UPDATE 1-BP, Eni in talks to merge Angolan oil and gas businesses

* 50-50 JV to produce around 200,000 boed

* Companies will look for exploration and growth

* Business plan for future ops in Angola and regionally
(Adds quotes, details)

By Ron Bousso and Stephen Jewkes

LONDON/MILAN, May 19 (Reuters) - BP and Eni
said on Wednesday they had entered into talks to merge their oil
and gas operations in Angola to form one of Africa's largest
energy companies.

The two companies have signed a non-binding memorandum of
understanding and are in discussions on a joint venture that
will include their liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, they
said in a statement.

A business plan will be agreed to allow the companies "to
capture future opportunities in exploration, development and
possibly portfolio growth, both in Angola and regionally."

Spinning off oil and gas assets is seen as a way for BP and
Eni to squeeze more out of their oil and gas assets as the two
companies prepare to shift towards renewable energy.

The two companies have successful joint ventures in Norway,
which serve as a model for the Angolan model.

"We see the combined Angola asset JV position providing for
improved capital allocation, cost synergies, business
efficiencies and an enhanced focus on value over volume,"
Santander analyst Jason Kenney said in a note.
Reuters reported last month that Eni was considering spinning
off oil and gas operations in West Africa and the Middle East
into new joint ventures to help reduce debt and fund its shift
to low-carbon energy. The report said Eni had held discussions
with BP.

Oil and gas production from both Angolan portfolios would
reach around 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, BP and
Eni said in a statement.

The 50-50 joint venture will also be self-funded, the
companies said.

"The aim is to create a long-term future for operations in
the country that will have a material portfolio of production,
reserves and exploration prospects - one of the largest in
sub-Saharan Africa," BP's head of production and operations
Gordon Birrell said in an internal statement seen by Reuters.

The talks are expected to last several months, according to
a company source.
(Editing by Jane Merriman and David Evans)