Slaughter and May advised INEOS in connection with its proposed acquisition of the Forties Pipeline System (FPS) and associated pipelines and facilities from BP. Under the terms of the agreement INEOS will pay BP a consideration of up to $250 million for the business, comprising a cash payment of $125 million on completion and an earn-out arrangement over seven years that could total $125 million.

On completion of the deal the ownership and operation of FPS, the Kinneil terminal and gas processing plant, the Dalmeny terminal, sites at Aberdeen, the Forties Unity Platform and associated infrastructure will transfer to INEOS. These assets will transfer as fully operational units, at which point INEOS will be responsible for a strategic UK asset that delivers almost 40% of the UK’s North Sea oil and gas.

It is expected that around 300 people that operate and support the FPS business at Kinneil, Grangemouth, Dalmeny and offshore will become part of the INEOS Upstream business.

Contacts

Corporate: Hywel Davies (partner), Robert Stern (consultant), Francesca Harris (associate), Angela Harford (associate); Finance: Andrew Johnson (partner), Tanith Horner (associate); Environmental: Samantha Brady (senior counsel); Pensions and Employment: Charles Cameron (partner), Lucy Duane (associate); Competition: Claire Jeffs (partner), Aurora Luoma (senior counsel); Tax: Sara Luder (partner), Owen Williams (associate).