Energy Transfer Equity buying The Williams Cos. for about $32.61 billion

DALLAS – Energy Transfer Equity is buying pipeline operator The Williams Cos. for approximately $32.61 billion.

The companies said Monday that the combination creates one of the five biggest energy companies in the world.

Energy Transfer Equity LP will pay $43.50 per share, a 4.6 per cent premium to Williams’ Friday closing price of $41.60. Williams’ shareholders can choose shares of Energy Transfer Equity affiliate Energy Transfer Corp., cash or a combination of both.

The companies put the deal’s value at about $37.7 billion, including debt and other liabilities.

Williams’ stockholders will also receive a one-time special dividend of 10 cents per share that will be paid immediately before the acquisition closes.

Williams Cos. previously announced a deal to acquire Williams Partners LP, but that transaction has been terminated. Williams agreed to pay a $428 million termination fee to Williams Partners.

In the deal with Energy Transfer Equity, Williams will keep its company name and remain headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Both companies’ boards approved the deal, which is expected to close in the first half of 2016. It still needs approval from Williams’ shareholders.

Shares of Williams Cos. fell $3.27, or 7.9 per cent, to $38.33 in morning trading Monday, while Energy Transfer shares lost $2.24, or 9.6 per cent, to $21.