Occidental completes sale of OxyChem to Berkshire Hathaway for $9.7B in cash

Occidental (OXY) announced that it has completed the sale of its chemical business, OxyChem, to Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) (BRK.A) for $9.7B in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. “This transaction accelerates our strategy to strengthen Occidental’s balance sheet and focus on our deep and diverse oil and gas portfolio which we have transformed over the last decade. We expect to operate our high-return oil and gas assets to deliver long-term value while driving innovation across our businesses,” said President and CEO Vicki Hollub. As previously disclosed, an Occidental subsidiary, Environmental Resource Holdings, LLC, has retained OxyChem’s legacy tort claims and environmental liabilities primarily associated with historical operations outside of the footprint of the operating facilities that were sold. Glenn Springs Holdings, Inc. will continue to manage the remedial activities at environmental sites on behalf of ERH. Occidental expects to expend funds for remediation over many years based on the approved workplans.