The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Devon Energy has put its Alberta oil sands and heavy crude operations on the auction block. The Globe's Jeffrey Jones writes that the assets could fetch $4-billion to $4.5-billion. The move comes as the industry struggles with years-long delays in expanding export pipelines in Canada and with oil and gas prices stuck below those in other international markets. GMP FirstEnergy analyst Michael Dunn says the exit of foreign players shows oil-industry fortunes can be made more easily elsewhere, where operations can generate cash more quickly and for far less capital investments. Devon boss Dave Hager says the sale will transform the company into a purely U.S. oil and gas producer. It aims to complete the "separation" of the Canadian assets by the end of the year. Husky Energy's recently failed bid for MEG Energy, along with an undercurrent of negative investor sentiment about Canada's energy industry, raises questions about whether Devon could attract a premium bid. Unnamed analysts say Husky, Imperial Oil and Canadian Natural Resources are likely to examine Devon's Jackfish, located south of Fort McMurray, and the heavy oil assets near Llyodminster.