HRT signs a binding Term Sheet for the sale of its air logistics business
RIO DE JANEIRO, March 7, 2013 /CNW/ - HRT Participações em Petróleo S.A. (the "Company" or "HRT") (BM&FBOVESPA: HRTP3, TSX-V: HRP) today announces the signing of a binding Term Sheet with Erickson Air-Crane Inc. (the "Buyer"), for the sale of HRT´s air logistics business, Air Amazonia.
This binding Term Sheet replaces the non-binding Term Sheet announced by the Company on November 6, 2012, and reaffirms the parties' commitment to the development of a definitive agreement for the acquisition to occur on the main terms previously set in the non-binding Term Sheet and subject to the satisfaction of certain agreed closing conditions therein established, including the approval of the aerial services agreement by the partner in the Solimões Project. Both companies expect to finalize this transaction during the second quarter of 2013.
The transaction involves the sale of the Company's rotary-wing fleet (14 helicopters), with the understanding that the Buyer will provide aerial services to HRT's operations in the Solimões Basin for a 3-year period.
The agreed-upon total transaction price would be US$65 million to US$75 million contingent upon meeting certain contractual terms.
"Our decision to sell the Company's air logistics business, Air Amazonia to Erickson will allow HRT to concentrate our efforts on exploration, delegating our air logistics activity to a recognized operator that will improve the availability and diversify the types of aircraft, as well as provide flexibility and productivity to our work program. This increase in efficiency will bring significant cost savings to our operations in the Solimões basin", emphasized Marcio Rocha Mello, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HRT.
About HRT
HRT Participações holds one of the largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in Brazil. The HRT Group comprises eight main subsidiaries: IPEX (Integrated Petroleum Expertise Company Serviços em Petróleo Ltda.), HRT O&G Exploração e Produção de Petróleo Ltda., HRT Netherlands B.V., HRT África Petróleo S.A., HRT América Inc., Air Amazonia Serviços Aéreos Ltda. and HRT Canada Inc.. The Company retains a 55% interest in 21 exploratory blocks in the Solimões Basin. HRT also operates ten exploratory blocks off the Namibian coast: eight blocks in the Orange Sub-basin and two blocks in the Walvis Sub-basin. HRT's team includes PHDs and masters in geochemistry, geophysics, biology and engineering, most of them former employees of Petrobras and ANP (Brazil petroleum agency). HRT is committed to minimizing any possible environmental impacts in the sites where it acts. Our commitment to the local communities is towards health conditions, safety and quality of life. For more information, please visit the Company's website: www.hrt.com.br/ir
Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this news release are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our drilling and seismic plans, operating costs, acquisitions of equipment, expectations of finding oil, the quality of oil we expect to produce and our other plans and objectives. Readers can identify many of these statements by looking for words such as "expects", "believe", "hope" and "will" and similar words or the negative thereof. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and, accordingly, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements because a number of factors may cause actual future circumstances, results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the plans, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements.
The following risk factors could affect our operations: the contingent resource and prospective resource evaluation reports involving a significant degree of uncertainty and being based on projections that may not prove to be accurate; inherent risks to the exploration and production of oil and natural gas; limited operating history as an oil and natural gas exploration and production company; drilling and other operational hazards; breakdown or failure of equipment or processes; contractor or operator errors; non-performance by third party contractors; labour disputes, disruptions or declines in productivity; increases in materials or labour costs; inability to attract sufficient labour; requirements for significant capital investment and maintenance expenses which HRT may not be able to finance; cost overruns and delays; exposure to fluctuations in currency and commodity prices; political and economic conditions in Namibia and Brazil; complex laws that can affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business; environmental, safety and health regulation which may become stricter in the future and lead to an increase in liabilities and capital expenditures, including indemnity and penalties for environmental damage; early termination, non-renewal and other similar provisions in concession contracts; and competition. We caution that this list of factors is not exhaustive and that, when relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should also carefully consider other uncertainties and potential events. The forward-looking statements herein are made based on the assumption that our plans and operations will not be affected by such risks, but that, if our plans and operations are affected by such risks, the forward-looking statements may become inaccurate.
The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, we do not undertake to update such forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: HRT Participações em Petróleo S.A.
contact HRT`s Investor Relations Department.
IR Contacts
Carlos Tersandro Adeodato
[email protected]
Sandra Calcado
[email protected]
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