Several energy IPOs priced just under the wire of the pre-Thanksgiving Day break in new offerings that sometimes continue through the Christmas holiday. And, more are planned for 2007. Meanwhile, there were important IPO-plan withdrawals in November, including those of:

• Oklahoma City-based Riata Energy Inc., which had filed in January. A majority stake in the company, now known as SandRidge Energy Inc., was purchased by Tom Ward, retired co-founder of Chesapeake Energy Corp.

• Dallas-based E&P interests-owner NEG Inc., which had filed in February and has since been purchased by SandRidge Energy Inc.

• Houston-based Stallion Oilfield Services Ltd., which had filed in July and planned to raise more than $250 million. A reason for the withdrawal was not provided.

• Energy-focused investment-banking and M&A advisory firm Petrie Parkman & Co., which had filed in September and has since been acquired by Merrill Lynch & Co.

Another IPO-plan withdrawal in 2006 was that of Fort Worth-based Stroud Energy Inc., which filed in April and was subsequently bought by Range Resources Corp. Also rescinding its going-public agenda was Oklahoma City-based Chaparral Energy Inc., in which Chesapeake Energy has taken a major equity stake instead. (For more on this, see "CO2 in Oklahoma" in this issue.)

Among IPO plans under way and expected to price in 2007 are those of:

• Midland, Texas-based Legacy Reserves LP, which focuses on E&P in the Permian Basin. It was formed in 2005 with properties acquired from Moriah Group, Brothers Group, H2K Holdings Ltd. and MBN Properties LP, and three charitable foundations. Use of proceeds will include debt payment.

• Boulder, Colorado-based Ellora Energy Inc., which focuses on E&P in East Texas, western Louisiana, and the Hugoton in southwestern Kansas. Net production in June was 26 million cubic feet equivalent per day, and proved reserves totaled 281 billion equivalent (84% gas). Formed in 2002, it has Yorktown Energy Partners V LP equity funding. Proceeds will go to selling stockholders.

• Philadelphia-based Atlas Energy Resources LLC, which will hold the E&P assets of Atlas America Inc. in the Appalachian Basin.

• Oklahoma City-based Diamondback Energy Services Inc., which provides oilfield services in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and the Rockies, primarily drilling technology, stimulation and pumping, fluid logistics, and completion and production.

• Houston-based Stewart & Stevenson LLC, which designs, manufactures and markets equipment and aftermarket parts and service to several industries, including oil and gas. Use of proceeds will include debt payment.

• Houston-based Targa Resources Partners LP, a midstream operator in the Fort Worth Basin. The company holds 3,950 miles of pipelines, two gas-processing plants and a fractionator. Use of proceeds will include debt payment.

Energy IPOs that were priced in November before the pre-Thanksgiving break include those of:

• Denver-based Venoco Inc. (NYSE: VQ), which holds E&P assets offshore southern California, onshore in the Sacramento Basin, and along the Texas Gulf Coast. Its proved reserves total some 94.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (57% oil). Use of proceeds will include debt payment.

• Constellation Energy Partners LLC, Houston, (NYSE: CEP), which holds E&P and midstream assets primarily in Robinson's Bend Field in the Black Warrior Basin, Alabama. The energy trust is run by Constellation Energy Group Inc. (NYSE: CEG).

• Acheson, Alberta-based North American Energy Partners Inc. (NYSE: NOA), which provides mining and site preparation, piling and pipeline installation services in Western Canada. The company is a roll-up of NACG Holdings Inc. subsidiaries NACG Preferred Corp. and NAEP Inc.

Meanwhile, Dallas-based Exco Resources Inc. has postponed its plan to roll some of its assets-particularly those of Winchester Energy Co. Ltd., which Exco acquired recently from Progress Energy Inc.-into a trust via an IPO. The new business unit would hold Exco's East Texas and North Louisiana assets.