LNG

Chesapeake Energy Corp., the US natural gas producer completing a merger with smaller peer Southwestern Energy to create American’s biggest natural gas company, reported declines in fourth-quarter and annual net income as it also advanced with various LNG deals.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. said it would purchase smaller market rival Southwestern Energy Co. for $7.4 billion in an all-stock transaction creating a $24Bln company that will be the nation’s largest natural gas producer.