Tallgrass Energy sells some of its outstanding shares in merger agreement

 

Kansas City based-Tallgrass Energy, LP announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which affiliates of Blackstone Infrastructure Partners together with affiliates of Enagas, GIC, NPS and USS will acquire all of the publicly-held outstanding Class A Shares of TGE for $22.45 in cash per Class A Share.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including approval of the merger by holders of a majority of the outstanding Class A and Class B Shares of TGE, voting together as a single class, inclusive of the approximately 44 percent of the total Class A and Class B Shares held by the Sponsors.

Upon closing of the transaction, the Class A Shares will cease to be publicly traded. Pursuant to the merger agreement, TGE has agreed not to pay distributions during the pendency of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

The Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of Tallgrass Energy GP, LLC, TGE’s General Partner, after consultation with its independent legal and financial advisors, unanimously approved the transaction and determined it to be in the best interests of TGE and its public shareholders.

The Sponsors expect to fund the purchase of the Class A Shares with approximately $3 billion of equity, with the remainder of the funding necessary to consummate the transaction provided by debt.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC served as financial advisors and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. acted as legal advisor to Blackstone Infrastructure Partners. Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal advisor to Enagas. Sidley Austin LLP acted as legal advisor to GIC.