Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is advising Metalmark Capital Partners and its portfolio company Monarch Natural Gas, LLC in connection with Monarch’s $23 million acquisition of substantially all of the Riverbend midstream assets and the salt water evaporative facilities of Gasco Energy, Inc. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010.

Monarch Natural Gas, LLC is a private energy company focused on making investments in the midstream sector, including gathering, processing, treating, transportation, storage and marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids, oil and related hydrocarbons. Metalmark Capital is a leading private equity firm whose principals have a long track record of successful investments in targeted sectors, with particular focus and competence in energy and natural resources, industrials and health care. Denver, Colorado-based Gasco Energy, Inc. is a natural gas and petroleum exploitation, development and production company engaged in locating and developing hydrocarbon resources, primarily in the Rocky Mountain region.

The Davis Polk corporate team includes partner John A. Bick and associates Mark P. Holloway and Jiabei Chen (not yet admitted). Partner Gail A. Flesher and associates Brianne M. Lucyk and Adam Riedel (not yet admitted) are providing environmental advice. The tax team includes partner William H. Weigel of the New York office and associate M. Ryan LaRosa of the Menlo Park office. Except as noted above, all members of the Davis Polk team are based in the New York office.