Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) (Oxy) appears to be standing pat for now on Deepwater US Gulf of Mexico assets it will soon acquire from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:APC) despite widespread assumptions the portfolio will ultimately be divested. Numerous industry sources focused on mergers and acquisitions have told Energy Intelligence that Oxy is not actively marketing or soliciting bids for Anadarko's sprawling US Gulf portfolio. Oxy has in fact been approached with offers for the Anadarko assets and has rejected them.

A source with direct knowledge of one particular negotiation said Oxy told the potential buyer that the package is not for sale at this time. Oxy has said it intends to divest $10 billion-$15 billion worth of assets after the Anadarko deal closes, and the US Gulf is one of Oxy's remaining high-value but awkward-fitting assets.