Icahn

SandRidge Energy Inc.’s board on Thursday forced out both the company’s CEO and CFO, and announced capital expenditures (capex) for 2018 would be cut by about up to 27% as it reviews an unsolicited proposal to merge with Midstates Petroleum Inc.

SandRidge Energy Inc., in a tussle with activist hedge fund billionaire and majority shareholder Carl Icahn, on Monday urged shareholders to stay focused on the benefits of its planned merger with Bonanza Creek Energy Inc.

SandRidge Energy Inc.’s board on Monday said it had unanimously adopted a shareholder rights plan — i.e., a poison pill — after Carl Icahn, now the largest stockholder, said he would vote against the planned takeover of Bonanza Creek Energy Inc.

Seven Democratic senators have asked 81-year-old billionaire investor Carl Icahn to explain his advisory role within the Trump administration, arguing that his holdings, including in the energy sector, “are vast and riddled with conflicts of interest” and raise “alarming questions.”

Corporate raider Carl Icahn, 80, considered instrumental in forcing major changes at U.S. energy companies — including Chesapeake Energy Corp. and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. — has been tapped by President-elect Trump as a special, unpaid adviser to help overhaul “job-killing” regulations.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. said two of its directors, including a representative of No. 2 investor Carl Icahn, resigned effective Monday, less than a week after Icahn reduced by half his stake in the Oklahoma City-based natural gas producer.

Weeks before its Louisiana liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal is due to send out its first cargo, Cheniere Energy Inc. has ousted company co-founder and CEO Charif Souki after he reportedly tangled with activist investor Carl Icahn, the company’s largest shareholder.

Talisman Energy Inc.has appointed Icahn Capital LP managing directors Samuel Merksamer and Jonathan Christodoro to its board, two months after shareholder activist Carl Icahn bought close to 6% of the stock (see Daily GPI, Oct. 9). Related to the appointments, Talisman said some standstill restrictions would remain in effect until the 2014 annual meeting or when the Icahn nominees are no longer on the board. One of the new directors is to sit on the CEO succession committee; interim chief Hal Kvisle plans to step down (seeDaily GPI, Nov. 8). In addition, Icahn has agreed to vote the shares he controls in support of Talisman’s slate of director nominees at the annual meeting.

The billionaire activist’s investment in the Calgary operator likely will lead to some changes, if history is a guide.