Woodside Energy denies ExxonMobil takeover rumours
Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) denied being in takeover talks with US oil giant ExxonMobil Corporation, effectively cooling intense market speculation sparked by recent media reports.
Woodside confirmed on June 15 that it is completely unaware of any active proposal and is not engaged in any discussions regarding a potential transaction with the American multinational.
The announcement directly responds to a Bloomberg report indicating that ExxonMobil has been conducting early-stage internal evaluations of several global acquisition targets to aggressively scale up its presence in Asian gas markets.
Industry analysts note that smaller local rival Santos remains one of the few alternative options for foreign suitors eyeing Australia's LNG infrastructure.
The corporate manoeuvring has already drawn local political scrutiny, with Western Australian Premier Roger Cook swiftly declaring that the state government would fiercely oppose any deal resulting in Woodside relocating its headquarters away from Perth.
The heightened strategic interest comes as global energy companies race to secure reliable non-Middle Eastern gas supplies following significant geopolitical disruptions.
The unfolding situation marks an early governance test for Woodside’s newly appointed CEO, Liz Westcott, who took the reins earlier this year.
Woodside and ExxonMobil are already deeply integrated joint-venture partners in the long-running Bass Strait gas project, where Woodside formally assumed operating control from ExxonMobil's Esso Australia last year.
