FAR Limited has confirmed the transfer of its assets to Indian ONGC Videsh Vankorneft through an ‘RSSD’ Sale and Purchase Agreement with the firm. The sale transfers the entire interest of FAR in the Production Sharing Contract for the Rufisque, Sangomar, and Sangomar Deep Offshore Blocks offshore Senegal and the relevant Joint Operating Agreement.
At completion, ONGC is to pay $45 million to FAR. The largest Exploration & production company of India will also reimburse the FAR’s working capital share of the RSSD Project from 1st January 2020, which is $66.58 million. The reimbursement comprises of cash calls paid by FAR, including $29.60 million paid for FAR’s default to the Joint Venture. The Transaction also includes an entitlement to certain contingent payments capped at $55 million.
The Managing Director of FAR, Cath Norman said, “We are pleased to bring this deal to our shareholders and wish to thank ONGC for their interest and cooperation over the last few months. ONGC is a very reputable group with global exploration and production interests. We believe they will be a valuable partner for Petrosen and Woodside going forward.”
“As we have acknowledged, the market for financing and selling assets has been weak since the impact of COVID was felt in March of this year. In these circumstances, the offer from ONGC represents the best option available at this time and we trust that our shareholders will vote for this transaction.
“FAR expects to have approx. US$130 million in cash at the close of this Transaction that will be used to rebuild the Company and further our other West African prospects offshore the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.
“We thank our shareholders for their patience over the last few months and look forward to releasing the Notice of Meeting and forward timetable in the coming week.”
And finally, we wish to acknowledge FAR’s long partnership with Petrosen and the Government of Senegal. Having been in the RSSD project for 14 years, it’s a bittersweet moment to be selling our stake. FAR is committed to our projects in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau and using our deep knowledge of the MSGBC Basin to potentially explore offshore Senegal again.”
