Talisman Energy to sell up to C$2 bln of assets

CALGARY, Alberta May 20 (Reuters) - Talisman Energy Inc (TLM.TO) plans to sell its operations in Netherlands, Denmark, and Trinidad as part of a restructuring plan aimed at wringing higher returns from fewer assets, Canada's No. 3 independent oil explorer said on Tuesday.

As part of the new strategic plan, in the works since late last year, Talisman plans to sell non-core assets producing up to 45,000 barrels a day for as much as C$2 billion ($2 billion) by the end of 2009, the company said.

It plans to increase capital spending in 2008 to C$4.9 billion, and may spend C$5.8 billion in 2009, as it bolsters exploration and production efforts in Southeast Asia, Norway and in unconventional North American properties, it said. ($1=$0.99 Canadian) (Reporting by Jeffrey Jones; editing by Rob Wilson)