Australia's second-largest gas producer Santos said on Monday it intended to support an all-cash $18.7 billion takeover bid from an international consortium led by Abu Dhabi's National Oil Company (ADNOC),

Santos, an Australian oil and gas producer, has announced the receipt of a non-binding indicative proposal from a consortium led by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to acquire all the ordinary shares of Santos through an arrangement process.

Adelaide-based Santos said that XRG, comprised of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company and US private equity fund Carlyle, had tabled an indicative cash offer of US$5.76 a share — equivalent to A$8.89 — which represented a 28 per cent premium to the company’s closing share price last week.