Whole-company and minority-stake deals in the oil and gas industry declined year over year to 34 from 50 in March, and the combined value of deals fell to $6.10 billion from $8.61 billion, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data.

Twenty-four asset transactions were announced in the sector in March, compared to 38 in the year-ago period. Their aggregate value fell to about $1.47 billion from $2.63 billion.

Williams buys Haynesville Shale assets

The largest asset deal announced in March was less than $1 billion. Williams Cos. Inc. bought Haynesville Shale gathering and processing assets from Trace Midstream Partners LLC for $950 million.

The purchase included the Gemini Carthage pipeline system and the Endeavor and Star gathering systems, spanning Panola and Harrison counties in East Texas and Caddo, Webster and Bienville parishes in Louisiana.

Whiting Petroleum snaps up Oasis Petroleum

Whiting Petroleum Corp.'s acquisition of fellow Williston Basin operator Oasis Petroleum Inc. for about $3.52 billion was the biggest whole-company and minority-stake deal announced in March and the biggest deal of the year so far. Whiting shareholders will own about 53% and Oasis shareholders will own about 47% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis.

EnCap Investments LP's $1.45 billion purchase of EP Energy Corp. was the second-largest whole-company and minority-stake deal of the month. The Federal Trade Commission announced it will require the divestiture of EP Energy's business and assets in Utah to resolve concerns that the transaction would eliminate competition.

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