SUNCOR ENERGY EXPECTED TO SHED ASSETS
Higher debt stemming from the purchase of Canadian Oil Sands Ltd. will likely lead Suncor Energy Inc. to divest some non- core assets, but if oil prices remain depressed, its retail gasoline business may also be put up for sale.
The $6.67-billion takeover includes $2.4 billion of debt, while at the same time giving Suncor a long- life, low-decline asset during a commodity cycle trough.
As Arthur Grayfer at CIBC World Markets points out, the Canadian energy giant’s strong track record offers the potential for improved profitability at the Syncrude oil sands joint venture.
The analyst likes the acquisition despite noting that “Suncor essentially acquired debt and little free cash flow.”
He doesn’ t anticipate that Suncor will cut its dividend, suggesting that it will instead choose to sell noncore assets whose values are less impacted by current oil prices. Some possible candidates are its renewables business ( six wind farms), pipeline assets and 13 major refined product terminals.
If oil prices remain lower for longer, Grayfer thinks Suncor may divest its retail business, which includes approximately 1,500 PetroCanada gas stations.
The analyst estimates the company will target somewhere between roughly $ 1 billion and $2 billion in asset sales in 2016. He believes the retail business is worth close to $3 billion.