Elementary! Shell Eyes BP in Potential Blockbuster Deal!

The Game is Afoot!

The scent of kerosene and high finance fills the air my dear readers! Reports have surfaced swirling like the fog over Baker Street that Shell is engaged in preliminary discussions to acquire BP. Yes BP! The very notion is enough to make one’s pipe smoke with intrigue. A jump of 7% in BP shares suggests someone has already sniffed out the truth. Though as I always say 'It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts.'

A Shell Game?

The Wall Street Journal a generally reliable source though not quite as reliable as my own deductive powers reports that talks are underway. However the plot thickens! These discussions are proceeding at a snail's pace slower than Mrs. Hudson fetching my morning tea. The current valuation of BP hovers near $85 billion – a sum that would make even Moriarty himself pause for reflection. Could Shell be up to something? Or is this merely a strategic feint?

Divide and Conquer?

Further reports this time from CNBC's Brian Sullivan suggest that a complete acquisition by Shell is improbable. 'Data! Data! Data!' I can't make bricks without clay! It seems more plausible that BP's assets could be carved up and sold to multiple entities. A rather... unsavory prospect for BP wouldn't you agree? Like dividing a priceless violin into firewood!

Pressure Cooker

BP has been feeling the heat I deduce. Its performance has lagged behind Shell and other American oil giants. This is not merely a coincidence. Is this the motive? The leverage? The very thing that pushes a man—or in this case a multinational corporation—to the brink? 'The lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a single thing so dreadful as the depths of human nature.'

Elementary My Dear Investors!

While this entire situation smells fishy (perhaps some red herring is in play?) only time will tell if Shell can successfully corner BP. The case as they say is still developing. But as any seasoned detective knows "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact." Proceed with caution dear investors and keep your eyes peeled for further developments.

The Final Deduction

For now we observe we analyse and we wait. Though one can never be too certain. As the saying goes “You see but you do not observe. The distinction is clear.” The future as always remains to be seen though I must say that the scent is rather like that of opportunity mixed with a dash of desperation. It remains to be seen if Shell will successfully acquire BP. But if they do you heard it here first unless someone else says it first of course. The news is breaking. But the game is afoot!