The planned sale of Winterhall DEA, a subsidiary of BASF, to the British oil company Harbour Energy apparently faces political resistance. According to information from Handelsblatt, the Federal Ministry of Economics is examining the sales plans "very intensively" and could thus jeopardize the deal. The ministry of Robert Habeck (Green Party) declined to comment on the information, as potential investment review procedures could affect protected business secrets.

The Federal Government is authorized to prohibit the takeover of a company under certain conditions, if the buyer is not from the EU. According to Handelsblatt, the "Ampel" faction is also exerting pressure on the sale. SPD energy politician Bengt Bergt emphasizes that the sale not only means the loss of know-how, but also the technical access to gas fields. Furthermore, a sale would result in the loss of expertise in carbon capture and storage.

Shortly before Christmas, BASF announced its intention to merge with the British oil company Harbour Energy. This would mean the end of independence for Germany's only oil and gas producer, Winterhall DEA. Despite this development, BASF shares rose by 1.16 percent to 43.66 euros at the XETRA closing bell.

The planned merger not only causes political resistance, but also raises questions about how future access and utilization of resources can be ensured. Additionally, jobs and the know-how of employees in Germany must also be protected. Experts also emphasize the importance of Winterhall DEA for Germany's energy strategy, particularly with regards to reducing CO2 emissions.

It remains to be seen how the sales plans of BASF and Harbour Energy will develop and whether the political concerns can be resolved. A final decision is expected in the coming weeks. The news of the planned sale has already caught the attention of investors and will surely trigger further discussions and developments in the energy sector.