Woodside share price rises after merger clears final regulatory hurdle

It's a good day for ASX 200 energy shares and Woodside is making the most of it.

| More on:
An oil refinery worker stands in front of an oil rig with his arms crossed and a smile on his face as the Woodside share price climbs today

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • The Woodside share price leapt to as high as $31.18 – a 2.22% gain – in early morning trade on Tuesday 
  • It came after the company announced the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator has given its merger with BHP's petroleum business its final green light before the plan is put to a shareholder vote 
  • Tuesday is also proving to be a great day for many other ASX 200 energy stocks 

The Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) share price is lifting as shareholders get ready to go to the polls on the company's planned merger with BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)'s oil and gas portfolio.

And, in the nick of time, the merger has received its final regulatory tick of approval.

At the time of writing, the Woodside share price is $30.97, 1.54% higher than its previous close.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is also up 0.3% on Tuesday.

Let's take a closer look at what's going on with the oil and gas giant this week.

The latest on Woodside's major merger

The Woodside share price is in the green on Tuesday. Its gains come after the company announced the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator has given its merger with BHP's petroleum assets the thumbs up.

The regulator ­– a facet of the Australian Government – administers and manages petroleum and gas titles in Australian waters.

Now all that's left to do is to put the merger to a shareholder vote. Woodside investors will get their say on the plan at the company's annual general meeting on Thursday.

If approved, the merger is expected to be completed on 1 June.

Fortunately for ASX energy fans, the Woodside share price isn't alone in the green today.

Right now, the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) is recording a 1.8% gain.

It's being led by the Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) share price. It is recording a 4.4% lift.

Meanwhile, shares in Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC), Santos Ltd (ASX: STO), and Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) are up 2.95%, 2.29%, and 2.91% respectively.

The momentum comes after many energy commodity prices increased by 2% to 3% on Monday.

Brent crude oil lifted 2.4% to US$114.24 a barrel while US Nymex crude oil rose 3.4% to US$114.20 a barrel, according to CommSec. Meanwhile, the price of thermal coal increased 2.5% to US$402.50 a tonne.

Woodside share price snapshot

Today's gains included, the Woodside share price is 37% higher than it was at the start of 2022.

It has also gained nearly 38% since this time last year.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Energy Shares

A young man looks like he his thinking holding his hand to his chin and gazing off to the side amid a backdrop of hand drawn lightbulbs that are lit up on a chalkboard.
Energy Shares

The ASX energy shares that surged ahead of the rest this year

Why did these energy shares outperform this year?

Read more »

An oil refinery worker stands in front of an oil rig with his arms crossed and a smile on his face as the Woodside share price climbs today
Energy Shares

Woodside shares lift off amid big news out of Turkey

Investors are bidding up Woodside shares on Tuesday. Let’s see why.

Read more »

A male investor sits at his desk looking at his laptop screen holding his hand to his chin pondering whether to buy Macquarie shares
Energy Shares

Guess which ASX 200 stock is rising on big news

Origin's investment in Kraken has proven to be a very smart move.

Read more »

rising asx uranium share price icon on a stock index board
Energy Shares

Up 119% since April, 3 reasons to buy this newly-minted ASX 200 uranium share today

A leading investment expert forecasts more outperformance from this surging ASX uranium share. Let’s see why…

Read more »

Gas share price represented by a rising share price chart.
Energy Shares

An "unexpected" gas discovery has this company's shares rocketing higher

Gas has been discovered off the Victorian coast in a second win in as many months for this junior company.

Read more »

Hand of a woman carrying a bag of money, representing the concept of saving money or earning dividends.
Dividend Investing

Guess which ASX 200 stock has the highest dividend yield?

Yancoal tops the charts for the ASX 200 dividend yield, although future payouts will depend heavily on coal prices and…

Read more »

Business people discussing project on digital tablet.
Energy Shares

Prediction: Here's where the latest forecasts show the Woodside share price going next

Is the energy giant a buy, hold, or sell? Let's find out.

Read more »

Image of a fist holding two yellow lightning bolts against a red backdrop.
Dividend Investing

Better dividend stock in December: Woodside or Whitehaven?

Woodside and Whitehaven both pay dividends, but a closer look shows one offers far more reliable income for investors.

Read more »