U.S. shale oil and gas producers Oasis Petroleum Inc and Whiting Petroleum Corp will merge in a $6 billion deal, the companies said on Monday.
The deal between the companies that operate in the Bakken shale formation of North Dakota comes amid a significant spike in crude oil prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Brent crude soared to near $130 a barrel on Monday, its highest since 2008, as the United States and European allies mull a Russian oil import ban and delays in the potential return of Iranian crude to global markets fuel tight supply fears.
Shares in Oasis rose 3.8%, while Whiting Petroleum climbed 6.1% in premarket trade.
Under the terms of the deal, Whiting shareholders will receive 0.5774 shares of Oasis common stock and $6.25 in cash for each share held.
Upon completion of the deal, which is expected in the second half of 2022, Whiting shareholders will own about 53% and Oasis shareholders will own about 47% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis.
Both companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 after the energy industry reeled under an unprecedented crash in oil prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.