Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE: VTLE) (Vital Energy) has announced the signing of definitive agreements with Henry Energy LP and Henry Resources LLC, and Maple Energy Holdings, LLC that will materially add scale in the Permian Basin, increase Free Cash Flow, enhance capital efficiency, and significantly reduce leverage. The transactions, which are subject to customary terms and conditions, are all expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2023. Latham & Watkins LLP advises Vital Energy in these two transactions with a corporate deal team led by Houston partners Stephen Szalkowski and John Greer, with associates Cesar Leyva, Robert Cunningham, Justin Reinking, and Jordan Armstrong. Advice was also provided on tax matters by Houston partners Jim Cole and Tim Fenn, with associate Dominick Constantino; on antitrust matters by Washington, D.C. partner Jason Cruise and counsel Peter Todaro; and on executive compensation, employment, and benefits matters by Washington, D.C. partner Adam Kestenbaum.~~