California Resources Corporation Announces Amendments to Consent Solicitation

Rhea-AI Summary

California Resources Corporation (NYSE: CRC) announced an extension of its consent solicitation for its 7.125% Senior Notes due 2026. The expiration date is now set for 5:00 p.m. New York City time on June 17, 2022. The consent fee has been increased to $9 million, potentially reaching $30 per $1,000 in notes, depending on consent received. The company warns that consenting may trigger a taxable event for holders. Detailed terms remain as stated in prior announcements, with no need for existing consenting holders to act again.

Positive

• Increased consent fee to $9 million to incentivize participation.
• Potential payment of up to $30 per $1,000 in notes if majority consents are received.

Negative

• Consent solicitation extension may indicate uncertainty in securing required approvals.
• Taxable consequence of a deemed exchange for consenting holders might deter participation.

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- California Resources Corporation (NYSE: CRC) (“CRC” or the “Company”) today announced amendments to and extension of its solicitation of consents (the “Consent Solicitation”) from the holders of its outstanding 7.125% Senior Notes due 2026 (CUSIP Nos. 13057QAH0, 13057QAJ6 and U1303AAE6) (the “Notes”) to the proposed amendment to the indenture governing the Notes (the “Proposed Amendment”) described in the Consent Solicitation Statement dated June 6, 2022, as amended by the Company’s press release dated June 13, 2022 and as further amended by a Supplement dated June 15, 2022 (as amended, the “Statement”). The Consent Solicitation is being made in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions stated in the Statement.

The expiration time for the Consent Solicitation is being further extended to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 17, 2022 (the “Expiration Time”), unless further extended or earlier terminated by the Company. The record date (the “Record Date”) for determining holders of the Notes entitled to give consents and receive the Consent Fee (as described below) remains 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 3, 2022.

The Company has increased the cash payment (the “Consent Fee”) to be paid if the Company receives the consents required to approve the Proposed Amendment and the other conditions to the Consent Solicitation are satisfied or waived. The aggregate Consent Fee will be $9,000,000, to be shared by all consenting holders who validly deliver consents to the Proposed Amendment before the Expiration Time. Specifically, the Consent Fee will be an amount, per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for which a holder has validly delivered (on or prior to the Expiration Time) its consent, equal to the product of $15.00 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at the Record Date for the Consent Solicitation and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Notes for which the holders have validly delivered consents prior to the Expiration Time. As a result, the Consent Fee for the Notes will range from $15.00 per $1,000 (if all holders consent) to approximately $30.00 per $1,000 (if holders of only a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes consent).

Receipt of the Consent Fee by a consenting holder will result in a “significant modification” of such consenting holder’s Notes for United States federal income tax purposes, resulting in a deemed exchange of such consenting holder’s Notes. Such a deemed exchange will be a taxable event (unless a non-recognition provision were to apply). Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Consent Solicitation.

The Supplement dated June 15, 2022 describes certain revisions to the Proposed Amendment and includes updated disclosure regarding tax consequences to the holders of the Notes in connection with the Consent Solicitation.

Holders of the Notes are referred to the Statement for the detailed terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitation, all of which remain unchanged except as set forth in this release and the Supplement dated June 15, 2022. Holders of the Notes who have validly delivered their consents with respect to the Proposed Amendment do not need to deliver new consents or take any other action in response to this announcement in order to consent to the Proposed Amendment. Consents (whether previously or hereafter delivered) with respect to the Proposed Amendment may not be revoked once given, except in the limited circumstances described in the Statement.

CRC reserves the right to modify the Statement and the terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitation or to terminate the Consent Solicitation at any time.

MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are the Joint Solicitation Agents. Global Bondholder Services Corporation has been retained to serve as the Information and Tabulation Agent for the Consent Solicitation. Persons with questions regarding the Consent Solicitation should contact MUFG Securities Americas Inc. at (toll free) (877) 744-4532 or (New York) (212) 405-7481 or Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at (toll free) (800) 558-3745 or (collect) (212) 723-6106. Requests for the Statement should be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (toll free) (855) 654-2015 or (collect) (212) 430-3774 or by email to contact@gbsc-usa.com.

None of the Company, the Joint Solicitation Agents, the Information and Tabulation Agent, the trustee under the indenture governing the Notes or any of their respective affiliates is making any recommendation as to whether holders should deliver Consents in response to the Consent Solicitation. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to participate in the Consent Solicitation, and, if so, the principal amount of Notes in respect of which to deliver Consents.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. The Consent Solicitation is being made only pursuant to the Statement and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law. In any jurisdiction in which the Consent Solicitation is required to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Consent Solicitation will be deemed to be made on behalf of the Company by the Joint Solicitation Agents, or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

About California Resources Corporation

CRC is an independent oil and natural gas company committed to energy transition in the sector. CRC has some of the lowest carbon intensity production in the US and we are focused on maximizing the value of our land, mineral and technical resources for decarbonization by developing Carbon Capture and Storage and other emissions reducing projects.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, except for statements of historical fact, made in this release regarding activities, events or developments the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, such as statements regarding the Consent Solicitation, the timing thereof, and the Company’s intention to fund the Consent Solicitation, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although the Company believes that the plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there is no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecast in such statements. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to and does not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

The Company cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties incident to the Company’s business, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and its subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220615005477/en/

Joanna Park (Investor Relations)

818-661-3731

Joanna.Park@crc.com

Richard Venn (Media)

818-661-6014

Richard.Venn@crc.com

Source: California Resources Corporation

FAQ

What is the new expiration date for California Resources Corporation's consent solicitation for its 7.125% Senior Notes?

The new expiration date is set for 5:00 p.m. New York City time on June 17, 2022.

What is the total consent fee being offered by CRC to its bondholders?

The total consent fee is $9 million, which will be shared among consenting holders.

What are the potential payments per $1,000 in notes for consenting holders?

Payments could range from $15.00 to approximately $30.00 per $1,000 in notes, depending on the level of consent received.

What tax implications might consenting bondholders face?

Consenting may result in a deemed exchange, which is a taxable event for holders.

Do existing consenting holders need to act again in response to the latest announcement?

No, existing consenting holders do not need to deliver new consents or take additional actions.