Unocal 'almost backed China bid'
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-26 07:10

US energy giant Unocal, which recently backed a takeover offer from Chevron, says it was ready to consider a rival merger with China at the right price.

A Unocal oil truck is seen here at an oil storage facility in this US government photo. [AFP]

Had China's state-owned CNOOC raised its $67 a share bid by enough they would have had a deal, said Unocal.

The two firms "substantially completed" a draft merger document in mid-July.

But in the absence of a new offer, Unocal recommended shareholders to back a $63 a share offer from Chevron. The bidding process has been controversial.

Unocal's chief executive Charles Williamson said he urged CNOOC chief Fu Chengyu to make his best offer.

Political concerns

But CNOOC refused to put forward a new offer, unless Unocal paid the costs of ending the Chevron deal and lobbied for the deal in Congress.

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