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The Texas Lawbook

Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury

  • Appellate
  • Bankruptcy
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Corp. Deal Tracker/M&A
  • GCs/Corp. Legal Depts.
  • Firm Management
  • White-Collar/Regulatory
  • Pro Bono/Public Service/D&I

CDT Roundup: Six Deals, 5 Firms, 50 Lawyers, $1.98B

July 20, 2020 Allen Pusey

Buried under the recap transactions that pass these days for energy industry deals — excepting Chevron’s blockbuster purchase of Noble Energy this week — it would be easy not to notice an uptick in deals involving that step-sibling of oil and gas: renewables.

On July 10, the Japanese power company, Osaka-based Kansai Holding, purchased a 48.5% share of the Aviator Wind Project. Aviator is a wind farm of 191 wind turbines located in Coke County near San Angelo. It will be the largest such facility in Texas when it goes commercial in August. It was Kansai’s first renewable investment in the U.S. and its fifth worldwide. And not the only significant investment in wind during the week.

On Wednesday Canadian clean energy developer Innergex Renewable Energy paid $56.8 million for six wind farms in Idaho.

On Thursday energy giant BP announced that it would buy the 50% stake it doesn’t already own in the 162-turbine, 300-megawatt facility called Fowler Ridge 1 in central Indiana. The company already owns a stake in Fowler Ridge II and owns III outright; in all, BP owns nine wind farms in six states.

That same day EIG Global Energy Partners announced a $100 million credit facility had been provided to Modern Energy, a clean energy development company located in North Carolina. And Minneapolis-based Castlelake LP announced that it is investing $840 million into renewable power sources in Brazil through Ebitu Energia, the hydro- and wind-generated energy subsidiary it purchased last year.

On June 29, Riverstone Holdings bought a stake in four recently built plants that produce photovoltaic cells for solar panels. On July 1, Florida-based Sunnova announced a $100 million secondary offering of 6 million shares.

Even this week, as a Mississippi bank sells its energy portfolio at a 50% discount, California automaker Fisker, Inc. took in a $1 billion investment for the development of its eco-friendly SUV.

Many of these transactions involved Texas lawyers.

Coronavirus or not, there’s something happening here; and what it is is abundantly clear: renewables are coming of age in Texas.

“If Texas were a country, it would be the fifth largest wind generating country in the world,” said Becky Diffen, a partner in the Austin office of Norton Rose Fulbright. Diffen specializes in renewable energy deals and was the lead lawyer in the Kansai/Aviator wind farm deal.

Diffen specialized in renewables long before it was profitable. Even before becoming a lawyer she worked as a developer for Texas-based Cielo Wind Power, an early pioneer in wind farms.

Diffen says that while oil and gas producers have been buffeted by price wars and drops in demand, wind and solar transactions have remained steady as they rise in their share of the marketplace. And the development has not gone unnoticed.

“I’ve noticed a change in my friends in oil and gas. They used to ask why I was involved in renewables. Lately, they want to learn more about it,” Diffen says.

Aside from the high-profile ventures like the West Texas wind farms, Diffen says there are other significant ventures afoot involving renewable storage, wind/solar production and offshore wind farm development.

“There no question about it; renewables are officially here to stay,” Diffen said.

This week’s dealmaking was tough to report. As recently as six months ago, only two of the deals would have likely to be included in The Roundup.

In all, there were only six deals worth just under $2 billion. They involved only four M&A transactions worth $1.4 billion and two capital markets deals generating $575 million. The deals involved only five firms and 50 lawyers.

Weekly Corporate Deal Tracker Roundup Stats

A compilation of weekly stats from The Lawbook's CDT Weekly Roundup
(Deal Values in Millions)

Week Ending
Deal CountAmountFirmsLawyersM&A CountM&A Value $MCapM Count
CapM Value $M
24-May-202515$24,0331112113$23,6242$409
17-May-202516$21,7601214511$18,6155$3,145
10-May-202524$33,1751620619$30,7655$2,410
03-May-202511$4,249139011$2,226.52$2,022.5
26-Apr-202512$8,78791689$6,0113$2,776
19-Apr-202511$8,09771389$7,9852$112
12-Apr-202513$2,392815210$2,0653$327
05-Apr-202519$27,7621518816$25,4733$2,289
29-Mar-202521$8,1881025816$4,1255$4,064
22-Mar-202519$6,4851423115$4,1284$2,857
15-Mar-202513$13,7371315110$9,9324$3,805
8-Mar-20257$2,2345665$2242$2,100
1-Mar-202511$3,05087510$2,5501$500
24-Feb-2512$16,39771496$6,6356$9,862
17-Feb-2517$12,1361313410$9,4112$2,725
10-Feb-2514$7,15491799$4,9505$2,204
3-Feb-2516 $10,068720011$7,5535$2,515
25-Jan-2514$10,261101259$2,2075$8,054
18-Jan-2519$7,3821531612$2,3007$5,082
11-Jan-2521$33,5601618716$32,5215$1,039
4-Jan-259$6,8279809$6,82700
21-Dec-2411$2,79811928$2,2293$570
14-Dec-2415$5,3231218612$3,8123$1,511
07-Dec-2416$4,7661023111$2,32152,445
30-Nov-2410$10,29191034$8,2906$2.001
23-Nov-2415$4,5531515311$3,3794$1,174
16-Nov-2417$11,4881124513$10,1864$1,303
09-Nov-2414$2,1101213912$1,4102$700
02-Nov-2412 $52,788 1110711$52,7381$50
26-Oct-248$3,1608657$3,0651$75
19-Oct-2412$5,3041113611$4,5541$750
12-Oct-2417$8,4381215015$8,1162$322
05-Oct-2422$23,1811218915$19,9807$3,201
28-Sep-2411$2,35671447$534$2,303
21-Sep-2412$9,568101695$4,1017$5,467
14-Sep-2424$10,9881223516$7,1758$3,813
7-Sep-2412$20,4201616811$20,3071$112.9
31-Aug-2413$20,631913412$14,7751$5,856
24-Aug-2419$8,4522132516$7,1023$1,350
17-Aug-2425$49,1961630411$39,38614$9,810
10-Aug-2420$12,2641531216$9,7944$2,470
03-Aug-2426$16,4981633418$8,1378$8,361
27-Jul-2419$16,4422127115$13,8384$2,604
20-Jul-2415$16,0161418410$14,2325$1,784
13-Jul-2420$17,220 1426518$7,146 2$10,074
6-Jul-2411$3,941 11958$2,650 3$1,291
29-Jun-2414$6,296 152248$6,296 6$1,927
22-Jun-2412$5,679 81375$210 7$5,469
15-Jun-2413$9,895 1621410$5,280 3$4,615
8-Jun-2419$23,859 1323912$19,436 7$4,423
1-Jun-2412$34,510 111479$26,110 3$8,400
25-May-2413$9,684 1517110$4,434 3$5,250
18-May-2411$5,490 111738$3,129 3$2,361
11-May-2422$14,855 1422716$11,105 6$3,750
4-May-2413$3,139 98710$1,297 3$1,842
27-Apr-2410$6,684 62810$6,684 00
20-Apr-2419$15,989 111479$5,208 10$10,781
13-Apr-2413$8,952 97610$1,652 3$7,300
6-Apr-2423$26,616 1422214$13,501 8$13,116
30-Mar-2412$9,286 81368$4,299 4$4,987
23-Mar-2418$5,451 1726616$4,759 2$692
16-Mar-2421$11,437 1318614$9,316 6$2,070
9-Mar-2423$4,695 2121819$2,723 4$1,972
2-Mar-2420$9,108 1937214$4,558 6$4,550
24-Feb-2419$16,382 1224815$9,507 4$6,875
17-Feb-2416$29,932 1515712$29,216 4$716
10-Feb-2425$10,750 1719619$5,372 6$5,379
3-Feb-2412$8,416 181259$3,416 3$5,000
27-Jan-249$8,165 9878$7,815 1$800
20-Jan-2414$4,084 1210912$3,219 2$865
13-Jan-2417$33,588 1225612$26,765 5$6,823
6-Jan-248$7,915 8846$7,265 2$650
30-Dec-2317$14,599 129915$2,714 2$11,885
23-Dec-2323$4,182 1321916$1,813 7$2,370
16-Dec-2313$16,436 132807$15,150 5$1,286
9-Dec-2326$14,633.90 1724416$8,095 10$6,538.90
2-Dec-2313$6,720 95712$6,630 1$90
25-Nov-239$4,835 91316$1,785 3$3,050
18-Nov-2322$6,568.70 1718414$4,709.20 8$1,859.50
11-Nov-2315$9,825 1317912$6,581 3$3,244
4-Nov-2315$20,582.50 1419312$19,417.50 3$1,165
28-Oct-2318$68,419.10 1815215$66,646 3$1,773.10
21-Oct-2316$6,755.90 1616515$6,755.90 1$3
14-Oct-2314$67,851.20 131259$61,998.50 5$5,852.70
7-Oct-2317$6,595.50 1322816$5,995.50 1$600
30-Sep-2317$1,896.45 1318914$806.45 3$1,090
23-Sep-2323$6,432.70 1723016$1,402.80 7$5,029.90
16-Sep-2325$23,226.70 2335316$17,239 9$5,987.70
9-Sep-2312$6,369 81027$4,311 5$2,058
2-Sep-2314$2,522 69213$1,322 1$1,200
26-Aug-2317$12,160.25 1320215$6,573.25 2$5,587.00
19-Aug-2319$11,505 1321315$11,255 4$250
12-Aug-2319$9,698.80 131847$3,270 12$6,428.80
5-Aug-2313$5,201 1211812$5,051 1$150
29-Jul-2315$21,031.60 1319611$18,292.00 4$2,739.60
22-Jul-2318$3,992 1213013$2,808 5$1,184
15-Jul-2313$8,254.95 138113$8,254.95 00
8-Jul-2316$5,441.45 1217211$2,443 5$2,998.45
1-Jul-2316$6,872 1010512$5,474 4$1,398
24-Jun-2313$10,914 1620110$7,874 3$3,040
17-Jun-2317$5,880.70 1515115$4,705.70 2$1,175
10-Jun-2319$8,516.10 1311116$6,252.40 3$2,263.70
June 3 202312$6,104.42 121388$4,256.92 4$1,847.50
27-May-2317$12,200 106711$6,165 6$6,035
20-May-2311$22,458.10 81034$19,455 7$3,003
13-May-2312$7,034 101018$5,460 4$1,574
6-May-2320$3,297.60 1819617$2,985.60 3$312
29-Apr-2323$3,691.20 1813517$1,969.70 6$1,721.50
22-Apr-2316$5,570 1410414$4,750 2$1,000
15-Apr-2312$23,818.10 95910$21,618.10 2$2,200
8-Apr-2316$7,949 91739$5,472 7$3,477
1-Apr-2321$18,676.70 1217511$10,926.70 10$7,750
25-Mar-2315$8,779.50 101415$2,362 10$6,416.50
18-Mar-237$14,048.80 6695$13,345 2$703.80
11-Mar-2321$11,576 1616516$8,131 5$3,445
4-Mar-2320$9,668 1122816$8,209 4$1,459
25-Feb-2313$5,335 1313012$4,235 1$1,200
18-Feb-2314$5,743.70 131588$898.70 6$4,845
11-Feb-2316$12,088 1213712$9,965 4$2,123
4-Feb-2317$8,066 1514013$5,614 4$2,452
28-Jan-237$2,180 7755$1,692.75 2$488
21-Jan-2317$5,768 1617412$1,918 5$3,850
14-Jan-2311$2, 800101028$421 3$2,400
7-Jan-2318$8,296 1116714$6,461 3$1,835
31-Dec-2214$2,732 119912$2,092 2$640
17-Dec14$7,919 1311512$7,419 1$500
10-Dec-2214$10,093 128811$7,093 3$3,000
3-Dec-2226$12,800.90 1117220$4,141 6$8,659.90
26-Nov-228$2,266.70 853$76 5$2,190.70
19-Nov-2221$2,886 1521219$2,550 2$336
12-Nov-2213$15,093.70 9819$14,200 4$893.70
5-Nov-222519,337.201650922$8,267.20 3$11,070
29-Oct-2215$7,805.30 911614$7,180.30 1$625
22-Oct-2220$8,193.50 1325313$5,442 7$2,751.50
15-Oct-229$3,046.10 91397$2,588.30 2$457.80
8-Oct-2219$2,011.80 1211416$833.80 3$1,178
1-Oct-2223$5,532.90 1615618$4,952.30 5$580.60
24-Sep-2218$5,194 1421615$4,050 3$1,144
17-Sep-2221$8,352.30 1232015$4,759.60 6$3,592.70
10-Sep-2215$19,853.50 1012613$19,403.60 2$450
3-Sep-229$2,312 9629$2,312 00
27-Aug-2216$30,891.70 1013515$30,666.40 1227.7
20-Aug-2212$1,977 815299253$1,052
13-Aug-2218$8,004.70 1124211$2,844.70 7$5,160
6-Aug-2224$7,948.90 1224017$3,577 7$4,371.90
30-Jul-228$6,941 9787$6,839 1$102
23-Jul-2211$801 119210$801 10
16-Jul-2214$3,650 1012214$3,650 00
9-Jul-2210$3,557.70 7689$3,557.70 10
2-Jul-2218$8,609.40 1315215$2,754.40 3$5,855
25-Jun-2215$6,142 131469$2,017 6$4,125
18-Jun-2217$11,890.10 1422815$11,410 2479.7
11-Jun-2217$7,600 1212310$2,300 7$5,300
4-Jun-2212$2,937 101279$692 3$2,245
28-May-229$3,197.60 11869$3,197.60 00
21-May-2214$7,284.50 1218511$6,609 3$675.50
14-May-2211$306.60 98010$306.60 1$225
7-May-2216$10,451.75 1210812$1,827 4$8,624.75
30-Apr-2216$2,296.50 1615712$895.50 4$1,401
23-Apr-2210$2,241 11588$1,641 2$600
16-Apr-2211$6,643 71568$2,359 3$4,284
9-Apr-2217$4,429 1418411$1,690 6$2,739
2-Apr-2213$1,755 88410$1,145 3$610
26-Mar-2211$3,205 8656$200 5$3,005
19-Mar-2213$2,239.17 910613$2,239.17 00
12-Mar-2218$12,016 1123915$11,965 2$51.35
5-Mar-2217$6,786 1313713$5,161 4$1,625
26-Feb-2212$5,095 81499$4,437.50 3$658
19-Feb-2217$22,229 1717414$21,354 3$875
12-Feb-2212$2,344.70 10738$641.70 4$1,703
5-Feb-2211$2,503 89911$2,503 00
29-Jan-2211$3,872 1210112$3,872 00
22-Jan-2213$5,143.50 109912$4,842.50 1$301
15-Jan-2212$7,605 91559$6,480 3$1,025
8-Jan-2213$8,256.20 1110213$8,256.20 00
1-Jan-229$1,273.80 6509$1,273.80 00
25-Dec-2121$4,734.75 1117616$3,410 5$1,324.75
18-Dec-2126$7,325.20 1519318$3,640.20 8$3,685.20
11-Dec-2116$5,017 1010913$1,417 3$3,600
4-Dec-2114$2,310 8868$2,310 6$1,882.05
27-Nov-219$3.460.1101016$1,758 3$1,702.60
20-Nov-2120$22,792 1515712$18,864.50 8$3,928
13-Nov-2121$26,729 1217813$11,822 8$14,907
6-Nov-2112$8,303 1315710$6,682 3$1,621
30-Oct-2121$10,368 1521815$9,24.46$1,103.00
23-Oct-2121$18.783.11522211$12,314 10$6,468.60
16-Oct-2115$3,868 1111815$2,293 2$1,575
9-Oct-2120$8,610 1617516$7,795 4$815
2-Oct-2114$6,250 1113710$5,200 4$1,050
25-Sep-2111$11,460 9937$10,200 4$1,250
18-Sep-2111$16,603 8998$15,084 3$1,519
11-Sep-2117$10,653 1110313$8,503 4$2,150
4-Sep-2113$7,222 108911$6,715 2$507
28-Aug-2112$763 96311$663 1$100
21-Aug-2112$29,659 77911$29,579 1$80
14-Aug-2122$17,845 1119912$12,805 10$5,04
7-Aug-2117$13,670 1213915$11,766 2$1,904
31-Jul-2121$8,160 1113410$3,574 10$4,586
July 24,202121$6,367 1113915$3,712 6$2,655
17-Jul-2114$4,009 1112412$2,015 2$1,994
10-Jul-2116$3,997 1314311$1,597 4$2,4
3-Jul-2124$7,492 139416$3,769 8$3,722
26-Jun-2110$4,995 7858$3,847 2$1,148
19-Jun-2128$16,830 82289$1,861 19$14,968
12-Jun-2126$27,238 1520919$25,602 7$1,636
5-Jun-2115$15,539 1310013$14,709 2$600
29-May-2135$20,279 1114528$18,647$1,639
22-May-2124$53,208 1417417$51,047 7$2,161
15-May-2118$10,620 1322011$5,870 7$4,809
8-May-2117$10,400 1115615$8,386 2$2,500
1-May-2121$7,200 1611512$3,808 9$3,392
24-Apr-218$20,200 9318$20,200 00
17-Apr-2114$6,270 810211$40,180 3$2,260
10-Apr-2115$8,940 1312914$7,990 1$950
3-Apr-2118$19,513 1015112$16,923 6$2,590
27-Mar-2127$13,942 1524414$4,300 13$9,633.50
20-Mar-2111$2,046 41023$270 8$1,776
13-Mar-2115$3,270 91096$538 9$2,732
6-Mar-2124$13,617 1019613$10,395 11$3,222
27-Feb-2119$8,105 1213915$4,970 4$3,135
20-Feb-219$8,820 91538$8,520 1$300
13-Feb-2112$4,852.60 78172,7665$2,086.60
6-Feb-2118$9,752 1315314$5,222 4$4,530
30-Jan-2118$9,449 918215$8,753.80 3$695.30
23-Jan-2114$8,150 81186$4,000 8$4,150
16-Jan-2117$6,783 1313811$2,400 6$4,382.90
9-Jan-2122$6,829 1413518$3,139.30 4$3,690
2-Jan-217$1,466 7607$1,466 00
26-Dec-2018$15,900 1216316$5,300 1$600
19-Dec-2018$9,769 1411014$8,426 4$1,343
12-Dec-2010$7,200 91009$3,325 1$3,830
5-Dec-2015$4,261 91229$2,780 6$1,481
28-Nov-2019$7,758 1011013$4,003 6$3,755
14-Nov-2014$864.10 1415712$289.10 2$575
7-Nov-2013$6,332 91299$2,483.50 4$3,849
31-Oct-2010$3,995.80 81036$3,231.10 4$754.70
24-Oct-206$18,100 6585$17,709 1$350
17-Oct-208$351.90 5558$351.90 00
10-Oct-207$5,229 3504$735 3$4,494
3-Oct-2014$21,428 91739$17,535 5$3,893
26-Sep-2010$12,770 8935$10,300 5$2,470
19-Sep-2014$8,365 91016$1,020 8$7,345
12-Sep-206$4,406 8593$1,270 3$3,136
5-Sep-2011$5,191 81179$4,061 2$1,130
29-Aug-2011$2,531 9945$1,130 6$1,401
22-Aug-2018$6,574 121407$1,930 11$4,644
15-Aug-2013$4,991 10977$1,216 6$3,775
8-Aug-2012$32,092 111129$30,457 3$1,635
1-Aug-207$5,287 8765$3,687 2$1,600
25-Jul-209$18,751 6677$18,403 2$348
18-Jul-206$1,982.50 5504$1,407.50 2$575
11-Jul-2011$565.10 127510$65.10 1$500
4-Jul-2010$8,889 8989$8,788 1$100.30
27-Jun-208$6,874 10505$4,972.50 3$2,081.50
20-Jun-2012$4,444 91157$2,829 5$1,615
13-Jun-206$3,582 4372$350 4$3,232
6-Jun-2011$3,213.70 8657$470 4$2,743.70
30-May-208$7,335 7486$4,639 2$2,697
23-May-204$432.40 4343$432.40 10
16-May-206$310 6345$310 10
9-May-2018$5,630 1612414$3,180 4$2,450
2-May-201510,40010908$1,900 7$,8,500
25-Apr-208$3,400 9365$1,000 3$2,450
18-Apr-2019$9,500 14928$185.70 11$9,360
11-Apr-2012$6,000 9405$190 7$5,800
4-Apr-2014$8,200 116810$2,200 4$6,000
28-Mar-2016$6,500 139610$3,700 6$2,800
21-Mar-2011$11,910 7337$2,250 4$9,960
14-Mar-207809.86346684.81125
7-Mar-2016$2,500 157013$669 3$1,400
29-Feb-2013$15,260 1312811$11,760 2$3,500
22-Feb-2012$3,700 109210$2,560 2$1,130
15-Feb-2016$1,250 108412$35 4$1,222
8-Feb-2018$6,080 1412314$2,595 4$3,485
1-Feb-2021$20,900 1210114$17,860 7$3,060
25-Jan-2013$7,430 136212$6,430 1$1,000
18-Jan-2023$9,580 1512019$6,580 4$3,000
11-Jan-2021$14,200 1819916$1,020 5$13,200
4-Jan-2022$6,400 1111916$3,204 6$3,245
28-Dec-1922$7,150 1917518$6,800 4$327.40
14-Dec-1924$36,300 2316719$9,500 5$26,800
7-Dec-1911$10,400 11557$1,082 4$9,370
November 30. 201914$2,450 1212612$1,760 2$692.50
23-Nov-1916$1,995 104111$615 5$1,380
16-Nov-1915$3,820 1313511$2,500 4$1,271
9-Nov-1925$12,900 1718223$12,200 2$575
2-Nov-1910$2,470 126192,4503$22
26-Oct-1912$5,560 147011$3,860 1$1,700
19-Oct-198$6,600 81388$6,600 00
12-Oct-1919$4,300 145516$3,800 3$500
5-Oct-1918$14,500 1916615$11,100 3$3,400
28-Sep-1919$8,100 1813218$7,560 1$550
21-Sep-1914$6,300 166611$2,160 3$4,170
14-Sep-1915$23,800 125611$21,250 4$2,570
7-Sep-1917$3,500 159814$1,900 3$1,600
31-Aug-195$8,700 6505$8,700 00
24-Aug-1916$10,000 148215$4,250 1$5,750
16-Aug-1910$1,680 5527$650 3$950
9-Aug-1917$17,700 156814$3,900 3$13,800
2-Aug-1913$5,760 1210813$5,760 NANA
27-Jul-1911$7,300 13768$6,570 3$730
20-Jul-1913$11,800 1312511$5,300 2$6,500
13-Jul-1910$775 7468$542.50 2$233
6-Jul-197$2,500 9857$2,500 00
29-Jun-1923$8,290 1515417$2,300 6$5,970
22-Jun-1917$10,700 1013914$7,700 3$3,000
15-Jun-1911$13,500 1416011$13,500 NANA
8-Jun-1913$2,870 175511$1,570 2$1,300
1-Jun-1910$4,460 11608$4,140 2$315
25-May-1917$4,360 147914$3,700 3$612
18-May-1922$9,000 1715016$3,400 6$5,600
11-May-1918$19,800 1717715$18,300 3$1,500
4-May-1910$7,075 6328$6,900 2$175
27-Apr-1915$3,200 1411714$3,160 1$40
20-Apr-1913$13,500 10909$12,200 4$1,300
13-Apr-1916$38,900 149114$37,800 2$1,100
6-Apr-1912$6,870 119410$6,730 2$50
30-Mar-1915$6,470 128410$7,91.55$5,677
23-Mar-1918$6,450 149114$5,042 4$1,408
16-Mar-1914$10,180 1211511$8,800 3$1,300
9-Mar-199$1,800 6498$1,300 1$500
2-Mar-1920$3,033 1610714$1,817 6$1,262
23-Feb-1912$2,040 8699$614.60 3$1,430
16-Feb-1916$9,970 187716$9,970 00
9-Feb-1914$6,400 1011014$6,400 00
2-Feb-1918$6,740 159916$5,720 2$950
26-Jan-1913$2,770 116711$918.95 2$1,850
19-Jan-1915$3,819 167612$2,594 3$1,225
12-Jan-1918$7,283 149215$1,683 3$5,600
5-Jan-1910$529 125010$529 00
22-Dec-1817$2,570 138714$941 3$1,629
15-Dec-1810$2,860 8268$264 2$2,600
8-Dec-1815$1,819 166512$552 3$1,267
1-Dec-1812$7,500 10909$1,200 3$6,200
28-Nov-1815$4,500 1110714$4,000 1$500
19-Nov-1818$6,137 139813$2,142 5$3,995
14-Nov-1818$9,200 1315215$8,500 3$694
6-Nov-1816$17,300 1618314$16,361 2$950
29-Oct-1814$14,400 1812717$13,800 1$600
24-Oct-1813$6,140 1312611$5,122 2$1,018
17-Oct-1818$18,390 1512514$12,292 4$6,098
10-Oct-1829$3,149 1810420$1,647 9$819
2-Oct-1818$9,300 116714$7,300 4$2,000
25-Sep-1813$7,000 117510$6,000 3$995
18-Sep-189$3,570 7449$3,570 00
11-Sep-1813$5,900 1013213$5,900 00
7-Sep-1814$5,000 158611$4,000 3$1,000
29-Aug-1815$20,700 147913$4,700 2$16,000
20-Aug-1810$12,400 11538$11,380 3$1,057
14-Aug-1812$19,900 121329$18,889 3$1,011
7-Aug-1816$68,600 1110613$67,259 3$1,340
31-Jul-1815$15,100 159511$13,060 4$2,060
23-Jul-1813$2,130 156010$1,804 3$1,100
17-Jul-1814$5,370 17989$4,310 5$1,100
9-Jul-1816$11,200 157410$11,080 6$862
3-Jul-1813$7,000 78112$6,330 1$750
25-Jun-1815$8,800 13979$4,970 6$3,930
18-Jun-1813$14,200 14807$221 6$14,290
11-Jun-1812$6,300 8968$5,910 4$803
6-Jun-1813$14,500 10888$14,154 5$579
31-May-1811$4,890 10638$3,240 3$1,790
22-May-1815$20,400 11639$19,808 6$885
15-May-1815$4,700 1510610$3,900 5$643
9-May-1811$1,400 13889$1,300 2$560
1-May-188$14,250 7887$13,400 1$450
24-Apr-1812$5,300 66111$4,470 1$800
17-Apr-189$1,800 10447$2,330 2$1,434
11-Apr-1811$2,500 8326$1,690 5$809
3-Apr-1815$13,400 111219$12,020 6$1,090
28-Mar-1810$4,000 10927$3,870 3$215
19-Mar-1817$5,800 135110$590 7$5,165
12-Mar-1815$3,130 114311$2,360 4$788
6-Mar-1819$5,400 1311610$1,530 9$4,860
27-Feb-1820$6,600 136914$5,530 6$1,030
19-Feb-1815$5,500 1411110$3,990 6$1,980
12-Feb-1823$10,900 1715712$7,110 11$3,840
5-Feb-1816$8,600 131007$1,330 9$7,800
30-Jan-1811$12,600 11685$7,300 6$4,982
24-Jan-1819$9,400 151295$2,010 14$7,337
18-Jan-1810$6,280 8492$2,100 8$4,188
9-Jan-1812$16,500 12929$15,890 3$475
3-Jan-1810$2,500 9478$2,350 2$150
27-Dec-1715$9,000 151139$7,568 6$1,784
18-Dec-1715$13,800 161649$13,010 7$1,118
11-Dec-1714$9,700 1012612$2,940 4$8,500
4-Dec-176$1,800 6315$1,510 1$300
28-Nov-177$3,850 8764$3,260 3$285
16-Nov-1710$2,700 10486$1,840 4$856
8-Nov-1715$2,380 179110$1,860 5$516
1-Nov-1712$4,700 17949$3,400 4$1,300
23-Oct-1715$10,500 106710$9,780 4$1,530
18-Oct-176$2,000 373$225 3$1,820
10-Oct-1712$6,570 1009$3,880 3$3,360
2-Oct-178$3,100 11193$1,630 5$1,750
25-Sep-178$4,880 8795$2,660 5$2,070
18-Sep-179$4,770 3$300 6$4,470
12-Sep-1711$4,430 8$2,030 3$2,400
1-Sep-174$1,310 3$317 1$1,000
23-Aug-1711$13,640 98$11,840 3$1,800

Six transactions — and even those loosely defined — is as dismal as it sounds. You have to reach back to September 2017 to find fewer, at four. By more immediate contrast, there were 10 deals last week worth $8.9 billion; this week last year there were 13 deals worth $11.8 billion.

M&A/FUNDING/VENTURE CAPITAL

V&E Advises Merger of Automaker Fisker with Apollo Global SPAC

Fisker Inc., a California-based manufacturer of electric vehicles, announced July 13 that it is combining with an affiliate of Apollo Global Management to take the company public.

The transaction will provide more than $1 billion in funding for the company aimed specifically at bringing its all-electric SUV, the Fisker Ocean, into production by 2022.

Vinson & Elkins advised Spartan Energy Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) backed by Apollo Global Management. Spartan is merging with Fisker to create a business combination with a pro forma equity value of $2.9 billion.

The V&E team was led by Houston partner Ramey Layne and New York partners Brenda Lenahan, Jim Fox, John Kupiec and Shelley Barber, with assistance from counsel Doug Lionberger and counsel Patrick Whelan.

Other key Texas team members included IP partner Devika Kornbacher in Hosuton, IP senior associate Benjamin Cukerbaum in Austin, tax partners David Peck in Dallas and Jason McIntosh in Houston and tax associate Lauren Meyers in Dallas.

Fisker was advised by Orrick with Cowan serving as financial advisor. Spartan’s financial advisors were Citi and Goldman Sachs.

The $1 billion gross funding includes $500 million in a fully committed common stock PIPE at $10 per share anchored by new and existing investors – including Moore Strategic Ventures, AllianceBernstein, and funds managed by BlackRock and Federated Hermes Kaufmann.

Launched in 2016, Fisker Inc. is the brainchild of Danish American auto designer Henrik Fisker. Fisker vehicles — which have included the Fisker Karma — are dedicated to sleek design and high-functioning electric vehicles and hybrids which purport to be “the most emotionally desirable and eco-friendly electric vehicles on Earth.”

The Fisker Ocean will have a 250 to 300 mil all-electric range, optional four-wheel drive, a heads-up built-in windshield display panel and an emission-free “vegan interior” that includes materials recycled from old tee shirts and plastic bottles.

Fisker, who remain the company CEO, said: “This vote of confidence from investors, coupled with our exciting progress on the development of our first vehicle, lays out Fisker’s path to 2022 and beyond.”

Kosmos Energy Inks $150 million Prepayment Pact with Trafigura

Locke Lord announced last week that it had advised Dallas-based Kosmos Energy in its $150 million production prepayment agreement with the commodities trading group Trafigura Trading.

The agreement with Trafigura could provide for as much as $200 million for Kosmos through 2023, primarily from its Gulf Coast operations. Kosmos operates offshore on the Atlantic Margins, primarily in the U.S., Mexico and Africa.

The Locke Lord team led by Dallas partner Jason Schumacher and Houston partner Scott Arrington (Houston) and lawyers from Boston and New Orleans. They were assisted from Texas by tax partner Will Becker, John McKnight, Henry Benton, Sahil Nooruddin and Ashley Thurman (all of Dallas), as well as Brandon Lobb and Jeff Wallace (both of Houston).

The commitment will add liquidity and flexibility to the company’s finances, according to CFO Neal Shah.

New Tech Global and Sierra Hamilton Merge

Two oil and gas consultant companies, New Tech Global and Sierra Hamilton, announced that they have merged. Terms of the merger were not disclosed.

The newly combined company began operating as New Tech Global on July 1. In April, the two companies created a joint venture, NTGSH JV that allowed their subsidiaries to work together. The JV included New Tech Engineering, Sierra Hamilton and NTE Holdings.

Morgan Lewis advised New Tech Global with a team led by Houston partner Jeff Dinerstein. He was supported by Houston corporate associates Tara McElhiney, David Canales and Clara Betancourt. Litigation partner Sheila Armstrong in Dallas also weighed in, along with Houston finance partner Elizabeth Khoury Ali and Houston-based labor and employment associate Sarah Morton.

The combination has already provoked some controversy. Last week, the companies’ joint venture filed a conspiracy and trade secrets lawsuit in a Houston federal district court alleging two former prospective employees stole valuable transition documents from the joint venture.

The lawsuit accuses the two of using their employee access to steal customer contacts, fee structures and profit margins for the benefit of a competing oil field consultant, Austin-based RigUp, with whom they are now employed.

The company has asked the court for injunctive relief requiring the defendants to return the purloined documents, as well as damages.

Hancock Whitney Agrees to Sell $497M in Energy Loans for $257.5M

Los Angeles-based Oak Tree Capital Management has agreed to purchase a portfolio of $497 million in reclassified energy loans held by Hancock Whitney for $257.5 million nearly half their face value.

The loans were written down by Hancock Whitney in their second quarter results, ended June 30. The long-established banking firm based in Gulfport, Mississippi, Hancock Whitney said the sale was part of a strategy driven by the COVID-19 pandemic to “de-risk” its extensive loan portfolio.

Vinson & Elkins advised Oak Tree with a team led by Dallas partners Chris Dawe, Mike Bielby, John Grand and Houston finance counsel Ryan Hunsaker.

CAPITAL MARKETS

Latham Advises Purchasers of $500M Rattler Midstream Notes

In another effort to nail down refinancing, Rattler Midstream closed on $500 million 5.625% 2025 senior notes. Priced at par, the notes were sold to institutional funds, including foreign investors.

Rattler, a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, said the funds will be used to pay down a credit facility for Ratter Midstream Operating .

Latham & Watkins advised the initial purchasers with a Houston-based deal team led by partners Michael Chambers and John Greer, with associates Monica White, Caroline Ellerbe, Jordan Mack and Danielle Kinchen. Advice was also provided on tax matters by Houston partners Tim Fenn and Bryant Lee, with associates Michael Rowe and Chelsea Muñoz-Patchen; and on environmental matters by Houston partner Joel Mack with Los Angeles counsel Joshua Marnitz. 

Morgan Lewis Advises as Park Lawn Closes $75M Deal for Debentures

Park Lawn Corporation, a Canada-based distributor of funeral-related goods and services, closed an agreement last week with underwriters for $75 million in debentures.

The underwriters, co-led by CIBC Capital Markets and National Bank Financial Inc., are to purchase unsecured notes, due December 31, 2025, at a price of $1,000 per debenture, along with an option to purchase up to an additional $11.25 million more. The debentures bear 5.75% interest payable twice annually.

Morgan Lewis was U.S. counsel to Park Lawn in the transaction with a team that included three Texas lawyers: Houston partners Jeff Dinerstein and Elizabeth Khoury Ali, along with associate Clara Betancourt.

The company plans to use the funds to pay down its revolving credit facility.

OTHER:

PetIQ received regulatory approval for its acquisition of the Capstar brand flea killer this week, part of a $95 million transaction previously reported by The Lawbook. A Baker Botts duo from Washington D.C. advised PetIQ.


Eviva Partners set pricing at 103.75% of the principal amount for $150 million in 2026 senior notes previously announced by the firm. The notes have an effective 5.7% yield at maturity. The proceeds will go to the announced purchase of wood pellet plants in Georgia and South Carolina. Vinson & Elkins represented Enviva with a team led from Houston by partners David Stone and Ramey Layne.


SCM Topco, parent of Salt Creek Midstream said it had reached a comprehensive deal recapitalizing its debt structure with new, but undisclosed, infusions of cash from existing lenders and Ares Managment. Kirkland & Ellis advised SCM Topco from New York with a team that included Houston partners Lucas Spivey, Bill Benitez, and associates Scott Reid and Brice Lipman, also from Houston.


Winston & Strawn revealed this week it had advised healthcare provider DaVita Inc. in its May 26 pricing of $1.75 billion in senior notes maturing in 2030. The notes were priced at 100% face value with a 4.625% coupon yield. The company plans to use the proceeds to pay off $1.75 billion in 2024 notes. The pricing was led by New York-based Winston lawyers, but Dallas litigation partner Matt Orwig participated.


Allen Pusey

Allen Pusey is a senior editor and writer at The Texas Lawbook.

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