MADRID, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Spanish oil major Repsol is ready to spend between $5 billion and $10 billion ona U.S. or Canadian exploration and production company, the WallStreet Journal reported on Monday,
Repsol has told investment bankers in recent months of itsplans and has a preference for a company that produces more oilthan natural gas, the WSJ said, citing people familiar with thetalks.
Repsol declined to comment.
Repsol's sale of liquefied natural gas assets to Royal DutchShell, due to close later this year, will bring in $4.4 billion before taxes for the firm.
Its strategic plan calls for 19 billion euros to be spent onboosting its upstream oil business through 2016, with focus onthe United States, Brazil, Russia and Latin America.