Oil company Chevron to acquire rival Hess for $53 billion

Chevron agreed to buy Hess for $53 billion - a deal aimed at boosting production growth as the US oil industry bets on an enduring future for fossil fuels.

In an all-stock transaction, Chevron will pay $171 per share for Hess, a premium of about 10% to the 20-day average price, according to a statement from the companies on Monday. Hess shareholders will receive 1.025 shares of Chevron for each Hess share, giving the company a total enterprise value of $60 billion, including debt.

The acquisition will give Chevron a significant foothold in Guyana, one of the world's newest oil producers. This is the second major deal in the US oil industry in just a few weeks, after Exxon Mobil agreed to buy shale-oil producer Pioneer Natural Resources for $58 billion.