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TC Energy investors vote to spin off North American oil pipeline company

TC Energy investors voted in favour of spinning off the Canadian company's liquids pipeline company on Tuesday, creating a brand-new energy facilities firm known as South Bow Corp whose assets include the Keystone oil pipeline.

The spin-off will help Calgary-based TC lower its high financial obligation load and concentrate on moving natural gas.

South Bow's properties consist of almost 4,900 kilometres of liquids pipelines that connect oil supply in Alberta and parts of the United States to refining markets in Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas.

Its signature asset is the 622,000 barrel daily Keystone pipeline, a crucial export channel for Canadian crude.

Spinning off South Bow will enable both business to maximize the value of their particular properties, TC Energy CEO Francois Poirier stated at the business's yearly general meeting in Calgary. Each company will have the ability to focus on their distinct techniques and opportunity sets.

South Bow will carry a high debt load of C$ 7.9 billion ($ 5.78 billion) due to TC and deals with competition from other pipeline business seeking to expand shipments to the U.S. Gulf Coast market.

BMO Capital Markets expert Ben Pham stated in a research note last week that South Bow's narrow asset base and lower development forecast than TC could likewise weigh on its appraisal.

Nevertheless the new company will take advantage of long-term shipping contracts covering 94% of capacity on Keystone, offering guaranteed incomes.

Bevin Wirzba, TC's executive vice-president of liquids pipelines, is set to end up being the new CEO of South Bow. He said the 2 companies will legally separate in the fall and South Bow will be listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.

Before deciding to spin off its liquids pipeline company TC held discussions with two different energy infrastructure companies about setting up a brand-new joint endeavor entity, according to a TC management information circular released in April.

This suggests that South Bow could be viewed as a takeout prospect when it starts trading, Scotiabank expert Robert Hope stated in a note to clients.

(source: Reuters)