It all started back in 2008, which was a trying time for us all. At that time, Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE) and the rest of its exploration and production peers were trying to figure out what to do as the economy hit the skids. In an effort to shore up its own balance sheet, the company sold its operations in the Appalachian Basin for $600 million to XTO Energy.
Unfortunately for XTO Energy, there was one small and, unbeknownst to anyone, unresolved matter. You see, Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE) had a contract to sell its gas through a unit of Dominion Resources Black Warrior Trust (NYSE:DOM), which was gathering the gas in its system. However, Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE)’s gas wasn’t up to the system’s standards, so it began to look for another gatherer and it approached Equitrans, which is now part of EQT Midstream Partners LP (NYSE:EQM) but formerly was a unit of EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT). — they talked, but nothing was signed. However, an EQT employee later that year thought that it had and began crediting gas to the wrong company.
What basically happened, and you can read the full story here, is that for seven months the wells, now owned by XTO, were producing gas but XTO wasn’t getting paid for the gas. Now, Dominion owes XTO’s new owner, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), a grand total of $3.4 million for the gas and just over $900,000 in interest. It can appeal the ruling, but it’s probably not a large enough amount to fight over.
It’s an interesting story if for no other reason than it shows how highly efficient our natural gas transportation system really is, as it would seem we’d lose more gas than we do. Think about it. Producers like Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE) and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) are able to produce gas from some of the hardest-to-reach places in the country, and it’s transported rather seamlessly throughout our land. Sure, pipes can spring a leak and mistakes can happen, but overall, the midstream industry really gets the job done.
What’s even more incredible when you think about it is that the industry can keep track of everything, with all the mergers, acquisitions, and asset spinouts. What started as a problem involving three companies ended up doubling in size just because of all the activity the industry has experienced over the past few years. For as much grief as we give the industry, you have to give it credit for how efficiently it really does operate. It’s one of the reasons it’s been able to create so much wealth for investors over the decades and why investing in oil and gas production and transportation will probably continue to pay big dividends for years to come.
The article A Natural Gas Deal Gone Awry originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Matt DiLallo.
Fool contributor Matt DiLallo owns shares of Linn Energy. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Kinder Morgan.
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