The $1 billion West Australian gas producer Strike Energy Limited (ASX:STX) is understood have pulled out of the race to buy Woodside Energy Group Ltd. (ASX:WDS)'s $500 million ($768 million)-plus Pyrenees and Macedon oil and gas projects. The sale process is proving to be slow moving for the suitors that remain in the race, with some questioning whether it will drag out into the new year. It is understood Strike was keen to buy the Macedon project but was not in a position to also take on Pyrenees.

The sale process is being run by Morgan Stanley. Woodside inherited the two gas facilities in WA's Carnarvon Basin through its acquisition of BHP's petroleum business last year. First-round bids were received last month, but the offers were not conforming bids, with most suitors only vying for the more popular Macedon asset.

DataRoom understands that parties that have been in the data room are The Carlyle Group Inc. (NasdaqGS:CG), Cooper Energy Limited (ASX:COE), the Chris Ellison-backed Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN), billionaire Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd, Carnarvon Energy Limited (ASX:CVN), Strike Energy Limited (ASX:STX), Jadestone Energy plc (AIM:JSE) and Questus Energy LLC. Beach Energy was not thought to have put forward a bid because it currently has an Interim Chief Executive running the company, Bruce Clement. Sources believe that Beach, which is 30% controlled by the interests of billionaire Kerry Stokes and now chaired by his son Ryan on an interim basis, is the logical candidate to buy the assets.