BOSSES of Venture Production met their opposite numbers at British/Scottish Gas owner Centrica yesterday to discuss its interest in the Aberdeen oil and gas firm.
Venture chief executive Mike Wagstaff and chairman John Morgan had a short meeting in the Centrica offices in London, however, it is understood that no headway was made on any possible deal.
A spokesman for Venture said: “It was a brief and cordial meeting. There is nothing more to say.”
Centrica upped its stake in the Aberdeen company to 23.6% last week.
Centrica said on Wednesday it was mulling a cash takeover offer for Venture, which responded immediately that a takeover move would require a much higher bid than the 725p a share at which Centrica acquired the bulk of its stake.
It added that this substantially undervalued the company, its prospects and strategic UK gas resources.
Shares in Venture closed up 1.2% yesterday at 797p.
A spokesman for Centrica had no comment to make about the meeting, but said: “Things remain pretty much as we have already stated.
“We have taken a stake in Venture and are considering our options in terms of what to do next.
“That may or may not include a bid for the whole company.”