LinnCo LLC (LNCO), Berry Petroleum Company (BRY): Linn Energy LLC (LINE) is Back in the Game

Photo credit: Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE)

Though it has its doubters, Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE) has proved one thing; it’s still an acquisition machine. However, just proving that it’s one step closer to closing its transformational acquisition with affiliate LinnCo LLC (NASDAQ:LNCO) to acquire Berry Petroleum Company (NYSE:BRY) simply wasn’t enough. Instead, Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE) opened up its wallet and came back with $525 million in oily assets from the Permian Basin. Let’s take a closer look at its latest buy.

Details on the deal
Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE) is buying 124 producing wells on more than 6,250 net acres in the Permian Basin. Those wells produce about 4,800 barrels of oil equivalent per day, with about 63% of that production being oil. LINN is picking up proved reserves of 30 million barrels of oil, which should produce for the next 17 years and are 70% oil. However, this deal is more than just the present production.

There are two major future drivers to this deal which will fuel future cash flows. First, there are about 300 future low-risk drilling locations. In addition to that, Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE) believes there is a lot of potential in using an enhanced oil recovery technique using waterfloods. In fact, it sees the reserve potential increasing by 24 million barrels of oil equivalent thanks to future waterflood projects. So, while LINN notes that this deal is expected to immediately be accretive to cash available for distribution, this deal was also made with an eye toward the future.

Cash or credit?
Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE) is taking out a $500 million senior secured term loan to pay for the deal. While LINN is putting a portion of the deal on its revolving credit facility, the fact that it’s going to its banks to take out a term loan tells me something. Those banks don’t see the same issues with LINN’s cash flow or hedging practices that short-sellers do. I’d view that as a nice show of confidence from Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE)’s banking partners.

Popularity of the Permian
LINN is paying up to add to its position in the Permian. It’s a very popular play these days, which is another reason why the Berry Petroleum transaction is so important. This legacy play is the oil field that keeps on giving, which is why LINN is not the only upstream MLP that has had its eyes on the Permian.