The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that Exxon Mobil is in talks to buy Pioneer Natural Resources in a deal valued at $60-billion (all figures U.S.). A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that the deal would make Exxon the leading producer in the Permian basin. The offer implies an about 20-per-cent premium to Pioneer's Thursday close. Reuters says it is possible that the two companies will not reach an agreement. Pioneer holds an estimated 6,300 net locations of high-quality inventory, according to Enverus. The deal value implies Exxon is paying about $4.5-million for Pioneer's high-quality locations and 3.7-million for all locations, above the recent M&A trends that have valued assets around $3-million a location, Enverus said. If the negotiations conclude successfully, an agreement between Exxon and Pioneer could be reached in the coming days, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing three sources. However, any deal could attract political and regulatory scrutiny. RBC's Scott Hanold says: "Pioneer is the Permian's largest operator at 9 per cent of gross production while Exxon is No. 5 at 6 per cent. ... These data points are relevant given FTC scrutiny around consolidation."