Benzinga | Nov 2, 2020 04:38PM EST

Plains All American Pipeline And Plains GP Holdings Announce $500M Common Equity Repurchase Program

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NYSE:PAA) and Plains GP Holdings, L.P. (NYSE:PAGP) today announced that the board of directors of PAA GP Holdings LLC has approved a $500 million common equity repurchase program (the "Program") to be utilized as an additional method of returning capital to investors.

"We are committed to managing our business and executing our financial strategy in a disciplined manner for all of our investors. This includes maximizing Free Cash Flow, minimizing capital investment and optimizing capital allocation. Our current equity valuation does not reflect the strength of our asset base or the long-term durability of our business, and we have reached an inflection point where we expect to generate meaningful levels of Free Cash Flow after distributions. Given the combination of these factors, this is an appropriate time to institute a repurchase program, and we intend to manage the program in a prudent and balanced manner consistent with our priority of continuing to reduce leverage over time," stated Willie Chiang, Chairman and CEO of Plains All American. "Accordingly, we anticipate funding potential repurchase activity with a portion of our Free Cash Flow after distributions, provided that we are comfortable we remain on track to achieve our targeted long-term leverage ratio. In addition to reducing debt, we believe it is appropriate to allocate a portion of our Free Cash Flow after distributions to invest in our equity."

The Program authorizes the repurchase from time to time of up to $500 million of PAA common units and/or PAGP Class A shares via open market purchases or negotiated transactions conducted in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, and which may be made pursuant to a repurchase plan that complies with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Ultimately, the amount, timing and pace of potential repurchase activity will be determined by a number of factors, including market conditions, PAA's financial performance and flexibility, actual and expected Free Cash Flow after distributions, the absolute and relative equity prices of PAA common units and PAGP Class A shares, and the extent to which PAA is positioned to achieve and maintain its targeted leverage ratio. No time limit has been set for completion of the Program, and the Program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. The Program does not obligate PAA or PAGP to acquire a particular number of common units or Class A shares. Any PAA common units or PAGP Class A shares that are repurchased will be canceled.