Inter Terminals, the European subsidiary of Inter Pipeline, is to acquire 100 percent of NuStar Energy, L.P.’s European bulk liquid storage business (NuStar Europe) for $270m.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018 and is subject to customary closing conditions.
Christian Bayle, Inter Pipeline’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The acquisition materially increases our overall storage capacity and establishes Inter Terminals as the largest independent storage operator in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the transaction provides an attractive entry into the Port of Amsterdam. The Port is the world’s largest gasoline blending hub and has experienced significant storage growth over the years.”
NuStar Europe consists of seven coastal terminals totalling 9.1 million barrels of storage. One terminal is located in Amsterdam, Netherlands with the remaining facilities located in the UK near London, Runcorn, Eastham, Grangemouth, Clydebank and Belfast.
Key investment highlights related to the acquisition:
- High-quality, modern asset base of 321 tanks serving a diversified customer base, including integrated oil companies, chemical companies and major petroleum traders;
- Cost-of-service and fee-based storage business primarily focused on inland distribution and blending of petroleum and petrochemical products;
- Stable cash flows not materially impacted by backwardated commodity markets, historically;
- Historically strong utilization rates, averaging approximately 85 percent over the past three years;
- All terminals are strategically located along key waterways with proximity to large metropolitan areas, an important competitive advantage;
- Increases Inter Terminal’s storage capacity by approximately 33 percent to 37 million barrels; and
- Strong integration potential with Inter Terminal’s existing terminals in the UK, resulting in enhanced product storage and custom blending solutions for customers.
The NuStar Europe terminals operate as storage and blending hubs for the trans-shipment of refined products as well as the inland distribution of petroleum and petrochemical products. These facilities are well-positioned to facilitate the regional movement of products driven by the significant imbalances that exist between supply sources and demand locations.
In the UK, the 1.9 million barrel Grays terminal is strategically located on the River Thames and serves the greater London area. Grays is a key regional supply point, responsible for handling approximately 17 million barrels of refined products per year, and provides cost effective access to London’s fuel distribution network. The 49 tank terminal has averaged approximately 100 percent utilisation over the past three years.
The 3.8 million barrel state-of-the-art terminal in Amsterdam, Netherlands plays a key role in the Port of Amsterdam with approximately 10 percent of the independent storage capacity. The terminal provides gasoline, gas oil and fuel oil storage, and blending services, including those required to produce IMO 2020 compliant marine fuels. The 44 tank facility has averaged approximately 100 percent utilisation over the past three years.
The smaller terminals at Belfast, Eastham, Grangemouth, Runcorn and Clydebank in the UK primarily support the distribution of petrochemicals, gasoline, diesel and sulphur to regional demand centres.
For more information visit: www.interpipeline.com
