GDF Said to Study IPO for Oil, Gas Production Unit to Cut Debt

GDF Suez SA, operator of Europe’s largest natural-gas network, is studying a plan to sell shares or a minority stake in its oil and gas production business, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.

GDF Suez may soon hire an investment bank to manage an initial public offering or help find a buyer for the stake, said one of the people, who declined to be identified because the plans are private. The shares may be sold in London or Paris, one of the people said.