum company, following the sale of a 50.1 percent share to be offered to strategic investors through an agreement with co-shareholder Paneuropean Oil.

The Greek State currently holds a 35.5 percent stake of ELPE and Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis corporate group, controls a 45.47 percent stake.

A new holding company is expected to be formed to host ELPE’s various hydrocarbon ventures, including one representing the Greek State’s 36.25 percent share, as well as companies currently holding exploration and production licenses for various blocks around Greece. These include Arta-Preveza, northwest Peloponnese, the Gulf of Patras, as well as the Ionian Sea’s Block 2, west of Corfu.

Just days ago, the Greek State and the Latsis corporate group reached an agreement to offer a 50.1 percent share of ELPE to a strategic investor.

Now that this agreement has been reached by the co-shareholders, TAIPED, the state privatization fund, is expected to announce an international tender within the next ten days. The sale procedure could be completed by the end of this year, according to the privatization fund.

ELPE sale deal struck, state boosts its hydrocarbon interests

Posted on by admin

The Greek State, represented by the government, and Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis corporate group, co-shareholders of ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum), have reached a deal to sell at least 50.1 percent of ELPE through an international tender, ELPE has announced in a statement.

The Greek State currently holds a 35.5 percent stake of ELPE and Paneuropean Oil controls a 45.47 percent stake.

TAIPED, the state privatization fund controlling the Greek State’s 35.5 percent share, will offer a stake of at least 20 percent, while Paneuropean Oil will provide the other 30.1 percent, as an absolute minimum, the ELPE statement noted, adding that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed.

The agreement’s text details the future management roles of the two shareholders at ELPE, veto rights, the dividend policy, disinvestments and strategy.

However, ELPE’s hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation interests appear to have been handled separately, giving the Greek State a reinforced role regarding its rights in this division, seen as one of national security, as it has to do with control of hydrocarbon deposits and geopolitical issues.

The Greek State’s stronghold of ELPE’s hydrocarbon interests, including increased future revenues from this domain, will be factored in by prospective buyers and, quite obviously, promises to lower the eventual sale price.

Sources noted that the international tender could be announced this month as a swift follow-up to the agreement between the Greek State and Paneuropean Oil.

ELPE’s share price stood at 7.8 euros at the close of yesterday’s session, giving the firm an equity-based value of 2.38 billion euros. This means that a 50 percent share of ELPE would be worth 1.19 billion euros, based on the current share price. This figure, however, is not a true reflection of ELPE’s value as the sale will also include the enterprise’s management rights, which will provide a premium.

Greek State, Latsis group touching up ELPE deal with hydrocarbon issues

Posted on by admin

Hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation rights either already acquired by ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) or being sought, for blocks off Crete and in the Ionian Sea, are the focus of final-stage negotiations between the Greek State, represented by the government, and the Latsis corporate group aiming for a deal that will enable the sale, by the privatization fund, of a 51 percent stake and management rights of the petroleum firm to prospective buyers through an international tender.

The Greek State currently holds a 35.5 percent stake of ELPE and Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis corporate group, controls a 45.47 percent stake.

Once the two sides reach a deal, seen happening any day now, according to pundits, then a 51 percent stake of ELPE will be offered to a strategic investor.

The two sides are believed to focusing on matters concerning how they will share future profits for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation agreements already signed by ELPE as well as blocks being targeted.

The issue is rather complicated as ELPE holds exclusive rights for certain blocks (Arta-Preveza, northwest Peloponnese) but is a member of various consortiums for all its other hydrocarbon interests.

ELPE and Italy’s Edison have established a 50-50 partnership for a Gulf of Patras block. It holds a 25 percent stake in Block 2 off Corfu. France’s Total holds a 50 percent stake in this venture and Edison controls the other 25 percent. ELPE also holds a 20 percent stake in a consortium that has submitted the only offers for two offshore blocks south and southwest of Crete. Total and Exxon Mobil each hold 40 percent stakes in these initiatives. Also, ELPE and Spain’s Repsol hold 50 percent stakes in an offer submitted for another Ionian Sea block.

Once the government and Latsis group have signed an agreement, TAIPED, the state privatization fund is expected to swiftly announce an international tender. Its terms are expected to shape the turnout of interested investors.

According to the revised bailout, the tender was supposed to have been announced by the end of March. It could be launched this month, barring unexpected developments.

ELPE’s share price has remained relatively steady at levels of between 7.8 and 8 euros over the past month or so despite its privatization prospects. Based on the share’s closing price yesterday, ELPE’s equity-based value is 2.39 billion euros, meaning a 51 percent stake may be estimated at 1.19 billion euros.

Greek State, Latsis group working on 3 issues for ELPE agreement

Posted on by admin

Though the government, as the Greek State’s representative, and the Latsis corporate group, co-shareholders of ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum), are expected to sign an agreement early next week that will enable TAIPED, the state privatization fund, to offer a 51 percent stake and management rights of the petroleum firm to prospective buyers through an international tender, three issues are still being discussed.

The Greek State, which currently holds a 35.5 percent stake of ELPE and Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis corporate group, which controls a 45.47 percent stake, are holding continual talks to resolve these matters.

The two sides need to decide on their managerial roles, as prospective minority shareholders. They must also agree on how many members of the new board they will eeach be entitled to appoint. Their future veto rights also need to be determined.

The Greek State and Paneuropean Oil plan to each retain respective 15 percent stakes in ELPE, meaning the former will offer approximately 20 percent of its existing 35.5 percent stake and Paneuropean Oil will offer about 30 percent of its 45.47 percent stake.

Once the two sides have signed an agreement, TAIPED will be able to immediately announce an international tender. Its terms are expected to shape the turnout of interested investors.

Greek State, Latsis group nearing deal on ELPE’s 51% to be sold

Posted on by admin

An agreement between the government, as the Greek State’s representative, and the Latsis corporate group that would offer prospective buyers a 51 percent stake of ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) plus managerial rights appears to be just days away.

The Greek State holds a 35.5 percent stake of ELPE and Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis corporate group, controls a 45.47 percent stake.

The negotiating sides have been engaged in a continuous stream of meetings over the past couple of days and are now believed to be discussing final details. One of these concerns whether either of the two sides will maintain the right to appoint board members following the sale of ELPE’s 51 percent.

The Greek State and Paneuropean Oil plan to each retain respective 15 percent stakes in ELPE, meaning the former will offer approximately 20 percent of its existing 35.5 percent stake and Paneuropean Oil will offer about 30 percent of its 45.47 percent stake.

Once the two sides have signed an agreement, TAIPED, the state privatization fund, will be able to immediately announce an international tender. Its terms are expected to shape the turnout of interested investors.

Insiders have explained that media claims pinpointing prospective investors do not reflect reality as nobody knows anything about the tender’s terms. An indicative picture of the truly interested parties will only be formed once the international tender’s terms have been specified and announced, pundits support.

According to Greek bailout terms, ELPE’s privatization procedure is scheduled to commence within March. With the month now just about through, an April launch is expected.

As for the sale’s price tag, a variety of figures have been aired of late. Insiders have kept a distance from various estimates evaluating the firm at a total of between 5 and 6 billion euros, based on its financial performance last year, which translates into a price of between 2.5 and 3 billion euros for the firm’s 51 percent. Pundits believe that prospective investors, given the current market conditions, would hold back their interest if such price levels are demanded.

At the other end, ELPE’s current equity value of 2.42 billion euros, based on yesterday’s share closing price at the Athens Stock Exchange, may not reflect the enterprise’s actual worth as the bourse index is currently subdued. However, this low level will be taken into consideration by investors when the time arrives for decisions to be made, insiders have pointed out.

Though ELPE’s recent streak of record-breaking figures cannot be disputed, petroleum industry profit margins, especially in the refining sector, have been unstable. An international evaluator to be tasked with evaluating the petroleum company should offer some clarity on the price level of ELPE’s 51 percent stake and management rights to be sold.

 

 

Outcome of gov’t-Latsis talks on ELPE expected within 10 days

Posted on by admin

Negotiations between the government and the Latsis group for a deal that would offer the prospective buyer of ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) a 51 percent stake plus managerial rights have reached an advanced stage, suggesting that if an agreement is to be reached, then this will occur within the next ten days, a source closely following the developments has informed.

The government is looking at a plan that would give the buyer a stake of at least 51 percent in the petroleum firm. The Greek State holds a 35.5 percent stake of ELPE and Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis corporate group, controls a 45.47 percent stake.

The two sides are now working on finalizing the details of this 51 percent offering as well as a series of other issues, primarily technical, the source informed.

The Greek State is expected to offer 20 percent of its 35.5 percent stake and Paneuropean Oil 30.47 percent of its 45.47 percent stake.

Greek privatization fund officials believe this privatization can be completed this year, assuming investors express interest and the sale’s prospective international tender runs smoothly.

An assortment of figures has emerged concerning ELPE’s market value. Officials participating in the negotiations are keeping a distance from one evaluation approach contending that, based on last year’s financial figures, ELPE is worth between 5 and 6 billion euros, meaning that a 51 percent stake would cost investors around 2.5 to 3 billion euros. Given the current market conditions, such a price tag will not easily lure strategic investors.

Though ELPE has been posting record performance figures of late, profit margins, especially in the refining sector, have fluctuated. An international evaluator to be tasked with evaluating the petroleum company should offer some clarity on ELPE’s price.

The government plan anticipates 500 million euros for the national budget in 2018 through the sale of the Greek State’s 35 percent stake in ELPE.

 

Various ELPE sale plans tabled as sale launch date approaches

Posted on by admin

Various intentions concerning the price and schedule of ELPE’s (Hellenic Petroleum) imminent privatization, the biggest planned for Greece’s energy sector and one of the overall program’s biggest, are still being considered by local officials despite the fact that the government and country’s lenders have settled for the sale of a 51 percent stake of the petroleum group.

The government, representing the Greek State’s 35.5 percent stake of ELPE, and Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis corporate group, which controls a 45.47 percent stake, will need to forge an agreement offering a majority stake for a strategic investor.

Three lines of thought have emerged. The finance ministry, powering the first of these, is pushing to finalize all pending bailout issues by a June 21 Eurogroup meeting. Officials at the ministry know well that the course of the country’s privatizations program will be pivotal for post-bailout terms, including relief measure negotiations.

Energy minister Giorgos Stathakis, the chief advocate of a second approach to the ELPE privatization, appears to have abandoned initial thoughts entailing various alternatives and has agreed on the basics of the plan to offer investors a 51 percent of the petroluem group. However, he seems determined to hold on to some sort of Greek State control for ELPE, currently experiencing one of the most profitable periods in the corporation’s history. ELPE’s board supports this approach.

As for the sale’s other factor, the Latsis corporate group’s Paneuropean Oil appears to have struck common ground with the Greek State for an agreement that would offer investors a 51 percent stake of ELPE.

Developments concerning this privatization are expected to unfold over the next few weeks. The sale’s international tender is, according to the bailout terms, planned to be announced in roughly two weeks’ time.

Gov’t ELPE thoughts unlikely to alter imminent sale launch

Posted on by admin

Energy minister Giorgos Stathakis requested revisions to the bailout’s energy-sector privatizations, ELPE (Hellenic Petroleum) being a primary concern, at a meeting with the country’s lender representatives on Monday, but, according to sources, this will not alter the supplementary bailout’s scheduled commencement of a sale produre to offer the Greek State’s 35.5 percent stake in ELPE by late March.

Though a slight extension of this sale’s launch date, by a month or two, could be offered, the only negotiable aspect between the Greek government and lenders seems to concern the size of the Greek State’s ELPE stake to be placed for sale. But this would be conditional, the sources said.

An alternative budget revenue source of equivalent fiscal scale, not desirable and carrying political cost, would need to be found if the Greek government is to be permitted to offer a reduced Greek State stake in the ELPE privatization.

The stance to be adopted by Paneuropean Oil, a member of the Latsis corporate group holding a 45.47 percent stake in ELPE, will be pivotal for this privatization, the sources underlined.

The government and Latsis group are believed to have begun discussions for a plan that would offer 51 percent of ELPE to a strategic investor, plus managerial rights.

The government is also believed to be seeking to promote a convertible bond issue, as an alternative ELPE plan.

ELPE’s market value was recently estimated, by foreigh evaluators, to be worth 4.8 billion euros. Any prospective buyer would also need to shoulder the enterprise’s debt of two billion euros, which takes the total buying price to nearly 7 billion euros.

It remains questionable whether investor interest will be expressed given these figures, especially at a time when rising oil prices appear to represent unfavorable news for the refining sector. Major petroleum groups are once again focusing their investments on extraction.

A total amount of 500 million euros stemming from the sale of a Greek State stake in ELPE has been planned for the national budget in 2018.