88 Energy Limited (ASX: 88E; AIM: 88E) ("88 Energy") is pleased to announce that it has declared its recommended off-market takeover offers ("Offers") for all of the ordinary shares and listed options in XCD Energy Limited (ASX: XCD) ("XCD Energy") free from all defeating conditions.
As at 7pm (Sydney time) on 17 June 2020, 88 Energy had a relevant interest in 59.27% of XCD Energy's shares and 28.53% of XCD Energy's listed options.
Notices in accordance with section 650F and section 630(3) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ("Corporations Act") were provided to XCD Energy today and are attached to this announcement as Annexure A and Annexure B respectively.
ACCELERATED PAYMENT TERMS
88 Energy confirms that XCD Energy shareholders and listed option holders who validly accepted the Offers made to them before they were declared unconditional will be issued their consideration by 26 June 2020. Any XCD Energy shareholders and listed option holders who are yet to validly accept the Offers made to them will be issued with their 88 Energy shares and listed options within 7 business days of their acceptance being processed.
BEST AND FINAL OFFERS
88 Energy notes its Offers of:
· 2.4 new 88 Energy shares for every 1 of your XCD Energy shares; and
· 0.7 new 88 Energy shares for every 1 of your XCD Energy listed options,
are 88 Energy's BEST AND FINAL OFFERS which will not be increased.
MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS IN XCD ENERGY
If 88 Energy acquires a relevant interest in XCD Energy of 90% or more, 88 Energy intends to proceed with compulsory acquisition of any outstanding XCD Energy shares and listed options under Part 6A of the Corporations Act. If this occurs, XCD Energy security holders who have their XCD Energy shares and listed options acquired compulsorily will NOT be eligible for accelerated payment terms.
The Board of 88 Energy advises that, if remaining XCD Energy shareholders and listed options do not accept the Offers, and 88 Energy does not reach compulsory acquisition thresholds (which include a 90% relevant interest in XCD Energy) by the closing date of the Offers, they will remain a minority shareholder in XCD Energy with reduced influence in the running of the business. Should this occur, decisions made in respect of XCD Energy's business, under the control of 88 Energy, may impact XCD Energy shareholders and listed option holders who do not accept the Offers.
Further, 88 Energy's controlling position may affect the liquidity of the minority holders of securities in XCD Energy. This may increase the difficulty for minority securityholders to sell their XCD Energy shares or listed options at an attractive price. 88 Energy has indicated that it intends to have XCD Energy removed from the ASX, which would considerably decrease the liquidity for remaining XCD Energy shareholders and listed option holders.
HOW TO ACCEPT THE OFFERS
88 Energy urges all XCD Energy security holders who have not yet accepted the Offers made to them to ACCEPT WITHOUT DELAY and take advantage of the accelerated payment terms to become an 88 Energy security holder.
The Offers are currently scheduled to close on 7.00pm (Sydney time) on 25 June 2020.
Acceptance forms have been provided to XCD Energy listed securityholders.
Securityholders who hold their XCD Energy shares and/or listed options through CHESS can instruct their broker to accept the Offers on their behalf.
If you have any queries in relation to how to accept the Offers or any other matter pertaining to the Offers, please do not hesitate to contact the 88 Energy Offer Information Line on 1300 095 745 (within Australia) or +61 3 9415 4300 (from outside Australia).
This announcement has been authorised by the Board of 88 Energy.