LINN Energy, LinnCo, Berry Petroleum Amend Merger Agreement

LINN Energy, LLC LINE, LinnCo, LLC LNCO and Berry Petroleum Company BRY (the "Companies") announced today that the boards of directors of LINN Energy, LinnCo and Berry have unanimously approved an amended merger agreement. The Companies have executed an amendment to the existing merger agreement to provide for an increase in the exchange ratio that each outstanding share of Berry common stock would receive in the merger and an extension of the end date to January 31, 2014.  Transaction Terms Under the amended terms of the agreement, LinnCo has agreed to increase the number of common shares it is issuing to 1.68 common shares, from 1.25 common shares, for each common share of Berry outstanding prior to the merger for total consideration of approximately $4.9 billion, including the assumption of debt. The transaction, which is structured as a stock-for-stock merger of Berry with LinnCo followed by the acquisition of the Berry assets by LINN Energy, is expected to be tax-free to Berry shareholders. The proposed merger will create one of the largest independent oil and natural gas companies in North America with pro forma production of more than 1 Bcfe per See full press release