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Energy manufacturers Santos, Repsol explore sale of stakes in Alaska oilfields, sources state

Oil and gas producers Santos and Repsol are checking out a sale of a minority stake in oilfields in Alaska they collectively own and develop in an offer that could be worth about $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

The oilfields include the Pikka job, which is among the largest oil potential customers in Alaska and has actually been valued at about $ 4.5 billion by consultancy firm Rystad Energy.

The business are dealing with an investment bank to collectively sell minority stakes in Pikka, along with partial interests in the Horseshoe and Quokka fields that lie in the North Slope area of Alaska, the sources said, requesting anonymity as the discussions are personal.

Repsol declined to comment. Santos did not instantly react to a request for comment.

The stakes are so-called non-op positions, meaning the owner gets a share of the profits from the sale of hydrocarbons without requiring to carry out any drilling or be associated with operations. They are required to add to their share of costs.

Prospective purchaser interest will likely be impacted by elements consisting of environmental and legal threats, the sources stated, cautioning an offer is not guaranteed.

There are outstanding legal actions related to access to roads in an oilfield surrounding Pikka that is owned by an unit of ConocoPhillips, the largest operator in the North Slope.

North Slope tasks have actually also dealt with heavy opposition from indigenous residents and conservation groups, who looked for to block Conoco's Willow project without success.

Conoco had previously held speak to purchase a 15% stake in Pikka when it was controlled by Oil Browse, an Australian energy company that was obtained by Santos for $6 billion in 2021.

Those initial talks ended since Oil Browse refused to provide up its operator rights. It is unclear if Conoco would be thinking about the stakes in the Alaska oilfields that are currently for sale.

Conoco declined to comment.

The Pikka task initially had a hard time to get off the ground, due to the technical challenges of running in Alaska and was ultimately greenlit in 2022. Santos stated last month that it stayed on track to get the field under production in 2026.

(source: Reuters)