The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, Oct. 22, edition that Imperial Oil parent Exxon Mobil bought an interest in Eni's giant gas discoveries in Mozambique, which will spur development of projects in the African country to export the fuel, according to the chairman of state-owned Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos. A Bloomberg dispatch to The Globe reports that Exxon will become an operator in the offshore Rovuma basin of Eni's Area 4 after buying a "majority" interest, chairman Omar Mitha told reporters Thursday in Maputo, the capital. Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos did not disclose the price of the deal. Three years ago, China National Petroleum purchased 20 per cent of Eni's Area 4 for $4.2-billion (U.S.). "A deal has not yet been finalized," Eni said in an e-mailed response to questions, adding that talks with a potential buyer are continuing. Exxon said in a statement by e-mail, "We do not comment on rumors or speculations."