Encana/Athlon
Calgary-based Encana Corp. said Sept. 29 it would acquire Fort Worth-based Athlon Energy Inc. for $7.1 billion in cash and assumed debt. If completed, the deal would be the largest-ever U.S.-Canada transaction in the exploration and production sector. The acquisition would add 140,000 acres of land in the Midland Basin to Encana’s assets and 30,000 barrels of oil per day to the company’s output.
Encana has tapped Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, Vinson & Elkins and Blake, Cassels & Graydon as outside counsel on the deal. Paul Weiss’ team includes corporate partners Andrew Foley, Adam Givertz, Stephen Lamb and Edwin Maynard, tax partner David Sicular, employee benefits and executive compensation partner Andrew Gaines, finance partner Dale Sarro and real estate partner Peter Fisch. Associates include Christian Kurtz, Jennifer Lambert and Andrea Quek. Blakes and Vinson & Elkins declined to name their lawyers on the deal.
