Announcement

The announcement last week of an early end to Atlanta-based Mirant Corp.’s $4.6 billion stock buyback was not prompted by liquidity problems, according to Mirant CEO Edward R. Muller.

A capital infusion — the announcement of which last week lifted Cheniere Energy Inc. shares more than 50% — has closed, the struggling liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal developer said Monday.

Don’t expect a joint venture with Plains Exploration & Production Co. (PXP) to explore the Haynesville Shale to be Chesapeake Energy Corp.’s last big announcement. The Oklahoma City-based independent is pursing minority partners for projects in the Fayetteville and Marcellus shales — and possibly others — CEO Aubrey McClendon said Wednesday.

Don’t expect last week’s announcement by Chesapeake Energy Corp. to bring on Plains Exploration & Production Co. (PXP) as a minority partner to explore the Haynesville Shale to be the company’s last joint venture. The Oklahoma City-based independent is pursing minority partners for projects in the Fayetteville and Marcellus shales — and possibly others — CEO Aubrey McClendon said Wednesday.

Following Cheniere Energy’s recent announcement that it is negotiating a deal to outsource the marketing of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at its Sabine Pass terminal, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Ratings Services said it has placed its ‘B’ corporate credit rating on LNG developer Cheniere Energy and its ‘BB’ senior secured rating on subsidiary Sabine Pass LNG LP on CreditWatch with negative implications.

Calgary-based Nexen Inc. said last week that media reports of a possible breakup or sale of parts of the company are incorrect. The announcement followed reports that hedge funds are pushing for a breakup and an analyst report that a spin off of assets could realize additional value.

Calgary-based Nexen Inc. said Monday media reports of a possible breakup or sale of parts of the company are incorrect. The announcement followed reports that hedge funds are pushing for a breakup and an analyst report that a spin off of assets could realize additional value.

Cobalt International Energy LP claimed another investor for its young exploration company with the announcement Friday that First Reserve Corp. has joined its investor group with a $350 million commitment.

The Ohio terminus of the Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) got even more popular last week as a jumping-off point to eastern markets for Rockies gas with the announcement of two more projects.