Four Firms Steer Take-Private Deal for Shale Firm Continental

Vinson & Elkins is advising billionaire shale driller Harold Hamm on his approximately $4.3 billion take-private offer for independent oil and natural gas producer Continental Resources, Inc., which he founded 55 years ago.

Oklahoma City-based Continental has entered into a merger agreement with Hamm, who with the rest of his family owns around 83% of Continental’s shares. Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, Wachtell Lipton, and Sidley Austin are also advising in the deal, according to emailed statements.

The merger agreement calls for an Oklahoma-based entity owned by Hamm, Omega Acquisition, Inc., to acquire the approximately 58 million shares that his family ...