French oil giant,Total to buy Maersk Oil for $7.45 billion

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — French oil company Total is strengthening its position in the North Sea with the acquisition of Danish conglomerate AP Moller-Maersk’s oil business for $7.45 billion.
The sale of Maersk Oil is part of Maersk’s major restructuring which will see it focus on its core transport and logistics arms.
As part of the deal, the company will get $4.95 billion worth of Total shares. The French company will also assume some $2.5 billion worth of Maersk Oil debt.
Total Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanne said the addition of Maersk Oil will “create a leading international operator in the North West European offshore region, making Denmark a regional anchor point for Total’s North Sea business.”
AP Moller Maersk’s share price rose 4 percent in Monday trading, while Total’s was down 0.1 percent.
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By Associated Press