Statoil may eye EOG Resources for huge purchase

Norway-based Statoil ASA (NYSE: STO) may be pursuing a megadeal to acquire Houston-based EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG).

Industry chatter online and off picked up in late February that Statoil was targeting EOG in a merger or acquisition that could exceed $50 billion — more than the $35 billion for which Houston-based Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL) is buying Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE: BHI).

Analysts said the deal would make sense for Statoil, which is growing its Houston presence, and seeking to expand…