In the US, ANADARKO PETROLEUM, will pay out almost $ 21 bn in cash to take over KERR-MCGEE (for 16.4 bn) and WESTERN GAS (for 4.7 bn), which will make the company the largest independent oil and gas producer (without refinery or chemical businesses) in the USA. The three groups that will be merging, made an accumulated profit last year of $ 17 bn. Still in the US, ENERGY PARTNERS took over its rival STONE ENERGY for $ 1.4 bn.