Talisman cuts 4 pct of staff as gas focus shifts

CALGARY, Alberta Dec 2 (Reuters) - Talisman Energy Inc (TLM.TO) has cut 220 staff, or about 4 percent of its work force, as it shifts its North American focus to unconventional natural gas, Canada's No. 3 independent oil explorer said on Wednesday.

The job cuts involve mostly Calgary-based technical, business support and operations staff tied to the North American business, which the company is reorganizing into shale gas and conventional divisions, spokeswoman Phoebe Buckland said. (Reporting by Jeffrey Jones; editing by Peter Galloway) ((jeff.jones@thomsonreuters.com; +1 403 531 1624; Reuters Messaging: jeff.jones.reuters.com@reuters.net))