Williams Seeks Buyers for Stake in Wyoming Pipeline

(Bloomberg) -- Williams Cos., one of the biggest natural gas pipeline operators in the U.S., is seeking buyers for its stake in Jackalope Gas Gathering Services, which could fetch more than $500 million in a sale, according to people familiar with the matter.

Williams is working with an adviser to sell its 50 percent interest in the gas pipeline and processing plant operator, said the people, who asked to not be identified because the matter isn’t public. The stake is attracting interest from other pipeline operators and private equity firms, the people said. No decision has been made and Williams could opt to keep the stake, they said.

Crestwood Equity Partners LP owns the other 50 percent of Jackalope, which operates in the Powder River Basin in eastern Wyoming.

A representative for Williams -- declining to comment on Jackalope specifically -- said the Tulsa, Oklahoma company is continuously assessing opportunities to optimize its portfolio. A representative for Crestwood didn’t respond to requests for comment.

The Jackalope system -- named after a mythical Wyoming animal that looks like a rabbit with antlers -- has a long-term, fee-based agreement with Chesapeake Energy Corp. to handle gas unearthed from a 358,000-acres position that Chesapeake has in the Powder River, according to company filings. Williams and Crestwood announced plans in July to expand the Jackalope to handle increased production in the region.

Williams, which traces its origins back to 1908, is selling assets to raise money for paying down debt and investing in its most promising growth areas, Chief Executive Alan Armstrong said this month in an earnings call with analysts, according to a transcript compiled by Bloomberg.

In October, Williams agreed to sell some operations in New Mexico and Colorado for $1.1 billion to Hilcorp Energy Corp.

Williams is getting an exceptionally good price for those assets, Armstrong said. Closely held entities are placing more value on pipeline assets than public investors are, he said.

"We will continue to work to take advantage of that situation," he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kiel Porter in New York at kporter17@bloomberg.net. To contact the editors responsible for this story: Elizabeth Fournier at efournier5@bloomberg.net Matthew Monks, Michael Hytha.