Exxon’s North Sea fields draw bidders

Exxon Mobil Corp.’s U.K. North Sea assets have attracted suitors from state-owned companies to private equity-backed firms as the U.S. oil giant seeks to exit the aging region altogether, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Co. and the U.K.’s EnQuest PLC are among bidders, the people said, asking not to be identified because the process isn’t public. Exxon started the sale in July after delays caused by the spread of the coronavirus and slumping oil prices.

Tailwind Energy, whose equity partner is commodity trader Mercuria Energy Group, also submitted a bid, as did NEO Energy and Siccar Point Energy Ltd., according to the people. Newcomer Viaro Energy, which recently acquired North Sea company Rockrose Energy PLC, is involved in the process as well, two people said.

Exxon is offering its stake in 15 fields, expected to produce 37,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day net to the company this year, according to marketing documents seen by Bloomberg. Stakes in pipeline infrastructure as well as two exploration areas also are up for grabs.

The sale builds on Exxon’s retreat from Europe as part of a multibillion-dollar global divestment plan and a renewed focus on U.S. operations. The company exited Norway last year, selling its assets to Var Energi AS for $4.5 billion.

Exxon has said it’s “exploring market interest for a number of assets worldwide, including its interest in nonoperated assets in the U.K. central and northern North Sea.” It had no further comment.

Sinopec and EnQuest declined to comment, as did NEO Energy and Viaro. Kufpec didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Tailwind Energy and Siccar Point also didn’t respond.

Binding bids are due next month, and the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of next year, the people said.