Chesapeake - CNOOC Reach Eagle Ford JV Agreement

CNOOC-Chesapeake reach an agreement whereby Chesapeake will sell a 33.3% stake in its 600,000 Eagle Ford Shale acres to CNOOC for $2.16 billion ($10,800 per acre).  CNOOC will pay half upfront and carry 75% of development costs until the other $1.08 billion is paid.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE: CHK) and CNOOC Limited (NYSE: CEO; SEHK:00883) today announced the execution of an agreement whereby CNOOC International Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, will purchase a 33.3% undivided interest in Chesapeake's 600,000 net oil and natural gas leasehold acres in the Eagle Ford Shale project in South Texas. The consideration for the sale will be $1.08 billion in cash at closing, subject to adjustment. In addition, CNOOC Limited has agreed to fund 75% of Chesapeake's share of drilling and completion costs until an additional $1.08 billion has been paid, which Chesapeake expects to occur by year-end 2012. Closing of the transaction is anticipated in the 2010 fourth quarter.

The assets are located principally in the counties of Webb, Dimmit, LaSalle, Zavala, Frio and McMullen, and are located primarily in the oil window (~85%) and the wet gas window (~15%) of the Eagle Ford Shale and in the dry gas window of the Pearsall Shale.

Read the entire press release at chk.com