(Updates to add Woodside Energy's statement in the fourth paragraph)
Woodside Energy Group (ASX:WDS) is among several potential acquisition targets being evaluated by US energy giant Exxon Mobil, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing sources with knowledge of the matter.
Exxon has internally held initial acquisition discussions as it seeks to expand its presence in liquefied natural gas and Asian markets, but the talks are preliminary and there is no certainty of any offer being made, according to the report.
Woodside is Australia's biggest LNG exporter and is pursuing a project on the US Gulf Coast that is due to come online by 2029. In Australia, the company is advancing the Scarborough and Browse gas projects to help boost its LNG exports, the report said.
Woodside confirmed in a Monday Australian bourse filing that it is not engaged in talks on a potential transaction with Exxon Mobil.
Exxon Mobil has still not responded to' request for comment.
(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)