Murphy Oil in talks to sell Malaysian oil, gas assets

SINGAPORE: Murphy Oil Corporation is in talks to sell its Malaysian oil and gas assets after an unsolicited bid that could fetch between US$2 billion to US$3 billion, people familiar with the matter said, in the latest energy M&A deal in the Southeast Asian nation.

The independent US oil and gas exploration and production company has tapped banks for the potential sale of its majority interests in eight separate offshore production sharing contracts in Malaysia, said the people, who declined to be identified because the matter is confidential.

“Murphy wasn’t considering a sale but was approached by a party that put forward a very compelling bid. They are in negotiations,” said one of the people.

Murphy, which has been in Malaysia since 1999, could agree on a deal in a couple of weeks, the person said.

Others familiar with the matter suggested Spanish oil major Repsol, whose presence in Malaysia is focused on its upstream business, or other global majors could be potential buyers for Murphy’s assets.

The possible transaction comes as M&A activity is heating up in Malaysia’s oil and gas sector, where international companies pursuing expansion plans are spotting opportunities.

Repsol and Murphy declined to comment on any potential transaction or talks. There was no response to a query sent by Reuters to Malaysian state-owned Petronas, who partners Murphy in Malaysia.

“This is a good, balanced portfolio and offers a smart way for someone looking to grow quickly in the region. Otherwise, it’ll take a decade to start from scratch,” said Alex Siow, upstream oil and gas analyst at energy research firm Wood Mackenzie.