Atlas Energy, L.P. Formally Approves Distribution of Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. Units to ATLS Unitholders; Form 10 Registration Statement Declared Effective

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atlas Energy, L.P. (NYSE: ATLS) and Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. (“ARP”), a newly formed exploration & production (“E&P”) master limited partnership (“MLP”) that will hold substantially all of ATLS’ current natural gas and oil development and production assets and its partnership management business, announced today the board of directors of ATLS’ general partner has approved the distribution of approximately 5.24 million ARP common units representing an approximately 19.6% limited partner interest in ARP. The distribution of ARP units will be conducted on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 to all ATLS unitholders of record as of Tuesday, February 28, 2012. ATLS unitholders will receive 0.1021 of a common unit of ARP for each common unit of ATLS owned as of the close of business on the record date. ATLS unitholders will receive cash in lieu of fractional units of ARP, which will be aggregated and sold on their behalf by ATLS’ transfer agent.