LINN Energy Finally Completed the Berry Merger, Now What?

By Tyler Crowe – Dec 20, 2013 at 11:40AM

OTC: LINEQ

Linn Energy, LLC

With LINN Energy's acquisition of Berry Petroleum in the books, here's what should investors focus on regarding this MLP.

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It only took 11 months, but LINN Energy (LINEQ) was finally able to put a ring on Berry Petroleum and complete the near-$5 billion acquisition through its operating arm LinnCo (NASDAQ: LNCO). For much of the year, investors and casual observers in the company have been fixated on this deal -- Will the SEC put the kibosh on it? Is Linn spending too much for Berry? -- but now that it's finally complete, investors need to look at what's next for this master limited partnership.

We can debate LINNs hedging program and spending habits until we are blue in the face, but the success of this company ultimately boils down to its ability to efficiently squeeze every last drop of oil from its mature, long-life assets. In several ways, the Berry buyout could actually help drive operational efficiencies in some of LINN's big holdings. To find out more about what the new LINN Energy looks like to investors, tune into the video below.

Fool contributor Aimee Duffy has no position in any stocks mentioned. Fool contributor Tyler Crowe owns shares of Linn Energy, LLC. You can follow them on Twitter @TMFDuffy and @TylerCroweFool, respectively.

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