MEG Announces Improved Cenovus Transaction: Higher Offer, Increased Equity Participation, and Special Meeting Postponement
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Improved Transaction Consideration of
$29.80 per MEG Share represents an increase of$2.35 per MEG Share from the announced value of the Initial Transaction Consideration
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Improved Transaction Consideration payable 50% in cash and 50% in highly liquid Cenovus Shares
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Increased equity component provides MEG Shareholders with additional upside participation in Cenovus, an industry-leading producer with significant scale, growth, and synergy potential at
Christina Lake
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The MEG Board recommends MEG Shareholders vote FOR the Improved Cenovus Transaction
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The Meeting has been postponed to
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at9:00 a.m. (Calgary Time) to allow MEG Shareholders additional time to deposit proxies and vote FOR the Improved Cenovus Transaction
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Deadline for MEG Shareholders to deposit their proxies in order to vote on the Improved Cenovus Transaction revised to
Monday, October 20, 2025 at9:00 a.m. (Calgary Time)
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Deadline for MEG Shareholders to make an election with respect to their preferred form of consideration to be received under the Improved Cenovus Transaction revised to
Monday, October 20, 2025 at4:30 p.m. (Calgary Time)
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For questions or assistance with voting or making elections, contact
Sodali & Co. , 1.888.999.2785 or 1.289.695.3075 for banks, brokers, and callers outsideNorth America , assistance@investor.sodali.com
All amounts in Canadian dollars unless specified
The Improved Transaction Consideration represents an increase of
Under the revised transaction with Cenovus, as amended by the terms of the Amending Agreement (the "Improved Cenovus Transaction"), each MEG Shareholder will have the option to elect to receive:
i. $29.50 in cash per MEG Share ("Cash Consideration"); or
ii. 1.240 Cenovus common shares (each whole share, a "Cenovus Share") per MEG Share ("Share Consideration"); or
iii. a combination thereof,
in all cases, subject to rounding and proration based on maximum aggregate Cash Consideration of approximately
The value of the Improved Transaction Consideration represents a mix of 50% cash and 50% Cenovus Shares. On a fully prorated basis, consideration per MEG Share represents approximately
In consideration of Cenovus amending and increasing the consideration for MEG, MEG and Cenovus have also amended the terms of the existing standstill agreement between the parties to allow Cenovus to complete purchases of up to 9.9% of the MEG Shares.
The Amending Agreement will be filed on MEG's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
"We are pleased to announce the Amending Agreement with Cenovus, which provides improved transaction economics and greater opportunity for MEG Shareholders to participate in substantial synergies through a higher equity component," said
"Since the Initial Cenovus Transaction was announced, there has been strong recognition of the industrial logic and the synergy potential between MEG and Cenovus," said
MEG Meeting Postponed to
The special meeting of MEG Shareholders (the "Meeting"), previously scheduled for
The Meeting will take place at
Deadline to Deposit Proxies Revised to
The MEG Board urges you to deposit your proxy form or voting instruction form and vote FOR the Improved Cenovus Transaction ahead of the revised proxy deadline of Monday
- No further action is required of MEG Shareholders who have already voted their MEG Shares FOR the Initial Cenovus Transaction
- MEG Shareholders who have not already voted are encouraged to vote their MEG Shares FOR the Improved Cenovus Transaction promptly, and in any case, prior to the Revised Proxy Deadline, using the instructions provided in their proxy form or voting instruction form.
- MEG Shareholders who previously voted their MEG Shares AGAINST the Initial Cenovus Transaction are encouraged to cast a new vote FOR the Improved Cenovus Transaction promptly, and in any case, prior to the Revised Proxy Deadline. The later-dated proxy or voting instructions will supersede any previous submission.
- In accordance with the terms of the Interim Order, the record date for the postponed Meeting remains
September 8, 2025 .
Due to the time sensitivity and the
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Registered MEG Shareholders |
Beneficial MEG Shareholders |
Who? |
If your MEG Shares are held in your name and represented by a physical certificate or direct registration system advice ("DRS Advice") |
If your MEG Shares are held with a broker, bank or other intermediary |
Telephone |
Call 1.866.732.VOTE (8683) (toll-free in
If you have not received your 15-digit control number, please contact 1-800-564-6253 (toll-free in |
Call the toll-free number on your voting instruction form (VIF) and vote using the 16-digit control number provided therein |
Online |
www.investorvote.com (requires your 15-digit control number from your broker) |
www.proxyvote.com (requires your 16-digit control number from your broker) |
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Questions and Assistance with Voting
If you are a beneficial MEG Shareholder and have not yet received your voting materials, please contact your broker or investment advisor to obtain your 16-digit control number and vote immediately at www.proxyvote.com. Alternatively, contact
Deadline to Submit Consideration Election Revised to
MEG Shareholders are entitled to submit their elections in respect of the consideration to be received pursuant to the Improved Cenovus Transaction. To be valid, MEG Shareholders must submit their elections to
- No further action is required of MEG Shareholders who have previously submitted an election under the Initial Cenovus Transaction and who do not wish to change such election, including the mix of cash and share consideration elected.
- MEG Shareholders who have previously submitted an election under the Initial Cenovus Transaction and who wish to change such election, including the mix of cash and share consideration elected, must re-submit their election using the instructions below, prior to the Revised Election Deadline.
- MEG Shareholders who have not submitted an election are encouraged to submit their election in respect of the Improved Cenovus Transaction using the instructions below, prior to the Revised Election Deadline.
Under the terms of the Amending Agreement, MEG Shareholders who do not submit their election ahead of the Revised Election Deadline will be deemed to have elected to receive Cash Consideration with respect to 50% of their MEG Shares and Share Consideration with respect to 50% of their MEG Shares.
MEG Shareholders who have already made an election, whether for all Cash Consideration, Share Consideration, or a combination thereof, are encouraged to consider their election in light of the Improved Cenovus Transaction. If a MEG Shareholder desires to change a prior election, such MEG Shareholder should re-submit their election using the instructions below prior to the Revised Election Deadline.
Notwithstanding the election or deemed election of a MEG Shareholder for Cash Consideration or Share Consideration, such MEG Shareholder may receive a combination of Cash Consideration and Share Consideration (or a different combination than what was elected by such MEG Shareholder), depending on the elections (including deemed elections) made by all other MEG Shareholders.
A MEG Shareholder will not actually receive any consideration until the Improved Cenovus Transaction is completed and all required documents are submitted to the Depositary, including the Letter of Transmittal and Election Form and any certificate(s) or DRS Advice(s) representing their MEG Shares.
Due to the time sensitivity and the
Please courier or hand deliver to
Registered MEG Shareholders: No further action is required of MEG Shareholders who have already submitted an election under the Initial Cenovus Transaction and who do not wish to change such election. For the benefit of those who have not yet made an election or who wish to change their election, MEG shall deliver a Letter of Transmittal and Election Form to each registered MEG Shareholder which will outline the necessary documentation and information required to make an election in respect of the consideration such MEG Shareholder wishes to receive under the Improved Cenovus Transaction. Registered MEG Shareholders can refer to the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal and Election Form and ensure they provide the required documentation and information to the Depositary ahead of the Revised Election Deadline.
Beneficial MEG Shareholders: No further action is required of MEG Shareholders who have already submitted an election under the Initial Cenovus Transaction and who do not wish to change such election. MEG Shareholders who have not yet made an election or who wish to change their election, and whose MEG Shares are not registered in their name but are held by an intermediary or broker may provide instructions to their broker or other nominee to make or change the election on such MEG Shareholder's behalf. Intermediaries and brokers may establish earlier deadlines to make an election, and the MEG Board urges such beneficial MEG Shareholders to contact their intermediary or broker for specific instructions.
MEG Board Unanimously Recommends MEG Shareholders Vote FOR the Improved Cenovus Transaction
The MEG Board, informed in part by the recommendation of a special committee of independent directors (the "Special Committee") and after considering advice from its external financial and legal advisors, unanimously determined that the Improved Cenovus Transaction is in the best interests of MEG, and approved the Amending Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. The MEG Board recommends MEG Shareholders vote FOR the Improved Cenovus Transaction at the Meeting.
The Improved Cenovus Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including: (i) approval by at least 66⅔% of the MEG Shareholders represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting; (ii) approval of the
The MEG Board recommends that MEG Shareholders vote FOR the Improved Cenovus Transaction for the following reasons:
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Enhanced Premium. The
$29.80 Improved Transaction Consideration represents a 46% premium to MEG's unaffected 20-day volume-weighted average share price onMay 15, 2025 , the last trading day before Strathcona's initial public announcement that it intended to acquire MEG, and a$2.35 and$1.32 increase per MEG Share, respectively, to the Initial Transaction Consideration at the time of announcement onAugust 22, 2025 and based on the current market value of the Initial Transaction Consideration as atOctober 7, 2025 . The Improved Cenovus Transaction values MEG at approximately$8.6 billion (including assumed debt), or$79,500 per bpd, the highest value ever paid for a pure-play oil sands asset. -
Preferred Strategic Alternative After Comprehensive Review of All Alternatives. MEG's comprehensive review process involved outreach to over 15 parties and the publicly-announced process gave other parties the opportunity to express interest. MEG received three non-binding proposals, including one from Cenovus, and through rigorous negotiations, MEG secured an increase in the Cenovus offer from
$25.00 to$27.25 per MEG Share (at announcement) and increased the equity component from 20% to 25%. The Amending Agreement includes Improved Transaction Consideration of$29.80 per MEG Share with an increase in the equity component from 25% to 50%, representing the third enhancement from the terms originally put forward by Cenovus. -
Participation in Realization of Significant Synergies. The Improved Cenovus Transaction provides MEG Shareholders the ability to participate in future upside through ownership in Cenovus, an industry-leading producer with significant scale and growth potential. The combined company will benefit from greater efficiencies and significant synergies, and Cenovus expects to realize approximately
$150 million in near-term annual synergies, increasing to over$400 million per year in 2028 and beyond. Increased equity consideration under the Amending Agreement further enhances participation by MEG Shareholders in the synergies expected from the Improved Cenovus Transaction. -
Upside Potential in Cenovus Shares. 100% of equity research analysts covering Cenovus rate Cenovus Shares with a "buy" recommendation. The Improved Cenovus Transaction offers MEG Shareholders an option to choose their preferred form of consideration in the form of the Cash Consideration, the Share Consideration or a combination thereof. Increased equity consideration under the Amending Agreement further enhances upside participation for MEG Shareholders.
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Accelerates MEG's Standalone Value. Cenovus plans to spend an incremental
~$400 million of capital between 2026-2028 to accelerate value and deliver production capacity of 150,000 bpd atChristina Lake by 2028, 15,000 bpd above what is expected of MEG's standalone business plan. -
Certainty of Value and Robust Liquidity. The Improved Cenovus Transaction offers a high degree of value certainty, with 50% of the value of total consideration in highly liquid Cenovus Shares and 50% in cash. The Cenovus Shares will be freely tradeable immediately upon closing.
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Recommended by Both Independent Proxy Advisory Firms. On
September 26, 2025 andSeptember 30, 2025 Institutional Shareholder Services andGlass, Lewis & Co. , respectively, each announced that they recommend MEG Shareholders vote FOR the Initial Cenovus Transaction.
For additional detail, please refer to MEG's investor presentation dated
MEG's management information circular in respect of the Initial Cenovus Transaction dated
Advisors
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements contained in this news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "potential", "growth", "opportunity", "future" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "likely", "may", "should", "would", "might" or "could" occur. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by such words. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond MEG's control. MEG believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon.
Specific forward-looking information contained in this news release includes, among others, statements pertaining to the following: that the Improved Cenovus Transaction offers improved transaction economics; the timing and location of the Meeting; the timing of the Revised Proxy Deadline and of the Revised Election Deadline and the impact of failing to meet such deadlines; the treatment of previously submitted proxies; the form of consideration that MEG Shareholders will receive under the Improved Cenovus Transaction, including as a result of deemed elections and pro-ration based on elections made by other MEG Shareholders; the completion of the Improved Cenovus Transaction, including the anticipated timing thereof and the satisfaction of the closing conditions under the Amending Agreement; the timing for receipt of consideration by MEG Shareholders under the Improved Cenovus Transaction; anticipated benefits of the Improved Cenovus Transaction, including participation in future upside of Cenovus; that the combined company will benefit from greater efficiencies and significant synergies, including Cenovus's expectations to realize
Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, MEG's expectations regarding its future, growth, results of operations, production, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, plans for and results of drilling activity, environmental matters, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking information reflects MEG's current beliefs and assumptions and is based on information currently available to it.
With respect to forward-looking information contained in this news release, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the satisfaction of the closing conditions in respect of the Improved Cenovus Transaction; the approval of the Improved Cenovus Transaction at the Meeting and the completion of the Improved Cenovus Transaction on anticipated terms and timing, or at all; MEG's standalone business plan; the future Cenovus Share price and the liquidity of the Cenovus Shares; the price of common shares of Strathcona and the future trading liquidity of such Strathcona common shares; future crude oil, bitumen blend, natural gas, electricity, condensate and other diluent prices; that tariffs currently in effect will remain the same; the combined company's ability to obtain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost-efficient manner; foreign exchange rates and interest rates; the applicability of technologies for the recovery and production of reserves and contingent resources; the recoverability of reserves and contingent resources; the ability to produce and market production of bitumen blend successfully to customers; MEG's ability to maintain its dividend and capital programs; future production levels and SOR; future capital and other expenditures; operating costs; anticipated sources of funding for operations and capital investments; the regulatory framework governing royalties, land use, taxes and environmental matters, including federal and provincial climate change policies, in the jurisdictions in which MEG and Cenovus conduct and will conduct their business; future debt levels; geological and engineering estimates in respect of reserves and contingent resources; the geography of the areas in which MEG is conducting exploration and development activities; the impact of increasing competition; the ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; and business prospects and opportunities. Many of the foregoing assumptions are subject to change and are beyond MEG's control.
Some of the risks that could affect MEG's future results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include: the risk that the Improved Cenovus Transaction may be varied, accelerated or terminated in certain circumstances; risks relating to the outcome of the Improved Cenovus Transaction, including the risks associated with approval at the Meeting; the risk that the closing conditions under the Improved Cenovus Transaction may not be satisfied, or to the extent permitted, waived; the risk that operating results will differ from what is currently anticipated; MEG's status and stage of development; the concentration of MEG's production in a single project; the majority of MEG's total reserves and contingent resources are non-producing and/or undeveloped; the uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; long-term reliance on third parties; the effect or outcome of litigation; the effect of any diluent supply constraints and increases in the cost thereof; the potential delays of and costs of overruns on projects and future expansions of MEG's assets; operational hazards; competition for, among other things, capital, the acquisition of reserves and resources, pipeline capacity and skilled personnel; risks inherent in the bitumen recovery process; changes to royalty regimes; the failure of MEG to meet specific requirements in respect of its oil sands leases; claims made by Indigenous peoples; unforeseen title defects and changes to the mineral tenure framework; risks arising from future acquisition activities; sufficiency of funds; fluctuations in market prices for crude oil, natural gas, electricity and bitumen blend; future sources of insurance for MEG's property and operations; public health crises, similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, including weakness and volatility of crude oil and other petroleum products prices from decreased global demand resulting from public health crises; risk of war (including the conflicts between
The foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and factors is not exhaustive. The effect of any one risk, uncertainty or factor on particular forward-looking information is not determinable with certainty as these factors are independent, and management's future course of action would depend on an assessment of all available information at that time. Although, based on information available to MEG on the date of this news release, MEG believes that the expectations in and assumptions used in such forward-looking information are reasonable, MEG gives no assurances as to future results, levels of activity or achievements and cannot make assurances that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that the actual results achieved may vary from the forward-looking information provided herein and that the variations may be material. Readers are also cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions, risks and factors is not exhaustive.
Further information regarding the assumptions and risks inherent in the making of forward-looking statements and in respect of the Improved Cenovus Transaction can be found under the heading "Risk Factors" in MEG's annual information form dated
The forward-looking information included in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. Unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking information included in this news release is made as of the date of this news release and MEG assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by applicable Canadian securities laws. Due to the risks, uncertainties and assumptions inherent in forward-looking information, readers should not place undue reliance on this forward-looking information.
For further information:
Shareholder Questions:
MEG Investor Relations, 403.767.0515, invest@megenergy.com
Media Questions:
MEG Media Relations, 403.775.1131, media@megenergy.com
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