Beach Energy Limited (ASX:BPT) is pleased to announce the completion of the retail component of its fully-underwritten 1 for 8 accelerated non-renounceable pro-rata entitlement offer ("Retail Entitlement Offer"). The Retail Entitlement Offer closed at 5.00pm (Adelaide time) on 20 April 2012 and raised a total of A78.7 million.
Eligible retail shareholders subscribed for approximately 7.5 million shares (approximately A10.5 million) under the Retail Entitlement Offer at the offer price of A1.40 per share. As the Retail Entitlement Offer is fully underwritten, the balance of approximately 48.7 million shares (approximately A68.2 million) comprising shares not subscribed for by eligible retail shareholders, and the entitlements of ineligible retail shareholders, will be issued to the underwriters and sub-underwriters of the Retail Entitlement Offer.
The allotment of new shares under the Retail Entitlement Offer will be completed on 3 May 2012 and those shares are expected to commence trading on the Australian Securities Exchange on 4 May 2012.
The completion of the Retail Entitlement Offer follows the earlier completion of the institutional entitlement offer and convertible note offer on 29 March 2012, which raised approximately A117 million and A150 million in gross proceeds respectively. In total, Beach has raised A345.3 million in gross proceeds through the retail and institutional entitlement offers and the convertible note offer.
The net proceeds of the entitlement offers and convertible note offer will be used, together with existing operating cash flow and other capital resources, to fund Beach's future capital expenditure initiatives over the next 2-3 years and for general working capital purposes. The key elements of Beach's capital expenditure program include:
- Cooper Basin conventional - ongoing exploration, appraisal and development of Beach's key cash producing assets
- Cooper Basin unconventional - continued appraisal of a gas resource in the Nappamerri Trough
- Egypt - ongoing appraisal and development of oil discoveries and further exploration
- Tanzania - exploration for oil reservoirs along the proven East African Rift.
Citigroup Global Markets Australia Pty Limited, Goldman Sachs Australia Pty Ltd and Macquarie Capital (Australia) Limited are acting as Joint Lead Managers and Underwriters for the entitlement offers. Miro Advisors and Piper Alderman are Beach's financial and legal advisers respectively.
