Eni Eyes Strategic Partnership With GIP in CCUS Business
Eni S.p.A. E has entered into exclusive negotiations with Global Infrastructure Partners ('GIP'), an investment group within BlackRock, to potentially sell a 49.99% co-control stake in its carbon capture, utilization, and storage ('CCUS') subsidiary, Eni CCUS Holding.
The agreement marks a significant move in Eni's strategy to accelerate energy transition investments while unlocking value from its growing portfolio of decarbonization assets. The exclusivity period will allow both parties to complete due diligence and finalize transaction documentation.
Eni CCUS Holding operates several key carbon capture initiatives, including the HyNet and Bacton projects in the UK and the L10 project in the Netherlands. It also holds future acquisition rights to the Ravenna CCS project in Italy, offering GIP a gateway to some of Europe's most critical carbon management infrastructure.
Eni stated that the deal emerged from a competitive selection process with major international players, highlighting strong market interest in CCUS growth potential.
In addition to acquiring a nearly 50% stake, GIP is expected to co-invest in expanding the CCUS platform. Eni views this as a validation of the value it's building within its energy transition portfolio, which includes renewable energy, sustainable mobility and low-carbon technologies.
Eni recently secured financing for the Liverpool Bay CCS project, a key component of the UK's HyNet industrial cluster. The project aims to capture CO2 emissions from industrial facilities in North West England and North Wales, transporting them for permanent storage beneath the Irish Sea.
Following project approval by the North Sea Transition Authority, Eni awarded major EPC contracts to Italian firms. Saipem will build a new CO2 compression station, while Rosetti Marino will deliver four offshore platforms for long-term CO2 storage.
Earlier in May, Eni was among 44 oil and gas firms tasked by the EU to advance carbon storage initiatives to meet a bloc-wide goal of injecting at least 50 million tons of CO2 annually by 2030. The timing of Eni's stake sale discussions signals strong investor appetite for such infrastructure as Europe's regulatory and climate ambitions intensify.
Eni's potential partnership with GIP could serve as a model for how legacy energy companies monetize transition-related assets while leveraging external capital to scale their decarbonization footprint across Europe.
E currently carries a Zack Rank #4 (Sell).
Investors interested in the energy sector may look at some better-ranked stocks like Subsea 7 S.A. SUBCY, Energy Transfer LP ET and RPC Inc. RES. Subsea 7 presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while Energy Transfer and RPC carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Subsea 7 helps build underwater oil and gas fields. It is a top player in the Oil and Gas Equipment and Services market, which is expected to grow as oil and gas production moves further offshore.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SUBCY's 2025 EPS is pegged at $1.31. The company has a Value Score of A.
Energy Transfer is poised to benefit from long-term fee-based commitments. It is also focused on expanding operations through organic and inorganic initiatives. The firm is looking for solutions to meet growing energy demands from additional demand centers through its pipeline network. Energy Transfer's systematic investments should boost its total fractionation capacity at Mont Belvieu and raise its top line.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ET's 2025 EPS is pegged at $1.44. The company has a Value Score of A.
RPC generates strong and stable revenues through a diverse range of oilfield services, including pressure pumping, coiled tubing and rental tools. The company is strongly committed to returning value to shareholders through consistent dividends and share buybacks. RPC's current dividend yield is higher than that of the composite stocks in the industry. Its new Tier IV dual-fuel fleet has boosted profits, with plans to further expand high-efficiency equipment to enhance operational capabilities.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RES' 2025 EPS is pegged at 38 cents. The company has a Value Score of A.
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Eni SpA (E) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Energy Transfer LP (ET) : Free Stock Analysis Report
RPC, Inc. (RES) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Subsea 7 SA (SUBCY) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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