Veresen Announces $150 Million Preferred Share Offering


CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Feb. 3, 2012) -

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Veresen Inc. ("Veresen") (TSX:VSN) announced today it will issue 6,000,000 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series A ("Series A Preferred Shares") at a price of $25.00 per share (the "Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of $150 million on a bought deal basis. The Series A Preferred Shares will be offered to the public through a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Scotiabank, TD Securities Inc., and CIBC.

The holders of Series A Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive fixed cumulative dividends at an annual rate of 4.40%, payable quarterly for an initial period up to but excluding September 30, 2017, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Veresen. The first quarterly dividend payment date is scheduled for June 30, 2012. The dividend rate will reset on September 30, 2017 and every five years thereafter at a rate equal to the sum of the then five-year Government of Canada bond yield plus 2.92%. The Series A Preferred Shares are redeemable by Veresen, at its option, on September 30, 2017 and on September 30 of every fifth year thereafter.

Holders of Series A Preferred Shares will have the right to convert all or any part of their shares into Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series B ("Series B Preferred Shares"), subject to certain conditions, on September 30, 2017, and on September 30 of every fifth year thereafter. The holders of Series B Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive quarterly floating rate cumulative dividends, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Veresen, at a rate equal to the sum of the then 90-day Government of Canada treasury bill rate plus 2.92%.

Veresen has granted the underwriters an option to purchase at the offering price an additional 2,000,000 Series A Preferred Shares exercisable in whole or in part at any time up to 6:30 AM (Calgary time) on the date that is two business days prior to closing. Should the option be fully exercised, the total gross proceeds of the Offering will be $200 million.

The Offering is expected to close on or about February 14, 2012. Net proceeds from the Offering will be used to reduce indebtedness, partially fund capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes.

The Series A Preferred Shares will be issued pursuant to a prospectus supplement that will be filed with the securities regulatory authority in each of the provinces of Canada under Veresen's short form base shelf prospectus dated August 22, 2011. An application has been made to list the Series A Preferred Shares and the Series B Preferred Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals.

The Series A Preferred Shares have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Veresen Inc.

Veresen is a publicly-traded dividend paying corporation based in Calgary, Alberta, that owns and operates energy infrastructure assets across North America. Veresen is engaged in three principal businesses: a pipeline transportation business comprised of interests in two pipeline systems, the Alliance Pipeline and the Alberta Ethane Gathering System; a midstream business which includes ownership interests in a world-class natural gas liquids extraction facility near Chicago and other natural gas and NGL processing energy infrastructure; and a power business with renewable and gas-fired facilities and development projects in Canada and the United States, and district energy systems in Ontario and Prince Edward Island. Veresen and each of its pipeline, midstream and power businesses are also actively developing a number of greenfield projects. In the normal course of its business, Veresen and each of its businesses regularly evaluate and pursue acquisition and development opportunities.

Veresen's common shares, subscription receipts and 5.75% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures, Series C due July 31, 2017 are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols "VSN", "VSN.R" and VSN.DB.C", respectively. For further information, please visit www.vereseninc.com.

Certain information contained herein relating to, but not limited to, Veresen and its businesses and the offering of the Series A Preferred Shares, constitutes forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address activities, events or developments that Veresen expects or anticipates may or will occur in the future, are forward-looking information. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "may", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "target", "project", "forecast" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or outlook. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of completion of the Offering, the use of the proceeds of the Offering and dividend rates. Additional information on risks, uncertainties and factors that could affect Veresen's operations or financial results is included in its filings with the securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces of Canada, as may be updated from time to time. Readers are also cautioned that such additional information is not exhaustive. The impact of any one risk, uncertainty or factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as these factors are independent and management's future course of action would depend on its assessment of all information at that time. Although Veresen believes that the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking information are reasonable based on information available on the date of preparation, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. Undue reliance should not be placed on the information contained herein, as actual results achieved will vary from the information provided herein and the variations may be material. Veresen makes no representation that actual results achieved will be the same in whole or in part as those set out in the forward-looking information. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date hereof, and Veresen does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. Any forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Contact Information:

Veresen Inc.
Stephen H. White
President and C.E.O.
(403) 296-0140

Veresen Inc.
Richard Weech
Senior Vice President, Finance and C.F.O.
(403) 296-0140
investor-relations@vereseninc.com
www.vereseninc.com