A. Lee Graham Reporter Athlon Energy of Fort Worth plans to go public and raise $300 million by offering 15.8 million shares at a price range of $18 to $20. At the midpoint of the proposed range, the commpany would command a market value of $1.6 billion. Acting as joint bookrunners in the deal were Citi, Goldman Sachs, BofA Merrill Lynch and UBS Investment Bank. Athlon Energy, launched by former Encore Acquisition executives with financing from Apollo Global Management, focuses on unconventional oil and liquids-rich natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin. It booked $179 million in sales in the last 12 months. It plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ATHL. lgraham@bizpress.net