Ørsted enters into an agreement to divest its LNG business

In December 2007, Ørsted entered into a long-term agreement with the Dutch LNG regasification terminal Gate in Rotterdam regarding the right to use 3 billion m³ of annual regasification capacity from 2011 to 2031. Today, Ørsted’s LNG business consists of the long-term regasification capacity agreement with the Gate terminal in Rotterdam and five LNG purchase agreements.

Despite the fact Ørsted’s LNG team has performed well during the last few years, the business has reportedly been loss-making and is projected to remain so for years to come. Further financial improvements would require further contractual commitments. Ørsted claims that, with its global expansion in renewable energy, it is clear that LNG trading will not be a part of Ørsted’s future core business, and it is therefore being divested.

The transaction entails a payment from Ørsted to Glencore and will result in a loss that exceeds our current provision related to the LNG activities. The company claims that it will, therefore, increase the provision in 2019. The transaction will have a positive impact on EBITDA from 2020 onwards. EBITDA guidance for 2019 remains unchanged.

Completion of the transaction is dependent on the fulfilment of various conditions, and is expected to take place in summer next year.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/19122019/rsted-enters-into-an-agreement-to-divest-its-lng-business/