Oil Search talks with PNG regulator as InterOil investors hope for more

Oil Search has held talks with Papua New Guinea's competition regulator amid concerns the watchdog has voiced over its $US2.2 billion-plus takeover deal for smaller rival and partner InterOil, as retail shareholders in the target hold out hope for a rival offer.

Senior executives from both Oil Search and InterOil met Paulus Ain, the head of PNG's Independent Consumer and Competition Commission, on Friday in Port Moresby, according to a spokesman for the regulator, who said the ICCC had organised the meetings "to further push its stand on the issue".