Kuwait Energy in merger talks with Soco Int'l: sources

Dubai

OIL and gas firm Kuwait Energy is in talks to merge with Soco International, an oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the London Stock Exchange, two sources familiar with the matter said.

The potential merger would provide a way for the Kuwaiti company to go public after it failed last year to complete an initial public offer of its shares on the London exchange, through which it hoped to raise about US$150 million.