Media

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) Agrees To C$5.0B Purchase of Canada’s Primewest Energy

ABU DHABI, UAE, and CALGARY.The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC, a publicly listed company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market (ADSM: TAQA), announced today that its wholly owned Canadian subsidiaries, TAQA North Ltd. and 1350849 Alberta Ltd., have entered into an agreement with PrimeWest Energy Trust (PrimeWest) to acquire all of the issued and outstanding trust units of PrimeWest for cash consideration of C$26.75 per Unit by way of a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (the “Arrangement”).In addition, TAQA has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding exchangeable shares of PrimeWest Energy Inc. for cash consideration per exchangeable share equal to the product of C$26.75 and the exchange ratio of the exchangeable shares on the effective date of the Arrangement. The aggregate value of the transaction is approximately C$5.0 billion on a fully diluted basis.PrimeWest is a Calgary-based conventional oil and gas royalty trust that actively acquires, develops, produces and sells natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids for the generation of monthly cash distributions to Unitholders.Once completed, the PrimeWest transaction will provide TAQA with an additional 285 million barrels (gross) WI P+P reserves; current production in excess of 61,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d); a large, strategic undeveloped land base of over 1.1 million net acres which will be complementary to TAQA North’s existing land base; and a large tax pool position of approximately C$2.7 billion.“This acquisition is a major leap forward for TAQA globally, and an important step toward the achievement of our strategy to grow to C$20 billion in Canadian assets. We believe that the PrimeWest assets are an excellent fit with our business objectives and can be significantly enhanced by the combined team’s operational expertise,” said Peter Barker Homek, TAQA’s chief executive officer. “This acquisition makes TAQA North one of the top 14 producers in Canada, while at the same time providing us with a high quality asset base, more world-class executives and a great workforce that will continue to work on the company’s large portfolio of development opportunities.“This transaction is further evidence of our long-term commitment to Canada, which is a key focus for our international expansion, and we’re very confident this transaction will represent a net benefit for all parties,” Barker Homek added.The transaction is subject to regulatory approval, customary closing conditions as well as a vote by the holders of PrimeWest units, exchangeable shares and unit appreciation rights, voting together as a single class. The Board of Directors of PrimeWest has unanimously approved the Arrangement and based, in part, on the fairness opinion from PrimeWest’s financial advisor discussed below, determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of PrimeWest and the holders of its Units and Exchangeable Shares. The PrimeWest Board has resolved to recommend that such holders vote their respective securities in favour of the Arrangement. Each member of the Board of Directors of PrimeWest has indicated his intent to vote his Units and exchangeable shares in favour of the Arrangement. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur prior to the end of November 2007.TAQA North will have P+P reserves in excess of 480 MMBOE and current production of over 105,000 boe/d following the completion of this transaction and the closing of the previously announced acquisition of Pioneer Canada.CIBC World Markets Inc. is acting as sole financial advisor to PrimeWest with respect to the Arrangement and has provided the Board of Directors of PrimeWest with an opinion regarding the proposed transaction. Subject to review of final documentation, this opinion indicates that the consideration to be received by the unitholders and exchangeable shareholders of PrimeWest under the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to all of such securityholders. PrimeWest’s legal advisor is Stikeman Elliott LLP.TD Securities Inc. is acting as exclusive financial advisor to TAQA in the transaction. Citi has been retained to provide a fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of TAQA. The legal advsiors of TAQA North are Heenan Blaikie LLP and Latham & Watkins LLP.- ENDS -Contact Information for Media:
Allan Virtanen
TAQA Media Relations, Abu DhabiTel +971 2 691 4894; Mob +971 56 685 2717
Allan.Virtanen@taqaglobal.comAbout TAQAEstablished in 2005, TAQA is a diversified international energy group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX: TAQA).TAQA’s business is made up of three operating divisions spread across the entire energy value chain: power generation & water desalination; oil and gas exploration & production; and emerging & alternative energy technologies.Power & Water: TAQA is one the largest independent power producers in the world and the majority owner of the facilities that provide 98% of the water and electricity requirements in Abu Dhabi. TAQA’s power plants are located in the UAE, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, India, and USA.Oil & Gas: with operations in Canada, UK, the Netherlands, USA and Iraq, TAQA’s oil and gas business includes exploration and production, underground gas storage and pipeline transportation.Emerging & alternative energy technologies: TAQA Energy Solutions is dedicated to alternative and technology-driven energy initiatives for long-term efficient energy production and generation. TAQA’s vision is to deliver ‘Energy for Growth’: growth within the business; social and economic progress in the communities where TAQA operates; and increased value for our shareholders.Over the past 40 years the UAE and Abu Dhabi have pursued a vision embodied by progressive development, investment and the highest global standards. TAQA is proud to align its strategy both domestically and globally to Abu Dhabi’s economic vision 2030, working towards sustainable economic development. For more information about TAQA visit: www.taqaglobal.com or Twitter: @TAQAGLOBALAbout TAQA North:TAQA North Ltd (formerly Northrock Resources Limited) is a Calgary-based oil and gas exploration company with operations in Northern Alberta and British Columbia; West Central and Southern Alberta; Southwest Saskatchewan; Southeast Saskatchewan; and the Northwest Territories. TAQA North was acquired by TAQA in August 2007 from Pogo Producing Company for a total purchase price of US$2 billion.TAQA North recently signed a purchase and sale agreement with Pioneer International Resources Company for the US$540 million acquisition of its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiaries: Pioneer Natural Resources Canada Inc., Pioneer Natural Resources Canada, and Pioneer Canada ULC. Pioneer Canada is an oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. The majority of its properties are located in three areas within the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia – Chinchaga, North Central Alberta, and Southern Alberta (conventional and coal bed methane). Completion is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2007.