Australia's second-largest gas producer Santos said on Monday it intended to support an all-cash $18.7 billion takeover bid from an international consortium led by Abu Dhabi's National Oil Company (ADNOC),

The South Australian government has warned that any takeover of domestic oil and gas giant Santos by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company must preserve the state’s economic interests, saying it has “levers” it can pull as the UAE behemoth closes in on control.

Adelaide-based Santos said that XRG, comprised of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company and US private equity fund Carlyle, had tabled an indicative cash offer of US$5.76 a share — equivalent to A$8.89 — which represented a 28 per cent premium to the company’s closing share price last week.