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M&A activity in oil & gas industry

Mergers and acquisitions activity in the oil & gas industry has surged in recent years; the value of deals last year tripled to $160 billion according to a Financial Times report by Carola Hoyas.

An industry study suggests oil execs and government leaders have been "on a frantic buying spree" to secure assets. The full report, prepared by research firms Harrison Lovegrove and John S. Herold, will be released in April 2006. Among its key findings: buyers loosened their valuation criteria for deals due to competitive pressures; national oil companies played an increasing role in the battle for assets; and the continued importance of unconventional resource deals.

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