20c short term, page-252

Who are the next oil and gas M&A targets?

As the oil and gas market braces for a rush in mergers and acquisitions, Australia’s recent forecast domestic gas shortage has done more than just raise concerns of an energy crisis, it also drew attention to a market ripe for takeover.

EY analysts are forecasting a boom in oil and gas M&A, predicting 30 per cent growth in upstream deal values year on year as a strong oil price provides a foundation for expansion.

"The need to demonstrate appropriate returns is now pushing companies to reposition their portfolios and seek economies of scale, which in turn we anticipate will underpin more M&A activity in 2018," EY Global Oil & Gas transactions leader Andy Brogan said.

In the wake of this, Australian junior and mid-cap oil and gas companies are now in the spotlight.
Billions of dollars are on the line as more foreign players – particularly Asian national oil corporations – look to secure supply and gain a foothold in lucrative Australian assets for relatively cheap prices.

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GLTAH
DYOR