Williams-Access Midstream merger potentially on horizon

Williams Partners LP agreed to acquire Global Infrastructure Partners’ general interest in Access Midstream Partners for nearly $6 billion. Upon closing, Williams will own 100 percent of the general partner. Williams expects to close the acquisition of Global Infrastructure Partners‘ Access Midstream Partners interests in the third quarter this year.

In addition, Williams proposed a merger between itself and Access Midstream Partners.

“The proposed merger of Williams Partners and Access Midstream Partners, if consummated, would create an industry-leading, large-scale MLP with substantial positions across the midstream business – spanning natural gas gathering and processing, natural gas transmission pipelines, and [natural gas liquids] and petchem services,” says Alan Armstrong, CEO, in a press release.

According to a press release, if a merger is completed, it is anticipated that the merged partnership will be based in Tulsa, Okla. Oklahoma City would become one of the partnership’s major offices, Williams says.