Resolute Energy is yet another energy company that I was unaware of until today's edition of the Oil and Gas Journal which reported joint venture activity between Resolute and Marathon. Resolute is not entirely new to the Bakken; it has previously partnered with GeoResources in North Dakota.
The real question is why a fairly large company (MRO) with a market cap of $21 billion, debt of $7 billion, annual cash flow of $6 billion, and $2 billion cash on hand would partner with anyone, much less a small cap company (REN) with a market capitalization of about $600 million.
I can think of only two reasons. I suppose others can think of a lot more.