BP has begun formal discussions with potential buyers for its North Sea assets, with sale documents revealing a £2.5billion package.
The Telegraph reports that, according to analysts at Rystad, the most likely potential buyers are Neo Next+, Adura, and Ithaca Energy.
With BP reportedly seeking a single cash purchaser for its entire UK North Sea portfolio, Neo Next+ is widely seen as the early leading candidate.
The firm recently purchased BP's share of the Culzean gas field in the North Sea.
Earlier this month, Serica also hinted at seeking "further opportunities" in the North Sea after publishing a strong set of results for the first half of the year.
Last month, BP announced plans to exit the North Sea after 60 years in the basin.
Now, The Telegraph reports the energy giant has issued a 'confidential information memorandum' to prospective buyers, offering access to its geological and other data, subject to non-disclosure agreements.
FSTE100
The UK's flagship share index, the FTSE 100, was up 12 points at 10,777 shortly after opening this morning.
Brent crude oil futures were down 0.14%, sitting at $88.40 a barrel this morning.
Source: Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
