Nexen Inc (NXY.TO) expects to seal a partnership to develop its large Canadian shale gas plays in the second half of this year, its chief executive said, adding to a string of similar transactions, including a C$5.4 billion ($5.5 billion) one last week. Nexen, Canada's No. 5 independent oil explorer, has hired Bank of America (BAC.N) as adviser in its quest for a joint venture partner for its Horn River, Cordova and Liard plays in British Columbia as Asian interest in the region builds. "We anticipate that the process could take anywhere from being completed this summer to being completed late in the year," CEO Marvin Romanow told analysts.
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