HOUSTON, Sept. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NASDAQ:PAA) and Plains GP Holdings (NASDAQ:PAGP) (collectively, "Plains") announced today that a wholly owned subsidiary has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire from subsidiaries of Diamondback Energy, Inc. and Kinetik Holdings Inc., a 55% non-operated interest in EPIC Crude Holdings, LP ("EPIC Crude Holdings"), the entity that owns and operates the EPIC Crude Oil Pipeline ("EPIC Pipeline"), in a transaction valued at approximately $1.57 billion, inclusive of approximately $600 million of debt. Additionally, Plains has agreed to a potential $193 million earnout payment should an expansion of the pipeline to a capacity of at least 900,000 barrels per day be formally sanctioned before year-end 2027. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to distributable cash flow with synergistic opportunities expected to result in mid-teens unlevered returns. The remaining 45% interest in EPIC Crude Holdings is owned by a portfolio company of Ares Management Corporation ("EPIC Management"), which also serves as operator.

The EPIC Pipeline provides long-haul crude oil takeaway from the Permian and Eagle Ford basins to the Gulf Coast market at Corpus Christi. EPIC Crude Holdings' assets include:

Approximately 800 miles of long-haul pipelines, including the EPIC Pipeline
Operating capacity of over 600,000 barrels per day with low-cost expansion capabilities
Approximately 7 million barrels of operational storage
Over 200,000 barrels per day of export capacity

Plains and EPIC Pipeline Combined Asset Map

Transaction Highlights:

Ability to provide customers with additional upstream connectivity and enhanced downstream market connectivity and optionality
Enhances and expands Plains' existing Permian wellhead to water strategy
Synergy potential and Permian growth improves acquisition multiple over the next few years
System underpinned by long-term minimum volume commitments from high-quality customers
Expect pro forma leverage ratio to remain within target range (excluding NGL divestiture proceeds); strong balance sheet utilized to finance transaction with cash and debt
Expected to be immediately accretive to distributable cash flow, supporting additional return of capital opportunities

"We are excited to work with the EPIC Management team. This transaction strengthens our position as the premier crude oil midstream provider, complements our asset footprint and enhances our customer offering. The combination of our stake in EPIC Crude Holdings coupled with our existing integrated Permian and Eagle Ford assets enhances our commitment to offering a high level of connectivity and flexibility for our customers. By further linking our Permian and Eagle Ford gathering systems to Corpus Christi, we are enhancing market access and ensuring our customers have reliable, cost-effective routes to multiple demand centers," said Willie Chiang, Chairman, CEO and President.

"The combined assets will allow us to capture synergies through additional service offerings, and drive value via expanded scale and integration. Our financial flexibility enables us to finance the acquisition utilizing our balance sheet, while maintaining a pro-forma leverage ratio within our established leverage target range. Ultimately, our interest in EPIC Crude Holdings will not only benefit Plains and our partners but also our unit holders by creating further return of capital opportunities."

The transaction is expected to be completed by early 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this release consist of forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements regarding the proposed acquisition of an interest in EPIC Crude Holdings and the terms, timing and anticipated operational, financial and strategic benefits thereof. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from results or outcomes anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: changes in or disruptions to economic, market or business conditions; substantial declines in commodity prices or demand for crude oil; third-party constraints; legal constraints (including the impact of governmental regulations, orders or policies); unforeseen delays with respect to the receipt of regulatory approvals and completion of other closing conditions; and other factors and uncertainties inherent in transactions of the type discussed herein or in our business as discussed in PAA's and PAGP's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Plains

PAA is a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and provides logistics services for crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGL). PAA owns an extensive network of pipeline gathering and transportation systems, in addition to terminalling, storage, processing, fractionation and other infrastructure assets serving key producing basins, transportation corridors and major market hubs and export outlets in the United States and Canada. On average, PAA handles approximately eight million barrels per day of crude oil and NGL. 

PAGP is a publicly traded entity that owns an indirect, non-economic controlling general partner interest in PAA and an indirect limited partner interest in PAA, one of the largest energy infrastructure and logistics companies in North America. 

PAA and PAGP are headquartered in Houston, Texas. More information is available at www.plains.com.

Investor Relations Contacts:

Blake Fernandez

Michael Gladstein

PlainsIR@plains.com

(866) 809-1291

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f1d33717-c88e-4467-8f8c-779a1107a238

Plains to Acquire 55% Interest in EPIC Crude Holdings, LP