US-BASED private-equity group AEA Investors, which counts former BP chief executive Tony Hayward among its advisers, was reported yesterday to be among bidders for international oil and gas logistics group Asco.
It has been speculated that the Aberdeen firm, which has said it is looking for new investment to double the size of the business in five years, has several bidders interested in buying it, although it has also said it is not for sale. Asco was bought by private-equity firm Phoenix Equity Partners in 2006.
Adviser Lexicon Partners has been linked with being given the task of finding extra cash for the business.
No one from Asco or Lexicon was available for comment.