Equinor is reported to be considering a £1.2billion deal for a package UK North Sea assets currently owned by Suncor.
Norwegian publication Dagens Naeringsliv (DN) say the state-owned energy giant is running the rule over whether to snap up oilfields held by the Canadian company.
In the UK, Suncor holds a 29.9% interest in Cnooc’s Buzzard field in the central North Sea, which delivers more than 22,000 barrels per day net to the company.
It also has a 40% stake in the Rosebank development, which Equinor is aiming to take a final investment decision (FID) on this year.
On top of a move for Suncor’s assets, it is thought Equinor could be in for Cnooc’s UK North Sea assets.
It comes amid speculation that the Chinese operator is planning to pull its money out of the region.