據道瓊斯悉尼8月16日消息，必和必拓集團表示，公司正在考慮出售旗下石油業(yè)務，在目前投資者和政府要求資源公司減排的壓力越來越大的情況下，此舉將減少其對化石燃料的敞口。

　　必和必拓表示，公司正在與澳大利亞石油天然氣公司伍德賽德石油公司就合并其石油子公司的潛在交易進行談判。必和必拓表示，作為戰(zhàn)略評估的一部分，公司也在評估該部門的其他選擇，但沒有詳細說明。

　　分析師估計，必和必拓的石油業(yè)務價值至少150億美元，與此同時，必和必拓也在為其動力煤礦業(yè)務尋找買家。

　　出售石油業(yè)務將使必和必拓專注于開采大宗商品:鐵礦石、冶金用煤、銅、鎳，如果該公司繼續(xù)在加拿大的一個大型項目，可能還包括鉀肥。在這些大宗商品中，鐵礦石占必和必拓利潤的最大份額。

　　必和必拓表示，與伍德賽德石油公司的可能交易將包括將伍德賽德石油公司的股票分配給必和必拓的股東。必和必拓表示:“盡管雙方的談判目前正在進行，但尚未就任何此類交易達成協(xié)議。”

　　伍德賽德石油公司的市值約為155億美元，該公司另外證實正在與必和必拓談判。伍德賽德公司表示:“伍德賽德將持續(xù)評估其資產組合的構成，以及為股東創(chuàng)造和交付價值的機會。”

　　張春曉 摘譯自 道瓊斯

　　原文如下：

　　BHP Considers Sale of $15 Billion-Valued Petroleum Business

　　BHP Group Ltd. said it is considering the sale of its petroleum business, a move that would reduce its exposure to fossil fuels amid growing pressure from investors and governments for resources companies to cut emissions.

　　BHP said it is in talks with Woodside Petroleum Ltd. on a potential deal to combine BHP's petroleum unit with the Australian oil-and-natural gas company. BHP is also assessing other options for the division as part of a strategic review, the company said, without elaborating.

　　Analysts estimate the petroleum business is worth at least $15 billion, and a deal is being explored while BHP separately hunts for a buyer for its thermal coal mining business.

　　Selling the petroleum business would lead to BHP focusing on mined commodities: iron ore, metallurgical coal, copper, nickel and potentially potash if it proceeds with a large Canadian project. Of these commodities, iron ore accounts for the largest share of BHP's profits.

　　BHP said a possible deal with Woodside would include a distribution of Woodside shares to BHP shareholders. "While discussions between the parties are currently progressing, no agreement has been reached on any such transaction," BHP said.

　　Woodside, which has a market value of around $15.5 billion, separately confirmed it was in talks with BHP. "Woodside continuously reviews the composition of its asset portfolio and opportunities to create and deliver value for shareholders," the company said.