M&A

Recent deals in the midstream master limited partnership (MLP) arena have moved activist shareholder Sandell Asset Management to press harder for a new strategy for DCP Midstream LLC (DCP) that he recently proposed.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., which scooped up two significant U.S.-based oil and natural gas operators earlier this year, now is looking at a range of options to reduce some of the debt that came with the buys, including asset sales, joint ventures or even a master limited partnership (MLP), CEO Richard C. Adkerson said Tuesday.

As part of a strategic review aimed at forming a smaller, more profitable company, Los Angeles-based Occidental Petroleum Corp.’s (Oxy) board of directors on Friday authorized pursuit of selected asset sales, including potentially some overseas and Midcontinent assets, along with a portion of a general partner interest in Plains All American Pipeline (PAAP).

With natural gas-fired and renewable generation assets as an attraction, Princeton, NJ-based NRG Energy Inc. said Friday it has entered a $2.5 billion “planned sponsor agreement” with Edison Mission Energy (EME) and some of its subsidiaries to eventually acquire the Chapter 11-mired independent power generation company. NRG said it hopes to close the acquisition in the first quarter next year.

North America’s $15.9 billion in oil and natural gas merger and acquisition activity led the global markets during the third quarter with a 38% share, but overall U.S. activity and deal values declined year/year, according to PLS Inc. and Derrick Petroleum Services.

Regency Energy Partners LP plans to buy PVR Partners LP in a $5.6 billion deal (including $1.8 billion of debt) to create a natural gas gathering and processing giant with a presence in Appalachia, West Texas, South Texas, the Midcontinent and North Louisiana.

Regency Energy Partners LP plans to buy PVR Partners LP in a $5.6 billion deal (including $1.8 billion of debt) to create a natural gas gathering and processing giant with a presence in Appalachia, West Texas, South Texas, the Midcontinent and North Louisiana.

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

Malaysia’s prime minister vowed that Petroliam Nasional Bhd will keep promises that secured Canadian approval of Progress Energy’s takeover.