Deals
Ophir Energy Said to Receive Merger Interest Amid Oil Slump
- Explorer attracts interest from companies, financial investors
- Shares surge up to 13 percent, biggest gain in seven months
This article is for subscribers only.
Ophir Energy Plc, the U.K. oil and gas explorer active in Africa, has received informal takeover and merger interest from several parties as a slump in crude oil prices forces independent operators to consolidate, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The shares rose the most in seven months.
London-listed Ophir, which bought Salamander Energy Plc earlier this year, has attracted interest from both companies and financial investors, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. The company is evaluating the proposals, but deliberations are at an early stage and it may decide against a deal, the people said.