Southwestern, Chesapeake Energy Near $17 Billion Merger, Poised to Form U.S. Natural Gas Powerhouse
(Reuters) — U.S. natural gas producer Chesapeake Energy and peer Southwestern Energy are nearing a merger that would create a nearly $17 billion company, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.
The deal could come together as soon as next week provided the talks do not fall apart, the source said, requesting anonymity since talks are private.
Reuters had reported in October that Chesapeake was exploring an acquisition of Southwestern.
A potential deal could create a company that would overtake EQT as the largest natural gas-focused exploration and production firm in the U.S. by market value, at a time when shale companies seeking scale and efficiencies are fueling a rapid consolidation in the energy sector.
Shares of Southwestern and Chesapeake closed more than 7% and 3%, respectively, after the Wall Street Journal reported the talks earlier in the day.
The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
The deal talks come against the backdrop of a sluggish U.S. natural gas prices. U.S. natural gas futures ended 2023 with the biggest percentage decline since 2006 due to record production, ample inventories and a mild winter.
Chesapeake has been shedding oil-producing assets to focus on its competence in natural gas since emerging from bankruptcy in 2021.
The two companies are neighbors; most of Southwestern's production is in Appalachia's shale formations and the Haynesville basin in Louisiana, where Chesapeake also operates.
Related News
Related News
- Trump Aims to Revive 1,200-Mile Keystone XL Pipeline Despite Major Challenges
- $3 Billion Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion to Add 1.3 Bcf Capacity in Southeast Region
- Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline
- Boardwalk Approves 110-Mile, 1.16 Bcf/d Mississippi Kosci Junction Pipeline Project
- Kinder Morgan Approves $1.4 Billion Mississippi Crossing Project to Boost Southeast Gas Supply
- Tullow Oil on Track to Deliver $600 Million Free Cash Flow Over Next 2 Years
- GOP Lawmakers Slam New York for Blocking $500 Million Pipeline Project
- Enbridge Should Rethink Old, Troubled Line 5 Pipeline, IEEFA Says
- Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline
- Polish Pipeline Operator Offers Firm Capacity to Transport Gas to Ukraine in 2025
Comments