Anadarko Petroleum CorporationAnadarko Petroleum Corporation announced it has agreed to sell its operated and non-operated upstream assets and operated midstream assets in the Marcellus Shale of north-central Pennsylvania to Alta Marcellus Development, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alta Resources Development, LLC, for approximately $1.24 billion. The midstream assets in the Marcellus owned by Western Gas Partners, LP (NYSE: WES), Anadarko's sponsored master limited partnership, are excluded from the agreement.

"With this transaction, we have announced or closed monetizations totaling well in excess of $5 billion in 2016, while principally focusing Anadarko's U.S. onshore activities on our world-class oil-levered assets in the Delaware and DJ basins," said Al Walker, Anadarko Chairman, President and CEO. "Our Marcellus team has done a superb job of maximizing the value of our position in this natural gas play, and we are grateful for their efforts and dedication."

The Marcellus Shale divestiture includes approximately 195,000 net acres and, at the end of the third quarter of 2016, sales volumes from these properties totaled approximately 470 million cubic feet per day.

The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2017, subject to customary closing conditions and adjustments. Jefferies LLC marketed the assets, and Sidley Austin LLP served as Anadarko's legal counsel.

About Anadarko

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation's (NYSE: APC) mission is to deliver a competitive and sustainable rate of return to shareholders by exploring for, acquiring and developing oil and natural gas resources vital to the world's health and welfare. As of year-end 2015, the company had approximately 2.06 billion barrels-equivalent of proved reserves, making it one of the world's largest independent exploration and production companies.

About Alta Resources

Alta Resources, LLC is a private company located in downtown Houston. Founded in 1999, Alta Resources has been a leader in the exploration for and development of shale oil and gas assets from the Fayetteville Shale in Arkansas to the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. Most recently, Alta was a principal early developer in the liquids-rich Duvernay Shale play in the Kaybob area of Alberta, Canada. Our long-time partners include the late George P. Mitchell, who is widely regarded as the father of shale gas for his pioneering role in developing the Barnett Shale in Texas.