Key players in the European A&D market to gather at IQPC's Acquisition & Divestiture Summit

Acquisition and divestiture is an important part of the European oil and gas industry. With recent years' economic instability it's more important than ever for exploration and production companies to stay on top of their portfolios. The big question for the year is, will market activity remain high in 2011?

Paul Mason, New Business Manager at Total E&P comments; "The sector is still in process of re-alignment following the credit crunch last year and the subsequent fiscal tightening. As a consequence I believe that the level of A&D activity will remain high for two reasons. Firstly, a consolidation in the small caps driven by ongoing funding issues and a certain degree of corporate 'fatigue'. Secondly, at the asset level, portfolio management/rationalisation will continue apace (driven by some corporate entrenchment and the ongoing mergers and acquisitions) and this will be helped by increasing oil/gas prices closing the value gap between the buyer and the seller."

Richard Gibson, event director at Oil & Gas IQ, agrees; "With firmer budgets for 2011, long term steadying oil price and more opportunities presenting themselves, confidence is back in the acquisition & divestiture market. A&D professionals need to know how to create new business prospects, to capture value and offset risk in their transactions."

The oil and gas industry’s key players in acquisition & divestiture will be gathering for the 9th year running at IQPC's Acquisition & Divestiture Summitin March with one common goal; to raise their profiles, explore opportunities and build relationships in order to create fast moving and profitable deals that deliver real value to oil and gas businesses.

For more information about the upcoming Acquisition & Divestiture Summit visit www.acquisitiondivestituresummit.comor phone +44 (0)207 368 9300.

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