Mitsubishi Nears $8B US Shale Deal Announcement

Mitsubishi Corp. is in advanced talks to acquire Aethon Energy Management’s U.S. shale production and pipeline assets for about $8 billion, which would be the Japanese conglomerate’s largest acquisition to date. Aethon, backed by RedBird Capital Partners and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, is a significant private natural gas producer primarily focused on the Haynesville shale near the Gulf Coast, with over 1,400 miles of pipelines. The acquisition would expand Mitsubishi’s natural gas footprint adjacent to the Gulf Coast and align with the region’s growing energy export infrastructure. While discussions are ongoing and no final agreement is guaranteed, Mitsubishi could announce the deal in the coming weeks. The deal is also attracting interest from other energy companies, including Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., which had previously considered a transaction involving Aethon. Representatives from Mitsubishi, Aethon, and its investors have not publicly commented on the negotiations.