Marathon Petroleum Corp. Announces Acquisition of a 49.9% Interest in Emerging RNG Producer

Rhea-AI Summary

On March 8, 2023, Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: MPC) announced the acquisition of a 49.9% stake in LF Bioenergy for $50 million, with potential additional payments of up to $50 million based on performance targets. LF Bioenergy focuses on developing renewable natural gas (RNG) projects from dairy farms, with existing projects expected to produce over 6,500 MMBtu of RNG per day by the end of 2026. This acquisition aligns with MPC's commitment to lower carbon investments and is a strategic step towards enhancing its sustainability goals.

Positive

• Acquisition of 49.9% interest in LF Bioenergy aligns with MPC's lower carbon investment strategy.
• Potential to expand RNG production to over 6,500 MMBtu per day by 2026.
• Strategic move towards integrating sustainable energy solutions.

Negative

• None.

FINDLAY, Ohio, March 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: MPC) today announced the acquisition of a 49.9% interest in LF Bioenergy, an emerging producer of renewable natural gas (RNG) in the United States, from Cresta Fund Management for $50 million. The agreement includes the potential for up to an additional $50 million based on the achievement of predetermined earn-out targets.

LF Bioenergy has been focused on developing and growing a portfolio of dairy farm-based, low carbon intensity RNG projects. Current projects are under various stages of development, with the first facility nearing completion and expected to be in service in the first half of 2023. LF Bioenergy's management and origination teams continue to expand the portfolio with additional sanctioned projects while progressing their existing pipeline of opportunities toward final investment decisions. As specific project milestones are achieved, MPC is expected to fund its share of capital expenditures, building out this portfolio to produce over 6,500 MMBtu per day by the end of 2026. 

"This RNG transaction demonstrates our commitment to lower carbon investments," said Dave Heppner, MPC's senior vice president of Strategy and Business Development. "This platform will create the opportunity for further integration and advances MPC's goal to lower the carbon intensity of its operations and the products it offers."  

Jones Day acted as legal advisor and Barclays acted as exclusive financial advisor to MPC in connection with this transaction. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP acted as legal advisor and Guggenheim Securities LLC acted as financial advisor to Cresta and LF Bioenergy. 

About Marathon Petroleum Corporation

MPC is a leading, integrated, downstream energy company headquartered in Findlay, Ohio. The company operates the nation's largest refining system. MPC's marketing system includes branded locations across the United States, including Marathon brand retail outlets. MPC also owns the general partner and majority limited partner interest in MPLX LP, a midstream company that owns and operates gathering, processing, and fractionation assets, as well as crude oil and light product transportation and logistics infrastructure. More information is available at www.marathonpetroleum.com.

MPC Contacts:

Kristina Kazarian, Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations
Brian Worthington, Director, Investor Relations
Kenan Kinsey, Supervisor, Investor Relations
InvestorRelations@marathonpetroleum.com
(419) 421-2071

Jamal Kheiry, Communications Manager
MediaRelations@marathonpetroleum.com
(419) 421-3312

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding MPC. These forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, MPC's expectations, estimates and projections concerning its business and operations, financial priorities, strategic plans and initiatives, capital return plans, capital expenditure plans, operating cost reduction objectives, and environmental, social and governance ("ESG") plans and goals, including those related to greenhouse gas emissions, diversity and inclusion and ESG reporting. Forward-looking and other statements regarding our ESG plans and goals are not an indication that these statements are material to investors. In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking ESG-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "commitment," "could," "design," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "guidance,"  "intend," "may," "objective," "opportunity," "outlook," "plan," "policy," "position," "potential," "predict," "priority," "project,"  "prospective," "pursue," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "will," "would" or other similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. MPC cautions that these statements are based on management's current knowledge and expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the control of MPC, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from the statements made herein. Factors that could cause MPC's actual results to differ materially from those implied in the forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: the success or timing of completion of the projects referenced herein; the timing and ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and permits and to satisfy other conditions necessary to complete the projects referenced herein; our ability to successfully implement our sustainable energy strategy and principles, achieve our ESG plans and goals and realize the expected benefits thereof; and the factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in MPC's and MPLX LP's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, and in other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the applicable communication and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement except to the extent required by applicable law.

Copies of MPC's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings are available on the SEC's website, MPC's website at https://www.marathonpetroleum.com/Investors/ or by contacting MPC's Investor Relations office. Copies of MPLX's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings are available on the SEC's website, MPLX's website at http://ir.mplx.com or by contacting MPLX's Investor Relations office.

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SOURCE Marathon Petroleum Corporation

FAQ

What is the significance of Marathon Petroleum's acquisition of LF Bioenergy?

The acquisition expands MPC's portfolio in renewable natural gas, supporting its sustainability goals.

What is the financial value of Marathon Petroleum's investment in LF Bioenergy?

MPC invested $50 million for a 49.9% interest, with the possibility of an additional $50 million based on performance targets.

How much RNG is LF Bioenergy projected to produce by 2026?

LF Bioenergy is expected to produce over 6,500 MMBtu of RNG per day by the end of 2026.

When was the acquisition of LF Bioenergy announced?

The acquisition was announced on March 8, 2023.

Who advised Marathon Petroleum on the acquisition of LF Bioenergy?

Jones Day acted as legal advisor and Barclays served as the exclusive financial advisor to MPC.