California Resources Corporation (NYSE:CRC) entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Aera Energy LLC from Green Gate Resources E, LLC and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for $2.1 billion on February 7, 2024. Under the terms of the agreement, Aera's owners will receive 21.2 million shares of California Resources Corporation?s common stock and California Resources Corporation will assume $1.1 billion of debt and other liabilities of Aera. As part of the transaction, Green Gate Resources managed by IKAV sold 51% and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board sold 49%.

Post closing, Green Gate Resources and CPP Investments will collectively hold 22.9% of CRC?s common stock, with CRC shareholders owning approximately 77.1% of the combined company. IKAV and CPP Investments will be subject to customary lock-up periods, which preclude the sale of any shares for six months after closing. At least 2/3 of issued shares will be subject to a 12 month lock up and at least 1/3 of the issued shares will be subject to an 18 month lock up period.

CRC has secured a firm commitment for a $500 million bridge loan facility to facilitate closing. The CRC management team will run the combined company which will be headquartered in Long Beach, California, and at closing IKAV and CPP Investments will each nominate one representative to the CRC Board. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals and CRC shareholder approval.

The merger agreement has been unanimously approved by CRC?s Board of Directors and the shareholders of Aera. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024. The transaction is expected to be accretive.

Citi and Jefferies acted as financial advisors and Alison S. Ressler, Bradley S. King, Tia S. Barancik, Isaac J. Wheeler, Stephen Profeta, Mark Schenkel, Jeannette E. Bander, John E. Estes, Matthew J. Brennan and Steven L. Holley of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP acted as legal advisors to CRC. Wells Fargo and Truist acted as financial advisors and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal advisor to CPP Investments & IKAV. Ann Beth Stebbins of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP represented Jefferies LLC as financial advisor to California Resources Corporation.