U.S. oil and gas explorer Anadarko Petroleum Corp and Indian billionaire Venugopal Dhoot have launched the auction of a 20 percent stake in a Mozambique gas field that could fetch $4.5 billion, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.The Rovuma offshore field is drawing major interest after recent discoveries boosted Mozambique's gas reserves to around 150 trillion cubic feet, enough to supply number one importer Japan for 35 years. The east African country is expected to compete with Australia and Qatar as a major provider of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Asia in the future.PetroChina and Exxon Mobil Corp are among suitors expected to submit indicative proposals, sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Royal Dutch Shell PLC , which last year missed out on a stake in the same field when it lost a takeover battle for Cove Energy Plc, is also interested, they added.Shell and Exxon declined to comment. PetroChina officials were not available for comment.
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (Anadarko) is an independent exploration and production company. Shares of APC traded higher by 0.65% or $0.52/share to $80.34. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $56.42 and as high as $87.37. On average, 3211330 shares of APC exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 3423121.
Shares of RDS-B traded higher by 0.41% or $0.28/share to $67.93. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $63.05 and as high as $76.13. On average, 946713 shares of RDS-B exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 810485.
Exxon Mobil Corporation (Exxon Mobil) is a manufacturer and marketer of commodity petrochemicals, including olefins, aromatics, polyethylene and polypropylene plastics and a range of specialty products. Shares of XOM fell by 0.54% or $-0.48/share to $88.95. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $77.13 and as high as $93.67. On average, 13008300 shares of XOM exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 10994996.
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