Saudi-backed Midad Energy has reached a term-sheet agreement to acquire assets owned by sanctioned Russian energy company Lukoil, industry reporting shows. The document, completed in late January, covers the full slate of targeted Lukoil holdings and represents an all-cash offer that has been placed in escrow while the buyer and seller pursue necessary regulatory approvals.
The transaction remains conditional on obtaining clearances from several regulatory authorities. Among the bodies involved is the U.S. Treasury, which is one of the entities the parties must satisfy as they attempt to address the constraints created by Western sanctions that have limited Lukoil’s international asset base.
Market observers note that Midad Energy prevailed over other interested parties in the bidding process, with private equity firm Carlyle Group cited as one of the competitors that was outpaced. The structure of the deal - cash in escrow pending approvals - reflects the complexity of moving sanctioned assets through a sale process when multinational regulatory permission is required.
This prospective deal is part of a broader pattern in which Russian energy companies look to divest foreign holdings affected by sanctions. At the same time, it reflects growing appetite among Middle Eastern investors for acquiring oil and refining assets outside their home regions, often at valuations that sellers consider discounted in the current geopolitical environment.
Completion of the transaction is not assured. The parties involved face significant obstacles tied to regulatory scrutiny and geopolitical considerations, and the timeline to resolution will depend on how quickly and favorably the relevant authorities act. Until those approvals are secured, the term sheet and escrowed cash remain provisional instruments in a deal subject to multilayered review.
Summary
Midad Energy signed a term sheet in late January to buy Lukoil’s targeted assets, placing an all-cash offer in escrow while seeking regulatory clearance, including from the U.S. Treasury. The agreement follows competitive interest and underscores both divestment by Russian firms and Middle Eastern investment interest in global oil and refining assets.
Key points
- Midad Energy finalized a term sheet to acquire Lukoil’s targeted assets, submitting an all-cash offer placed in escrow.
- The transaction is contingent on approvals from multiple regulators, including the U.S. Treasury.
- The deal illustrates trends of sanctioned Russian energy firms divesting overseas assets and increased Middle Eastern investment in oil and refining at discounted valuations.
Risks and uncertainties
- Regulatory clearance risk - The deal depends on approvals from several regulatory bodies, which could delay, alter, or prevent completion; this affects the energy and financial sectors.
- Geopolitical and sanctions uncertainty - Western sanctions have constrained the target assets and complicate the transfer process, impacting oil and refining markets and cross-border investment activity.
- Transaction completion risk - Despite the escrowed cash and signed term sheet, significant hurdles remain before the sale can be finalized, with implications for investors and counterparties in the energy and M&A markets.