Exhibit 8.1
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| | ONE SHELL PLAZA 910 LOUISIANA | | ABU DHABI AUSTIN |
| | HOUSTON, TEXAS | | BEIJING |
| | 77002-4995 | | DALLAS |
| | TEL +1 713.229.1234 | | DUBAI |
| | FAX +1 713.229.1522 | | HONG KONG |
| | www.bakerbotts.com | | HOUSTON |
| | | | LONDON |
| | | | MOSCOW |
| | | | NEW YORK |
| | | | PALO ALTO |
| | | | RIYADH |
| | | | WASHINGTON |
August 23, 2011
Linn Energy, LLC
600 Travis, Suite 5100
Houston, Texas 77002
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are acting as counsel to Linn Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), in connection with the issuance from time to time by the Company of units representing limited liability company interests in the Company having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $500,000,000 (the “Units”) pursuant to that certain Equity Distribution Agreement dated August 23, 2011 between the Company and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-162357) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the related prospectus dated October 6, 2009 (the “Prospectus”), as supplemented by the prospectus supplement relating to the issuance of the Units dated August 23, 2011 (the “Prospectus Supplement”).
In connection therewith, we prepared the discussion (the “Discussion”) set forth under the caption “Material Tax Consequences” in the Prospectus Supplement.
We hereby confirm that all statements of legal conclusions contained in the Discussion constitute the opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. with respect to the matters set forth therein as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement, subject to the assumptions, qualifications, and limitations set forth therein.
In providing this opinion, we have examined and are relying upon the truth and accuracy at all relevant times of the statements, covenants, and representations contained in (i) the Prospectus Supplement, (ii) certain other filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), (iii) a representation letter provided to us by the Company in support of this opinion and (iv) other information provided to us by the representatives of the Company.
We did not participate in the preparation of the registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-162357), as filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Act, or the Prospectus. We express no view as to the discussion set forth under the caption “Material Tax Consequences” in the Prospectus, which is entirely superseded by the Discussion.
At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you for filing as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed on or after the date hereof (the “Form