EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND (By Harbour Energy, 12.Dec.2025, Words: 414) â Harbour Energy has entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all the subsidiaries of Waldorf Energy Partners Ltd and Waldorf Production Ltd, currently in administration, for $170mn1. The consideration will be funded through readily available sources of liquidity.
The acquisition is immediately materially accretive to Harbourâs free cash flow and will support the competitiveness, resilience and longevity of Harbourâs UK business.
The acquisition is expected to:
- Add oil-weighted production of 20 kboepd and 2P reserves of 35 mmboe2
- Increase Harbourâs interest in its operated Catcher field to 90% (from 50%) and improve the financial stability of the joint venture partnership
- Provide a new production base for Harbour in the Northern North Sea with the addition of a 29.5% non-operated interest in the Kraken oil field
- Unlock operational synergies through the integration of Waldorfâs non-operated portfolio into Harbourâs UK organisation
- Deliver significant financial synergies through:
- the release of an estimated $350mn3 of cash currently posted to secure Waldorfâs decommissioning liabilities4, leveraging Harbourâs investment grade balance sheet
- the addition of Waldorfâs UK ring fence tax losses5
Completion is expected to occur during the second quarter of 2026 and is subject to, among others, customary regulatory approvals and full and final settlement of all creditor claims against Waldorfâs subsidiaries.
Scott Barr, Managing Director of Harbourâs UK Business Unit, commented:
This transaction is an important step for Harbour in the UK North Sea, building on the action weâve already taken to sustain our position in the basin given the ongoing fiscal and regulatory challenges.
It stabilises the Catcher joint venture partnership and delivers immediate cash flow benefits. It also improves the long-term sustainability of our UK business, the jobs it continues to support and the energy security it provides. In addition, it facilitates a welcome solution to funding and decommissioning challenges for multiple parties in the UK North Sea.â
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FOOTNOTES:
1. The effective date of the transaction is 1 Jan. 2025 and the consideration of $170mn to be paid at completion reflects Harbourâs current estimate after customary adjustments
2. Average production during H1 2025 and 2P reserves at YE 2024
3. Reflects current estimate by Harbour based on existing cash balances on account
4. At 30 Jun. 2025 Waldorfâs decommissioning provisions per its balance sheet stood at $720 million (pre-tax)
5. As at YE 2024, Waldorfâs estimated total ring fence tax losses included those relating to corporation tax of around $2,450mn, supplementary charge of around $1,800mn and Energy Profits Levy of around $60mn