Exploit

Dallas-based Exco Resources Inc. and New York-based holding company Harbinger Group Inc. (HGI) have formed a partnership to exploit Exco assets in East Texas, North Louisiana and West Texas in a deal worth $725 million. It gives HGI a foothold in energy that is also a bet on rising natural gas prices.

Investors apparently approved of Philadelphia-based Atlas Resource Partners LP’s deal to acquire 277 Bcfe of proved reserves, including undeveloped drilling locations, in the Barnett Shale from Carrizo Oil & Gas. Atlas shares closed up 32% Friday following the deal’s announcement.

Bismarck, ND-based MDU Resources Group Inc. senior executives on Thursday reiterated that they intend to exploit their home field advantage in all lines of their business by digging deeply into the Bakken Shale play’s continuing robust growth. And they talked bullishly about prospects this year despite reporting earnings that were down slightly quarter over quarter and year over year in 2011.

With energy trading an established profit center and its South American utility assets on the sales block, Sempra Energy banks its immediate future on its two large California utilities and its looming liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas storage business, Sempra’s CEO Steve Baum told analysts last week. Baum indicated Sempra is poised to grow no matter what happens in California’s still undecided energy market debate.

With energy trading an established profit center and its South American utility assets on the sales block, Sempra Energy banks its immediate future on its two large California utilities and its looming liquefied natural gas (LNG)/storage business, Sempra’s CEO Steve Baum told analysts Wednesday. Baum indicated Sempra is poised to grow no matter what happens in California’s still undecided energy market debate.