Chesapeake Closes Mississippi Lime JV with Sinopec

Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) has completed its previously announced Mississippi Lime joint venture (JV) with China’s Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corp. The company sold a 50% undivided interest in approximately 850,000 acres in northern Oklahoma for total consideration of $1.02 billion in cash, of which approximately 93% was received upon closing. Payment of the remaining proceeds is subject to customary post-closing contingencies.

Net to Sinopec’s interest, assets associated with the JV produced approximately 9,600 barrels of liquids and 54 million cubic feet of natural gas per day during the first quarter of 2013. All future exploration and development costs in the JV will be shared proportionately between the parties with no drilling carries involved. As the operator of the project, Chesapeake will conduct all of the JV’s leasing, drilling, completion, operations, and marketing activities.

Doug Lawler, Chesapeake’s CEO, commented, “Chesapeake is pleased to have Sinopec as our partner in the Mississippi Lime play and we look forward to efficiently developing and growing this asset for many years to come.”

Jefferies & Company, Inc. served as financial advisor to Chesapeake for the joint venture.

(ogfj.com, edited by Topco)