BP has approached a number of UK-focused energy companies about a potential sell-off of its North Sea assets, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

It is understood that the energy giant has met with utilities and oil companies to gauge their interest in the non-core fields, which are collectively worth around $1 billion.

BP is thought to have approached the organisations on a ‘pre-tender’ basis—ahead of any official auction—to gauge the level of interest.

Even the largest names in pharmaceuticals need some help from their friends from time to time, as Alan Swaby learns in discussion with Penn Pharma.

A career in pharmaceutical R&D is not for those with a short attention span. Perhaps growing bonsai needs more patience; but the painstaking search for new drugs can’t be far behind. Even when an exciting breakthrough is made in the form of a promising new molecule, the hard grind has barely begun.

With two highly productive coal mining assets and a strong pipeline of projects under development, Optimum Coal looks set to become one of South Africa’s largest coal mining companies. CEO Mike Teke talks to Gay Sutton about the company’s strategy for growth.

In the oil well drilling business, having the latest equipment helps; but it’s the human element that still makes the difference, as Alan Swaby learns.

Whatever else the Norwegian equivalent of Father Christmas brings Frank Tollefsen this year, his largest—and most anticipated—present by far will be a brand new drilling ship costing the best part of half a billion dollars.

Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia, has familiar water supply and hygiene problems. Managing director George Ndongwe tells John O’Hanlon how Lusaka Water & Sewerage Company aspires to become a world-class utility.

South Africa’s automotive sector has undergone fluctuating fortunes over the past four years, reaching its peak in 2007 before the financial meltdown of 2008. Gert Harmse, plant manager for Feltex Fehrer’s Port Elizabeth facility, explains the impact of these challenging times.

Rakesh Rao, CEO of Crown Berger Kenya Ltd, East Africa’s largest paint maker, talks to Jayne Flannery about maintaining the company’s leading position in the region.

Although the global economy is still struggling to recover, Crown Berger Kenya can point to the healthiest of balance sheets. Firmly established as East Africa’s leading paint maker for over 50 years, profits after tax rose by a heady 180 per cent during the last financial year, while overall revenue rose by 34 per cent to $31.5 million.

Leading East African motor group CMC Holdings Ltd is poised to extend its reach. Chief executive Martin Forster talks to Jayne Flannery about the group’s expansion.

Just two weeks after announcing an exclusivity agreement with a view to a strategic business combination, Walter Energy and Western Coal have agreed to a C$3.3 billion merger.

Walter Energy will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Western Coal for C$11.50 per share in cash or 0.114 of a Walter Energy share, or for a combination subject to pro-ration.

Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto has made a A$3.5 billion bid approach for Africa-focused Riversdale Mining, in a move likely to spark a bidding war.