Mr. Ken Woolner of Velvet Energy reports
VELVET ENERGY ANNOUNCES PREMIUM ALL CASH OFFER TO ACQUIRE IRON BRIDGE RESOURCES
Velvet Energy Ltd. intends to commence an offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Iron Bridge Resources Inc.
Under the terms of the offer, Velvet proposes to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Iron Bridge for 75 cents in cash per common share. This represents a 58-per-cent premium to the closing price of Iron Bridge common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on May 11, 2018, the last trading day prior to Velvet submitting an offer letter to Iron Bridge's board of directors on May 13, 2018, and a 45-per-cent premium to the 20-day volume-weighted average trading price of Iron Bridge common shares on the TSX for the period ended May 18, 2018. The offer values Iron Bridge at an enterprise value of approximately $120-million, which implies a multiple of 12.2 times Iron Bridge's 2018 consensus earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Since the submission of Velvet's offer letter to the Iron Bridge board on May 13, 2018, Velvet has repeatedly attempted to engage with the Iron Bridge board and management to explore a value maximizing transaction for Iron Bridge shareholders. Iron Bridge asked Velvet to execute a confidentiality agreement with a standstill. Given Velvet's significant industry knowledge and expertise in Iron Bridge's area of operations, Velvet does not require access to confidential information. Further, maintaining the ability to take the offer directly to Iron Bridge shareholders was important given the Iron Bridge board has refused to constructively engage with Velvet about a fully financed all-cash transaction which provides Iron Bridge shareholders the opportunity to realize a significant premium and liquidity at a very attractive fundamental valuation.
In the face of the Iron Bridge board denying Iron Bridge shareholders the ability to decide for themselves as to the merits of the offer, Velvet has decided to make the offer directly to Iron Bridge shareholders, the owners of the company.
Reasons to accept the offer
Velvet believes that its offer is compelling and represents a clearly superior alternative to the course set by the Iron Bridge board and management, for the following reasons:
- Significant premium to market price -- The offer represents a significant 58-per-cent premium to the closing price of the Iron Bridge common shares on the TSX on May 11, 2018, the last trading day prior to the submission of Velvet's offer letter to the Iron Bridge board. The offer also represents a premium of 45 per cent to the 20-day volume-weighted average trading price of the Iron Bridge common shares on the TSX for the period ended May 18, 2018.
- Premium valuation for iron bridge -- The offer represents a 2018 EV (enterprise value)/EBITDA multiple of 12.2 times 2018 consensus EBITDA for Iron Bridge. This valuation represents a significant premium to Iron Bridge's Montney peer group median consensus 2018 EV/EBITDA multiple of 6.6 times.
- 100-per-cent liquidity and certainty of value -- The offer provides 100-per-cent cash consideration for Iron Bridge common shares, giving Iron Bridge shareholders certainty of value and immediate liquidity in the face of volatile markets and significant uncertainty as to Iron Bridge's ability to finance and execute its business plan.
- Fully financed cash offer -- Velvet's board has approved the offer and has arranged fully committed financing to complete the transaction.
- Iron Bridge has insufficient liquidity -- Based on Iron Bridge's most recent quarterly disclosure, marginal operating cash flows and heavy capital expenditures fully consumed net working capital, declining from a surplus of about $21.7-million at Dec. 31, 2017, to a deficit of about $2.2-million at March 31, 2018. With a credit facility borrowing limit of only $5-million, this leaves Iron Bridge with only $2.0-million of liquidity to finance future development of its asset base.
- Iron Bridge has an unsustainable cost structure -- Iron Bridge's cash expenses, adjusted for one-time cost recoveries, were $29.33/barrel of oil equivalent in the first quarter of 2018 -- approximately equal to revenue of $29.99/boe resulting in marginal funds flow. Iron Bridge's general and administrative expense was $9.54/boe or more than 30 per cent of cash costs -- significantly higher than its Montney peer median of $1.41/boe.
- Iron Bridge has limited financing alternatives available -- With insufficient liquidity and a current cash flow outspend, Iron Bridge will need to access external sources of financing. Iron Bridge's publicly disclosed net asset value requires over $200-million of future development capital. Raising this capital will prove challenging for Iron Bridge in today's energy sector, where access to public equity and debt financing is limited. Velvet understands the value of Iron Bridge's assets given its own operations in the area and the offer represents a compelling valuation that could not be realized in the current public market environment.
- Iron Bridge has made misguided capital allocation decisions -- On Nov. 20, 2017, Iron Bridge commenced a share repurchase program. Given the capital intensity of horizontal, multifracturing technology, Iron Bridge's early stage of delineation and limited capital resources, Iron Bridge should be focused on prioritizing capital to its land base.
- Iron Chain Technology Corp. is a distraction -- Cryptocurrency mining is an untested business and adds an additional layer of risk to an already volatile market environment. It also presents transparency challenges for stock valuation. Shareholder capital should be focused on developing Iron Bridge's Elmworth assets and associated infrastructure.
Shareholders, the time for action is now
As fiduciaries of the company, the Iron Bridge board and management should have engaged with Velvet to pursue an attractive opportunity to unlock shareholder value.
The Iron Bridge board's failure to engage with Velvet has forced it to bring the offer directly to you, the shareholders and owners of the company. However, unless the Iron Bridge board agrees to shorten the bid period, the offer must remain open for at least 105 days. It is within the Iron Bridge board's power to shorten the minimum bid period to 35 days.
There is no reason to delay shareholders' ability to accept the offer. In today's capital-constrained environment, there is limited upside to holding Iron Bridge shares given the short runway the company has to pursue its growth plans. Shareholders are encouraged to contact members of the Iron Bridge board and management team to make their views known.
Shareholders who have additional questions about the offer or who need assistance in tendering their shares are encouraged to contact the information agent for the offer, Kingsdale Advisors.
The offer
The offer will be made for all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Iron Bridge. Full details of the offer will be included in the formal offer and takeover bid circular to be mailed to Iron Bridge shareholders. Velvet expects to formally commence the offer and mail the offer and circular to Iron Bridge shareholders in the following days. The takeover bid circular will be filed on SEDAR.
The offer will be subject to customary conditions, including, without limitation, the deposit under the offer of common shares representing at least 66-2/3rds per cent of outstanding common shares, receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and no material adverse change in Iron Bridge. The offer will not be subject to the approval of Velvet's shareholders and is not subject to any financing or due diligence conditions.
Under applicable Canadian securities laws, the offer will initially be open for acceptance for a minimum of 105 days from the date of commencement, subject to the ability of Velvet to shorten the deposit period in certain circumstances, provided that the minimum deposit period can never be less than 35 days from the date of the offer. The offer is subject to a non-waivable condition that more than 50 per cent of the outstanding common shares, excluding those common shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by Velvet or by any person acting jointly or in concert with Velvet, shall have been validly deposited and not withdrawn. The offer will be extended for a period of not less than 10 days after Velvet first takes up shares under the offer, assuming the minimum bid conditions are met.
Advisers
Velvet has retained BMO Capital Markets as its exclusive financial adviser. Kingsdale Advisors is acting as strategic communications adviser and information agent and depositary.
Information agent
For additional information, including assistance in depositing Iron Bridge shares to the offer, Iron Bridge shareholders should contact Kingsdale, toll-free in North America at 1-866-879-7650 or call collect outside North America at 1-416-867-2272 or by e-mail at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
About Velvet Energy Ltd