Williams Companies finalizes merger

The Williams Companies, Inc. has wrapped up its merger of Williams Partners with a subsidiary of Williams.

As part of the merger, Williams acquired all of the outstanding common units of Williams Partners that it did not previously own.

The merger was finalized over the weekend and as a result, Williams Partners common units are no longer being publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

“We are pleased to close this important transaction following the strong support for the merger that was demonstrated by our shareholders in yesterday’s overwhelming vote of approval,” said Alan Armstrong, president and chief executive officer of Williams. “This transaction provides Williams with a simplified corporate structure and streamlined governance while maintaining investment-grade credit ratings and positions us well for long-term growth and enhanced shareholder value. As a fast-growing, investment grade C-Corp with the best natural gas infrastructure assets in the sector, we are confident this combined entity will provide a compelling investment opportunity to a broader range of investors.”

Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., Williams is an industry-leading, investment grade C-Corp with operations across the natural gas value chain including gathering, processing, interstate transportation and storage of natural gas and natural gas liquids. With major positions in top U.S. supply basins, Williams owns and operates more than 33,000 miles of pipelines system wide – including the nation’s largest volume and fastest growing pipeline – providing natural gas for clean-power generation, heating and industrial use. Williams’ operations touch approximately 30 percent of U.S. natural gas.