Rice Energy Takes Steps Towards Initial Public Offering

The Pittsburgh Business Times reported yesterday that Rice Energy Inc. is planning for an initial public offering sometime during the first quarter of 2014.  Rice confirmed that it filed a Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Pipeline reports that Rice’s registration statement will be made public in a few weeks.  The Business Times further reports that Alpha Natural Resources will be selling its 50 percent stake in a joint venture, Alpha shale Resources, to Rice for $300 million.  A portion of the payment for that transaction will include stock from the upcoming IPO.