Eagle Rock Energy Partners LP was formed in May 2006, is the successor to Eagle Rock Pipeline, L.P. as a result of its initial public offering in October 2006. The Company is engaged in the business of developing and producing interests in oil and natural gas properties (Upstream Business) and gathering, compressing, treating, processing and transporting natural gas; fractionating and transporting natural gas liquids crude oil and condensate logistics and marketing; and natural gas marketing and trading (Midstream Business). Its Upstream Business consists of properties located in four significant oil and gas producing regions: South Alabama (which includes the associated gathering, processing and treating assets); Mid-Continent (which includes areas in Oklahoma, Arkansas and the Texas Panhandle); Permian (which includes areas in West Texas); and East Texas/South Texas/Mississippi/Louisiana. Its Midstream Business is located in four significant natural gas producing regions: the Texas Panhandle; East Texas/Louisiana; South Texas; and the Gulf of Mexico. These four regions are productive, mature, natural gas producing basins that have historically experienced significant drilling activity. The Company's segments include Texas Panhandle, East Texas and Other Midstream and Marketing and Trading. The Texas Panhandle Segment covers 14 counties in Texas and two counties in Oklahoma. Through the systems within this segment it offers midstream wellhead-to-market services, including gathering, compressing, treating, processing and selling of natural gas, and fractionating and selling of NGLs. The East Texas and Other Midstream Segment operates in the East Texas/Louisiana, South Texas and the Gulf of Mexico natural gas producing regions. Through its East Texas/Louisiana region, it offers producers natural gas gathering, treating, processing and transportation and NGL transportation across 21 counties in East Texas and seven parishes in West Louisiana. Through the Marketing and Trading Segment, it sells natural gas to wholesale and retail markets at various market hubs and specific facility locations, depending on market conditions. The Company's business is subject to several federal and state laws and regulations, including federal safety standards developed under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Company's competitors include DCP Midstream, LLC and Midcoast Energy Partners, L.P., Crosstex Energy, L.P., Energy Transfer Partners, LP and Enterprise Products Partners, L.P.