Kinder Morgan Announces Acquisition of Gas Gathering & Processing System in Bakken from Outrigger Energy II

Rhea-AI Summary

Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI) has announced its subsidiary, Hiland Partners Holdings , will acquire a natural gas gathering and processing system in North Dakota from Outrigger Energy II for $640 million. The acquisition includes a 270 MMcf/d processing facility and a 104-mile, high-pressure rich gas gathering header pipeline with 350 MMcf/d capacity in the Williston Basin area.

The system is supported by long-term contracts with major basin customers. KMI expects the acquisition to be immediately accretive to shareholders, with a 2025 Adjusted EBITDA multiple of approximately 8 times. The deal includes approximately $20 million of expected cash payments in 2025 that receive deferred revenue recognition. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2025, pending Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance.

Positive

• Immediate accretive effect to shareholders
• Long-term contracts securing revenue stream
• Strategic expansion in Bakken region
• Expected reduction in future capital expenditures
• 8x EBITDA multiple indicates reasonable valuation

Negative

• Significant upfront cost of $640 million
• Increased short-term debt due to borrowing for acquisition
• Regulatory approval risk pending Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance

Insights

Financial Analyst

This strategic acquisition strengthens KMI's midstream footprint in the Bakken region with a $640 million purchase that includes significant processing and gathering infrastructure. The 8x EBITDA multiple for 2025 is notably attractive compared to industry averages of 10-12x, suggesting favorable deal economics. The transaction's immediate accretive nature and the $20 million in deferred revenue recognition enhance the value proposition.

The long-term contracts backing the assets provide stable cash flow visibility while reducing capital expenditure requirements for existing customer growth. The financing strategy using short-term borrowings and cash demonstrates KMI's strong balance sheet flexibility. For context, this acquisition represents about 1% of KMI's market cap, making it a manageable bolt-on that enhances rather than strains the company's financial position.

Energy Infrastructure Specialist

The strategic value of this acquisition extends beyond the financial metrics. The 270 MMcf/d processing facility and 104-mile gathering system are positioned in the prolific Williston Basin, where infrastructure constraints have historically production growth. The integration with KMI's existing Hiland assets creates operational synergies and strengthens the company's competitive position.

Think of this as adding a important puzzle piece to KMI's Bakken footprint - the high-pressure rich gas gathering header pipeline essentially functions as a highway system for natural gas, connecting production areas to demand centers. The 350 MMcf/d capacity provides significant throughput potential and the infrastructure's strategic location in North Dakota positions KMI to capture additional volumes as Bakken production grows.

Market Research Analyst

The timing and structure of this deal reveal KMI's shrewd market positioning. With natural gas infrastructure becoming increasingly valuable amid the energy transition, acquiring fully contracted assets at an attractive multiple demonstrates strong execution. The reduction in future capital expenditure requirements is particularly noteworthy as it improves return on invested capital metrics.

The transaction's expected Q1 2025 closing aligns well with broader industry consolidation trends in midstream energy. For investors, this represents a clear example of KMI's disciplined growth strategy - focusing on immediately accretive deals that enhance existing operations rather than speculative expansion. The long-term contracts underpinning the assets provide visibility into future cash flows, supporting KMI's dividend stability.

$640 million purchase includes 270 MMcf/d processing plant and rich gas header system strategically located in Williston Basin, North Dakota

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE: KMI) today announced that its subsidiary, Hiland Partners Holdings LLC, has agreed to purchase a natural gas gathering and processing system in North Dakota from Outrigger Energy II LLC for $640 million. The acquisition includes a 270 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) processing facility and a 104-mile, large-diameter, high-pressure rich gas gathering header pipeline with 350 MMcf/d of capacity connecting supplies from the Williston Basin area to high-demand markets. The gathering and processing system is backed by long-term contracts with commitments from major customers in the basin.

“We’re pleased to be integrating this complementary system with our existing Hiland gas assets to aggregate additional supplies from the Bakken,” said KMI Natural Gas Midstream President Tom Dender. “This strategic acquisition allows us to efficiently expand our footprint and provide incremental transportation and processing services to meet the growing needs of our customers.”

KMI expects the acquisition to be immediately accretive to its shareholders, with a 2025 Adjusted EBITDA multiple of approximately 8 times on a full-year basis. Adjusted EBITDA does not include approximately $20 million of expected cash payments in 2025 that receive deferred revenue recognition. With this transaction, KMI expects to reduce future capital expenditures needed to accommodate the growth of its existing Bakken customers. Initially, KMI plans to fund the transaction with short-term borrowings and cash on hand.

The transaction requires clearance under Hart-Scott-Rodino and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025.

About Kinder Morgan, Inc.

Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE: KMI) is one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America. Access to reliable, affordable energy is a critical component for improving lives around the world. We are committed to providing energy transportation and storage services in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner for the benefit of the people, communities and businesses we serve. We own an interest in or operate approximately 79,000 miles of pipelines, 139 terminals, 702 billion cubic feet of working natural gas storage capacity and have renewable natural gas generation capacity of approximately 6.1 Bcf per year with an additional 0.8 Bcf in development. Our pipelines transport natural gas, refined petroleum products, crude oil, condensate, CO2, renewable fuels and other products, and our terminals store and handle various commodities including gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, chemicals, metals, petroleum coke, and ethanol and other renewable fuels and feedstocks. Learn more about our work advancing energy solutions on the lower carbon initiatives page at www.kindermorgan.com.

About Outrigger Energy II LLC

Outrigger Energy II LLC is a private, full service midstream energy company that owns and operates one of the largest privately held natural gas gathering and processing systems in the Williston Basin of North Dakota. In addition to providing reliable and value-added services to its customers, Outrigger’s core values include promoting safety across all aspects of the company and environmental stewardship within its communities. Outrigger is supported by equity commitments from NGP Energy Capital Management, LLC and an entity affiliated with Brion G. Wise. For more information, please visit www.outriggerenergy.com.

Important Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Generally, the words “expects,” “believes,” anticipates,” “plans,” “will,” “shall,” “estimates,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements in this news release include express or implied statements concerning the proposed transaction and the assets to be acquired in the proposed transaction, including the parties’ ability to satisfy customary conditions to closing (such as with respect to Hart-Scott-Rodino), and the anticipated timing and benefits to KMI’s business and stockholders of the proposed transaction. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management, based on information currently available to them. Although KMI believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance as to when or if any such forward-looking statements will materialize nor their ultimate impact on our operations or financial condition. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements include the timing of any review of the proposed transaction under Hart-Scott-Rodino, the timing and extent of changes in the supply of and demand for the products we transport and handle, and the other risks and uncertainties described in KMI’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2023 (under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and elsewhere) and its subsequent reports, which are available through the SEC’s EDGAR system at www.sec.gov and on our website at ir.kindermorgan.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and except to the extent required by law, KMI undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement because of new information, future events or other factors. Because of these risks and uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

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KINDER MORGAN CONTACTS

Media Relations

newsroom@kindermorgan.com



Investor Relations

(800) 348-7320

km_ir@kindermorgan.com

www.kindermorgan.com

OUTRIGGER ENERGY II LLC

Public Relations

(720) 638-7312

info@outriggerenergy.com

Source: Kinder Morgan, Inc.

FAQ

What is the value of Kinder Morgan's acquisition of Outrigger Energy II's assets?

Kinder Morgan is acquiring Outrigger Energy II's natural gas gathering and processing system for $640 million.

What assets are included in KMI's Bakken acquisition?

The acquisition includes a 270 MMcf/d processing facility and a 104-mile high-pressure rich gas gathering header pipeline with 350 MMcf/d capacity in North Dakota's Williston Basin.

When will KMI's Outrigger Energy II acquisition close?

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, subject to Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance.

What is the expected EBITDA multiple for KMI's Bakken acquisition?

The acquisition is expected to have a 2025 Adjusted EBITDA multiple of approximately 8 times on a full-year basis.

How will KMI finance the Outrigger Energy II acquisition?

Kinder Morgan plans to initially fund the transaction with short-term borrowings and cash on hand.