MELBOURNE, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Three consortia, includingMiddle Eastern funds, are bidding for Royal Dutch Shell's Australian service stations in a A$3 billion ($2.67billion) auction, the Australian Financial Review reported onThursday.
Private equity firm TPG is bidding with Ontario Teachers'Pension Plan and the Kuwait Investment Authority, the newspapersaid.
Macquarie Group is bidding with Thailand's topenergy firm, PTT, while oil trader Vitol isworking with Abu Dhabi Investment Council.
Shell is looking to sell its refinery in Geelong, severalimport terminals and 900 branded service stations. A deal couldbe signed as early as next week, the newspaper said, citingsources close to Shell.
The oil giant is being advised by Bank of America MerrillLynch.