Chesapeake Energy Corporation has sold certain Chesapeake-operated long-lived producing assets in the Anadarko and Arkoma Basins in its fourth volumetric production payment transaction (VPP). Through the VPP, Chesapeake conveyed a royalty interest to investors associated with Argonaut Private Equity. The purchase was financed by GS Loan Partners, an affiliate of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS). The assets include proved reserves of approximately 98 bcfe and current net production of approximately 60 mmcfe per day for proceeds of $412 million, or $4.20 per mcfe. Chesapeake retained drilling rights on the properties below currently producing intervals. The company previously announced its intention to complete a VPP by year-end 2008 as part of its plan to build larger cash reserves over the next two years. The transaction, which closed on December 31, 2008, will be treated as a sale for accounting purposes and the company’s proved reserves will be reduced accordingly. Chesapeake was advised on the transaction by Jefferies Randall & Dewey of Houston, Texas.
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