The energy law firm of Burleson LLP announced today that it represented Wheatland Oil, Inc. in a $340 million transaction to sell assets in the Bakken shale play to Continental Resources, Inc. (NYSE: CLR).

John K. Arnold has joined Winstead PC and will work as a shareholder in the energy and environmental law practice group. Arnold is recognized as an expert in energy regulatory matters before the Texas Public Utility Commission and the Railroad Commission of Texas, as well as other state and federal agencies. He previously worked as a partner at Locke Lord LLP’s Houston Office.

The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Bryan K. Brown as a Partner in the Firm’s Houston office.

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP represented BP America Production Company (NYSE:BP) in its $1.2 billion sale of Hugoton Basin properties to an affiliate of LINN Energy, LLC (Nasdaq:LINE) in a transaction that was signed Feb. 28, 2012. Included in the sale are the Jayhawk gas processing plant located in Hugoton, Kansas and BP’s interest in approximately 2,400 wells in the Hugoton natural gas field. Completion of the sale remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and conditions. The acquisition is expected to close in March 2012.

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP represented Chesapeake Energy Corporation in the formation of a partnership with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co L.P. (KKR) to invest in mineral interests and royalty interests in key oil and gas basins in the United States.

The Firm is representing Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (“KKR”) in the formation of a partnership with Chesapeake Energy Corporation (“Chesapeake”) to invest in mineral interests and royalty interests in key oil and gas basins in the United States. KKR and Chesapeake will make an initial combined $250 million commitment to the partnership. Chesapeake will contribute 10% of the total commitment and will receive a promoted interest in the partnership.  KKR and Chesapeake will jointly oversee the partnership while Chesapeake will source, acquire and manage the royalty investment opportunities.

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP is representing Wells Fargo Bank in its purchase of the energy lending unit of BNP Paribas. Wells Fargo will acquire $9.5 billion of total loan commitments, including $3.9 billion in funded balances.

& Giuliani LLP is representing Kinder Morgan, Inc. in the sale of El Paso Corporation’s exploration and production business, EP Energy Corporation (EP Energy), for approximately $7.15 billion to affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC and Riverstone Holdings, LLC, who are joined by Access Industries, Inc. and other parties.

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP is representing Rockland Capital LLC, a private equity firm focused on energy-related investments, in its purchase of two separate power assets.