Energy

Petrobras Aims to Sell Gulf of Mexico Assets

Petroleo Brasileiro SA
The CEO of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (NYSE: PBR), or Petrobras, says the company is “very near to closing a deal” for the sale of some $6 billion worth of assets in the Gulf of Mexico. The company is in talks with three potential buyers, according to a report in the Financial Times.

The Gulf of Mexico assets are part of a planned divestment of about $14.5 billion in the company’s assets as it seeks to cut costs and maintain the vast investment it needs to make to develop its fields offshore of Brazil.

For a sale of that size, Petrobras will need a deep-pocketed buyer. Reports on Brazilian TV have indicated that the usual suspects are lined up: Royal Dutch Shell PLC (NYSE: RDS-A) (RDS-B), Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) and BP PLC (NYSE: BP).

BP, which is in the processing of shedding assets itself, is not a likely buyer, but we could see an offer come in from a Chinese company. For that to happen, a lot depends on the success of CNOOC Ltd.’s (NYSE: CEO) $15.1 billion bid to acquire Nexen Corp. (NYSE: NXY). Around 10% of Nexen’s assets are located in the United States, which requires that the U.S. give its approval for the deal. That is not a slam-dunk.

It is easy to imagine that Petrobras would be unwilling to entertain an offer from a Chinese oil company if the CNOOC-Nexen deal is scrubbed. Chinese firms may even decide not to make an offer. And even if that deal goes through, the next deal that would put more U.S.-based assets in Chinese hands might have a very slim chance of success.

Paul Ausick

Cash Back Credit Cards Have Never Been This Good

Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers. A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges. See our top picks for the best credit cards today. You won’t want to miss some of these offers.

 

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.