The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Jan. 14, edition that Canadian Natural Resources is set to acquire a portfolio of natural gas properties in Alberta worth over $1-billion from Tourmaline Oil. The Globe's Andrew Willis and Emma Graney write that CNRL filed the paperwork for federal Competition Bureau approval of a transaction with Tourmaline on Dec. 30. However, the regulator and the Calgary-based companies did not disclose details of the potential deal. Sources say Canadian Natural is in talks to acquire a natural gas business in Alberta's Peace River region that Tourmaline put up for sale in November. Last year, analysts estimated the portfolio could fetch up to $1.4-billion. CNRL also owns gas wells and energy infrastructure in the area. Tourmaline's Peace River operations include 2,428 horizontal wells, 34 gas plants and 15,500 kilometres of pipelines. Sources say CNRL is seeking preliminary regulatory feedback on a potential acquisition of the Tourmaline assets prior to announcing a purchase. Tourmaline said it would not comment on the sale process of its Peace River assets before its first quarter report, which is slated for March 4. CNRL also declined to comment on the regulatory filing.