Why should Total buy IOC?

[admin]

Actually, this particular legalese does provide an obligation to IOC [Seller] to obtain 'prior written consent' from the Buyer [Total] before it sells, assigns, encumbers or otherwise disposes of its interest under the SPA.

Industry people can better answer this question, but could Total actually veto the deal? I'm inclined to say this isn't likely, as the world of supermajors is small and they will have to cooperate elsewhere, but on the other hand, raw power plays are not unheared off in this industry.