TOKYO, March 12 - Japan's top oil explorer Inpex Corp said on Thursday it and U.S. energy firm Apache had agreed to acquire BHP Billiton's stakes in two undeveloped offshore Australia blocks.
Inpex said it would boost its stake in the WA-35-L block, excluding the Van Gogh oilfield, to 47.499 percent from 28.5 percent, while Apache would increase its interest to 52.501 percent from 31.501 percent.
BHP Billiton also agreed to sell a 23.7495 percent stake in WA-255-P block 1081 to Inpex, and the remaining 26.2505 percent stake to Apache, Inpex said in a statement.
Inpex said it would boost its stake in the WA-35-L block, excluding the Van Gogh oilfield, to 47.499 percent from 28.5 percent, while Apache would increase its interest to 52.501 percent from 31.501 percent.
BHP Billiton also agreed to sell a 23.7495 percent stake in WA-255-P block 1081 to Inpex, and the remaining 26.2505 percent stake to Apache, Inpex said in a statement.
