Commodities

Exxon Deals Blow to Chevron-Hess Deal With Arbitration Case

  • Chevron trying to circumvent Guyana contract: Exxon executive
  • Hess shares drop as much as 2.5% in New York on the news

The ExxonMobil Guyana offices in Georgetown.

Photographer: Jose A. Alvardo Jr./Bloomberg
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Exxon Mobil Corp. filed for arbitration to retain pre-emption rights in a giant Guyanese oil field, threatening Chevron Corp.’s attempt to acquire a stake via its pending $53 billion takeover of Hess Corp.

Exxon filed for arbitration in the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris on Wednesday, Senior Vice President Neil Chapman said during a Morgan Stanley conference. Exxon, as 45% owner and operator of the Guyana project, believes it has a right of first refusal over any change of hands in Hess’ 30% stake and would consider matching Chevron’s valuation, he said.