As first reported by Upstream, sources with direct knowledge of the transaction confirmed that the "undisclosed third party" mentioned in Hess' announcement of the sale on Wednesday was, in fact, the McClendon-controlled AEU.
AEU is an affiliate of American Energy Partners, which shale pioneer McClendon founded months after being forced out as chief executive of Chesapeake Energy by activist investors.
The purchase adds to AEU's already substantial Utica position that it acquired through deals with Enervest, Shell and a joint venture with local driller Red Hill Development, as well as organic leasing.
Hess
