Gulfport Energy Said to Consider Merger With Encino Energy

Gulfport Energy Corp. is considering merging with closely held Encino Energy LLC after discussions with rival oil and gas explorer Ascent Resources collapsed, according to people familiar with the matter.

Gulfport and Encino have discussed a stock-based transaction, said one of the people, who asked to not be identified as the talks are private. Talks are at an early stage, a deal isn’t imminent and the companies could decide against pursuing a merger, the people added.

Gulfport had discussed merging with Ascent in a deal that would value the combined company at about $8 billion, Bloomberg News reported in March. ...