ONEOK to Acquire Strategic Gulf Coast NGL Pipelines for $280 million

Rhea-AI Summary

ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) has agreed to acquire a system of NGL pipelines from Easton Energy for $280 million, enhancing connectivity in the Gulf Coast market centers. The acquisition aims to accelerate commercial synergies, connecting pipelines to ONEOK's existing infrastructure in Mont Belvieu, Texas, and Houston. The transaction is expected to close mid-year 2024, subject to customary conditions.

Positive

• Enhanced connectivity in the Gulf Coast market centers

• Accelerated commercial synergies through pipeline connection

• Expected future earnings growth from the acquisition

Negative

• None.

Insights

Energy Sector Financial Analyst

The acquisition of natural gas liquids (NGL) pipelines by ONEOK from Easton Energy represents a significant capital investment aiming to strengthen ONEOK's infrastructure and market position. The strategic placement of the pipelines in the Gulf Coast, a key hub for energy commodities, could potentially enhance ONEOK's distribution capabilities and operational efficiency. Connecting these pipelines with ONEOK's existing assets in Mont Belvieu and Houston is expected to create commercial synergies, potentially reducing transportation costs and optimizing the supply chain. This infrastructure interconnectivity can lead to increased throughput volumes and better service offerings for customers, likely contributing to revenue growth and margin improvement. By accelerating the synergies from the Magellan acquisition, there is a possibility of capturing new customer segments and expanding the company's footprint. The capital outlay, while substantial, may be offset in the long term by the anticipated earnings growth. However, investors should consider the execution risk associated with integrating new assets and the impact of regulatory conditions, including the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

Energy Infrastructure Market Analyst

Examining ONEOK's decision to invest in the Gulf Coast NGL pipeline system, we see a strategic move designed to consolidate its presence within a vital nexus for various petroleum products. The Gulf Coast region is a major player in refining and petrochemical activities, which generates consistent demand for NGLs, refined products and crude oil. The acquisition may also offer ONEOK a competitive edge in terms of market responsiveness and logistical flexibility. By incorporating these pipelines, ONEOK could potentially offer more attractive transportation rates to its customers, which can lead to strengthened business relationships and a potential increase in long-term contracts. The additional capacity could also enable ONEOK to capitalize on fluctuations in NGL supply and demand dynamics, potentially improving profitability. Nonetheless, investors should monitor the operational integration process and subsequent utilization rates of the new assets to assess the effectiveness of this expansion strategy.

M&A Legal Analyst

From a legal standpoint, the ONEOK acquisition is subject to customary conditions, including compliance with Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust regulations, suggesting a standard due diligence process for a transaction of this nature. While this does not raise immediate red flags, investors should be aware of the timelines and potential regulatory hurdles that might affect the deal's closure. Antitrust considerations are particularly pertinent in the energy sector, where market concentration can attract scrutiny. Successful navigation of this regulatory landscape will be pivotal in realizing the forecasted synergies and growth. Additionally, the purchase agreement likely contains provisions to address any material adverse changes, providing a level of protection for ONEOK's investment. Post-acquisition, the company will need to meticulously manage the integration of the acquired assets to comply with existing legal and environmental regulations governing pipeline operations.

Accelerates Commercial Synergies From Magellan Acquisition

TULSA, Okla., May 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) today announced that it has agreed to acquire a system of natural gas liquids (NGL) pipelines from Easton Energy, a Houston-based midstream company, for approximately $280 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments.

The transaction includes approximately 450 miles of NGL pipelines located in the strategic Gulf Coast market centers for NGLs, refined products and crude oil. These pipelines transport a wide range of liquids products through a portion of its capacity to existing customers.

ONEOK plans to connect the pipelines to ONEOK's Mont Belvieu, Texas, NGL infrastructure and ONEOK's Houston refined products and crude oil infrastructure, accelerating commercial synergies.

"This strategic acquisition provides the quickest pipeline connectivity to and within the critical supply and demand centers for our NGLs, refined products and crude oil assets in the Gulf Coast," said Pierce H. Norton II, ONEOK president and chief executive officer. "We expect that this acquisition will accelerate the ability to capture commercial synergies related to our recent Magellan acquisition and future earnings growth."

ONEOK expects to close the transaction mid-year 2024. Closing is subject to customary conditions including termination or expiration of the waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

View a map showing the locations of the pipelines, along with ONEOK's existing system.

At ONEOK (NYSE: OKE), we deliver energy products and services vital to an advancing world. We are a leading midstream operator that provides gathering, processing, fractionation, transportation and storage services. Through our more than 50,000-mile pipeline network, we transport the natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), refined products and crude that help meet domestic and international energy demand, contribute to energy security and provide safe, reliable and responsible energy solutions needed today and into the future. As one of the largest diversified energy infrastructure companies in North America, ONEOK is delivering energy that makes a difference in the lives of people in the U.S. and around the world.

ONEOK is an S&P 500 company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

For information about ONEOK, visit the website: www.oneok.com. For the latest news about ONEOK, find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Some of the statements contained and incorporated in this news release are forward-looking statements as defined under federal securities laws. The forward-looking statements relate to our anticipated financial performance (including projected levels of quarterly and annual dividends), liquidity, market conditions and other matters. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under federal securities laws and other applicable laws.

Forward-looking statements include the items identified in the preceding paragraph, the information concerning possible or assumed future results of our operations and other statements contained or incorporated in this news release identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "intend," "may," "might," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "project," "scheduled," "should," "will," "would" and other words and terms of similar meaning.

One should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, conditions to the completion of the acquisition, such as required regulatory clearance, not being satisfied; closing of the transaction being delayed or not occurring at all; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance or condition that could give rise to the termination of the acquisition agreement; and ONEOK being unable to achieve the anticipated benefits of the transaction. Those factors may affect our operations, markets, products, services and prices. These and other risks are described in greater detail in Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the other filings that we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Any such forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, other than as required under securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or change in circumstances, expectations or otherwise.

Analyst Contact:	Megan Patterson
	918-561-5325
Media Contact:	Brad Borror
	918-588-7582

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oneok-to-acquire-strategic-gulf-coast-ngl-pipelines-for-280-million-302143421.html

SOURCE ONEOK, Inc.

FAQ

What is ONEOK acquiring from Easton Energy?

ONEOK is acquiring a system of NGL pipelines from Easton Energy for $280 million.

Where are the NGL pipelines located?

The NGL pipelines are located in the strategic Gulf Coast market centers for NGLs, refined products, and crude oil.

When is the transaction expected to close?

The transaction is expected to close mid-year 2024.

What are the benefits of the acquisition?

The acquisition aims to enhance connectivity, accelerate commercial synergies, and drive future earnings growth for ONEOK.

What is ONEOK's stock symbol?

ONEOK's stock symbol is OKE.