In the latest big energy deal out of shale-rich Texas, independent oil and gas producer Devon Energy announced Wednesday an agreement to pay $6 billion in cash for assets held by private equity–backed GeoSouthern Energy.

The transaction calls for GeoSouthern to divest itself of 82,000 net acres of drilling leases in the Eagle Ford shale formation in southern Texas. Bloomberg reports the deal is the largest acquisition of exploration and production assets so far this year.