It is said company working with advisers to solicit interest in the operations

Baytex Energy Corp. is weighing an exit of its operations in the Eagle Ford shale of south Texas to refocus on its domestic assets, according to people familiar with the matter.

Baytex, an oil and gas producer headquartered in Calgary that significantly extended its reach into the basin just two years ago via a takeover of Ranger Oil , is working with advisers to solicit interest in the operations, which could fetch as much as US$3 billion, the people said, asking not to be identified because the details are private. No final decision has been made and Baytex could opt to hold onto the assets.

Shares of Baytex, which rose as much as 5.7 per cent Thursday in New York trading, closed flat at $2.56 apiece, giv

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