This is newish news about BHP Billiton: BHP Pursuing Bid for Petrobras Gulf Stake. But of course the story suggests that there are just people familiar with the talks between the parties. And there are others involved. But I know that BHP Billiton are keen on North American energy assets. Just yesterday I was reading that they are keen on North America full stop, with their focus on the potash project in Jansen not going to be cut from expansion plans. Energy and fertilizer, I like it, and that is what separates BHP Billiton from their mining peers.