What is the main purpose of this 8-K filing?

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to publicly disclose Williams Companies' (WMB) entry into a participation and exploration agreement with Rex Energy Corporation to develop natural gas wells in the Marcellus Shale.

What is the significance of the Marcellus Shale for WMB?

The Marcellus Shale is a major unconventional natural gas play that was attracting significant industry and investor interest in 2009. WMB's participation indicates a strategic move to tap into this potentially high-growth resource area.

Does this filing provide financial details on the agreement?

No, this 8-K filing (Item 7.01) primarily serves as a Regulation FD disclosure and furnishes a press release as an exhibit. It does not include detailed financial statements or specific terms of the agreement beyond the general nature of participation and exploration in the Marcellus Shale.

What is the legal implication of the 'furnished' information?

The filing specifies that the information furnished, including the press release, is not deemed 'filed' for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This means the company generally won't be held liable under that section for any inaccuracies in the furnished information, and it's not automatically incorporated into other SEC filings.

WMB 8-K: Regulation FD — Jun 22, 2009

Summary

Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) filed an 8-K on June 22, 2009, to disclose a significant development in its exploration and production strategy. The company announced the signing of a participation and exploration agreement with Rex Energy Corporation to develop natural gas wells in the highly prospective Marcellus Shale region. This agreement signals WMB's strategic move into a key unconventional natural gas play, which at the time was gaining substantial investor attention due to its potential for large-scale production. The participation in the Marcellus Shale could represent a material opportunity for future growth and cash flow generation for Williams Companies, aligning with broader industry trends towards unconventional resource development.

Key Highlights

1Williams Companies (WMB) entered into a participation and exploration agreement with Rex Energy Corporation.
2The agreement focuses on the development of natural gas wells within the Marcellus Shale formation.
3This marks a strategic expansion for WMB into a significant unconventional resource play.
4The filing is a Regulation FD Disclosure (Item 7.01) and includes a press release as Exhibit 99.1.
5The information furnished is not deemed 'filed' for Section 18 purposes, limiting liability.
6No financial statements or other exhibits beyond the press release were included in this filing.

WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (Jun 22, 2009)

Summary

Key Highlights

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