The proceeds of the sale to the Houston-based independent will be divided equally between the pair upon closing of the deal, which is expected on 1 May, Fort Worth, Texas-based Quicksilver Resources said.

Quicksilver Resources chief executive Glenn Darden said the sale "enables us to focus our development efforts on the Barnett and Canadian projects as well as our previously announced joint ventures in West Texas, and provides the opportunity to enhance company liquidity".

Southwestern