TPG in bid for Shell's Australian assets - paper

SYDNEY, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Private equity firm TPG is vying for Royal Dutch Shell's RDSa.L refining and retail business in Australia, along with a consortium involving Macquarie Group

, the Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported on Wednesday.

The paper said there is speculation that a third party, potentially an Asian energy business, is also in the running to buy Shell's assets, including a refinery, import terminals and a network of 900 branded service stations.

The AFR described the process as being in the final stages.

(Reporting by Ian Chua; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)

((ian.chua@thomsonreuters.com)(+6129373 1871)(Reuters Messaging: ian.chua.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: AUSTRALIA SHELL/TPG