Latest News

Occidental Petroleum says Colombia's Ecopetrol will not purchase CrownRock stake

Occidental Petroleum said on Thursday that Colombia's Ecopetrol will not buy a stake in shale oil manufacturer CrownRock after the U.S. company said last month they remained in talks for a prospective stake sale.

Last year, Occidental consented to purchase the closely held, Texas-based company, CrownRock, in a $12 billion cash-and-stock deal that closed on Thursday.

State-owned Ecopetrol was in talks to possibly buy a 30%. stake in CrownRock, in a transaction potentially worth $3.6. billion, Occidental said last month in a regulatory filing.

If a deal on the transaction is not reached, Ecopetrol will. have an option to elect for the Rodeo Midland Basin Joint. Venture to acquire the CrownRock properties, according to the. filing.

The CrownRock offer is including more debt onto Occidental's. balance sheet and the profits from Ecopetrol were anticipated to. assistance quickly lower the financial obligation.

Occidental, which had $18 billion in financial obligation at the end of the. first quarter, had actually declared in May that it prepares to offer about. $ 4.5 billion to $6 billion of properties within 18 months of closing. the CrownRock purchase.

Occidental's shares were marginally down in after-market. trade.

(source: Reuters)