Sharechat Logo

Fletcher Energy's suitor makes a move

By Ben Dutton

Monday 21st August 2000

Text too small?
Shell Exploration Company BV has lodged an application with the Commerce Commission to acquire the New Zealand operations of Fletcher Challenge Energy.

Michael Andrews, the CEO of Fletcher Challenge, said that the application should be seen as a very preliminary step in a long process. In the application, Shell has proposed that it will divest a range of assets currently owned by Fletcher Energy.

These assets and shares are Fletcher Energy's involvement and equity interests in the Kupe natural gas field, Kapuni Gas Contracts, Fletcher Challenge Gas Investments, Challenge Petroleum and NZ Refining.

The Commerce Commission has ten working days to make its decision - barring any extensions of time an announcement is expected on 01/09/2000.

Clearance by the Commerce Commission is an obvious and necessary pre-condition to any potential purchase of Fletcher Energy, Mr Andrews said.

Commerce Commission Chair John Belgrave said that the Commission will investigate what impact the proposed acquisition would have on competition in a range of NZ energy related markets.

No other details were given, leaving shareholders guessing as to the potential price of any acquisition.

Fletcher Energy's shares were up after the announcement, reaching a high of $7.95.

  General Finance Advertising    

Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:
Your name:
Your email:
Not displayed to the public
Comment:
Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved.

Related News:

FCF woos Citic and Rubicon for CNIFP deal
Not us says Citic
Forests receiver has back up offer
Fletcher Forests to buy NI assets
Fletcher Forests confirms CNIFP interest
Writedowns hurt Rubicon first half
Farewell Energy, hello Rubicon
Fletcher vote still on
Special Report: The Future Of Fletcher
Legal action still possible in Fletcher Challenge insider case