Last year, we highlighted the phenomenon of major European energy players like BP
Yesterday's announcement by an affiliate of Mitsui & Co. is certainly a start. Mitsui E&P USA is taking a 32.5% stake in Anadarko Petroleum's
As with Williams'
As for the price tag on the deal, this is a premium offer. Williams is paying $1,500 an acre to earn its 50% share of Rex's leasehold. When Chesapeake Energy
Mitsui is not the first Japanese trading house to eye the North American shale plays. Mitsubishi teamed up with Schlumberger
China is also getting enthusiastic about shale. Royal Dutch Shell has teamed up with PetroChina
Korea's national oil company, KNOC, has announced $6.5 billion in planned M&A this year. Following the company's purchase of Canada's Harvest Energy Trust, a shale gas play may be next on the menu. India's ONGC, which has also teamed up with Schlumberger to study shale plays, is another one to watch in 2010.