Eni and Repsol weigh selling part of their stake in Perla field

Energy companies Eni SpA and Repsol SA are evaluating the possibility of bringing outside investors into the Perla natural gas field by selling part of their stakes, according to a report from the portal Banca y Negocios.

The Perla field operates as an offshore joint venture in which each of the corporations holds 50% of the capital, according to information published by the outlet. Proceeds from the transaction would be used to help fund the development and continuity of operations at the field.

The decision to seek partners comes amid a regulatory opening for the hydrocarbons sector. Last month, Venezuela and the United States announced alliances with major energy firms, which allowed operating licenses to be granted to international corporations to boost crude oil and natural gas production in the country.

For foreign companies, the high country risk premium makes financing more expensive and conditions the arrival of their own capital, which makes the search for strategic partners or the partial sale of assets to spread the costs of investment in large-scale offshore projects a common practice.