The June 26 news comes after reports that Shell entered early talks to buy BP in what would easily represent the largest energy deal of the century—if not ever. But with Shell s

Shell denied that it was in talks to buy BP after the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the oil major was in early discussions over a takeover of its British rival.

BP has a market capitalization of around $80 billion, one of the smallest among the oil supermajors. The conversations were said to be in the early stages, according to the Journal. If the deal comes to fruition,