Williams, Williams Partners and Access Midstream Partners Announce Closing Merger

By Dow Jones & Company, Inc

--11:05hrs EST 2015-02-02

Williams, Williams Partners (WPZ) and Access Midstream Partners Announce Closing of Merger

Merger Creates Leading, Large-Cap Natural Gas Infrastructure Focused MLP with a Roust Growth Outlook and Substantial Positions in Key Basins TULSA, Okla. –(Business Wire)—February 02, 2015—

Williams (WMB), Williams Partners L.P. (WPZ), and Access Midstram Partners L.P. (ACMP) today announced the closing of the merger between Williams Partners (WPZ) and Access Midstream Partners (ACMP).  As part of the completion of the merger, Access Midstream Partners (ACMP) changed its name to Williams Partners L.P.(WPZ) and its units will trade under the symbol “WPZ” beginning on Feb. 3.

“As intended with this merger, we’ve created an industry-leading, large-scale MLP with best-in-class assets that connect natural gas and natural gas products with growing markets,” said Alan Armstrong, chief executive officier of Williams Partners’ (WPZ) general partner.  “The new Williams Partners (WPZ) generates additional strength in our business, more opportunities for our customers and increased value for our investors.  We’re pleased to have reached this milestone as we strive to meet North America’s critical need for energy infrastructure.”

Williams’s acquistion of Access Midstream Partners (ACMP) and the subsequent merger with Williams Partners (WPZ) enhances Williams’ exposure tokey production basins in North America.  The merger combines the depth of Access Midstream’s (ACMP) expertise in the gathering and processing function with the breadth of Williams’ capabilities across the broader natural gas value chain.  Williams Partners (WPZ) now features large-scale positions across three components of the midstream sector, including:

• Natural Gas Pipelines – Transco, Northwest and Gulfstream represent the nations premier interstate pipeline network.  Transco is the nation’s largest and fastest-growing pipeline system.

• Gathering and Processing—Large-scale positions in growing natural-gas supply areas in major shale and unvonventional producing areas, including the Marcellus, Utica, Piceance, Four Corners, Wyoming, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Barnett, Mid-continent and Niobrara.  Additionally, the business includes oil and natural gas gathering services in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico

• Natural Gas Liquids and Petrochemical Services—Unique downstream presence on the Gulf Coast and in western Canada provide diferentiated long-term growth.

  Williams Partners (WPZ) is based in Tulsa, Okla. With major offices in Oklahoma City, Houston, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City and Calgary.  Williams owns the general partner of and controlling interest in Williams Partners (WPZ).  Alan Armstrong and Donald Chappel serve the merged MLP as its general partner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, respectively.

  Williams and Williams Partners (WPZ) intend to provide updated financial guidance on or before Feb. 18.

  Forth-Quarter and Year-end 2014 Financial Results

  Williams and Williams Partners (WPZ) plan to jointly host a conference call and live web cast on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 09:30a.m. EST following the announcement of their fourth-quarter and year-end 2014 financial results after the market closed on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

  A limited number of phone lines will be available.  A link to the webcast, as well as replays of the webcast in both streaming and downloadable podcast formats, will be available for two weeks following the event at www.williams.com .