Chesapeake Closes Mississippi Lime JV

Chesapeake Energy Corporation announced Monday it completed its previously announced Mississippi Lime joint venture with Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation (Sinopec) June 28. The company sold a 50 percent undivided interest in approximately 850,000 acres in northern Oklahoma for total consideration of $1.02 billion in cash, of which approximately 93 percent 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 joint venture produced approximately 9,600 barrels of liquids and 54 million cubic feet of natural gas per day during the 2013 first quarter. All future exploration and development costs in the joint venture will be shared proportionately between the parties with no drilling carries involved. As the operator of the project, Chesapeake will conduct all leasing, drilling, completion, operations and marketing activities for the joint venture. 

Doug Lawler, Chesapeake’s chief executive officer, 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 on the joint venture.