Muscat – Abraj Energy Services, an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Oman’s global integrated energy group OQ, on Sunday announced its intention to proceed with an initial public offering (IPO) in February and listing on the Muscat Stock Exchange in March.

OQ (the selling shareholder) intends to offer up to 49 per cent of Abraj’s share capital in the IPO. The offer represents the divestment of shares currently held by the selling shareholder. After the IPO, a minimum of 51 per cent shareholding will continue to be indirectly held by OQ.

Abraj’s listing on the Muscat Stock Exchange will provide investors with access to one of Oman’s leading onshore oil and gas field services providers, with a wide service offering including drilling, workover and well services.

The IPO will be open to the eligible investors in Oman and eligible international investors outside the United States (Phase I investors) and to retail investors in Oman (Phase II investors).

The subscription period for Phase I and Phase II investors is expected to commence in February, after receiving the required approval from the CMA. Admission of the shares to trading on the MSX is expected in March 2023, Abraj said in a press statement.

Dividend policy

Abraj is proposing to pay yearly dividends, subject to debt repayments and covenants, working capital requirements, operational expenditure obligations, growth plans and the necessary approvals. In 2023 the company intends to pay a dividend of 85 per cent of profit for the year ended December 31, 2022.

In 2024 and 2025, Abraj intends to pay a yearly dividend for the years 2023 and 2024, respectively, which is the higher of 85 per cent of the prior year’s profit or a six per cent increase on the prior year’s dividend.

Ayad al Balushi, chairman of the board of directors at Abraj, said, “Through its commitment to technological innovation and quality services, Abraj has earned its place as one of the leading Omani onshore oilfield drilling and well services companies. We are confident that Abraj is now well positioned to enter its next phase of growth as a publicly listed company on the MSX and look forward to welcoming our new shareholders on our growth journey.”

Saif al Hamhami, CEO of Abraj, said, “Throughout economic cycles, Abraj has demonstrated remarkable resilience, delivering strong financial performance and growth and ongoing innovation in new drilling technologies and well services. These are fundamentally important attributes as we look to an ambitious future of continued leadership in Oman and a corporate strategy that leverages the company’s long-standing relationships and diverse customer base.”

“Through this offering, we believe investors have an opportunity to gain exposure to a profitable, growing company with one of the MENA region’s youngest drilling fleets. We believe the company’s future is very bright, not least because it is already pre-qualified in four countries to conduct a range of services, setting the stage for international expansion geared towards delivering growth and shareholder value.”

As per the company, the IPO will be conducted in the manner approved by the CMA and will be offered in two tranches. Institutional offering (Phase I) represents a maximum of 85 per cent of the total offering, and will be made to eligible investors in Oman and international investors outside the United States. Retail offering (Phase II) represents a minimum of 15 per cent of the total offering, and will be made to retail investors.

If there is excess demand from retail investors, the Phase II offering may be increased up to a maximum of 35 per cent of the total offering size in line with the regulatory requirements, and the Phase I offering will be reduced in size accordingly. Alternatively, if the aggregate demand from retail investors in Phase II is less than 15 per cent of the offer, then after full allocation to retail investors, the balance of the shares shall be made available to institutional investors in the Phase I offering, if there is oversubscription in Phase I.

Ahli Bank, EFG-Hermes UAE Limited (acting in conjunction with EFG Hermes UAE LLC) and National Bank of Oman have been appointed as joint global coordinators, and Ahli Bank and National Bank of Oman have been appointed as issue managers.

Abraj’s strengths

Abraj is the leading and largest drilling contractor in Oman by contracted operating drilling rigs, with 29 per cent market share. The company operates one of the youngest rig fleets in the MENA region with a sizeable rig fleet comprising 25 drilling rigs and 5 workover rigs.

Abraj is a regional pioneer in using integrated hydraulic fracturing services to further the development of unconventional deep tight oil and gas in Oman.

The caters to a diverse client base with long-term recurring contracts resulting in high revenue visibility. Its client base includes international oil companies, such as BP and Oxy, and national oil companies, such as PDO and OQ Exploration & Production LLC.

Abraj boasts strong revenue – for the year ended December 31, 2021, the company earned RO125mn from contracts with customers and had a CAGR of 23 per cent from 2007 to 2021, supported by growth in its drilling rig fleet.