"Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy Merge to Form Top U.S. Natural Gas Producer"
Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy, two major natural gas producers in the United States, have announced plans to merge in an all-stock deal worth $7.4 billion, creating one of the largest energy producers in the country with a market value of about $24 billion. The merger comes amidst a series of mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. oil and natural gas industry, with the new company expected to have a significant presence in Louisiana and Texas.