Value of energy mergers soars

April 20 - Canadian Press - Mergers and acquisitions in the oil and gas industry totalled $291-billion (U.S.) in 2006, up 16 per cent from 2005, helped by record cash flows, says a global report from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The consulting firm said yesterday the key drivers of the growth in deals were an accelerated consolidation among mid-size energy companies, a rise of national oil companies from Russia, China and India, booming oil services activity and the appetite of private equity. Read More.