Oman's OQ Gas Networks plans Muscat's biggest IPO in almost two decades
DUBAI, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Oman's OQ Gas Networks (OQGN), the pipelines business of state oil giant OQ, said on Monday it plans to float up to 49% of its shares, in what is expected to be the biggest initial public offering in the Sultanate in almost two decades.
The offering, which begins this month, will provide investors with access to growth in the company that holds a natural monopoly over essential gas transportation in the country, the company said in a statement.
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OQGN is Oman's exclusive gas transportation system operator, supplying natural gas to the country's power plants, freezones, industrial clusters, LNG complexes and other customers.
The IPO could raise between $700 million and $800 million, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, which would make it the largest since Oman Telecommunications raised 288 million rials ($748.09 million) through the sale of a 30% stake in 2005.
OQGN did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the size of the IPO.
OQ, directly and indirectly through Oman Energy Trading Company Limited and Oman Oil Services Limited, is offering up to 49% of the shares, the document said.
The selling shareholders reserve the right to amend the size of the offering at any time before the end of the subscription period at their sole discretion. Immediately following the offering, a minimum of 51% will continue to be held by OQ.
The company plans to pay a semi-annual dividend in cash to investors after the offering. A first dividend of 33 million rials for the first nine months of 2023 is estimated to be paid around January next year, and a second dividend of 11 million rials for the last three months of 2023 will be paid around April, 2024.
Reuters first reported the IPO plans for the company last May.
The planned IPO follows the flotation of OQ's oil drilling business, Abraj Energy Services, in March which raised $244 million from selling a 49% stake.
Oman follows Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia in looking at sales of stakes in energy assets, capitalising on a rebound in crude prices to attract foreign investors and boost interest on their respective bourses.
OQGN's IPO is part of a broader divestment programme being implemented by the Sultanate's sovereign wealth fund, the Oman Investment Authority, Talal Al Awfi, OQ's Group CEO was quoted as saying in the statement on Monday.
"The listing of OQGN, which owns and operates critical gas transportation infrastructure in Oman, is in line with this ambition while enriching the dynamically developing Omani stock market," Al Awfi said. ($1 = 0.3850 Omani rials) (Reporting by Hadeel Al Sayegh, Editing by Louise Heavens, Sharon Singleton and Ed Osmond)