Australia-based Tribeca Global Natural Resources Fund is pressing BHP Billiton Limited (ADR) (NYSE:BHP) to sell its U.S. shale assets and restructure its board and management.
The best-performing hedge fund believes that BHP Billiton could raise around $10 billion from the sale of its US shale assets.
Tribeca joins Paul Singer’s Elliott Management in forcing the miner to sell its U.S. oil and gas assets, overhaul its leadership and return capital to shareholders.
Tribeca sent an eight-page letter to BHP Billiton, outlining a plan titled “Making BHP Great Again.” The hedge fund also wants the miner to revamp its board and management.
“We fear elements of the existing path could leave the company susceptible to ongoing underperformance and may ultimately result in this once great global mining force being considerably diminished,” Tribeca said in the letter, Reuters reported.
Tribeca believes that BHP Billiton’s improved performance will require “significant turnover of board members and executives.”
“While it is not a simple task, under strong and fresh leadership, that covets capital efficiency, EPS growth and values risk-adjusted returns, we believe a great deal of value can be built,” Tribeca said in the letter quoted by Bloomberg News.
BHP Billiton Limited (ADR) (NYSE:BHP) already rejected Elliott’s plans, citing higher costs and lack of sufficient benefit. Unlike Elliott, Tribeca wants the miner to retain conventional oil and gas business and maintain its current corporate structure with listings in Australia and the U.K.
Last month, BHP said it plans to sell some of its onshore U.S. oil and gas assets. The company has yet to comment on Tribeca’s plans.
BHP will reportedly meet with Tribeca later this month at a Bank of America Merrill Lynch conference in Barcelona where the miner will address investors.
Shares of BHP Billiton Limited (ADR) (NYSE:BHP) were up 1.98% in extended-hours trading. The stock is down over 3% year-to-date.