Simpson's banner year.

The article provides information about ExxonMobil Corporation's acquisition of XTO Energy Inc. for 31 billion U.S. dollars, which is referred to as the largest deal in years. It is inferred that it is a concrete evidence that the shale gas technologies were being adopted by mainstream energy firms, since its introduction in the Barnett Shale in Fort Worth, Texas. It is also mentioned that the deal makes Exxon as the largest natural gas producer in the U.S., raising its production to 3.7 billion cubic feet per day. INSET: Exxon Mobil details plans for XTO integration.