Apache Agrees To Sell Argentina Operations For $852 Million

HOUSTON, Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Apache Corporation (NYSE, Nasdaq: APA) and its subsidiaries today announced an agreement to sell all of its operations in Argentina to YPF Sociedad Anonima for cash payment of $800 million plus the assumption of $52 million of bank debt as of June 30, 2013.

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YPF paid a $50 million deposit on the transaction, which is expected to be completed in the next 30 days. The transaction is subject to customary post-closing adjustments.

"Over the past year, Apache has taken decisive steps to focus its portfolio on repeatable and profitable long-term growth in areas where the company has industry-leading positions, such as its deep inventory of liquids-rich drilling opportunities onshore North America and international assets generating large free cash flows. This transaction is consistent with that strategy," said G. Steven Farris, chairman and chief executive officer.

The transaction complements Apache's realization of more than $7 billion of cash proceeds from asset sales in the last two quarters. Apache is deploying these proceeds to invest for profitable growth, enhance financial flexibility, reduce debt and buy back Apache common shares under a share repurchase program authorized by the board in 2013.

"Apache's employees in Argentina have done an outstanding job finding and developing new reserves and creating commercial opportunities in the region since we entered the country in 2001, and we are grateful for their many contributions," Farris said.

At year-end 2013, Apache had estimated reserves in the country of approximately 540 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent. During 2013, Apache's production from Argentina averaged 256 million cubic feet of gas equivalent per day.

About Apache
Apache Corporation is an oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Canada, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Australia and Argentina. Apache posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and copies of all press releases on its website, www.apachecorp.com.

Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "expects" and similar references to future periods. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future plans, expectations, and objectives for Apache's operations, including statements about our drilling plans and production expectations, asset sales and monetizations and share repurchases. The final amount of transaction proceeds with YPF is subject to customary post-closing adjustments. While forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depend on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance, and financial condition to differ materially from our expectations. See "Risk Factors" in our 2012 Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risk factors that affect our business. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future development, or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Website: www.apachecorp.com

APA-R, APA-G

SOURCE Apache Corporation