Davis Polk is advising Morgan Stanley as financial adviser to Memorial Resource Development Corp. on its $4.4 billion acquisition by Range Resources Corporation in an all-stock transaction. The transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of 2016, is subject to the approval of the respective companies’ shareholders, certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Memorial Resource Development is an independent natural gas and oil company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of natural gas and oil properties in North Louisiana. Range Resources is a leading independent oil and natural gas producer with operations focused in stacked-pay projects in the Appalachian Basin.

The Davis Polk corporate team includes partner William H. Aaronson, counsel Ajay B. Lele and associate Nicholas C. Phillips. All members of the Davis Polk team are based in the New York office.